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Monday 24 August 2020
Crips Gang Member Sentenced to More Than 15 Years in Federal Prison for Leading Bank Robbery Crew and for Being A Felon in Possession of A FirearmRead the Press Release
DENVER – United States Attorney Jason R. Dunn today announced that Eric Coleman, age 43, and a leader of the Rolling 60s Crips, was sentenced to serve 188 months (over 15 years) in federal prison for bank robbery and for being a felon in possession of a firearm. Coleman appeared remotely in custody and was remanded at the hearing’s conclusion. The FBI joined in today’s announcement.
According to the stipulated facts contained in his plea agreement, as well as the government’s argument at sentencing, Coleman was a member and leader of the Rolling 60s Crips, and a mastermind of a multi-defendant bank robbery operation. Coleman actively recruited and manipulated juveniles to carry out the actual robberies. He made juvenile and younger gang members put on makeup and use a firearm to rob the banks.
For example, on March 14, 2018, the ENT Federal Credit Union in Colorado Springs, Colorado was robbed. After the robbery, law enforcement learned that Coleman had picked up the robber -- a co-defendant -- from the credit union, driving them away from the scene. The four individuals involved in these robberies, including Coleman, met up at a fast food restaurant where the robber gave the firearm to Coleman and the money was divided.
On April 30, 2018, law enforcement stopped four individuals who were planning to commit another bank robbery. Officers found an individual wearing makeup. The manner in which the makeup was being worn matched several recent bank robberies and business robberies. During interviews following the stop, law enforcement learned that Coleman would hand the bank robber a firearm for the robbery. A subsequent search of Coleman’s residence resulted in officers finding three firearms, including one in a bag with Mr. Coleman's prescription medication, directly tying him to the weapon.
All seven of the defendants have pleaded guilty, and three of the seven defendants have been sentenced.
In addition to the bank robbery, Coleman was a felon in possession of three firearms, including: a .38 caliber revolver; a .40 caliber pistol; and a 9mm rifle. Prior to the firearms being discovered, Coleman had been convicted of multiple felony offenses, making it illegal for him to have possessed the firearms.
“Bank robbery, especially with a weapon, is a violent crime,” said U.S. Attorney Jason Dunn. “In this case, Mr. Coleman used his position as a gang leader to recruit minors to do his dirty work. He will now serve a lengthy prison sentence appropriate for someone who orchestrated and led others to commit these crimes.”
“The success of this investigation is largely attributed to the close working relationships between federal, state, and local law enforcement and our Southern Colorado Safe Streets Task Force,” said FBI Denver Special Agent in Charge Michael Schneider. “The collaborative effort to address violent crimes, such as bank robberies, within our local communities is just one example of how highly the FBI values its partnerships and the critical role these relationships play in making our community safer.”
The sentence was pronounced by U.S. District Court Judge William J. Martinez on August 19, 2020. The guilty plea was entered on March 5, 2020. This case was investigated by the Colorado Springs FBI. Local law enforcement, including the Colorado Springs Police Department and the El Paso County Sheriff’s Office, assisted with the investigation. The defendant is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Kurt Bohn.
A copy of this press release is located on the website of the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Colorado. Related court documents can be found on PACER by searching for Case Number 18-cr-360.
The year 2020 marks the 150th anniversary of the Department of Justice. Learn more about the history of our agency at www.Justice.gov/Celebrating150Years.
Convicted Sex Offender Sentenced in Federal Court for Failing to RegisterRead the Press Release
SHREVEPORT, La. – Christopher D. Watson, 40, was sentenced today by U.S. District Judge S. Maurice Hicks, Jr. for failing to register as a convicted sex offender, Acting United States Attorney Alexander C. Van Hook announced. Watson was sentenced to 37 months in prison, followed by 5 years of supervised release.
Watson previously pled guilty to the charge on February 3, 2020. According to evidence introduced in court, Watson was convicted of Sexual Abuse in the Second Degree in the State of Oregon in February 2008 and was required to register as a convicted sex offender in the State of Oregon for life. Watson moved to Utah and lived there from 2011 until 2018 and while there was arrested multiple times for failing to register as a sex offender.
In August 2018, Watson moved from Utah to Shreveport, Louisiana. In October 2018, Watson was arrested by law enforcement officers in Bossier City following a complaint. After learning he was a convicted sex offender, officers advised Watson to register as a sex offender in Louisiana. In December 2018 while responding to a complaint, Bossier City Police officers had another encounter with Watson and he was advised a second time to register as a registered sex offender as required by law and was cited to appear in Louisiana state court for failing to register as required.
On October 9, 2019, Shreveport Police officers encountered Watson and learned that he had not registered as a convicted sex offender. Watson was placed under arrest for failing to register as required. Under federal law, a convicted sex offender is required to register under the Sex Offender Registration and Notification Act.
The United States Marshals Service, Bossier City Police Department, and Shreveport Police Department conducted the investigation. Assistant U.S. Attorney Brian C. Flanagan prosecuted the case.
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Convicted Felon Sentenced in Federal Court for Firearms ChargeRead the Press Release
SHREVEPORT, La. – Acting United States Attorney Alexander C. Van Hook announced that Marquis Moss, 31, of Shreveport, was sentenced today for being a convicted felon in possession of a firearm. U.S. District Judge S. Maurice Hicks, Jr. sentenced Moss to 115 months (9 years, 7 months) in prison, followed by 3 years of supervised release.
Moss previously pleaded guilty on February 3, 2020. According to evidence introduced in court, after 9-1-1 dispatchers received a hang-up call on February 22, 2019, Shreveport Police officers were dispatched to Fullerton Street in Shreveport where the call originated. When officers arrived, they found Moss outside in the neighborhood armed with a pistol and ammunition.
Moss was previously convicted of carnal knowledge of a juvenile (2013) and attempted distribution of a false CDS. Under federal law, it is illegal for anyone who has been convicted of a felony to be in possession of a firearm or ammunition.
The ATF and the Shreveport Police Department conducted the investigation. Assistant U.S. Attorney Mary J. Mudrick prosecuted the case.
This case is part of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), a program that has been historically successful in bringing together all levels of law enforcement and the communities they serve to reduce violent crime and make neighborhoods safer for everyone. To learn more about Project Safe Neighborhoods, go to www.justice.gov/psn.
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Conecuh County Man Sentenced to 37 Months for Being a Felon in Possession of a FirearmRead the Press Release
United States Attorney Richard W. Moore of the Southern District of Alabama announced that Matthew John Cobb, 35, of Castleberry, Alabama, was sentenced in federal court for being a convicted felon in possession of a firearm. Cobb pleaded guilty to the charge in April of 2020.
In connection with his guilty plea, Cobb admitted that in June 2019, law enforcement officials were investigating him as a suspect in string of hunting-camp burglaries that resulted in several stolen firearms. On June 13, 2019, a special response team located Cobb in the attic of a residence in Brooklyn, Alabama. Officers found a backpack in the attic that contained stolen items, including a .45-caliber handgun. During a post-Miranda interview, Cobb admitted that he possessed the handgun that was recovered from the backpack inside the attic. Cobb also acknowledged that he was a convicted felon and was aware that he was not supposed to possess firearms. At the time he possessed the firearm, Cobb had a prior felony conviction for Theft of Property, First Degree in the Circuit Court of Conecuh County, Alabama.
Chief United States District Court Judge Kristi K. DuBose imposed a sentence of 37 months’ incarceration, to be followed by a three-year term of supervised release. During that time, Cobb will undergo testing and treatment for substance abuse and will receive mental health evaluation and treatment. The court did not impose a fine, but the judge ordered Cobb to pay $100 in special assessments.
This case was investigated by the Conecuh County Sheriff’s Office, the Covington County Sheriff’s Office, and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives. It was prosecuted in the United States Attorney’s Office by Assistant United States Attorney Christopher Baugh.
Cleveland Postal Service Manager accused of distribution of controlled substances and theft of mailRead the Press Release
U.S. Attorney Justin Herdman announced that a federal grand jury sitting in Cleveland has returned a six-count indictment charging Anthony Sharp, age 30, of South Euclid, Ohio, with conspiracy to distribute and possess with intent to distribute controlled substances, possession with intent to distribute controlled substances, money laundering and theft of mail.
“This defendant allegedly stole what he believed to be were drugs shipped through the mail and then sold them for a great profit,” said U.S. Attorney Justin Herdman. “I am grateful for the work of the U.S. Postal Service Office of Inspector General and the U.S. Postal Inspection Service for their hard work on this investigation and to help keep illegal drugs out of our community.”
U.S. Postal Service Office of Inspector General Special Agent in Charge Kenneth Cleevely stated: “Postal employees are paid to deliver mail and parcels, not steal and distribute drugs in the community. When a postal employee decides to violate the public’s trust, special agents with the USPS OIG will work with our law enforcement partners to see that they lose their job, their pension, and their freedom. To report postal employees engaged in criminal activity, contact our special agents at www.uspsoig.gov or 888-USPS-OIG.”
“This arrest is a shining example of the coordinated efforts of federal and local law enforcement to protect the mail system from being used for criminal purposes, such as drug transportation and trafficking”, said Acting Inspector In Charge of the U.S. Postal Inspection Service, Tosha Dennis. “This partnership between the US Postal Inspection Service, USPS OIG and local law enforcement (Euclid, South Euclid and Cuyahoga County Sheriff’s Office) should serve as a warning to anyone dealing in dangerous and illegal substances. The Postal Inspection Service has always made it their mission to protect the public and the United States Postal Service from these illegal and dangerous drugs.”
According to court documents, the U.S. Postal Service Office of Inspector General (USPS OIG) began an investigation into the defendant based on suspicions that the defendant, a Postal Service Manager in Cleveland, was profiling U.S. Mail suspected to contain controlled substances, illegally opening the parcels and stealing the contents.
On July 22, 2020, USPS OIG special agents and postal inspectors observed Sharp arrive at a Postal Service processing facility to help sort Express Mail by hand, states the affidavit in support of the criminal complaint. Sharp is then allegedly observed removing two packages, which contained methamphetamine and cocaine, and placing them into his own mail hamper and removed them from the postal facility, placing them in his personal vehicle.
Sharp was later detained during a traffic stop, and a search of his vehicle produced the two packages that contained methamphetamine and cocaine, as well as a third package that contained two kilograms of a mixture of fentanyl. The complaint alleges that the packages were opened. Additionally, agents discovered several other open Express and Priority Mail parcels inside the trunk of the vehicle, absent the contents.
As a result of the offenses, the defendant is ordered to forfeit approximately $100,000 seized, a 2008 Harley Davidson motorcycle and a 2019 White Polaris Slingshot.
An indictment is only a charge and is not evidence of guilt. A defendant is entitled to a fair trial in which it will be the government’s burden to prove guilt beyond a reasonable doubt.
A defendant is entitled to a fair trial in which it will be the government’s burden to prove guilt beyond a reasonable doubt.
If convicted, the defendant's sentence will be determined by the Court after review of factors unique to this case, including the defendant's prior criminal record, if any, the defendant's role in the offense and the characteristics of the violation.
In all cases, the sentence will not exceed the statutory maximum and in most cases it will be less than the maximum.
The investigation preceding the indictment was conducted by the U.S. Postal Service Office of Inspector General and U.S. Postal Inspection Service. This case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Margaret Sweeney and Kathryn Andrachik.
Charity Employee to Serve 27 Months in Federal Prison for Embezzling over $450,000Read the Press Release
INDIANAPOLIS – United States Attorney Josh J. Minkler announced today that U.S. District Judge Tanya Walton Pratt sentenced Christina Short, 43, of Speedway, Indiana, to 27 months in federal prison for perpetrating a six-year scheme to steal over $450,000 from the charitable foundation where she worked.
“Those who donate to charitable causes should feel secure in knowing their funds will go where they intended,” said Minkler. “And those who choose to steal should likewise know that they will be caught, prosecuted, and held accountable in court.”
Short’s now-former employer was Zeta Tau Alpha (ZTA), a national women’s college fraternity headquartered in Carmel, Indiana. ZTA has thousands of student members across approximately 170 colleges throughout the country, as well as approximately 200,000 living alumni members.
Short worked for over 16 years as the financial coordinator for the ZTA Foundation, which is ZTA’s 501(c) (3) charitable organization. ZTA Foundation raises money for scholarships and educational opportunities for ZTA students and alumni, as well as for breast cancer awareness. As financial coordinator, she was responsible for receiving donations in the mail, depositing them in the Foundation’s bank account, and ensuring that the donations are accounted for in the Foundation’s financial ledgers.
For over six years, beginning in 2012 and continuing until she was terminated in November 2018, Short perpetrated a scheme to steal donations and deposit them into her own personal bank accounts. In all, she stole 816 donations on nearly 500 separate occasions for a total of $450,874.48. She used the money she stole primarily for personal expenses, such as restaurants, clothing, youth sports, and vacations.
Her embezzlement went undetected for so long because of the sophisticated steps she took to conceal it. First, she focused on money orders or other donations that would not cause the donor to be alerted if the donation was deposited in her bank account—in other words, she avoided stealing personal checks.
Second, when she washed and altered the “pay to” line on the money orders, she used over 14 different variations of her name or her maiden name, such as “Kristina M Short,” “Christina Aranjo Short,” and “Christy Short,” in an effort to disguise her scheme from her bank.
