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Wednesday 19 August 2020
Nine Individuals Charged with Bank Fraud, Aggravated Identity TheftRead the Press Release
Audrey Strauss, the Acting United States Attorney for the Southern District of New York, Philip Bartlett, Inspector-in-Charge of the New York Division of the United States Postal Inspection Service (“USPIS”), and Dermot Shea, the Commissioner of the New York City Police Department (“NYPD”), announced charges against SAIBO SIDIBEH, MOUKHAMED FALL, MAMADY DANFAKHA, ALHANSA HYDARA, MAMADOU DIALLO, DEMBA DIAKITE, MOHAMMED SABALY, BANGALY DOUMBIA, and ABUBACKR DANSO for their involvement in a bank fraud scheme involving the deposit of more than $700,000 of fraudulent checks and the subsequent withdrawal of funds. SIDIBEH, FALL, HYDARA, and DANSO were arrested on August 12, 2020, and presented before U.S. Magistrate Judge Ona T. Wang. DANFAKHA, DIALLO, DIAKITE, and DOUMBIA were arrested this morning and are expected to be presented later today before U.S. Magistrate Judge Stewart D. Aaron in Manhattan federal court. SABALY remains at large.
As alleged in the criminal Complaint[1] unsealed today in Manhattan federal court:
Between at least July 2018 and at least August 2019, SAIBO SIDIBEH, MOUKHAMED FALL, MAMADY DANFAKHA, ALHANSA HYDARA, MAMADOU DIALLO, DEMBA DIAKITE, MOHAMMED SABALY, BANGALY DOUMBIA, and ABUBACKR DANSO engaged in a scheme to defraud banks by depositing fraudulent, forged, or altered checks into the bank accounts of third parties at ATMs in the Bronx, Manhattan, and elsewhere. Before the bank realized that a check was invalid, the defendants withdrew the funds, typically by purchasing postal money orders. In total, the defendants deposited more than $700,000 in fraudulent checks.
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A chart containing the names, charges, and penalties for the defendants is set forth below. The maximum potential sentences in this case are prescribed by Congress and are provided here for informational purposes only, as any sentencing of the defendants will be determined by the judge.
Ms. Strauss praised the outstanding investigative work of the USPIS and the NYPD.
This case is being handled by the Office’s General Crimes Unit. Assistant United States Attorney Andrew A. Rohrbach is in charge of the prosecution.
The charges contained in the Complaint are merely accusations, and the defendants are presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.
Count
Charge
Defendant(s)
Maximum/minimum penalties
1
Conspiracy to commit bank fraud
18 U.S.C. § 1349
MOUKHAMED FALL,
MAMADY DANFAKHA,
MAMADOU DIALLO,
ALHASANA HYDARA,
DEMBA DIAKITE
30 years
2
Bank fraud
18 U.S.C. §§ 1344 and 2
MOUKHAMED FALL,
MAMADY DANFAKHA,
MAMADOU DIALLO,
ALHASANA HYDARA,
DEMBA DIAKITE
30 years
3
Aggravated identity theft
18 U.S.C. §§ 1028A(a)(1), 1028A(b), and 2
MOUKHAMED FALL,
MAMADY DANFAKHA,
MAMADOU DIALLO,
ALHASANA HYDARA,
DEMBA DIAKITE
Mandatory two-year consecutive sentence
4
Bank fraud
18 U.S.C. §§ 1344 and 2
MOHAMMED SABALY
30 years
5
Aggravated identity theft
18 U.S.C. §§ 1028A(a)(1), 1028A(b), and 2
MOHAMMED SABALY
Mandatory two-year consecutive sentence
6
Bank fraud
18 U.S.C. §§ 1344 and 2
SAIBO SIDIBEH
30 years
7
Aggravated identity theft
18 U.S.C. §§ 1028A(a)(1), 1028A(b), and 2
SAIBO SIDIBEH
Mandatory two-year consecutive sentence
8
Bank fraud
18 U.S.C. §§ 1344 and 2
BANGALY DOUMBIA
30 years
9
Aggravated identity theft
18 U.S.C. §§ 1028A(a)(1), 1028A(b), and 2
BANGALY DOUMBIA
Mandatory two-year consecutive sentence
10
Bank fraud
18 U.S.C. §§ 1344 and 2
ABUBACKR DANSO
30 years
11
Aggravated identity theft
18 U.S.C. §§ 1028A(a)(1), 1028A(b), and 2
ABUBACKR DANSO
Mandatory two-year consecutive sentence
[1] As the introductory phrase signifies, the text of the Complaint and the description of the Complaint set forth herein are only allegations, and every fact described should be treated as an allegation.
New York Hospice Provider Settles Civil Healthcare Fraud AllegationsRead the Press Release
Metropolitan Jewish Health System Hospice and Palliative Care (“MJHS Hospice”), a New York nonprofit hospice provider, has agreed to pay the United States $4,850,000 to resolve civil allegations that it billed Medicare and Medicaid for services rendered to hospice patients at heightened levels of care for which the patients did not qualify, in violation of the False Claims Act, and has agreed to pay the State of New York $375,000.
Seth D. DuCharme, Acting United States Attorney for the Eastern District of New York, announced the settlement. Mr. DuCharme thanked the Office of the Inspector General of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services and the New York State Attorney General for their assistance in the investigation.
The settlement resolves allegations that MJHS Hospice knowingly billed Medicare and Medicaid for unnecessary levels of hospice care to patients. Medicare’s and Medicaid’s hospice benefits are available for patients who elect palliative treatment (medical care focused on the patient’s relief from pain and stress) for a terminal illness.
Under the Medicare and Medicaid programs, a hospice provider may seek payment for several levels of care, including heightened levels known as “CHC” (continuous home care services) and “GIP” (general inpatient services). To receive reimbursement for CHC, a hospice provider must show that a patient is experiencing acute medical symptoms. For a hospice provider to obtain reimbursement for GIP, a patient must need pain control, or acute or chronic symptom management, which must be managed in a hospital. After an extensive investigation, the United States determined that from 2011-2015, MJHS falsely claimed that some of its patients required CHC and, in 2012, falsely claimed that some patients required GIP.
“It is vital that the terminally ill have appropriate access to hospice care, including levels of care that are available under Medicare and Medicaid. This Office recognizes the importance of preserving limited federal health care funds for this purpose, and to holding health care providers accountable when they seek reimbursement for care that is not reasonable and necessary,” stated Acting United States Attorney DuCharme.
The allegations were brought to the government’s attention through the filing of a complaint pursuant to the qui tam provisions of the False Claims Act. Under the Act, private citizens can bring suit on behalf of the United States and share in any recovery. The claims resolved by the settlement are allegations only and there has been no finding of liability by a court.
The United States’ case was handled by Assistant U.S. Attorney Lisa D. Kutlin of the Office’s Civil Division, with assistance from Affirmative Civil Enforcement Auditor Michael Gambrell.
E.D.N.Y. Docket No. 14-CV-4201 (FB)
New Orleans Man Pleads Guilty to Gun and Drug OffensesRead the Press Release
NEW ORLEANS – U.S. Attorney Peter G. Strasser announced that SHEON COPPRUE, age 49, of New Orleans, pled guilty today to charges relating to drug trafficking, firearm possession, and bribery.
COPPRUE pled guilty to conspiring to distribute and to possess with the intent to distribute 50 grams or more of methamphetamine and 500 grams or more of a mixture and substance containing a detectable amount of methamphetamine, in violation of 21 U.S.C. §§ 841(a)(1), 841(b)(1)(A), and 846. COPPRUE also pled guilty to possession of a firearm by a felon, in violation of 18 U.S.C. § 922(g)(1), and bribery of a public official, in violation of 18 U.S.C. § 201(b)(1).
According to Court documents, COPPRUE conspired with ALLEN EDGERSON a/k/a “King,” DARNELL JOHNSON a/k/a “Yaggi,” and RACHEL CESARIO to ship large quantities of methamphetamine from California to New Orleans. COPPRUE also bribed codefendant TONYA CALVIN, a postal worker, to deliver the drug-filled packages to him in New Orleans. COPPRUE, who was a felon and prohibited from possessing firearms, was caught with four firearms that he kept at his home and another address where he stored narcotics.
For the drug conspiracy, COPPRUE faces a term of imprisonment of at least ten years and up to life in prison, a fine of $10,000,000, and at least five years of supervised release, following any term of imprisonment. For the crime of possessing a firearm as a convicted felon, COPPRUE faces up to ten years in prison, a fine of $250,000, and three years of supervised release following any term of imprisonment. For the bribery count, COPPRUE faces up to fifteen years in prison, a fine of $250,000, and three years of supervised release following any term of imprisonment.
Judge Sarah S. Vance set COPPRUE’s sentencing for December 9, 2020. Trial of the remaining defendants is currently set for October 5, 2020.
U.S. Attorney Strasser praised the work of the United States Postal Inspection Service, the Drug Enforcement Administration, and the Louisiana State Police. Assistant U.S. Attorney Nicholas D. Moses is in charge of the prosecution.
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Mineral County woman admits to methamphetamine distributionRead the Press Release
MARTINSBURG, WEST VIRGINIA – Amber Heward, of Burlington, West Virginia, has admitted to methamphetamine distribution, U.S. Attorney Bill Powell announced.
Heward, also known as “Amber Brown,” age 30, pled guilty to one count of “Conspiracy to Possess with Intent to Distribute and to Distribute Fifty Grams or More of Methamphetamine.” Heward admitted to working with others to distribute more than 50 grams of methamphetamine, also known as “ice,” from October 2018 to February 2019 in Mineral County.
Heward faces at least 10 years and up to life incarceration and a fine of up to $10,000,000. 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 Lara Omps-Botteicher is prosecuting the case on behalf of the government. The Potomac Highlands Drug & Violent Crimes Task Force, a HIDTA-funded initiative, investigated.
U.S. Magistrate Judge Robert W. Trumble presided.
Mexican Citizen with Fraudulent U.S. Passport Sentenced to Two Years in Federal PrisonRead the Press Release
Ocala, Florida – United States District Judge Roy B. Dalton, Jr. has sentenced a Mexican citizen, J. Refugio Medina-Zamarripa (40, Mascotte), to two years in federal prison for passport fraud and aggravated identity theft. Medina-Zamarripa had pleaded guilty on January 13, 2020.
According to court records, Medina-Zamarripa had been living in the United States under a false identity for 15 years. During that time, he fraudulently acquired several state-issued identification cards and a United States passport. When Medina-Zamarripa attempted to renew the passport in 2017, U.S. Department of State investigators discovered that he was using the identity of an American citizen living in Texas, who had been the victim of identity theft.
Following his federal prison sentence, Medina-Zamarripa will be deported back to Mexico.
This case was investigated by U.S. Department of State’s Diplomatic Security Service, with support from the Department of Homeland Security’s U.S. Customs and Border Protection. It was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Michael P. Felicetta.
Meriden Man Sentenced to Prison for Obstructing the IRSRead the Press Release
John H. Durham, United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut, announced that DONALD CARIATI, JR., 45, of Meriden, was sentenced today by U.S. District Judge Michael P. Shea in Hartford to 12 months and one day of imprisonment, followed by one years of supervised release, for obstructing the IRS. Judge Shea also ordered Cariati to pay a $95,000 fine, and restitution of more than $1 million.
According to court documents and statements made in court today, Cariati owns and operates Cariati Developers Inc. (“CDI”), a snowplow and hauling business based in Wallingford. Between 2013 and 2017, Cariati paid several CDI employees with company checks asserting that they were independent contractors or subcontractors in order to evade the responsibility to withhold and pay over taxes to the IRS. However, Cariati and CDI failed to issue Forms 1099 to these “subcontractors” for particular years. Cariati also informed certain individuals that they were being paid off the books, meaning that their pay was not reported to the IRS.
In late 2015, the IRS began an audit of CDI. During the course of this audit, Cariati caused fraudulent invoices to be made available to an IRS revenue agent. The invoices were purported to have been created in 2013 and purported to substantiate that individuals were appropriately considered subcontractors.
The investigation also revealed that, in 2014, CDI paid an invoice related to products for Cariati’s cigarette boat. During the IRS audit, Cariati caused his accountant to provide to the IRS a false invoice to make it appear that the purchase was a business expense and not a personal expense.
Judge Shea ordered Cariati to pay restitution of $1,077,048.99. Cariati paid $1 million toward his tax obligation today.
On February 28, 2020, Cariati pleaded guilty to one count of obstructing or impeding the due administration of the Internal Revenue laws.
Cariati, who is released on bond, is required to report to prison in 90 days.
This matter was investigated by the Internal Revenue Service – Criminal Investigation Division. The case was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Jennifer Laraia.
Member of Sanford Cocaine Trafficking Conspiracy Sentenced to Federal PrisonRead the Press Release
Orlando, Florida – U.S. District Judge G. Kendall Sharp today sentenced Antonio Chandler (40, Sanford) to five years in federal prison for conspiracy to possess with the intent to distribute more than 500 grams of cocaine. Chandler had pleaded guilty to his role in the conspiracy on June 4, 2020. His co-conspirators, Dondi Kentrail Freeney and Telvin Williams, pleaded guilty in June 2019. They were sentenced to seven years and six months and five years in federal prison, respectively. A fourth conspirator, Benjamin Robinson, was found guilty after a jury trial on August 9, 2019. He was sentenced to more than nine years in federal prison.
According to testimony and evidence presented at trial and during court hearings, in January 2016, Chandler and his co-conspirators arranged for multiple shipments of cocaine to be sent through the United States Postal Service (USPS) from California. During the investigation, the FBI and USPS seized three of the packages, each containing two kilograms of cocaine hidden inside tubs of protein powder. Law enforcement was also identified four additional shipments that the conspirators had successfully shipped through the mail. In 2016, during the month of January Robinson and his co-conspirators were responsible for shipping 14 kilograms of cocaine through the mail, estimated to be worth a total $490,000.
This case was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation, with assistance from the U.S. Postal Inspection Service, the Lake County Sherriff’s Office, and the Volusia Bureau of Investigation. It was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Dana E. Hill.
Max Prison Sentence + Restitution for Discharged Veteran Who Faked Military Honors and Combat-Related Mental Health Illness to Claim VA BenefitsRead the Press Release
COLUMBUS, Ga. – A veteran who reaped federal monetary benefits for faking a mental health condition and who falsely claimed to have earned two of the highest honors bestowed for military service was sentenced to the top of his sentencing guideline range and will pay restitution for his crimes, said Charles “Charlie” Peeler, the United States Attorney for the Middle District of Georgia.
Gregg Ramsdell, 61, of Columbus, was sentenced to 12 months in prison, the top of his federal sentencing guideline range, three years supervised release and was ordered to pay $76,000 in restitution to the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) by U.S. District Judge Clay Land on Tuesday, August 18 after pleading guilty to one count of false statements and one count of violation of the Stolen Valor Act. There is no parole in the federal system.
“Ramsdell’s conduct does a disservice to all of those who exhibit true valor, serving honorably and courageously in our nation’s armed forces. He will pay the penalty for claiming to be the hero he was not, and reaping monetary benefits reserved for our nation’s true heroes,” said U.S. Attorney Charlie Peeler. “I want to thank the FBI for unraveling his lies, and working alongside us and the VA to protect the integrity of a system built only for those who have sacrificed for and served our country.”
“The sentenced imposed on Ramsdell sends a clear message that anyone who falsely claims to have received our Nation’s most valorous medals earned through combat and service will be held accountable. VA OIG is resolute in investigating allegations of ‘Stolen Valor’ and holding those who attempt to besmirch the heroic service of our military for personal gain responsible for their deceitful acts,” said David Spilker, Special Agent in Charge, VA Office of Inspector General.
