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Thursday 27 August 2020
Armed Career Criminal Pleads Guilty to Drug Distribution and Gun PossessionRead the Press Release
Memphis, TN – Devin Baker, 31, an armed career criminal, has pleaded guilty to possession of methamphetamine with intent to distribute and possessing a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime. D. Michael Dunavant, U.S. Attorney announced the guilty plea today.
According to information presented in Court, on June 4, 2019, Memphis Police Department officers responded to an overdose death call on Shelby Oaks Drive. Upon their arrival, law enforcement determined that the Narcan used on K.P., was unsuccessful, and she died of an overdose of several drugs, including heroin and methamphetamine.
From June 5-11, 2019, detectives conducted surveillance and witnessed Baker selling drugs from a room at a local motel and conducted multiple hand to hand transactions. On June 11, 2019, Baker was stopped and searched, and had methamphetamine and marijuana in his pocket. After Baker was detained, detectives executed a search warrant on the motel room and recovered several guns, including a stolen gun, 22 pills, digital scales, and another bag of methamphetamine. Personal property belonging to Baker was also recovered, indicating he was living in the motel room.
After being taken into custody, Baker waived his Miranda rights and provided a written statement to detectives. Baker admitted to lodging at the local motel, confirming that the guns were in the room, that he sold drugs out of the room, and admitted to the hand to hand drug transactions.
As a result of his prior felony convictions, including aggravated kidnapping, aggravated robbery, aggravated burglary, possession of marijuana with intent to sell, and being a convicted felon in possession of a handgun, Baker is prohibited by federal law from possession of firearms or ammunition.
The defendant pled guilty on August 26, 2020, before U.S. District Court Judge John T. Fowlkes Jr. A sentencing hearing is scheduled on December 2, 2020, where Baker faces a sentence of up to 20 years for possession of methamphetamine with intent to distribute, and a mandatory minimum consecutive sentence of 5 years and up to a possibility of a life sentence for possessing a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime. There is no parole in the federal system.
U.S. Attorney Dunavant said, "This defendant’s prior conviction history demonstrates his disrespect for the law and his imminent danger to the public. Baker presented a triple threat of serious bodily injury and death: a prior violent convicted felon in possession of multiple firearms while distributing highly addictive and deadly substances on the streets. Career offender+guns+drugs=a federal conviction that will remove him from our community and save lives."
The Memphis Police Department’s Heroin Overdose Response Team (HORT) and Project Safe Neighborhoods Task Force investigated this case. The Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN) initiative is a program bringing together all levels of law enforcement and the communities they serve to reduce violent crime and make our neighborhoods safer for everyone. In 2017, PSN was reinvigorated as part of the Justice Department’s renewed focus on targeting violent criminals, directing all U.S. Attorney’s Offices to work in partnership with federal, state, local and tribal law enforcement and the local community to develop effective, locally based strategies to reduce violent crime.
Special Assistant U.S. Attorney Samuel D. Winnig is prosecuting this case on behalf of the government. SAUSA Winnig is currently assigned from the Shelby County District Attorney General’s Office for the purpose of prosecuting violent crimes and firearms offenses in federal court.
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Anderson County Husband and Wife Among Five Indicted on Child Sex Trafficking and Production of Child Pornography ChargesRead the Press Release
Greenville, South Carolina --- United States Attorney Peter M. McCoy, Jr., announced today that Gary Garland, Shannon Garland, Johnnie Wells, Michael Skelton, and Duwone Allen, all of Anderson, were arrested on a multi-count federal indictment charging violations of conspiracy to commit sex trafficking of a minor and production of child pornography.
“Child sex trafficking is one of the most offensive and reprehensible crimes possible,” said U.S. Attorney McCoy. “Sadly, many of the victims and offenders are hidden in plain sight. With support from our federal, state, and local partners, this office will find those who engage in all forms of human trafficking and bring them to justice. This includes those who patronize these victims. We will also continue to work with support groups here in our community to ensure these victims receive the services they need.”
“Sex trafficking is a form of modern-day slavery, and these cases are a top priority for HSI investigation,” said Special Agent in Charge of Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) Charlotte Ronnie Martinez. “HSI is committed to working with our law enforcement partners to find and prosecute criminal traffickers while ensuring the victims of these terrible crimes are rescued and get the care they need.”
“These are heinous allegations, and this case would not have been possible without the coordinated efforts of federal, state, and local law enforcement departments,” said U.S. Marshal Thomas M. Griffin, Jr. “Any crime against a child is horrific and the United States Marshals Service will utilize any and all available resources so we can bring these offenders to justice.”
The ten-count indictment alleges human trafficking and child pornography violations against the Defendants beginning last year in South Carolina. According to the indictment, the Defendants would advertise and transport at least two minors for the purpose of engaging in commercial sex acts, and the Garlands would produce visual depictions of the minors.
This case is being investigated by HSI, Immigration and Customs Enforcement, and the Anderson County Sheriff’s Office. The case is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorneys Carrie Fisher Sherard and Winston Marosek of the Greenville office. The United States Marshals Service assisted in the arrest of the offenders.
U.S. Attorney McCoy stated that all charges in this case are merely allegations at this stage and that the defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.
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The year 2020 marks the 150th anniversary of the Department of Justice. Learn more about the history of our agency at www.Justice.gov/Celebrating150Years.
Alaska man charged federally with setting fire at Seattle Police East PrecinctRead the Press Release
(Seattle) - A 19-year-old Alaska man was charged with arson today for the fire he set Monday, August 24, 2020 at the Seattle Police Department’s East Precinct, announced U.S. Attorney Brian T. Moran. DESMOND DAVID-PITTS was arrested shortly after the fire following a Monday night protest march. DAVID-PITTS appeared today in U.S. District Court in Seattle.
“This is the fourth defendant to appear in federal court after being charged with criminal conduct that went far beyond any peaceful protest,” said U.S. Attorney Brian Moran. “Those who go to protest but choose violence and criminal acts over protected speech will face the full weight of federal criminal sanctions. This illegal conduct must end.”
“The intentional fire set Monday evening in an organized, pre-planned attack endangered the lives of our officers and our entire community. This was not a peaceful protest, or demonstration for equity, but an act of lawlessness. We are grateful our federal partners at the U.S. Attorney’s Office recognize the criminal nature of these acts and are holding those responsible accountable,” said Seattle Police Chief Carmen Best.
Deputy Chief Adrian Diaz promised to maintain the SPD’s federal partnerships as he takes command of the Department and added “We are hopeful that the federal charges now filed against Mr. David-Pitts will serve as a warning that crimes of violence will not be tolerated in Seattle.”
According to the criminal complaint, DAVID-PITTS had arrived in Seattle from Alaska just three days before Monday’s protest. After marching with the group in downtown Seattle, DAVID-PITTS is seen on surveillance video piling up trash against the sally-port door at the Seattle Police East Precinct. Over an eleven minute period the surveillance video captures DAVID-PITTS not only piling up the trash, but repeatedly lighting it on fire and feeding the flames with more trash. While DAVID-PITTS was lighting the fire, other people who appeared on the surveillance were attempting to use crowbars and cement-like materials to try to disable the door next to the sally-port to prevent officers from exiting the building. At various times DAVID-PITTS appeared to be communicating with the others. Despite efforts to disable the door, officers were able to get outside and extinguish the flames. A similarly equipped group set a second fire around the corner from the DAVID-PITTS arson, and DAVID-PITTS was seen on surveillance working with the others to cut through a chain-link fence that was a barrier around the building. The second fire was extinguished by Seattle Police Officers and members of the Seattle Fire Department.
DAVID-PITTS was identified less than an hour later in the crowd outside the precinct because of the distinctive pink camouflage trousers he was wearing. He was arrested without incident.
Three people have already been charged with federal crimes in connection to civil unrest:
- On July 15, Isaiah Thomas Willoughby was charged with arson in connection with a fire set at the East Precinct.
- On June 11, Margaret Aislinn Channon was charged with arson for setting five Seattle Police vehicles on fire.
- On June 10, Devinare Antwan Parker was charged with possessing a destructive device for bringing an improvised firearm to a protest.
Arson is punishable by a mandatory minimum five years in prison and up to twenty years in prison.
The charges contained in the complaint 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.
The case is being investigated by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms & Explosives (ATF) and the Seattle Police Department.
The case is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Todd Greenberg.
74 People Facing Federal Charges for Crimes Committed During Portland DemonstrationsRead the Press Release
U.S. Attorney Billy J. Williams announced today that 74 people are facing federal charges for crimes committed adjacent to or under the guise of peaceful demonstrations in Portland since at least May 29, 2020.
For more than 90 consecutive nights, Portland has been home to large demonstrations and protests against police use of force and anti-Black racism. On many nights, after peaceful demonstrations end, various public and private buildings have been the target of vandalism and destruction. Local, state, and federal law enforcement working to protect these buildings and ensure the safety of peaceful demonstrators have been subjected to threats and assaults from violent agitators while performing their duties.
“Violent agitators have hijacked any semblance of First Amendment protected activity, engaging in violent criminal acts and destruction of public safety,” said U.S. Attorney Williams. “The U.S. Attorney’s Office and our federal law enforcement partners are expeditiously working with local and state law enforcement to identify, arrest, and prosecute these individuals that are disrupting the rule of law in our communities and physically attacking our law enforcement officers and destroying property. Violent agitators not only delay real reform, but make our community less safe by keeping law enforcement from responding to other critical calls for service.”
“While the FBI supports and safeguards Constitutionally-protected activity and civil rights, there is no permit for assault, arson or property damage and these are not victimless crimes,” said Renn Cannon, Special Agent in Charge of the FBI in Oregon. “Among the victims of violent crime are business owners, residents and individuals exercising their First Amendment rights through protests or other legitimate forms of expression.”
“The nightly violence has to stop,” said Russel Burger, U.S. Marshal for the District of Oregon. “It is drowning out the voices of the many who are calling for change, and pulling police resources away from their primary mission of keeping this community safe. We must all come together to find a productive way to move forward.”
“As the nation’s primary source for fire investigative knowledge, ATF remains committed to investigating those responsible for committing arsons in our communities and holding them responsible for their illegal actions,” said ATF Special Agent in Charge Jonathan McPherson. “As a reminder, there is a mandatory minimum sentence of five years for arson. ATF takes these violent actions seriously and will work diligently to bring justice to the victims.”
“It is vitally important that all Americans have the ability to exercise their first amendment rights to freedom of speech,” said Acting Special Agent in Charge of Homeland Security Investigations Seattle Eben Roberts. “Unfortunately, much of what we’re seeing in Portland is the antithesis of that. Instead tragic events are being used as excuses for individuals with ill intent disguising themselves as activists to commit violent crimes against their communities and law enforcement officers. Progress can only be made if community leaders, law enforcement and the public come together in the name of social change, justice and peace.”
Since May 26, 2020, federal law enforcement authorities have arrested 100 people for crimes committed during local demonstrations. Seventy-four face federal charges, including felonies, misdemeanors, and citation violations. Crimes include assaults on federal officers, some resulting in serious injuries; arson and attempted arson; damaging federal government property; failing to obey lawful orders; and unlawful use of a drone; among others.
Charged defendants include:
- Edward Carubis, 24, is charged with assaulting a federal officer on July 1, 2020;
- Rowan Olsen, 19, is charged (photos available) with creating a hazard on federal property, disorderly conduct, and failing to obey a lawful order on July 2, 2020;
- Shant Singh Ahuja, 28, of Oceanside, California, is charged with destruction of federal property on July 4, 2020;
- Gretchen Blank, 29, of Seattle, Washington, is charged (photos available) with assaulting a federal officer on July 5, 2020;
- Andrew Faulkner, 24, is charged with assaulting a federal officer on July 5, 2020;
- Christopher Fellini, 31, is charged (photos available) with assaulting a federal officer on July 5, 2020;
- Theodore Matthee-O’Brien, 21, is charged with assaulting a federal officer on July 5, 2020;
- Cody Porter, 28, is charged with assaulting a federal officer on July 5, 2020;
- Taimane Teo, 24, of Eugene, Oregon, is charged with assaulting a federal officer on July 5, 2020;
- Benjamin Wood-Pavich, 21, is charged with assaulting a federal officer on July 5, 2020;
- Jacob Gaines, 23, a Texas resident, is charged (photos available) with assaulting a federal officer on July 11, 2020;
- Lillith Grin, 22, is charged with assaulting a federal officer on July 12, 2020;
- Benjamin Bolen, 36, is charged with assaulting a federal officer on July 13, 2020;
- Kevin Weier, 36, is charged with attempted arson on July 13, 2020;
- Wyatt Ash-Milby, 18, is charged with failing to obey a lawful order on July 21, 2020;
- Jerusalem Callahan, 24, is charged with damaging government property on July 21, 2020;
- Zachary Duffly, 45, is charged with creating a disturbance on July 21, 2020;
- Caleb Ehlers, 23, is charged with failing to obey a lawful order on July 21, 2020;
- Paul Furst, 22, is charged with failing to obey a lawful order on July 21, 2020;
- Jennifer Kristiansen, 38, is charged with assaulting a federal officer on July 21, 2020;
- Ella Miller, 26, is charged with failing to obey a lawful order on July 21, 2020;
- Marie Sager, 27, is charged with failing to obey a lawful order on July 21, 2020;
- Giovanni Bondurant, 19, is charged with assaulting a federal officer on July 22, 2020;
- Bailey Dreibelbis, 22, is charged with failing to obey a lawful order on July 21, 2020;
- Gabriel Huston, 22, is charged with assaulting a federal officer on July 22, 2020;
- Joseph Lagalo, 37, is charged with failing to obey a lawful order on July 22, 2020;
- Taylor Lemons, 32, is charged with assaulting a federal officer on July 22, 2020;
- Joseph Ybarra, 21, is charged with arson on July 22, 2020;
- David Hazan, 24, is charged with failing to obey a lawful order on July 23, 2020;
- Nicholas Kloiber, 26, is charged with failing to obey a lawful order on July 23, 2020;
- Cameron Knutson, 28, is charged with failing to obey a lawful order on July 23, 2020;
- Carly Ballard, 34, is charged with assaulting a federal officer on July 24, 2020;
- David Bouchard, 36, is charged with assaulting a federal officer on July 24, 2020;
- Dakota Eastman, 30, is charged with failing to obey a lawful order on July 24, 2020;
- Josslynn Kreutz, 28, is charged with failing to obey a lawful order on July 24, 2020;
- Ezra Meyers, 18, is charged with failing to obey a lawful order on July 24, 2020;
- Mark Rolycanov, 28, is charged with failing to obey a lawful order on July 24, 2020;
- Pablo Avvocato, 26, is charged with assaulting a federal officer on July 25, 2020;
- Douglas Dean, 34, is charged with assaulting a federal officer on July 25, 2020;
- Rebecca Mota Gonzales, 37, is charged with assaulting a federal officer on July 25, 2020;
- Thomas Johnson, 33, is charged with assaulting a federal officer on July 25, 2020;
- Richard Lindstedt, 33, is charged with violating national defense airspace on July 25, 2020;
- Nathan Onderdonk-Snow, 21, is charged with assaulting a federal officer on July 25, 2020;
- Stephen O’Donnell, 65, is charged with assaulting a federal officer on July 25, 2020;
- Joshua Webb, 22, is charged with assaulting a federal officer on July 25, 2020;
- Jeffree Cary, 30, is charged with assaulting a federal officer on July 26, 2020;
- John Tyler Gabriel, 22, is charged with assaulting a federal officer on July 26, 2020;
- Noelle Mandolfo, 30, is charged with assaulting a federal officer on July 26, 2020;
- Patrick Stafford, 35, is charged with assaulting a federal officer on July 26, 2020;
- Travis Williams, 27, is charged with assaulting a federal officer on July 26, 2020;
- Caleb Wills, 29, is charged with assaulting a federal officer on July 26, 2020;
- Brodie Storey, 28, is charged with assaulting a federal officer on July 27, 2020;
- Edward Schinzing, 32, is charged (photos available) with arson on July 28, 2020;
- James Hickerson, 54, is charged with failing to obey a lawful order on July 28, 2020;
- Ian Wolf, 26, is charged with failing to obey a lawful order and creating a hazard on federal property on July 28, 2020;
- Sabastian Dubar, 23, is charged with assaulting a federal officer on July 29, 2020;
- Jordan Johnson, 32, is charged with assaulting a federal officer on July 29, 2020;
- Evan Kriechbaum, 31, is charged with assaulting a federal officer on July 29, 2020;
- Christine Margaux, 28, is charged with assaulting a federal officer on July 29, 2020;
- Gabriel Agard-Berryhill, 18, is charged (video available) with arson on July 30, 2020;
- Isaiah Maza, 18, is charged (photos available) with assaulting a federal officer on July 31, 2020;
- Dakotah Horton, 24, is charged (photos available) with assaulting a federal officer on August 17, 2020; and
- Dakota Means, 20, is charged with assaulting a federal officer on August 24, 2020.