Third, she made sure to record all donations in ZTA Foundation’s donation database software, including the ones she stole. As a result, she ensured that donors received confirmation and assurance that their donations were received, such as “thank you” cards and tax receipts. Donors would even see their name in annual ZTA publications, even though Short had pocketed their donations.
Finally, at the same time, she manually manipulated donation reports to hide the amounts she stole and ensure that the reports matched the ZTA Foundation’s bank records, so neither the Foundation nor their outside accountants would detect her thefts.
Ultimately, a bank examiner noticed a suspicious-looking deposit and contacted ZTA, who confronted Short. She admitted to stealing only that check and was terminated. ZTA immediately notified and cooperated fully with the Federal Bureau of Investigations and Carmel Police Department, who investigated and uncovered the full scope of Short’s six-year scheme.
Members of ZTA’s executive staff were present for Short’s sentencing and submitted remarks to the Court regarding the sense of personal betrayal that Short, a 16-year employee and one-time friend of many at ZTA, had caused.
“Embezzlement is a crime that diverts funds from their intended use and causes harm to businesses and individuals. This sentence clearly shows that if you choose to commit this type of crime, you will be held accountable for your actions,” said Special Agent in Charge Paul Keenan, FBI Indianapolis. “The FBI and our law enforcement partners will continue to identify and investigate those who unlawfully enrich themselves at the expense of others.”
According to Assistant U.S. Attorney Nick Linder, who prosecuted the case, the Court ordered Short to repay the entire amount she stole, and that after sentencing, she made an initial payment of approximately $30,000. Short will also serve three years of supervised release after her 27-month prison sentence.
In October 2017, United States Attorney Josh J. Minkler announced a Strategic Plan designed to shape and strengthen the District’s response to its most significant public safety challenges. This prosecution demonstrates the Office’s firm commitment to prosecuting complex, long-running fraud schemes. (See United States Attorney’s Office, Southern District of Indiana Strategic Plan 5.1)
Buffalo Man Pleads Guilty to Lying on the Stand While Testifying About A Murder in A Federal TrialRead 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 Jonathan Singletary, a/k/a Freeze, 38, of Buffalo, NY, pleaded guilty before Chief U.S. District Judge Frank P. Geraci, Jr. to obstructing an official proceeding. The charge carries a maximum penalty of life in prison and a $250,000 fine.
Assistant U.S. Attorneys Justin G. Bish, Charles J. Volkert, Jr., and Meghan A. Tokash, who are handling the case, stated that in January 2010, the defendant informed his New York State parole officer that he had information concerning the murder of Jabril Harper, which occurred on December 16, 2009, and the robbery of Morris Singer, which occurred on January 4, 2010.
On January 11, 2010, Singletary provided a signed, sworn statement to the Buffalo Police Department. In the statement, the defendant said that Rodshaun Black came to his house on December 23, 2009, and told him that he and Ernest Green had robbed and killed Jabril Harper in Roosevelt Park after the victim began fighting them. Singletary also told the detectives that Black admitted the murder of Jabril Harper was part of a $10,000 contract killing. The defendant shared these details once again on December 6, 2011, while testifying before a federal grand jury.
On October 25, 2017, representatives of the United States Attorney’s Office and the FBI met with Singletary to prepare Singletary for testimony in the trial of Rodshaun Green and Ernest Black. An Assistant U.S. Attorney (AUSA) reviewed the January 11, 2010, sworn statement the defendant made to the Buffalo Police Detectives and the defendant’s sworn grand jury testimony from December 6, 2011. Singletary expressed reluctance to testify and did not want to read his prior Buffalo Police statement or his grand jury testimony, so the AUSA read it to the defendant and Singletary agreed that both his Buffalo Police statement and his grand jury testimony were true and accurate.
On November 29, 2017, representatives of the United States Attorney’s Office and the FBI again met with the defendant prior to his trial testimony scheduled for that day. Singletary again expressed reluctance to testify, but agreed to do so. The defendant told the government representatives that he had a problem testifying in front of Rodshaun Black’s mother because he had known her for a long time. Singletary then refused to review his grand jury testimony from December 6, 2011, and the statement he gave to Buffalo Police detectives on January 11, 2010, but said he was not worried because everything he had said previously was true.
On November 29, 2017, the prosecution called Singletary as a witness in United States v. Rodshaun Black and Ernest Green, et al., an official criminal trial proceeding in United States District Court for the Western District of New York. The defendant was sworn and then testified falsely and evasively. Specifically, Singletary: denied ever speaking to Rodshaun Black about the Jabril Harper murder; denied knowing Rodshaun Black’s mother; denied discussing his relationship with Rodshaun Black’s mother with an FBI agent and an AUSA earlier that day in preparation for his trial testimony; denied that he learned about Jabril Harper’s murder directly from Rodshaun Black; and testified that his prior statement to the Buffalo Police Department consisted of information he was told to say by the detectives who interviewed him.
The plea is the result of an investigation by the Buffalo Police Department, under the direction of Commissioner Byron Lockwood; the Federal Bureau of Investigation, under the direction of Special Agent-in-Charge Stephen Belongia; and the New York State Department of Corrections and Community Supervision, under the direction of under the direction of Acting Commissioner Anthony J. Annucci.
Sentencing is scheduled for November 12, 2020, at 1:30 p.m. before Judge Geraci.
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Breathitt County Man Sentenced to 180 Months for Drug Trafficking and Possession of Firearm by Convicted FelonRead the Press Release
LEXINGTON, Ky. - A Clayhole, Ky., man, Phillip Lovins, 61, was sentenced in federal court on Friday, to 180 months in prison, by Chief U.S. District Judge Danny Reeves, after previously pleading guilty to being a convicted felon in possession of firearms and ammunition and possession with intent to distribute Methadone.
According to his plea agreement, in May 2019, law enforcement found Lovins in possession of several boxes of ammunition, a 9 mm. pistol, a 270 caliber rifle, and a plastic bag with 100 Methadone 40 mg tablets. Lovins admitted that he had obtained the Methadone from his supplier, on multiple occasions, and he sold the pills to others. Lovins further admitted that he was a convicted felon and was prohibited from possessing a firearm.
Lovins pleaded guilty in February 2020. In May 2015, Lovins was convicted of several felonies, including four counts of Trafficking a Controlled Substance, one count of Tampering with Physical Evidence, and one count of Possession of a Controlled Substance, in Breathitt County Circuit Court.
Under federal law, Lovins must serve 85 percent of his prison sentence. Upon his release, he will be under the supervision of the U.S. Probation Office for six years.
Robert M. Duncan, Jr., United States Attorney for the Eastern District of Kentucky; Shawn Morrow, Special Agent in Charge, ATF, Louisville Field Division; Rodney Brewer, Commissioner of the Kentucky State Police; and Rich Storm, Commissioner of the Kentucky Department of Fish and Wildlife, jointly made the announcement.
The investigation was directed by ATF, KSP, and the Kentucky Department of Fish and Wildlife. The United States was represented by Assistant U.S. Attorney Roger West.
The year 2020 marks the 150th anniversary of the Department of Justice. Learn more about the history of our agency at www.Justice.gov/Celebrating150Years.
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Beggs Man Sentenced to 25 Months for Possession of Firearm, AmmunitionRead the Press Release
MUSKOGEE, OKLAHOMA – The United States Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of Oklahoma announced that Gerome William Davis, age 22, of Beggs, Oklahoma was sentenced to 25 months’ imprisonment, and 3 years of supervised release for Felon In Possession Of Firearm And Ammunition, in violation of Title 18, United States Code, Sections 922(g)(1) and 924(a)(2). The charges arose from an investigation by the Okmulgee County Sheriff’s Office, the District 25 District Attorney’s Office, and the Federal Bureau of Investigation as part of the Project Safe Neighborhoods (“PSN”) effort in the Eastern District of Oklahoma to reduce violent crime.
The Indictment alleged that on or about December 2, 2019, in the Eastern District of Oklahoma, the defendant, having been convicted of a crime punishable by imprisonment for a term exceeding one year, and knowing of said conviction, knowingly possessed in and affecting commerce a firearm, which had been shipped and transported in interstate commerce.
United States Attorney Brian J. Kuester said, “Enforcing federal firearms laws removes guns from violent offenders and makes communities safer. The Project Safe Neighborhoods project is such a valuable initiative because it brings state, local, tribal, and federal law enforcement agencies together to focus on reducing violent crime.”
“The FBI is committed to keeping firearms out of the hands of convicted felons like Mr. Davis," said Melissa Godbold, Special Agent in Charge of the FBI's Oklahoma City Field Office. “The FBI and our law enforcement partners will continue to work closely together to investigate those who violate federal firearms statutes.”
The Honorable Ronald A. White, U.S. District Judge in the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Oklahoma, in Muskogee, presided over the hearing. Assistant United States Attorney Ryan Conway represented the United States at the sentencing hearing.Allen Woman Charged in MurderRead the Press Release
United States Attorney Ron Parsons announced that an Allen, South Dakota, woman was charged in federal district court with First Degree Murder.
Jonnie Fineran, age 18, was charged on August 4, 2020. Fineran appeared before U.S. Magistrate Judge Daneta Wollmann on August 12, 2020, and pled not guilty to the charge.
The maximum penalty upon conviction is mandatory life in federal prison and a $250,000 fine, 5 years of supervised release, and $100 to the Federal Crime Victims Fund. Restitution may also be ordered.
The charge relates to Fineran killing a man by stabbing him on July 24, 2020, at Manderson. The charge is merely an accusation and Fineran is presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty.
The investigation is being conducted by the Oglala Sioux Tribe Department of Public Safety and the Federal Bureau of Investigation. Assistant U.S. Attorney Eric Kelderman is prosecuting the case.
Fineran was detained pending trial. A trial date has not been set.
Akron Man Pleads Guilty to Role in Multi-State Meth ConspiracyRead the Press Release
HUNTINGTON, W.Va. – An Akron, Ohio man who participated in a conspiracy which saw large quantities of methamphetamine transported from Akron and distributed in the Southern District of West Virginia pled guilty today, announced United States Attorney Mike Stuart. Lennie T. Whisenant, Jr., 25, entered a guilty plea to conspiracy to distribute 500 grams or more of methamphetamine.
“I’ll tell you a secret: WV is not the place to seek drugs. Another one from Akron. Incredible how these out-of-state drug dealers keep coming to West Virginia to peddle their poisons. We’ll keep arresting them and prosecuting them,” said United States Attorney Mike Stuart.
Whisenant admitted that during the months of April and May of 2019, he participated in a conspiracy with multiple individuals to distribute methamphetamine in the Southern District of West Virginia. Whisenant and others used a residence located at 1235 25th Street in Huntington to store methamphetamine after it was shipped from the Akron area. Whisenant and others then distributed the methamphetamine to various customers in the Huntington and Charleston areas. Whisenant also made reports back to sources in Akron regarding amounts of methamphetamine that had been sold and amounts that remained in Huntington. As part of his plea, Whisenant admitted that he was responsible for distributing up to 1.5 kilograms of methamphetamine during the conspiracy.
Whisenant faces 10 years to life in federal prison when he is sentenced on November 30, 2020.
The joint investigation was led by the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI). Other agencies which participated and assisted in the investigation include the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF), the Violent Crime and Drug Task Force West, the Metropolitan Drug Enforcement Network Team (MDENT), the West Virginia State Police, the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) Task Force, the Beckley/Raleigh County Drug and Violent Crime Unit, the United States Marshals Service, the Cabell County Sheriff’s Department, the Charleston Police Department, the Putnam County Sheriff’s Department, the Ohio State Highway Patrol, the Akron, Ohio Police Department, and the Brecksville, Ohio Police Department.
United States District Judge Robert C. Chambers presided over the hearing. Assistant United States Attorney Joseph F. Adams is 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. 3:19-cr-00245.
Follow us on Twitter: SDWVNews and USAttyStuart
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Friday 21 August 2020
Wayzata Man Charged with Arson of Minneapolis BankRead the Press Release
United States Attorney Erica H. MacDonald today announced a felony information charging MARC BELL GONZALES, 29, with one count of conspiracy to commit arson. GONZALES will make his initial appearance in U.S. District Court at a later date.
According to allegations in the information, on May 28, 2020, GONZALES joined and engaged with other individuals in conduct designed to accelerate a fire in the Wells Fargo Bank building located in south Minneapolis. Specifically, GONZALES poured gasoline onto the bank property for the purpose of accelerating the fire.
The ATF and FBI urge the public to report suspected arson, use of explosive devices, or violent, destructive acts associated with the recent unrest. Anyone with information specifically related to business fires in the Twin Cities can call 1-888-ATF-TIPS (1-888-283-8477), email [email protected] or submit information anonymously via ReportIt.com. In addition to fires, the FBI is looking for people who may have incited or promoted violence of any kind. Anyone with digital material or tips can call 1-800-CALLFBI (800-225-5324) or visit tips.fbi.gov.
This case is the result of an investigation conducted jointly by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF), the Minneapolis Police Department, and the Minnesota State Fire Marshal Division.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Andrew R. Winter is prosecuting the case.
The charges contained in the information are merely accusations, and the defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.
Defendant Information:
MARC BELL GONZALES, 29
Wayzata, Minn.
