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Friday 14 August 2020
Providence Man Charged with Arson of Providence Police CruiserRead the Press Release
PROVIDENCE – A Providence, RI, man was arrested and arraigned in U.S. District Court in Providence today on a charge of arson for allegedly setting fire to a Providence Police Department cruiser in the early morning hours of June 2, 2020, during a riot in downtown Providence.
An investigation by FBI agents in Providence, the FBI Joint Terrorism Task Force in Boston, Providence Police, and the United States Attorney’s Office determined that Luis Joel Sierra, 34, allegedly set a police cruiser on fire by leaning inside the cruiser and igniting a fire with fluid and a lighter. The cruiser was quickly engulfed in flames and destroyed.
“Senseless violence and vandalism are no way to effect change. The alleged actions of this defendant are indicative of his intent to inflict damage and promote chaos – not to address issues. Not only did the alleged actions of this defendant destroy a Providence Police cruiser, he also endangered the safety of dozens of nearby protesters, as the cruiser burst into flames,” said United States Attorney Aaron L. Weisman.
“As alleged, this man engaged in a deliberate effort to destroy a police cruiser—setting it on fire to send a message—adding to the chaos that put the lives of innocent bystanders in danger,” said Joseph R. Bonavolonta, Special Agent in Charge of the FBI Boston Division. “We will not stand for this type of destruction and violence in our community. Rest assured, the FBI will continue to work with the Providence Police Department and our law enforcement partners to apprehend and charge those who engaged in violent crime under the cover of peaceful protests. After all, violent acts like this one steal focus away from the messages that peaceful protesters were striving to deliver.”
Providence Police Chief Colonel Hugh T. Clements, Jr., added, “We will always support peaceful demonstrations but simply will not tolerate criminal behavior and including individuals’ intent on committing assaults and causing willful destruction of physical structures and property. Those who believe they can come into the city and cause destruction must know that we will continue to take this very seriously and through investigation hold you accountable.”
According to court documents, the investigation into the circumstances surrounding the torching of the police vehicle was bolstered by video from surveillance cameras, cell phones, and social media, and from information provided via email to law enforcement tip lines, including the Boston FBI tip line.
Additionally, as alleged in court documents, Sierra told another individual that he was one of the individuals responsible for the arson of the Providence Police Department vehicle by applying a flammable liquid to the interior of the vehicle and then using a lighter to ignite the fire. Law enforcement was also provided with several videos allegedly taken on Snapchat off Sierra’s phone and a recorded conversation with Sierra during which Sierra allegedly detailed his actions igniting the fire.
Earlier today, members of the FBI Joint Terrorism Task Force executed a court-authorized search of Sierra’s residence and seized the matching clothing allegedly worn by Sierra on the evening of June 1, 2020 and early morning of June 2, 2020, including a black Caterpillar jacket; white Adidas sweatpants; a camouflage mask; two black gloves, one with a logo on the back of the hand; and two one-handed windshield-style lighters.
The investigation into this matter and other related matters continues.
Sierra appeared today before U.S. District Court Magistrate Judge Lincoln D. Almond on a federal criminal complaint charging him with arson and was ordered detained in federal custody.
Arson is punishable by statutory penalties of 5-20 years imprisonment, up to three years of supervised release, and a fine of up to $250,000.
A federal criminal complaint is merely an accusation. A defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.
The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Paul F. Daly, Jr.
United States Attorney Aaron Weisman thanks the Rhode Island Fusion Center for their assistance in this investigation.
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Plant City Fentanyl Distributors Sentenced to Federal PrisonRead the Press Release
Tampa, Florida – U.S. District Judge Charlene Edwards Honeywell has sentenced Alfonso Lorenzo Boyd (36, Tampa) to 15 years and 8 months in federal prison and Victor Jason Valentin (28, Mulberry) to 3 years and 10 months in federal prison for conspiring to distribute heroin and fentanyl. Boyd and Valentin had pleaded guilty in October 2019.
According to court documents, in November 2017, law enforcement began an investigation into narcotics trafficking at an apartment complex in Plant City, after a resident of the complex had died from a drug overdose. The investigation revealed that Boyd and Valentin had been selling drugs from an apartment they shared in the complex. Witnesses described seeing large numbers of people coming and going from their apartment, some of them clearly intoxicated. The overdose victim was a neighbor who had purchased heroin and fentanyl from Boyd and Valentin.
Boyd, a career offender, obtained, mixed, packaged, and sold the heroin and fentanyl, calling it “feny dope.” Valentin facilitated sales to residents of the apartment complex.
This case was investigated by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, the Florida Department of Law Enforcement, and the Plant City Police Department. It was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Michael Sinacore.
Operation Legend Expanded to IndianapolisRead the Press Release
Today, the expansion of Operation Legend was announced in Indianapolis. Operation Legend is a sustained, systematic and coordinated law enforcement initiative in which federal law enforcement agencies work in conjunction with state and local law enforcement officials to fight violent crime. The Operation was first launched on July 8 in Kansas City, MO., and expanded on July 22, 2020, to Chicago and Albuquerque, to Cleveland, Detroit, and Milwaukee on July 29, 2020, and to St. Louis and Memphis on August 6, 2020.
Operation Legend is named in honor of four-year-old LeGend Taliferro, who was shot and killed while he slept early in the morning of June 29 in Kansas City.
“The most basic responsibility of government is to protect the safety of our citizens,” said Attorney General William P. Barr. “Today, we have extended Operation Legend to Indianapolis, a city experiencing an increase in violent crime that no resident of that city should have to accept as part of everyday life. For decades, the Department of Justice has achieved significant success when utilizing our anti-violent crime task forces and federal law enforcement agents to enforce federal law and assist American cities that are experiencing upticks in violent crime. The Department of Justice’s assets will supplement local law enforcement efforts, as we work together to take the shooters and chronic violent criminals off of our streets.”
Attorney General Barr has directed the ATF, FBI, DEA, and U.S. Marshals Service in Indianapolis to dedicate resources to Operation Legend to help state and local officials fight high levels of violent crime, particularly gun violence.
Indianapolis is experiencing a significant increase in violent crime, with homicides currently up more than 51% and non-fatal shootings up more than 34%.
In Indianapolis, the Department of Justice will supplement state and local law enforcement agencies by dedicating 40 federal investigators to Operation Legend for 45 days. The Department of Homeland Security will also make 17 agents available. Under the leadership of Joshua J. Minkler, U.S. Attorney for the Southern District of Indiana, these investigators will complement the work already underway by existing joint federal, state and local task forces focused on combating violent gangs, gun crime, and drug trafficking organizations.
In addition, the Bureau of Justice Assistance will make available $250,000 to support Operation Legend’s violent crime reduction efforts in Indianapolis. These funds will be available to reimburse state and local agencies with any overtime during the operation.
Opelousas Woman Sentenced to 5 Years in PrisonRead the Press Release
Opelousas Woman Sentenced to 5 Years in Federal Prison for Federal Drug Charges
LAFAYETTE, La. – Acting United States Attorney Alexander C. Van Hook announced that Dinah Manuel, 31, of Opelousas, Louisiana, was sentenced today. United States District Judge Robert R. Summerhays sentenced Manuel to 60 months (5 years) in prison followed by four years of supervised release for possession of methamphetamine with intent to distribute. Manuel pleaded guilty on November 22, 2019.
According to information presented to the court on November 22, 2019, Manuel arranged purchases of methamphetamine from a co-defendant for eventual resale. Transactions between Manuel and the methamphetamine co-defendant occurred approximately once per week, and each transaction involved quantities of up to one ounce of methamphetamine. Manuel arranged the purchases so that another individual could resell the methamphetamine for profit. In exchange for facilitating the transactions, Manuel often received a portion of the methamphetamine purchased for her own personal use.
This prosecution is part of a larger investigation conducted by the Drug Enforcement Administration through its Southwest Louisiana HIDTA Task Force and Organized Crime and Drug Enforcement Task Forces. The Louisiana State Police Narcotics Division initiated the investigation, and Special Agents with DEA, as well as Task Force Officers assigned to the Southwest Louisiana HIDTA Task Force, completed the investigation. In addition to the above conviction and sentence, the investigation resulted in the dismantling of a drug trafficking organization in Ville Platte, Louisiana. Assistant U.S. Attorney Robert C. Abendroth prosecuted the case.
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Norwalk Bookkeeper Sentenced to Prison for Fraud and Tax OffensesRead the Press Release
John H. Durham, United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut, announced that PENNI SHERMAN, also known as PENNI PARKER, 53, of Norwalk, was sentenced today by U.S. District Judge Michael P. Shea in Hartford to eight months of imprisonment, followed by two years of supervised release, for fraud and tax offenses stemming from an embezzlement scheme. Judge Shea ordered Sherman to spend the first two months of supervised release in home confinement.
According to court documents and statements made in court, Sherman operated PSP Accounting & Bookkeeping, and provided bookkeeping services to area businesses. Between 2011 and 2018, Sherman stole a total of $418,197.09, from clients and used the funds to pay her own credit card bills and to cover other personal expenses, including salon services.
Sherman stole more than $396,000 from one of her clients who owned a small business. When confronted about the embezzlement, Sherman returned $165,920 to the victim business owner.
Sherman failed to report the embezzled funds, and certain other business receipts, on her federal income tax returns, resulting in a loss of $125,167 to the Internal Revenue Service.
On October 11, 2019, Sherman pleaded guilty to one count of wire fraud and one count of making and subscribing a false tax return.
Judge Shea ordered Sherman to pay restitution of $252,277.09 to the victims of her fraud, and $125,167 in back taxes, plus applicable interest and penalties, to the IRS.
Sherman, who has been released on bond, is required to report to prison on August 13, 2021.
This matter was investigated by the Internal Revenue Service – Criminal Investigation Division and U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s Homeland Security Investigations (HSI). This case was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Jennifer R. Laraia.
Norteño Gang Member Charged with Murdering 15-Year-Old in Mission DistrictRead the Press Release
SAN FRANCISCO – A complaint was unsealed today charging Fernando Madrigal with the murder of a 15 year-old, announced United States Attorney David L. Anderson, FBI Deputy Special Agent in Charge Craig D. Fair, and San Francisco Police Chief William Scott. Additional facts regarding the investigation and charges can be found here: https://youtu.be/TJtN7F0vs6o
According to the complaint, Madrigal, 22, of San Francisco, is alleged to have been a member of a street gang known as the San Francisco Mission District Norteños, which claimed to control the area around 24th Street and Mission in San Francisco. The complaint alleges that in the early hours of July 8, 2019, Madrigal and his fellow gang members shot and killed an individual on the sidewalk of 24th Street in San Francisco, about a block away from the 24th and Mission BART Station. The victim was a 15-year old who was identified from his school ID card. According to the complaint, the victim had been erroneously identified as a rival gang member. Shortly after the murder, Madrigal and his fellow gang members drove to a housing complex a few blocks away in an area claimed by their rival gang, and fired a gunshot. There, they encountered SFPD officers, whom they then led on a high-speed car chase through the Mission District and onto Highways 101 and 280, before escaping.
“This killing was senseless,” said U.S. Attorney David L. Anderson. “The Mission District is a wonderful neighborhood, a diverse neighborhood, a neighborhood of children and young families and the elderly. The Mission District deserves to be just as free from gang warfare as every other neighborhood in San Francisco. We will continue to work with our local law enforcement partners to eradicate gang violence. We are all safer when we work together.”
“This murder was senseless and horrific,” said FBI Deputy Special Agent in Charge Craig Fair. “The FBI’s Safe Streets Task Force will continue to investigate street violence that’s targeting the children of our city, and, disproportionally, communities of color and people who are struggling to get by. No one should be afraid to walk in their own neighborhood, and no one deserves to lose their son or daughter to gang violence.”
Madrigal was arrested in San Francisco earlier today. His initial appearance in court before a U.S. Magistrate Judge has yet to be scheduled.
A complaint merely alleges that crimes have been committed, and all defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt. The crime charged against Madrigal in the complaint is eligible for the death penalty. Otherwise, he faces a maximum sentence of life in prison, and a fine of $250,000. However, any sentence following conviction would be imposed by the court after consideration of the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and the federal statute governing the imposition of a sentence, 18 U.S.C. § 3553.
The case is being prosecuted by the Organized Crime Strike Force of the U.S. Attorney’s Office. The prosecution is the result of a yearlong investigation by the Federal Bureau of Investigation, together with SFPD Gang Task Force and SFPD Homicide.
New Billboards Urge Community ActionRead the Press Release
KANSAS CITY, Mo. – New billboards at several Kansas City, Missouri, locations will encourage the community to take action to reduce violent crime as part of Operation LeGend.
Digital billboards at five locations starting today urge citizens to “Help Stop Violent Crime in K.C.” by calling the anonymous Tips Hotline, 816-474-TIPS.
“Witnesses and those who have information about a crime should know their tips are completely anonymous through 474-TIPS,” Garrison said. “If we’re going to solve the problem of violent crime in Kansas City, we need the community’s support.”
Lamar Advertising is providing digital billboards at I-29 and Barry Road, I-670 and I-35, I-35/29 and Armour Road, I-70 and I-470, and I-35 and I-435. The billboards feature the TIPS Hotline number, along with the #OperationLegend hashtag and the seals of each of the agencies involved in Operation LeGend.
“On behalf of all of the law enforcement partners participating in Operation LeGend,” Garrison added, “I want to express our gratitude to the FBI, Crime Stoppers, and Lamar Advertising Company for their contributions to this public awareness campaign.”
Operation LeGend
Operation LeGend is a federal partnership with local law enforcement to address the increase in homicides and violent crime in Kansas City, Mo., in 2020. The operation honors the memory of four-year-old LeGend Taliferro, one of the youngest fatalities during a record-breaking year of homicides and shootings. Additional federal agents were assigned to the operation from the FBI, Drug Enforcement Administration, the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, and the U.S. Marshals Service.Monroe Man Sentenced to 24 years in PrisonRead the Press Release
24-Year Prison Sentence for Fentanyl and Heroin Trafficker
MONROE, La. – A 35-year old Monroe man who trafficked fentanyl and heroin in the Monroe area was sentenced on July 30, 2020, for his crimes, announced Acting United States Attorney Alexander C. Van Hook.