Eleven others have been issued citation violations. All defendants, unless noted, are presumed to be local residents.
Several of the charges being used to prosecute violent agitators carry significant maximum prison sentences. For example, felony assault of a federal officer with a dangerous weapon is punishable by up to 20 years in prison. Arson is punishable by up to 20 years in prison with a mandatory minimum sentence of five years.
It is important to note that while some federal charges require crimes be committed on federal property, others do not. Violent acts committed throughout the city of Portland under the guise of peaceful protest are being evaluated by local federal prosecutors for prosecution.
These cases are being investigated by the FBI; U.S. Marshals Service; Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives; U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s Homeland Security Investigations; and Federal Protective Service. They are being prosecuted by the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Oregon.
Indictments, complaints, and informations are only accusations of a crime, and defendants are presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.
To help identify actors who are actively instigating violence in the city of Portland, the FBI is accepting tips and digital media depicting violent encounters during demonstrations. If you have witnessed unlawful violent actions, we urge you to submit any information, photos, or videos that could be relevant to investigations at fbi.gov/PDViolence.
Specifically, the FBI is assisting partner agencies by asking for the public’s help in identifying individuals who participated in or may have been a witness to criminal activity at the following locations:
- Near or inside the Multnomah County Justice Center in downtown Portland on the night of May 29, 2020 or into the morning of May 30, 2020. Details here: Justice Center
- Near the Chase Bank branch located at 811 SW 6th Avenue, Portland, Oregon, shortly before 1 a.m. on May 30, 2020. Details here: Chase Bank
Tips can be submitted by calling 1-800-CALL-FBI (1-800-225-5324) or (503) 224-4181. They can also be submitted online by visiting: tips.fbi.gov.
28 Charged in Cartel Money Laundering SchemeRead the Press Release
A Mexican cartel boss and 27 coconspirators have been charged with laundering more than $10 million in drug proceeds through a local clothing retailer, announced U.S. Attorney for the Northern District of Texas Erin Nealy Cox.
In a 38-count superseding indictment unsealed today, a federal grand jury charged 28 individuals connected to Cartel Jalisco Nueva Generacion – one of Mexico’s most violent and powerful drug cartels – with conspiracy to launder monetary instruments and other financial, drug, and gun crimes, including conspiracy to distribute methamphetamine, conspiracy to distribute heroin, and possession of a firearm by an undocumented alien.
“Drug cartels like CJNG wreak havoc across the globe, driving the spread of deadly drugs like meth and heroin,” said U.S. Attorney Nealy Cox. “We’re committed to tracking the money and disrupting these organizations by attacking their bottom line. By striking both the money and the drugs, we can more effectively impact the organization.”
“Addiction to drugs has many different faces. In this instance, the addiction to money and greed has met its consequence”, said Eduardo A. Chávez, Special Agent in Charge of the DEA Dallas Field Division. “Despite CJNG’s efforts to disguise their illegal activities into our North Texas communities, the DEA will seek to starve it of every last drug dollar and achieve justice for all those involved.”
According to court documents, Jose Valdovinos Jimenez, a plaza boss who goes by “La Roca” or “The Rock,” allegedly conspired with his codefendants to smuggle hundreds of kilograms of methamphetamine and heroin across the Mexican border, distribute the drugs within the United States, launder the proceeds, and then transfer the money back to CJNG leaders.
In order to insulate himself from law enforcement activity and limit losses from law enforcement raids, Mr. Jimenez and other leaders of CJNG implemented a compartmentalized infrastructure, relying on couriers to smuggle the drugs across the border, recrystallization laboratories to purify drugs for sale, fortified stash houses to store the drugs before distribution, and a multi-level dealer network to handle the cash.
At Mr. Jimenez’s direction, mid- and upper-level dealers transported drug proceeds to Yoli’s Western Wear, a clothing retailer located on Buckner Boulevard in Dallas. The 23-year-old manager of Yoli’s, Ivan Noe Valerio, and his family members then counted the money and separated it into thousands of transactions, sending it through a money remitter back to CJNG in Mexico.
An indictment is merely an allegation of criminal conduct, not evidence. Defendants are presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty in a court of law.
If convicted, Mr. Jimenez and Mr. Valero face life in federal prison.
Other defendants charged in the scheme include:
- Teodoro Valerio Perez (Valerio’s father)
- Yolanda Mercado Valerio (Valerio’s mother)
- Iris Yaneli Valerio (Valerio’s sister)
- Laurentino DelaCruz, aka “Tino,” (alleged meth dealer)
- Carlo LNU, aka “Gordo,” (alleged wire transactions handler)
- Jesus Manuel Juarez Aguilar, aka “Chucho,” (alleged wire transactions handler)
- Cuauhtemoc Gonzalez Del Rio (alleged wire transactions handler)
- Jonathan Rene Jacobo Mata
- Oscar Mario Flores Daza
- Antonio Pena, Jr.
- Eduardo Galdean Gress (alleged stash house distributor)
- Lorenzo Piedra Chavez (alleged heroin dealer)
- Blanca Flor Hernandez
- Aniano Chavez Avila (alleged stash house distributor)
- Raul Ceja Barajas (alleged laboratory operator)
- Alejandro Garcia Lopez (alleged laboratory operator)
- Joel Guillermo Torres (alleged drug courier)
- Roberto Macias (alleged stash house distributor)
- Alexander Alvarez (alleged stash house distributor)
- Edgar Eduardo Vicente Miranda (alleged meth dealer)
- Manuel Garcia Gomez (alleged laboratory operator)
- Jorge Humberto Larios Velazco (alleged laboratory operator)
- Arthur Ernest Rubalcaba (alleged stash house distributor)
- Jose Alfredo Penalozo Perdomo
- Carlos Michael Hernandez (alleged meth dealer)
- Hobedt Moreno (alleged meth dealer)
During the course of this investigation, agents seized approximately 700 kilograms of methamphetamine, approximately 80 kilograms of heroin, and approximately $500,000 in drug proceeds. Dozens of the charged defendants have already been arrested.
The U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration’s Dallas Field Division, the Texas Department of Public Security, the U.S. Marshals Service, and ICE Enforcement & Removal Operations conducted the investigation with the assistance of the Midlothian Police Department and Ellis County Sheriff’s Office. Assistant U.S. Attorneys PJ Meitl and Travis Elder are prosecuting the case.
21 Year-Old Convicted Felon Facing Federal Firearms Charges After Shooting of Teenager Last WeekRead the Press Release
NASHVILLE, Tenn. – August 27, 2020 – Gievanne Courtlyn Ashley, 21, of Nashville, was charged Tuesday with two counts of being a convicted felon in possession of a firearm, announced U.S. Attorney Don Cochran for the Middle District of Tennessee.
The charges stem from a shooting investigation, which occurred on August 20th in the 1300 block of Westchester Drive in Nashville, in which a 17 year-old was shot in the abdomen with an AR-style rifle. According to the criminal complaint, when Metropolitan Nashville Police Department (MNPD) responded to this incident, witnesses identified the shooter as Ashley, who had fled the scene. MNPD officers knew at the time that Ashley was wanted on a probation violation warrant.
Subsequent investigation by MNPD on August 24, led officers to a house on Herman Street, where Ashley was found by SWAT officers hiding in a bedroom closet and was arrested. During a search of the premises, officers located a loaded .40 caliber Glock under the cushion of a chair in the living room. Based on further interviews, MNPD officers obtained a search warrant for an apartment on Alameda Street in Nashville and recovered a loaded .32 caliber Long revolver; a Ruger AR-5.56 mm caliber rifle with 30 rounds in the magazine; an additional 5.56 mm magazine loaded with 10 rounds; a Glock .40 caliber magazine loaded with seven rounds; and 12 additional rounds of .40 caliber ammunition.
Ashley has two prior felony convictions in the Criminal Court of Davidson County, including burglary of a motor vehicle and being a convicted felon in possession of a firearm. If convicted of the instant offenses, Ashley faces up to 10 years in prison on each count.
This case was investigated by the MNPD and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms & Explosives. Assistant U.S. Attorney Andrew Notaristefano is prosecuting the case.
The charges are merely an accusation. The defendant is presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.
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Wednesday 26 August 2020
West Saint Paul Man Sentenced to More Than Eight Years for Armed Robberies of Several Twin Cities Restaurants and Gas StationsRead the Press Release
United States Attorney Erica H. MacDonald today announced the sentencing of DELFONZO DENELL WALLACE, 30, to 97 months in prison. WALLACE, who pleaded guilty on February 27, 2020, to eight counts of interference with commerce by robbery, known as the Hobbs Act, was sentenced yesterday before Senior U.S. District Judge Ann Montgomery in U.S. District Court in Minneapolis, Minnesota. As part of the defendant’s guilty plea and documents filed in court, WALLACE agreed, under the Mandatory Victim Restitution Act, to make restitution to these businesses, as well as to three other business that were robbed between April and September 2019.
“The defendant was responsible for a string of robberies throughout the metro that terrorized employees, business owners, and the surrounding neighborhoods,” said U.S. Attorney Erica H. MacDonald. “This case is another example of Minnesota's strong law enforcement partnerships and our commitment to the fight against violent crime.”
"Solving crime like this violent robbery spree is and always will be a top priority for the FBI," said Michael Paul, acting special agent in charge of the FBI's Minneapolis field office. "The lengthy sentence for this defendant should remind those who violently prey on our communities that the FBI and law enforcement partners will not tolerate dangerous behavior and violent perpetrators will be brought to justice."
"Our thoughts are with the victims today as this sentencing is made," said ATF Special Agent in Charge Terry Henderson, of the St. Paul Field Division. "Armed robbery is a terrifying experience that no one should ever have to go through. Our hope is that this sentencing can bring some healing to those affected by these criminal acts. We're lucky to work with great law enforcement partners who did a tremendous job in investigating these violent crimes."
According to the defendant’s guilty plea and documents filed in court, between June 14, 2019, and October 10, 2019, WALLACE, while armed with a dangerous weapon that appeared to be a firearm, robbed, in violation of the Hobbs Act, eight separate Twin Cities businesses that were engaged in interstate commerce, including Starbucks, Speedway, Wendy’s, Shuang Hur Supermarket, McDonald’s, and Spitz restaurant. During the robberies, WALLACE used actual and threatened force, violence, and fear of injury against victim employees to steal over $20,000 cash belonging to the businesses and employees.
This case is the result of an investigation conducted by the FBI, ATF, the Minneapolis Police Department, the Saint Paul Police Department, the Saint Louis Park Police Department, and the West Saint Paul Police Department. This case was brought as part of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), an initiative that brings together federal, state, and local law enforcement to combat violent crime.
Assistant United States Attorney Benjamin Bejar prosecuted the case.
Defendant Information:
DELFONZO DENELL WALLACE, 30
West St. Paul, Minn.
Convicted:
- Interference with commerce by robbery (Hobbs Act), 8 counts
Sentenced:
- 97 months in prison
- Restitution of $20,868.23 to businesses for 11 robberies
- 3 years of supervised release
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United States Attorney’s Office, District of Minnesota: (612) 664-5600
Watertown Man Charged with Receipt, Distribution, and Transportation of Child PornographyRead the Press Release
United States Attorney Ron Parsons announced that a Watertown, South Dakota, man has been indicted by a federal grand jury for Receipt and Distribution of Child Pornography and Transportation of Child Pornography.
Vincent Michael Perez, age 35, was indicted on August 17, 2020. He appeared before U.S. Magistrate Judge William D. Gerdes on August 21, 2020, and pled not guilty to the Indictment.
The maximum penalty upon conviction is up to 40 years in federal prison and/or a $250,000 fine, life of supervised release, and up to $200 to the Federal Crime Victims Fund. Restitution may also be ordered.
The Indictment alleges that between August 7, 2019, and August 17, 2019, Perez knowingly received and distributed, and attempted to receive and distribute child pornography that had been mailed, shipped, and transported in or affecting interstate or foreign commerce by any means, including a computer.
The Indictment also alleges that between August 7, 2019, and August 30, 2019, Perez knowingly transported child pornography using the internet, and uploaded graphic image and video files depicting one or more minors engaged in sexually explicit conduct into his Dropbox account with his e-mail address.
The charges are merely accusations and Perez is presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty.
The investigation is being conducted by the Federal Bureau of Investigation and the Watertown Police Department. Assistant U.S. Attorney Jeffrey C. Clapper is prosecuting the case.
Perez was remanded to the custody of the U.S. Marshals Service pending trial. A trial date has not been set.
Watertown Man Charged with Receipt, Distribution, and Transportation of Child PornographyRead the Press Release
United States Attorney Ron Parsons announced that a Watertown, South Dakota, man has been indicted by a federal grand jury for Receipt and Distribution of Child Pornography and Transportation of Child Pornography.
Derek Michael Mason, age 19, was indicted on August 17, 2020. He appeared before U.S. Magistrate Judge William D. Gerdes on August 21, 2020, and pled not guilty to the Indictment.
The maximum penalty upon conviction is up to 20 years in federal prison and/or a $250,000 fine, life of supervised release, and up to $200 to the Federal Crime Victims Fund. Restitution may also be ordered.
The Indictment alleges that between May 1, 2017, and May 5, 2020, Mason knowingly received and distributed, and attempted to receive and distribute child pornography that had been mailed, shipped, and transported in or affecting interstate or foreign commerce by any means, including a computer.
The Indictment also alleges that between October 14, 2019, and May 5, 2020, Mason knowingly transported child pornography using the internet, and uploaded graphic image and video files depicting one or more minors engaged in sexually explicit conduct into his Dropbox account with his e-mail address.
The charges are merely accusations and Mason is presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty.