Charges:
- Conspiracy to commit arson, 1 count
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Vermontville Man Pleads Guilty to Sexually Exploiting ChildrenRead the Press Release
GRAND RAPIDS, MICHIGAN — Dustyn Wayne Olmstead, 31, of Vermontville, Michigan, pleaded guilty to sexual exploitation and attempted sexual exploitation of children, and distributing child pornography, U.S. Attorney Andrew Birge announced today. Sentencing before Chief U.S. District Judge Robert J. Jonker will be on December 1, 2020. At sentencing, Olmstead will face a mandatory minimum of 15 years’ imprisonment and a combined maximum of 50 years’ imprisonment, restitution, fines, and other penalties.
Olmstead pleaded guilty to using text-messaging services to communicate with multiple minors, including a 13-year-old girl from Allegan County and a 14-year-old girl from Ottawa County. Olmstead manipulated one girl into sending him naked pictures of herself and he tried to get the other to do the same. As part of the process to desensitize the girls to sexual material, Olmstead sent a video of a girl, approximately 9 years old, engaging in a sex act with an adult male. Olmstead communicated with numerous individuals he believed to be children. Persons who believe that they or someone they know may have been a victim of Olmstead’s should call the FBI at (616) 456-5489.
This case is part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative designed to protect children from online exploitation and abuse. The U.S. Attorney’s Office, county prosecutor’s offices, the Internet Crimes Against Children task force (ICAC), federal, tribal, state, and local law enforcement are working closely together to locate, apprehend, and prosecute individuals who exploit children. The partners in Project Safe Childhood work to educate local communities about the dangers of online child exploitation, and to teach children how to protect themselves. For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit the following web site: www.projectsafechildhood.gov.
This case is being investigated by the Allegan County Sheriff's Office and the FBI working together as part of the West Michigan Based Child Exploitation and Human Trafficking Task Force (WEBCHEX) and prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Daniel Mekaru.
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Utica Man Pleads Guilty to Child Exploitation ChargesRead the Press Release
SYRACUSE, NEW YORK – Aaron Bohannon, 53, of Utica, New York, pled guilty yesterday to one count of sexual exploitation of a child and one count of distribution of child pornography, announced United States Attorney Grant C. Jaquith and Kevin Kelly, Special Agent in Charge of the Buffalo Field Office of Homeland Security Investigations (HSI).
Sentencing is scheduled for December 17, 2020, at which time Bohannon faces a minimum of 15 years and up to 50 years in prison, a fine of $250,000, and a term of supervised release of at least 5 years and up to life. Bohannon also will be required to register as sex offender. A defendant’s sentence is imposed by a judge based on the particular statute the defendant is charged with violating, the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other factors.
As part of his guilty plea, Bohannon admitted that he sexually exploited his victim from at least 2018 through June of 2019, recorded the abuse, and distributed the sexually explicit material to others. Bohannon further admitted that he distributed other sexually explicit images and videos of minors.
This case was investigated by the New York State Police, the Oneida County Sheriff’s Office, the Utica Police Department, and the Department of Homeland Security, Homeland Security Investigations and is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Michael D. Gadarian.
This case was prosecuted as part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative designed to protect children from online exploitation and abuse. Led by the United States Attorneys’ Offices, Project Safe Childhood marshals federal, state, and local resources to better locate, apprehend, and prosecute individuals who exploit children via the Internet, as well as identify and rescue victims. For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit http://www.justice.gov/psc/.
Tyler County man admits to drug distributionRead the Press Release
WHEELING, WEST VIRGINIA – Richard Warf, of Sistersville, West Virginia, has admitted to distributing methamphetamine, heroin, cocaine and cocaine, U.S. Attorney Bill Powell announced.
Warf, age 56, pled guilty to one count of “Conspiracy to Distribute and to Possess with the Intent to Distribute Controlled Substances.” Warf admitted to working with others to distribute methamphetamine, heroin, cocaine and cocaine base in Wetzel County, Ohio, Georgia, and the Southern District of West Virginia from 2016 to April 2018.
Warf faces up to 20 years incarceration and a fine of up to $1,000,000. Under the Federal Sentencing Guidelines, the actual sentence imposed will be based upon the seriousness of the offenses and the prior criminal history, if any, of the defendant.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Robert H. McWilliams, Jr. is prosecuting the case on behalf of the government. The Drug Enforcement Administration, the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives, the West Virginia State Police, the Wetzel County Sheriff’s Office, the Marshall County Sheriff’s Office, and the New Martinsville Police Department investigated.
The investigation was funded in part by the federal Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Force Program (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.
U.S. Magistrate Judge James P. Mazzone presided.
Two Charged Attempting to Board Flight at Cyril E. King International Airport with 865 grams of Cocaine and $11,000 cashRead the Press Release
St. Thomas, USVI – United States Attorney Gretchen C.F. Shappert announced that earlier today, Julio Soto Robles and Gregory Vega were charged in federal court with possession of a controlled substance (cocaine) with intent to distribute.
According to court records, on August 18, 2020, Soto Robles and Vega arrived at the Cyril E. King Airport on a flight from Puerto Rico with no luggage. During a primary inspection by Customs and Border Protection agents, Soto Robles was found to be in possession of $11,000 in U.S. currency. On August 20, 2020, Soto Robles and Vega returned to the Cyril E. King airport and attempted to board a flight bound for Puerto Rico. During the secondary inspection process, Customs and Border Protection agents searched a carry-on bag that the two men were carrying. Agents discovered approximately 865 grams, or just under two pounds, of cocaine inside the bag.
A detention hearing will be held before Magistrate Ruth Miller on Tuesday, August 25, 2020. United States Attorney Shappert reminds the public that a criminal complaint is merely a charging document and is not evidence of guilt. Every defendant is presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty.
The case is being investigated by Customs and Border Protection and the Department of Homeland Security.Two Bossier City Men Sentenced in Anabolic Steroid Distribution ConspiracyRead the Press Release
SHREVEPORT, La. – Former Bossier Parish School Board Member Mike Mosura, 44, and Brant R. Landry, 39, both of Bossier City, were sentenced by United States District Judge Elizabeth E. Foote for their participation in a conspiracy to distribute anabolic steroids, Acting United States Attorney Alexander C. Van Hook announced.
Brant R. Landry was sentenced to 87 months (7 years, 3 months) in prison, followed by 3 years of supervised release. Mike Mosura was sentenced to 3 years of supervised probation.
Mike Mosura and Brant R. Landry each pleaded guilty in August 2019. According to information presented to the court, from January 2016 to May 2018, Mosura and Landry were involved in a scheme to distribute anabolic steroids in the Shreveport-Bossier City area. United States Postal officials in Benton, Louisiana, identified large volumes of mail that contained suspected drugs, many of which came from other countries, including China. On one occasion, a postal official observed Landry using gloves and a towel to place parcels in a collection box. The parcels were examined and found to contain illegal drugs.
On May 22, 2018, Landry’s vehicle was stopped by a Bossier Parish deputy for driving erratically. Landry told the deputy that he had a .45-caliber pistol and medication inside the vehicle. After searching it, the deputy found a plastic baggie containing a white powdery substance that was later identified as a synthetic Cathinone, and 11 vials of yellow liquid, later determined to be anabolic steroids. Further investigation revealed that Landry distributed steroids to Mosura, who in turn consumed and distributed the steroids to third parties.
The DEA Task Force, U.S. Postal Inspection Service and the Bossier Parish Sheriff’s Office investigated the case. Assistant U.S. Attorney Earl M. Campbell prosecuted the case.
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Three Men Plead Guilty to Drug Conspiracy in Transnational Heroin Trafficking OperationRead the Press Release
Three men have pleaded guilty this week for their roles in a heroin trafficking operation with ties to Mexico’s New Generation Cartel, announced U.S. Attorney Trent Shores.
The three were among more than 30 individuals indicted for drug conspiracy and other crimes related to the cartel’s operations. U.S. Attorney Trent Shores announced the initial indictment at a press conference held in May 2019. The investigation was given the name Operation Smack Dragon.
“Operation Smack Dragon successfully disrupted and dismantled a drug trafficking organization pushing heroin onto our streets. Today, three more conspirators have admitted their guilt and will soon be headed to federal prison,” said U.S. Attorney Trent Shores. “Joel-lyn McCormick, lead attorney for my Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Force Unit, and our dedicated law enforcement partners relentlessly pursue justice for families and communities devastated by the illegal drug trade. Heroin and other illicit opioids remain a problem in our country. We will continue the fight to keep them out of Oklahoma.”
“Investigations such as these cannot be successful without DEA Tulsa’s partnership of our numerous law enforcement partners in Eastern Oklahoma and the Texoma High Intensity Drug Trafficking Area (HIDTA) Initiative,” said Eduardo A. Chávez, special agent in charge DEA Dallas Field Division. “These individuals are being held responsible for their actions. Whether it is a gram or a kilogram, heroin is poisoning our streets and we remain steadfast in our commitment to rid these drugs from the streets of Oklahoma.”
“This successful joint investigation is a great example of what impactful partnerships and close coordination can result in,” said Ryan L. Spradlin, special agent in charge Homeland Security Investigations Dallas. “HSI will always prioritize eliminating threats posed by transnational criminal organizations and will partner with anybody who shares that commitment!"
Alphonso Caldwell, 27, of Tulsa, pleaded guilty on Aug. 21, 2020, to drug conspiracy. In his written plea, Caldwell admitted that from November 2017 to June 2019 he possessed with intent to distribute and to distribute heroin. Caldwell stated that he purchased ½ kilogram to 1 kilogram of heroin multiple times per week from both Jose Garcia and Edson Garcia-Velasquez. Caldwell purchased the heroin and redistributed it to third parties who redistributed the heroin to others. He relied on customers’ payments to purchase additional heroin. Caldwell is scheduled to be sentenced before U.S. District Judge Claire V. Eagan on Dec. 1, 2020.
David Diaz, 32, pleaded guilty on Aug. 21, 2020, to drug conspiracy. In his written plea, Diaz stated that he knowingly conspired with others to possess with intent to distribute and to distribute heroin from January 2018 to June 2019. Diaz admitted to purchasing 100 grams or more of heroin for another person and redistributing it to third parties. He relied on customers’ payments to purchase additional heroin. Diaz is scheduled to be sentenced before U.S. District Judge Claire Eagan on Dec. 2, 2020.
Preston Wilson, 28, pleaded guilty, on Aug. 17, 2020, to drug conspiracy. In his written plea, Wilson stated that he knowingly conspired with others to possess heroin with the intent to distribute from January 2018 to June 2019. During this time, he admitted to purchasing heroin from Devin Hartzell to redistribute to third parties. Wilson also admitted that he relied on the payments from his customers to purchase additional heroin. Wilson is scheduled to be sentenced before U.S. District Judge Claire Eagan on Nov. 23, 2020.
According to the Indictment, the alleged transnational criminal organization’s hierarchy had clearly defined roles, as leaders from Mexico supplied heroin to the Tulsa “cell heads.” These “cell heads” were originally from Mexico but lived in Tulsa. Stille Giovanni Gutierrez Vivanco, allegedly directed, from Mexico, the overall drug trafficking operations in Tulsa by delegating responsibilities for the import and distribution of the heroin and for the movement of the proceeds from heroin sales. The criminal organization smuggled heroin into the United States and transported the drug to storage locations in Tulsa where they prepared it for distribution throughout the United States. After preparing the heroin, the coconspirators would repackage it for distribution to mid-level distributers, who would then redistribute it to street-level dealers until it eventually found its way into the hands of customers.
The Drug Enforcement Administration and U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s Homeland Security Investigations led the investigation in partnership with the U.S. Department of Treasury, Internal Revenue Service- Criminal Investigation; the Oklahoma State Attorney General’s Office; and Tulsa Police Department. Assistant U.S. Attorney Joel-lyn McCormick is prosecuting this case. AUSA McCormick is the Lead Attorney for the Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Force Unit for the Northern District of Oklahoma.
You can find the May 2019 Indictment announcement here.
Tahlequah Man Sentenced to 60 Months Probation for Firearm PossessionRead the Press Release
MUSKOGEE, OKLAHOMA – The United States Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of Oklahoma announced that Troy Gene Duchesne, age 29, of Tahlequah, Oklahoma was sentenced to 5 years’ probation for Felon in Possession of Firearm, in violation of Title 18, United States Code, Sections 922(g)(1) and 924(a)(2). The charges arose from an investigation by the Tahlequah Police Department and the Federal Bureau of Investigation.
The Indictment alleged that on or about September 26, 2019, within the Eastern District of Oklahoma, the defendant, having previously been convicted of a crime punishable by imprisonment for a term exceeding one year, and knowing of such conviction, knowingly possessed in and affecting commerce, a firearm which had been shipped and transported in interstate commerce.
United States Attorney Brian J. Kuester said, “I am thankful for the strong working relationships between local and federal law enforcement agencies in the Eastern District. This investigation was a result of such relationships. We all serve better when we serve our communities together.”
The Honorable Ronald A. White, U.S. District Judge in the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Oklahoma, in Muskogee, presided over the hearing. Assistant United States Attorney Shannon Henson represented the United States at the sentencing hearing.