Anderson Curtel Duke was sentenced to 24 years in prison and 6 years supervised release by U.S. District Donald E. Walter after being convicted on two counts of possession with intent to distribute fentanyl and one count of possession with intent to distribute heroin following a three-day trial in February 2020. There is no parole in the federal system.
The United States presented evidence during trial showing that Duke was a high volume heroin, fentanyl, and oxycodone dealer in the Monroe/West Monroe areas. In May 2018, the Monroe Division of the Drug Enforcement Administration, Metro Narcotics Unit and the Ouachita Parish Sheriff’s Office began a joint investigation into the drug trafficking operation of Anderson Duke. During their investigation, law enforcement agents used physical and electronic surveillance, undercover purchases, and search warrants to confirm Duke’s drug activities. On June 19, 2018, agents decided to end their month-long investigation and arrested Duke.
Testimony at trial revealed that Duke knew the heroin he sold was stronger than normal and that he obtained the heroin and fentanyl from a source of supply in the Lafayette area. During a recorded interview, post-arrest, Duke stated when he touched the heroin with his bare hands, he would go to sleep and wake up without remembering what had happened. He also stated during the interview that on one occasion he had to perform what he described as "junkie tricks" on one of his customers to revive that customer after an overdose. At least five other people overdosed on the same batch of heroin.
The United States alleged that one of those customers suffered a lethal overdose. The jury found that the government did not prove this allegation beyond a reasonable doubt and acquitted Duke of this conduct. The jury also heard recordings that took place on multiple occasions between May and June 20189, related to Duke’s distribution of fentanyl and heroin. The government alleged that Duke sold these drugs to undercover sources on four occasions. The jury was unable to reach a unanimous verdict on these four counts of the indictment. However, the sentencing judge took this conduct into consideration at sentencing, which the law provides, by concluding that the government proved this conduct by a preponderance of the evidence.
When officers arrived to arrest Duke on June 19, 2018, he was entering a vehicle and attempted to flee from officers, eventually striking a police vehicle. At the time of his arrest, Duke was in possession of fentanyl, heroin, and $1,000 Duke received from a controlled fentanyl transaction performed earlier that morning that was organized by agents. Due to Duke’s prior serious felony drug convictions of distribution of OxyContin, possession of Alprazolam with intent to distribute, and attempted distribution of marijuana, the career offender provision of the United States Sentencing Guidelines allowed the court to sentence Duke to an enhanced sentence.
"This case has taken a dangerous drug dealer off the streets of Monroe and has stopped him from hurting more people," said Acting U.S. Attorney Van Hook. "Fentanyl can be 50 times more potent than heroin - significantly increasing the risk for overdose - just a few grains can have deadly consequences. I want to thank the DEA, the Metro Narcotics Unit, and Ouachita Parish Sheriff’s Office for their hard work investigating this case. I also want to thank the prosecutors and staff for their hard work conducting this trial professionally and effectively. We will continue to work closely with all of our law enforcement partners to disrupt drug traffickers and stop them in their tracks."
The case was investigated by the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA), Metro Narcotics Unit, Ouachita Parish Sheriff’s Office, and the Monroe Police Department. The case was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Brandon B. Brown of the U.S. Attorney’s Office, Western District of Louisiana, and Special Assistant U.S. Attorney Michelle Anderson Thompson of Louisiana Attorney General Jeff Landry’s Office, Criminal Division.
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The year 2020 marks the 150th anniversary of the Department of Justice. Learn more about the history of our agency at www.Justice.gov/Celebrating150Years.
Metro East Dentist Sentenced to Prison for Health Care FraudRead the Press Release
A St. Louis-area dentist has been sentenced to prison for defrauding Illinois Medicaid out of
hundreds of thousands of dollars over a period of several years. Dr. Yun Sup Kim, 49, of St. Louis,
appeared this morning via videoconference at the federal courthouse in Benton, Illinois, and was
sentenced to 12 months and one day in federal prison. Kim pled guilty to three counts of health
care fraud back in February.The case against Kim arose from a regulatory audit initiated in 2015 after claims data showed Kim
had performed more cavity fillings and surgical tooth extractions than nearly any other dentist in
Illinois. Investigators discovered that from August 2014 through December 2017, Kim had repeatedly
submitted false bills for cavity fillings and surgical tooth extractions. Court records list over
1,300 patients for whom Kim falsely claimed to have performed eight or more cavity fillings in a
single day. Kim conceded in court that he did not actually numb, drill, and fill cavities in those
teeth. Kim further admitted billing simple extractions to Medicaid as if they had been surgical
extractions, which are more expensive, and confessed that he had falsified dates of service on
numerous occasions to evade Medicaid billing rules for dental sealants.In April, as part of his plea agreement with the United States, Kim agreed to the entry of a
consent decree revoking his license to practice dentistry in Illinois. Kim’s sentence also includes
restitution to Illinois Medicaid and Medicaid managed care organizations in the amount
of
$671,845.20, which Kim has already paid in full. United States District Judge Staci M. Yandle found
these factors mitigating but also emphasized the need for a period of incarceration to deter other
health care practitioners from committing the same offense. Judge Yandle observed that many of
Kim’s Medicaid-eligible patients were physically harmed by his failure to provide them proper
dental care and that Kim had not demonstrated any remorse for his conduct.Kim was ordered to self-surrender for his prison term on Nov. 13, 2020. A one-year term of
supervised release was also imposed.The investigation was conducted by the Illinois State Police Medicaid Fraud Control Unit, the U.S.
Department of Health and Human Services – Office of Inspector General, and the FBI.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Nathan D. Stump prosecuted the case.Maryland Man Sentenced to 30 Months in Prison for Cyberstalking Former Girlfriend and Threatening Workplace ViolenceRead the Press Release
WASHINGTON – Brandon Spann was sentenced today to 30 months in prison after earlier pleading guilty to a federal cyberstalking charge.
The announcement was made by Acting U.S. Attorney Michael R. Sherwin, and Robert E. Bornstein, Acting Special Agent in Charge of the FBI Washington Field Office’s Criminal Division.
Spann, 30, a resident of Maryland and a former employee of the Department of Education, plead guilty on February 13, 2020 in the U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia. He was sentenced by Judge Amy Berman Jackson. Following his incarceration, he is subject to three years of supervision.
According to the government’s evidence, from approximately November 2017 to July 2019, Spann undertook a pattern of stalking, harassing, and threating behavior towards his former girlfriend. As described in the plea documents, this behavior escalated, eventually targeting the victim through approximately 30 other individuals, including her friends, siblings, and parents, as well as their friends, family, and colleagues, many of whom were unfamiliar with the victim. The over 400 communications included description of murder plans, including numerous false obituaries, threats of workplace violence, and slanderous claims concerning the professional, personal, and sexual reputation of the primary victim. Judge Berman Jackson stated that although cyberstalking cases are rare in her courtroom, the “havoc and terror” wreaked by Mr. Spann “deserved law enforcement attention” and acknowledged that the “ever expanding ripples” of his threatening communication had “real consequences” to the victims, including the closure of an office, the loss of a victim’s job, and several victims’ ongoing fear and anxiety.
Spann was arrested on July 23, 2019, in his home in Maryland and he has been in custody ever since. Spann will get credit for the time he already has served. The court also granted a joint motion from the parties that will require Mr. Spann to pay more than $7,000 in restitution to two of the victims for their attorney’s fees and lost wages.
This matter was investigated by the FBI WFO's Safe Streets Violent Crime Task Force. This task force is charged with investigating acts of violence and criminal threats within the Capital Region and is composed of FBI Agents, Deputy Marshals of the United States Marshals Service, U.S. Capitol Police Officers, CSOSA Supervision Officers, and Detectives from the Washington DC Metropolitan Police Department.
The investigation into this matter was conducted by special agents from the FBI’s Washington Field Office. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Andrew Floyd of the Violent Crime and Narcotics Trafficking Section and Peter Roman of the Cyber Crime Section of the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Columbia prosecuted the case.
Man Pleads Guilty to Producing Image of Child Sexual AbuseRead the Press Release
NORFOLK, Va. – A Keswick man pleaded guilty today to his role in producing images of child sexual abuse and attempting to meet a minor for sex.
According to court documents, Bryan Wesley Petitt, 33, engaged in sexually explicit communications with an undercover agent he believed to be a 14-year-old minor. Petitt drove from Charlottesville to military housing in Norfolk in order to engage in sex with the girl. Upon his arrest, law enforcement discovered images of child sexual abuse on his phone. Investigators later learned that Petitt produced one of the images.
Petitt pleaded guilty to production of child pornography and attempted coercion and enticement of a minor. He faces a mandatory minimum of 15 years in prison and a maximum of 50 years in prison when sentenced on December 14. Actual sentences for federal crimes are typically less than the maximum penalties. A federal district court judge will determine any sentence after taking into account the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors.
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 U.S. Attorney’s Offices and the Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section (CEOS), Project Safe Childhood marshals federal, state, and local resources to better locate, apprehend, and prosecute individuals who exploit children via the internet, as well as to identify and rescue victims. For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit www.justice.gov/psc.
G. Zachary Terwilliger, U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of Virginia; Gregory Scovel, Special Agent in Charge of the Naval Criminal Investigative Service (NCIS) Norfolk Field Office; Raymond Villanueva, Special Agent in Charge of U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s (ICE) Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) Washington, D.C.; and Larry D. Boone, Chief of Norfolk Police, made the announcement after U.S. District Judge A. Gibney, Jr. accepted the plea. Special Assistant U.S. Attorney Matthew Heck is prosecuting the case.
A copy of this press release is located on the website of the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of Virginia. Related court documents and information are located on the website of the District Court for the Eastern District of Virginia or on PACER by searching for Case No. 2:20-cr-16.
Lowell Man Indicted on Illegal Firearm and Drug ChargesRead the Press Release
BOSTON – A Lowell man was indicted yesterday by a federal grand jury in connection with advertising the sale of a firearm on Snapchat.
Juan Aparicio, 29, who was indicted on one count of being a felon in possession of a firearm and ammunition and one count of possession with intent to distribute cocaine, will be arraigned in federal court at a later date. Aparicio was arrested and charged by criminal complaint on June 10, 2020.
According to the charging documents, on Jan. 6, 2020, law enforcement searched Aparicio’s residence after viewing Snapchat videos that evening showing Aparicio offering to sell numerous firearms. A loaded assault rifle and cocaine were recovered during the search. Due to previous convictions punishable by more than one year in prison, Aparicio is prohibited from possessing firearms and ammunition.
The charge of being a felon in possession of a firearm and ammunition provides for a sentence of up to 10 years in prison, one year of supervised release and a fine of up to $250,000. The charge of possession with intent to distribute cocaine provides for a sentence of up to 20 years in prison, three years of supervised release and a fine of up to $1 million. Sentences are imposed by a federal district court judge based upon the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors.
United States Attorney Andrew E. Lelling; Kelly D. Brady, Special Agent in Charge of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, Boston Field Division; Middlesex County District Attorney Marian T. Ryan; and Superintendent Raymond Kelly Richardson of the Lowell Police Department made the announcement. Assistant U.S. Attorney Evan Panich of Lelling’s Office is prosecuting the case.
This case is part of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), a program bringing together all levels of law enforcement and the communities they serve to reduce violent crime and make our neighborhoods safer for everyone. PSN is part of the Department’s renewed focus on targeting violent criminals, directing all U.S. Attorney’s Offices to work in partnership with federal, state, local, and tribal law enforcement and the local community to develop effective, locally-based strategies to reduce violent crime.
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.
Largest U.S. Seizure of Iranian Fuel from Four TankersRead the Press Release
The Justice Department and the United States Attorney’s Office for the District of Columbia today announced the successful disruption of a multimillion dollar fuel shipment by the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC), a designated foreign terrorist organization that was bound for Venezuela. These actions represent the government’s largest-ever seizure of fuel shipments from Iran.
On July 2, 2020, the United States filed a complaint seeking to forfeit all petroleum-product cargo aboard four foreign-flagged oil tankers, including the M/T Bella with international maritime organization (IMO) number 9208124, the M/T Bering with IMO number 9149225, the M/T Pandi with IMO number 9105073, and the M/T Luna with IMO number 9208100 (all pictured below). A seizure order for the cargo from all four vessels was issued by U.S. District Court Judge Jeb Boasberg of the U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia.
The government announced today that it has successfully executed the seizure order and confiscated the cargo from all four vessels, totaling approximately 1.116 million barrels of petroleum. With the assistance of foreign partners, this seized property is now in U.S. custody.
After enforcement of the U.S. forfeiture order, Iran’s navy forcibly boarded an unrelated ship in an apparent attempt to recover the seized petroleum, but was unsuccessful. U.S. Central Command published a video of the failed Iranian operation yesterday. See https://twitter.com/CENTCOM/status/1293678243552395264
“The U.S. Attorney’s Office in the District of Columbia will continue to use civil forfeiture tools to punish state sponsors of terrorism and recover funds for the victims of terrorism,” said Acting U.S. Attorney Michael Sherwin for the District of Columbia. “This office has been at the forefront of seizing and forfeiting vessels used to clandestinely ship fuel in violation of U.S. sanctions. Today’s announcement demonstrates the relentless efforts of our law enforcement partners to ensure that seizure orders are executed no matter where the property in question is located.”
Funds successfully forfeited with a connection to a state sponsor of terrorism may in whole or in part be directed to the United States Victims of State Sponsored Terrorism Fund (http://www.usvsst.com/) after the conclusion of the case.