The investigation is being conducted by the Federal Bureau of Investigation and the Division of Criminal Investigation. Assistant U.S. Attorney Jeffrey C. Clapper is prosecuting the case.
Mason was released on bond pending trial. A trial date has not been set.
U.S. Department of Justice Confirms Federal Civil Rights Investigation into Shooting of Mr. Jacob BlakeRead the Press Release
Matthew D. Krueger, United States Attorney for the Eastern District of Wisconsin, and Eric S. Dreiband, Assistant Attorney General for the Civil Rights Division of the Department of Justice, confirmed this evening that, as indicated in a press conference held earlier today by Wisconsin Attorney General Josh Kaul and Kenosha County District Attorney Michael D. Graveley, a federal investigation has been opened into the shooting of Jacob Blake by an officer of the Kenosha (Wisconsin) Police Department. The investigation will be conducted by the Federal Bureau of Investigation, in cooperation with the Wisconsin Division of Criminal Investigation and other state authorities, and will be overseen by prosecutors from the U.S. Attorney’s Office and the Criminal Section of the Civil Rights Division. The federal investigation will run parallel to, and share information with, state authorities to the extent permissible under law.
Federal authorities are committed to investigating this matter as thoroughly and efficiently as possible. Along with Attorney General Kaul and District Attorney Graveley, United States Attorney Krueger and Assistant Attorney General Dreiband urged all members of the community to allow the investigation processes to develop all available evidence before rendering judgment. They also encouraged everyone to act peacefully and abide by the law.
Federal law enforcement is joined with state and local authorities to address further violence in Kenosha and beyond. Federal law imposes stiff penalties for arson, rioting, firearms offenses, and other violent crimes, which United States Attorney Krueger pledged to prosecute to the fullest extent possible.
If individuals have firsthand information to report regarding the shooting of Mr. Blake, they should contact FBI Milwaukee at (414) 276-4684.
For further information contact: Public Information Officer Kenneth Gales (414) 297-1700.
U.S. Attorney Wrigley Announces the Arrest of a Belcourt, ND, Man for Malicious Mischief (Destruction of the Turtle Mountain State Bank)Read the Press Release
FARGO—United States Attorney Drew Wrigley announced that a federal grand jury has indicted Travis Crissler, age 39, Belcourt, ND, for felony Malicious Mischief. The Indictment was unsealed today, alleging that on April 29, 2020, Crissler drove his vehicle through the doors of the Turtle Mountain State Bank, in Belcourt, ND. Crissler is then alleged to have tied a set of chains to a second door of the bank, secured the chains to the front of his vehicle, and then backed-up his vehicle in an attempt to tear the door structure away from the bank. The attacks caused extensive damage to the bank structure.
"These acts of violence and destruction will not be ignored," said United States Attorney Drew Wrigley, "and we will work to ensure that businesses operate free from threats, intimidation, and destruction."
Grand jury Indictments are allegations and are not evidence of guilt. The defendant is presumed innocent unless and until he is proven guilt beyond a reasonable doubt at trial.
This case is being investigated by the Bureau of Indian Affairs (BIA), and the case is being prosecuted by the United States Attorney’s office, with Assistant United States Attorney Dawn M. Dietz assigned to the case.
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Two Men Charged in Federal Court with Looting Pharmacies in ChicagoRead the Press Release
CHICAGO — Two men have been charged in federal court with looting three pharmacies in Chicago.
WILLIAM LORENZ, 40, of Chicago, and IVAN BERMUDEZ, 42, of Chicago, are each charged with one count of conspiracy to commit burglary involving a controlled substance. Bermudez was arrested Tuesday. He is scheduled to make an initial court appearance today at 2:30 p.m. before U.S. Magistrate Judge Sheila M. Finnegan. Lorenz was arrested Monday and has already made his initial appearance.
The charges were announced by John R. Lausch, Jr., United States Attorney for the Northern District of Illinois; Robert J. Bell, Special Agent-in-Charge of the Chicago Field Division of the DEA; and David Brown, Superintendent of the Chicago Police Department. The FBI Chicago Field Office provided valuable assistance. The government is represented by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Andrew C. Erskine and Shy Jackson.
“Anyone involved in destructive behavior in Chicago – such as looting a pharmacy for controlled substances – should know that federal law enforcement could be coming for you,” said U.S. Attorney Lausch. “Our office will continue to work with the DEA, Chicago Police Department, and other law enforcement partners to hold looters accountable in federal court, whenever appropriate.”
“The theft of controlled substance medication from pharmacies results in temporary or permanent closures, disrupting the supply of life-saving medications to the residents of Chicago,” said DEA SAC Bell. “With this, the diversion of stolen controlled medications is a federal crime, puts more drugs on the street and increases the public’s risk of drug abuse, addiction and overdose.”
According to a criminal complaint filed in federal court, Lorenz and Bermudez conspired to burglarize three Walgreens stores on the evening of May 31, 2020:
- 1627 N. Pulaski Rd. in Chicago’s Humboldt Park neighborhood.
- 3110 W. Armitage Ave. in Chicago’s Logan Square neighborhood.
- 4001 W. Irving Park Rd. in Chicago’s Old Irving Park neighborhood.
Each of the stores was closed at the time of the looting incidents due to civil unrest in the city. The complaint accuses Lorenz and Bermudez of entering the stores, proceeding to the pharmacy areas, and attempting to remove drugs from the shelves.
In the Old Irving Park incident, Lorenz attempted to access a pharmacy locker that contained Schedule II controlled substances, but he was unable to gain access, the complaint states. The incident occurred after a city of Chicago curfew took effect at 9:00 p.m. during the period of unrest, the complaint states. The two other lootings occurred earlier in the evening.
The public is reminded that a complaint is not evidence of guilt. The defendants are presumed innocent and entitled to a fair trial at which the government has the burden of proving guilt beyond a reasonable doubt. The charge in the complaint is punishable by up to ten years in federal prison. If convicted, the Court must impose a reasonable sentence under federal statutes and the advisory U.S. Sentencing Guidelines.
Two Individuals Charged in 23-Count Indictment Alleging Prescription Drug Kickbacks, Health Care Fraud, and Aggravated Identity TheftRead the Press Release
United States Attorney Matthew D. Krueger of the Eastern District of Wisconsin announced that on August 25, 2020, a federal grand jury returned a twenty-three count indictment against David Guerrero (age: 41) of Milwaukee, Wisconsin, and Alexander Shister (age: 51) of Mequon, Wisconsin.
The indictment charges Guerrero and Shister with paying and receiving illegal kickbacks relating to the provision of items and services payable by federal health care programs. Specifically, the indictment alleges that Shister, who owned several pharmacies in the Milwaukee area, paid kickbacks to Guerrero, who worked at two Milwaukee clinics, in exchange for Guerrero routing prescriptions for compounded pain cream medication to Shister’s pharmacies. Shister's pharmacies then sought and received reimbursement from Medicare and Medicaid for filling these prescriptions. If convicted, the defendants face up to 5 years in prison for each count. The indictment also charges Guerrero with health care fraud, which carries a maximum penalty of up to 10 years in prison, and aggravated identity theft, which carries a mandatory minimum of 2 years in prison.
This case was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation, the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services – Office of Inspector General, and the Wisconsin Department of Justice Medicaid Fraud Control and Elder Abuse Unit. It will be prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorneys Benjamin Proctor and Michael Carter.
An indictment is only a charge and is not evidence of guilt. The defendants are presumed innocent and are entitled to a fair trial at which the government must prove them guilty beyond a reasonable doubt.
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For Additional Information Contact:
Public Information Officer Kenneth Gales 414-297-1700
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Three Texans, One New Yorker Indicted for Conspiracy to Sell Sanctioned Iranian Petroleum to Refinery in China for Millions in ProfitRead the Press Release
Assistant Attorney General for National Security John C. Demers and U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of Pennsylvania William M. McSwain announced that the following defendants were indicted on charges of conspiracy, violating the International Emergency Economic Powers Act (IEEPA), and money laundering conspiracy based on their attempt to transact in sanctioned Iranian petroleum:
- Nicholas Hovan, 34, of New York, NY;
- Zhenyu Wang, aka “Bill Wang,” 39, of Dallas, TX;
- Robert Thwaites, 30, of Dallas, TX; and
- Daniel Ray Lane, 39, of McKinney, TX.
“The defendants in this case allegedly conspired to sell Iranian petroleum to a Chinese refinery in order to enrich themselves at the expense of the US Iran sanctions regime,” said Assistant Attorney General Demers. “The defendants devised a scheme to use front companies, bribes, and false contractual documents in order to conceal their brazenly illicit activity. We will continue to leverage all of our tools to detect and prevent individuals such as these from engaging in actions that would have harmed the national security of this nation.”
“It doesn’t get much lower than attempting to get rich by flouting the United States’ national security interests,” said U.S. Attorney McSwain. “The defendants here allegedly jeopardized the safety and security of the United States by scheming to get in bed with Iran and China. This type of conspiracy deserves the full condemnation of my office and it has it.”
The indictment alleges that from May 2019 to February 2020, the defendants conspired in Philadelphia and elsewhere to arrange for the purchase of petroleum from the Islamic Republic of Iran, in violation of United States economic sanctions imposed on Iran, for sale to a refinery in the People’s Republic of China. They also allegedly conspired to launder the proceeds of the sale through shell entities and offshore financial accounts to disguise the nature of the transaction. The defendants are charged with conspiring to purchase sanctioned Iranian petroleum, to sell the petroleum to a Chinese refinery, to conceal the origin of the petroleum (including by bribing a Chinese official), and to obtain Antigua passports to open Swiss bank accounts through which the proceeds would be laundered.
In February 2020, the defendants were arrested pursuant to a criminal complaint. As previously reported, the defendants planned two shipments of oil per month going forward, all for an expected profit of roughly $28 million-per-month.
If convicted, the defendants face a maximum possible sentence of 45 years’ imprisonment, a $1.75 million fine, a three-year term of supervised release, and a $300 special assessment.
The case was investigated by the FBI and is being prosecuted by First Assistant U.S. Attorney Jennifer Arbittier Williams and Assistant U.S. Attorney Michael J. Rinaldi and in partnership with Trial Attorney David Recker of the Department of Justice’s National Security Division, Counterintelligence and Export Control Section.
An indictment, information, or criminal complaint is an accusation. A defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty
Three Texans, One New Yorker Indicted for Conspiracy to Sell Sanctioned Iranian Petroleum to Refinery in China for Millions in ProfitRead the Press Release
PHILADELPHIA – United States Attorney William M. McSwain and Assistant Attorney General for National Security John C. Demers announced that the following defendants were indicted on charges of conspiracy, violating the International Emergency Economic Powers Act (“IEEPA”), and conspiracy to commit money laundering based on their attempt to transact in sanctioned Iranian petroleum:
- Nicholas Hovan, age 34, of New York, NY;
- Zhenyu Wang, a/k/a “Bill Wang,” age 39, of Dallas, TX;
- Robert Thwaites, age 30, of Dallas, TX; and
- Daniel Ray Lane, age 39, of McKinney, TX.
The Indictment alleges that from May 2019 to February 2020, the defendants conspired in Philadelphia and elsewhere to arrange for the purchase of petroleum from the Islamic Republic of Iran, in violation of United States economic sanctions imposed on Iran, for sale to a refinery in the People’s Republic of China. They also allegedly conspired to launder the proceeds of the sale through shell entities and offshore financial accounts to disguise the nature of the transaction. More specifically, the defendants are charged with conspiring to purchase sanctioned Iranian petroleum, to sell the petroleum to a Chinese refinery, to conceal the origin of the petroleum (including by bribing a Chinese official), and to obtain Antigua passports to open Swiss bank accounts through which the proceeds would be laundered.
In February 2020, the defendants were arrested pursuant to a criminal complaint. As previously reported, the defendants planned two shipments of oil per month going forward, all for an expected profit of roughly $28 million-per-month.
“It doesn’t get much lower than attempting to get rich by flouting the United States’ national security interests,” said U.S. Attorney McSwain. “The defendants here allegedly jeopardized the safety and security of the United States by scheming to get in bed with Iran and China. This type of conspiracy deserves the full condemnation of my Office -- and it has it.”
“The defendants in this case allegedly conspired to sell Iranian petroleum to a Chinese refinery in order to enrich themselves at the expense of the US Iran sanctions regime,” said Assistant Attorney General for National Security John C. Demers. “The defendants devised a scheme to use front companies, bribes, and false contractual documents in order to conceal their brazenly illicit activity. We will continue to leverage all of our tools to detect and prevent individuals such as these from engaging in actions that would have harmed the national security of this nation.”
If convicted, each defendant faces a maximum possible sentence of 45 years in prison, a $1.75 million fine, a three year term of supervised release, and a $300 special assessment.
The case was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation and is being prosecuted by First Assistant U.S. Attorney Jennifer Arbittier Williams and Assistant U.S. Attorney Michael J. Rinaldi, in partnership with Trial Attorney David Recker of the Department of Justice’s National Security Division, Counterintelligence and Export Control Section.
An indictment, information, or criminal complaint is an accusation. A defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.
Three Family Members Plead Guilty in Connection with Defrauding Veterans Health Care in the VillagesRead the Press Release
Ocala, Florida – Miller Wilson, Jr. (50, Sparr), his daughter, Myoshi Wilson (26, Citra), and Erica Wilson (43, Ocala) have each pleaded guilty for their roles a scheme to defraud the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs health care benefits.
Miller Wilson, Jr. pleaded guilty today to conspiracy to commit health care fraud and wire fraud and solicitation and receipt of a health care kickback. He faces a maximum sentence of 5 years’ imprisonment for the conspiracy charge, and up to 10 years in federal prison for the kickback offense. On March 5, 2020, Erica Wilson pleaded guilty to conspiracy to commit health care fraud and wire fraud. She faces a maximum sentence of 5 years’ imprisonment. Myoshi Wilson had pleaded guilty on February 18, 2020, to making false statements to law enforcement. She faces a maximum sentence of 5 years’ imprisonment. All three defendants will be sentenced on October 6, 2020.
According to court documents, Miller Wilson, Jr. was an employee at the Department of Veterans Affairs (“VA”) Clinic located in The Villages, Florida. As part of his employment, he provided transportation arrangements for veterans needing medical treatment. From 2014 through 2016, Miller Wilson, Jr. obtained cash kickbacks from the transportation vendors in exchange for awarding them health care contracts from the VA. Thereafter, from 2016-2017, Miller Wilson, Jr. conspired with Erica and Myoshi Wilson to open and manage two different transportation companies to conduct similar schemes. Miller Wilson, Jr. used his official position at the VA to funnel health care contracts to the companies that he had formed with Erica and Myoshi Wilson. During a 17-month period, the two companies billed the federal government $305,673. Myoshi Wilson admitted to making false statements to a federal agent in 2019, to conceal the conspiracy.
This case was investigated by the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, Office of Inspector General. It is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Michael P. Felicetta.
Thornburg Man Charged with Robbery of Coraopolis Convenience StoreRead the Press Release
PITTSBURGH, PA - A suburban Pittsburgh resident has been indicted by a federal grand jury in Pittsburgh on a charge of robbery under the federal Hobbs Act statute, United States Attorney Scott W. Brady announced today.
The one-count Indictment named Tyler Rutherford, age 34, of Pittsburgh, PA (Thornburg).