Subcontractor at NASA Ames Field Center to Pay $1.2 Million to Resolve Claims of Inflated Workers’ Compensation PaymentsRead the Press Release
New Mexico-based Fiore Industries Inc. agreed to pay the United States $1,200,000 to resolve allegations that it caused false claims to be submitted to the government for payment. The announcement was made today by United States Attorney David L. Anderson and NASA Office of Inspector General Special Agent in Charge Jennifer Bryan.
Fiore is a subcontractor that provide fire protection services at NASA’s Ames field center in Mountain View, Calif. According to the settlement agreement made public today, the settlement resolves the government’s claims that in 2016 Fiore overcharged the government by seeking hundreds of thousands of dollars in additional payments from NASA based on inflated workers’ compensation rates. The government claimed that the rates Fiore submitted to justify the additional payments did not account for discounts Fiore knew it would receive but did not disclose to NASA.
“Federal contractors and subcontractors must deal squarely and honestly with the government at all times,” said U.S. Attorney Anderson. “By signing this agreement, Fiore agrees to account for various deductions to which the government is entitled and also agrees to cooperate with any further investigation into other parties that may be responsible for overcharging. This agreement protects taxpayers by holding government contractors accountable for their claims practices.”
The claims resolved by this settlement are allegations only, and there has been no determination of liability.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Sharanya Mohan handled the matter for the government, with assistance from Kurt Kosek. The settlement is the result of an investigation by the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Northern District of California and the NASA Office of Inspector General, with significant assistance from other components of NASA.
St. Paul Man Charged with COVID-Relief Fraud, Money LaunderingRead the Press Release
United States Attorney Erica H. MacDonald today announced the unsealing of a federal indictment charging KYLE WILLIAM BRENIZER, 32, with fraudulently obtaining $841,000 in Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) loans intended to provide relief for small businesses affected by COVID-19.[1] The indictment, which was returned under seal on August 19, 2020, charges BRENIZER with two counts of wire fraud and two counts of money laundering. BRENIZER, who was taken into custody earlier today, made his initial appearance before Magistrate Judge Becky R. Thorson in U.S. District Court in St. Paul, Minnesota. BRENIZER was ordered to remain in custody pending a formal detention and arraignment hearing, which is scheduled for Wednesday, August 26.
According to the allegations in the indictment, BRENIZER was the owner and manager of True-Cut Construction LLC (“True-Cut”), a contracting and construction company located in Brooklyn Park, Minnesota. In August 2018, True-Cut and BRENIZER were ordered by the Minnesota Department of Labor and Industry to cease and desist from doing business and in December 2019, True-Cut’s contractor license expired and was never renewed.
According to the allegations in the indictment, on May 1, 2020, BRENIZER submitted a false and misleading PPP application in the name of True-Cut seeking approximately $841,000, but the application was denied. On May 12, 2020, BRENIZER again submitted a false and misleading PPP application in the name of True-Cut seeking approximately $841,000 in PPP funds. This time, in order to conceal his involvement, BRENIZER submitted the application under the name of another individual whom BRENIZER falsely claimed was the 90 percent owner of True-Cut. BRENIZER falsely stated that True-Cut’s average monthly payroll was $336,400 for approximately 30 employees. In support of both loan applications, BRENIZER caused to be submitted to the lender fraudulent supporting documentation, such as falsified bank statements and IRS documents. In addition, BRENIZER falsely certified that he was not subject to any pending criminal charges even though he was allegedly named in multiple felony charges pending in the State of Minnesota for such charges as check forgery, identify theft, and theft by swindle. Due to these various misrepresentations and omissions, on May 13, 2020, BRENIZER’s second application was approved, and he received $841,000 in PPP funds.
According to the allegations in the indictment, instead of using the PPP funds for permissible business expenses, BRENIZER transferred approximately $650,000 to a bank account unrelated to True-Cut and made a $29,000 payment to purchase a Harley-Davidson motorcycle, spent over $1,000 on golf expenses, among other retail and entertainment expenditures for his personal benefit.
The CARES Act is a federal law enacted on March 29, 2020, designed to provide emergency financial assistance to the millions of Americans who are suffering the economic effects caused by the COVID-19 pandemic. One source of relief provided by the CARES Act was 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. PPP loan proceeds must be used by businesses on payroll costs, interest on mortgages, rent, and utilities. The PPP allows the interest and principal on the PPP loan to be forgiven if the business spends the loan proceeds on these expense items within a designated period of time after receiving the proceeds and uses at least a certain percentage of the PPP loan proceeds on payroll expenses.
Anyone with information about allegations of attempted fraud involving COVID-19 can report it by calling the Department of Justice’s National Center for Disaster Fraud Hotline at 866-720-5721 or via the NCDF Web Complaint Form at: https://www.justice.gov/disaster-fraud/ncdf-disaster-complaint-form.
This case is the result of an investigation conducted by IRS – Criminal Investigations, the FBI, the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation – Office of Inspector General, and the Small Business Administration – Office of Inspector General.
Assistant U.S. Attorneys Matthew S. Ebert and Allison K. Ethen are prosecuting the case, with assistance from the Department of Justice Criminal Division’s Fraud Section.
Defendant Information:
KYLE WILLIAM BRENIZER, a/k/a Kyle Williams, 32
St. Paul, Minn.
Charges:
- Wire fraud, 2 counts
- Money laundering, 2 counts
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United States Attorney’s Office, District of Minnesota: (612) 664-5600
[1] The charges contained in the indictment are merely accusations, and the defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.
Sioux City Man Sentenced to Federal Prison for Distribution of Methamphetamine and Possessing a Gun During a Drug Trafficking CrimeRead the Press Release
A Sioux City man who distributed approximately 4 pounds of methamphetamine from his residence was sentenced, Thursday, August 20, 2020, to more than 15 years in federal prison.
Carlos Jose Gomez, age 37, from Sioux City, Iowa was convicted of conspiracy to distribute methamphetamine and possession of a firearm during a drug trafficking crime.
On March 4, 2020, law enforcement executed a search warrant on Gomez’s property where they seized approximately 5 grams of methamphetamine, a loaded handgun, and $1,000 in cash belonging to Gomez. In a plea agreement, Gomez admitted to selling nearly 4 pounds of “ice” methamphetamine from December of 2019 through March 4, 2020. Gomez also admitted to knowingly possessing a gun in furtherance of selling methamphetamine.
Gomez was sentenced in Sioux City by United States District Court Chief Judge Leonard T. Strand. Gomez was sentenced for Count 1 to 123 months’ imprisonment, and for Count 2 to 60 months’ imprisonment. Gomez must also serve a 5-year term of supervised release after the prison term. There is no parole in the federal system.
Gomez is being held in the United States Marshal’s custody until he can be transported to a federal prison.
The case was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Ron Timmons and was investigated by Tri-State Drug Task Force based in Sioux City, Iowa, that consists of law enforcement personnel from the Drug Enforcement Administration; Sioux City, Iowa, Police Department; Homeland Security Investigations; Woodbury County Sheriff’s Office; South Sioux City, Nebraska, Police Department; Nebraska State Patrol; Iowa National Guard; Iowa Division of Narcotics Enforcement; United States Marshals Service; South Dakota Division of Criminal Investigation; and Woodbury County Attorney’s Office.
Court file information at https://ecf.iand.uscourts.gov/cgi-bin/login.pl.
The case file number is 20-CR-4024.
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Sentencings in "Operation End Game" Child Exploitation InvestigationRead the Press Release
ATHENS, Ga. – Two defendants arrested during “Operation End Game,” a multi-agency effort targeting and arresting adult perpetrators in the Athens-area seeking sex with children, were sentenced to prison this week for their crimes, said Charles “Charlie” Peeler, the United States Attorney for the Middle District of Georgia.
U.S. District Judge C. Ashley Royal sentenced Joseph Daniel Kelly, 45, of Monroe, Georgia on Monday, August 17 to 57 months in prison and ten years supervised release and Fredrick Lamar Smith, 29, of Royston, Georgia on Tuesday, August 18 to 46 months in prison and ten years supervised release after both previously pleaded guilty to one count of use of facilities in interstate and foreign commerce to transmit information about a minor. Following their prison terms, both defendants will have to register as sex offenders. There is no parole in the federal system.
“The punishment is prison for those caught seeking to sexually exploit minor children. Rest assured, this office is relentless in seeking the maximum punishment for criminal child predators,” said U.S. Attorney Charlie Peeler. “‘Operation End Game’ successfully brought into custody many individuals who were actively seeking to cause irreparable harm to minors. I want to thank the law enforcement agencies involved in this operation for protecting our state’s children.”
“Operation End Game” was a three-day proactive effort centered in Athens, Georgia in July 2019 to arrest adults communicating with children on-line and then traveling to meet them for the purpose of having sex. The cases were investigated by the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Middle District of Georgia, the Georgia Internet Crimes Against Children (ICAC) Task Force, the Georgia Bureau of Investigation’s Child Exploitation and Computer Crimes Unit (CEACC), the Athens-Clarke County Police Department (ACCPD), the FBI and the Athens-Clarke County District Attorney’s Office. Assistant U.S. Attorney Lyndie Freeman is prosecuting the case for the Government. Questions can be directed to Pamela Lightsey, Public Information Officer, United States Attorney’s Office, at (478) 621-2603 or Melissa Hodges, Public Affairs Director (Contractor), United States Attorney’s Office, at (478) 765-2362. 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.
Second charged in series of Youngstown-area armed robberiesRead the Press Release
U.S. Attorney Justin Herdman announced that an information charge was filed against Edgar Ramirez, age 22, of Youngstown, Ohio. Ramirez is charged with three counts of interference with commerce by means of robbery and three counts of using, carrying, and brandishing a firearm during and in relation to a crime of violence.
Melvin Lee Jackson was previously charged in this matter.
According to court documents, from December 17 to December 21, 2019, Ramirez and Jackson are accused of robbing a Speedway in Boardman, a Subway in Youngstown and a Kwik Fill in Struthers. During each robbery, Ramirez and Jackson allegedly held store employees at gunpoint and demanded money.
An information charge is only a charge and is not evidence of guilt. A defendant is entitled to a fair trial in which it will be the government’s burden to prove guilt beyond a reasonable doubt.
If convicted, the defendant’s sentence will be determined by the Court after review of factors unique to this case, including the defendant’s prior criminal record, if any, the defendant’s role in the offenses and the characteristics of the violations. In all cases, the sentence will not exceed the statutory maximum and in most cases it will be less than the maximum.
The investigation preceding the indictment was conducted by the Federal Bureau of Investigation. The U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Northern District of Ohio would like to acknowledge and thank investigators with the Mahoning County Juvenile Justice Center and the Youngstown, Boardman, and Struthers police departments for their cooperation with this matter. This case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Yasmine Makridis.
Robeson County Man Sentenced to 16 Years for Illegally Possessing FirearmsRead the Press Release
RALEIGH - A Maxton man was sentenced yesterday to 192 months for unlawfully possessing two firearms.
According to court documents, on February 13, 2018, Robeson County Deputies arrested Larry Lowery, 43, on breaking and entering charges. Two weeks prior to his arrest, Lowery broke into and stole several items from two local Robeson County businesses. When the Deputies took Lowery into custody, they found two stolen firearms in Lowery’s pockets. Lowery is a convicted felon with nine separate felony breaking and entering convictions spanning over two decades.
Lowery pled guilty to possessing a firearm after being convicted of a felony offense on January 30, 2020. Lowery qualified as an Armed Career Criminal due to the numerous felony breaking and entering convictions. Accordingly, Lowery faced a mandatory minimum sentence of 180 months’ imprisonment. Citing the years of criminal conduct, including breaking into a middle school and church at the age of 37, U.S. District Judge James C. Dever, III found a sentence above the minimum requirement was necessary and appropriate to protect the public and promote respect for the law.
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 United States Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of North Carolina implements the PSN Program through its Take Back North Carolina Initiative. This initiative emphasizes the regional assignment of federal prosecutors to work with law enforcement and District Attorney’s Offices on a sustained basis in those communities to reduce the violent crime rate, drug trafficking, and crimes against law enforcement.
Robert J. Higdon, Jr., U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of North Carolina made the announcement after sentencing by U.S. District Judge James C. Dever III. Robeson County Sheriff’s Office and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives (ATF) investigated the case and Assistant U.S. Attorney J.D. Koesters prosecuted the case.
Related court documents and information can be found on the website of the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of North Carolina or on PACER by searching for Case No. 7:18-CR-120-D.
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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.
Reno Man Indicted and Arrested for Passport FraudRead the Press Release
RENO, Nev. — A Reno resident made his initial appearance in federal court today before U.S. Magistrate Judge William G. Cobb on a charge for using a U.S. passport that was obtained by making a false statement, announced U.S. Attorney Nicholas A. Trutanich for the District of Nevada and Special Agent in Charge Matthew J. Perlman of the U.S. Department of State’s Diplomatic Security Service (DSS), San Francisco Field Office.
On Thursday, August 20, a federal grand jury returned an indictment charging Ludy Will Dial Jr, aka “Russel Van Wyck” and “Russell Van Wyck,” 69, with one count of use of passport secured through a false statement. He was arrested yesterday. A jury trial has been scheduled before U.S. District Judge Howard D. McKibben on October 19, 2020.