"Anyone who lies about serving our country to illegally take tax payer money from federal programs that help deserving veterans must be held accountable to the full extent of our laws," said Chris Hacker, Special Agent in Charge of FBI Atlanta. "Hopefully Ramsdell's sentence will bring solace to every veteran insulted by his actions, particularly those who suffered physical and mental trauma for their commitment and valor."
Ramsdell admitted that he falsely claimed to have suffered post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) when he applied for disability payments from the VA on September 7, 2014. Ramsdell wrote that he witnessed horrible atrocities during deployment in Afghanistan from October 2008 to March 2009. Among other stressors, he stated he had seen "men, women and children being executed. Women holding babies while detonating themselves. IED explosions causing severe bodily injuries and death. Retrieving body parts and bagging them. Having blood and body excrements being blown onto my uniform." He also falsely claimed that these experiences made him “unable to live a normal life.” As a result of Ramsdell’s false claims, the VA gave him added PTSD benefits retroactive to his military discharge date of June 1, 2014 totaling $76,000. In truth, Ramsdell was not in Afghanistan during that period of time that he claimed to witness the atrocities that supported his false PTSD claim, and he admitted to investigators that he lied about having PTSD. In addition, Ramsdell applied for and attained a coveted civilian position at U.S. Army Fort Benning in 2017, in part because his resume listed that he was both a Silver Star and Purple Heart with Cluster recipient. He never received these honors.
The Stolen Valor Act of 2013 makes it a crime for people to pass themselves off as war heroes in order to claim money, employment, property or other tangible benefits. The Silver Star medal is the third highest honor bestowed by the U.S. Army. The Purple Heart medal is awarded to members of the U.S. Armed Forces who are wounded or killed in battle. An additional Oak Leaf Cluster is given to Army and Air Force service members to indicate being wounded in combat on more than one occasion.
The case was investigated by the FBI and the Department of Veterans Affairs, Office of the Inspector General. Assistant U.S. Attorney Melvin Hyde 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.
Massachusetts Man Indicted for Mailing Threatening Communications to Circuit JudgeRead the Press Release
CHARLESTON, W.Va. - A federal grand jury has indicted Keith Lessard, 40, of Uxbridge, Massachusetts, for mailing threatening communications to a Kanawha County Circuit Judge, according to United States Attorney Mike Stuart.
According to the indictment, Lessard engaged in a series of communications with the Judge and others using email and the United States Postal Service. The indictment alleges that the communications were part of a scheme to extort money from the Judge by threatening injury to her reputation by claiming that she engaged in illegal prosecutorial misconduct in a 2010 case against Lessard when she was serving as an Assistant Prosecuting Attorney in Kanawha County.
“Threats of any kind are taken seriously and investigated, especially when those threats target a member of the judiciary,” said United States Attorney Mike Stuart. “Lessard now faces two years if convicted of this scheme that targeted a judge.”
“These threats are taken very seriously and an example of the FBI’s dedication to keeping our community safe,” said FBI Pittsburgh Special Agent in Charge Michael Christman. “These charges should send the message that we will not tolerate sending threatening words to victims in our communities.”
Lessard faces up to two years in prison, if convicted.
The Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) and the United States Postal Inspection Service (USPIS) are conducting the investigation. Assistant United States Attorney Joshua C. Hanks is handling the prosecution.
Please note: An indictment is merely an allegation and the defendants are presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.
A copy of this press release is located on the website of the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of West Virginia. Related court documents and information can be found on PACER by searching for Case No. 2:20-cr-00144.
Follow us on Twitter: SDWVNews and USAttyStuart
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Maryland Woman Sentenced to Three Years of Probation for Making False Statements When Purchasing FirearmsRead the Press Release
HARRISBURG – The United States Attorney’s Office for the Middle District of Pennsylvania announced that Shanique Hall, age 29, of Mount Rainier, Maryland, was sentenced on August 18, 2020, by the U.S. District Court Judge Christopher C. Conner to three years of probation for making false statements when purchasing firearms.
According to United States Attorney David J. Freed, Hall previously pleaded guilty to falsely stating that she was a resident of Pennsylvania when she purchased multiple firearms in central Pennsylvania in 2018. Hall admitted that she provided this false information when, on four occasions, she purchased or attempted to purchase a total of eight firearms.
The case was investigated by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives. Assistant U.S. Attorney Carlo D. Marchioli prosecuted the case.
This case is part of Project Guardian, the Department of Justice’s signature initiative to reduce gun violence and enforce federal firearms laws. Initiated by the Attorney General in the fall of 2019, Project Guardian draws upon the Department’s past successful programs to reduce gun violence; enhances coordination of federal, state, local, and tribal authorities in investigating and prosecuting gun crimes; improves information-sharing by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives when a prohibited individual attempts to purchase a firearm and is denied by the National Instant Criminal Background Check System (NICS), to include taking appropriate actions when a prospective purchaser is denied by the NICS for mental health reasons; and ensures that federal resources are directed at the criminals posing the greatest threat to our communities.
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Man Accused of Threatening the San Diego Pride Parade Sentenced to 70 Months for Armed Bank RobberiesRead the Press Release
Assistant U. S. Attorney Mario J. Peia (619) 546-9706
NEWS RELEASE SUMMARY – August 17, 2020
SAN DIEGO – A man who allegedly threatened to “kill all the gays and children” at the San Diego Pride parade was sentenced to 70 months in prison today after pleading guilty to one count of bank robbery and two counts of armed bank robbery.
According to a federal complaint, Andre Lafayette Holmes robbed US Bank on Campo Road in Spring Valley on November 4, 2016; Mission Federal Credit Union in San Diego on June 14, 2018, and California Bank and Trust on Fifth Avenue, also in San Diego, on June 28, 2019. In the first crime he claimed to have a gun; in the second and third robberies he pointed a pistol at tellers, the complaint said.
FBI agents identified Holmes as the armed bank robber in three unsolved cases following threats he made to the San Diego Pride Parade organizers on July 10, 2019. In the first of two late-morning phone calls to pride organizers’ main line, a caller stated: “I think I’m going to have to kill all the gays and the children.” He then repeated, “I’m going to have to kill the f------ and children.” The employee asked, “Sir, what’s your name?” The caller replied: “I don’t like them” and “I hate the f------.” He then hung up. About four minutes later, he called back. “F--- Donald Trump. I hate Hillary. I hate f---. I’m going to shoot up the Pride event.” The male caller repeated the same statement approximately four times.
On July 11, San Diego Police Department investigators identified the phone number as belonging to Holmes. They determined that Holmes drives a 2009 Toyota minivan registered in his name. They located Holmes near Miramar College and conducted a traffic stop. He was in possession of the phone from which the threats were made, the complaint said.
During subsequent searches of Holmes residence and vehicle, investigators discovered evidence of the armed bank robberies, including a gray semi-automatic pistol, a rubber “old man” style mask, a large bag of cash and clothing believed worn by the bank robber, among other things. They also found a Big Gulp 7-Eleven mug consistent with the one used during two of the robberies.
In the first robbery, the complaint alleges that Holmes used a demand note which said: “We have guns! I will personally shoot anyone you alert! Don’t make me jump over the counter and kill innocent people. Big bills only and I’ll calmly leave. Money now!!!!” On the back of the note, it said: “I’m sorry, good man on hard times. Sincerely, Bank Robber.”
In the second robbery at Mission Federal Credit Union, Holmes pulled a semi-automatic pistol from his pocket and pointed it at a teller and demanded money, the complaint said. He then proceeded to demand money from a second teller.
In the third robbery, Holmes again had a light-colored semiautomatic pistol and verbally demanded money.
Holmes is presently charged in the San Diego County Superior Court for the threats made to the San Diego Pride Parade.
“This dangerous defendant was apprehended because of excellent investigation by the FBI and terrific work by prosecutor Mario Peia,” said U.S. Attorney Robert Brewer. “Mr. Holmes terrorized bank employees and put their lives at risk, and for that he goes where he deserves to go- prison.”
“The FBI is committed to investigating, prosecuting, and incarcerating dangerous violent criminals who threaten the safety and security of our community,” said Omer Meisel, Acting Special Agent in Charge of FBI's San Diego Field Office. “Mr. Jones is a dangerous criminal who utilized a firearm in the commission of his crimes and today a violent criminal was brought to justice.”
This case is the result of the ongoing efforts of the Violent Crime and Human Trafficking (VCHT) Section. Formed in 2019, by U.S. Attorney Robert S. Brewer Jr., the VCHT is tasked with leading collaborations between federal and local law enforcement in the investigation and prosecution of cases involving violent crimes, firearms and gang cases; sex trafficking and child exploitation; civil rights, and labor trafficking. The VCHT Section oversees the Southern District of California Coordinators for Project Safe Neighborhoods, Human Trafficking, and Project Safe Childhood.
DEFENDANT Case Number 19cr3018-LAB
Andre Lafayette Holmes Age: 31 San Diego, California
SUMMARY OF CHARGES
Bank Robbery – Title 18, U.S.C., Section 2113(a)
Maximum penalty: Twenty years
Armed Bank Robbery – Title 18, U.S.C., Section 2113(a) & (d)
Maximum penalty: Twenty five years
Brandishing a Firearm in Commission of Crime of Violence – Title 18, U.S.C., Section 924(c)
Maximum penalty: Life in prison; Consecutive mandatory minimum: Seven years
AGENCY
Federal Bureau of Investigation
San Diego Police Department
Malden Woman Indicted for Stealing Social Security Benefits and Bank EmbezzlementRead the Press Release
BOSTON – A Malden woman was arrested today and charged with stealing Social Security benefits and bank embezzlement.
Materesa Jose, 52, was charged with one count of theft of public funds and one count of bank embezzlement. Jose was arrested today and will make an initial appearance before U.S. District Court Magistrate Judge Jennifer Boal at 3:30 p.m.
According to the indictment, Jose, while an employee at Eastern Bank, stole approximately $27,605 from the bank, some of which consisted of Social Security benefits, from September 2017 through July 2018.
The charge of theft of public funds provides for a sentence of up to 10 years in prison, three years of supervised release and a fine of $250,000 or twice the gross gain or loss, whichever is greater. The charge of bank embezzlement provides for a sentence of up to 30 years in prison, five years of supervised release and a fine of $250,000 or twice the gross gain or loss, whichever is greater. Sentences are imposed by a federal district court judge based upon the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors.
United States Attorney Andrew E. Lelling; Tonya Perkins, Acting Special Agent in Charge of the Social Security Administration, Office of Inspector General, Office of Investigations, Boston Field Division; and Matthew Shea, Acting Special Agent in Charge of Homeland Security Investigations in Boston made the announcement today. Special Assistant U.S. Attorney Karen Burzycki of Lelling’s Major Crimes Unit is prosecuting the case.
The details contained in the charging documents are allegations. The defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.
Lynn Haven Mayor and City Attorney Indicted for Corruption and Fraud Charges Stemming from Hurricane Michael Clean-up ActivitiesRead the Press Release
PANAMA CITY, FLORIDA – Lynn Haven City’s Mayor and Attorney are the subjects of a 64-count indictment returned yesterday by a federal grand jury in Panama City, Florida. Lynn Haven Mayor Margo Anderson, 65, of Jacksonville, Florida, and Lynn Haven City Attorney Joseph Adam Albritton, 33, of Lynn Haven, Florida, have been indicted for conspiring to commit wire fraud and honest services fraud, substantive counts of wire fraud, honest services fraud, and theft concerning federal programs. Anderson is also charged with making false statements to FBI agents. Albritton is charged with submitting a false invoice to an insurance company for hurricane debris removal from his residence.
United States Attorney Lawrence Keefe of the Northern District of Florida, Special Agent in Charge Rachel Rojas of the Federal Bureau of Investigation’s Jacksonville Division, and Bay County Sheriff Tommy Ford made the announcement at a press conference held today.
“This indictment serves as a powerful message to all public officials and any other citizen who serves in a position of trust,” said U.S. Attorney Keefe. “Our Public Trust Unit, working alongside our federal, state and local law enforcement partners, are committed to investigating and prosecuting anyone who illegally abuses a position of trust for personal gain. The integrity of those who run our government is essential to our democracy.”
Anderson was arrested by FBI agents this morning at her Jacksonville, Florida, residence. Her initial appearance is scheduled for 2:30 p.m. EST today at the United States Courthouse in Jacksonville. Albritton was arrested by deputies of the Bay County Sherriff’s Office this morning in Lynn Haven, Florida. His initial appearance is scheduled for 4:00 p.m. EST today at the United States Courthouse in Tallahassee.
"This case is an example of what happens when public servants becomes complicit in corrupt behavior rather than standing up to it," said Rachel L. Rojas, Special Agent in Charge of the FBI Jacksonville Division. "Anyone who puts personal greed above their responsibility to protect the public should be held accountable, and that is why rooting out corrupt public officials remains the FBI’s number one criminal investigative priority."
Following Hurricane Michael, on October 16, 2018, the City of Lynn Haven adopted a local state of emergency for post-disaster relief and planning. The City also approved a resolution waiving the procedures that are normally required under Florida law so that timely action could be taken to ensure the safety, welfare, and health of the citizens of Lynn Haven. The resolution delegated emergency powers to Mayor Anderson or her designee, meaning they could independently enter into contracts and spend public funds. Although the emergency declaration was ended by Lynn Haven two weeks later, the city entered into an emergency agreement with David White, owner of Erosion Control Specialists (ECS) to perform hurricane clean-up services.
The indictment returned yesterday alleges ECS was paid for services that were not authorized under the emergency contract. According to the indictment, unauthorized work valued at over $48,000 was performed at the private residences of Anderson, her mother, and a neighbor, and an additional $25,000 worth of unauthorized work was performed at the private residences of Albritton and his girlfriend. The indictment alleges that ECS invoices falsely claimed this work was provided to Lynn Haven public areas. After the unauthorized work was performed, Albritton went on to file a fraudulent claim with St. John’s Insurance Company that his residence had been damaged by Hurricane Michael, according to the indictment. Albritton is charged with providing the insurance company with a false invoice from ECS indicating he had paid for tree removal, debris removal, and installation of a tarp to his residence totaling $9,600.
Anderson and Albritton are also charged with devising a scheme to defraud Lynn Haven and its citizens of their right to honest services of Anderson, as Mayor, and Albritton, as City Attorney. The indictment alleges that both Anderson and Albritton solicited and received bribes or kickbacks from City projects that they approved.
After the initial emergency declaration by Lynn Haven expired, the indictment alleges Albritton conspired with then-City Manager Michael White to award a trash pick-up project to ECS. Although Lynn Haven waste trucks had the ability to perform the same work at no additional cost to the city, ECS was paid $300 per hour, per crew for this task. The indictment charges Albritton with demanding, and receiving, $10,000 in cash for each weeks of trash services billed to Lynn Haven by ECS from mid-October 2018 through January 2019. The city of Lynn Haven was ultimately billed $1.8 million for unnecessary trash pick-up according to the indictment.
The indictment alleges that Anderson halted progress on plans to permit a city-owned site for disposal of vegetative debris, even though using the city-owned site would have saved Lynn Haven millions of dollars in disposal fees. Instead, the indictment alleges Anderson told the City Manager to use a privately owned company (Company B) for vegetative debris disposal. According to the indictment, the city of Lynn Haven paid disposal fees in excess of $2 million to Company B. Additionally, the indictment charges that between 2015 and the present date, Anderson helped Company B win multiple other multi-million dollar contracts with the city of Lynn Haven. In return, the indictment charges Anderson with accepting things of value from the owner of Company B, including travel in a private airplane, lodging aboard a private yacht, meals and entertainment. According to the indictment, Anderson and her husband also received a $106,000 motorhome from Company B in February 2018.
During the time periods when the alleged crimes were being committed, neither Anderson nor Albritton filed required quarterly gift reports documenting that they received gifts in excess of $100 according to the indictment.