According to the Indictment, on April 28, 2020, the defendant robbed the Rossi’s Market convenience store in Coraopolis, PA, by means of actual and threatened force and violence, and stole $440 cash from the cash register.
The law provides for a maximum total sentence of 20 years in prison, a fine of not more than $250,000, or both. Under the Federal Sentencing Guidelines, the actual sentence imposed would be based upon the seriousness of the offense and the prior criminal history, if any, of the defendant.
Assistant United States Attorney Rebecca L. Silinski is prosecuting this case on behalf of the government.
The Federal Bureau of Investigation and the Robinson Township Police Department conducted the investigation leading to the Indictment in this case.
An indictment is an accusation. A defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.
Takedown Dismantles Poly-Drug Network Operating in Kanawha and Fayette CountiesRead the Press Release
CHARLESTON, W.Va. - United States Attorney Mike Stuart today announced the takedown of a drug trafficking organization (DTO) responsible for distributing meth, heroin and marijuana in Kanawha and Fayette Counties. The takedown is the result of a long-term investigation, dubbed “Second Wave,” led by the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) and the Central West Virginia Drug Task Force (CWVDTF). A federal grand jury returned two indictments charging 12 individuals in connection with their roles in the DTO.
“Meth. Heroin. Marijuana. The takedown of this network of drug dealers is another major victory for the people of West Virginia,” said United States Attorney Mike Stuart. “Long-term targets. Long-term problems. A drug trafficking organization that was fueling terrible addiction, pain, chaos and despair is now shut down. The people of Kanawha and Fayette counties are certainly safer as a result of today’s arrests. I commend our many federal, state and local law enforcement partners for their remarkable work in this long-term investigation. I am proud of our law enforcement leadership at every level throughout West Virginia but I want to specifically thank the men and women that serve on the front lines of law enforcement across this great state. Taking down a major drug trafficking organization is difficult and dangerous work. My hat is off to each of you. I pray for your safety each night. Thank you for your commitment to the people of West Virginia and the Rule of Law. This is another great day for the people of West Virginia.”
“The group of people arrested today have been a menace in our communities for too long,” said FBI Pittsburgh Special Agent in Charge Michael Christman. “Today’s takedown sends a strong message to not only this community, but other drug organizations who think they can do business here. The FBI and our law enforcement partners will not tolerate this activity. Operations like this are made more difficult without strong partnerships, and I commend the joint efforts by the ATF, U.S. Postal Inspection Service, Central WV Drug Task Force and MDENT."
Charged in a six count indictment are Jason Michael Terrell, 36, of Mount Carbon; Larry Terrence Martin, 31, of Charleston; Carol Belton, 61, of Montgomery; Steven Matthew Bumpus, 31, of Charleston; Jimmy Lee Coleman, 34, of Gauley Bridge; Roger Jarea Drake, 31, of Charleston; Rashawn Akmed Miller, 36, of Columbus, Ohio; William Lee Patton, 62, of Montgomery; Craig Edward Redman, 41, of Kimberly; Tonya Nichole Simerly, 35, of Montgomery; and Ronald Lee Thomas, III, 28, of Charleston. The indictment charges Terrell, Martin, Belton, Coleman, Drake, Miller, Patton and Redman with conspiring to distribute methamphetamine from July 2019 to August 2020. The indictment further charges Bumpus, Simerly and Thomas with various drug trafficking crimes carried out in connection with the DTO.
Earlier this week, defendant Larry Martin’s sister, Brandi Martin, was sentenced in federal court to 188 months in prison for possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine.
In a separate indictment, Gregory Eugene Woods, 43, of St. Albans, was charged with possession with intent to distribute a quantity of cocaine. Two additional defendants, Sammy Joe Fragale, Sr., also known as Joe, and Sammy Joe Fragale, Jr., also known as Bubby, were arrested on a federal criminal complaint for conspiracy to distribute methamphetamine.
The investigation was conducted by the FBI, the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF), the U.S. Postal Inspection Service (USPIS), the Central West Virginia Drug Task Force (CWVDTF) and the Metropolitan Drug Enforcement Network Team (MDENT), with assistance from the CSX Transportation Police Department. The Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) conducted the investigation of the Fragales. Assistant United States Attorney Joshua C. Hanks is handling the prosecution.
The investigation was part of the Department of Justice’s Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Force (OCDETF). OCDETF was established in 1982 to conduct comprehensive, multilevel attacks on major drug trafficking and money laundering organizations and is the keystone of the Department of Justice’s drug reduction strategy. Today, OCDETF combines the resources and expertise of its member federal agencies in cooperation with state and local law enforcement. The principal mission of the OCDETF program is to identify, disrupt, and dismantle the most serious drug trafficking organizations, transnational criminal organizations, and money laundering organizations that present a significant threat to the public safety, economic, or national security of the United States.
Please note: An indictment is merely an allegation and the defendants are presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.
A copy of this press release is located on the website of the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of West Virginia. Related court documents and information can be found on PACER by searching for Case No. 2:20-cr-00154, 2:20-cr-00153 and 2:20-mj-00119.
Follow us on Twitter: SDWVNews and USAttyStuart
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Statement by Department of Justice Spokesperson Kerri Kupec on the Execution of Lezmond MitchellRead the Press Release
Department of Justice Spokesperson Kerri Kupec has issued the following statement:
“Today, Lezmond Mitchell was executed at U.S. Penitentiary Terre Haute in accordance with the capital sentence imposed by the U.S. District Court for the District of Arizona in 2003. Mitchell was pronounced dead at 6:29 EDT by the Vigo County Coroner.
In October 2001, Mitchell murdered Alyce Slim, a 63-year-old grandmother, and her nine-year-old granddaughter as part of a carjacking in Arizona. After getting a ride from Slim in her pickup truck, Mitchell and an accomplice stabbed her 33 times and threw her body into the backseat beside her granddaughter. Mitchell then drove the truck deep into the mountains, ordered the girl out of the truck “to lay down and die,” slit her throat twice, and crushed her head with rocks. Mitchell and his accomplice proceeded to dismember and bury the victims’ bodies and burn their clothes. He later confessed to the murders and led law enforcement to the victims’ remains. In May 2003, a federal jury found Mitchell guilty of numerous federal crimes — including first-degree murder, felony murder, and carjacking resulting in death — and recommended a sentence of death, which the district court imposed. His convictions and sentence were affirmed on appeal, and his claims for collateral relief were denied by every court that considered them.
Nearly 19 years after Lezmond Mitchell brutally ended the lives of two people, destroying the lives of many others, justice finally has been served. In attendance at the execution this evening were representatives of the victims’ families as well as the father of the nine-year-old girl that Mitchell murdered. Those family members, who are members of the Navajo Nation, have stated on the record that they supported implementation of the sentence returned by the jury and imposed by the court for Mitchell's horrific federal crimes.”
St. Francis Man Charged with Assaulting a Federal OfficerRead the Press Release
United States Attorney Ron Parsons announced that a St. Francis, South Dakota, man has been indicted by a federal grand jury for Assaulting, Resisting, and Impeding a Federal Officer.
Charles Cordier, III, age 21, was indicted on January 14, 2020. He appeared before U.S. Magistrate Judge Mark A. Moreno on August 19, 2020, and pled not guilty to the Indictment.
The maximum penalty upon conviction is up to 20 years in federal prison and/or a $250,000 fine, 3 years of supervised release, and $100 to the Federal Crime Victims Fund. Restitution may also be ordered.
The Indictment alleges that on November 5, 2019, in Rosebud, South Dakota, Cordier did forcibly assault, oppose, impede, intimidate, and interfere with a law enforcement officer who was employed by the Rosebud Sioux Tribe Law Enforcement Services, and that such conduct involved the use of a dangerous weapon.
The charge is merely an accusation and Cordier is presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty.
The investigation is being conducted by the Rosebud Sioux Tribe Law Enforcement Services. Assistant U.S. Attorney Kirk Albertson is prosecuting the case.
Cordier was remanded to the custody of the U.S. Marshals Service pending trial. A trial date has not been set.
Six arrested, charged in multi-state narcotics conspiracy responsible for supplying fentanyl & cocaine to DaytonRead the Press Release
DAYTON – Two brothers originally from Dayton and four others were arrested in North Carolina today for their alleged participation in a narcotics conspiracy responsible for distributing bulk amounts of fentanyl and cocaine to Dayton.
Law enforcement authorities have seized narcotics, cash, and firearms from the drug trafficking organization on multiple occasions – including fentanyl, cocaine, cash and firearms seized from a search warrant executed at 1454 Ruskin Road on Nov. 4, 2019. It was during the execution of this search warrant that Dayton Detective and DEA Task Force Officer Detective Jorge Del Rio was shot and killed. The Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Force investigation was later named “Operation Never Forget.”
“This indictment alleges the group of men charged were responsible for providing local dealers with thousands of doses of fentanyl and cocaine,” said U.S. Attorney David M. DeVillers. “The U.S. Attorney’s Office will not rest until we have traced every source of drug supply and held accountable every individual involved in this alleged conspiracy.”
According to the indictment, from 2014 through August 2020, members of the conspiracy acquired bulk amounts of cocaine and fentanyl from suppliers in Los Angeles and Houston. The co-conspirators transported the cocaine and fentanyl to Charlotte, N.C., where they processed and repackaged the cocaine and fentanyl for resale in southern Ohio and North Carolina.
Local distributors in southern Ohio allegedly purchased kilogram quantities of the cocaine and fentanyl for resale, and thousands of unit dosages of the drugs were distributed throughout southern Ohio.
The indictment further alleges that the members of the conspiracy collected hundreds of thousands of dollars in narcotics proceeds. The Government seeks to forfeit more than $686,000 in cash seized during the investigation.
The defendants are all charged with conspiracy to possess with the intent to distribute and to distribute cocaine and fentanyl. Those charged include:
Name
Also Known As
Age
City of Residence
Roger Earl Walton, Jr.
Mike
41
Concord, N.C. (formerly of Dayton)
Shawn Dwayne Walton
Swoop
46
Charlotte, N.C. (formerly of Dayton)
Noah Alexander Sherrill
704 Noah
33
Charlotte, N.C. (formerly of Dayton)
Rauland Pollard, III
Saki, Sockey
35
Dayton
Glynn Sewell
Frezzy
39
Charlotte, N.C. (formerly of Dayton)
Louis Walton
22
Charlotte, N.C.
If convicted, the defendants face at least 10 years and up to life in prison.
David M. DeVillers, United States Attorney for the Southern District of Ohio; Keith Martin, Special Agent in Charge, Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA); Chris Hoffman, Special Agent in Charge, Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), Cincinnati Division; Roland Herndon, Special Agent in Charge, Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF); and Dayton Police Chief Richard S. Biehl announced the charges.
The case is the result of the cooperative efforts of the DEA, led by the Dayton Resident Office and including DEA offices in Charlotte, N.C., Greensboro, N.C., Beaumont, Texas, Cincinnati, Detroit, Houston, Atlanta, Annandale, Va., and the Special Operations Division; as well as FBI and ATF. These federal agencies worked closely with the Dayton, Charlotte-Mecklenburg and Beaumont police departments, and the Central Oklahoma Metro Interdiction Team (COMIT).
Assistant United States Attorneys Elizabeth R. Rabe and Amy M. Smith 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.
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Second Government Contracting Executive Pleads Guilty to Bribery Conspiracy Involving PBGC ContractsRead the Press Release
A second executive from a federal contracting firm pleaded guilty to a bribery conspiracy involving his business partner and a senior contracting official with the Pension Benefit Guaranty Corporation.
Acting Assistant Attorney General Brian C. Rabbitt of the Justice Department’s Criminal Division, U.S. Attorney G. Zachary Terwilliger of the Eastern District of Virginia, Acting Inspector General Nicholas J. Novak of the Pension Benefit Guaranty Corporation (PBGC), and Assistant Director in Charge Timothy R. Slater of the FBI’s Washington Field Office made the announcement.
James N. Girardi, 39, of Reston, Virginia, the chief operating officer of a government contracting firm, pleaded guilty to one-count of conspiracy to bribe a public official before U.S. District Judge Anthony J. Trenga of the Eastern District of Virginia. Previously, on May 4, 2020, Jeffrey B. Donahue, the PBGC’s former Director of Procurement, and Nadeem Ansari, the president and chief executive officer of Girardi’s firm, pleaded guilty to similar offenses. Sentencing for Donahue and Ansari is scheduled for Sept. 11, 2020; sentencing for Girardi is scheduled for Jan. 6, 2021.
According to court documents, Donahue served as a supervisory contract administrator with PBGC and then as director of the Procurement Department from March 2014 to February 2020. From at least 2015 through August 2017, Donahue solicited and received cash payments and other things of value, including the promise of a job valued at $1 million, from Ansari and with Girardi’s knowledge and agreement. In exchange, Donahue agreed to steer PBGC contracts to Ansari and Girardi’s company.
In 2015, Donahue approached Ansari and offered to help Ansari and Girardi’s new company win a PBGC contract, worth approximately $55 million, in exchange for a future job with the company. Among other things, Donahue provided Ansari with sample bid proposals; helped draft, review, and edit the company’s bid proposal; and disclosed labor pricing estimates. When the company did not win the contract, Donahue helped Ansari draft the company’s bid protest. Girardi admitted he was aware of Ansari’s arrangement with Donahue.
In 2016, Donahue proposed a second arrangement with Ansari in which Donahue would receive up to $125,000 from Ansari and his company in exchange for steering a contract to Ansari and Girardi’s company. Girardi was also aware of this arrangement with Donahue. The PBGC awarded the contract to Ansari and Girardi’s company, which resulted in payments to the company totaling approximately $3.29 million. Donahue steered the contract by, among other things, providing sensitive, non-public information and work product to Ansari; providing guidance for contract pricing; and adjusting the terms of the contract to align with the qualifications of the company’s personnel. Donahue received at least $48,000 in cash, plus additional gifts. Donahue and Ansari also took steps to conceal the scheme and their communications with each other, including using separate, dedicated cellular telephones and e-mail accounts and communicating through encrypted software.
The PBGC Office of Inspector General and the FBI investigated the case. Trial Attorney Edward P. Sullivan of the Criminal Division’s Public Integrity Section and Assistant U.S. Attorney Grace L. Hill of the Eastern District of Virginia are prosecuting the case.
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.
Savage Man Pleads Guilty to Arson of Dakota County Government BuildingRead the Press Release
United States Attorney Erica H. MacDonald today announced the guilty plea of FORNANDOUS CORTEZ HENDERSON, 32, to one count of aiding and abetting arson. HENDERSON entered his plea today before Judge Susan Richard Nelson, in U.S. District Court, in St. Paul, Minnesota. HENDERSON’s sentencing hearing will be scheduled at a later date.
According to HENDERSON’s guilty plea and documents filed with the court, HENDERSON and GARRETT PATRICK ZIEGLER[1] (co-defendant) constructed multiple Molotov cocktails. In the early morning hours of May 29, 2020, HENDERSON and the co-defendant went to the Dakota County Western Service Center (the ''WSC") located at 14955 Galaxie Avenue in Apple Valley, Minnesota. The WSC houses state and local agencies and organizations, including Dakota County court facilities, as well as a U.S. Passport center. Using baseball bats, HENDERSON and the co-defendant broke multiple windows at the WSC and threw in multiple, lit Molotov cocktails. Some of these devices successfully ignited and caused fire damage to the WSC.