According to the indictment, on or about July 8, 2015, Dial Jr. used a U.S. passport that was issued due to a false statement made in the application. Specifically, the application stated that the person in the passport photo was named Russel Van Wyck, when in fact the person was Dial Jr. In addition, Dial Jr. used that passport to obtain a Nevada Driver’s License.
Dial Jr. faces a statutory maximum sentence of 10 years in prison and a $250,000 fine, as well as a period of supervised release, restitution, and monetary penalties.
An indictment merely alleges that a crime has been committed. The defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.
This case is the product of an investigation by DSS. Assistant U.S. Attorney Peter Walkingshaw is prosecuting the case.
If you are aware of fraud associated with a U.S. passport, please email [email protected] or contact your nearest DSS field office.
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Recent Indictments for Firearms Offenses in Fresno, Kern and Stanislaus CountiesRead the Press Release
FRESNO, Calif. — As part the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of California’s strategy to reduce violent crime by focusing on firearms prosecutions, U.S. Attorney McGregor W. Scott announced that a federal grand jury returned indictments in the following cases involving illegal firearms offenses.
Brian Zamora, 28, of Fresno, was charged Thursday with being a felon in possession ammunition. According to court documents, on Aug. 12, law enforcement officers observed Zamora, whom they knew to have a warrant for a parole violation, place a bag in a car and then enter the car. They stopped the car, arrested Zamora, and found a loaded AR-style semi-automatic handgun with no serial number, known as a “ghost gun,” equipped with a 30-round high-capacity magazine, along with a laser sight, and a pressure switch for the laser. The gun and the magazine were loaded with 10 total rounds of a mix of .233‑caliber and 5.56 mm ammunition. Zamora has eight prior felony convictions in Fresno County and is prohibited from possessing either a firearm or ammunition. This case is the product of an investigation by the Multi-Agency Gang Enforcement Task Force (MAGEC), including Fresno Police Department and California Highway Patrol; the FBI; the California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation; the Fresno County Sheriff’s Office; and the Fresno Police Department.
(1:20-cr-140)Adrian Perez, 38, of Wasco, was charged Aug. 13 with being a felon in possession of ammunition, According to court documents, on Jan. 6, law enforcement officers initiated a traffic stop and discovered that Perez possessed an antique handgun and ammunition. Perez has four prior felony convictions in Kern County and is prohibited from possessing ammunition. This case is the product of an investigation by the Kern County Sheriff’s Office and the FBI.
(1:20-cr-133)Fernando Manjarrez, 33, of Turlock, was charged on July 30 with being a felon in possession of ammunition. According to court documents, on Nov. 15, 2019, law enforcement officers discovered that Manjarrez possessed 9 mm ammunition. Manjarrez has three prior felony convictions in Stanislaus County and is prohibited from possessing ammunition. This case is the product of an investigation by the Turlock Police Department, the FBI, and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives. (1:20-cr-124-DAD)
Assistant U.S. Attorney Laura Jean Berger is prosecuting the three cases.
If convicted, the defendants face a maximum statutory penalty of 10 years in prison and a $250,000 fine. Any sentence, however, would be determined at the discretion of the court after consideration of any applicable statutory factors and the Federal Sentencing Guidelines, which take into account a number of variables. The charges are only allegations; the defendants are presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt.
These cases are part of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), a program bringing together all levels of law enforcement and the communities they serve to reduce violent crime and make our neighborhoods safer for everyone. The Department of Justice reinvigorated PSN in 2017 as part of the Department’s renewed focus on targeting violent criminals, directing all U.S. Attorney’s Offices to work in partnership with federal, state, local, and tribal law enforcement and the local community to develop effective, locally based strategies to reduce violent crime. To learn more about Project Safe Neighborhoods, go to www.justice.gov/psn.
The cases are 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 www.justice.gov/projectguardian.
Rancho Cucamonga Businessman Sentenced to One Year in Prison for Exploiting Immigrant Farmworkers by Charging Illegal Visa FeesRead the Press Release
SANTA ANA, California – The owner of a Rancho Cucamonga-based farm labor recruiting company was sentenced today to 12 months in federal prison for his role in an immigration fraud scheme that illegally charged Mexican nationals thousands of dollars to obtain H-2A work visas and additional money for expenses once they arrived in the United States.
Jorge Vasquez, 60, of Fontana, the owner of H-2A Placement Services, was sentenced by United States District Judge Josephine L. Staton, who also ordered Vasquez to pay $135,389 in restitution. Vasquez pleaded guilty in June 2019 to one count of conspiracy and one count of aiding and abetting fraud in foreign labor contracting.
Vasquez and co-defendant Melquiades Jacinto Lara, 64, of Santa Paula, the owner of J&D Harvesting, which contracted workers to farms in Ventura County, conspired to commit mail fraud, false swearing in immigration matters, and fraud in foreign labor contracting.
The H-2A visa program allows employers to hire foreign, short-term agricultural workers when the employer cannot find suitable workers in the United States. H-2A labor contractors provide foreign workers to farms and generally are responsible for recruiting, transporting and housing the foreign workers. Before the foreign workers can receive visas, several government agencies must certify the need for foreign workers and determine that foreign workers would not adversely impact workers already in the United States.
In addition to provisions designed to protect domestic workers, the H-2A program has rules designed to protect foreign workers from exploitation, including prohibitions from charging the foreign workers for government approvals, equipment needed to perform their jobs, transportation to and from the fields, and costs associated with housing.
As part of the scheme, Vasquez travelled to Mexico to recruit farmworkers, who were charged as much as $3,000 to obtain their H-2A visas.
In addition to illegally charging the foreign workers, Vasquez also made false promises to the workers about how long the visas would be valid and failed to tell the workers that they would be charged for housing, food and transportation.
Vasquez also promised an H-2A visa, in exchange for $3,500 to $4,000, to an undercover agent with the Labor Department’s Office of Inspector General, who Vasquez believed was an undocumented individual working in the construction industry in Las Vegas and had no interest in working in the agricultural industry.
Vasquez also illegally agreed to provide visas to individuals already present in the United States in exchange for a fee of up to $4,000.
In relation to the costs being borne by the foreign workers, Vasquez and Jacinto allegedly filed documents with federal authorities that contained false statements in connection with their application for visas for 75 workers to harvest lemons, avocados and oranges. Investigators have reviewed USCIS records that indicate that Vasquez and Jacinto have filed petitions for more than 350 farmworkers from 2012 until May 2018.
Jacinto pleaded guilty to two felonies – conspiracy and fraud in foreign labor contracting – and served a six-month federal prison sentence.
Co-defendant Ricardo Mendoza Oseguera, 41, of Santa Paula, the owner of Discoteca Mi Pueblito, a music and convenience store in Santa Paula, which redeemed vouchers given to workers for J&D Harvesting after deducting fees from the workers’ pay, pleaded guilty to one count of operating an unlicensed money transmitting business. He is scheduled to be sentenced on November 20.
This matter was investigated by the United States Department of Labor - Office of Inspector General, Homeland Security Investigations, and the Diplomatic Security Service.
This case was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorneys Damaris Diaz of the Violent and Organized Crime Section and Jonathan S. Galatzan of the Asset Forfeiture Section.
Pensacola Business Owner Ordered to Pay over $72,000 in Restitution and Fines for Defrauding the United StatesRead the Press Release
PENSACOLA, FLORIDA – United States Attorney Lawrence Keefe, of the Northern District of Florida, today announced that Pensacola business owner Gerald Mandel, 52, was sentenced to three years’ probation on federal charges of theft of government money and submitting false claims for overpayment to the United States. Mandel, owner and operator of DLUX Printing, in Pensacola, filed approximately 9 fraudulent invoices to the Government Publishing Office (GPO), an agency of the United States, resulting in over $47,000 of fraudulent payments. In addition to probation Mandel was ordered to pay full restitution as well as a $25,000 fine, for a total of $72,255.48.
“Gerald Mandel took advantage of the control he had over the direct mail services process to steal almost 50,000 taxpayer dollars from the federal government,” said U.S. Attorney Keefe. “His sentencing today sends a message that we expect, and demand, our government employees and contractors act with integrity and follow the law. Greed will not go unchecked in the Northern District of Florida.”
Mandel submitted approximately 115 invoices to GPO for payment between January 1, 2013, and May 15, 2018. According to the GPO’s Office of Inspector General, 33 of those invoices were submitted for direct mail services. Contracts for direct mail services require the contractor to print items for a government agency and then mail the majority of those items directly to individual consumers. Mandel schemed to receive overpayment for direct mail contracts by printing only about half the number of items ordered by the consumer. Mandel then falsified shipping documents to reflect that the orders were actually complete so that he would receive full payment from the GPO. Investigators identified 11 shipments containing falsified mailing documents which Mandel used to file 9 fraudulent invoices.
“The Government Publishing Office, Office of Inspector General is committed to ensuring the integrity of GPO contracts and financial expenditures,” said Inspector General Michael P. Leary. “We take allegations of false claims, overbilling and theft of government funds very seriously and will aggressively investigate these matters to ensure efficiency and effectiveness throughout GPO programs. We appreciate the efforts of the DOJ in pursuing these allegations and will continue our collaboration with the DOJ to investigative those who seek to defraud agency programs.”
Deputy United States Attorney Jeffrey Tharp prosecuted the case after an investigation by the Government Publishing Office, Office of Inspector General.
The United States Attorney’s Office for the Northern District of Florida is one of 94 offices that serve as the nation’s principal litigators under the direction of the Attorney General. To access public court documents online, please visit the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Florida website. For more information about the U.S. Attorney’s Office, Northern District of Florida, visit http://www.justice.gov/usao/fln/index.html.
The year 2020 marks the 150th anniversary of the Department of Justice. Learn more about the history of our agency at www.Justice.gov/Celebrating150Years.
Mandel Statement of Facts Press Release - U.S. v. MandelPelham Man Sentenced to 24 Months in Prison for Cocaine DistributionRead the Press Release
CONCORD - Michael Baez, 40, of Pelham, was sentenced to 24 months in federal prison for distributing cocaine, United States Attorney Scott W. Murray announced today.
According to court documents and statements made in court, in 2019, Baez sold cocaine to a cooperating individual on multiple occasions. One transaction took place in a parking lot in Nashua. Additional deals occurred at the defendant’s residence in Pelham, New Hampshire. In total, Baez sold over 420 grams of cocaine to the cooperating individual.
Baez previously pled guilty on May 11, 2020.
“Federal, state and local law enforcement agencies worked together to bring this defendant to justice,” said U.S. Attorney Murray. “Drug dealers who choose to do business in New Hampshire should understand that they will be identified, arrested and prosecuted. Federal prison sentences await those who persist in peddling illegal drugs.”
“When law enforcement agencies partner together in a task force environment, as in this case, we can leverage all of our resources in removing illegal narcotics, and the criminals like Michael Baez who deal them, from the streets,” said Joseph R. Bonavolonta, Special Agent in Charge of the FBI Boston Division.
This matter was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation with assistance from the New Hampshire State Police, Nashua Police Department, Manchester Police Department, Dover Police Department, and Portsmouth Police Department. The case was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Anna Krasinski.
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Operation LeGend Results in 288 Arrests, Including 24 Murder SuspectsRead the Press Release
KANSAS CITY, Mo. – U.S. Attorney Tim Garrison announced today that 288 arrests have been made by local and federal law enforcement officers in Operation LeGend.
Among those arrested since the launch of the operation, 61 are federal defendants. Among the remaining 227 arrests, 24 were homicide cases and 72 were fugitives with either state or federal warrants for their arrest. The remaining 131 non-fugitive arrests were referred for prosecution in state court.
In addition to the arrests, agents and officers have seized 89 firearms during Operation LeGend.
The U.S. Attorney’s Office is not able to track cases that are referred for prosecution in state court. In addition to the arrests of federal defendants charged in other districts, or who were arrested for violating their supervised release, the following 38 defendants have been charged in federal court in the Western District of Missouri:
Edward Latimore, felon in possession of a firearm;
G’aunte Butler, drug user in possession of a firearm;
Chase Lewis, drug user in possession of a firearm;
Romeny Aubrey, felon in possession of a firearm;
Robert Jordan, felon in possession of a firearm;
Harun Rimson, felon in possession of a firearm;
Anthony Meneses, felon in possession of a firearm;
Lance Saenz, felon in possession of a firearm;
Scott Yount, drug trafficking;
Crystal Smith, drug trafficking;
Aurora Page, felon in possession of a firearm;
Crystell Smith, drug trafficking;
Devonte Bowman, arson;
Jamahl Jones, felon in possession of a firearm;
Michael Moore, felon in possession of a firearm;
Tylor Lack, felon in possession of a firearm;
Dominic McDaniel, felon in possession of a firearm;
Cameron Smith, felon in possession of a firearm;
Charles Bai, felon in possession of a firearm, drug trafficking;
Federico Yanez-Saldivar, felon in possession of a firearm, drug trafficking;
Manuel Vazques, felon in possession of a firearm, drug trafficking.Previously reported federal defendants:
Terrell L. Releford, felon in possession of a firearm;
Dustin M. Jordan, felon in possession of a firearm;
Zackory Phillips, felon in possession of a firearm;
Travis J. Pipes, heroin trafficking, possession of a firearm in furtherance of a drug-trafficking crime;
Dylan Pruett, felon in possession of a firearm;
Chase M. Murphy, armed robbery conspiracy, armed robbery, brandishing firearms during a crime of violence.