This investigation was conducted by the Federal Bureau of Investigation and the Bay County Sheriff’s Office. The case is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Stephen M. Kunz.
“I am proud of the efforts of the senior criminal investigators and analysts from the Bay County Sheriff’s Office, and at the expertise of the team assembled by U.S. Attorney Larry Keefe and Special Agent in Charge Rachel Rojas,” said Tommy Ford, Bay County Sheriff. “Through this partnership we will work to root out corruption and hold those responsible for taking advantage of us during our most vulnerable time. This investigation remains very active and ongoing.”
If convicted, both Anderson and Albritton face prison terms of up to 20 years for conspiracy to commit wire fraud and honest services fraud, substantive wire fraud and honest services fraud, and mail fraud, and 10 years for theft concerning programs receiving federal funds. Anderson could be sentenced to an additional 5 year term if convicted for making false statements to federal agents and Albritton faces a maximum of 20 years for submitting a false invoice to an insurance company.
This indictment is a follow-up to the indictment returned in November 2019 of five defendants, including former Lynn Haven City Manager Michael White, former Lynn Haven Community Services Director David Horton, and Erosion Control Specialists owner David White, for conspiring to commit wire fraud, substantive counts of wire fraud and honest services fraud, relating to post-Hurricane Michael clean-up activities in Lynn Haven. All five of the defendants indicted in November have pled guilty to charges from the first indictment, and are awaiting sentencing.
An indictment is merely an allegation by a grand jury that a defendant has committed a violation of federal criminal law and is not evidence of guilt. All defendants are presumed innocent and entitled to a fair trial, during which it will be the government’s burden to prove guilt beyond a reasonable doubt.
The United States Attorney’s Office for the Northern District of Florida is one of 94 offices that serve as the nation’s principal litigators under the direction of the Attorney General. To access public court documents online, please visit the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Florida website. For more information about the United States Attorney’s Office, Northern District of Florida, visit http://www.justice.gov/usao/fln/index.html.
Press Release - Anderson and Albritton Anderson Albritton IndictmentJuvenile Carjacker Sentenced to 186 Months in Prison for Six Armed CarjackingsRead the Press Release
St. Louis, Missouri – Deron Mitchell, Jr., 19, of St. Louis, was sentenced to 186 months in prison for his involvement in six armed carjackings committed in 2018. In February 2020, Mitchell pled guilty to six counts of carjacking and two counts of brandishing a firearm in furtherance of a crime of violence. Mitchell appeared today before U.S. District Judge Rodney W. Sippel.
According to court documents, Mitchell and co-defendant Deandre Moore committed six carjackings – one on September 6, 2018; two on November 4, 2018; and three on November 5, 2018. Both defendants were caught with firearms while occupying a stolen car that contained personal property taken in other carjackings. Mitchell and Moore were arrested on November 6, 2018, and Mitchell confessed to the carjackings.
Moore previously pleaded guilty and was sentenced in May to 186 months in prison for his role in these offenses.
The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, St. Louis Metropolitan Police Department and the Maplewood Police Department investigated this case. Assistant United States Attorney Paul D’Agrosa handled this case for the United States Attorney’s Office.
Iranian National and U.A.E. Business Organization Charged with Criminal Conspiracy to Violate Iranian SanctionsRead the Press Release
Amin Mahdavi, 53, an Iranian national living in the United Arab Emirates (UAE), and Parthia Cargo LLC, a freight forwarding company located in the UAE, were charged in the U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia with participating in a criminal conspiracy to violate U.S. export laws and sanctions against Iran.
“Iran evades the U.S. embargo resulting from their malicious activities with the collaboration of those who pose as innocent buyers, but who are ready to send the products on to their forbidden destination,” said Assistant Attorney General for National Security John C. Demers. “These charges against Parthia Cargo LLC and its managing director should put on notice all freight forwarders and others who facilitate illicit transshipments to Iran that their conduct will not be tolerated.”
“We will not abide individuals or business organizations that seek to harm our national security by providing coveted U.S. goods to Iran, and we will pursue these wrongdoers no matter where they are located in the world,” said Acting U.S. Attorney Michael R. Sherwin for the District of Columbia.
“Amin Mahdavi defiantly conspired and violated U.S. sanctions to benefit his company and Iran,” said James A. Dawson, Acting Assistant Director in Charge of the FBI Washington Field Office. “Today’s charges are another example of the dedicated and unrelenting efforts of the FBI and the U.S. Attorney's Office to pursue those who violate our nation's sanctions and put our national security at risk. The FBI is charged with protecting our nation's security and intellectual property from being used to benefit our foreign adversaries.”
“The actions today are a result of the ongoing coordination and collaborative counter proliferation efforts by the Office of Export Enforcement and the FBI,” said P. Lee Smith, of BIS. “The Boston Field Office of the Office of Export Enforcement will continue to vigorously pursue violators with all law enforcement partners to interdict illicit trade that threatens U.S. national security and undermines U.S. foreign policy.”
Mahdavi and Parthia Cargo LLC were charged in a criminal complaint with conspiring to defraud the United States and to violate the International Emergency Economic Powers Act (IEEPA) and the Iranian Transactions and Sanctions Regulations (ITSRs).
The affidavit in support of the criminal complaint alleges that Mahdavi was the Managing Director of Parthia Cargo LLC, a business organization that facilitated the illegal shipment to Iran of goods manufactured in the United States. Mahdavi acknowledged to U.S. government officials in 2017 that he understood a U.S. government license was necessary to lawfully ship U.S. commercial aircraft parts to Iran. But Mahdavi nonetheless agreed to help ship a U.S.-origin commercial aircraft part to an Iranian air transport company, utilizing the freight forwarding services of Parthia Cargo LLC and without obtaining a license. Mahdavi and Parthia Cargo LLC conspired with individuals and business organizations located outside the United States as part of the criminal scheme, which included falsely stating to a U.S.-based aircraft parts supplier that the goods would not be shipped to Iran unless authorized by the U.S. government.
A concurrent action was filed by the Department of the Treasury, sanctioning Mahdavi and Parthia Cargo LLC, as well as a related UAE business organization, Delta Parts Supply FZC.
If convicted, Mahdavi would face up to five years of imprisonment and a fine of up to $250,000, and Parthia Cargo LLC would face a fine of up to $500,000. The criminal charge in the complaint is an allegation, and Mahdavi and Parthia Cargo LLC are presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt.
The investigation was conducted by the FBI’s Washington Field Office and the BIS’s Boston Field Office. Assistant U.S. Attorney Michael J. Friedman and National Security Division Trial Attorney Jennifer Kennedy Gellie are representing the United States.
Iranian National and U.A.E. Business Organization Charged with Criminal Conspiracy to Violate Iranian SanctionsRead the Press Release
WASHINGTON – Amin Mahdavi, 53, an Iranian national living in the United Arab Emirates (UAE), and Parthia Cargo LLC, a freight forwarding company located in the UAE, were charged in the United States District Court for the District of Columbia with participating in a criminal conspiracy to violate U.S. export laws and sanctions against Iran.
“We will not abide individuals or business organizations that seek to harm our national security by providing coveted U.S. goods to Iran, and we will pursue these wrongdoers no matter where they are located in the world,” said Acting U.S. Attorney Michael R. Sherwin.
“Iran evades the U.S. embargo resulting from their malicious activities with the collaboration of those who pose as innocent buyers, but who are ready to send the products on to their forbidden destination,” said Assistant Attorney General for National Security John C. Demers. “These charges against Parthia Cargo LLC and its managing director should put on notice all freight forwarders and others who facilitate illicit transshipments to Iran that their conduct will not be tolerated.”
"Amin Mahdavi defiantly conspired and violated U.S. sanctions to benefit his company and Iran," said James A. Dawson, Acting Assistant Director in Charge of the FBI Washington Field Office. "Today’s charges are another example of the dedicated and unrelenting efforts of the FBI and the US Attorney's Office to pursue those who violate our nation's sanctions and put our national security at risk. The FBI is charged with protecting our nation's security and intellectual property from being used to benefit our foreign adversaries."
“The actions today are a result of the ongoing coordination and collaborative counter-proliferation efforts by the Office of Export Enforcement and the FBI,” said P. Lee Smith, of BIS. “We will continue to vigorously pursue violators with all law enforcement partners to interdict illicit trade that threatens U.S. national security and undermines U.S. foreign policy.”
Mahdavi and Parthia Cargo LLC were charged in a criminal complaint with conspiring to defraud the United States and to violate the International Emergency Economic Powers Act (IEEPA) and the Iranian Transactions and Sanctions Regulations (ITSRs).
The affidavit in support of the criminal complaint alleges that Mahdavi was the Managing Director of Parthia Cargo LLC, a business organization that facilitated the illegal shipment to Iran of goods manufactured in the United States. Mahdavi acknowledged to U.S. government officials in 2017 that he understood a U.S. government license was necessary to lawfully ship U.S. commercial aircraft parts to Iran. But Mahdavi nonetheless agreed to help ship a U.S.-origin commercial aircraft part to an Iranian air transport company, utilizing the freight forwarding services of Parthia Cargo LLC and without obtaining a license. Mahdavi and Parthia Cargo LLC conspired with individuals and business organizations located outside the United States as part of the criminal scheme, which included falsely stating to a U.S.-based aircraft parts supplier that the goods would not be shipped to Iran unless authorized by the U.S. government.
A concurrent action was taken by the Department of the Treasury, sanctioning Mahdavi and Parthia Cargo LLC, as well as a related UAE business organization, Delta Parts Supply FZC.
If convicted, Mahdavi would face up to five years of imprisonment and a fine of up to $250,000, and Parthia Cargo LLC would face a fine of up to $500,000. The criminal charge in the complaint is an allegation, and Mahdavi and Parthia Cargo LLC are presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt.
The investigation was conducted by the FBI’s Washington Field Office and the BIS’s Boston Field Office. Assistant U.S. Attorney Michael J. Friedman and National Security Division Trial Attorney Jennifer Kennedy Gellie are representing the United States.
Investment Advisor Indicted for Fraud While Out on Bail for Similar OffensesRead the Press Release
PHILADELPHIA – United States Attorney William M. McSwain announced that Jason C. Weigand, 50, of Denver, PA has been charged by Indictment with mail fraud, wire fraud, and interstate transportation of stolen securities, while on bail for separate, similar offenses.
The Indictment announced today alleges that Weigand helped a former client of his, identified in court documents as “AH,” recover on life insurance policies when her husband died. Weigand later convinced AH to provide him with at least $239,000, which he told her that he would invest on her behalf. However, according to the Indictment, Weigand did not invest the client’s money in appropriate investments as he promised, but instead used the money for his own personal and business purposes, including payments to his personal line of credit, his Visa credit card, and his Lincoln MKZ and Chevy Suburban car loans.
In October 2017, Weigand was charged in a separate federal Indictment with allegedly misusing funds belonging to his clients. He was arrested on those charges and released subject to conditions including that he not commit any “Federal, State, or local crime during the period of release.” He allegedly violated those conditions by committing some of the offenses alleged in the current Indictment. Further, during the relevant time period, Weigand did not even possess a license to act as an investment advisor.
According to the Indictment, Weigand was a registered investment advisor in Pennsylvania between 2009 and 2014, and in New Jersey between 2011 and 2014. He voluntarily surrendered his licenses as an investment advisor in both states in 2014. In the case of his Pennsylvania license, Weigand terminated it on April 10, 2014—the same day that he was questioned by investigators from the Pennsylvania Department of Banking and Securities about his investment advisor activities.
“Weigand is alleged to be a serial fraudster with no respect for the law,” said U.S. Attorney McSwain. “Rather than serving his clients, he served himself. Prosecuting financial and securities fraud -- and thereby safeguarding innocent investors -- has been and will continue to be a top priority of my Office.”
“Jason Weigand was first arrested in 2017 by Postal Inspectors from the Philadelphia Division for stealing money from his investment advisory clients,” said Postal Inspector in Charge, Damon Wood. “Since 2017, while preparing to defend himself on those charges, Mr. Weigand went back to his old ways, stealing money from his investment clients. I applaud the diligence of the investigators and prosecutors in this case to not only prepare for trial but to follow up on allegations of new crimes. The Postal Inspection Service has long prided itself as being a leader in investigating investments frauds. From snake oil salesmen in the 19th century to modern day Wall Street frauds, if the United States Mail is used, Postal Inspectors will work tirelessly to bring the perpetrators to justice.”
If convicted, the defendant faces a maximum possible sentence of 120 years imprisonment, $1,500,000 fine, 3 years supervised release, $600 special assessment.
The case was investigated by the United States Postal Inspection Service, and is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorneys Katherine Driscoll and Paul Shapiro.
An indictment, information, or criminal complaint is an accusation. A defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.
Indictments: Aliens Were Deported, but Returned to the U.S.Read the Press Release
TOPEKA, KAN. – In three unrelated cases, a federal grand jury today indicted aliens who are accused of returning to the United States after being deported, U.S. Attorney Stephen McAllister said.
Enrique Jaime Ortega-Rodriguez, 40, a Mexican citizen, is charged with one count of unlawful re-entry. The indictment alleges that on July 26, 2020, he was found in Dodge City, Kan. In November 2015, he was deported from San Ysidro, Calif.
If convicted, he could face up to two years in federal prison and a fine up to $250,000. Immigration and Customs Enforcement investigated. Assistant U.S. Attorney Lanny Welch is prosecuting.
Edgar Castro-Motta, 39, is charged with one count of unlawful re-entry after being convicted of a felony and deported. The indictment alleges that on Jan. 29, 2020, he was found in Johnson County, Kan. In April 2015, he was deported after being convicted of a felony.
If convicted, he could face up to 10 years in federal prison and a fine up to $250,000. Immigration and Customs Enforcement investigated. Assistant U.S. Attorney Jabari Wamble is prosecuting.
Hector Medina-Espericueta, 55, is charged with one count of unlawful re-entry. The indictment alleges that on June 23, 2020, he was found in Johnson County, Kan. In March 2014, he was deported.
If convicted, he could face up to two years in federal prison and a fine up to $250,000. Immigration and Customs Enforcement investigated. Assistant U.S. Attorney Jabari Wamble is prosecuting.
OTHER INDICTMENTS
Casey L. Casto, 38, Milford, Kan., who was an employee of the U.S. Postal Service in Milford, is charged with two counts of delaying or destroying mail. The crimes are alleged to have occurred during June and July 2019 in Milford.
If convicted, the defendant could face up to five years in federal prison and a fine up to $250,000 on each count. The U.S. Postal Service investigated. Assistant U.S. Attorney Christine Kenney is prosecuting.
Chloe Jean Heather, 28, Holts Summit, Mo., and Paul Edward Raef, 38, Holts Summit, Mo., are charged with one count of possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine. The crime is alleged to have occurred June 18, 2020, in Geary County, Kan.
If convicted, they could face a penalty of not less than 10 years in federal prison and a fine up to $10 million. The Drug Enforcement Administration investigated. Special Assistant U.S. Attorney Lindsey Debenham is prosecuting.
In all cases, defendants are presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty. The indictments merely contain allegations of criminal conduct.
Hood River Man Sentenced for Role in Interstate Marijuana Trafficking and Money Laundering ConspiracyRead the Press Release
PORTLAND, Ore.—A Hood River, Oregon man was sentenced to federal prison last week for his role in a conspiracy to traffic marijuana grown in Hood River and Portland to Florida, and launder the proceeds back to Oregon, announced U.S. Attorney Billy J. Williams. On August 14, 2020, Cole William Griffiths, 32, was sentenced to two years in federal prison and five years’ supervised release.