A warrant for arrest and civil forfeiture complaint are merely allegations. The burden to prove forfeitability in a civil forfeiture proceeding is upon the government.
HSI’s Colorado Springs and FBI’s Minneapolis field office are investigating the case. Assistant U.S Attorneys Zia M. Faruqui, Brian Hudak, and Stuart Allen, and National Security Division Trial Attorney David Lim are litigating the case, with assistance from Paralegal Specialists Elizabeth Swienc and Legal Assistant Jessica McCormick.
Largest U.S. Seizure of Iranian Fuel from Four TankersRead the Press Release
The Justice Department today announced the successful disruption of a multimillion dollar fuel shipment by the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC), a designated foreign terrorist organization, that was bound for Venezuela. These actions represent the government’s largest-ever seizure of fuel shipments from Iran.
On July 2, 2020, the United States filed a complaint seeking to forfeit all petroleum-product cargo aboard four foreign-flagged oil tankers, including the M/T Bella with international maritime organization (IMO) number 9208124, the M/T Bering with IMO number 9149225, the M/T Pandi with IMO number 9105073, and the M/T Luna with IMO number 9208100 (all pictured below). A seizure order for the cargo from all four vessels was issued by U.S. District Court Judge Jeb Boasberg of the U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia.
The government announced today that it has successfully executed the seizure order and confiscated the cargo from all four vessels, totaling approximately 1.116 million barrels of petroleum. With the assistance of foreign partners, this seized property is now in U.S. custody.
After enforcement of the U.S. forfeiture order, Iran’s navy forcibly boarded an unrelated ship in an apparent attempt to recover the seized petroleum, but was unsuccessful. U.S. Central Command published a video of the failed Iranian operation yesterday. See https://twitter.com/CENTCOM/status/1293678243552395264
Funds successfully forfeited with a connection to a state sponsor of terrorism may in whole or in part be directed to the United States Victims of State Sponsored Terrorism Fund (http://www.usvsst.com/) after the conclusion of the case.
A warrant for arrest and civil forfeiture complaint are merely allegations. The burden to prove forfeitability in a civil forfeiture proceeding is upon the government.
HSI’s Colorado Springs and FBI’s Minneapolis field office are investigating the case. The case is being handled by the National Security Division and the U.S. Attorney's Office for the District of Columbia. Assistant U.S Attorneys Zia M. Faruqui, Brian Hudak, and Stuart Allen, and National Security Division Trial Attorney David Lim are litigating the case, with assistance from Paralegal Specialists Elizabeth Swienc and Legal Assistant Jessica McCormick.
Bella Bering Pandi LunaLaFrance Hospitality Enters Agreement with U.S. Attorney’s Office to Address Lack of Accessible Hotel ShowersRead the Press Release
BOSTON – LaFrance Hospitality, operator of 14 hotels in New England, has entered an agreement under Title III of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) to resolve allegations that the showers in the accessible rooms of their New Bedford Marriott Fairfield hotel were inaccessible to persons with disabilities.
LaFrance Hospitality failed to install permanent shower seats on the wall in their roll-in showers at the New Bedford Marriott Fairfield as is required by the ADA. Instead, non-fixed seats were placed in each roll-in shower. When a woman with a mobility impairment used the non-fixed shower seat it collapsed, and the woman fell. The fall resulted in the woman requiring emergency services and an overnight stay at a local hospital for her injuries.
Under the agreement, LaFrance Hospitality will ensure all showers in accessible rooms in all 14 of its hotels meet ADA standards, including installation and positioning of shower seats, grab bars, and shower spray units. LaFrance Hospitality also will pay the woman $20,000 in compensation.
“Meeting the requirements of the ADA means individuals with mobility impairments should never have to question whether the hotel they are staying in will provide safe and accessible rooms,” said United States Attorney Andrew E. Lelling. “We commend LaFrance Hospitality for working cooperatively with us to meet the standards of the ADA moving forward.”
This year marks the 30th Anniversary of the Americans with Disabilities Act. The Justice Department plays a central role in advancing the nation’s goal of equal opportunity, full participation, independent living, and economic self-sufficiency for people with disabilities. The Justice Department will continue to use its enforcement and technical assistance tools to eliminate unlawful discrimination against individuals with disabilities.
This case was handled by Assistant U.S. Attorney Gregory Dorchak of Lelling’s Civil Rights Unit.
The Civil Rights Unit of the U.S. Attorney’s Office was established in 2015 with the mission of enhancing federal civil rights enforcement. For more information on the Office’s civil rights efforts, please visit www.justice.gov/usao-ma/civil-rights.
Justice Department Brings Enforcement Action Against CenturylinkRead the Press Release
The Department of Justice announced today that CenturyLink, Inc. has agreed to settle allegations that CenturyLink violated the court-ordered Final Judgment designed to prevent anticompetitive effects arising from its acquisition of Level 3 Communications, Inc.
Despite provisions in the Final Judgment barring CenturyLink from soliciting customers that switched to the buyer of the divestiture assets, CenturyLink failed to comply, initiating contact on over 70 occasions over more than a year with former Level 3 customers who elected to switch to the divestiture buyer in the Boise City-Nampa, Idaho MSA (Boise MSA). CenturyLink does not deny the United States’ allegations and has agreed to the Amended Final Judgment.
“When a defendant violates the terms of a settlement decree, it must be held accountable to its obligations to the department and the American consumer,” said Assistant Attorney General (AAG) Makan Delrahim of the Justice Department’s Antitrust Division. “Today’s motion to amend the Final Judgment ensures that consumers get the benefit of competition otherwise lost by CenturyLink’s acquisition of Level 3 Communications. I also commend CenturyLink for its cooperation in resolving the department’s concerns.”
The Department of Justice’s Antitrust Division today filed an unopposed motion in the U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia to amend the current Final Judgment, entered on March 6, 2018, in order to resolve the department’s concerns. As part of the settlement, CenturyLink has agreed to:
- extend the non-solicitation period by two years for the Boise MSA;
- the appointment of an independent monitoring trustee; and
- pay the United States to defray the costs of the department’s investigation of CenturyLink’s violations of the court order.
These provisions will allow the divestiture buyer to have the benefit of the original court order which was designed to enable the divestiture buyer to replace competition lost as a result of CenturyLink’s acquisition of Level 3, ensure that CenturyLink follows the court order going forward, and recoup taxpayer funds. CenturyLink also agreed to the addition mandated by AAG Delrahim of the four new standard provisions that the department has required in all recent antitrust settlements that make the Antitrust Division’s consent decrees easier to enforce.
CenturyLink, one of the largest wireline telecommunications providers in the United States, is the incumbent local exchange carrier (ILEC) in portions of 37 states and is also a global communications, hosting, cloud, and IT services company. The company provides broadband, voice, video, data, and managed services over a robust 450,000 route-mile global network, connecting approximately 170,000 fiber-based on-net enterprise buildings. In 2019, CenturyLink had revenues of approximately $22.4 billion.
Indianapolis will receive assistance from Operation LegendRead the Press Release
Indianapolis – United States Attorney Josh J. Minkler announced today that Operation Legend will be expanding into the City of Indianapolis. Operation Legend is named in honor of four-year-old Legend Taliferro, who was shot and killed while he slept early on the morning of June 29 in Kansas City.
Operation Legend is a sustained, systematic and coordinated law enforcement initiative in which federal law enforcement agencies work in conjunction with state and local law enforcement officials to fight violent crime. The federal law enforcement support provided through Operation Legend looks different in each city in order to meet the specific needs of the individual communities.
Operation Legend is not intended for or in response to protest activity, civil disturbances, or immigration enforcement. It was not conceived or announced in response to events in Portland, which is not an Operation Legend city.
The Operation was first launched on July 8 in Kansas City, Missouri, as a result of President Trump’s promise to assist America’s cities that are plagued by recent violence. Operation Legend was expanded to Chicago and Albuquerque on July 22, 2020; to Detroit, Cleveland, and Milwaukee on July 29, 2020; and to St. Louis and Memphis on August 6, 2020.
Larger cities across the country have seen a surge in murders and violent crimes in recent years,” said Minkler. “The innocent victims and perpetrators are getting younger than ever before and Indianapolis has not been immune from this surge. Operation Legend will enhance the partnerships already established between local, state, and federal law enforcement. And will serve as another tool that can be used to assist in currant investigations and help deter the need for new ones to start.”
Attorney General Barr has directed the ATF, FBI, DEA, and U.S. Marshals Service in Indianapolis to dedicate resources to Operation Legend to help state and local officials fight high levels of violent crime, particularly gun violence. Under the leadership of Minkler, There will be 57 federal investigators dedicated to Operation Legend who will continue their work through existing joint federal, state and local task forces, and investigators and officers from IMPD. They will be focused on combatting violent gangs, gun crime, and drug trafficking organizations.
“Operation Legend will enhance our locally-led, federally-supported response to violence in Indianapolis,” said Mayor Hogsett. “Through increased engagement with the FBI, the DEA, the ATF, and U.S. Marshalls, we will leverage a more robust response to deadly violence and crime in our city. It will take massive efforts, both preventive and punitive, for us to get through this unprecedented time. It will also take continued collaboration between neighborhoods most impacted by violent crime and those investigating that crime. These are all parts of addressing this challenge.”
“IMPD officers spend every day working to build stronger relationships with our residents and make Indianapolis neighborhoods safer,” said IMPD Chief Randal Taylor. “While growing the number of community-based beats and adding officers to our units focused on violent crime, our agency remains fully committed to the task forces that receive additional resources today.”
FBI Special Agent in Charge Paul Keenan announced that as part of the initiative, a reward of up to $25,000 would be made available for information leading to the identification and arrest of the individual responsible for the homicide of De’Shaun Swanson.
The Bureau of Justice Assistance will make available up to $250,000 to support Operation Legend’s violent crime reduction efforts in Indianapolis. These funds will be available to reimburse state and local agencies with any overtime during the operation.
In Operation Legend case, FBI Violent Crime Task Force agents arrest two, find firearms and narcoticsRead the Press Release
Albuquerque, N.M. – On Thursday, August 6, agents with the Federal Bureau of Investigation’s Violent Crime Task Force (VCTF) arrested David Martinez and Jean Madrid, both of Albuquerque.
In July 2020, the VCTF conducted a controlled buy of methamphetamine from Martinez at his residence, leading to a federal search warrant for the premises. According to the criminal complaint, the defendants allegedly possessed four guns as well as methamphetamine, marijuana, and approximately $5,133 in U.S. currency at the residence when law enforcement agents executed the search warrant.
Martinez and Madrid are charged with conspiracy to distribute controlled substances, possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine, and possession of a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime. If convicted, the first two charges carry penalties of up to 20 years. The penalty for possession of a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime is 5 years to life. Martinez is also being charged as a previously convicted felon in possession of a firearm, for which the penalty is up to 10 years. In 2005, Martinez pleaded guilty to the felony offenses of possession with intent to distribute 5 grams and more of cocaine base and carrying and possessing a firearm in relation to and in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime.
A criminal complaint is only an accusation. Defendants are presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt.
The case is being investigated by the FBI’s Violent Crime Task Force and the Bernalillo County Sheriff’s Office, and prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Louis Mattei as part of Operation Legend, a Department of Justice initiative to assist cities with persistently high crime rates. Operation Legend is a sustained and coordinated law enforcement initiative in which the U.S. Attorney’s Office and federal law enforcement agencies work with state and local law enforcement to prosecute gun and dangerous crimes arising in the City of Albuquerque.
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Hermosa Man Sentenced for Wire FraudRead the Press Release
United States Attorney Ron Parsons announced that a Hermosa, South Dakota, man convicted of three counts of Wire Fraud was sentenced by Jeffrey L. Viken, U.S. District Judge.
David Astin, age 38, was sentenced on August 12, 2020, to 3 years in federal prison, followed by 3 years of supervised release, and ordered to pay a $300 special assessment to the Federal Crime Victims Fund. In addition, he was ordered to pay $433,877.06 in restitution.
Astin’s Wire Fraud conviction stemmed from actions he took in 2012, when he entered into an agreement whereby he managed a local investor’s foreign exchange currency accounts in exchange for compensation. Astin told the investor he had consistently received returns of eight percent per month in his own account, and promised one to three percent returns monthly in the investor’s accounts. The investor told Astin he was not willing to suffer significant losses in his foreign exchange accounts and Astin believed he would not be compensated if the investor suffered significant losses.
Beginning in August 2012 and continuing through August 2013, however, Astin created and provided fraudulent statements and spreadsheets to the investor showing the investor was making significant earnings in his foreign exchange accounts, when in fact Astin was losing hundreds of thousands of dollars of the investor’s money. As a result of the fraudulent statements and spreadsheets, the investor continued to invest more money and compensate Astin for his work. In total, Astin lost $433,877.06 of the investor’s money, while being compensated more than $75,000.00.
The investigation was conducted by the Internal Revenue Service – Criminal Investigation and the Federal Bureau of Investigation. Assistant U.S. Attorney Benjamin Patterson prosecuted the case.
Astin was immediately remanded to the custody of the US Marshals Service.
Henry County Resident Receives 13 Years for Possession with Intent to Distribute MethamphetamineRead the Press Release
Jackson, TN - Verdell Crosser, 63, of Paris, Tennessee has been sentenced to 156 months in federal prison for possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine. D. Michael Dunavant, U.S. Attorney announced the sentence today.
According to information presented in Court, during an undercover investigation from November 2017 until December 1, 2017, law enforcement observed Crosser distributing methamphetamine (actual) to undercover agents on four separate occasions. The four drug purchases totaled more than 50 grams of actual methamphetamine.
On November 7, 10, 15, and December 1, 2017, agents met with a confidential informant, to plan an undercover operation involving Crosser. The confidential information (CI) was wired with both an audio and video recording device, in order to maintain surveillance to and from the meeting with Crosser. At the conclusion of each deal, the CI met with the agents and turned over the narcotics and was again searched by agents for any remaining methamphetamine.