According to HENDERSON’s guilty plea and documents filed with the court, HENDERSON and the co-defendant also started and attempted to start other fires at the WSC by pouring ignitable liquids and throwing unlit Molotov cocktails in and around the broken windows, then attempting to start the fluids on fire.
This case is the result of an investigation conducted by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF), the Apple Valley Police Department, and the Dakota County Sheriff’s Office, with assistance from the Dakota County Attorney’s Office.
This case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Alexander D. Chiquoine and Chelsea A. Walcker.
Defendant Information:
FORNANDOUS CORTEZ HENDERSON, 32
Savage, Minn.
Convicted:
- Aiding and abetting arson, 1 count
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United States Attorney’s Office, District of Minnesota: (612) 664-5600
[1] The charges against co-defendant Garrett Patrick Ziegler are accusations, and he is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.
San Jose Man Pleads Guilty to Damaging Cisco’s NetworkRead the Press Release
SAN JOSE – Sudhish Kasaba Ramesh pleaded guilty in federal court in San Jose today to intentionally accessing a protected computer without authorization and recklessly causing damage, announced United States Attorney David L. Anderson and Federal Bureau of Investigation Special Agent in Charge John L. Bennett.
According to the plea agreement, Ramesh admitted to intentionally accessing Cisco Systems’ cloud infrastructure that was hosted by Amazon Web Services without Cisco’s permission on September 24, 2018. Ramesh worked for Cisco and resigned in approximately April 2018. During his unauthorized access, Ramesh admitted that he deployed a code from his Google Cloud Project account that resulted in the deletion of 456 virtual machines for Cisco’s WebEx Teams application, which provided video meetings, video messaging, file sharing, and other collaboration tools. He further admitted that he acted recklessly in deploying the code, and consciously disregarded the substantial risk that his conduct could harm to Cisco. As a result of Ramesh’s conduct, over 16,000 WebEx Teams accounts were shut down for up to two weeks, and caused Cisco to spend approximately $1,400,000 in employee time to restore the damage to the application and refund over $1,000,000 to affected customers. No customer data was compromised as a result of the defendant’s conduct.
Ramesh, 30, of San Jose, California, was charged by Information on July 13, 2020. He was charged with one count of Intentionally Accessing a Protected Computer Without Authorization and Recklessly Causing Damage, in violation of 18 U.S.C. §§ 1030(a)(5)(B) and (c)(4)(A)(i)(I).
Under the plea agreement, Ramesh pled guilty to the sole count of the Information.
Ramesh is currently released on bond. Bail was set at $50,000.
Ramesh’s sentencing hearing is scheduled for December 9, 2020, before The Honorable Lucy H. Koh, U.S. District Court Judge, in San Jose. The maximum statutory penalty for the offense of Intentionally Accessing a Protected Computer Without Authorization and Recklessly Causing Damage, in violation of 18 U.S.C. §§ 1030(a)(5)(B) and (c)(4)(A)(i)(I), is 5 years imprisonment and a fine of $250,000. However, any sentence will be imposed by the court only after consideration of the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and the federal statute governing the imposition of a sentence, 18 U.S.C. § 3553.
Susan Knight is the Assistant U.S. Attorney who is prosecuting the case with the assistance of Elise Etter. The prosecution is the result of an investigation by the Federal Bureau of Investigation. Cisco Systems, Inc. fully cooperated with the U.S. Attorney’s Office and Federal Bureau of Investigation.
Russian Citizen Charged in Marriage Fraud SchemeRead the Press Release
PITTSBURGH – A citizen of Russia, residing in West Mifflin, PA has been indicted by a federal grand jury in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania on a charge of conspiracy to defraud the United States, United States Attorney Scott W. Brady announced today.
The one-count Indictment named Ramil Kunakkulov, 32, as the sole defendant.
According to the Indictment, Kunakkulov entered in to a sham marriage with Jamie Lucille Mattocks, so that he could obtain permanent legal residence in the United States.
The law provides for a maximum total sentence of not more than five years in prison, a fine of not to exceed $250,000.00, and a term of supervised release of not more than 3 years, or a combination thereof. Under the Federal Sentencing Guidelines, the actual sentence imposed would be based upon the seriousness of the offense and the prior criminal history, if any, of the defendant.
Assistant United States Attorney Michael Leo Ivory is prosecuting this case on behalf of the government.
The Department of Homeland Security, Homeland Security Investigations conducted the investigation leading to the Indictment in this case.
An indictment is an accusation. A defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty
Rochester Man Sentenced to 27 Years in Prison for Producing Child PornographyRead the Press Release
United States Attorney Erica H. MacDonald today announced the sentencing of ADAM LEE REITZ, 30, to 324 months in prison for producing child pornography. REITZ, who pleaded guilty on October 29, 2019, was sentenced earlier today before Judge Nancy E. Brasel in U.S. District Court in St. Paul, Minnesota. REITZ’s co-defendant SHAHLA MARIE THOMPSON, 28, pleaded guilty on July 13, 2020, to one count of receipt of child pornography.
“The sexual abuse of children is among the most abhorrent criminal acts,” said U.S. Attorney Erica MacDonald. “When it comes to protecting society’s most vulnerable, we will not relent. As demonstrated in today’s sentence, justice will be served.”
“Those who sexually exploit children do serious lasting harm, and the manufacture and trade of child pornography cruelly perpetuates this damage,” said Michael Paul, acting special agent in charge of the FBI’s Minneapolis field office. “The FBI and its partners are committed to finding such predators, locking them up, and ensuring those they've victimized are safe and well-supported.”
According to the defendant’s guilty plea and documents filed in court, on May 11, 2018, the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children (NCMEC) alerted the Rochester Police Department to an online communication between REITZ and THOMPSON appearing to contain a depiction of child pornography. Law enforcement searched the defendants’ electronic accounts and found multiple images depicting a minor victim engaged in sexually explicit conduct with an adult male. Based on distinctive tattoos, law enforcement was able to identify REITZ as the adult male in the video.
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. Attorneys’ Offices and the Criminal Division’s 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.projectsafechildhood.gov.
If you know of any child who may have been a victim of exploitation, please call the National Center for Missing or Exploited Children (NCMEC) at 1-800-THE-LOST (1-800-843-5678) or visit NCMEC’s web site at www.missingkids.com.
This case was the result of an investigation conducted by the FBI and the Rochester Police Department.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Julie E. Allyn prosecuted the case.
Defendant Information:
ADAM LEE REITZ, 30
Rochester, Minn.
Convicted:
- Production of child pornography, 1 count
Sentenced:
- 324 months in prison
- 25 years of supervised release
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United States Attorney’s Office, District of Minnesota: (612) 664-5600
Rochester Man Pleads Guilty to Drug and Gun ChargesRead the Press Release
CONTACT: Barbara Burns
PHONE: (716) 843-5817
FAX #: (716) 551-3051ROCHESTER, N.Y. - U.S. Attorney James P. Kennedy, Jr. announced today that Freedom Lee, 26, of Rochester, NY, pleaded guilty before Chief U.S. District Judge Frank P. Geraci, Jr. to possession with intent to distribute a controlled substance, and possession of a firearm in furtherance of drug trafficking. The charges carry a minimum penalty of five years in prison, a maximum of life, and a $1,000,000 fine.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Cassie M. Kocher, who is handling the case, stated that at approximately 2:50 a.m. on April 22, 2019, Rochester Police Department officers conducted a traffic stop of a vehicle in the area of 1210 North Clinton Avenue in Rochester. The defendant was identified as the passenger in the vehicle. During the stop, police officers recovered from Lee approximately 54 vials of cocaine; approximately 192 yellow glassine bags containing a mixture of heroin and fentanyl; approximately 15 white glassine bags containing a mixture of heroin and fentanyl; a plastic bag containing a mixture of heroin and cocaine; five yellow glassine bags containing fentanyl; a 9mm semiautomatic pistol loaded with 18 rounds of ammunition; and $1,632 in United States currency, which represented proceeds from his drug sales.
The plea is the result of an investigation by the Rochester Police Department, under the direction of Chief La’Ron Singletary, and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives, under the direction of Special Agent-in-Charge John B. Devito, New York Field Division.
The case was brought by the U.S. Attorney’s Office as part of its Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN) initiative. PSN is the centerpiece of the Department of Justice’s violent crime reduction efforts. PSN is an evidence-based program proven to be effective at reducing violent crime. Through PSN, a broad spectrum of stakeholders work together to identify the most pressing violent crime problems in the community and develop comprehensive solutions to address them. As part of this strategy, PSN focuses enforcement efforts on the most violent offenders and partners with locally based prevention and reentry programs for lasting reductions in crime.
Sentencing is scheduled for December 4, 2020, at 2:00 p.m. before Judge Geraci.
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Rapid City Man Indicted for Failure to Register as a Sex OffenderRead the Press Release
United States Attorney Ron Parsons announced that a Rapid City, South Dakota, man has been indicted by a federal grand jury for Failure to Register as a Sex Offender.
Joseph Blue Bird, age 33, was indicted on August 11, 2020. He appeared before U.S. Magistrate Judge Mark A. Moreno on August 20, 2020, and pled not guilty to the Indictment.
The maximum penalty upon conviction is up to 10 years in custody and/or a $250,000 fine, 5 years of supervised release, and $100 to the Federal Crime Victims Fund. Restitution may also be ordered.
Blue Bird was convicted of Abusive Sexual Contact in February 2014. As a result of this conviction, he is required to register as a sex offender. It is alleged that between March 7, 2020, and May 6, 2020, Blue Bird, a person required to register under the Sex Offender Registration and Notification Act, and a sex offender by reason of conviction under Federal Law, failed to properly register as a sex offender and update his registration.
The charge is merely an accusation and Blue Bird is presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty.
The investigation is being conducted by the U.S. Marshals Service and the Mobridge Police Department. Assistant U.S. Attorney Kirk Albertson is prosecuting the case.
Blue Bird was remanded to the custody of the U.S. Marshals Service pending trial. A trial date has not been set.
Project Parkersburg Update: Parkersburg Man Sentenced to 25 Years for Methamphetamine TraffickingRead the Press Release
CHARLESTON, W.Va. – A Parkersburg man was sentenced to federal prison today for his role in a large-scale, multi-state drug trafficking conspiracy, announced United States Attorney Mike Stuart. Terrence McGuirk, 51, was sentenced to 25 years in prison, followed by five years of supervised release, for conspiracy to distribute more than 500 grams of methamphetamine.
“Project Parkersburg was a game changer – it netted the largest meth bust in West Virginia history and resulted in more than a dozen defendants being prosecuted by my office,” said United States Attorney Mike Stuart. “McGuirk, the latest of the defendants to be sentenced, is now headed to a federal prison for 25 years. McGuirk is being held accountable. And, keep in mind, there is no parole in the federal system. Big time law enforcement operation. Big time results.”
McGuirk admitted distributing large quantities of methamphetamine to dealers operating in Parkersburg between July 2018 and the date of his arrest. He was arrested on September 19, 2018 in Dayton, Ohio where he had traveled to pick up his share of a shipment containing more than 120 pounds of methamphetamine. In his plea agreement, McGuirk admitted pooling his money with other co-defendants to purchase methamphetamine from a source in Phoenix, Arizona. McGuirk distributed quantities ranging from several grams up to multiple pounds at a time to dealers in Parkersburg, Clarksburg, and as far away as Florida. Agents executed several search warrants, including one at McGuirk’s mother’s residence in Kissimmee, Florida, where they seized more than $65,000 cash, which he admitted was the proceeds of drug trafficking.
In imposing the sentence, the court found that McGuirk was a leader and organizer of the conspiracy and that he had attempted to obstruct justice by threatening witnesses, and filing or threatening to file frivolous bar complaints against the prosecutor as well as his own attorneys and attorneys representing co-defendants.
McGuirk was prosecuted as part of Project Parkersburg – a major takedown and dismantling of a multi-state drug trafficking organization (DTO) responsible for distributing methamphetamine and heroin. Stuart commended the investigative efforts of the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), the Parkersburg Police Department, the Dayton (Ohio) Police Department, and the Parkersburg Narcotics and Violent Crime Task Force. The long-term, joint investigation resulted in at least 29 individuals being charged in federal and state court and the seizure of 121 pounds of ICE methamphetamine, six kilograms of cocaine, 217 grams of heroin and 478 grams of fentanyl.
Of the defendants charged in federal court, Todd Land, Jeffrey Hoyler, Nicholas Easton, T.J. Gibson, Edward Marks, Amy Rake, Marshall Polan, Troy Pastorino, Michael Holley, and Amanda Atkinson have been sentenced. Aurelius Edmonds, Michael Rhodes and Antoine Terry await sentencing later this year. United States District Judge Irene C. Berger imposed the sentence. Assistant United States Attorneys Joshua Hanks and Jeremy Wolfe are handling the prosecution.
A copy of this press release is located on the website of the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of West Virginia. Related court documents and information can be found on PACER by searching for Case No. 2:18-cr-00225.
Follow us on Twitter: @SDWVNews and @USAttyStuart
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Pittsburgh Woman Charged with Defrauding Two CompaniesRead the Press Release
PITTSBURGH - A resident of Pittsburgh, PA, has been indicted by a federal grand jury on charges of violating federal fraud laws, United States Attorney Scott W. Brady announced today.
The 12-count Indictment named Tracey Smith, 52, as the sole defendant.
According to the Indictment, Smith defrauded two different companies between January 2014 and March 2018. The Indictment alleges that Smith used company funds for personal expenses. The Indictment further alleges that Smith wired company funds to her personal bank account and attempted to conceal those transactions by accounting for them as payments to company vendors. The Indictment alleges that with respect to the first company, Smith used her company credit card to pay for personal expenses such as parochial school tuition, court fines, and automotive expenses. Smith was the company’s vice-president of finance at the time. The Indictment also alleges that after Smith’s position was terminated, she was hired by another company to be its Chief Financial Officer. Afterwards, Smith began to issue unauthorized payroll checks to herself. In order to conceal these payments, Smith recorded the checks as payments to the company’s vendors.
The law provides for a maximum total sentence of not more than 20 years in prison, a fine of no greater than $250,000.00, a term of supervised release no longer than three years, or a combination thereof. Under the Federal Sentencing Guidelines, the actual sentence imposed would be based upon the seriousness of the offenses and the prior criminal history, if any, of the defendant.
Assistant United States Attorney Michael Leo Ivory is prosecuting this case on behalf of the government.
The Federal Bureau of Investigation conducted the investigation leading to the Indictment in this case.
An indictment is an accusation. A defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.
Pittsburgh Felon, 19, Charged with Illegally Possessing a FirearmRead the Press Release
PITTSBURGH, PA - A resident of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania has been indicted by a federal grand jury in Pittsburgh on charges of violating federal firearms laws, United States Attorney Scott W. Brady announced today.
The two-count Indictment named Jerimyah Newton, 19, as the sole defendant.
According to the Indictment, on or about April 10, 2020, and again onMay 31, 2020, Newton possessed a firearm, after being convicted of a crime punishable by more than one year in prison. Federal law prohibits anyone who has been convicted of a crime punishable by a term of imprisonment exceeding one year from possessing a firearm or ammunition.