According to court documents, in April 2018, following several months of investigation, authorities executed a search warrant at Griffiths’ Hood River residence, seizing 4,376 marijuana plants, $7,700 in cash, firearms, ammunition and several vehicles. Griffiths was not present during the search, having just left for Florida. Investigators later seized a yacht Griffiths owned in Florida valued at approximately $225,000.
On August 21, 2018, a federal grand jury in Portland returned a three-count indictment charging Griffiths with conspiring to manufacture, possess with the intent to distribute, and distribute marijuana and maintaining drug-involved premises; conspiring to commit money laundering; and illegally possessing a firearm as a convicted felon. On April 22, 2019, Griffiths pleaded guilty to the first two counts.
During sentencing, U.S. District Court Judge Robert E. Jones ordered Griffiths to forfeit any criminally-derived proceeds and property used to facilitate his crimes, including more than $256,956 in U.S. currency; a 2000 Sealine F44 Yacht; eight vehicles; two all-terrain vehicles; four trailers; heavy construction equipment; and 14 firearms.
This case was investigated by the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration, IRS Criminal Investigation, Homeland Security Investigations, and the FBI. It was prosecuted by the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Oregon.
This case was brought as part of the Justice Department’s Organized Crime and Drug Enforcement Task Force (OCDETF) program, the centerpiece of the department’s strategy for reducing the availability of drugs in the U.S. OCDETF was established in 1982 to mount a comprehensive attack on drug trafficking by disrupting and dismantling major drug trafficking and money laundering organizations. Today, OCDETF combines the resources and expertise of its member federal agencies in coordination with state and local law enforcement.
Hillsborough County Man Sentenced to 19 Years for Enticement of A Minor and Production of Child PornographyRead the Press Release
Tampa, Florida – U.S. District Judge Virginia Hernandez Covington has sentenced Thomas Hill (41, Hillsborough County) to 19 years in federal prison for enticement of minor and production of child pornography. Hill had pleaded guilty on January 7, 2020.
According to court documents, starting in November 2018, Hill began communicating online with a 17-year-old girl in Georgia. At Hill’s direction, the girl produced pornographic images of herself and transmitted them to Hill in Tampa via Skype messenger. In online chats, Hill also instructed the victim to use various objects to penetrate herself, to refer to herself as his slave, and to address him as “master.” Hill and the victim made plans for Hill to take the victim from her home in Georgia so she could live with him and told the victim that he would physically and sexually abuse her and their future offspring.
In early December 2018, Hill drove to Georgia, picked up the victim without her parents’ knowledge or consent, and brought her back to Tampa to live with him. Once in Tampa, Hill forced the victim to engage in non-consensual sex acts. Hill also made the victim perform unpaid menial labor at his house and restricted her ability to leave the residence or communicate with outsiders. After living with Hill for several weeks, the victim fled Hill’s home and was discovered by local law enforcement running down the street, crying for help.
“The facts of this case are beyond disturbing. Mr. Hill forced his young victim to commit horrific and unspeakable acts,” said Michael F. McPherson, Special Agent in Charge of FBI Tampa Division. “These investigations are tough to work and I am proud of the dedicated special agents who do the job to protect our children from sexual predators.”
This case was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation. It was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Candace Garcia Rich.
This case was brought as part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative launched in May 2006 by the Department of Justice to combat the growing epidemic of child sexual exploitation and abuse. Led by United States Attorneys’ Offices and the Criminal Division’s Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section (CEOS), Project Safe Childhood marshals federal, state, and local resources to locate, apprehend, and prosecute individuals who sexually exploit children, and to identify and rescue victims. For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit www.justice.gov/psc.
Hartford Heroin Trafficker Sentenced to 6 Years in Federal PrisonRead the Press Release
John H. Durham, United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut, announced that FRANCISCO LEON, also known as “Gordo,” 41, of Hartford, was sentenced today by U.S. District Judge Kari A. Dooley in Bridgeport to 72 months of imprisonment, followed by three years of supervised release, for trafficking heroin and illegally possessing firearms.
According to court documents and statements made in court, in June 2019, Hartford Police received information that Leon was selling large quantities of narcotics from an apartment located at 777 Maple Avenue in Hartford. In July 2019, investigators made a controlled purchase of heroin from Leon.
On July 9, 2018, investigators conducted a court-authorized search of the apartment and seized approximately 9,700 bags of heroin, various drug paraphernalia, and a loaded handgun. Leon was arrested on state charges on that date. At the time of his arrest, Leon possessed a U-Haul access cared and three keys from a U-Haul storage facility located on Capitol Avenue in Hartford. A subsequent search of a storage unit controlled by Leon revealed approximately nine kilograms of heroin, two loaded handguns, and assorted ammunition.
Leon’s criminal history includes multiple state convictions related to the possession and sale of narcotics.
On March 28, 2019, Leon pleaded guilty to one count of possession with intent to distribute heroin and one count of possession of a firearm by a convicted felon.
Judge Dooley ordered Leon to forfeit $13,980 that was seized from him during the investigation.
Leon, who is released on $250,000 bond, is required to report to prison on October 29, 2020.
This matter was investigated by the Hartford Police Department and the FBI’s Northern Connecticut Gang Task Force. The Task Force includes members of the Hartford Police Department, East Hartford Police Department, Connecticut State Police and Connecticut Department of Correction. This case was being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Brian P. Leaming.
Hancock County man facing child pornography chargesRead the Press Release
ELKINS, WEST VIRGINIA – Gavin Collins, of Newell, West Virginia, was indicted today on charges involving child pornography, U.S. Attorney Bill Powell announced.
Collins, 29, was indicted by a grand jury on one count of “Production of Child Pornography by Person Having Custody or Control” and one county of “Distribution of Child Pornography.” Collins is accused of producing child pornography with a minor in his custody from September 2018 to July 2020 in Hancock County and distributed child pornography in July 2020.
Collins faces at least 15 years and up to 30 years of incarceration and a fine of up to $250,000 for the production charge and faces no less than five years and up to 20 years of incarceration for the distribution charge. 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 Danae DeMasi-Lemon is prosecuting the case on behalf of the government. The Federal Bureau of Investigation investigated.
An indictment is merely an accusation. A defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.
Great Falls drug trafficker sentenced to prison after more than five pounds of meth seizedRead the Press Release
GREAT FALLS — A Great Falls man who admitted trafficking methamphetamine after agents found more than five pounds of the drug at his residence was sentenced today to six years and eight months in prison and five years of supervised release, U.S. Attorney Kurt Alme said.
Tony Ray Sangrey, 35, pleaded guilty in April to possession with intent to distribute meth.
Chief U.S. District Judge Brian M. Morris presided.
The prosecution said in court documents that in May 2019, Drug Enforcement Administration agents in Bakersfield, CA, contacted DEA agents in Montana with information that a California man was bringing pounds of meth to Great Falls. The Montana agents also learned that the meth was likely destined for Sangrey's residence.
The investigation determined that a meth shipment should have arrived at Sangrey's home in a black BMW. Great Falls police immediately went to Sangrey's home and saw a black BMW parked near the garage. Officers informed Sangrey they were securing the residence and getting a search warrant.
During a search of the garage, officers found a small room labeled "man cave." Inside this room, detectives found a safe and a computer used to monitor the exterior surveillance system on the house and garage. The safe contained a dozen pre-packaged bags of meth that totaled nearly one pound. In the BMW, officers found five heat-sealed bags of meth weighing almost five pounds. The total amount of meth seized was the equivalent of about 20,294 doses. Sangrey acknowledged to officers that he began dealing meth in the summer of 2018.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Jessica Betley prosecuted the case, which was investigated by the DEA, Russell Country Drug Task Force and the Great Falls Police Department.
This case is part of Project Safe Neighborhoods, a U.S. Department of Justice initiative to reduce violent crime. According to the FBI’s Uniform Crime Reports, violent crime in Montana increased by 36% from 2013 to 2018. Through PSN, federal, tribal, state and local law enforcement partners in Montana focus on violent crime driven by methamphetamine trafficking, armed robbers, firearms offenses and violent offenders with outstanding warrants.
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Grand Jury Returns IndictmentsRead the Press Release
MADISON, WIS. -- A federal grand jury in the Western District of Wisconsin, sitting in Madison, returned the following indictments today. You are advised that a charge is merely an accusation and that a defendant is presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty.
Eau Claire Woman Charged With Gun & Drug Crimes
Diana Xiong, 31, Eau Claire, Wisconsin, is charged with being a felon in possession of a firearm and two counts of distributing methamphetamine. The indictment alleges that she possessed a .25 caliber pistol on May 20, 2020, and that she distributed methamphetamine on May 28 and June 1, 2020.
If convicted, Xiong faces a maximum penalty of 10 years in federal prison on the gun charge, and 20 years on each of the drug charges.
The charges against her are the result of an investigation by the Dunn County Sheriff’s Office; Menomonie Police Department; West Central Drug Task Force; Drug Enforcement Administration; Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives; Wisconsin Department of Justice Division of Criminal Investigation; Central Wisconsin Drug Task Force; Brown County Drug Task Force; and St. Paul (Minnesota) Task Force. Assistant U.S. Attorney Taylor L. Kraus is handling the prosecution.
Waunakee Man Charged with Illegally Possessing Firearm
Samuel A. Schiltz, 19, Waunakee, Wisconsin, is charged with being a felon in possession of a firearm. The indictment alleges that on May 11, 2020, he possessed a .40 caliber handgun.
If convicted, Schiltz faces a maximum penalty of 10 years in federal prison. The charge against him is the result of an investigation by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives and the Wisconsin Department of Justice Division of Criminal Investigation. Assistant U.S. Attorney Corey C. Stephan is handling the prosecution.
Evansville Woman Charged with Fraud Scheme
Nichole Genz, 40, Evansville, Wisconsin, is charged with conspiring to commit wire fraud and nine counts of wire fraud in relation to a scheme to defraud her employer, Learning Gardens Child Development Center, a business that provided child care services for infants and toddlers. Learning Gardens is a subsidiary entity of Park Towne Development Corporation, a Madison, Wisconsin-based company. The indictment alleges that Genz, working with an individual not named in the indictment who was employed as the accounting manager at Park Towne, caused losses in excess of $311,000 to Park Towne and its subsidiaries, including Learning Gardens.
The indictment alleges that from January 2014 to September 2018, while employed as the Executive Director at Learning Gardens, Genz and her co-conspirator embezzled funds from Park Towne by the following methods:
- Depositing some tuition checks into the Learning Gardens petty cash account and withdrawing the funds in cash, instead of depositing them into the Park Towne main operating account;
- Issuing checks from other Park Town subsidiaries that were altered to make them payable to cash, or to Learning Gardens, which were deposited into the Learning Gardens petty cash account and withdrawn in cash;
- Creating altered bank statements for the Learning Gardens petty cash account;
- Creating a false bank statement reconciliation spreadsheet for the Learning Gardens petty cash account;
- Misusing Learning Gardens debit cards to purchase items for Genz’s personal use; and
- Misusing Learning Gardens credit cards to purchase items for Genz’s personal use.
If convicted, Genz faces a maximum penalty of 20 years in federal prison on each of the 10 counts of the indictment. The charges against her are the result of an investigation by the Madison Police Department. Assistant U.S. Attorney Daniel J. Graber is handling the prosecution.
Oneida County Woman Charged With False Statements
Peggy A. Faulkner, 58, Three Lakes, Wisconsin, is charged with making false and fraudulent statements in connection with health care benefits involving the U.S. Department of Labor’s Office of Workers’ Compensation Programs. The indictment alleges that from January 2014 through December 2015, she submitted multiple forms requesting reimbursement for mileage to appointments associated with her workers’ compensation injury, knowing that she did not actually incur such expense.
If convicted, Faulkner faces a maximum penalty of five years in federal prison. The charge against her is the result of an investigation by the U.S. Postal Service, Office of Inspector General. Assistant U.S. Attorney Robert A. Anderson is handling the prosecution.
Dane County Man Faces Additional Charges Related to Attempts to Produce Child Pornography Using Hidden Recording Devices
David M. Kruchten, 38, Cottage Grove, Wisconsin, is charged in a superseding indictment with 14 counts of attempting to produce child pornography through use of hidden recording devices, and one count of transporting minors from Wisconsin to Minnesota with the intent to produce child pornography through use of hidden recording devices. Kruchten previously was charged in an indictment returned by the grand jury on January 29, 2020 with seven counts of attempting to produce child pornography using hidden recording devices on October 27, 2019 and January 20, 2019. Seven of the additional counts in the superseding indictment allege that he attempted to produce child pornography on October 29, 2018 using hidden recording devices, and the other additional count alleges that he transported seven minors from Wisconsin to Minnesota on December 6, 2019, with the intent to produce child pornography using hidden recording devices.
Kruchten, a teacher at Madison East High School, was arrested on January 30 and has been detained in custody since. A date has not been scheduled for his trial, which will take place before Chief U.S. District Judge James D. Peterson.
If convicted, Kruchten faces a mandatory minimum penalty of 15 years and a maximum of 30 years in federal prison on each count in the indictment. The charges against him are the result of an investigation by the Wisconsin Department of Justice Division of Criminal Investigation, Cottage Grove Police Department, and Minneapolis Police Department. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Elizabeth Altman and Laura Przybylinski Finn are handling the prosecution.
Georgia State Prisoner Sentenced for Mailing Threatening Letters to United States District Court JudgesRead the Press Release
Montgomery, Alabama – On Friday, August 14, 2020, Daniel Eric Cobble, age 45, was sentenced to a term of 20 years of federal imprisonment for mailing threatening letters to United States District Court Judges of the Middle District of Georgia announced Louis V. Franklin, Sr., United States Attorney for the Middle District of Alabama.
A trial of the matter underlying the federal sentence was held February 19 and 20, 2020, in Columbus, Georgia, before United States District Judge Clay D. Land of the United States District Court for the Middle District of Georgia. The trial evidence showed that, in March and July 2013 and again in March 2014, Cobble mailed threatening letters to two United States District Court Judges of the Middle District of Georgia who were presiding over two different matters in which Cobble was a party.
“We all know too well the stories of judges, law enforcement officers, and other public servants who are violently targeted simply for doing their jobs,” said U.S. Attorney Franklin. “This sentence sends a message to anyone who would threaten to harm public servants and their families-we will find you, we will prosecute you, and you will go to prison.”
Cobble will not begin serving his federal sentence until he has completed service of the State of Georgia sentence he is currently serving. Additionally, there is no parole in the federal system.
The Macon, Georgia office of the Federal Bureau of Investigation was responsible for the investigation of the case.
Four Individuals Charged with $19 Million Fraudulent Invoicing Scheme Targeting Amazon’s Vendor SystemRead the Press Release
Audrey Strauss, the Acting United States Attorney for the Southern District of New York, and Peter C. Fitzhugh, Special Agent-in-Charge of the New York Field Office of Homeland Security Investigations (“HSI”), announced the indictment and arrest today of YOEL ABRAHAM, HESHL ABRAHAM, ZISHE ABRAHAM, and SHMUEL ABRAHAM, who are brothers, on charges of engaging in a scheme to systematically defraud Amazon.com, LLC, (“Amazon”), an online retailer and e-commerce platform. Through the course of the scheme, the defendants manipulated Amazon’s vendor system in attempts to fraudulently induce Amazon to pay for goods that Amazon had not ordered. In executing the scheme, the defendants fraudulently attempted to obtain at least approximately $32 million and successfully obtained at least approximately $19 million. YOEL ABRAHAM, HESHL ABRAHAM, ZISHE ABRAHAM, and SHMUEL ABRAHAM were arrested this morning and will be presented and arraigned later today before U.S. Magistrate Judge Stewart D. Aaron. The case is assigned to U.S. District Judge Ronnie Abrams.