The Drug Enforcement Agency and the Henry County Metro Crime Unit investigated this case.
On August 12, 2020, U.S. Chief District Court Judge S. Thomas Anderson sentenced Crosser to 156 months in federal prison followed by five years of supervised release. There is no parole in the federal system.
U.S. Attorney D. Michael Dunavant said, "As methamphetamine continues to destroy individuals, families, and communities in West Tennessee, we will continue to hold dealers accountable. Crosser has sowed addiction and destruction into the Paris community for selfish profit, and now he will reap the consequence of a long prison sentence without the sanctuary of parole."
Assistant U.S. Attorney Jerry Kitchen prosecuted this case on behalf of the government.
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Hardy County man sentenced for heroin and firearms chargesRead the Press Release
ELKINS, WEST VIRGINIA – Timothy Juston Wimer, of Old Fields, West Virginia, was sentenced today to 106 months of incarceration for drug distribution and firearms charges, U.S. Attorney Bill Powell announced.
Wimer, age 36, pled guilty to one count of “Possession with Intent to Distribute Heroin” and one count of “Possession of a Firearm in Furtherance of a Drug Crime” in November 2019. Wimer admitted to distributing heroin in January 2019 and admitted to having a .32 caliber pistol in February 2019. The crimes occurred in Hardy and Hampshire Counties.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Stephen D. Warner prosecuted the case on behalf of the government. The Potomac Highlands Drug & Violent Crimes Task Force, a HIDTA-funded initiative, investigated.
U.S. District Judge Thomas S. Kleeh presided.
Hamilton physician who was convicted at trial of illegally dealing opioids sentenced to 20 years in prisonRead the Press Release
CINCINNATI – Dr. Saad Sakkal, 72, was sentenced today in U.S. District Court to 240 months in prison for illegally distributing and dispensing controlled substances to multiple patients, including drugs that led to the death of one victim in 2016. Sakkal was practicing at Lindenwald Medical Association, Inc. in Hamilton.
At the conclusion of a trial in April 2019, a jury convicted Sakkal of 30 counts of illegal distribution of controlled substances outside the scope of a medical practice and with no legitimate medical purpose, and six counts of use of a registration number that was issued to someone else.
During the trial, prosecutors presented evidence gathered by investigators that Sakkal performed inadequate physical exams to identify and verify patient’s complaints of pain, and that he issued prescription combinations that were particularly dangerous and addictive. Pharmacists testified that they warned Sakkal of the risks and eventually refused to fill prescriptions issued by Sakkal. Investigators also testified that Sakkal received repeated notice of addiction, overdoses and deaths, but continued his practices.
“Sakkal issued deadly drug cocktails without regard for the repeated warnings he received from employees, patients, pharmacists, another doctor, and the electronic records system,” said U.S. Attorney David M. DeVillers. “This doctor dealer even ignored overdoses by his patients. Instead of helping his patients, he caused more harm, and as a result, he earned spending the next few decades in federal prison.”
A federal grand jury indicted Sakkal in June, 2018. Agents arrested him in Florida after he was indicted. He has been held without bond since his arrest.
David M. DeVillers, United States Attorney for the Southern District of Ohio; Lamont Pugh III, Special Agent in Charge, U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Office of Inspector General; Keith Martin, Special Agent in Charge, Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA); Anthony Groeber, Executive Director, State Medical Board of Ohio; Steven Schierholt, Executive Director, State of Ohio Board of Pharmacy; Stephanie B. McCloud, Administrator, Ohio Bureau of Workers Compensation; announced the sentence imposed today by U.S. District Judge Michael R. Barrett. Assistant Deputy Criminal Chief Timothy S. Mangan and Assistant United States attorney Timothy D. Oakley represented the United States in this case.
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Grapevine Child Sexual Predator Sentenced to 20 YearsRead the Press Release
A Grapevine child sexual predator was sentenced today to 20 years in federal prison, announced U.S. Attorney for the Northern District of Texas Erin Nealy Cox.
Chansellor Ormon Hill, 26, pled guilty to one count of sexual exploitation of children in April following an investigation led by FBI’s Dallas Field Office and the Grapevine Police Department. Mr. Hill was sentenced today by U.S. District Judge Reed C. O'Connor.
“Today’s sentence should put those who seek to commit harm to innocent children on notice,” said U.S. Attorney Erin Nealy Cox. “No matter what dark shadows these pedophile predators hide in, law enforcement will shine a light on them and hold them accountable for their conduct. Our prosecutors and law enforcement partners will not rest until every victim of child sexual exploitation is rescued and defendants like Hill are behind bars.”
“The FBI and our partners at the Grapevine Police Department worked together to pursue a child predator who is accused of continuously abusing and exploiting the victim in this case,” said FBI Dallas Special Agent in Charge Matthew DeSarno. “The Grapevine community can rest assured that Mr. Hill is being held accountable for his actions. He will no longer threaten the safety of any child.”
According to a criminal complaint, Mr. Hill entered the family restroom at the City of Grapevine’s recreation center. Inside the restroom, Mr. Hill induced an 11-year old boy to take sexually explicit photos. Using his cell phone, Mr. Hill produced two images of the unclothed minor.
According to court documents, Grapevine Police interviewed Mr. Hill at the recreation center where he admitted to committing sex acts on the child multiple times over a six month period. When asked by law enforcement about the photos of the minor on his cell phone, Mr. Hill responded “I knew it was wrong . . . he’s 12 and I am 25. It’s pretty messed up.”
The FBI's Dallas Field Office and the Grapevine Police Department conducted the investigation. Assistant United States Attorney A. Saleem is prosecuting the case.
This case was brought as part of Project Safe Childhood, a Justice Department initiative designed to combat the growing epidemic of child sexual exploitation and abuse nationwide. The initiative organizes federal, state, and local resources to better locate, apprehend, and prosecute individuals who exploit children via the internet, as well as to identify and rescue victims.
Graham, N.C. Man Is Sentenced to More Than Five Years for $1.1 Million Investment SchemeRead the Press Release
ASHEVILLE, N.C. – U.S. Attorney Andrew Murray announced that on Thursday, August 13, 2020, Mark Colin Ramsey, 50, of Graham, N.C., was sentenced to 65 months in prison for operating a $1.1 million investment scheme. U.S. District Judge Martin Reidinger also ordered Ramsey to serve three years of supervised release and to pay restitution in the amount of $1,098,333.92.
North Carolina Secretary of State Elaine F. Marshall joins U.S. Attorney Murray in making today’s announcement.
According to filed court documents and statements made in court, from April 2008 to September 2013, Ramsey defrauded more than 20 victims out of nearly $1.1 million through a fraudulent investment scheme. Court records show that Ramsey operated various purported investment companies, including Hypertrend, Cascade Investments, GH Gardner, Layton-McCall, Pandrox, and Good Living. Ramsey induced victim-investors by falsely representing that their money would be used to make legitimate investments. He also promised his victims that they would receive a guaranteed return on their investments, and that their principal investments would not be at risk. During the relevant time period, Ramsey used multiple purported investment corporations, as well as numerous fraudulent documents, including false Form-1099s, fake investment agreements, and fabricated stock certificates, to convince potential victims his investments were legitimate and profitable. To further induce victims, court records reflect that Ramsey showed potential investors documents purportedly backing up his claim that he had made one million dollars from a ten thousand dollar investment.
According to court records, Ramsey failed to disclose to his victims, some of whom were at or near retirement age, that he was not registered to sell securities in the State of North Carolina, or that the investment opportunities he presented were not registered as required by statute. Rather than invest the victims’ money as promised, Ramsey spent the investors’ money on Ponzi-style payments to other investors and to fund his personal lifestyle.
On August 26, 2019, Ramsey pleaded guilty to securities fraud. In making today’s announcement, U.S Attorney Murray thanked the Securities Division of the North Carolina Department of the Secretary of State for their investigation of this case.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Daniel Bradley, of the U.S. Attorney’s Office in Asheville, prosecuted the case.
In March 2019, Andrew Murray, U.S. Attorney for the Western District of North Carolina, announced the Office’s Elder Justice Initiative, which aims to combat elder financial exploitation by expanding efforts to investigate and prosecute financial scams that target seniors; educate older adults on how to identify scams and avoid becoming victims of financial fraud; and promote greater coordination with law enforcement partners. For more information please visit: /usao-wdnc/elder-justice-initiative
Fresno Man Sentenced to over 15 Years in Prison for Methamphetamine Trafficking ConspiracyRead the Press Release
FRESNO, Calif. — Erick Lizarraga, 30, of Fresno was sentenced today to 15 years and eight months in prison for conspiring to traffic methamphetamine, U.S. Attorney McGregor W. Scott announced.
According to court documents, Lizarraga and his co-conspirators trafficked large quantities of methamphetamine in the Fresno-Madera area, as well as sending methamphetamine to Denver, Colorado. Lizarraga arranged two shipments to Denver that were seized by law enforcement. Thus far in the case:
- Diblaim Valdez-Araux, 33, of Madera, pleaded guilty and was sentenced to nine and a half years in prison;
- Jesus Bueno, 29, of Fresno, pleaded guilty and was sentenced to 11 years and eight months in prison;
- Rosemarie Martinez, 66, of Fresno, pleaded guilty and was sentenced to three years in prison;
- Perla Ramos, 31, David Martinez, 68, and Brittany Martinez, 28, all of Fresno, pleaded guilty and are scheduled for sentencing on Sept. 18, 2020.
- Charges are pending against Fresno residents Noyra Gonzalez, 41; and Maricela Castellanos, 54. The charges are only allegations; the defendants are presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt.
On Oct. 13, 2018, David Martinez and Rosemarie Martinez had 30 pounds of methamphetamine with them that they were taking to Denver via Amtrak. On Oct. 15, 2018, after Lizarraga arranged for Diblaim Valdez-Araux to get another 30 pounds of methamphetamine. Noyra Gonzalez and Maricela Castellanos were arrested while taking the 30 pounds to Denver after their car was stopped and searched by the California Highway Patrol. Jesus Bueno purchased approximately 20 pounds of methamphetamine from Lizarraga that he sold to customers in the Fresno area. On Nov. 4, 2018, Valdez-Diblaim was stopped in Selma by law enforcement officers with approximately 54 pounds of methamphetamine while returning from the Los Angeles area. Perla Ramos and Brittany Martinez assisted Lizarraga in delivering drugs and collecting profits.
This case is the product of an Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Force (OCDETF) investigation by the Drug Enforcement Administration, Federal Bureau of Investigation, Fresno County Sheriff’s Department, California Highway Patrol, and Homeland Security Investigations. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Laurel J. Montoya, Stephanie Stokman and Thomas Newman are prosecuting the case.
The OCDETF program was established in 1982 to conduct comprehensive, multilevel attacks on major drug trafficking and money laundering organizations. The principal mission of the OCDETF program is to identify, disrupt, and dismantle the most serious drug trafficking and money laundering organizations and those primarily responsible for the nation’s drug supply.
Florida Man Sentenced to 24 Months for Threatening a Mass ShootingRead the Press Release
United States Attorney Richard W. Moore of the Southern District of Alabama announced that Thomas Matthew McVicker, 39, of Punta Gorda, Florida, was sentenced today in federal court on a charge of Interstate Transmission of Threat to Injure. McVicker pled guilty to the charge in April of 2020.
According to court documents filed in connection with his guilty plea, in August 2019 McVicker sent an acquaintance, who lived in Baldwin County, Alabama, a series of text messages about conducting a mass shooting. McVicker wrote “I was thinking about shooting a church up but I’m afraid how it will affect my family in the flesh after I’m gone. So I think I’m just gonna kill some people on the street and get away with it then kill myself.” Three days later McVicker called that same acquaintance and told her that he was going to “shoot up” a church when he was in Memphis on August 22. FBI agents were able to confirm with McVicker’s employer that he was scheduled to be in Memphis on August 22. McVicker’s employer provided the FBI with his location, and McVicker was arrested without incident. At the time of his arrest, McVicker was in possession of a Ruger 9mm semi-automatic handgun, five 9mm magazines (one loaded with ten 9mm rounds of ammunition), one magazine assist loader, and two (2) full boxes of fifty (50) rounds of 9mm ammunition. During a police interview, McVicker admitted to making the threats but denied his intent to follow through. McVicker admitted to authorities that he has a history of mental health issues.
United States District Court Judge Terry Moorer imposed a sentence of 24 months imprisonment. The judge ordered that McVicker undergo mental health treatment while incarcerated and after release. The judge also ordered McVicker to serve a three-year term of supervised release beginning upon his discharge from prison. Judge Moorer ordered that McVicker pay $100 in special assessments. McVicker agreed to forfeit the firearm and ammunition.
The case was investigated by the FBI offices in Tampa, Florida; Zionsville, Indiana; and Mobile, Alabama. It was prosecuted in the United States Attorney’s Office by Assistant United States Attorney Kacey Chappelear.
Five Western PA Residents Charged in Separate Schemes to Defraud the Social Security AdministrationRead the Press Release
PITTSBURGH, PA – Five western Pennsylvania residents have been indicted separately by a federal grand jury in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, and charged with various schemes to defraud the Social Security Administration (SSA), United States Attorney Scott W. Brady announced today.
"When criminals defraud the Social Security Administration, they are in effect stealing from the most vulnerable of our fellow citizens, who have worked hard and played by the rules their entire lives," said U.S. Attorney Brady. "Scammers beware: my office will continue to pursue and prosecute anyone who steals from our seniors in order to line their own pockets."
"I thank the U.S. Attorney for bringing these charges, and for his office’s support of our efforts to maintain the integrity of the Social Security system," said Gail S. Ennis, Inspector General of Social Security. "Today’s announcement should serve as reminder that the SSA Office of Inspector General will vigorously pursue those individuals who intend to defraud SSA in any way. I also want to recognize the Internal Revenue Service – Criminal Investigation and the Pennsylvania Attorney General’s Office for working jointly with my office on investigations leading to some of the indictments being announced today."