Monty Ray, unlawful drug user in possession of a firearm;
Steven Younce, felon in possession of a firearm, meth trafficking, possessing firearms in furtherance of a drug-trafficking crime;
Daniel Briscoe, methamphetamine trafficking, heroin trafficking;
Leamandreal Dorsey, felon in possession of a firearm;
Shannon Walz, felon in possession of a firearm, felon in possession of ammunition;
Maricela Lozano, carjacking, using a firearm during a crime of violence;
Gary Dorch, felon in possession of a firearm;
Patricia Nelson, felon in possession of a firearm;
Bobby Lynn King, felon in possession of a firearm;
Logan Tanner Laws, unlawful drug user in possession of a firearm;
Michael Glen Zeigers, felon in possession of a firearm;
Nelson, King, Laws, and Zeigers are co-defendants also charged with conspiracy to distribute methamphetamine, money laundering, and possessing firearms in furtherance of a drug-trafficking crime.
Operation LeGend
Operation LeGend is a federal partnership with local law enforcement to address the increase in homicides and violent crime in Kansas City, Mo., in 2020. The operation honors the memory of four-year-old LeGend Taliferro, one of the youngest fatalities during a record-breaking year of homicides and shootings. Additional federal agents were assigned to the operation from the FBI, Drug Enforcement Administration, the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, and the U.S. Marshals Service.Ohio man admits to role in drug conspiracyRead the Press Release
WHEELING, WEST VIRGINIA – Kenyatta Banks, Jr., of Canal Winchester, Ohio has admitted to his role in a drug conspiracy that spanned several states, U.S. Attorney Bill Powell announced.
Banks, age 29, pled guilty to one count of “Conspiracy to Distribute and to Possess with the Intent to Distribute Controlled Substances.” Banks admitted to working with others to traffic methamphetamine, cocaine and heroin in Wetzel County, Ohio, Georgia, as well as into the southern district of West Virginia.
Banks faces up to 20 years incarceration and a fine of up to $1,000,000. Under the Federal Sentencing Guidelines, the actual sentence imposed will be based upon the seriousness of the offenses and the prior criminal history, if any, of the defendant.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Robert H. McWilliams, Jr. is prosecuting the case on behalf of the government. The Drug Enforcement Administration, the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives, the West Virginia State Police, the Wetzel County Sheriff’s Office, the Marshall County Sheriff’s Office, and the New Martinsville Police Department investigated.
The investigation was funded in part by the federal Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Force Program (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.
U.S. Magistrate Judge James P. Mazzone presided.
North Carolina Risk Consultant Pleads Guilty to Tax Fraud and Illegally Possessing a FirearmRead the Press Release
A Chapel Hill, N.C., businessman pleaded guilty today to filing a false tax return and being a felon in possession of a firearm, announced Principal Deputy Assistant Attorney General Richard E. Zuckerman of the Justice Department’s Tax Division and U.S. Attorney Matthew G.T. Martin for the Middle District of North Carolina.
According to court filed documents, Charles Agee Atkins controlled and operated several risk consulting businesses, including Financial Engineering & Risk Management LLC, Risk Assessment & Management LLC, and Ram Omni LLC. From 2011 through 2017, Atkins underreported the income that he received from these businesses on his tax returns, causing a tax loss of more than $380,000 to the Internal Revenue Service (IRS). Atkins also admitted that he failed to pay more than $420,000 in taxes he owed to the IRS for several previous years. All told, Atkins caused a tax loss of more than $800,000 to the IRS.
Atkins also pleaded guilty to being a felon in possession of a firearm. According to court documents, Atkins was convicted of tax fraud in 1988, and during a 2019 search warrant executed on Atkins’s Chapel Hill residence, federal agents found a 12 gauge shotgun, which Atkins could not legally possess because of his prior convictions.
U.S. District Judge Catherine Eagles will set sentencing at a later date. At sentencing, Atkins faces a maximum sentence of three years in prison on the tax charge and ten years in prison on the felon in possession charge. He also faces a period of supervised release, restitution, and monetary penalties.
Principal Deputy Assistant Attorney General Zuckerman and U.S. Attorney Martin thanked special agents of IRS-Criminal Investigation, who conducted the investigation, and Assistant Chief Todd Ellinwood of the Tax Division and Assistant U.S. Attorney Tanner Kroeger, who are prosecuting the case.
Additional information about the Tax Division and its enforcement efforts may be found on the division’s website.
Nebraska Man to Federal Prison for Iowa Meth ConspiracyRead the Press Release
A man who conspired to distribute methamphetamine was sentenced August 20, 2020, to ten years in federal prison.
Keith McNeil, 34, from Lincoln, Nebraska, received the prison term after a March 20, 2020, guilty plea to conspiracy to distribute methamphetamine.
At the guilty plea and sentencing hearings, evidence showed that from May 2019 and July 2019, McNeil and others conspired to distribute at least 200 grams of actual (pure) methamphetamine. On or about June 12, 2019, Sioux City Police officers, while working an unrelated case at the Hard Rock Casino, seized about ¼ pound of methamphetamine from a vehicle in the parking lot, found unattended with its lights on. Law enforcement identified the prior occupants of the vehicle by video surveillance. Officers determined, and McNeil ultimately admitted, that he had another person drive him from Lincoln, Nebraska, to Sioux City, Iowa, to obtain methamphetamine through a middle-man. McNeil also admitted that he had engaged in the same conduct, with the same persons, on June 8, 2019.
McNeil was sentenced in Sioux City by United States District Court Chief Judge Leonard T. Strand. McNeil was sentenced to 120 months’ imprisonment. He must also serve a five-year term of supervised release after the prison term. There is no parole in the federal system. McNeil is being held in the United States Marshal’s custody until he can be transported to a federal prison.
The case was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Shawn S. Wehde and investigated by Tri-State Drug Task Force based in Sioux City, Iowa, that consists of law enforcement personnel from the Drug Enforcement Administration; Sioux City, Iowa, Police Department; Homeland Security Investigations; Woodbury County Sheriff’s Office; South Sioux City, Nebraska, Police Department; Nebraska State Patrol; Iowa National Guard; Iowa Division of Narcotics Enforcement; United States Marshals Service; South Dakota Division of Criminal Investigation; and Woodbury County Attorney’s Office.
Court file information at https://ecf.iand.uscourts.gov/cgi-bin/login.pl.
The case file number is 19-4046. Follow us on Twitter @USAO_NDIA.
Navajo Man Sentenced for Assault Resulting in Serious Bodily Injury of a Child under the Age of 18Read the Press Release
ALBUQUERQUE – Randall Farnham, 35, of Gallup, New Mexico, was sentenced on August 18, 2020 in federal court in Albuquerque to 120 months in prison for assault resulting in serious bodily injury of a child under the age of 18 in Indian Country. Upon release from prison, Farnham also will be subject to five years of supervised release.
Farnham pled guilty to this offense on March 3, 2020. Farnham assaulted his two-month old son, ultimately causing life threatening injuries and long-term disabilities. In his plea agreement, he admitted committing the crime within the exterior boundaries of the Navaho Reservation, Indian Country, in McKinley County, New Mexico, on June 24, 2011.
The case was investigated by the Gallup Residency office of the Federal Bureau of Investigation with assistance from the Navajo Nation Police Department. Assistant U.S. Attorney Elisa Dimas prosecuted the case.
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NDTX Round up: August 10-19Read the Press Release
GUILTY PLEA – WILLIAM DODD
On August 11, William Dodd, 34, pled guilty to possession with the intent to distribute a controlled substance and aiding and abetting. Dallas Police Department executed a search warrant and arrested Mr. Dodd at his Dallas-based stash house. Authorities seized 12.43 kilograms of marijuana, 5.67 grams of cocaine, 2.73 grams of N-ethylpentylone, 87 Norco pills containing hydrocodone bitartrate and acetaminophen, 65 Percocet pills, 141 grams of a red liquid containing codeine and promethazine, 33.69 grams of purple liquid containing codeine and promethazine, digital scales, multiple cellular phones, $4,530 in drug proceeds, and a stolen firearm. Mr. Dodd faces up to 20 years in federal prison for his crimes. This case was investigated by the Drug Enforcement Administration. Assistant U.S. Attorney John Kull is prosecuting this case.
SENTENCING – WILLIAM ROSS POTTER
On August 12, William Ross Potter, 62, was sentenced to 19 years in federal prison for attempted enticement of a minor. Mr. Potter admitted to using his computer to persuade and induce multiple minors to engage in sexual activity. He placed ads on a social media site in which he looking for a sexual encounter. When officers went to Potter’s home in Garland, he refused to come out of the house. Eventually, Mr. Potter fled out of the back of the home and hid in a bush until officers arrested him. This case was investigated by the Grand Prairie Police Department, Garland Police Department, Dallas Police Department, McClennan County Sherriff’s Office. Assistant U.S. Attorney Camille Sparks is prosecuting this case.
SENTENCING – PABLO SALGUERO RAMIREZ
On August 14, Pablo Salguero Ramirez, 31, was sentenced to 2 years in federal prison for possession with the intent to distribute a controlled substance. Officers executed a search warrant on Mr. Ramirez’s home and located methamphetamine, $1,252 in U.S. currency, multiple firearms and an assorted ammunition. Mr. Ramirez admitted that he possessed the weapons in furtherance of his drug crimes and the cash was proceeds from his drug trafficking operations. This case was investigated by the ICE and Garland Police Department. Assistant U.S. Attorney Donna Strittmatter Max is prosecuting this case.
SENTENCING – ARMANDO QUIROZ
On August 17, Armando Quiroz, 29, was sentenced to 12 years in federal prison for possession with the intent to distribute methamphetamine. Mr. Quiroz was staying at a Greenville, Texas hotel which served as a distribution point for his drug trafficking operations. Mr. Quiroz sold 7 grams of methamphetamine to a government source. Three days later the Hunt County Sheriff’s Department executed a search warrant on Mr. Quiroz’s hotel room where they recovered additional methamphetamine and a .380 pistol. This case was investigated by the ATF, DEA, and Hunt County Sheriff’s Office. Assistant U.S. Attorney Suzanna Etessam is prosecuting this case.
Muskogee Man Sentenced to 33 Months for Failure to Register as Sex OffenderRead the Press Release
MUSKOGEE, OKLAHOMA – The United States Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of Oklahoma announced that David William Wilcox, age 48, of Muskogee, Oklahoma was sentenced to 33 months’ imprisonment, and 5 years of supervised release for Failure To Register As Sex Offender, in violation of Title 18, United States Code, Sections 2250(a)(1), 2250(a)(2)(B) and 2250(a)(3). While on supervised release, the defendant cannot reside with anyone under 18 years of age without prior approval and he must undergo sex offender treatment and comply with any requirements to monitor his progress, including polygraphs. The charges arose from an investigation by the Muskogee Police Department and the United States Marshals Service.
The Indictment alleged that from on or about October 21, 2018, until on or about September 16, 2019, in the Eastern District of Oklahoma, and elsewhere, the defendant, an individual required to register as a sex offender under the Sex Offender Registration and Notification Act, after having received a felony conviction from the State of North Dakota on or about January 27, 2014, for Felony Sexual Assault, traveled in interstate commerce and knowingly failed to register and update his registration as required by the Sex Offender Registration and Notification Act.
United States Attorney Brian J. Kuester said, “Sex offender registration statutes protect the public by requiring sex offenders to properly notify the appropriate law enforcement agencies where they are residing. The United States Marshals Service and its local law enforcement partners play a vital role in public safety by enforcing these laws.”
“As part of our efforts to keep our communities safe, it is with great pride that the United States Marshals Service works alongside state, local and tribal law enforcement to ensure that convicted sex offenders comply with the requirements of the Sex Offender Registration and Notification Act” said, United States Marshal Kerry Pettingill.
The Honorable Ronald A. White, U.S. District Judge in the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Oklahoma, in Muskogee, presided over the hearing. Assistant United States Attorney Sarah McAmis represented the United States.
Monticello Man Charged with Arson of Minneapolis BankRead the Press Release
United States Attorney Erica H. MacDonald today announced a felony information charging ALEXANDER STEVEN HEIL, 24, with one count of conspiracy to commit arson. HEIL will make his initial appearance in U.S. District Court at a later date.
According to allegations in the information, on May 28, 2020, HEIL joined and engaged with other individuals in conduct designed to accelerate a fire in the Wells Fargo Bank building located in south Minneapolis.
The ATF and FBI urge the public to report suspected arson, use of explosive devices, or violent, destructive acts associated with the recent unrest. Anyone with information specifically related to business fires in the Twin Cities can call 1-888-ATF-TIPS (1-888-283-8477), email [email protected] or submit information anonymously via ReportIt.com. In addition to fires, the FBI is looking for people who may have incited or promoted violence of any kind. Anyone with digital material or tips can call 1-800-CALLFBI (800-225-5324) or visit tips.fbi.gov.
This case is the result of an investigation conducted jointly by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF), the Minneapolis Police Department, and the Minnesota State Fire Marshal Division.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Andrew R. Winter is prosecuting the case.
The charges contained in the information are merely accusations, and the defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.
Defendant Information:
ALEXANDER STEVEN HEIL, 24
Monticello, Minn.