Acting Manhattan U.S. Attorney Audrey Strauss said: “The indictment alleges that Yoel, Heshl, Zishe, and Shmuel Abraham came up with a new twist on an old trick, but the use of complex technology did not hide the simple fact that the defendants were bilking Amazon for goods they never provided. The more our economic life moves online, the more we must ensure the integrity of our digital markets, which my Office is committed to doing.”
HSI Special Agent-in-Charge Peter C. Fitzhugh said: “The four charged today allegedly attempted to defraud Amazon out of tens of millions of dollars though a sophisticated and layered fraudulent invoicing scheme. Invoice fraud is not a victimless crime. Millions of dollars in lost revenue negatively impacts a company’s ability to provide cost effective services to legitimate customers who use the vendor’s platform. HSI works closely with our private partners to ensure that this type of fraud is mitigated, and those criminals are prosecuted for their actions.”
According to the Indictment unsealed today in Manhattan federal court:[1]
The defendants, who purportedly operated wholesale businesses, opened vendor accounts with Amazon to sell the company small quantities of goods. By accepting a purchase order, the defendants agreed to supply specific goods, at specific prices, in specific quantities. Instead, they manipulated Amazon’s vendor system, and then, in the most egregious iteration of the scheme, invoiced the company for substitute goods at grossly inflated prices and excessive quantities. The defendants frequently shipped and invoiced for more than 10,000 units of an item when Amazon had requested, and the defendants had agreed to ship, fewer than 100.
The defendants communicated about the scheme, extended help and advice to one another, and helped one another evade detection using an encrypted group texting chain on WhatsApp, a messaging application. For example, on or about May 1, 2018, YOEL ABRAHAM, the defendant, stated to the group “I’m so in the mood to fuck Amazon,” and asked “Did anyone try to overship and make a million profit in a week?” ZISHE ABRAHAM, the defendant, asked how YOEL ABRAHAM would do it (“Come in [sic] how to do it?”). SHMUEL ABRAHAM, the defendant, offered his advice on how to carry out such a large fraudulent transaction, noting he “didn’t tried this yet but tried already different things and it worked.” SHMUEL ABRAHAM cautioned, however, “[j]ust make sure you have another account. But you can fuck them a lot. When it’s to [sic] big numbers fast they will lock you out.” ZISHE ABRAHAM, the defendant, also offered his thoughts on how best to perpetrate such a large overshipment.
Once Amazon detected the pattern of fraudulent overshipping, it suspended the vendor accounts engaged in the fraud; in response, the defendants tried to open other vendor accounts and disguise their identities by registering them in fake names, using different email addresses, and using virtual private servers (“VPSs”) to obfuscate their connection to previously suspended accounts and frustrate Amazon’s ability to detect and mitigate their fraudulent activity. For instance, on or about November 1, 2018, the defendants discussed that Amazon’s increasing enforcement was going to force them to give up the fraudulent invoicing scheme altogether and go into a legitimate line of business (YOEL ABRAHAM: “This shit is massed up, looks like will have to build a legit business”). They also discussed new ways to evade detection and how to continue to perpetrate the fraud (YOEL ABRAHAM: “Open account under dummy names and they can go look for no one.” ZISHE ABRAHAM: “Yup need to do that. . . . The problem the first accounts was under real names.”). A few days later, HESHL ABRAHAM circulated a link to a “VPS company I use now. . . . This is how I know because they linked both of my vendor accounts.”).
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YOEL ABRAHAM, 28, of Suffern, New York, HESHL ABRAHAM, 32, of Spring Valley, New York, ZISHE ABRAHAM, 30, of Spring Valley, New York, and SHMUEL ABRAHAM, 24, of Airmont, New York, are each charged with conspiracy to commit wire fraud, wire fraud, and money laundering. Wire fraud and wire fraud conspiracy carry a maximum sentence of 20 years in prison, and money laundering carries a maximum sentence of 10 years in prison. The maximum potential sentences are prescribed by Congress and are provided here for informational purposes only, as any sentencing of the defendants will be determined by the judge.
Ms. Strauss praised the work of the Department of Homeland Security, Homeland Security Investigations, the New York City Police Department, U.S. Customs and Border Protection, the Rockland County Sheriff’s Department, and the Waterfront Commission of New York Harbor, and thanked Amazon for its cooperation with the investigation.
This case is being handled by the Office’s Complex Frauds and Cybercrime Unit. Assistant U.S. Attorney Jilan J. Kamal is in charge of the prosecution.
The charges contained in the Indictment are merely accusations, and the defendants are presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.
[1] As the introductory phrase signifies, the entirety of the text of the Indictment and the description of the Indictment set forth herein constitute only allegations and every fact described should be treated as an allegation.
Founder and Chairman of a Multinational Investment Company and a Company Consultant Convicted of Bribery and Public Corruption are Sentenced to PrisonRead the Press Release
The founder and chairman of a multinational investment company and a company consultant were sentenced to prison today for orchestrating a bribery scheme involving independent expenditure accounts and improper campaign contributions.
Greg E. Lindberg, 50, of Durham, North Carolina, the founder and chairman of Eli Global LLC (Eli Global) and the owner of Global Bankers Insurance Group (GBIG), was sentenced to 87 months in prison and three years of supervised release. Lindberg’s consultant, John D. Gray, 70, of Chapel Hill, North Carolina, was ordered to serve 30 months in prison, followed by two years of supervised release. Lindberg and Gray were also ordered to pay forfeiture in the amount approximately $1.45 million held in accounts established by the defendants for the purpose of funneling the bribe payments.
On March 5, 2020, a federal jury convicted Lindberg and Gray of conspiracy to commit honest services wire fraud and bribery concerning programs receiving federal funds following an approximately three-week trial. U.S. District Judge Max O. Cogburn Jr. presided over the trial and today’s sentencing hearings.
Co-defendant, Robert Cannon Hayes, 74, of Concord, North Carolina, was also sentenced today to a one-year probationary term. Hayes previously pleaded guilty to making false statements to the FBI and agreed to cooperate with the government’s investigation.
“When Greg Lindberg and John Gray offered millions of dollars in bribes to the North Carolina Insurance Commissioner, they referred to their elaborately corrupt scheme as a ‘win-win’ – unaware that the FBI was watching and listening,” said Acting Assistant Attorney General Brian C. Rabbitt of the Justice Department’s Criminal Division. “Today, both men have been held accountable for their crimes, and their sentences underscore the Department of Justice's unyielding commitment to rooting out corruption wherever we find it.”
“Lindberg and his accomplices, driven by greed, devised an extensive political bribery scheme to illegally funnel millions of dollars to an elected official for the benefit of Lindberg’s business interests. To this day, Lindberg and Gray remain unremorseful and refuse to accept responsibility for their criminal actions. The severity of their brazen conduct is reflected in the Court’s sentence,” said U.S. Attorney Andrew Murray for the Western District of North Carolina. “Bribery of a public official is far from a victimless crime. It is our duty to the American people to stop bad actors with deep pockets and unscrupulous intentions from wrecking the foundation on which this country proudly stands. To those that greedily seek to line their own pockets through deceit and fraud, I offer the following advice: Keep a travel toothbrush handy.”
“When the prison bars close behind Mr. Lindberg and Mr. Gray, they will hear the sound of justice, loud and clear,” said Special Agent in Charge John Strong of the FBI’s Charlotte Field Office. “The FBI will root out any and all forms of public corruption. We remain committed to ensuring those who attempt to interfere with the integrity of our democratic process pay the price.”
According to filed court documents, evidence presented at trial, and today’s sentencing hearings, in January 2018, the elected Commissioner (Commissioner) of the North Carolina Department of Insurance (NCDOI) reported concerns to the FBI about political contributions and other requests made by Lindberg and Gray, and agreed to cooperate with the federal investigation that was initiated.
According to evidence presented at trial, from April 2017 to August 2018, Lindberg and Gray engaged in a bribery scheme involving independent expenditure accounts and improper campaign contributions for the purpose of causing the Commissioner to take official action favorable to Lindberg’s company, GBIG. Trial evidence established that Lindberg and Gray gave, offered, and promised the Commissioner millions of dollars in campaign contributions and other things of value, in exchange for the removal of NCDOI’s Senior Deputy Commissioner, who was responsible for overseeing regulation and the periodic examination of GBIG.
According to trial evidence, Lindberg, Gray and the Commissioner held numerous in-person meetings at different locations, including in Statesville, North Carolina, and had telephonic and other communications with each other, and others, to discuss Lindberg’s request for the personnel change in exchange for millions of dollars, and to devise a plan on how to funnel campaign contributions to the Commissioner anonymously. In order to conceal the bribery scheme, at the direction of Lindberg, two corporate entities were set-up to form an independent expenditure committee with the purpose of supporting the Commissioner’s re-election campaign, and Lindberg funded the entities with $1.5 million as promised to the Commissioner. In addition, at Lindberg and Gray’s direction, Hayes caused the transfer of $250,000 from monies Lindberg had previously contributed to a North Carolina state party of which Hayes was chairman, to the Commissioner’s re-election campaign.
According to admissions Hayes made in connection with his guilty plea, on or about Aug. 28, 2018, Hayes falsely stated to FBI agents that he had never spoken with the NCDOI Commissioner about personnel or personnel problems at NCDOI, or about Lindberg or Gray. Hayes further admitted that, at the time he made the materially false statements, Hayes knew that it was unlawful to lie to the FBI, and knew that his statements were false because Hayes had in fact spoken with the NCDOI Commissioner about Lindberg and Gray, and about Lindberg’s request that the Commissioner move certain personnel within NCDOI.
The FBI’s Charlotte field office investigated the case.
Trial Attorney James C. Mann of the Criminal Division’s Public Integrity Section and Assistant U.S. Attorneys William T. Stetzer and Dana O. Washington of the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Western District of North Carolina prosecuted 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.
Founder and Chairman of A Multinational Investment Company and A Company Consultant Convicted of Bribery and Public Corruption Are Sentenced to PrisonRead the Press Release
CHARLOTTE, N.C. – The founder and chairman of a multinational investment company and a company consultant were sentenced to prison today for orchestrating a bribery scheme involving independent expenditure accounts and improper campaign contributions.
Greg E. Lindberg, 50, of Durham, North Carolina, the founder and chairman of Eli Global LLC (Eli Global) and the owner of Global Bankers Insurance Group (GBIG), was sentenced to 87 months in prison and three years of supervised release. Lindberg’s consultant, John D. Gray, 70, of Chapel Hill, North Carolina, was ordered to serve 30 months in prison, followed by two years of supervised release. Lindberg and Gray were also ordered to pay forfeiture in the amount approximately $1.45 million held in accounts established by the defendants for the purpose of funneling the bribe payments.
On March 5, 2020, a federal jury convicted Lindberg and Gray of conspiracy to commit honest services wire fraud and bribery concerning programs receiving federal funds following an approximately three-week trial. U.S. District Judge Max O. Cogburn Jr. presided over the trial and today’s sentencing hearings.
Co-defendant, Robert Cannon Hayes, 74, of Concord, North Carolina, was also sentenced today to a one-year probationary term. Hayes previously pleaded guilty to making false statements to the FBI and agreed to cooperate with the government’s investigation.
“When Greg Lindberg and John Gray offered millions of dollars in bribes to the North Carolina Insurance Commissioner, they referred to their elaborately corrupt scheme as a ‘win-win’ – unaware that the FBI was watching and listening,” said Acting Assistant Attorney General Brian C. Rabbitt of the Justice Department’s Criminal Division. “Today, both men have been held accountable for their crimes, and their sentences underscore the Department of Justice's unyielding commitment to rooting out corruption wherever we find it.”
“Lindberg and his accomplices, driven by greed, devised an extensive political bribery scheme to illegally funnel millions of dollars to an elected official for the benefit of Lindberg’s business interests. To this day, Lindberg and Gray remain unremorseful and refuse to accept responsibility for their criminal actions. The severity of their brazen conduct is reflected in the Court’s sentence,” said U.S. Attorney Andrew Murray for the Western District of North Carolina. “Bribery of a public official is far from a victimless crime. It is our duty to the American people to stop bad actors with deep pockets and unscrupulous intentions from wrecking the foundation on which this Country proudly stands. To those that greedily seek to line their own pockets through deceit and fraud, I offer the following advice: Keep a travel toothbrush handy.”
“When the prison bars close behind Mr. Lindberg and Mr. Gray, they will hear the sound of justice, loud and clear,” said Special Agent in Charge John Strong of the FBI’s Charlotte Field Office. “The FBI will root out any and all forms of public corruption. We remain committed to ensuring those who attempt to interfere with the integrity of our democratic process pay the price.”
According to filed court documents, evidence presented at trial, and today’s sentencing hearings, in January 2018, the elected Commissioner (Commissioner) of the North Carolina Department of Insurance (NCDOI) reported concerns to the FBI about political contributions and other requests made by Lindberg and Gray, and agreed to cooperate with the federal investigation that was initiated.
According to evidence presented at trial, from April 2017 to August 2018, Lindberg and Gray engaged in a bribery scheme involving independent expenditure accounts and improper campaign contributions for the purpose of causing the Commissioner to take official action favorable to Lindberg’s company, GBIG. Trial evidence established that Lindberg and Gray gave, offered, and promised the Commissioner millions of dollars in campaign contributions and other things of value, in exchange for the removal of NCDOI’s Senior Deputy Commissioner, who was responsible for overseeing regulation and the periodic examination of GBIG.
According to trial evidence, Lindberg, Gray and the Commissioner held numerous in-person meetings at different locations, including in Statesville, North Carolina, and had telephonic and other communications with each other, and others, to discuss Lindberg’s request for the personnel change in exchange for millions of dollars, and to devise a plan on how to funnel campaign contributions to the Commissioner anonymously. In order to conceal the bribery scheme, at the direction of Lindberg, two corporate entities were set-up to form an independent expenditure committee with the purpose of supporting the Commissioner’s re-election campaign, and Lindberg funded the entities with $1.5 million as promised to the Commissioner. In addition, at Lindberg and Gray’s direction, Hayes caused the transfer of $250,000 from monies Lindberg had previously contributed to a North Carolina state party of which Hayes was chairman, to the Commissioner’s re-election campaign.
According to admissions Hayes made in connection with his guilty plea, on or about Aug. 28, 2018, Hayes falsely stated to FBI agents that he had never spoken with the NCDOI Commissioner about personnel or personnel problems at NCDOI, or about Lindberg or Gray. Hayes further admitted that, at the time he made the materially false statements, Hayes knew that it was unlawful to lie to the FBI, and knew that his statements were false because Hayes had in fact spoken with the NCDOI Commissioner about Lindberg and Gray, and about Lindberg’s request that the Commissioner move certain personnel within NCDOI.
The FBI’s Charlotte field office investigated the case.
Trial Attorney James C. Mann of the Criminal Division’s Public Integrity Section and Assistant U.S. Attorneys William T. Stetzer and Dana O. Washington of the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Western District of North Carolina prosecuted 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.
Former Rochester Resident Going to Prison for 20 Years for Producing Child PornographyRead the Press Release
CONTACT: Barbara Burns
PHONE: (716) 843-5817
FAX #: (716) 551-3051ROCHESTER, N.Y. - U.S. Attorney James P. Kennedy, Jr. announced today that David Roy Jones, 55, formerly of Rochester, NY, was sentenced to serve 20 years in prison by U.S. District Judge David G. Larimer.
Assistant U.S. Attorney John J. Field, who handled the case, stated that in the summer of 2006, the defendant produced child pornography involving two minors, one of whom was under Jones’ custody, care, and control. Jones, who produced the images and videos in the Rochester area over a period of years, did so after giving his minor victims alcohol and drugs. The defendant, after saving pornographic images of the minors to multiple storage media devices, transported them from New York to Tennessee. Jones was subsequently arrested and convicted in Tennessee on similar charges involving other minors.