A two-count indictment charges Leona Biser, 51, of Vestaburg, Pennsylvania, with representative payee fraud and Social Security fraud. According to the indictment presented to the Court, from October 2018 through September 2019, Biser was the representative payee for her sister. Biser failed to spend the payments for the benefit of her sister, and instead spent the funds on personal expenses. On January 15, 2020, the Pennsylvania Attorney General’s Office charged Leona Biser with neglect of a care dependent person, abuse of a care dependent person, recklessly endangering another person, unlawful restraint, and false imprisonment for keeping her care dependent sister in a wooden cage with only a dirty mattress and little-to-no medical care. Biser is a fugitive from justice. Anyone with information is urged to contact the nearest USMS District Office, the U.S. Marshals Service Communications Center at 1-800-336-0102, or submit a tip using USMS Tips.
A four-count Indictment charges Brenda Castro, 61, of Indiana, Pennsylvania, with theft of government property, Social Security fraud, and false statements to retain Social Security income. According to the indictment presented to the Court, from October 2009 through October 2017, Castro repeatedly falsely informed the SSA that she did not reside with her husband in order to continue to receive approximately $41,292.00 in SSA benefits to which she knew she was not entitled.
A three-count Indictment charges Julius Wilkerson, 47, of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, with theft of government property and false statements to retain Social Security income. According to the indictment presented to the Court, from October 2011 through November 2016, Wilkerson received approximately $30,699.00 in SSA benefits to which he knew he was not entitled.
A one-count Indictment charges William Moriarty, 68, of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, with theft of government property. According to the indictment presented to the Court, from August 2010 to May 2018, Moriarty received approximately $189,389.00 in SSA benefits to which he knew he was not entitled due to his employment.
A one-count Indictment charges Dawn Ann Treusch, 41, of Monaca, Pennsylvania, with theft of public money. According to the Indictment presented to the court, from January 2016 to July 2019, the defendant knowingly converted to her own use approximately $43,920.00 in Social Security Survivor’s Insurance Benefits of her grandmother, who had died in December 2015, and to which she knew she was not entitled.
For Castro, Wilkerson, Biser, Moriarty and Treusch, the law provides for a maximum total sentence of 10 years in prison, a fine of $250,000 or both. Under the Federal Sentencing Guidelines, the actual sentence imposed would be based upon the seriousness of the offense and the prior criminal history, if any, of the defendant.
Assistant United States Attorneys Robert S. Cessar, Rachael L. Mamula and Benjamin J. Risacher are prosecuting these cases on behalf of the government
The United States Social Security Administration, Office of Inspector General, the Internal Revenue Service - Criminal Investigation and the Pennsylvania Office of the Attorney General conducted the investigations leading to the indictments in these cases.
An indictment is an accusation. The defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.
Federal Court Detains Grand Rapids Man Charged by U.S. Attorney for Being A Felon in Possession of A FirearmRead the Press Release
GRAND RAPIDS, MICHIGAN – United States Attorney Andrew Birge announced today the latest charges and a denial of bond that are part of his office’s larger efforts to address gun violence. A federal grand jury returned an indictment charging Antwine Chamberlain-Fields for being a felon in possession of a firearm and ammunition in Grand Rapids. Chamberlain-Fields faces up to ten years’ incarceration if convicted of this crime. United States Magistrate Judge Ray Kent denied Chamberlain-Field’s request for bond, stating that the proliferation of illegal weapons in the district is a key factor in the surge of violence.
On July 22, 2020, Grand Rapids Police encountered Chamberlain-Fields in possession of multiple rounds of ammunition. Officers later also located a loaded .45 caliber handgun hidden inside his vehicle. At his bond hearing, Magistrate Judge Kent underscored the defendant’s illegal possession of a firearm and ammunition put the defendant, his family, and the community at serious risk of harm. In rendering his decision to detain Mr. Chamberlain-Fields, the judge highlighted the fact that an address associated with defendant was the location of a recent brazen drive-by shooting, resulting in the injury of a teenage girl.
"In a city stunned by the sudden spike of traumatic injuries and deaths from shootings over the last few months, this arrest highlights the dedicated work of the Project Safe Neighborhoods Task Force and GRPD to reduce gun crime in Grand Rapids," commented U.S. Attorney Birge.
An unprecedented surge of violence, particularly shootings, has plagued Grand Rapids. In order to combat this increase in violent crime, state, local, and tribal police departments and the Department of Justice (DOJ) are working together through the Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN) initiative to identify the individuals responsible. The PSN initiative focuses on those driving violent crime rates not only in Grand Rapids, but also in cities across the Western District of Michigan. For example, in April, the Kalamazoo Department of Public Safety arrested two men found in possession of loaded firearms. Both of these men were suspects in recent shootings. A federal grand jury indicted these men with federal firearm and ammunition offenses, and they are now facing ten or more years in a federal prison.
PSN is a powerful tool to combat this surge in violence. The program brings together federal, state, local and tribal law enforcement officials and prosecutors to identify the most violent criminals in the community and develop effective and efficient strategies to bring these violent individuals to justice and to prevent future gun crime from taking root. The PSN initiative recognizes the importance of lay community relationships and supports through grant awards locally tailored crime prevention efforts.
The public is reminded that the criminal complaints and indictments in the aforementioned cases are allegations and not evidence of guilt. A defendant is presumed innocent and is entitled to a fair trial at which the government has the burden of proving guilt beyond a reasonable doubt.
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Eagle Butte Man Charged with AssaultRead the Press Release
United States Attorney Ron Parsons announced that an Eagle Butte, South Dakota, man has been indicted by a federal grand jury for Assault Resulting in Serious Bodily Injury and Assault by Strangulation and Suffocation.
Seth Stadel, age 27, was indicted on August 11, 2020. He appeared before U.S. Magistrate Judge Mark A. Moreno on August 13, 2020, and pled not guilty to the Indictment.
The maximum penalty upon conviction is up to 10 years in federal prison and a $250,000 fine, 3 years of supervised release, and $100 to the Federal Crime Victims Fund. Restitution may also be ordered.
The Indictment alleges that on June 10, 2020, in Lantry, Stadel assaulted an individual which resulted in serious bodily injury, and further assaulted the victim by strangling and suffocating them.
The charges are merely accusations and Stadel is presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty.
The investigation is being conducted by the Cheyenne River Sioux Tribe Law Enforcement Services. Assistant U.S. Attorney Jay Miller is prosecuting the case.
Stadel was remanded to the custody of the U.S. Marshals Service pending trial. A trial date has not been set.
Eagle Butte Man Charged with AssaultRead the Press Release
United States Attorney Ron Parsons announced that an Eagle Butte, South Dakota, man has been indicted by a federal grand jury for Assault with a Dangerous Weapon and Assault Resulting in Serious Bodily Injury.
Gordon Blue Arm, age 65, was indicted on August 11, 2020. He appeared before U.S. Magistrate Judge Mark A. Moreno on August 13, 2020, and pled not guilty to the Indictment.
The maximum penalty upon conviction is up to 10 years in federal prison and a $250,000 fine, 3 years of supervised release, and $100 to the Federal Crime Victims Fund. Restitution may also be ordered.
The Indictment alleges that on February 27, 2020, in Eagle Butte, Blue Arm assaulted an individual with a wooden stick with the intent to do bodily harm, and said assault resulted in serious bodily injury to the victim.
The charges are merely accusations and Blue Arm is presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty.
The investigation is being conducted by the Cheyenne River Sioux Tribe Law Enforcement Services. Assistant U.S. Attorney Jay Miller is prosecuting the case.
Blue Arm was remanded to the custody of the U.S. Marshals Service pending trial. A trial date has not been set.
Denver Man Sentenced to Prison for Gun and Drug CrimesRead the Press Release
DENVER – United States Attorney Jason R. Dunn today announced that Nicholas Meyers, age 26, of Denver, was sentenced to serve 136 months (over 11 years) in federal prison followed by 5 years on supervised release for distribution of methamphetamine and being a felon in possession of a firearm. The Denver ATF joined in today’s announcement.
According to court documents, including the government’s sentencing statement, from October 2016 to July 2017, Meyers sold 11 firearms including an assault-style rifle capable of accepting high capacity magazines and just under 10 ounces of methamphetamine to an undercover federal agent. He engaged in this conduct despite a 2014 felony menacing conviction, which prohibited him from possessing firearms. Meyers received a total of $14,500 in revenue from these sales.
“Selling methamphetamine is bad enough, but selling methamphetamine and firearms is a dangerous combination,” said U.S. Attorney Jason Dunn. “The ATF was able to identify Mr. Meyers’ criminal behavior, and with my office was able to stop him from continuing to harm our community.”
“Nicholas Meyers is a convicted felon and used firearms to further his drug trafficking trade,” said ATF Special Agent in Charge David S. Booth. “The removal of criminals like Meyers from our communities is a top priority for ATF. ATF is committed to public safety and we are pleased this investigation assisted the United States Attorney’s Office in obtaining a successful prosecution and conviction.”
U.S. District Court Judge William J. Martinez pronounced the sentence today, August 14, 2020. Meyers was charged by indictment on April 4, 2019 and pleaded guilty on September 3, 2019. This case was investigated by the Denver ATF. The defendant was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Aaron M. Teitelbaum.
A copy of this press release is located on the website of the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Colorado. Related court documents can be found on PACER by searching for Case Number 19-cr-149.
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.
Dayton man sentenced to 10 years in prison for shooting mail carrierRead the Press Release
DAYTON – A Dayton man was sentenced via video conference in federal court today to 120 months in prison for shooting a United States Postal Service mail carrier.
Christopher O. Gibson, 47, pleaded guilty in May to using a firearm during a crime of violence.
Gibson shot the postal worker as the worker delivered mail near Gibson’s home on Arlene Avenue in Dayton.
According to court documents, on Jan. 3, Gibson fired at the letter carrier three times, striking him once in the leg.
The Dayton Police Department recovered video of the incident from a Ring doorbell camera located near the area of the shooting.
“This defendant pulled a firearm on a federal worker and then fired it at him,” U.S. Attorney DeVillers said. “After shooting the weapon, Gibson fled from the scene, destroying evidence of his crime along the way. All of this resulted from the defendant’s apparent dissatisfaction with his mail service. He deserves this prison time.”
Tosha Dennis, Acting Inspector in Charge of the Pittsburgh Division of the U.S. Postal Inspection Service stated, “This investigation was an excellent example of a great partnership between the Dayton Police Department and the U.S. Postal Inspection Service. I fully commend the hard work and countless hours put forth by both agencies, which led to Gibson being arrested and convicted.”
Gibson was charged by federal criminal complaint on Jan. 8 and indicted by a federal grand jury on Jan. 14. He has remained in custody since his arrest.
Congress sets the minimum and maximum statutory sentence. Sentencing of the defendant is 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; Tosha Dennis, Acting Inspector in Charge, United States Postal Inspection Service; and Dayton Police Chief Richard S. Biehl announced the sentence imposed today by Senior U.S. District Judge Thomas M. Rose. Assistant United States Attorney Brent G. Tabacchi is representing the United States in this case.
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California Man Charged with Investment FraudRead the Press Release
CAMDEN, N.J. – A California man has been arrested for defrauding victims in New Jersey through an investment scheme, U.S. Attorney Craig Carpenito announced today.
Christopher Glynn, 57, of Burbank, California, was indicted in August 2019 on seven counts of wire fraud and four counts of money laundering. After evading law enforcement for nearly a year, Glynn was arrested in Medford, Oregon, and is expected to make his initial appearance before a judge in the District of Oregon later this afternoon.
According to the indictment:
In 2014, Glynn maintained a variety of corporate entities, including U.S. Grant Distribution Group, PG Philanthropic Initiative, Perrarus Global Philanthropic Initiative, and others. Glynn also claimed affiliation with an international trust that purportedly was funded with billions of dollars, whose stated purpose was to “aide in the economic recovery of each of the individual US States, as well as the United States of America as a whole.”
Relying on the air of legitimacy created by his various entities and the international trust, Glynn approached two victims in Vineland, New Jersey, and offered them a “once in a lifetime opportunity” to invest in a “business development loan” related to the international trust. Glynn told the victims that this business development loan would be used for authorized business and legal expenses related to his entities and the international trust. The loan also would be used for expenses related to an animal care foundation and shelter that Glynn was helping the victims to set up, in memory of the victims’ recently deceased family member. Glynn assured the victims that the international trust would guarantee their business development loan, the loan would generate specific returns for the victims, and the victims could use the returns to fund their animal care foundation and shelter.
As part of his fraudulent scheme, Glynn sent emails and other correspondence and contracts to the victims. Glynn also arranged for conference calls between himself, his associates, and the victims, including one call that purportedly included “a direct representative from the NSA (National Security Agency), and a representative from either DHS (Department of Homeland Security) or the FBI.” Glynn took these steps in order to convince the victims that they were investing in a legitimate business opportunity.
Glynn ultimately directed the victims to wire funds to various bank accounts that Glynn controlled, in order to fund the “business development loan.” The victims did so, relying on Glynn’s representations about how the funds would be used.
Instead of using the loan in the manner he had promised, however, Glynn and his associates misappropriated the victims’ loan money and used it for personal expenses and other expenses that were unrelated to any charitable or business purpose that the victims sought to advance or that Glynn promised to achieve.
Glynn also took out credit cards in the name of the victims’ animal foundation, which he promised that he and his associates would only use for authorized expenses related to that foundation. Instead of using the credit cards in the manner he had promised, Glynn and his associates used the credit cards for retail items and other unauthorized personal expenses and incurred late fees.
The wire fraud counts each carry a maximum potential penalty of 20 years in prison and a $250,000 fine. The money laundering counts each carry a maximum potential penalty of 20 years in prison and a $500,000 fine or twice the value of the property involved in the offense.