Charges:
- Conspiracy to commit arson, 1 count
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United States Attorney’s Office, District of Minnesota: (612) 664-5600
United States Attorney Erica H. MacDonald today announced a felony information charging ALEXANDER STEVEN HEIL, 24, with one count of conspiracy to commit arson. HEIL will make his initial appearance in U.S. District Court at a later date.
According to allegations in the information, on May 28, 2020, HEIL joined and engaged with other individuals in conduct designed to accelerate a fire in the Wells Fargo Bank building located in south Minneapolis.
The ATF and FBI urge the public to report suspected arson, use of explosive devices, or violent, destructive acts associated with the recent unrest. Anyone with information specifically related to business fires in the Twin Cities can call 1-888-ATF-TIPS (1-888-283-8477), email [email protected] or submit information anonymously via ReportIt.com. In addition to fires, the FBI is looking for people who may have incited or promoted violence of any kind. Anyone with digital material or tips can call 1-800-CALLFBI (800-225-5324) or submit images or videos at FBI.gov/violence.
This case is the result of an investigation conducted jointly by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF), the Minneapolis Police Department, and the Minnesota State Fire Marshal Division.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Andrew R. Winter is prosecuting the case.
The charges contained in the information are merely accusations, and the defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.
Defendant Information:
ALEXANDER STEVEN HEIL, 24
Monticello, Minn.
Charges:
- Conspiracy to commit arson, 1 count
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Additional news available on our website.
Follow us on Twitter and Facebook.
United States Attorney’s Office, District of Minnesota: (612) 664-5600
Minnesota Man Charged with COVID-Relief Fraud and Money LaunderingRead the Press Release
A Minnesota man was charged in an indictment unsealed today for allegedly fraudulently obtaining approximately $841,000 from the Paycheck Protection Program (PPP).
Acting Assistant Attorney General Brian Rabbitt of the Justice Department’s Criminal Division, U.S. Attorney Erica H. MacDonald of the District of Minnesota, Acting Special Agent in Charge Aubree M. Schwartz of the FBI’s Minneapolis Field Office, Special Agent in Charge Kathy A. Enstrom of the IRS-Criminal Investigation (IRS-CI), Special Agent in Charge Justin R. Bundy of the FDIC’s Office of the Inspector General (FDIC-OIG), and Acting Special Agent in Charge Brian Sullivan of the Small Business Administration Office of Inspector General (SBA-OIG), Central Region made the announcement.
Kyle William Brenizer, 32, of St. Paul, Minnesota, was charged in a criminal indictment in the District of Minnesota with wire fraud and money laundering. He made his initial appearance this afternoon before U.S. Magistrate Judge Becky R. Thorson of the District of Minnesota and remains in custody. He will appear for a detention hearing on Aug. 26.
The indictment alleges Brenizer was the owner and manager of True-Cut Construction LLC (True-Cut), a contracting and construction company located in Brooklyn Park, Minnesota. In August 2018, True-Cut and Brenizer were ordered by the Minnesota Department of Labor and Industry to cease and desist from doing business and in December 2019, True-Cut’s contractor license expired and was never renewed.
Brenizer allegedly submitted a false and misleading PPP application in the name of True-Cut seeking approximately $841,000, but the application was denied. On May 12, 2020, Brenizer again submitted a false and misleading PPP application in the name of True-Cut seeking approximately $841,000 in PPP funds. This time, in order to conceal his involvement, Brenizer allegedly submitted the application under the name of another individual.
Brenizer falsely stated that True-Cut’s average monthly payroll was over $330,000 for approximately 30 employees. In addition, Brenizer falsely certified that he was not subject to any pending criminal charges even though he was allegedly named in multiple felony charges pending in the State of Minnesota for such charges as check forgery, identify theft, and theft by swindle. Due to these various misrepresentations and omissions, on May 13, 2020, Brenizer’s second application was approved, and he received $841,000 in PPP funds.
According to the allegations in the indictment, instead of using the PPP funds for permissible business expenses, Brenizer transferred approximately $650,000 to a bank account unrelated to True-Cut and made a $29,000 payment to purchase a Harley-Davidson motorcycle, spent over $1,000 on golf expenses, among other retail and entertainment expenditures for his personal benefit.
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 1 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.
A federal criminal indictment is merely an accusation. A defendant is presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.
Anyone with information about allegations of attempted fraud involving COVID-19 can report it by calling the Department of Justice’s National Center for Disaster Fraud Hotline at 866-720-5721 or via the NCDF Web Complaint Form at: https://www.justice.gov/disaster-fraud/ncdf-disaster-complaint-form.
The FBI, IRS-CI, FDIC-OIG and SBA-OIG investigated the case. Assistant Chief L. Rush Atkinson of the Department of Justice’s Criminal Division’s Fraud Section and Assistant U.S. Attorneys Matthew S. Ebert and Allison K. Ethen of the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Minnesota 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.
Minneapolis Man Charged with Being an Armed Career Criminal in Possession of A FirearmRead the Press Release
United States Attorney Erica H. MacDonald today announced the unsealing of a federal indictment charging GAGE ANTHONY NORRIS, 25, with one count of possession of a firearm by a convicted felon. NORRIS made his initial appearance yesterday before Magistrate Judge Becky R. Thorson in U.S. District Court in St. Paul, Minnesota. NORRIS was ordered to remain in custody pending a formal detention and arraignment hearing, which is scheduled for Tuesday, August 25, 2020.
According to allegations in the indictment, on May 15, 2020, NORRIS possessed a Sun City Machinery Co. Stevens 320 12 gauge shotgun. Because NORRIS has prior felony convictions in Ramsey County and Hennepin County, he is prohibited under federal law from possessing firearms or ammunition at any time.
This case is the result of an investigation conducted by the Minneapolis Police Department, the Hennepin County Sheriff’s Office, and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives. This case was brought as part of the Twin Cities Violent Crime Task Force, a multi-agency effort that brings together additional federal and state resources to assist local law enforcement to investigate, arrest, and prosecute individuals responsible for gun violence in the Twin Cities. For more information about the Twin Cities Violent Crime Task Force, please visit https://www.justice.gov/usao-mn/pr/united-states-attorney-announces-new-twin-cities-violent-crime-task-force.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Lauren O. Roso is prosecuting the case.
The charges contained in the indictment are merely accusations, and the defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.
Defendant Information:
GAGE ANTHONY NORRIS, 25
Minneapolis, Minn.
Charges:
- Felon in possession of a firearm- Armed career criminal, 1 count
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United States Attorney’s Office, District of Minnesota: (612) 664-5600
Mexican National Sentenced to 4 Years in Federal Prison for Trafficking Drugs from Arizona to ConnecticutRead the Press Release
John H. Durham, United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut, announced that JUAN CARLOS GONZALEZ-RUBIO, 41, a citizen of Mexico last residing in Phoenix, Arizona, was sentenced today by U.S. District Judge Victor A. Bolden to 48 months of imprisonment for trafficking narcotics into Connecticut.
Pursuant to the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act (CARES Act), the court proceeding occurred via videoconference.
According to court documents and statements made in court, in late 2018, the Drug Enforcement Administration’s New Haven Task Force and New Haven Police Department began investigation an organization that was responsible for trafficking kilogram-quantities of heroin, fentanyl and cocaine from Mexico and Arizona to the New Haven area. Investigators subsequently identified Gonzalez-Rubio and an associate as being responsible for moving narcotics from Arizona to Connecticut. Between March and May 2019, investigators intercepted three packages – two that contained approximately one kilogram of cocaine, and one that contained approximately one kilogram of a mixture of heroin and fentanyl – that Gonzalez-Rubio and his associate had shipped from Arizona to New Haven. The investigation revealed that Gonzalez-Rubio and his associate trafficked narcotics both through the use of commercial shipping methods, like UPS and FedEx, and by secreting drugs in cars with hidden compartments that were transported on commercial car-haulers.
In August 2019, an undercover officer met with Gonzalez-Rubio in Arizona in an attempt to arrange the transport of purported narcotics. Gonzalez-Rubio indicated that he was preparing a trip to the northeast, that planned to use a used car on a car-hauler to transport the drugs, and that he would charge approximately $2,000 per kilogram to ship the drugs. On October 1, 2019, the undercover officer provided Gonzalez-Rubio with what Gonzalez-Rubio believed was five kilograms of fentanyl. The five kilograms were actually a “mock load” disguised to resemble an illicit shipment of narcotics.
On October 13, 2019, the car-hauler arrived in Connecticut. Gonzalez-Rubio was arrested on that date after he drove the car containing the mock load of narcotics to a location in East Haven.
Gonzalez-Rubio has been detained since his arrest. On February 25, 2020, he pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy to distribute, and to possess with the intent to distribute, heroin, fentanyl and cocaine.
Gonzalez-Rubio, who has been deported previously to Mexico and returned to the U.S., faces immigration proceedings at the conclusion of his sentence.
This matter is being investigated by the DEA Task Force and the New Haven Police Department, with the assistance of the DEA in Tucson and Phoenix, and Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) in New Haven and Tucson. This case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Jocelyn Courtney Kaoutzanis and Rahul Kale.
Memphis, Tennessee Man Pleads Guilty to Methamphetamine DistributionRead the Press Release
MUSKOGEE, OKLAHOMA – The United States Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of Oklahoma announced that Juan Carlos Cervantes-Ramirez, age 36, of Memphis, Tennessee entered a guilty plea to Possession with Intent to Distribute Methamphetamine, in violation of Title 21, United States Code, Sections 841(a)(1) and 841(b)(1)(A), punishable by not less than 10 years and not more than life imprisonment, a fine up to $10,000,000.00, or both. Mr. Cervantes-Ramirez is in the United States on a resident alien card and is subject to deportation as a result of this offense.
The Indictment alleged that on or about July 3, 2017, within the Eastern District of Oklahoma, the defendant, did knowingly and intentionally possess with intent to distribute 500 grams or more of a mixture or substance containing a detectable amount of methamphetamine a Schedule II controlled substance.
The charges arose from an investigation by the Oklahoma Highway Patrol and the Drug Enforcement Administration.
The Honorable Steven P. Shreder, U.S. Magistrate Judge in the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Oklahoma, in Muskogee, accepted the plea and ordered the completion of a presentence investigation report.
Assistant United States Attorney Dean Burris represented the United States at the change of plea hearing.
Mechanicsburg Man Sentenced for Bank FraudRead the Press Release
HARRISBURG – The United States Attorney’s Office for the Middle District of Pennsylvania announced that Rene Roy, age 51, of Mechanicsburg, Pennsylvania, was sentenced on August 19, 2020, by Chief United States District Court Judge John Jones to one day in prison and two years of supervised release, for committing bank fraud related to fraudulent records he submitted to a credit union for auto loans.
According to United States Attorney David J. Freed, Roy submitted an application to a Belco Community Credit Union for an auto loan and submitted falsified documents to get a lower interest rate, causing a loss to the credit union.
The case was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation. Assistant U.S. Attorney Michael A. Consiglio is prosecuting the case.
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Mason City Man to Prison for Federal Meth ConvictionRead the Press Release
A man who conspired to distribute methamphetamine was sentenced August 21, 2020 to more than 11 years in federal prison.
Jacob Johnson, age 30, from Mason City, Iowa, pled guilty on March 17, 2020, to one count of conspiracy to distribute methamphetamine and one count of possession of a firearm in furtherance of drug trafficking.
At the plea and sentencing hearings, evidence showed that from about May 2019 through October 2019, Johnson and others conspired to distribute at least 35 grams of actual (pure) methamphetamine in Northwest Iowa. In June 2019, Johnson and a co-conspirator sold “fake” methamphetamine to an individual. In October 2019, Johnson and a co-conspirator agreed to sell more methamphetamine to the same individual and make good on the previous transaction. After a vehicle pursuit, Johnson and his co-conspirator were caught with two ounces of methamphetamine intended for the same individual. Officers also seized a sawed off shotgun and an axe during a search of the vehicle.
Sentencing was held before United States District Court Chief Judge Leonard T. Strand. Johnson was sentenced to 140 months’ imprisonment and must serve a term of 4 years of supervised release following the imprisonment. There is no parole in the federal system. Johnson remains in custody of the United States Marshal Service until he can be transferred to a federal prison.
The case was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Shawn S. Wehde and was investigated by the Iowa Department of Narcotics Enforcement, Dickinson County Sheriff’s Office, Arnold’s Park Police Department, and Iowa Division of Criminalistics Investigation.
Court file information at https://ecf.iand.uscourts.gov/cgi-bin/login.pl.
The case file number is 19-4079.
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Man Convicted of Methamphetamine and Cocaine ConspiracyRead the Press Release
NEW BERN, N.C. – A federal jury convicted a Dover, North Carolina man yesterday on charges of conspiracy to distribute and possess with the intent to distribute fifty grams of more of methamphetamine and a quantity of cocaine, as well as, possession with the intent to distribute fifty grams or more of methamphetamine and a quantity of heroin.
According to court records and evidence presented at trial, Terrence Denon Miller, a/k/a “Wank,” 30, was previously convicted in 2016 of felony possession with intent to sell and deliver schedule II-cocaine, attempted trafficking in opium or heroin, and possession with intent to sell and deliver schedule II-oxycodone in a Craven County, North Carolina Superior Court. Based upon these convictions, Miller was placed on state probation, including electronic monitoring.