Upon hearing of Jones’ arrest in Tennessee, one of his Rochester victims, who is now an adult, contacted the FBI to report what had occurred to her during her childhood. The victim reported that the defendant, while in Rochester, groomed and sexually abused her for many years.
The sentencing is the result of an investigation by the Hamblen County, Tennessee, Sheriff’s Office, under the direction of Sheriff Esco R. Jarnagin, and the Federal Bureau of Investigation, under the direction of Special Agent-in-Charge Stephen Belongia.
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Former Mount Vernon couple plead guilty to defrauding mortgage assistance programRead the Press Release
COLUMBUS, Ohio – A former Mount Vernon couple pleaded guilty in U.S. District Court today to accepting federal mortgage assistance in Ohio while living in another state and renting the Ohio property to a tenant.
Christopher Lee Horn, 58, and Sondra Horn, 57, both of Richville, Minn., pleaded guilty to conspiring to defraud the United States Treasury Department’s Troubled Asset Relief Program.
Part of the relief programs funds targeted aid to families in states hit hard by the 2008 economic and housing market downturn. The program provided state housing finance agencies funding to develop locally tailored foreclosure prevention solutions. In Ohio, the housing finance agency created “Save the Dream Ohio,” a statewide program focused on unemployed and underemployed homeowners at risk of mortgage loan default or foreclosure.
According to court documents, the Horns admitted to receiving more than $14,000 in Save the Dream Ohio mortgage assistance funds to which they were not entitled.
In September 2014, the couple received more than $2,800 in rescue payment assistance and was approved to receive 18 monthly mortgage assistance payments of $692 each for their property at 18 Marion Street in Mount Vernon.
Also in September 2014, Christopher and Sondra Horn negotiated to rent their Marion Street residence to a tenant for $655 per month. In later months, the amount increased. The couple requested the tenant pay his monthly rent in cash or personal check to a third party, who then deposited the money into a joint credit union account controlled by the Horns.
Each pleaded guilty to conspiring to commit theft of government property, a crime punishable by up to 10 years in prison.
“Today the defendants join 388 defendants convicted of crimes the Special Inspector General for the Troubled Asset Relief (SIGTARP) investigated,” said Special Inspector General Christy Goldsmith Romero. “Christopher and Sondra Horn knowingly defrauded a TARP program that helps unemployed homeowners stay in their primary home. The Special Inspector General commends the Office of the U.S. Attorney for the Southern District of Ohio for standing with SIGTARP to combat rescue fraud.”
Congress sets the maximum statutory sentence. Sentencing of the defendants will be determined by the Court based on the advisory sentencing guidelines and other statutory factors.
David M. DeVillers, United States Attorney for the Southern District of Ohio; and Special Inspector General Christy Goldsmith Romero, Troubled Asset Relief Program; announced the plea offered today before U.S. Magistrate Judge Norah McCann King. Assistant United States Attorney Sheila G. Lafferty is representing the United States in this case.
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Former Leader of Boston Latin Kings Chapter Pleads Guilty to Racketeering Conspiracy and Drug Conspiracy ChargesRead the Press Release
BOSTON – The former second-in-command of the Boston-based Devon Street Kings Chapter of the Massachusetts Almighty Latin King and Queen Nation (“Latin Kings”) pleaded guilty today to racketeering charges.
Alexis Peguero, a/k/a “King Lexi,” a/k/a “King Looney,” 29, pleaded guilty to conspiracy to conduct enterprise affairs through a pattern of racketeering activity, more commonly referred to as RICO conspiracy. U.S. Senior District Court Judge Rya W. Zobel scheduled sentencing for Dec. 15, 2020. Alexis Peguero was arrested and charged in December 2019, at which time he was the Cacique or second-in-command of the Devon Street Kings, a Boston-based Chapter of the Latin Kings.
The Latin Kings are a violent criminal enterprise comprised of thousands of members across the United States. The Latin Kings adhere to a national manifesto, employ an internal judiciary and use a sophisticated system of communication to maintain the hierarchy of the organization. As alleged in court documents, the gang uses drug distribution to generate revenue, and engages in violence against witnesses and rival gangs to further its influence and to protect its turf.
Named for its origin on Devon Street in Boston, the Devon Street Kings or D5K Chapter of the Latin Kings, included at various times, approximately a dozen members who reported to Alexis Peguero, who served as “Cacique” or the second-in-command of the Chapter. The Devon Street Kings, in turn, reported to the Massachusetts State Leadership of the Latin Kings, providing information, structure, funds and other resources to further the Latin Kings goals and directives in the state.
As described in court documents, Alexis Peguero produced various music videos touting his allegiance to the Latin Kings, distributed controlled substances and threatened rival gang members. During the investigation, various meetings were covertly recorded where Alexis Peguero and members of the Devon Street Kings discussed the business of the racketeering enterprise. In addition, Alexis Peguero was present during meetings where members were beaten and violence against rival gangs was discussed and decided upon.
In December 2019, a federal grand jury returned an indictment alleging racketeering conspiracy, drug conspiracy and firearms charges against 62 leaders, members and associates of the Latin Kings. Alexis Peguero is the eighth defendant to plead guilty in the case.
The RICO conspiracy charge provides for a sentence of up to 20 years in prison, three years of supervised release and a fine of $250,000. Sentences are imposed by a federal district court judge based upon the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors.
United States Attorney Andrew E. Lelling; Joseph R. Bonavolonta, Special Agent in Charge of the Federal Bureau of Investigation, Boston Field Division; Commissioner Carol Mici of the Massachusetts Department of Correction; and Boston Police Commissioner William Gross made the announcement today. Valuable assistance was also provided by the FBI North Shore Gang Task Force and the Bristol County and Suffolk County District Attorney’s Offices. Assistant U.S. Attorney Philip A. Mallard and Mark Grady of Lelling’s Criminal Division are prosecuting the case.
The operation was conducted by a multi-agency task force through the Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Force (OCDETF), a partnership between federal, state and local law enforcement agencies. The principal mission of the OCDETF program is to identify, disrupt and dismantle the most serious drug trafficking, weapons trafficking and money laundering organizations, and those primarily responsible for the nation’s illegal drug supply. More information on the OCDETF program is available here: https://www.justice.gov/ocdetf/about-ocdetf.
The details contained in the charging documents are allegations. The remaining defendants are presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.
Former Fort Riley Soldier Sentenced for Distributing Info on Napalm, IEDsRead the Press Release
TOPEKA, KAN. – A former Army soldier stationed at Fort Riley was sentenced today to 30 months in federal prison for distributing instructions for making explosives, U.S. Attorney Stephen McAllister said. After his prison time, the defendant will serve three years on supervised release.
Jarrett William Smith, 24, formerly of Ft. Riley, Kan., pleaded guilty to two counts of distributing information related to explosives, destructive devices and weapons of mass destruction.
Smith joined the Army June 12, 2017. He served as an infantry soldier and was trained in combat and tactical operations. He was transferred to Fort Riley in Kansas July 8, 2019.
The FBI received information that Smith used social media to give out guidance to others on how to construct improvised explosive devices. He spoke to others on social media about wanting to travel to Ukraine to fight with a violent, far-right military group.
On September 20, 2019, from Fort Riley Smith sent a person working undercover for the FBI specific instructions for making an explosive device. Smith also provided a recipe for creating improvised napalm.
McAllister commended the FBI and Assistant U.S. Attorney Tony Mattivi for their work on the case.
Former Chattanooga Police Officer Sentenced to 20 Years in Prison for Sexual AssaultRead the Press Release
Desmond Logan, 35, a former officer with the Chattanooga Police Department (CPD), was sentenced by the Honorable Curtis L. Collier, U.S. District Court Judge in the Eastern District of Tennessee at Chattanooga.
Logan will serve 20 years in prison with three years of supervised release for crimes involving sexual misconduct while on duty. Logan previously pleaded guilty to two civil rights offenses on Sept. 12, 2019.
“The Department of Justice will vigorously prosecute officers who commit sexual assault,” said Assistant Attorney General Eric Dreiband of the Civil Rights Division. “This case is a reminder that sexual assault allegations involving law enforcement officers should be fully investigated. The department will continue to take such allegations seriously and work to vindicate the Constitutional rights of those who are victimized by officers acting under color of law.”
“The actions of Desmond Logan jeopardized public safety and violated the trust of the citizens of Chattanooga he swore to protect. This case exhibits our continued efforts to prosecute those who would use their power to commit acts of violence and injustice against members of our community,” said U.S. Attorney J. Douglas Overbey of the Eastern District of Tennessee. “Our office will continue to stand by and protect the victims of such crimes.”
"Civil Rights violations, particularly when they involve a member of law enforcement, are of tremendous concern,” said Special Agent in Charge Joe Carrico of the FBI’s Knoxville Field Office. “The entire law enforcement profession is tarnished when an officer betrays the oath to protect and serve. The FBI will vigorously investigate any officer or agent of the law who is breaking the rules that he or she is sworn to uphold or is violating the civil rights of others."
According to court documents filed in connection with the defendant’s guilty plea, the first offense occurred during the early morning hours of June 12, 2018. The defendant, while on duty as a CPD police officer, handcuffed and arrested K.B.V. Rather than transporting K.B.V. directly to the Hamilton County Jail, the defendant drove K.B.V. in his squad car to an empty and isolated parking lot. There, the defendant sexually assaulted K.B.V.
The second offense occurred on the evening of Jan. 2, 2016. The defendant, while working a security detail at the University of Tennessee in Chattanooga, entered the passenger seat of D.H.'s car and asked for a ride to his own car, which he claimed was parked in a different parking lot. The defendant then directed D.H. to an empty and isolated parking lot. He took out his taser and put it against D.H.'s leg, causing D.H. to fear that he would cause her further physical harm. When D.H. tried to escape, Logan prevented her from getting out of the car.
In addition to these two offenses, the defendant admitted as part of his guilty plea that he sexually assaulted two other women. In each instance, one on July 31, 2015, and the other on May 30, 2016, the defendant arrested each victim, and instead of transporting her to jail, drove her to a deserted area where he sexually assaulted her.
This case was investigated by the Knoxville Division of the FBI, with the support of the Hamilton County Sheriff's Office. Assistant U.S. Attorney James Brooks of the Eastern District of Tennessee and Special Litigation Counsel Fara Gold and Trial Attorney Olimpia Michel of the Criminal Section of the Civil Rights Division of the U.S. Department of Justice prosecuted the case.
Former Chattanooga Police Officer Sentenced to 20 Years in Prison for Sexual AssaultRead the Press Release
CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. – Desmond Logan, 35, a former officer with the Chattanooga Police Department (CPD), was sentenced by the Honorable Curtis L. Collier, U.S. District Court Judge in the Eastern District of Tennessee at Chattanooga.
Logan will serve 20 years in prison, the maximum sentenced permitted under the law, followed by three years of supervised release, for crimes involving sexual misconduct while on duty. Logan previously pleaded guilty to two civil rights offenses on September 12, 2019. Logan will be required to register with the sex offender registry in any state in which he resides, works, or attends school, and comply with special sex offender conditions during the supervised release.
According to court documents filed in connection with the defendant’s guilty plea, the first offense occurred during the early morning hours of June 12, 2018. The defendant, while on duty as a CPD police officer, handcuffed and arrested K.B.V. Rather than transporting K.B.V. directly to the Hamilton County Jail, the defendant drove K.B.V. in his squad car to an empty and isolated parking lot. There, the defendant sexually assaulted K.B.V.
The second offense occurred on the evening of January 2, 2016. The defendant, while working a security detail at the University of Tennessee in Chattanooga, entered the passenger seat of D.H.'s car and asked for a ride to his own car, which he claimed was parked in a different parking lot. The defendant then directed D.H. to an empty and isolated parking lot. Logan took out his taser and put it against D.H.'s leg, causing D.H. to fear that he would cause her further physical harm. When D.H. tried to escape, Logan prevented her from getting out of the car.
In addition to these two offenses, the defendant admitted as part of his guilty plea that he sexually assaulted two other women. In each instance, one on July 31, 2015 and the other on May 30, 2016, the defendant arrested each victim, and instead of transporting her to jail, drove her to a deserted area where he sexually assaulted her.
“The Department of Justice will vigorously prosecute officers who commit sexual assault,” said Assistant Attorney General Eric Dreiband of the Civil Rights Division. “This case is a reminder that sexual assault allegations involving law enforcement officers should be fully investigated. The Department will continue to take such allegations seriously and work to vindicate the Constitutional rights of those who are victimized by officers acting under color of law.”
“The actions of Desmond Logan jeopardized public safety and violated the trust of the citizens of Chattanooga he swore to protect. This case exhibits our continued efforts to prosecute those who would abuse their authority to commit acts of violence and injustice against members of our community,” said U.S. Attorney J. Douglas Overbey of the Eastern District of Tennessee. “Our office will continue to stand by and protect the victims of such crimes.”
"Civil Rights violations, particularly when they involve a member of law enforcement, are of tremendous concern,” said Special Agent in Charge Joe Carrico of the FBI’s Knoxville Field Office. “The entire law enforcement profession is tarnished when an officer betrays the oath to protect and serve. The FBI will vigorously investigate any officer or agent of the law who is breaking the rules that he or she is sworn to uphold or is violating the civil rights of others."
This case was investigated by the Knoxville Division of the FBI, with the support of the Hamilton County Sheriff's Office. Assistant United States Attorney James Brooks of the Eastern District of Tennessee and Special Litigation Counsel Fara Gold and Trial Attorney Olimpia Michel of the Criminal Section of the Civil Rights Division of the U.S. Department of Justice prosecuted the case.
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Former Bureau of Prisons Corrections Officer Sentenced for Sexually Assaulting Two Women on Multiple Occasions and Lying to InvestigatorsRead the Press Release
BIRMINGHAM, Ala. – Adrian L. Stargell, 39, a former Bureau of Prisons (BOP) Corrections Officer who worked as an Education Specialist at the FCI-Aliceville facility in Aliceville, Alabama, was sentenced today in federal court in Tuscaloosa, Alabama to 42 months in prison and three years of supervised release.
Stargell previously pleaded guilty to two counts of violating the rights of two women whom he sexually assaulted on multiple occasions and one count of making false statements to federal agents from the U.S. Department of Justice Office of the Inspector General (OIG).
“The Department of Justice will not tolerate corrections officers who sexually assault individuals whom they are otherwise supposed to protect and keep safe,” said Assistant Attorney General Eric Dreiband. “The Civil Rights Division will continue to vigorously prosecute these cases and secure justice for victims of these egregious crimes.”
“Today justice was served for the victims of these egregious crimes,” said U.S. Attorney Prim Escalona of the Northern District of Alabama. “We will continue to aggressively prosecute those who abuse authority and prey on vulnerable people in their care.”
“Stargell abused his power, sexually assaulted two inmates, and lied to try to cover up his actions. Today, justice is served. He will rightly serve time for his egregious actions,” said James F. Boyersmith, Special Agent in Charge of the OIG Miami Field Office.
According to court documents, during 2017 and 2018, while on-duty as an Education Specialist, Stargell sexually assaulted two women who were incarcerated at FCI-Aliceville. Stargell admitted that he knew what he was doing was wrong and against the law, yet he did it anyway. When OIG agents interviewed Stargell about the allegations of sexual misconduct, Stargell lied by falsely denying having any sexual contact with the victims.
This case was investigated by the Department of Justice OIG Miami Field Office. Assistant U.S. Attorney Robert Posey of the Northern District of Alabama and Special Litigation Counsel Fara Gold and Trial Attorney Anna Gotfryd of the Criminal Section of the Civil Rights Division of the U.S. Department of Justice prosecuted the case.