U.S. Attorney Carpenito credited special agents of the FBI’s Atlantic City Resident Agency, under the direction of Acting Special Agent in Charge Joe Denahan in Newark, with the investigation leading to the charges.
The government is represented by Assistant U.S. Attorney Sara A. Aliabadi of the U.S. Attorney’s Office Criminal Division in Camden.
The charges and allegations contained in the indictment are merely accusations, and the defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.
Bourne Man Indicted on Child Pornography OffensesRead the Press Release
BOSTON – A Bourne man was indicted yesterday by a federal grand jury on charges of receipt and possession of child pornography.
Bryan C. Mileikis, 33, was indicted on one count of receipt of child pornography and one count of possession of child pornography. Mileikis was arrested on July 1, 2020 and charged by criminal complaint.
According to the charging documents, on June 11, 2019, law enforcement executed a search warrant at Mileikis’ home and seized an iPhone belonging to Mileikis. A forensic examination of the phone revealed images and videos depicting child pornography.
The charge of receipt of child pornography provides for a mandatory minimum sentence of five years and up to 20 years in prison, a mandatory minimum of five years and up to life of supervised release and a fine of $250,000. The charge of possession of child pornography provides for a sentence of up to 20 years in prison, a mandatory minimum of five years and up to life of supervised release and a fine of $250,000. Sentences are imposed by a federal district court judge based on the United States Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors.
United States Attorney Andrew E. Lelling; Michael Shea, Acting Special Agent in Charge of the Homeland Security Investigations in Boston; Joseph R. Bonavolonta, Special Agent in Charge of the Federal Bureau of Investigations, Boston Field Division; and Bourne Chief of Police Dennis Woodside made the announcement today. Assistant U.S. Attorney Suzanne Sullivan Jacobus of Lelling’s Major Crimes Unit is prosecuting the case.
The case is brought as part of Project Safe Childhood. In 2006, the Department of Justice created Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative designed to protect children from exploitation and abuse. Led by the U.S. Attorneys’ Offices and the DOJ’s Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section, Project Safe Childhood marshals federal, state, and local resources to locate, apprehend, and prosecute individuals who exploit children, as well as identity and rescue victims. For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit www.projectsafechildhood.gov/.
Biloxi Man Pleads Guilty to Illegally Possessing Firearm as Drug UserRead the Press Release
Gulfport, Miss. – Anthony T. Smith, Jr., 20, of Biloxi, pled guilty today before U.S. District U.S. District Judge Sul Ozerden to one count of possession of a firearm by an unlawful drug user, announced U.S. Attorney Mike Hurst and Special Agent in Charge Michelle Sutphin of the Federal Bureau of Investigation, Mississippi Field Office.
On December 26, 2019, Biloxi Police officers executed a search warrant on the Biloxi residence of Anthony Smith, Jr. Once inside the residence, the investigators made contact with Smith who was in a bedroom. They also found a large quantity of marijuana and three firearms, including one sawed-off shotgun. Smith was interviewed by investigators and asked about the large quantity of marijuana found in his bedroom. He admitted that he was a daily marijuana user and that he had been smoking every day for the last five to six years.
Anthony Smith, Jr. will be sentenced on November 19, 2020 by Judge Ozerden, and faces a maximum penalty of 10 years in prison and a $250,000 fine.
The case was investigated by the FBI and prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Erica Rose.
Benton County Drug Dealer Sentenced to 13 Years for Possession with Intent to Distribute MethamphetamineRead the Press Release
Jackson, TN – Kelvin Melton, 43, a Big Sandy, Tennessee resident, has been sentenced to 156 months imprisonment for possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine. D. Michael Dunavant, U.S. Attorney announced the sentence today.
According to information presented in Court, during an undercover operation in June, 2017, Henry County Sheriff’s Deputies developed Melton as a suspect distributing methamphetamine in the Western District of Tennessee. Based on information obtained from a confidential informant, deputies made five separate drug purchases from Melton. The total methamphetamine amounted to over 10 grams of actual methamphetamine.
This case was investigated by the Henry County Sheriff’s Office, the Drug Enforcement Agency, the Tennessee Bureau of Investigation and the Paris, TN., Police Department.
On August 11, 2020, U.S. District Court Chief Judge S. Thomas Anderson sentenced Melton to 156 months in federal prison followed by four years supervised release. There is no parole in the federal system.
U.S. Attorney Dunavant said, "Meth distribution creates havoc and jeopardizes public safety, especially in small rural communities. Drug dealers can no longer hide in any part of the Western District of Tennessee, and this sentence demonstrates our commitment to remove poison peddlers from our streets."
Assistant U.S. Attorney Jerry Kitchen prosecuted this case on behalf of the government.
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Attorney Sentenced in International Securities Fraud SchemeRead the Press Release
BOSTON – An attorney was sentenced yesterday in federal court in Boston for his role in an international securities fraud scheme that sought to generate $15 million in fraudulent proceeds.
Milan Patel, 50, a resident of Minnesota, was sentenced by U.S. District Court Judge Nathaniel M. Gorton to 15 months in prison and ordered to pay a fine of $50,000. In February 2019, Patel pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy to commit securities fraud and one count of securities fraud.
From 2013 to 2018, Patel and co-conspirators Morrie Tobin, Matthew Ledvina and Roger Knox conspired to disguise their ownership and control of various microcap securities, and to employ paid promotional campaigns and manipulative trading techniques to artificially inflate the price and trading volume of those stocks so that Tobin and others could secretly sell their shares at a substantial profit. Patel, together with Ledvina, helped Tobin create shell companies to disguise Tobin’s control of the shares, enabling Tobin to sell the shares to unsuspecting investors.
Tobin pleaded guilty in February 2019 and was sentenced yesterday to one year and one day in prison and ordered to pay a fine of $100,000 and forfeiture of $4 million. Ledvina was sentenced in June 2020 to 30 months of probation and ordered to pay a fine of $50,000. Knox previously pleaded guilty and is currently scheduled to be sentenced on Sept. 30, 2020.
United States Attorney Andrew E. Lelling and Joseph R. Bonavolonta, Special Agent in Charge of the Federal Bureau of Investigation, Boston Field Division made the announcement. The Boston regional office of the SEC provided assistance with the investigation. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Eric S. Rosen and James R. Drabick of Lelling’s Securities, Financial and Cyber Fraud Unit are prosecuting the case.
Ariel Quiros Pleads Guilty to Fraud Charges Related to the Jay Peak EB-5 AnC Vermont Project in Northeast VermontRead the Press Release
The United States Attorney’s Office announced that today Ariel Quiros, 64, of Key Biscayne, Florida, pleaded guilty before Chief Judge Geoffrey W. Crawford in United States District Court in Burlington to three felony charges in connection with his involvement in the Jay Peak Biomedical Research Park EB-5 investment project, also called the AnC Vermont project.
Quiros pleaded guilty to conspiring with co-defendants William Kelly, Jong Weon (Alex) Choi, and William Stenger in a multi-year wire fraud scheme to defraud immigrant investors seeking green cards through the EB-5 program. He also pleaded guilty to money laundering and to concealing material facts in a matter within the jurisdiction of a federal agency, namely United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS), which oversaw the EB-5 process.
During the plea hearing, Quiros admitted to a lengthy statement of facts. That factual statement was appended to the written plea agreement filed with the Court last week. In sum, Quiros admitted participating in a scheme conceived in 2011 and carried through until he lost control of the project in April 2016. The AnC Vermont project, managed by Quiros and Stenger, was designed to raise $110 million from 220 immigrant investors in order to build and operate a biotechnology company on a property in Newport. From 2012 to 2016, Quiros and his co-defendants obtained approximately $85 million, plus approximately $8 million in “administrative fees", from approximately 169 immigrant investors in the AnC project. Under the EB-5 program created by Congress, immigrant investors could obtain lawful permanent residency (green cards) by investing $500,000 each in a United States business that would create ten jobs per investment. Pursuant to federal law, the AnC project was regulated and monitored by USCIS and the Vermont Regional Center, a part of state government.
Quiros admitted that the scheme involved misleading AnC investors about important information, including how investor money would be used, the timing of job creation for the project, and Choi’s role in the project. For example, Quiros knew that investors were given a use-of-funds chart that contained a number of misrepresentations about the amount of funds Quiros and Choi planned to receive. Moreover, as the defendants raised investor money, Quiros used investor funds for purposes unrelated to the project, including the payoff of a loan at Raymond James and as collateral for a separate loan at Citibank. Quiros also acknowledged that he participated in concealing this misuse of funds.
Quiros further admitted that the scheme included misrepresentations about the timing of the jobs that would be created by the project and the business revenue that would be generated from the project. Marketing the project to immigrant investors depended on job creation and future revenue, since the defendants emphasized their ability to satisfy the job creation standards under EB-5 law and repay immigrant investors. Quiros understood that his co-defendants devised job and revenue projections based on the number of jobs needed to obtain project approval from USCIS, and Quiros did not inquire whether they had a viable plan to actually create those jobs or achieve those revenues. AnC Vermont would supposedly rent clean rooms, market stem cell therapies, and manufacture artificial organs. Quiros admitted that investors were deceived in regard to all three facets of the future business.
In addition to the wire fraud conspiracy charges, Quiros admitted using AnC investor funds for personal expenses, specifically a $6 million payment to the IRS in early 2015 funded by the Citibank loan described above. In addition, Quiros helped conceal from the Vermont Regional Center that Choi, who was deeply involved in the project, was being investigated in Korea for financial crimes.
In the plea agreement, Quiros agreed to cooperate in the government’s ongoing matters. The plea agreement caps Quiros’s jail sentence at 97 months, so long as he abides by the terms of the agreement. The government agreed that it would not recommend a fine or forfeiture, but instead focus on seeking a restitution order for victims. The government requested that the Court delay Quiros’s sentencing pending his ongoing cooperation.
Co-defendants Kelly and Stenger have entered not guilty pleas to the pending charges, which are only allegations. These defendants are presumed to be innocent unless and until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law. The Court has scheduled their trial for 2021. Co-defendant Choi remains at large.
United States Attorney Christina E. Nolan expresses her ongoing gratitude for the outstanding investigation assistance by the Federal Bureau of Investigation, the Criminal Investigation Division of the Internal Revenue Service, the Food and Drug Administration, and for the assistance of the Justice Department’s Fraud Section and Office of International Affairs. The prosecutors handling the case are Assistant U.S. Attorneys Nicole Cate and Paul Van de Graaf and Trial Attorney Jessee Alexander-Hoeppner, from the Department of Justice Criminal Division. Ariel Quiros is represented by Neil Taylor, Esq. and Robert Katims, Esq. William Kelly is represented by Robert Goldstein, Esq. and Mary Kehoe, Esq. William Stenger is represented by Brooks MacArthur, Esq. and David Williams, Esq.
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
Agents apprehend previously deported felon residing illegally in New MexicoRead the Press Release
DOÑA ANA COUNTY, N.M. – On Friday, August 7, Border Patrol agents apprehended Luis Arias-Yanez, 54, a previously deported felon residing illegally in Anthony, New Mexico.
According to the criminal complaint, Arias-Yanez, a citizen of Mexico, was deported via Del Rio, Texas, on June 21, 2016, subsequent to a conviction for voluntary manslaughter in 1990. Border patrol agents had received information about Arias-Yanez living in New Mexico. It was determined that Arias-Yanez had no authorization to be or remain in the United States and there is no evidence that he has received permission from the appropriate authority to reapply for admission to the United States.
Under federal law, an alien who previously has been arrested and convicted of a felony and subsequently deported from the United States may not lawfully re-enter the country without the consent of the appropriate authority of the United States to apply for admission.
A criminal complaint is only an accusation. Defendants are presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt. If convicted, Arias-Yanez faces up to 20 years in prison.
This case was investigated by the U.S. Border Patrol in coordination with the Doña Ana County Sheriff’s Department. Assistant U.S. Attorney Christopher S. McNair is prosecuting the case.
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Thursday 13 August 2020
Worcester Man Charged with Transporting Stolen Electronics Across State LinesRead the Press Release
BOSTON – A Worcester man was arrested yesterday and charged in connection with transporting stolen laptops.
Christian Diaz, 31, was indicted on one count of interstate transportation of stolen goods. Diaz will be arraigned in federal court at a later date.
According to the indictment, from Aug. 11, 2015 until Sept. 30, 2015, Diaz transported stolen laptops in interstate commerce.
The charging statute provides for a sentence of up to 10 years in prison, three years of supervised release, a fine of up to $250,000 and restitution. 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 Joseph W. Cronin, Postal Inspector in Charge of the U.S. Postal Inspection Service, Boston Division, made the announcement. Assistant U.S. Attorney Danial E. Bennett of Lelling’s Worcester Branch Office is prosecuting the case.
The details contained in the indictment are allegations. The defendant is presumed to be innocent unless and until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.
Washington Man Sentenced for Aggravated Identity TheftRead the Press Release
COEUR D'ALENE – Devin Alexander Motley, 22, of Greenacres, Washington, was sentenced in U.S. District Court to two years in prison for aggravated identity theft, U.S. Attorney Bart M. Davis announced today. U.S. District Judge B. Lynn Winmill also ordered Motley to serve one year of supervised release following his prison sentence and to pay $19,094.15 in restitution. Motley pleaded guilty to the charge on May 19, 2020.
According to court records, in September 2017, Motley stole personal information from a victim and used that information to illegally obtain a credit card. Motley then traveled to Idaho and used the card at the Coeur d’Alene Casino, on the Coeur d’Alene Reservation, as part of a scheme to fraudulently obtain over $19,000 of goods and services. The Coeur d'Alene Tribal Police Department and Federal Bureau of Investigation ultimately uncovered Motley’s actions and began investigating. During this same time period, Motley was also involved in multiple other fraudulent activities, which resulted in felony convictions for burglary and grand theft in Kootenai County, Idaho.