The law provides for a maximum total sentence of 10 years in prison, a fine of $250,000 or both. Under the Federal Sentencing Guidelines, the actual sentence imposed would be based upon the seriousness of the offense and the prior criminal history, if any, of the defendant. The defendant remains incarcerated pending the resolution of the case.
Assistant United States Attorney Jonathan D. Lusty is prosecuting this case on behalf of the government.
The Drug Enforcement Administration conducted the investigation leading to the Indictment in this case. The case was brought as part of Project Safe Neighborhoods. Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN) is the centerpiece of the Department of Justice’s violent crime reduction efforts. PSN is an evidence-based program proven to be effective at reducing violent crime. Through PSN, a broad spectrum of stakeholders work together to identify the most pressing violent crime problems in the community and develop comprehensive solutions to address them. As part of this strategy, PSN focuses enforcement efforts on the most violent offenders and partners with locally based prevention and reentry programs for lasting reductions in crime.
An indictment is an accusation. A defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.
Pittsburgh Felon Indicted on Drug and Gun ChargesRead the Press Release
PITTSBURGH - A resident of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, has been indicted by a federal grand jury in Pittsburgh on charges of violating federal narcotic and firearms laws, United States Attorney Scott W. Brady announced today.
The three-count Indictment, returned on August 18 and unsealed today, named Daimere Wilmer, age 27, as the sole defendant.
According to the Indictment, on March 13, 2020, Wilmer possessed a quantity of marijuana and possessed firearms and ammunition in furtherance of his drug trafficking. Wilmer is also a convicted felon, and as such cannot legally possess a firearm.
The law provides for a maximum total sentence of not less than 20 years in prison and up to life imprisonment, a fine of not more than $750,000, a term of supervised release of at least 3 years, or a combination thereof. Under the Federal Sentencing Guidelines, the actual sentence imposed would be based upon the seriousness of the offenses and the prior criminal history, if any, of the defendant.
Assistant United States Attorney Nicole Vasquez Schmitt is prosecuting this case on behalf of the government.
The Drug Enforcement Administration and the Pittsburgh Bureau of Police conducted the investigation leading to the Indictment in this case.
An indictment is an accusation. A defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.
Pineville Man Is Sentenced to Prison for Credit Card FraudRead the Press Release
CHARLOTTE, N.C. – U.S. District Judge Max O. Cogburn Jr. sentenced Charles Vincent Brown, 36, of Pineville, N.C., today to 51 months in prison for credit card fraud, announced Andrew Murray, U.S. Attorney for the Western District of North Carolina. Judge Cogburn also ordered Brown to serve two years under court supervision, and to pay $237,141.41 as restitution.
Reginald A. DeMatteis, Special Agent in Charge of the United States Secret Service, Charlotte Field Office, joins U.S. Attorney Murray in making today’s announcement.
On November 4, 2019, Brown pleaded guilty to conspiracy to commit access device fraud. A federal jury convicted Brown’s co-defendant, Robert Nathaniel Johnson III, on July 28, 2020, of conspiracy to commit access device fraud and access device fraud for his role in the fraudulent scheme.
According to filed court documents and today’s sentencing hearing, from September 29, 2018, to October 20, 2018, Brown, Johnson and others used a stolen credit card number to create counterfeit credit cards, which they then used to purchase more than $250,000 of merchandise. According to court records, Brown and Johnson stole the credit card number of an individual identified as Victim #1, whose credit card had a credit limit of $300,000. The co-conspirators created counterfeit credit cards bearing the defendants’ names and the names of other co-conspirators, and used them at multiple retail stores, including at Best Buy, Foot Action, Foot Locker, and Neiman Marcus.
According to court records, Secret Service agents executed a search warrant at Brown’s apartment, and seized more than 560 pairs of high-end sneakers and other footwear, electronics, clothing, gaming equipment, and other items Brown had purchased using the counterfeit credit cards. Agents also seized computers, an embosser, a laminator, and other items used to manufacture counterfeit credit cards and fake identity documents. Court records show that a forensic examination of Brown’s seized cell phones revealed text messages from Brown advising other individuals on how to purchase stolen credit card information, screenshots of dark web searches for stolen credit card information, and receipts for the purchase of dozens of stolen credit card numbers.
Brown is currently in federal custody. A sentencing date for Johnson has not been set.
In making today’s announcement, U.S. Attorney Murray thanked the U.S. Secret Service for their investigation of this case.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Caryn Finley, of the U.S. Attorney’s Office in Charlotte, prosecuted the case.
Pike County Man Charged with Production of Child PornographyRead the Press Release
SCRANTON – The United States Attorney’s Office for the Middle District of Pennsylvania announced that Jerald Ungerer, age 33, of Milford, Pennsylvania, was indicted on August 25, 2020, by a federal grand jury and charged with multiple child exploitation crimes.
According to United States Attorney, David J. Freed, the indictment alleges that on January 16, and February 9, 2017, March 6, and 12, 2020, Ungerer produced multiple videos and images of minors engaged in sexually explicit conduct.
The charges stem from an investigation conducted by the Federal Bureau of Investigation, the Pennsylvania State Police and the Northeast Computer Crimes Task Force. Assistant United States Attorney Robert J. O’Hara is prosecuting the case.
This case was brought as part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative launched by the Department of Justice to combat the growing epidemic of child sexual exploitation and abuse. Led by the United States Attorneys' Offices and the Criminal Division's Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section, Project Safe Childhood marshals federal, state, and local resources to locate, apprehend, and prosecute individuals who sexually exploit children, and to identify and rescue victims. For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit www.usdoj.gov/psc For more information about internet safety education, please visit www.usdoj.gov/psc and click on the tab "resources."
Indictments are only allegations. All persons charged are presumed to be innocent unless and until found guilty in court.
A sentence following a finding of guilt is imposed by the Judge after consideration of the applicable federal sentencing statutes and the Federal Sentencing Guidelines.
The maximum penalty under federal law is 60 years’ imprisonment, a term of supervised release following imprisonment, and a fine. Under the Federal Sentencing Guidelines, the Judge is also required to consider and weigh a number of factors, including the nature, circumstances and seriousness of the offense; the history and characteristics of the defendant; and the need to punish the defendant, protect the public and provide for the defendant's educational, vocational and medical needs. For these reasons, the statutory maximum penalty for the offense is not an accurate indicator of the potential sentence for a specific defendant.
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Philadelphia Business Owner Indicted for Arson of his North Philly Convenience Store to Collect Insurance ProceedsRead the Press Release
PHILADELPHIA – United States Attorney William M. McSwain announced that Leonardo Dan Almonte-Fernandez, 39, of Philadelphia, PA, was charged by Indictment with one count of malicious damage of a building by means of fire affecting interstate commerce, one count of the use of fire to commit another felony, and three counts of wire fraud.
According to court documents, on April 25, 2020, Almonte-Fernandez allegedly set fire to his business, Chevere Mini Market, at 1443 E. Luzerne Street in Philadelphia. The defendant, who rented the basement, first, and second floors of the building, was behind on his lease payments and had recently been cited by the Philadelphia Department of Public Health for underage tobacco sales. Following the fire, he allegedly submitted fraudulent claims to State Farm Fire and Casualty Company seeking $200,000 in insurance proceeds for damages resulting from the fire, for which he claimed no involvement.
“As alleged in the Indictment, Almonte-Fernandez has a brazen disrespect for the law – and for the safety of his neighbors in this densely-populated residential area,” said U.S. Attorney McSwain. “He put other people’s homes and lives at risk, and then attempted to steal insurance money. Arson is a despicable crime. Together with our federal and local partners, we are committed to doing everything possible to punish and prevent it.”
“Arson is a dangerous crime and a very real threat to our community,” said John Schmidt, acting Special Agent in Charge of ATF’s Philadelphia Field Division. “We routinely work with our partners from the Philadelphia Police Department and Fire Marshal’s Office to build these complex and violent arson cases. Rest assured, ATF along with our law enforcement partners who round out our Arson and Explosives Task Force is dedicated to seeking justice against those who use fire as a weapon.”
“The Philadelphia Fire Marshals Office remains committed to investigating acts of arson throughout the City. We are grateful to the US Attorney’s Office and all of our partners for their ongoing help and support,” said Deputy Chief Fire Marshal Dennis J. Merrigan.
If convicted, the defendant faces a maximum possible sentence of 100 years’ imprisonment, a 10-year mandatory minimum term of imprisonment, up to three years’ supervised release, a $1.25 million fine, and a $500 special assessment.
The case was investigated by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Fire Arms and Explosives Arson and Explosives Task Force, the Philadelphia Fire Marshal’s Office and the Philadelphia Police Department, and is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Sarah Damiani.
An indictment, information or criminal complaint is an accusation. A defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.
Oakland Residents Charged with Illegally Exporting Night Vision Rifle Scopes to the Sultanate of OmanRead the Press Release
SAN FRANCISCO – Fares Abdo Al Eyani and Saba Mohsen Dhaifallah have been charged in a criminal complaint with attempting to ship export-controlled night vision rifle scopes from the United States to the Sultanate of Oman.
The announcement was made by United States Attorney for the Northern District of California David L. Anderson; Assistant Attorney General for National Security John C. Demers; Federal Bureau of Investigation, San Francisco Division, Special Agent in Charge John F. Bennett; and Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) Special Agent in Charge Tatum King.
The criminal complaint was filed August 5 and unsealed earlier today. According to the complaint, Al Eyani, 37, and Dhaifallah, 38, of Oakland, worked together to purchase numerous devices with night vision capabilities over the last half of 2019. The defendants then allegedly attempted to send those items and firearms to the Sultanate of Oman in shipping containers departing from the Port of Oakland.
The commercial export of arms, ammunitions, implements of war, and defense articles and services from the United States is governed by the Arms Export Control Act (AECA), 22 U.S.C. § 2778. Under the AECA, the President is authorized, among other things, to identify items deemed critical to the national security and foreign policy interests of the United States and to designate such items as “defense articles.” Further, the AECA authorizes the President to promulgate regulations for, and to require a license for the export of, items deemed defense articles. By executive order, the President has delegated this authority to the United States Department of State, Bureau of Political-Military Affairs, Directorate of Defense Trade Controls (DDTC). The DDTC promulgated regulations, codified at 22 C.F.R. §§ 120-130, known as the International Trafficking in Arms Regulations, or ITAR. Under the ITAR, a defense article includes any item on the United States Munitions List (USML). In addition, under the ITAR, a person who desires to export from the United States an item appearing on the USML must first register with the DDTC and obtain a license for the shipment prior to the export.
According to the complaint, Al Eyani and Dhaifallah were engaged in a scheme to export a set of night vision rifle scopes without a license. The AECA and the ITAR prohibit export of the scopes without a license and registration with the DDTC. The complaint describes how Al Eyani and Dhaifallah allegedly worked together to purchase the rifle scopes from a Bay Area gun store in August and September 2019 and then, in December 2019, attempted to export the rifle scopes by hiding them inside a shipping container at the Port of Oakland. In addition, the complaint alleges the unlawful scheme was thwarted when law enforcement officers searched the container and seized the rifle scopes.
Al Eyani and Dhaifallah were arrested yesterday at their residence in Oakland and made their initial appearance this morning in federal court before U.S. Magistrate Judge Thomas S. Hixson. Magistrate Judge Hixson released Al Eyani and Dhaifallah on a $100,000 bond and with travel restrictions. Al Eyani and Dhaifallah’s next hearing has been scheduled for Friday, August 28, 2020, at 10:30 a.m. before U.S. Magistrate Judge Robert M. Illman, for identification of counsel.
A complaint merely alleges that crimes have been committed, and all defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt. If convicted, Al Eyani and Dhaifallah both face a maximum sentence of twenty years’ imprisonment and a fine of $1,000,000. In addition, the court may order the defendant to serve an additional period of supervised release and restitution, if appropriate. However, any sentence following conviction would be imposed by the court after consideration of the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and the federal statute governing the imposition of a sentence, 18 U.S.C. § 3553.
The Special Prosecutions Section of the United States Attorney’s office is prosecuting the case in consultation with the Counterintelligence and Export Control Section of the National Security Division at the Department of Justice. The prosecution is the result of an investigation by the Federal Bureau of Investigation, Homeland Security Investigations, and United States Customs and Border Protection.
North Tonawanda Man Charged with Possession of Child PornographyRead 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 Matthew C. Ostrowski, 48, of North Tonawanda, NY, was arrested and charged by criminal complaint with possession of child pornography. The charge carries a maximum penalty of 20 years in prison and a $250,000 fine.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Laura A. Higgins, who is handling the case, stated that according to the complaint, after receiving a report from the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children, Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) and the North Tonawanda Police Department executed a search warrant at the defendant’s North Tonawanda residence on December 17, 2019.
A total of seven digital items were seized during the search. A forensic examination recovered 12 image files of suspected child pornography on a desktop computer. In total, 4,204 image files of suspected child pornography, and an additional 8,523 image files of child exploitative material, were recovered on the desktop computer. A vast majority of the suspected child pornography files depict minors under the age of 12, approximately 101 images depict infants or toddlers, and another approximately 48 images depict violence against minors. In addition, Google searches for child pornography were also recovered.
Following the execution of the search warrant, Ostrowski turned his iPhone over to investigators. A forensic examination of the defendant’s phone recovered text conversations that appeared to be sexually explicit conversations with minors. The first conversation spanned two days in January 2019. During this conversation, Ostrowski and a minor he believes is 16 years old discuss a sexual relationship the minor is purportedly having with his/her adult teacher. The minor corrected the defendant, telling him that he/she was 17 years old, not 16 as Ostrowski believed. In response, the defendant wrote, “Omg you where [sic] 14 When we started talking and play Im [sic] such a scumbag. A second sexually graphic conversation between Ostrowski and an unidentified individual occurred in March 2019. At one point in the conversation, the defendant references “your fertile teen age womb.”
On February 5, 2020, HSI and the North Tonawanda Police once again executed federal search warrants, seizing a new iPhone the defendant possessed, and a laptop computer. Following a forensic examination, no images of child pornography were found on the phone. However, 178 image files and five videos of suspected child pornography were found on the laptop computer. A vast majority of the suspected child pornography files depict minors under the age of 12.
The defendant made an initial appearance before U.S. Magistrate Judge Jeremiah J. McCarthy and was released.
The complaint is the result of an investigation by Homeland Security Investigations, under the direction of Special Agent-in-Charge Kevin Kelly, and the North Tonawanda Police Department, under the direction of Chief Randy Szukala.
The fact that a defendant has been charged with a crime is merely an accusation and the defendant is presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty.
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North Carolina State Legislator Pleads Guilty to Making a False Statement to a BankRead the Press Release
A member of the North Carolina House of Representatives pleaded guilty today to making a false statement to a bank and failing to file an income tax return.
David R. Lewis, 49, of Dunn, North Carolina, pleaded guilty to one count of making a false statement to a bank and one count of failing to file a tax return before U.S. Magistrate Judge David S. Cayer of the Western District of North Carolina. A sentencing hearing will be set at a later date.
According to documents filed with the court, Lewis has served as a Representative in the North Carolina House of Representatives since 2002, representing District 53. Lewis also owned and operated Lewis Farms, a farming corporation in North Carolina.