Former Bureau of Prisons Corrections Officer Sentenced for Sexually Assaulting Two Women on Multiple Occasions and Lying to InvestigatorsRead the Press Release
Adrian L. Stargell, 39, a former Bureau of Prisons (BOP) Corrections Officer who worked as an Education Specialist at the FCI-Aliceville facility in Aliceville, Alabama, was sentenced today in federal court in Tuscaloosa, Alabama to 42 months in prison and three years supervised release.
Stargell previously pleaded guilty to two counts of violating the rights of two women whom he sexually assaulted on multiple occasions and one count of making false statements to federal agents from the U.S. Department of Justice Office of the Inspector General (OIG).
“The Department of Justice will not tolerate corrections officers who sexually assault individuals whom they are otherwise supposed to protect and keep safe,” said Assistant Attorney General Eric Dreiband. “The Civil Rights Division will continue to vigorously prosecute these cases and secure justice for victims of these egregious crimes.”
“Today justice was served for the victims of these egregious crimes,” said Interim U.S. Attorney Prim Escalona of the Northern District of Alabama. “We will continue to aggressively prosecute those who abuse authority and prey on vulnerable people in their care.”
“Stargell abused his power, sexually assaulted two inmates, and lied to try to cover up his actions. Today, justice is served. He will rightly serve time for his egregious actions,” said James F. Boyersmith, Special Agent in Charge of the OIG Miami Field Office.
According to court documents, during 2017 and 2018, while on-duty as an Education Specialist, Stargell sexually assaulted two women who were incarcerated at FCI-Aliceville. Stargell admitted that he knew what he was doing was wrong and against the law, yet he did it anyway. When OIG agents interviewed Stargell about the allegations of sexual misconduct, Stargell lied by falsely denying having any sexual contact with the victims.
This case was investigated by the Department of Justice OIG Miami Field Office. Assistant U.S. Attorney Robert Posey of the Northern District of Alabama and Special Litigation Counsel Fara Gold and Trial Attorney Anna Gotfryd of the Criminal Section of the Civil Rights Division of the U.S. Department of Justice prosecuted the case.
Florida Man Pleads Guilty to Threatening A VA EmployeeRead 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 Michael F. Hanley, 49, of Clearwater, Florida, pleaded guilty, before U.S. Magistrate Judge Michael J. Roemer, to threatening a federal employee. The charge carries a maximum penalty of one year in prison and $100,000 fine.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Douglas A. Penrose, who is handling the case, stated that the defendant was formerly employed by the United States Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) as a Veterans Claims Examiner. During his tenure at the VA, Hanley became acquainted with another VA employee (Victim), and the two had a history of contentious interactions.
The defendant left a series of similar voicemails on the Victim’s phone between October 15, 2018, and November 13, 2019, in which he threatened to kill the Victim and the Victim’s family.
The plea is the result of an investigation by the VA Office of Inspector General, Criminal Investigations Division, under the direction of Special Agent-in-Charge Christopher Algieri.
Sentencing is scheduled for November 18, 2020, at 10:30 a.m. before Judge Roemer.
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Fifth Defendant Faces Federal Charges for Alleged Role in Salt Lake City Police Department Vehicle Arson CaseRead the Press Release
SALT LAKE CITY – A federal complaint unsealed Wednesday charges a fifth individual with one count of using fire and explosives to damage and destroy a Salt Lake City Police Department patrol car during May 30, 2020, riots in Salt Lake City.
Larry Raynold Williams, Jr., 22, of West Haven was arrested at his home Wednesday morning on the arson charge by the FBI and members of its Joint Terrorism Task Force. The Air Force Office of Special Investigations at Hill Air Force Base (HAFB) assisted the FBI. According to the complaint, Williams is an Airman First Class in the U.S. Air Force. He is stationed at HAFB in northern Utah.
During the afternoon of May 30, 2020, a peaceful protest in downtown Salt Lake City transitioned into acts of destruction, property damage, arson, and other criminal conduct. During the riot, a Salt Lake City police officer, driving a police vehicle, became boxed-in and immobilized by surrounding protestors. Fearing for her safety, the officer fled from her patrol car. Her patrol vehicle was subsequently overturned, vandalized, looted, and then set on fire. Video footage from the event shows individual rioters using fire and explosives to damage and destroy the police vehicle. Federal prosecutors in Utah have filed arson charges against five individuals allegedly responsible for burning the patrol vehicle.
“Since May 30, investigators and prosecutors have engaged in a determined investigation of those who were responsible for burning the police patrol car in downtown Salt Lake City. Our intent has been to bring consequence to the lawlessness that we witnessed. While available video and photographs played a prominent role in the investigation, solid investigative efforts by agents and detectives made the difference in these arrests,” U.S. Attorney John W. Huber said today.
According to the complaint, video footage from the afternoon of May 30, 2020, shows a white male, later identified by law enforcement as Christopher Isidro Rojas, standing next to an African American male. This individual, subsequently identified by law enforcement as Williams, was dressed in a black Nike hoodie, black Nike sweatpants, black shoes, and a black gas mask.
Rojas was observed holding a blue cigarette lighter in his hands while Williams held a white combustible fabric material, similar to a tablecloth or bedsheet, according to the complaint. Rojas used the cigarette lighter to ignite the fabric. Once the fabric began to burn, the complaint alleges Williams threw the material into the window of the overturned patrol car. The burning material landed partially within the interior of the patrol car and partially on the street.
Williams was wearing a gasmask. Investigators subsequently identified the gas mask worn by Williams as an M50 Joint Service General Protective Mask. Clarified photographs of Williams wearing the mask revealed lettering on its attached M61 filter canister, written in what appeared to be white marker, which stated, “TRNG ONLY.” A lot number was also observed on the canister, according to the complaint.
Williams was also observed unmasked at the riot. Law enforcement officers were able to use several photographs to identify Williams.
Williams was identified as an Airman First Class in the U.S. Air Force, stationed at Hill Air Force Base. He was issued an M50 gas mask by his unit for training purposes in March 2020. Markings on the mask are consistent with the markings applied at HAFB. On Aug. 13, 2020, the readiness squadron at HAFB conducted a general inventory check of equipment issued to Williams and other members of his group during an exercise. According to the complaint, serial/lot numbers were documented for each inventoried item. The lot number for one of the gas canisters assigned to Williams was identical to the number observed on the gas mask as depicted in pictures taken at the riot.
Williams will make an initial appearance on the arson charge at 3 p.m. Thursday before U.S. Magistrate Judge Dustin Pead.
Federal arson charges in the case are pending against Jackson Stuart Tamowski Patton, 26, Latroi Devon Newbins, 28, Christopher Rojas, 28, and Lateesha Richards, 24, all of Salt Lake City, who were charged earlier. Patton and Richards are in custody. Newbins and Rojas have been released on conditions of pretrial release. Previous complaints filed against Patton, Newbins, Rojas, and Richards have been consolidated in a one-count indictment returned by a federal grand jury on July 23, 2020.
Complaints and indictments are not findings of guilt. Individuals charged in complaints or indictments are presumed innocent unless or until proven guilty in court. Arson carries a potential sentence of 20 years in prison with a minimum-mandatory five-year sentence.
Assistant U.S. Attorneys from the Utah U.S. Attorney’s Office are prosecuting the case. Investigating agencies include members of the FBI’s JTTF, the Salt Lake City Police Department, the ATF and the Utah Department of Public Safety.
Federal charges filed on men for two day crime spree in Evansville and ElberfieldRead the Press Release
Evansville – United States Attorney Josh J. Minkler announced today, Davontai Jones-Robinson, 23, of Evansville, Indiana, and Trinity Taylor, 26, of Prattville, Alabama, are in federal custody and charged with three counts each of Obstruction of Commerce by Robbery, and three counts each of Use of a Firearm During and Relation to a Crime of Violence.
“Living a life of crime never pays off,” said Minkler. “Their short lived crime spree spread fear into the lives of the innocent victims that they may carry the rest of their lives. And now Jones-Robinson and Taylor face a life sentence in federal prison.”
On 08/13/20 around 8 pm, officers with the Evansville Police Department were sent to a robbery in progress at Kwik Stop located at 4301 Pollack Avenue. A nearby neighbor reported seeing a man with a long-gun run in and out of the store. The clerk said a black male entered the store with a gun and ordered him to open the register. The gunman took an undetermined amount of cash and cigarettes, then exited the store.
Approximately 6 1/2 hours later, around 2:30 am on 08/14/20, officers with the Evansville Police Department were again advised of a robbery in progress at the Circle K located at 2400 E. Riverside Drive. As in the earlier robbery, a black male entered the business brandishing a gun and wearing the same clothing description as before. He ordered the clerk to open the register and he took an undetermined amount of cash and cigarettes. A dark colored passenger car is also observed in the area before and during the robbery.
Approximately 9 ½ hours later, Warrick County Law Enforcement officers were notified of a robbery in progress at Chuckles located at 175 W. Main Street in Elberfeld. Once again, a black male entered the business with a gun and ordered the clerk to open the register. The gunman stole an undetermined amount of cash and leaving in a dark colored passenger car.
Investigators were able to determine that the same individual committed the robberies and the same dark colored passenger car was involved as the getaway vehicle. The license plate number was identified and investigators from the Indiana State Police were able to determine it belonged to a car rental company. Records indicated that Trinity Taylor was renting the vehicle in question.
On 08/14/20 around 3:45 pm, patrol officers from the Evansville Police Department located the vehicle in question at Covert Avenue and Green River Road. Trinity Taylor was identified as the driver and taken into custody. Further investigation revealed that Jones-Robinson was the armed gunman who went inside and robbed the businesses.
A search warrant was executed at the apartment where Taylor and Jones-Robinson were residing. Several items related to all three robberies were discovered and secured as evidence.
This case was investigated by the FBI Indiana Violent Crime Task Force, Evansville Police Department, Warrick County Sheriff’s Department, and the Indiana State Police.
According to Assistant United States Attorney Todd Shellenbarger, who is prosecuting this case for the government, both defendants face up to life in prison, a $250,000 fine, and five years of supervised release after being released from federal prison.
Criminal charges are merely allegations and are not evidence of guilt. Both defendants are considered innocent until proven guilty in federal court.
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 sentencing demonstrates the office’s firm commitment to investigate and prosecute defendants committing violent crimes involving firearms. (See United States Attorney’s Office, Southern District of Indiana Strategic Plan Sections 2.3)
Federal Jury Convicts Cabell County Man on Drug and Gun ChargesRead the Press Release
HUNTINGTON, W.Va. - A Cabell County man was convicted of federal drug and gun charges following a jury trial, announced United States Attorney Mike Stuart.
Steven McCallister, 47, of Barboursville, was convicted of distribution of fentanyl, possession with intent to distribute 400 grams or more of fentanyl, possession of a firearm in furtherance of drug trafficking, and being felon in possession of a firearm.
“This is a significant victory for the people of West Virginia and the City of Huntington,” said United States Attorney Mike Stuart. “McCallister was found guilty on all counts in near record time because the evidence was so overwhelming. Defendant by defendant, case by case, matter by matter, we are taking back the streets from the drug dealers and poison peddlers and returning them to our good citizens.”
On June 12, 2019, agents with the Metropolitan Drug Enforcement Network Team (MDENT) arranged a controlled buy of 50 grams of heroin from McCallister through a confidential informant (CI). The controlled buy was conducted at McCallister’s residence at 224 Carper Lane in Barboursville. Following the controlled buy, MDENT agents, along with members of the Violent Crime and Drug Task Force West, executed a search warrant at the residence and discovered over a kilogram of fentanyl/heroin mix. They also discovered a loaded .357 handgun in McCallister’s bedroom where part of the fentanyl was located along with a large amount of cash.
McCallister was a convicted felon and was prohibited from possessing the firearm. In addition, the jury found him guilty of possessing that firearm in furtherance of his drug trafficking.
The investigation was conducted by the Metropolitan Drug Enforcement Network Team (MDENT), the Violent Crime and Drug Task Force West, the U.S. Department of Homeland Security-Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) and the West Virginia State Police. Assistant United States Attorneys Greg McVey and Joseph Adams prosecuted the case before United States District Judge Robert C. Chambers.
McCallister faces a minimum of 20 years to life in prison when he is sentenced on December 7, 2020.
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-00153.
Follow us on Twitter: SDWVNews and USAttyStuart
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Fall River Woman Pleads Guilty to Social Security FraudRead the Press Release
BOSTON – A Fall River woman pleaded guilty today in federal court to stealing Social Security disability benefits.
Gloria Camara, 58, pleaded guilty to one count of theft of public funds and one count of making a false statement. U.S. District Court Judge Indira Talwani scheduled sentencing for Dec. 15, 2020.
Camara began receiving Social Security disability benefits in 1992. In November 2009, she began working as a caregiver, but she did not report her income to the Social Security Administration. Instead, during periodic eligibility reviews, including a review on April 20, 2017, Camara falsely told Social Security that her only income consisted of three months of unemployment compensation benefits in 2008, and sporadic wages from two companies between 2003 and 2011. Because she did not report her earnings as a caregiver, Camara stole approximately $84,222 in Social Security benefits from November 2009 through October 2019.
The charge of theft of public funds provides for a sentence of up to 10 years in prison, three years of supervised release and a fine of $250,000 or twice the gross gain or loss, whichever is greater. The charge of making a false statement provides for a sentence of up to five years in prison, three years of supervised release and a fine of $250,000 or twice the gross gain or loss, whichever is greater. Sentences are imposed by a federal district court judge based upon the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors.
United States Attorney Andrew E. Lelling and Tonya Perkins, Acting Special Agent in Charge of the Social Security Administration, Office of Inspector General, Office of Investigations, Boston Field Division made the announcement today. Special Assistant U.S. Attorney Karen Burzycki of Lelling’s Major Crimes Unit is prosecuting the case.
FBI Attorney Admits Altering Email Used for FISA Application During "Crossfire Hurricane" InvestigationRead the Press Release
Former FBI attorney Kevin Clinesmith, 38, pleaded guilty today in the U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia to a false statement offense stemming from his altering of an email in connection with the submission of a Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act (“FISA”) application, announced John H. Durham, Special Attorney to the Attorney General.
Pursuant to the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act (CARES Act), the guilty plea proceeding occurred via videoconference before U.S. District Judge James E. Boasberg.
According to court documents and statements made in court, between July 2015 and September 2019, Clinesmith was employed with the FBI as an Assistant General Counsel in the National Security and Cyber Law Branch of the FBI’s Office of General Counsel in Washington, D.C. On July 31, 2016, the FBI opened a Foreign Agents Registration Act investigation, known as “Crossfire Hurricane,” into whether individuals associated with the Donald J. Trump for President Campaign were coordinating activities with the Russian government. By August 16, 2016, the FBI had opened cases under the Crossfire Hurricane umbrella on four individuals, including an individual identified in this case as “Individual #1.”
Clinesmith was assigned to provide legal support to FBI personnel working on Crossfire Hurricane, and he assisted FBI personnel with applications prepared by the FBI and the Justice Department’s National Security Division to conduct surveillance under the FISA. During the investigation, there were a total of four court-approved FISA applications targeting Individual #1. Each of the FISA applications alleged there was probable cause that Individual #1 was a knowing agent of a foreign power, specifically Russia.
On August 17, 2016, prior to the approval of the first FISA application #1, another U.S. government agency (“OGA”) provided certain members of the Crossfire Hurricane team a memorandum indicating that Individual #1 had been approved as an “operational contact” for the OGA from 2008 to 2013 and detailing information that Individual #1 had provided to the OGA concerning Individual #1’s prior contacts with certain Russian intelligence officers. The first three FISA applications did not include Individual #1’s history or status with the OGA.