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Warwick Man Charged with Being Armed Drug TraffickerRead the Press Release
PROVIDENCE – A Warwick man who allegedly took on several identities has been arrested by members of the Rhode Island DEA Drug Task Force and ordered detained in federal custody on charges of being an armed drug trafficker, after law enforcement executed court-authorized searches of his residence and two vehicles he regularly used and seized a kilogram of heroin, a loaded firearm, ammunition, and more than $200,000 in cash.
Luis Cortes, 48, a/k/a Danny Vasquez, a/k/a Alberto Diaz, a/k/a John Doe, was stopped and arrested by DEA Drug Task Force agents on Wednesday as he drove away from his residence. Prior to executing a court-authorized search of the vehicle Cortes was driving, a Warwick Police Department certified narcotics detection canine alerted to the presence of narcotics odors at the vehicle. The vehicle was allegedly found to contain after-market hides commonly used to conceal contraband behind the front passenger seat and in a child safety seat. No drugs were located inside the vehicle.
Simultaneous to the traffic stop and the search of Cortes’s vehicle, a court-authorized search of Cortes’s residence was undertaken by members of the Rhode Island DEA Drug Task Force, where they allegedly discovered and seized a kilogram of heroin from a first floor closet; a loaded 9mm semi-automatic pistol with two magazines and between $200,000 and $250,000 in cash from a concealed compartment in the master bathroom which connected to the bedroom; and three kilo presses and various items used in the packaging and distribution of narcotics located in various locations in the residence.
Cortes’s girlfriend and two young children who live with Cortes were present in the residence when law enforcement arrived at the home.
During the traffic stop, the defendant maintained to law enforcement that his true identity is Luis Cortes. The FBI confirmed that the person arrested and fingerprinted was known as both Danny Vasquez and Alberto Diaz. Further review of records by members of the DEA Drug Task Force determined that Danny Vasquez was born in the Dominican Republic.
Luis Cortes, a/k/a Danny Vasquez, a/k/a Alberto Diaz, a/k/a John Doe appeared today before U.S. District Court Magistrate Judge Lincoln D. Almond and was ordered detained on a federal criminal complaint charging him with possession with intent to distribute 100 grams or more of heroin and possession of a firearm in furtherance of drug trafficking.
Cortes’s arrest and initial appearance are announced by United States Attorney Aaron L. Weisman and Special Agent in Charge of the Drug Enforcement Administration’s New England Field Division Brian D. Boyle.
A federal criminal complaint is merely an accusation. A defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.
The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Paul F. Daly, Jr.
The Rhode Island DEA Drug Task Force is comprised of personnel from the DEA and Providence, East Providence, Central Falls, Coventry, North Kingstown, Woonsocket, Cranston, Pawtucket, Newport, South Kingstown, Warwick, and West Warwick Police Departments, Rhode Island State Police, and Amtrak Police Department.
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Village of Rockville Centre Agrees to Settle Federal Complaint by Complying with Clean Air Act RequirementsRead the Press Release
Seth D. DuCharme, Acting United States Attorney for the Eastern District of New York, and Peter D. Lopez, Regional Administrator of the United States Environmental Protection Agency, Region 2 (EPA), announced today that the United States filed suit under the Clean Air Act (CAA) against the Village of Rockville Centre (“the Village”) to address its failure to comply with federally-enforceable emissions limits for particulate matter (PM) and nitrogen oxide (NOx). The Village operates a 33 megawatt municipal power plant (the “Power Plant”) that provides electric power to its residents, in part, using diesel engines. The Village operates the Power Plant primarily during the summer to meet high electricity demands.
The parties also agreed to enter into a Consent Judgment that requires the Village to retire high-emission engines, and to institute operational practices and technologies to reduce further the PM and NOx emissions of the Power Plant. The settlement also requires the Village to pay a civil penalty of $110,000 and perform other injunctive relief that will bring its Power Plant into compliance with the CAA.
The lawsuit and Consent Judgment were filed in the United States District Court for the Eastern District of New York, in Central Islip, New York. Following a 30-day public comment period, the United States will review any comments and, if appropriate, request the District Court to enter and approve the Consent Judgment.
“The United States brought this action to ensure that the Village of Rockville Centre meets its obligation to protect our air quality by instituting stronger emission control practices at its power plant,” stated Acting United States Attorney DuCharme. “The settlement enforces specific and appropriate emission limits that are critical to mitigating human exposure to particulate matter, which is potentially harmful to our health. This Office will vigorously enforce the Clean Air Act against parties who illegally emit air pollutants and compromise the safety of our community.”
“Emission limits on particulate matter and nitrogen oxides exist to help reduce conditions that lead to the formation of dangerous soot and smog. Studies show that in excess, both of these pollutants are linked to a range of respiratory ailments and premature death,” stated EPA Regional Administrator Lopez. “EPA is committed to resolve violations of the Clean Air Act. By fully implementing the actions in the agreement, the Village can protect people that live, work and visit this community.”
The CAA was passed by Congress in 1970 to protect public health and the environment through the regulation of air emissions from both stationary and mobile sources. The law requires the EPA to establish national ambient air quality standards and imposes limits on air pollutant emissions.
Since at least 2009, the Power Plant has exceeded PM and NOx limits under the CAA. As a result of the United States’ enforcement efforts preceding this settlement, the Power Plant’s exceedances of PM ceased in December 2018, by which time the Village had instituted effective operational controls to reduce its PM emissions. However, the Village continues to violate the NOx limits, and the Consent Judgment requires the Village to comply with the NOx limits by December 31, 2021.
As part of the settlement, the Village has permanently retired its three most polluting engines. Further, the Village will reclassify certain engines to limit their use, which will produce significant emissions reductions. The Village will also increase its capacity to import electricity, thereby reducing the load on its Power Plant and associated air emissions. Finally, the Consent Judgment requires the Village to install and operate a continuous emissions monitoring system on all non-emergency engines and implement periodic engine tune ups. These requirements will protect local air quality while enforcing the Village’s compliance with PM and NOx limits.
The negotiations and settlement were handled by Assistant U.S. Attorneys James R. Cho and Matthew Silverman and paralegal Loan Nguyen of the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of New York, working with Liliana Villatora, Denise Leong, Amanda Prentice and Sara Froikin of the Regional Counsel’s Office, U.S. EPA Region 2, Gaetano LaVigna, Chief, Stationary Source Compliance Section, Air Compliance Branch, U.S. EPA Region 2 and Richard Kan, also with the Air Compliance Branch.
Ventura Man and Former Music Teacher Pleads Guilty to Federal Criminal Charge of Production of Child PornographyRead the Press Release
LOS ANGELES – A former music teacher who contracted with a number of school districts in Southern California pleaded guilty today to a federal child pornography charge.
John Edward Zeretzke, 61, of Ventura, pleaded guilty to one count of production of child pornography.
He previously pleaded guilty in Orange County Superior Court to six state counts of committing lewd or lascivious acts with minors under the age of 14 years old.
According to his plea agreement in the federal case, from December 2016 to February 2017, Zeretzke used a computer and the internet to communicate with a female minor and coerced her into producing child pornography. The victim did not live in California at the time.
United States District Judge Fernando M. Olguin has scheduled a December 3 sentencing hearing, at which time Zeretzke will face a mandatory minimum sentence of 15 years in federal prison and a statutory maximum sentence of 30 years in federal prison. Zeretzke has been sentenced to 18 years in state prison and federal prosecutors are recommending an 18-year federal prison sentence that will run concurrently with his state prison sentence.
This case is a part of Project Safe Childhood, the Justice Department’s ongoing initiative to combat the plague of child exploitation crimes.
This matter was investigated by the United States Postal Inspection Service and the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department, Special Victims Bureau.
This case is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Justin R. Rhoades.
United States Attorney McSwain Delivers Remarks on the Escalating Public Safety Crisis in PhiladelphiaRead the Press Release
PHILADELPHIA – United States Attorney William M. McSwain convened a press conference today outside the Byrne United States Courthouse after the sentencing hearing for Jovaun Patterson, the man convicted of shooting a Philadelphia shop owner with a military-style assault rifle during an attempted robbery. During his remarks, U.S. Attorney McSwain addressed the escalating violent crime crisis in Philadelphia, the anti-law enforcement bias pushed by certain groups, and the devastating impact that both continue to have on minority communities in the City.
Remarks as Prepared for Delivery
Jovaun Patterson has been sentenced to over 14 years in federal prison for shooting and attempting to rob Philadelphia shop owner, Mike Poeng. Mr. Patterson has been held accountable for his violent criminal behavior and will now serve an appropriate sentence. This was only possible because the U.S. Attorney’s Office stepped in and charged Mr. Patterson after the local authorities had bent over backwards to give him a break, negotiating an overly lenient sentence that sent a message that violent crime has little consequences.
That sad state of affairs – where the mishandling of Mr. Patterson’s original case necessitated federal involvement – is symbolic of a larger catastrophe that is playing out before our eyes in Philadelphia. Homicides, shootings, and serious violent crime have all skyrocketed in 2020 – from already intolerable levels that existed in 2019 and 2018. Almost all the victims are racial minorities, the vast majority of whom are Black. This past weekend alone, at least 25 people were shot. So far this year, over 100 children have been shot, a 68% increase as compared to last year. Again, almost all of these child victims are racial minorities, the vast majority of whom are Black. And we all know about Zamar Jones, the 7 year-old boy who was murdered earlier this month while playing on his front porch in West Philadelphia.
This is . . . infuriating. There is nothing more important than the safety of children. But where is the sense of outrage, where is the anger, where is the sense of urgency among City leaders? This slaughter in our streets has largely been met with indifference, a sense of inevitability, even a shrug of the shoulders. Or as the District Attorney frequently puts it: “poverty equals bullets.”
“Poverty equals bullets.” That condescending statement is a slap in the face to every law-abiding, low-income resident in the City. There are scores of low-income people in the City who respect the law, never shoot anybody, love their neighbors, and work hard to improve their neighborhood. Poverty is never an excuse for violent crime, and certainly not for murder. There is no possible justification for walking up to somebody and shooting them. Furthermore, poverty isn’t going away overnight. As law enforcement leaders, we can’t put the violence problem at the doorstep of poverty and just leave it there. That is the equivalent of abandoning the people we are sworn to protect and serve.
Instead, we must do something. At the U.S. Attorney’s Office, we have and we are – unlike the District Attorney’s Office. With our anti-violence public messaging campaign that we launched last month, the law-abiding citizens of Philadelphia know where the U.S. Attorney’s Office stands – with them and with our law enforcement partners. The campaign also puts potential criminals on notice that if they commit a crime with a gun and we have federal jurisdiction, we will prosecute them to the fullest extent of the law. We will come after them with everything that we have. We are spreading that message of deterrence through billboards, bus shelter advertisements, posters, the Internet, social media, videos, radio, and TV. It’s a message that is sorely needed in the City, and one that I believe will make neighborhoods safer and save lives.
And this is not just messaging. It is backed up by federal resources and results. The U.S. Attorney’s Office prosecuted 53% more violent crime cases in the Eastern District of Pennsylvania this past fiscal year than we prosecuted the year before. In Philadelphia’s most dangerous neighborhoods – what are designated as Project Safe Neighborhood (or PSN) target districts – we charged 72% more violent crime and weapons cases than the year before. And, where necessary, we have provided federal oversight in cases like today’s Patterson sentencing. Still, we know that in order to meet today’s challenges, we must do even more.
But the federal authorities cannot do it alone. We need City leaders to speak with one voice in condemning violence – not making excuses for it and not treating violent defendants like they are somehow the victims in all of this. And most importantly, the rhetoric should be backed up by aggressive local prosecution that holds criminals accountable and therefore makes neighborhoods safer.
City leaders also should speak with one voice in rejecting the extreme anti-law enforcement bias that is currently being peddled by certain irresponsible fringe groups. This bias – especially if it is not forcefully condemned by City leaders – puts the police on their heels and puts violent criminals on their toes, ready to stride forward confidently. One year ago, I stood in this spot and decried the culture of disrespect for law enforcement in the City – a culture that celebrated chants like “F*** the police” and “No good cops in a racist system.” Today, the bile and vitriol coming from some elements of the mob makes those chants sound quaint by comparison.
The vast majority of Philadelphia police officers do their jobs faithfully and honorably – and by putting on the uniform and doing the dangerous work inherent in their mission, they show that they value the lives of others more than they value their own. They, like all responsible citizens, abhor police brutality and are in favor of accountability for police. We can and should work towards better relations between the police and the community without indulging infantile notions that the police as a whole make communities more dangerous. Obviously, they do just the opposite. So to those of you out there who say that we should “abolish the police,” or “defund the police,” or “abolish prisons,” or one of my favorites, that “communities should be left to police themselves,” I have a message for you: your ideas are absurd and deserve nothing but scorn. Moreover, those ideas would cause great harm to the most vulnerable members of our society. Victims of violent crime, like Mike Poeng, are the ones who suffer the consequences of these foolish notions. As is often the case, the policies demanded by the self-righteous mob would come at the expense of minority communities.
Everybody in our City deserves to live in a safe neighborhood – regardless of race or income level. It is time for City leaders to step forward and do everything that they can to make that a reality. We won’t get there by treating violent criminals like they are victims, or by undermining law enforcement, or by grasping for excuses – like conveniently blaming the pandemic. It’s true that the virus isn’t making things any easier, but violence is contagious, too. It can easily spread across a City or even beyond. We must confront it and stop it and put the good people of this City first. Thank you.
U.S. Attorney Brandon J. Fremin Announces $499,458 Award to Provide Housing to Victims of Human Trafficking in LouisianaRead the Press Release
U.S. Attorney Brandon J. Fremin announced that the Middle District of Louisiana received $499,458 from the Department of Justice’s Office of Justice Programs and its component, the Office for Victims of Crime, to provide safe, stable housing and other appropriate services to victims of human trafficking.