On or about Aug. 1, 2018, Lewis opened a bank account in the name of “NC GOP, Inc.” In completing the application to open the account, Lewis falsely certified to the bank that NC GOP Inc. was a corporation formed in North Carolina, of which Lewis was president. In fact, NC GOP Inc. was not a legal entity registered in North Carolina or in any other state. Lewis then used the NC GOP Inc. bank account to misappropriate campaign funds by disguising transfers from his campaign account to the NC GOP Inc. account as lawful contributions to the North Carolina Republican Party (commonly called the NCGOP). NC GOP Inc. had no actual association to the North Carolina Republican Party.
To that end, on or about July 31, 2018, Lewis caused a check to be written in the amount of $50,000 from his campaign account, made payable to NCGOP. Lewis caused this $50,000 expenditure to be reported to the North Carolina Board of Elections as a lawful contribution to the North Carolina Republican Party. Rather than sending the check to the North Carolina Republican Party, however, Lewis deposited the check into the NC GOP Inc. bank account immediately after opening the account on Aug. 1, 2018. The same day, Lewis transferred the majority of the funds in the NC GOP, Inc. account to his bank account for Lewis Farms, and used the remainder to pay rent on his residence.
Additionally, on or about Aug. 15, 2018, Lewis purchased a cashier’s check in the amount of $15,000 from his campaign account, made payable to NC GOP Inc. Lewis caused this $15,000 expenditure to be reported as a lawful contribution to the North Carolina Republican Party. That same day, however, rather than sending the check to the North Carolina Republican Party, Lewis deposited the check into the NC GOP Inc. account and subsequently transferred the funds to his bank account for Lewis Farms.
At a later date, Lewis made two contributions in the amount of $50,000 and $15,000 to the North Carolina Republican Party from one of his personal bank accounts. After using the NC GOP Inc. account to conduct the transactions described above, Lewis closed the account.
Lewis also admitted to willfully failing to file a tax return for calendar year 2018.
This case was investigated by the FBI and IRS-Criminal Investigation. Trial Attorneys Erica O’Brien Waymack and James C. Mann of the Criminal Division’s Public Integrity Section and Assistant U.S. Attorneys William T. Stetzer and Dana O. Washington of the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Western District of North Carolina are prosecuting the case.
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.
North Carolina State Legislator Pleads Guilty to Making A False Statement to A BankRead the Press Release
CHARLOTTE, N.C. – A member of the North Carolina House of Representatives pleaded guilty today to making a false statement to a bank and failing to file an income tax return, announced Andrew Murray, U.S. Attorney for the Western District of North Carolina.
David R. Lewis, 49, of Dunn, North Carolina, pleaded guilty to one count of making a false statement to a bank and one count of failing to file a tax return before U.S. Magistrate Judge David S. Cayer of the Western District of North Carolina. A sentencing hearing will be set at a later date.
According to documents filed with the court, Lewis has served as a Representative in the North Carolina House of Representatives since 2002, representing District 53. Lewis also owned and operated Lewis Farms, a farming corporation in North Carolina.
On or about Aug. 1, 2018, Lewis opened a bank account in the name of “NC GOP, Inc.” In completing the application to open the account, Lewis falsely certified to the bank that NC GOP Inc. was a corporation formed in North Carolina, of which Lewis was president. In fact, NC GOP Inc. was not a legal entity registered in North Carolina or in any other state. Lewis then used the NC GOP Inc. bank account to misappropriate campaign funds by disguising transfers from his campaign account to the NC GOP Inc. account as lawful contributions to the North Carolina Republican Party (commonly called the NCGOP). NC GOP Inc. had no actual association to the North Carolina Republican Party.
To that end, on or about July 31, 2018, Lewis caused a check to be written in the amount of $50,000 from his campaign account, made payable to NCGOP. Lewis caused this $50,000 expenditure to be reported to the North Carolina Board of Elections as a lawful contribution to the North Carolina Republican Party. Rather than sending the check to the North Carolina Republican Party, however, Lewis deposited the check into the NC GOP Inc. bank account immediately after opening the account on Aug. 1, 2018. The same day, Lewis transferred the majority of the funds in the NC GOP, Inc. account to his bank account for Lewis Farms, and used the remainder to pay rent on his residence.
Additionally, on or about Aug. 15, 2018, Lewis purchased a cashier’s check in the amount of $15,000 from his campaign account, made payable to NC GOP Inc. Lewis caused this $15,000 expenditure to be reported as a lawful contribution to the North Carolina Republican Party. That same day, however, rather than sending the check to the North Carolina Republican Party, Lewis deposited the check into the NC GOP Inc. account and subsequently transferred the funds to his bank account for Lewis Farms.
At a later date, Lewis made two contributions in the amount of $50,000 and $15,000 to the North Carolina Republican Party from one of his personal bank accounts. After using the NC GOP Inc. account to conduct the transactions described above, Lewis closed the account.
Lewis also admitted to willfully failing to file a tax return for calendar year 2018.
This case was investigated by the FBI in Charlotte and IRS-Criminal Investigation. Trial Attorneys Erica O’Brien Waymack and James C. Mann of the Criminal Division’s Public Integrity Section and Assistant U.S. Attorneys William T. Stetzer and Dana O. Washington of the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Western District of North Carolina are prosecuting the case.
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.
New London Man Sentenced to 4 Years in Federal Prison for Distributing Cocaine, Violating Supervised ReleaseRead the Press Release
John H. Durham, United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut, announced that JUAN HERNANDEZ, 37, of New London, was sentenced today by U.S. District Judge Vanessa L. Bryant in Hartford to 48 months of imprisonment, followed by three years of supervised release, for distributing cocaine, and for violating the conditions of his federal supervised release that followed a previous conviction for trafficking cocaine.
This matter stems from an investigation led by the Drug Enforcement Administration, Connecticut Statewide Narcotics Taskforce East, Connecticut Department of Correction and the New London, Waterford, City of Groton and Stonington Police Departments, into the distribution of narcotics and illegal possession of firearms in southeastern Connecticut. The investigation included court-authorized wiretaps and controlled purchases and seizures of heroin, cocaine and crack cocaine, and firearms. The investigation revealed that Hernandez received cocaine from an identified leader of a drug trafficking organization and distributed the drug to his own customers and other street-level dealers.
On January 17, 2019, New London Police arrested Hernandez after they conducted a traffic stop of Hernandez’s vehicle and found him in possession of approximately 100 grams of cocaine.
At the time of his arrest, and during his criminal conduct in this case, Hernandez was on federal supervised release. On February 26, 2016, Judge Bryant sentenced Hernandez to 48 months of imprisonment and four years of supervised release for his participation in another southeastern Connecticut cocaine trafficking conspiracy.
On March 5, 2019, a grand jury in Hartford returned an indictment charging Hernandez and 23 other individuals with various offenses. On December 9, 2019, he pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy to distribute and possession with the intent to distribute cocaine.
Judge Bryant sentenced Hernandez to 30 months of imprisonment for the cocaine distribution offense, and an additional 18 months of imprisonment for violating the conditions of his supervised release.
Hernandez has been detained since January 17, 2019.
This investigation is being conducted by the Drug Enforcement Administration, Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, U.S. Marshals Service, Homeland Security Investigations, Connecticut Statewide Narcotics Taskforce East, Connecticut Department of Correction and the New London, Waterford, City of Groton, Stonington, Norwich, Old Saybrook and UConn Police Departments. The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Natasha M. Freismuth.
New Haven Man Sentenced to 51 Months in Federal Prison for Distributing CrackRead the Press Release
John H. Durham, United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut, announced that RONNIE GORDON, also known as “Pop,” 39, of New Haven, was sentenced today by U.S. District Judge Vanessa L. Bryant in Hartford to 51 months of imprisonment, followed by three years of supervised release, for distributing crack cocaine.
According to court documents and statements made in court, in June 2017, the FBI’s New Haven Safe Streets/Gang Task Force initiated an investigation into a New Haven drug trafficking organization headed by Jermayne Butler. The investigation, which included physical surveillance, 13 controlled purchases of narcotics, and court-authorized wiretaps on multiple phones, revealed that members of the organization were distributing crack cocaine and oxycodone in the New Haven area.
Between August and November 2017, investigators made six controlled purchases of crack from Butler. A subsequent wiretap investigation revealed that Butler was obtaining bulk quantities of crack from others and distributing the drug through a network of street-level dealers, including Gordon. Butler also conspired with others to distribute oxycodone.
Gordon has been detained since his arrest on February 6, 2018.
On February 8, 2018, a grand jury in New Haven returned a 30-count indictment charging Butler, Gordon and 17 other individuals with various offenses. All have been convicted.
On August 26, 2019, Gordon guilty to one count of conspiracy to distribute, and to possess with intent to distribute, cocaine base (“crack”).
Gordon’s criminal history includes multiple state convictions for drug, assault and firearms offenses.
On August 10, 2020, Butler was sentenced to 78 months of imprisonment.
This matter has been investigated by the FBI’s New Haven Safe Streets/Gang Task Force, which includes members from the New Haven Police Department, Milford Police Department, West Haven Police Department and Connecticut Department of Correction. The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Patrick F. Caruso and David C. Nelson.
Nevada Man Charged with Using COVID-Relief Funds to Buy HouseRead the Press Release
A Nevada man has been arrested in connection with allegations that he fraudulently obtained approximately $500,000 from the Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) loan and the Economic Injury Disaster Loan (EIDL) program, and then laundered the funds through friends and family in order to buy a house.
Acting Assistant Attorney General Brian Rabbitt of the Justice Department’s Criminal Division, U.S. Attorney Nicholas A. Trutanich of the District of Nevada, Special Agent in Charge Aaron C. Rouse of the FBI’s Las Vegas Field Office, Special Agent in Charge Tara Sullivan of the IRS-Criminal Investigation (IRS-CI) Las Vegas Field Office, and Special Agent in Charge Weston King of the Small Business Administration’s Office of the Inspector General (SBA-OIG) made the announcement.
Brandon Casutt, 49, of Henderson, Nevada, is charged in a criminal complaint in the District of Nevada, unsealed Tuesday, with making false statements to a financial institution, wire fraud, bank fraud, concealment money laundering, and engaging in unlawful monetary transactions. He was arrested on Friday and made his initial appearance Tuesday afternoon before U.S. Magistrate Judge Elayna J. Youchah in Las Vegas.
The complaint alleges that Casutt perpetrated a scheme to submit fraudulent EIDL applications to the SBA and PPP loan applications to federally insured banks. The SBA guarantees the loans for COVID-19 relief through the PPP under the Coronavirus Aid, Relief and Economic Security (CARES) Act. The CARES Act also authorizes the SBA to provide an EIDL of up to $2 million to eligible small businesses experiencing financial disruption due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
Two of these fraudulent applications received funding: (1) a PPP loan for approximately $350,000 in the name of a business called Sky DeSign; and (2) an EIDL for approximately $150,000 in the name of a charity called Skyler’s C.F. Foundation, which is supposedly devoted to raising awareness about cystic fibrosis. The loan applications indicated that each entity had numerous employees, significant payroll expenses, and substantial revenue. According to the complaint, neither entity has employees nor pays any wages. And Skyler’s C.F. Foundation had nowhere near the $600,000 revenue in 2019 that Casutt listed on the entity’s EIDL application.
According to the complaint, Casutt laundered the PPP funds by writing checks to 23 different people — friends, family members, associates, and himself — each in the amount of $8,330 with “back pay” and “pandemic pay” in the checks’ memo lines. Casutt then had the funds diverted to a bank account in the name of Skyler’s C.F. Foundation and used them, along with the EIDL funds, to purchase a $400,000 house in Henderson, into which he and his family moved at the end of June 2020.
The CARES Act is a federal law enacted March 29. It is designed to provide emergency financial assistance to millions of Americans who are suffering the economic effects resulting from the COVID-19 pandemic. One source of relief provided by the CARES Act is the authorization of up to $349 billion in forgivable loans to small businesses for job retention and certain other expenses through the PPP. In April 2020, Congress authorized over $300 billion in additional PPP funding.
The PPP allows qualifying small businesses and other organizations to receive loans with a maturity of two years and an interest rate of one percent. Businesses must use PPP loan proceeds for payroll costs, interest on mortgages, rent and utilities. The PPP allows the interest and principal to be forgiven if businesses spend the proceeds on these expenses within a set time period and use at least a certain percentage of the loan towards payroll expenses.
The EIDL program is designed to provide economic relief to small businesses that are currently experiencing a temporary loss of revenue. EIDL proceeds can be used to cover a wide array of working capital and normal operating expenses, such as continuation of health care benefits, rent, utilities and fixed debt payments. If an applicant also obtains a loan under the PPP, the EIDL funds cannot be used as the same purpose as the PPP funds.
A federal criminal complaint is merely an accusation. A defendant is presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.
The FBI, IRS-CI, and SBA-OIG investigated the case. Assistant Chief William E. Johnston of the Criminal Division’s Fraud Section and Assistant U.S. Attorney Jamie Mickelson of the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Nevada are prosecuting the case.
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.
Nevada Man Charged with Using COVID-Relief Funds to Buy HouseRead the Press Release
LAS VEGAS, Nev. – A Nevada man has been arrested in connection with allegations that he fraudulently obtained approximately $500,000 from the Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) loan and the Economic Injury Disaster Loan (EIDL) program, and then laundered the funds through friends and family in order to buy a house.
Acting Assistant Attorney General Brian Rabbitt of the Justice Department’s Criminal Division, U.S. Attorney Nicholas A. Trutanich of the District of Nevada, Special Agent in Charge Aaron C. Rouse of the FBI’s Las Vegas Field Office, Special Agent in Charge Tara Sullivan of the IRS-Criminal Investigation (IRS-CI) Las Vegas Field Office, and Special Agent in Charge Weston King of the Small Business Administration’s Office of the Inspector General (SBA-OIG) made the announcement.
Brandon Casutt, 49, of Henderson, Nevada, is charged in a criminal complaint in the District of Nevada, unsealed Tuesday, with making false statements to a financial institution, wire fraud, bank fraud, concealment money laundering, and engaging in unlawful monetary transactions. He was arrested on Friday and made his initial appearance Tuesday afternoon before U.S. Magistrate Judge Elayna J. Youchah in Las Vegas.
The complaint alleges that Casutt perpetrated a scheme to submit fraudulent EIDL applications to the SBA and PPP loan applications to federally insured banks. The SBA guarantees the loans for COVID-19 relief through the PPP under the Coronavirus Aid, Relief and Economic Security (CARES) Act. The CARES Act also authorizes the SBA to provide an EIDL of up to $2 million to eligible small businesses experiencing financial disruption due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
Two of these fraudulent applications received funding: (1) a PPP loan for approximately $350,000 in the name of a business called Sky DeSign; and (2) an EIDL for approximately $150,000 in the name of a charity called Skyler’s C.F. Foundation, which is supposedly devoted to raising awareness about cystic fibrosis. The loan applications indicated that each entity had numerous employees, significant payroll expenses, and substantial revenue. According to the complaint, neither entity has employees nor pays any wages. And Skyler’s C.F. Foundation had nowhere near the $600,000 revenue in 2019 that Casutt listed on the entity’s EIDL application.
According to the complaint, Casutt laundered the PPP funds by writing checks to 23 different people — friends, family members, associates, and himself — each in the amount of $8,330 with “back pay” and “pandemic pay” in the checks’ memo lines. Casutt then had the funds diverted to a bank account in the name of Skyler’s C.F. Foundation and used them, along with the EIDL funds, to purchase a $400,000 house in Henderson, into which he and his family moved at the end of June 2020.