Prior to the submission of the fourth FISA application, and after Individual #1 stated publicly that he/she had assisted the U.S. government in the past, an FBI Supervisory Special Agent (“SSA”) asked Clinesmith to inquire with the OGA as to whether Individual #1 had ever been a “source” for the OGA. On June 15, 2017, Clinesmith sent an email to a liaison at the OGA (“OGA Liaison”) seeking clarification as to whether Individual #1 was an OGA source, and the OGA Liaison responded via email to Clinesmith. On June 19, 2017, Clinesmith altered the email he received from the OGA Liaison by adding the words “not a source,” and then forwarded the email to the FBI SSA. Relying on the altered email, on June 29, 2017, the SSA signed and submitted the fourth FISA application to the U.S. Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Court. The application did not include Individual #1’s history or status with the OGA.
Clinesmith pleaded guilty to one count of making a false statement within both the jurisdiction of the executive branch and judicial branch of the U.S. government, an offense that carries a maximum term of imprisonment of five years and a fine of up to $250,000. Judge Boasberg scheduled sentencing for December 10, 2020.
This case is being prosecuted by Special Assistant U.S. Attorney Neeraj N. Patel and Assistant U.S. Attorney Anthony Scarpelli, with the support and assistance of other members of Special Attorney Durham’s team.
Dubuque Man Pleads Guilty to Being a Drug User in Possession of Firearms and AmmunitionRead the Press Release
A drug user who possessed firearms and ammunition pled guilty on August 17, 2020, in federal court in Cedar Rapids.
Daniel Heim, age 32, from Dubuque, Iowa, was convicted of one count of being a drug user in possession of firearms and ammunition. At the plea hearing and in a plea agreement, Heim admitted that, in December 2019, he possessed 14 firearms and 3,398 rounds of ammunition while being a user of marijuana and cocaine.
Sentencing before United States District Court Judge C.J. Williams will be set after a presentence report is prepared. Heim remains free on bond previously set pending sentencing. Heim faces a possible maximum sentence of ten years’ imprisonment, a $250,000 fine, and three years of supervised release following any imprisonment.
This case was brought as part of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN). PSN is the centerpiece of the Department of Justice’s violent crime reduction efforts. PSN is an evidence-based program proven to be effective at reducing violent crime. Through PSN, a broad spectrum of stakeholders work together to identify the most pressing violent crime problems in the community and develop comprehensive solutions to address them. As part of this strategy, PSN focuses enforcement efforts on the most violent offenders and partners with locally based prevention and reentry programs for lasting reductions in crime.
This case is also part of Project Guardian, the Department of Justice’s signature initiative to reduce gun violence and enforce federal firearms laws. Initiated by the Attorney General in the fall of 2019, Project Guardian draws upon the Department’s past successful programs to reduce gun violence; enhances coordination of federal, state, local, and tribal authorities in investigating and prosecuting gun crimes; improves information-sharing by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives when a prohibited individual attempts to purchase a firearm and is denied by the National Instant Criminal Background Check System (NICS), to include taking appropriate actions when a prospective purchaser is denied by the NICS for mental health reasons; and ensures that federal resources are directed at the criminals posing the greatest threat to our communities. For more information about Project Guardian, please see /media/1122011/dl?inline.
This case is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Mark Tremmel and was investigated by the Dubuque Police Department, the Dubuque County Sheriff’s Office, and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives.
Court file information is available at https://ecf.iand.uscourts.gov/cgi-bin/login.pl. The case file number is CR 20-1006.
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Dublin man sentenced to more than 22 years in prison for dealing fentanyl in Dayton regionRead the Press Release
DAYTON – Juwan Chino Dillard, of Dublin, Ohio, was sentenced in U.S. District Court to 270 months in prison for conspiring to possess with intent to distribute more than 40 grams of fentanyl.
According to court documents, Dillard participated in a drug trafficking organization that used residences and storage units in Dublin and Columbus to maintain a fentanyl distribution conspiracy.
In November 2018, investigators searched the properties and discovered 59 grams of fentanyl, a hydraulic press commonly used by drug traffickers to press kilogram quantities of narcotics, kilogram press plates and molds, models of Gucci and Louis Vuitton brand emblems for pressing into the narcotics and a written ledger indicated prices per kilogram of different narcotics.
Several bags of bulk cash were discovered in the storage facility on Old Avery Road in Dublin.
The court determined that the conspiracy was responsible for more than eight kilograms of fentanyl. In addition, law enforcement authorities seized more than $360,000 in this case.
Dillard pleaded guilty in the narcotics conspiracy in July 2019.
David M. DeVillers, United States Attorney for the Southern District of Ohio; Keith Martin, Special Agent in Charge, Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA); and Columbus Police Chief Thomas Quinlan announced the sentence imposed on Aug. 18 by Senior U.S. District Court Judge Thomas M. Rose. Assistant United States Attorney Dwight K. Keller is representing the United States in this case.
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Drug-Using Gang Member Pleads Guilty to Illegally Possessing FirearmRead the Press Release
Gulfport, Miss. – Joshual Tyrik Richburg, 21, of Biloxi, Mississippi, pled guilty today before U.S. District U.S. District Judge Sul Ozerden to one count of possession of a firearm by an unlawful user of a controlled substance, announced U.S. Attorney Mike Hurst and FBI Special-Agent-in-Charge Michelle Sutphin.
On September 20, 2019, Joshual Richburg sold a firearm to an individual. During the course of an investigation, it was determined that Richburg had been smoking marijuana every day for several years. Richburg is a known member of a local Biloxi gang that is part of the Gangster Disciples.
Richburg will be sentenced by Judge Ozerden on November 19, 2020 at 9:00 a.m. and faces a maximum penalty of 10 years in prison and a $250,000 fine.
The case was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation and prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Erica Rose.
Drug Distributor for “SCO” Neighborhood Gang Sentenced to 3 Years in PrisonRead the Press Release
PITTSBURGH, PA - A former resident of Braddock, Pennsylvania, has been sentenced in federal court to three years’ imprisonment and three years of supervised release on his conviction of narcotics trafficking, United States Attorney Scott W. Brady announced today.
Senior United States District Judge Arthur J. Schwab imposed the sentence on Dorian Boyd, age 26, formerly of 524 13th Street, Braddock, PA.
According to information presented to the court, the Greater Pittsburgh Safe Streets Task Force conducted a long-term investigation of drug trafficking occurring in and around the Braddock section of Pittsburgh. Boyd and other individuals were identified as members and/or associates of a neighborhood based street gang, self-titled "SCO", which illegally distributed controlled substances in the greater Pittsburgh region..
In January of 2019, investigators obtained authorization to conduct a federal wire investigation, which continued through May of 2019. Boyd, along with 32 others were indicted in June of 2019 by a federal grand jury in three separate, but related, Indictments.
The Court was informed that Boyd is a close associate of SCO, including its leader, Howard McFadden and, based upon intercepted communications occurring over three telephones that were intercepted, law enforcement confirmed that Boyd was a heroin and cocaine base distributor. Boyd admitted, in conjunction with his plea, that he initially served as a runner for McFadden but, over time, he began operating one of the telephones used to communicate with drug customers that law enforcement intercepted. Boyd often directed drug customers to meet him at the Library Street basketball courts parking lot or at his residence on 13th Street where he would facilitate the drug transaction. The Court was further informed that on June 12, 2019, law enforcement seized, among other items, two firearms from Mr. Boyd’s residence, one of which was located on a bookshelf in the kitchen with a round chambered and full magazine.
Assistant United States Attorney Rebecca L. Silinski prosecuted this case on behalf of the government.
United States Attorney Brady commended the multi-agency team, which was led by the Federal Bureau of Investigation, for the investigation leading to the successful prosecution of Moore. Partners in this investigation included the Drug Enforcement Administration, Bureau of Alcohol Tobacco Firearms and Explosives, United States Marshals Fugitive Task Force, Allegheny County Sheriff’s Office, Allegheny County Police Department, Pennsylvania State Police, Pennsylvania Attorney General’s Office Bureau of Narcotics, and the Pittsburgh Bureau of Police. Other assisting agencies included the Monroeville Police Department, Penn Hills Police Department, Wilkinsburg Police Department, and Allegheny County Adult Probation.
This case is part of the Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Force program, known as OCDETF. OCDETF was established in 1982 to support comprehensive investigations and prosecutions of major drug trafficking and money laundering organizations. It is the keystone of the drug reduction strategy of the Department of Justice. By combining the resources and expertise of federal agencies and their state and local law enforcement partners, OCDETF identifies, disrupts, and dismantles the most serious drug trafficking, money laundering, and transnational criminal organizations.
Department of Justice Argues That Vermont’s Barring Parochial Student from College Course Program Violates ConstitutionRead the Press Release
The Department of Justice today filed a brief in the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Second Circuit supporting a parochial high school student and her parents who claim that Vermont discriminated against them in violation of the Free Exercise Clause of the U.S. Constitution by excluding them from a state program paying tuition for high school students to take up to two college courses.
“Ever since our patriotic ancestors declared our independence, rejected monarchy, and established the United States of America, our nation has supported and defended a very simple and important ideal, namely, that government may not discriminate against people of faith because of religion. Our Founding Fathers enshrined this principle in the First Amendment of the United States Constitution, and the United States today remains dedicated to the right of all people to practice their faith without suffering injustice at the hands of governments,” said Assistant Attorney General Eric Dreiband for the Civil Rights Division. “The First Amendment, common decency, and our shared humanity demand no less. The Department of Justice will continue to defend the right of all people to exercise religion according to the dictates of their faith and conscience.”
“Religious liberty is a fundamental and foundational right in this country,” said Christina E. Nolan, U.S. Attorney for Vermont. “We support the rights of students to both exercise their religion and participate fully in Vermont’s educational programs. Especially in light of the Supreme Court’s recent ruling on religious liberty and educational benefits, we believe this case advances the twin paramount goals of maximizing educational opportunities for young Vermonters and vigilantly guarding religious freedom.”
The appeal, A.M. v. French, involves a challenge to the exclusion of students attending religious high schools from Vermont’s “Dual Enrollment Program.” This program provides high school students the opportunity to take up to two college courses while still in high school, with tuition paid by the State. It is open to public school students, home school students, and students attending nonreligious private schools who do not have a public high school in their school district. The program, however, excludes those students without public high school in their district who choose to attend private religious schools. The student, A.M., attends a parochial school and would like to participate in the program and take courses at the University of Vermont, which she would be able to do were her school a secular private school.
A federal trial court on May 29, 2020, denied a preliminary injunction to the student and her parents, holding that they had not shown that they were likely to succeed on their claim under the Free Exercise Clause. The United States’ brief, however, argues that the District Court erred in not holding that the exclusion of the student from the Dual Enrollment Program was a likely constitutional violation, particularly in light of the Supreme Court’s decision on June 30, 2020, in Espinoza v. Montana Dept. of Revenue, barring discrimination based on religious status in a state scholarship program. The United States’ brief argues that “[t]he Supreme Court’s repeated holdings, including in Espinoza, that religious entities and their adherents cannot be excluded from or disadvantaged under public programs and benefits based on their religious character, make clear that [the student and her school’s] disqualification from the Dual Enrollment Program is impermissible under the Free Exercise Clause.”
In July 2018, the Department of Justice announced the formation of the Religious Liberty Task Force. The Task Force brings together department components to coordinate their work on religious liberty litigation and policy, and to implement the Attorney General’s 2017 Religious Liberty Guidance.
Commerce Man Sentenced for Distributing Methamphetamine and CocaineRead the Press Release
A Commerce man was sentenced Tuesday in federal court for distribution of methamphetamine, possession of methamphetamine with intent to distribute, and possession of cocaine with intent to distribute, announced U.S. Attorney Trent Shores.
Chief U.S. District Judge John E. Dowdell sentenced Jorge Alberto Moreno, 39, to nine years in federal prison to be followed by four years of supervised release. Judge Dowdell noted that while committing these crimes Moreno possessed a firearm, which posed a further threat to the community.
“Moreno’s drug operation is closed for business thanks to the combined efforts of federal, state, and local law enforcement working together,” said U.S. Attorney Trent Shores. “With Moreno behind bars for the next nine years, families living in Commerce can feel safer. Dealers in both rural and urban areas of northeastern Oklahoma will be brought to justice for their crimes.”
On March 2, 2020, Moreno pleaded guilty to the charges and admitted that in March 2019, he distributed 25 grams of methamphetamine in exchange for $400. He further acknowledged that in September 2019 he possessed with the intent to distribute both methamphetamine and cocaine. During the investigation, law enforcement discovered methamphetamine, cocaine and $32,000 in cash hidden in a closet in Moreno’s home.
Moreno remains in the custody of the U.S. Marshals Service until transfer to a U.S. Bureau of Prisons facility.
This conviction was the part of the Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Force’s Operation Hot Rails. The Oklahoma Bureau of Narcotics and Dangerous Drugs, the Drug Enforcement Administration and the Commerce Police Department conducted the investigation. Assistant U.S. Attorney Thomas E. Duncombe prosecuted the case.
Collin County Man Sentenced for Firearms Violation in Connection with Teen’s DeathRead the Press Release
SHERMAN, Texas – A 19-year-old McKinney, Texas man has been sentenced for federal firearms violations in the Eastern District of Texas, announced U.S. Attorney Stephen. J. Cox today.
Christopher Lamarr Sterkes pleaded guilty on June 1, 2020, to possession of a firearm by a drug user and possession of a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime and was sentenced to a total of 144 months in federal prison today by U.S. District Judge Amos Mazzant.
According to information presented in court, on March 8, 2019, Sterkes met four men in a van in Anna, Texas, intending to sell them approximately 14 grams of marijuana. The men began assaulting Sterkes in an attempt to rob him of the marijuana instead of paying for it. Sterkes, armed with a pistol, managed to escape from the van and fired three shots into the van as it drove away. One of the men inside the van, 16-year-old Alejandro Camacho, was struck by the gunfire and died. Sterkes was indicted by a federal grand jury on August 14, 2019.
This case was prosecuted as part of the Project Safe Neighborhoods Initiative. Project Safe Neighborhoods is aimed at reducing gun and gang violence; deterring illegal possession of guns, ammunition, and body armor; and improving the safety of residents in the Eastern District of Texas. Participants in the initiative include community members and organizations as well as federal, state, and local law enforcement agencies.
This case was investigated by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, the Anna Police Department, and the Texas Department of Public Safety Texas Rangers. This case was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Maureen Smith.
Cocaine, meth and heroin dealer sentenced to prisonRead the Press Release
GREAT FALLS — A Great Falls man who admitted selling multiple drugs in the Great Falls area was sentenced today to 54 months in prison and four years of supervised release, U.S. Attorney Kurt Alme said.
Gabriel Louis Norlin, 30, pleaded guilty in March to possession with intent to distribute controlled substances.
Chief U.S. District Judge Brian Morris presided.
In court documents filed in the case, the prosecution said that in September 2019, Russell Country Drug Task Force officers received information that Norlin was selling cocaine and heroin and that he was traveling to California to pick up narcotics for redistribution in Montana. In October 2019, law enforcement officers stopped and seized a truck Norlin was driving near Four Corners, towed it to Belgrade and conducted a search. Law enforcement officers found numerous bags of drugs, including two bags totaling about two pounds of cocaine. Two pounds of cocaine is the equivalent of about 7,610 doses. Norlin admitted later to detectives that he had been selling cocaine, methamphetamine and heroin.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Jessica Betley prosecuted the case, which was investigated by the Drug Enforcement Administration and the Russell Country Drug Task Force.
This case is part of Project Safe Neighborhoods, a U.S. Department of Justice initiative to reduce violent crime. According to the FBI’s Uniform Crime Reports, violent crime in Montana increased by 36% from 2013 to 2018. Through PSN, federal, tribal, state and local law enforcement partners in Montana focus on violent crime driven by methamphetamine trafficking, armed robbers, firearms offenses and violent offenders with outstanding warrants.
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