On April 6, 2018, the North Carolina Department of Public Safety: Adult Probation and Parole conducted a probationary search at the defendant’s home in La Grange, North Carolina. During the search, the probation officer requested assistance from the Lenoir County Sheriff’s Office and a Drug Enforcement Administration Task Force Officer. Upon seeing law enforcement enter his home, Miller attempted to run towards the kitchen. Narco, a canine with the Lenoir County Sheriff’s Office, alerted to the presence of drugs in the home. Officers seized over 80 grams of crystal methamphetamine, a quantity amount of heroin, and two digital scales in the kitchen. Marijuana, a marijuana grinder, and a magazine to a gun loaded with ammunition were located in the master bedroom and bathroom. The DEA Lab analyzed the methamphetamine and determined it had a 95% purity.
During the trial, there was testimony that the defendant’s previous home in Dover, North Carolina had been searched by the Craven County Sheriff’s Office in 2014 where officers at that time seized oxycodone pills, cocaine base (crack), and over $4,000. In 2016, the Duplin County Sheriff’s Office surveilled Miller while he met with individuals at a business in Duplin County known for drug trafficking.
Miller faces a mandatory minimum of 10 years and a maximum penalty of life in prison when sentenced in November 2020. Additionally, the court ordered Miller to forfeit a 2007 Mercedes Benz Coupe.
Robert J. Higdon, Jr., U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of North Carolina made the announcement after U.S. District Judge Louise W. Flanagan accepted the verdict. The Drug Enforcement Administration, Lenoir County Sheriff’s Office, Craven County Sheriff’s Office, Duplin County Sheriff’s Office, Wayne County Sheriff’s Office, North Carolina Department of Public Safety: Adult Probation and Parole investigated the case and Assistant U.S. Attorney Dena J. King is prosecuting the case.
Related court documents and information can be found on the website of the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of North Carolina or on PACER by searching for Case No. 4:18-cr-00054-FL-1.
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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.
Kodiak Fisherman to Plead Guilty to Federal Charges for Falsifying Fishing RecordsRead the Press Release
Anchorage, Alaska – U.S. Attorney Bryan Schroder announced today that James Aaron Stevens, 46, of Kodiak, will plead guilty to one count of false labeling, a Lacey Act violation, for knowingly submitting false records concerning the locations and regulatory areas where fish were harvested.
According to admissions made in connection with the plea, Stevens, the owner and operator of F/V Alaskan Star and F/V Southern Seas out of Kodiak, falsely reported individual fishing quota (IFQ) halibut and IFQ sablefish between 2014 and 2017. Specifically, Stevens knowingly falsified International Pacific Halibut Commission (IPHC) logbooks, Daily Fishing Logbooks, Alaska Department of Fish and Game fish tickets, and landing reports to show that fishing gear had been deployed in areas where the vessels did not fish, and omitted areas in which the fish were actually harvested. In addition to his falsified logbooks, the investigation further revealed that Stevens maintained the accurate fishing information in a separate, personal log.
Over the course of 26 fishing trips, Stevens falsified records related to approximately 903,208 pounds of falsely reported halibut and sablefish, with an approximate dock value of $4,522,210 and a market value of $13,566,630. Stevens sold the falsely labeled fish caught during these trips, which were, or were intended to be, transported in interstate and foreign commerce.
As part of the plea, and in addition to a term of imprisonment, Stevens agreed to pay a substantial fine before sentencing; to comply with vessel monitoring as part of his conditions of supervised release; and to make a public service announcement acknowledging his wrongdoing, to be submitted to the National Fisherman Magazine.
NOAA’s Office of Law Enforcement conducted the investigation leading to the charges in this case. This case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Adam Alexander of the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Alaska.
Kansas Hunting Guide Sentenced for Violating Migratory Bird Act During Hunt in Barton CountyRead the Press Release
WICHITA, KAN. – A Kansas guide is losing his hunting privileges for three years because he violated the Migratory Bird Treaty Act, U.S. Attorney Stephen McAllister said today.
Bryan D. Boxberger, 33, Stafford, Kan., pleaded guilty today in federal court in Wichita to violating the act. In his plea, Boxberger admitted he acted as a waterfowl guide to a party of 13 hunters in Barton County, Kan. With Boxberger’s assistance, the hunters killed 31 white-fronted geese, violating a daily bag limit of two per person.
Boxberger was sentenced to three years on probation, during which he is prohibited from hunting and fishing or acting as a guide. In addition, he was ordered to pay a $2,500 fine directed to the North American Wetlands Conservation Fund and $10,000 in restitution directed to the Kansas Department of Wildlife, Parks and Tourism-Law Enforcement Division Restitution Fund.
McAllister commended the Kansas Department of Wildlife, Parks and Tourism, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and Assistant U.S. Attorney Matt Treaster for their work on the case.
Jury Convicts Federal Inmate of AssaultRead the Press Release
SPRINGFIELD, Mo. – An inmate at the U.S. Medical Center for Federal Prisoners in Springfield, Missouri, has been convicted by a federal jury of assaulting another inmate at the facility.
Earl F. Love, 55, was found guilty of one count of assault causing serious bodily injury.
Evidence introduced during the trial indicated that Love walked into the cell of another inmate, identified in court documents as “D.W.,” on Dec. 30, 2018. Love and the victim were in an argument over a sports gambling bet. Love struck D.W., fractured his nose and other bones in his face, and knocked him unconscious. Afterward, the victim requested medical assistance and was transported by ambulance to the emergency room. D.W. was admitted to the hospital and spent several days in the Intensive Care Unit.
Following the presentation of evidence, the jury in the U.S. District Court in Springfield, Mo., deliberated for three hours before returning the guilty verdict to U.S. District Judge Roseann Ketchmark on Tuesday, Aug. 18, ending a trial that began Monday, Aug. 17.
Under federal statutes, Love is subject to a sentence of up to 10 years in federal prison without parole. The maximum statutory sentence is prescribed by Congress and is provided here for informational purposes, as the sentencing of the defendant will be determined by the court based on the advisory sentencing guidelines and other statutory factors. A sentencing hearing will be scheduled after the completion of a presentence investigation by the United States Probation Office.
This case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Patrick Carney and Casey Clark. It was investigated by the FBI.
Informational: Federal Court arraignmentsRead the Press Release
The U.S. Attorney’s Office announced that the following persons were arraigned or appeared this week before U.S. Magistrate judges on indictments handed down by the Grand Jury or on criminal complaints. The charging documents are merely accusations and defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty:
Appearing in Missoula before U.S. Magistrate Judge Kathleen L. DeSoto and pleading not guilty on Aug. 17 was:
Jarod Barton Schwab, 33, of Missoula, on charges of possession with intent to distribute controlled substances and distribution of methamphetamine. If convicted of the most serious crime, Schwab faces a minimum mandatory 10 years to life in prison, a $10 million fine and at least five years of supervised release. Schwab was detained pending further proceedings. The FBI, Missoula Police Department and Northwest Montana High Intensity Drug Trafficking Area Task Force. Pacer case reference. 20-34.
Appearing on Aug. 20 was:
Krystal Ann Bouldin, 47, of Missoula, on charges of conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute meth and possession with intent to distribute meth. If convicted of the most serious crime, Bouldin faces a minimum mandatory five years to 40 years in prison, a $5 million fine and four years of supervised release. Bouldin was released pending further proceedings. The FBI and Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives investigated the case. Pacer case reference. 20-33.
Dylan Cole Martin, 23, of Bozeman, on charges of conspiracy to distribute fentanyl and distribution of fentanyl. If convicted of the most serious crime, Martin faces a maximum 20 years in prison, a $1 million fine and three years of supervised release. Martin was released pending further proceedings. The Missouri River Drug Task Force, Montana Department of Criminal Investigation, FBI and Drug Enforcement Administration investigated the case. Pacer case reference. 20-17.
Appearing in Billings before U.S. Magistrate Judge Timothy J. Cavan and pleading not guilty on Aug. 20 was:
Donald Ray Gardner, 57, of Lodge Grass, on charges of aggravated sexual abuse of a child and abusive sexual contact. If convicted of the most serious crime, Gardner faces a maximum life in prison, a $250,000 fine and five years to life of supervised release. Gardner was released pending further proceedings. The FBI investigated the case. Pacer case reference. 20-70.
Darrell Dean Fisher, 35, of Lame Deer, on charges of assault resulting in serious bodily injury of a dating partner and strangulation. If convicted of the most serious crime, Fisher faces a maximum 10 years in prison, a $250,000 fine and three years of supervised release. Fisher was released pending further proceedings. The FBI investigated the case. Pacer case reference. 20-71.
If any of the above cases are of interest to your media organization and the community it serves, we encourage you to monitor the progress of the case regularly through the U.S. District Court calendar and the PACER system.
To establish a PACER account, which will allow you to review documents filed in the case, please go to, http://www.pacer.gov/register.html. To access the district court’s calendar, please go to https://ecf.mtd.uscourts.gov/cgi-bin/PublicCalendar.pl.
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Indictments Charge Six Men with Narcotics Trafficking OffensesRead the Press Release
John H. Durham, United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut, and Brian D. Boyle, Special Agent in Charge of the Drug Enforcement Administration for New England, today announced the unsealing of two indictments charging a total of six men with narcotics trafficking offenses.
On August 12, 2020, a federal grand jury in New Haven returned a seven-count superseding indictment charging the following five men with conspiring to distribute fentanyl, heroin and crack cocaine:
WILTON REYNOSO, also known as Manuel Jose Echevarria-Lugo, 49, a citizen of the Dominican Republic residing in Waterbury
TYSON QUINONES, also known as “Ty,” 34, of Waterbury
DEESHAWN PITTMAN, also known as “Low,” 30, of New Haven
QUENTINE DAVIS, 29 of New Haven
GLEN REDMOND, 55, of Springfield, MassachusettsAs alleged in court documents and statements made in court, in late 2019, the DEA New Haven Task Force began an investigation into the distribution of heroin and fentanyl in New Haven. The investigation, which included thousands of intercepted communications over court-authorized wiretaps, revealed that Pittman, Davis and others were distributing fentanyl, heroin and crack cocaine to a large customer base in New Haven County. Pittman was supplied with fentanyl and heroin by Quinones, who also distributed narcotics to his own customers in and around Waterbury. Quinones and Redmond were supplied with fentanyl and heroin from Reynoso, who received large quantities of fentanyl and heroin from a source in New York.
On June 13, 2020, investigators sought to arrest Reynoso, Quinones and Pittman after intercepting a series of calls that, as alleged, indicated that Reynoso and Quinones were planning to conduct a 200-gram heroin transaction, with a portion of the drugs possibly destined for Pittman. On that date, Pittman was arrested at his residence, a search of which revealed approximately 50 grams of a mixture fentanyl and heroin, and more than $15,000 in cash. Quinones was arrested at the anticipated meeting place. A subsequent search of his residence revealed a stolen, loaded 9mm pistol. Reynoso fled from the meeting scene in his vehicle, which was found abandoned nearby. He was arrested a short time later after he returned to the vehicle. A search of a location in Waterbury that Reynoso used to store, process and package narcotics revealed more than kilogram of a mixture of fentanyl and heroin.
Reynoso, Quinones and Pittman were originally charged by indictment on June 17. Davis and Redmond were arrested earlier this week after the superseding indictment was returned.
Each defendant is charged with one count of conspiracy to distribute, and to possess with intent to distribute fentanyl, heroin and cocaine base (“crack”). If convicted of this charge, based on the type and quantity of drugs attributable to each defendant, Reynoso, Quinones and Pittman face a mandatory minimum term of imprisonment of 10 years and a maximum term of imprisonment of life, and Davis and Redmond face a mandatory minimum term of imprisonment of five years and a maximum term of imprisonment of 40 years.
The superseding indictment also charges Reynoso and Pittman with additional fentanyl distribution offenses, and Reynoso with possession of a firearm by a convicted felon.
Reynoso, Quinones and Davis are detained, and Pittman and Redmond are released on bond.
On August 12, the grand jury also returned a three-count indictment charging Quinones and NORMAN ALEXIS GALLARDO, 36, of Meriden, with conspiring to distribute cocaine between February and June 2020. Quinones and Gallardo are each charged with one count of conspiracy to distribute, and to possess with intent to distribute, 500 grams or more of cocaine, and two counts of attempt to possess with intent to distribute 500 grams or more of cocaine.
If convicted of these charges, Quinones and Gallardo each faces a mandatory minimum term of imprisonment of five years and a maximum term of imprisonment of 40 years, on each count.
Gallardo was arrested out of state and is in custody awaiting transport to Connecticut to face these charges.
U.S. Attorney Durham noted that an indictment is not evidence of guilt. Charges are only allegations, and each defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt.
This investigation is being conducted by the DEA New Haven Task Force with the assistance of the U.S. Postal Inspection Service. The Task Force includes participants from the U.S. Marshals Service, Internal Revenue Service – Criminal Investigation Division, and the New Haven, Hamden, West Haven, North Haven, Branford, Ansonia, Meriden, Derby, Middletown, Naugatuck and Waterbury Police Departments.
The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorneys H. Gordon Hall and John T. Pierpont, Jr.