The recipient, Empower 225, is a charitable foundation located in Baton Rouge dedicated to helping those who are at risk of homelessness and dependency locate permanent housing and secure employment, occupational training, and counseling. Their HOPE Team provides supportive services and mentoring to victims of human trafficking and also facilitates training for those who serve these victims. The grant awarded to Empower 225 will provide six to 24 months of transitional or short-term housing assistance for trafficking victims, including rent, utilities or related expenses, such as security deposits and relocation costs. Empower 225 is among 73 organizations receiving more than $35 million in OVC grants to support housing services for human trafficking survivors.
“Human trafficking is a barbaric criminal enterprise that subjects its victims to unspeakable cruelty and deprives them of the most basic of human needs, none more essential than a safe place to live,” said Attorney General William P. Barr. “Throughout this Administration, the Department of Justice has fought aggressively to bring human traffickers to justice and to deliver critical aid to trafficking survivors. These new resources, announced today, expand on our efforts to offer those who have suffered the shelter and support they need to begin a new and better life.”
U.S. Attorney Fremin stated, “This funding is a tremendous boost to our efforts to combat human trafficking and serve victims so desperately in need of help. This funding will assist victims of this terrible crime by allowing service providers to enhance their efforts in combatting human trafficking in Louisiana. This is yet another example of the Justice Department’s support of local organizations that serve and mentor crime victims in our district.”
“Human traffickers dangle the threat of homelessness over those they have entrapped, playing a ruthless game of psychological manipulation that victims are never in a position to win,” said OJP Principal Deputy Assistant Attorney General Katharine T. Sullivan. “These grants will empower survivors on their path to independence and a life of self-sufficiency and hope.”
Human trafficking offenses are among the most difficult crimes to identify, and the scope of human trafficking victimization may be much greater than the limited data reflect. A new report issued by the National Institute of Justice, another component of the Office of Justice Programs, found that the number of human trafficking cases captured in police reports may represent only a fraction of all such cases. Expanding housing and other services to trafficking victims remains a top Justice Department priority.
The Office for Victims of Crime, for example, hosted listening sessions and roundtable discussions with stakeholders in the field in 2018 and launched the Human Trafficking Capacity Building Center. From July 2018 through June 2019, 118 OVC human trafficking grantees reported serving 8,375 total clients including confirmed trafficking victims and individuals showing strong indicators of trafficking victimization.
For a complete list of individual award amounts and jurisdictions that will receive funding, visit: https://www.ojp.gov/sites/g/files/xyckuh241/files/media/document/htvictimsfactheet.pdf
The Office of Justice Programs, directed by Principal Deputy Assistant Attorney General Katharine T. Sullivan, provides federal leadership, grants, training, technical assistance and other resources to improve the nation’s capacity to prevent and reduce crime, assist victims and enhance the rule of law by strengthening the criminal and juvenile justice systems. More information about OJP and its components can be found at www.ojp.gov.
The year 2020 marks the 150th anniversary of the Department of Justice. Learn more about the history of our agency at www.Justice.gov/Celebrating150Years.
Two Individuals Sentenced for Bribery, Theft And/Or Embezzlement of Alabama-Quassarte Tribal TownRead the Press Release
MUSKOGEE, OKLAHOMA – The United States Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of Oklahoma announced the sentencings of Bristow, Oklahoma resident, George Phillip Tiger, age 70, and Aaron Dewayne Terry, age 64, of Wichita Falls, Texas. Mr. Tiger was sentenced to 12 months and 1 day imprisonment, 2 years’ supervised release, and ordered to pay a $10,000.00 fine for bribery concerning programs receiving federal funds, in violation of Title 18, United States Code, Section 666(a)(1)(B). Mr. Terry was sentenced to 48 months’ imprisonment, 3 years’ supervised release, and ordered to pay restitution in the amount of $1,250,000 for the theft and embezzlement of funds from business entities wholly owned by the Alabama-Quassarte Tribal Town (“AQTT”). Mr. Terry was also sentenced to 36 months’ imprisonment, 1 year supervised release, and ordered to pay restitution in the amount of $105,068.58 for federal tax charges. Mr. Terry’s sentencings are to run concurrently.
The AQTT is a federally recognized Indian tribe located in Oklahoma with an enrollment of 461 members. The AQTT-owned business entities focus primarily on federal contract procurement in Huntsville, Alabama. The AQTT is headquartered in Wetumka, Oklahoma.
Tiger, the former Principal Chief of the Muscogee (Creek) Nation, was an agent of the AQTT from September 26, 2017 through December 4, 2018. His duties included serving as the Chairman of the Economic Development Authority (EDA) Board. The AQTT formed the EDA to identify, plan, initiate, and develop tribal economic and industrial activities on behalf of the AQTT. The Indictment to which Tiger entered his guilty plea alleged that from on or about September 26, 2017 through on or about February 15, 2019, he corruptly solicited, demanded, accepted and agreed to accept a bribe from Mr. Aaron Terry, intending to be influenced and rewarded in connection with a transaction or series of transactions of the AQTT.
Mr. Terry held various executive management and control positions within the AQTT-owned business entities. He pled guilty to one count of Theft By An Agent Of An Indian Tribal Government Receiving Federal Funds, in violation of Title 18, United States Code, Section 666(a)(1)(A); one count of Bribery Concerning Programs Receiving Federal Funds, in violation of Title 18, United States Code, Section 666(a)(1)(B); and one count of Conspiracy to Commit Bribery, in violation of Title 18, United States Code, Section 371. Mr. Terry also pled guilty via Information to two counts of personal Tax Fraud, in violation of Title 26, United States Code, Section 7206(1).
“Mr. Tiger took advantage of the position of trust he had been given by the people of the Alabama-Quassarte Tribal Town. Instead of acting in the best interests of those he was appointed to serve Tiger sought out and received unlawful profit for himself. Terry likewise exploited his position as an agent of a tribal government for his own selfish and unlawful gain.” said United States Attorney Brian J. Kuester. “This office and the agencies who have been involved in this investigation are committed to identifying, investigating, and prosecuting those who corrupt the positions of trust and authority they hold.”
"While serving as appointed officials within the Alabama-Quassarte Tribal Town, George Tiger and Aaron Terry engaged in various bribery schemes with the sole intention of personal financial gain," said Melissa Godbold, Special Agent in Charge of the FBI's Oklahoma City Field Office. "The prosecution of these subjects should serve as a warning that law enforcement will not tolerate officials who abuse their positions of trust.”
"The sentencings today illustrate the commitment of the Defense Criminal Investigative Service (DCIS), along with our law enforcement partners, to aggressively pursue those who exploit, for their own benefit, Tribal organizations and their business entities that support critical national security programs funded by the Department of Defense (DoD)," said Michael Mentavlos, Special Agent-in-Charge of the DCIS Southwest Field Office. "DCIS will continue to investigate corruption and fraud that affects the DoD through the exploitation of Small Business Administration programs designed to help disadvantaged groups."
“Today’s sentence sends a clear message that the laws of the land apply to everyone, regardless of position or power,” said Kevin Caramucci, Assistant Special Agent in Charge, IRS-CI’s Dallas Field Office. “Public officials who fail to faithfully discharge the duties of their office will be investigated, prosecuted and subjected to the full punishment of the law for their actions.”
The Defense Criminal Investigative Service (DCIS) – Office of Inspector General, the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), the Internal Revenue Service, the Small Business Administration – Office of Inspector General, the General Services Administration – Office of Inspector General, the Army Criminal Investigations Division, and the Naval Criminal Investigative Service participated in the investigation that lead to the Indictment of Tiger and Terry.
The Honorable Ronald A. White, U.S. District Judge in the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Oklahoma, in Muskogee, presided over the sentencing hearings for each of the defendants. Assistant United States Attorney Douglas Horn, Assistant United States Attorney Ryan Heatherman, and Special Assistant United States Attorney Courtney Jordan represented the United States at the sentencing hearing. Tiger and Terry will be supervised by the United States Probation Office for the Eastern District of Oklahoma.
Two Arrested with Conspiracy to Distribute Fentanyl that Killed an Individual, Injured AnotherRead the Press Release
BIRMINGHAM, Ala. – Federal agents yesterday arrested two individuals charged with distributing fentanyl that resulted in death and serious bodily injury, announced U.S. Attorney Prim Escalona and Drug Enforcement Administration Assistant Special Agent in Charge Clay Morris.
A three-count indictment filed in U.S. District Court charges Anthony Shawn Clark, 33, Huntsville, and Tamara Denise Moore, 23, Huntsville, with distributing fentanyl and also with conspiracy to distribute and possess with the intent to distribute fentanyl. The grand jury returned the indictment against Clark and Moore in July.
According to the indictment, from May 2019 through May 2020, Clark and Moore engaged in a conspiracy to distribute controlled substances, specifically fentanyl. On June 2, 2019 in Madison County, Clark distributed fentanyl which resulted in the death of an individual from the use of the drug. On May 20, 2020, Clark and Moore distributed fentanyl that caused serious bodily injury to an individual from the use of the drug.
The maximum penalty for conspiracy to distribute and possess with the intent to distribute a controlled substance is 20 years in prison.
The penalty for distributing a controlled substance that results in death or serious bodily injury is 20 years to life in prison and a maximum $1 million fine.
DEA investigated the case, along with Madison Police Department and Huntsville-Madison County STAC. Assistant U.S. Attorney Robert J. Becher Sr. is prosecuting the case.
An indictment contains only charges. A defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.
Three Drug Traffickers Sentenced to Prison following Greater Pittsburgh Safe Streets Task Force InvestigationRead the Press Release
PITTSBURGH, PA – Three former residents of the Pittsburgh area have been sentenced in federal court this week on their convictions of narcotics trafficking, United States Attorney Scott W. Brady announced today.
Senior United States District Judge Arthur J. Schwab imposed the sentence on Michael Rose, 28, formerly of Pittsburgh, PA, Kreg Williams, formerly of Duquesne, PA, and Marvin Porter, 49, formerly of Allison Park, PA.
Rose was sentenced to 102 months’ imprisonment followed by four years of supervised release. Williams was sentenced to 63 months’ imprisonment followed by four years of supervised release. Porter was sentenced to 60 months’ imprisonment followed by four years of supervised release.
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. Rose, Williams and other individuals were identified as members 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. Rose, Williams, and Porter, along with 30 others were indicted in June of 2019 by a federal grand jury in three separate, but related, Indictments.
As to Rose, the Court was informed that intercepted communications confirmed that Rose was conspiring with others to distribute controlled substances in Western Pennsylvania. On April 15, 2019, Rose was apprehended by law enforcement while conducting a drug transaction in the parking lot of the Monroeville Mall. After arresting Rose and seizing a firearm, which Rose was not permitted to possess, as well as heroin, cocaine and cocaine base, all packaged for resale from the vehicle, Rose broke free from law enforcement and ran into the Monroeville Mall while in handcuffs. Rose was sentenced for distributing 198.4 grams of heroin, 28 grams of cocaine, and 154 grams of cocaine base, commonly known as crack.
As to Williams, the Court was informed that intercepted communications confirmed that Williams, a member of the street gang, "SCO", was conspiring with others to possess with intent to distribute and distribute controlled substances, namely, 28 grams or more of cocaine base, commonly known as crack, a Schedule II controlled substance, between August 2018 and May 2019. Additionally, on June 12, 2019, Williams possessed three firearms, including an assault rifle and two pistols, all of which were forfeited to the government.
As to Porter, the Court was informed that in April of 2019, while intercepting communications over telephones used by Howard McFadden, SCO’s leader, law enforcement identified Chadlin Leavy as a source of supply for heroin and cocaine. I n April of 2019, investigators obtained authorization for the interception of wire and electronic communications over a telephone operated by Chadlin Leavy. Intercepted communications confirmed that Mr. Porter, who is not associated with SCO, was conspiring with others to possess with intent to distribute heroin. On June 12, 2019, law enforcement seized a suitcase containing 612 bricks and one bundle of heroin, six firearms as well as related magazines and ammunition, jewelry, and a digital scale from Mr. Porter’s residence.
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 Porter, Rose and Williams. 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.
Three California Residents Plead Guilty to Drug Trafficking ChargesRead the Press Release
RENO, Nev. — Three California men have pleaded guilty in federal court to possessing with the intent to distribute more than one pound of methamphetamine, announced U.S. Attorney Nicholas A. Trutanich of the District of Nevada.
Jesse Pina, 26, of Visalia, California; Daniel Mediano, 29, of Farmersville, California; and Nicholas Lucky Lozano, 19, of Farmersville, were charged by criminal complaint in June 2019.
• Yesterday, Pina pleaded guilty to one count of possession with the intent to distribute 50 grams or more of methamphetamine.
• Mediano pleaded guilty yesterday to one count of conspiracy to possess methamphetamine with the intent to distribute a controlled substance.
• Today, Lozano pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy to possess methamphetamine with the intent to distribute a controlled substance.
According to court documents and admissions that the defendants made in court, on or about June 19, 2019, Pina, Mediano, and Lozano were staying in a motel room in downtown Reno and conspired to possess with the intent to distribute methamphetamine. During the execution of a search warrant of the motel room, law enforcement recovered 595 grams (approximately 1.3 pounds) of methamphetamine, a scale, money from a drug sale conducted by Pina, and another $2,880 in cash.
Pina, Mediano, and Lozano are scheduled to be sentenced by Chief U.S. District Judge Miranda M. Du on November 16, 2020.
The maximum statutory penalties are: (a) life in prison and a $10,000,000 fine, for possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine and (b) 20 years in prison and a $1,000,000 fine, for conspiracy to possess methamphetamine with the intent to distribute a controlled substance. The sentencing of a defendant will be determined by the court based on the advisory Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors.
This case was the product of an investigation by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives and the Regional Crime Suppression Unit (which included, at the time of this investigation, the Reno Police Department and the Sparks Police Department). Assistant U.S. Attorneys Megan Rachow and Peter Walkingshaw are prosecuting the case.
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