The CARES Act is a federal law enacted March 29. It is designed to provide emergency financial assistance to millions of Americans who are suffering the economic effects resulting from the COVID-19 pandemic. One source of relief provided by the CARES Act is the authorization of up to $349 billion in forgivable loans to small businesses for job retention and certain other expenses through the PPP. In April 2020, Congress authorized over $300 billion in additional PPP funding.
The PPP allows qualifying small businesses and other organizations to receive loans with a maturity of two years and an interest rate of one percent. Businesses must use PPP loan proceeds for payroll costs, interest on mortgages, rent and utilities. The PPP allows the interest and principal to be forgiven if businesses spend the proceeds on these expenses within a set time period and use at least a certain percentage of the loan towards payroll expenses.
The EIDL program is designed to provide economic relief to small businesses that are currently experiencing a temporary loss of revenue. EIDL proceeds can be used to cover a wide array of working capital and normal operating expenses, such as continuation of health care benefits, rent, utilities and fixed debt payments. If an applicant also obtains a loan under the PPP, the EIDL funds cannot be used as the same purpose as the PPP funds.
A federal criminal complaint is merely an accusation. A defendant is presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.
The FBI, IRS-CI, and SBA-OIG investigated the case. Assistant Chief William E. Johnston of the Criminal Division’s Fraud Section and Assistant U.S. Attorney Jamie Mickelson of the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Nevada are prosecuting the case.
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Nashville Man Sentenced to Federal Prison for Scheme Involving Stolen Tax Refund Checks and Bank FraudRead the Press Release
NASHVILLE, Tenn. – August 26, 2020 – A Nashville man was sentenced today in U.S. District Court for two separate fraud schemes, one involving stolen tax refund checks and the other involving bank fraud, announced U.S. Attorney Don Cochran for the Middle District of Tennessee.
Charles Burnett, 34, was sentenced to a total of 54 months in prison, to be followed by five years of supervised release.
Burnett was initially charged in September 2018 with conspiracy to steal government funds and aggravated identity theft after an investigation determined that he conspired with others to steal federal income tax refund checks. Between June 2014 and May 2017, Burnett directed others to open bank accounts and shell entities to deposit the stolen checks. Burnett himself, incorporated CB Entertainment and Marketing, LLC and opened a business bank account for the sole purpose of depositing stolen tax refund checks. Burnett and his co-conspirators stole $636,366.68 in tax refund checks, but they were only successful in obtaining $271,712.04.
Burnett pleaded guilty to this scheme in November 2018 and while awaiting sentencing, in March 2019, he embarked upon another scheme which would defraud local banks. Burnett opened a series of bank accounts, seeded those accounts with money, spent that money or moved it to another account he controlled, and then claimed fraud so the defrauded banks would reimburse him. In February of this year, Burnett was arrested and charged with bank fraud. He pleaded guilty to this scheme in April and has been in custody pending today’s sentencing. Burnett was also ordered to pay $271,712.04 in restitution and to forfeit $252,346.44 in the case involving stolen tax refund checks; and $21,086.46 in restitution and a forfeiture in the same amount involving the bank fraud case.
This case was investigated by the Treasury Inspector General for Tax Administration; the United States Secret Service and the FBI. Assistant U.S. Attorney Robert S. Levine prosecuted the case.
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Nashville Man Facing Federal Charges in Pharmacy RobberyRead the Press Release
NASHVILLE, Tenn. – August 26, 2020 – A criminal complaint was unsealed yesterday charging David Powell, aka Dawud Powell, 29, of Nashville, with armed robbery of a pharmacy and brandishing a firearm during and in relation to a crime of violence, announced U.S. Attorney Don Cochran for the Middle District of Tennessee.
According to the complaint, on the morning of August 19, 2020, an individual later identified as Powell, entered the Walgreens pharmacy on Nolensville Pike, brandished a handgun at the pharmacy counter and demanded that the pharmacist give him all of the Hydrocodone, Oxycodone, and Lortab. The pharmacist complied and the robber placed the bottles of drugs in a white bag and fled the store.
The investigation by responding officers and detectives from the Metropolitan Nashville Police Department led them to the area of West Valley Drive where they observed an individual exiting a vehicle and carrying a white bag. The individual ignored the officer’s commands to stop and fled, jumping a nearby fence. Subsequent investigation by FBI agents identified Powell as the suspect.
Powell was arrested Monday by the FBI Safe Streets Task Force outside of an apartment complex in South Nashville. At the time of his arrest, Powell was in possession of firearms. He will appear before a U.S. Magistrate Judge on Friday for a detention hearing. He is currently on federal supervised release out of the Northern District of Illinois, where he was previously convicted for being a felon in possession of a firearm. If convicted of the charges, Powell faces a mandatory minimum sentence of seven years and up to life in prison.
This case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Joseph P. Montminy.
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Moss Point Man Sentenced to over 17 Years in Federal Prison under Project EJECT for Heroin and Methamphetamine TraffickingRead the Press Release
Gulfport, Miss – Raphael Donzell Johnson, Jr., 40, of Moss Point, was sentenced today by Senior U.S. District Judge Louis Guirola, Jr, to 210 months in prison, followed by 3 years of supervised release, for possession with intent to distribute heroin and methamphetamine, announced U.S. Attorney Mike Hurst and Special Agent in Charge Michelle Sutphin with the Federal Bureau of Investigation in Mississippi. Johnson was also ordered to pay a $9,000 fine.
In May 2019, Johnson sold heroin and methamphetamine to an individual on two separate occasions. In June, agents executed a search warrant on Johnson’s home where they found over 400 grams of heroin, methamphetamine and two firearms.
Johnson was charged in a federal criminal indictment and pled guilty before Judge Guirola on January 29, 2020.
The Mississippi Bureau of Narcotics and the Federal Bureau of Investigation investigated the case. The case was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Annette Williams.
This case is part of Project EJECT, an initiative by the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of Mississippi under the U.S. Department of Justice’s Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN) and Project Guardian. EJECT is a holistic, multi-disciplinary approach to fighting and reducing violent crime through prosecution, prevention, re-entry and awareness. EJECT stands for “Empower Justice Expel Crime Together.” PSN is bringing together all levels of law enforcement and the communities they serve to reduce violent crime and make our neighborhoods safer for everyone. Project Guardian draws upon the Department’s past successful programs to reduce gun violence; enhances coordination of federal, state, local, and tribal authorities in investigating and prosecuting gun crimes; improves information-sharing by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives when a prohibited individual attempts to purchase a firearm and is denied by the National Instant Criminal Background Check System (NICS), to include taking appropriate actions when a prospective purchaser is denied by the NICS for mental health reasons; and ensures that federal resources are directed at the criminals posing the greatest threat to our communities.
Monterey Park Man Sentenced to Nearly 3 Years in Prison for Role in $62 Million Compounded Medication Scam that Targeted TRICARERead the Press Release
SANTA ANA, California – A San Gabriel Valley man was sentenced today to 34 months in federal prison for fraudulently submitting more than $62 million in claims to the military’s TRICARE health care benefit program for bogus compounded medications prescriptions largely generated by the payment of large referral fees to marketers.
James Chen, 51, of Monterey Park, was sentenced by United States District Judge David O. Carter, who also ordered Chen to pay $28,283,844 in restitution. Chen pleaded guilty in June 2017 to one count of health care fraud.
Chen owned Clevis Management, Inc., a Commerce-based company that did business under the name Haeoyou Pharmacy (HY). HY hired marketers to obtain prescriptions for medications that were billed to TRICARE, a health care benefit program for military members and their families. HY also operated “Healtharchy.com,” a “telemedicine” website through which individuals could seek prescriptions for medications without being examined by a physician.
Under Chen’s supervision, HY paid referral fees to outside businesses, including Mission Viejo-based Trestles RX LLC and Trestles Pain Management Specialists LLC, and to his own in-house marketers to obtain compounded medications prescriptions. The referral fees constituted more than 50 percent of the net reimbursements that HY received from TRICARE.
Compounding medication is a practice where a physician or pharmacists alters the ingredients of a drug or multiple drugs to create a medication tailored to an individual patient, such as if a patient is allergic to a specific ingredient in a medication approved by the Food and Drug Administration.
Chen knew that none of the prescriptions arose from a bona-fide physician-patient relationship, as required by TRICARE rules. Chen also knew that a substantial number of the prescriptions were sent to HY from marketers, not physicians, though the claim forms falsely indicated otherwise. HY never attempted to collect copayments from patients, who were selected at random and denied ever seeking the compounded medications, which were of questionable medical value. All the medications were for generic pain, scarring, stretch marks, erectile dysfunction, or “metabolic general wellness” (vitamins), according to court documents.
During 2013, Chen submitted zero claims to TRICARE for reimbursement for filling compounded medication prescriptions. In December 2014, his company submitted 31 such claims to TRICARE for $81,401. During the first five months of 2015, HY submitted 2,798 such claims to TRICARE seeking a total of $62,654,938.
The claims HY submitted to TRICARE for each compounded medication prescription were astronomical compared to previous claims that HY typically submitted for reimbursement. A claim to TRICARE for a single compounded medication prescription caused TRICARE to pay HY $194,707.
Chen and his co-schemers targeted TRICARE because few, if any, insurance carriers at the time would honor reimbursement claims for similar prescriptions.
This matter was investigated by the Defense Criminal Investigative Service; the FBI; Amtrak’s Office of Inspector General; IRS Criminal Investigation, the Office of Personnel Management’s Office of Inspector General; the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services – Office of Inspector General; the U.S. Department of Labor, Employee Benefits Security Administration; and the California Department of Insurance.
This case was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Mark Aveis of the Major Frauds Section.
Missouri Man Sentenced to 46 Months for Unlawful Possession of a FirearmRead the Press Release
The Honorable Chief Judge Rodney W. Sippel of the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Missouri sentenced Freddie Doyle, 32, to 46 months of imprisonment for violating 18 U.S.C. § 922(g), in relation to an attempted assault on patrons of a LGBTQ-community bar in St. Louis, Missouri.
Doyle previously pleaded guilty and admitted that on June 27, 2019, he drove to Rehab Bar and Grill, a LGBTQ-community bar located in St. Louis, Missouri, with a Bushmaster Firearms AR-15 style automatic rifle (AR-15), bipod, scope, tactical light, four full rifle magazines, and approximately 160 rifle rounds in his vehicle. Doyle stayed at the bar for a number of hours until the bar closed at 3:00 a.m. Shortly thereafter, Doyle approached an African-American man, who had just exited a different LGBTQ establishment in the area, and invited that man back to his car. Doyle retrieved his rifle from his car and immediately aimed it at the African-American man. Doyle then chased the man as he ran away, told a bystander that he wanted to “get” the man, yelled racial and homophobic slurs at him, and fired his rifle once above the man’s head. When the St. Louis Metropolitan Police Department apprehended Doyle and placed him into custody, Doyle continued to yell slurs at the man, including referring to him as a “fag.”
“All people in this nation have the right to enjoy themselves at a bar and grill without fearing that they will be threatened, shot, and seriously injured or killed by bigoted criminals,” said Assistant Attorney General Eric Dreiband of the Civil Rights Division. “The Department of Justice will not tolerate this kind of hateful violence. The Civil Rights Division strives to protect all Americans from acts of aggression and violence based on their race, color or sexual orientation.”
This case was investigated by the FBI. First Assistant U.S. Attorney Carrie Costantin of the U.S. Attorney’s Office, Eastern District of Missouri, and Trial Attorneys Janea Lamar and Laura Gilson of the Civil Rights Division, Criminal Section, prosecuted the case.
Mission Man Indicted on Meth and Ammunition ChargesRead the Press Release
United States Attorney Ron Parsons announced that a Mission, South Dakota, man has been indicted by a federal grand jury for Possession With Intent to Distribute Methamphetamine and Possession of Ammunition by a Prohibited Person.
Kevin Bordeaux, age 21, was indicted on August 11, 2020. He appeared before U.S. Magistrate Judge Mark A. Moreno on August 20, 2020, and pled not guilty to the Indictment.
The maximum penalty upon conviction is up to 20 years in federal prison and/or a $1,000,000 fine, at least 3 years of supervised release, and $100 to the Federal Crime Victims Fund. Restitution may also be ordered.
The Indictment alleges that on March 3, 2020, Bordeaux did knowingly and intentionally possess with the intent to distribute methamphetamine. On March 4, 2020, a search warrant was executed on Bordeaux’s residence wherein several rounds of ammunition were seized.
The charges are merely accusations and Bordeaux is presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty.
Drug trafficking is an inherently violent activity. Firearms are tools of the trade for drug dealers. It is common to find drug traffickers armed with guns in order to protect their illegal drug product and cash, and enforce their illegal operations.
This case is part of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), a program bringing together all levels of law enforcement and the communities they serve to reduce violent crime and make our neighborhoods safer for everyone. The Department of Justice reinvigorated PSN in 2017 as part of its renewed focus on targeting violent criminals, directing all U.S. Attorney’s Offices to work in partnership with federal, state, local, and tribal law enforcement and local communities to develop effective, locally-based strategies to reduce violent crime.
This case is also part of Project Guardian, the Department of Justice’s signature initiative to reduce gun violence and enforce federal firearms laws. Initiated by the Attorney General in the fall of 2019, Project Guardian draws upon the Department’s past successful programs to reduce gun violence; enhances coordination of federal, state, local, and tribal authorities in investigating and prosecuting gun crimes; improves information-sharing by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives when a prohibited individual attempts to purchase a firearm and is denied by the National Instant Criminal Background Check System (NICS), to include taking appropriate actions when a prospective purchaser is denied by the NICS for mental health reasons; and ensures that federal resources are directed at the criminals posing the greatest threat to our communities. For more information about Project Guardian, please see: https://www.justice.gov/projectguardian.
The investigation is being conducted by the Northern Plains Safe Trails Drug Enforcement Task Force, the Rosebud Sioux Tribe Law Enforcement Services, and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives. Assistant U.S. Attorney Meghan N. Dilges is prosecuting the case.
Bordeaux was remanded to the custody of the U.S. Marshals Service pending trial. A trial date has not been set.
Mission Man Indicted on Kidnapping and Assault ChargesRead the Press Release
United States Attorney Ron Parsons announced that a Mission, South Dakota, man has been indicted by a federal grand jury for Kidnapping and Assault by Strangulation and Suffocation.
Steven McDaniel, a/k/a Steven McDaniels, age 33, was indicted on December 17, 2019. He appeared before U.S. Magistrate Judge Mark A. Moreno on August 20, 2020, and pled not guilty to the Indictment.
The maximum penalty upon conviction is up to life in federal prison and/or a $250,000 fine, 5 years of supervised release, and $100 to the Federal Crime Victims Fund. Restitution may also be ordered.
The Indictment alleges that between June 6, 2019, and June 7, 2019, McDaniel kidnapped and held a woman in Mission, and unlawfully assaulted her by strangling and suffocating her.
The charges are merely accusations and McDaniel is presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty.
The investigation is being conducted by the Rosebud Sioux Tribe Law Enforcement Services. Assistant U.S. Attorney Kirk Albertson is prosecuting the case.
McDaniel was released on bond pending trial. A trial date has not been set.