Latest Records
Newest first across public DOJ and U.S. Attorney press releases.
2 September 2020
Waterloo Man Sentenced to over Seven Years in Federal Prison After Being Involved in Two Shooting IncidentsRead the Press Release
A man who possessed firearm that he used in two shootings was sentenced September 1, 2020, to more than seven years in federal prison.
Leon Orlando Jackson, age 44, from Waterloo, Iowa, received the prison term after a March 3, 2020, guilty plea to possession of a firearm by a felon.
At the plea hearing, Jackson admitted possessing a firearm after being convicted of three felony offenses, including possession of a stolen auto, felon in possession of a firearm, and possession of cocaine. The prior firearm offense was a federal conviction out of Indiana. Filings in the case showed that on April 23, 2017, defendant was involved in two shootings in Waterloo, including one that left a victim with an injury to his leg.
Jackson was sentenced in Cedar Rapids by United States District Court Judge C.J. Williams. Jackson was sentenced to 87 months’ imprisonment. He must also serve a three-year term of supervised release after the prison term. There is no parole in the federal system.
This case was brought as part of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN). PSN is the centerpiece of the Department of Justice’s violent crime reduction efforts. PSN is an evidence-based program proven to be effective at reducing violent crime. Through PSN, a broad spectrum of stakeholders work together to identify the most pressing violent crime problems in the community and develop comprehensive solutions to address them. As part of this strategy, PSN focuses enforcement efforts on the most violent offenders and partners with locally based prevention and reentry programs for lasting reductions in crime.
This case is also part of Project Guardian, the Department of Justice’s signature initiative to reduce gun violence and enforce federal firearms laws. Initiated by the Attorney General in the fall of 2019, Project Guardian draws upon the Department’s past successful programs to reduce gun violence; enhances coordination of federal, state, local, and tribal authorities in investigating and prosecuting gun crimes; improves information-sharing by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives when a prohibited individual attempts to purchase a firearm and is denied by the National Instant Criminal Background Check System (NICS), to include taking appropriate actions when a prospective purchaser is denied by the NICS for mental health reasons; and ensures that federal resources are directed at the criminals posing the greatest threat to our communities. For more information about Project Guardian, please see /media/1122011/dl?inline.
Jackson is being held in the United States Marshal’s custody until he can be transported to a federal prison.
The case was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Emily K. Nydle and was investigated by a Federal Task Force composed of the Waterloo Police Department, Federal Bureau of Investigation, and Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives assisted by the Black Hawk County Sheriff’s Office and Cedar Falls Police Department.
Court file information at https://ecf.iand.uscourts.gov/cgi-bin/login.pl.
The case file number is 19-cr-2036.
Follow us on Twitter @USAO_NDIA.
Waterbury Man Charged with Fentanyl Distribution OffensesRead the Press Release
John H. Durham, United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut, today announced that MARBIN JIMENEZ, also known as “Rabia,” 32, of Waterbury, was arrested on August 31, 2020, on a criminal complaint charging him with possession with intent to distribute heroin and fentanyl, and conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute heroin and fentanyl.
As alleged in court documents and statements made in court, this matter stems from a joint investigation headed by the DEA New Haven Task Force and the Waterbury Police Department into a Waterbury-based drug trafficking operation headed by Nestor Sosa-Ortiz. The investigation, which has included the use of court-authorized wiretaps, physical surveillance, and controlled purchases of narcotics, revealed that Sosa-Ortiz’s organization received large quantities of heroin and fentanyl from suppliers in Connecticut and New York and distributed the narcotics throughout New Haven County. After Sosa-Ortiz was arrested in New York City on a separate federal heroin and fentanyl trafficking charge in May 2019, he continued to control his drug network while incarcerated by using smuggled cell phones to communicate with various co-conspirators, including his sisters, Isamelis Sosa-Ortiz and Imirici Sosa-Ortiz, in Waterbury.
On November 6, 2019, a federal grand jury returned an indictment charging 15 members of the Sosa drug trafficking organization with conspiring to distribute heroin and fentanyl. A superseding indictment returned in January 2020 added a sixteenth defendant.
Jimenez was subsequently identified as a redistributor for the Sosa-Ortiz drug trafficking organization. In addition, on three occasions in July and August 2020, investigators conducted controlled purchases of fentanyl from Jimenez.
Jimenez was arrested on August 31, 2020, in Waterbury. It is alleged that he possessed a distribution quantity of fentanyl at the time of his arrest.
Jimenez, who has been detained since his arrest, has a detention hearing scheduled for tomorrow at 11 a.m. before U.S. Magistrate Judge Sarah A.L. Merriam.
U.S. Attorney Durham stressed that a complaint is only a charge and is not evidence of guilt. Charges are only allegations and a defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt.
Nestor Sosa-Ortiz, Isamelis Sosa-Ortiz and Imirici Sosa-Ortiz have pleaded guilty and await sentencing.
This investigation is being conducted by the Drug Enforcement Administration New Haven Task Force and the Waterbury Police Department. The DEA New Haven Task Force includes participants from the U.S. Marshals Service, Internal Revenue Service – Criminal Investigation Division, and the New Haven, Hamden, West Haven, North Haven, Branford, Ansonia, Meriden, Derby, Middletown, Naugatuck, and Waterbury Police Departments.
The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Tara E. Levens, Lauren C. Clark and Jocelyn Courtney Kaoutzanis.
Washington D.C. Man Faces Federal Charges Related to Series of Armed Robberies in Prince George’s CountyRead the Press Release
Greenbelt, Maryland – A federal criminal complaint has been filed charging Shaykh Abdul-Majid, age 35, of Washington, D.C., for federal armed commercial robbery and for discharging, brandishing, using, carrying, and possessing a firearm during and in relation to any crime of violence. At his initial appearance today, U.S. Magistrate Judge Charles B. Day ordered that Abdul-Majid be detained pending trial.
The criminal complaint was announced by United States Attorney for the District of Maryland Robert K. Hur; Special Agent in Charge Jennifer C. Boone of the Federal Bureau of Investigation, Baltimore Field Office; and Interim Chief of Police Hector Velez of the Prince George’s County Police Department (PGPD).
According to the complaint, Abdul-Majid is charged with committing three armed robberies of businesses between June 29 and July 5, 2020. In each robbery, the complaint alleges that Abdul-Majid entered the store, pointed a silver and black handgun at the employee victims and customers, and demanded money, stealing a total of more than $2,700 in cash, as well as 10 cellular phones worth approximately $7,400, and a customer’s wallet. As detailed in the complaint, Abdul-Majid wore distinctive clothing and drove the same vehicle in each robbery.
At the robbery on July 5, 2020, the complaint alleges that after the store employee gave Abdul-Majid $200 in store funds at gunpoint, Abdul-Majid then demanded they move to the store’s back storage area. According to the complaint, fearing he would be shot, the employee attempted to remove the handgun from Abdul-Majid, who allegedly fired two rounds during the struggle. The employee’s hand and fingers were cut as he tried to prevent the handgun’s slide from racking as casings were ejecting. After the struggle, Abdul-Majid fled on foot out the back of the business with the store funds.
On July 7, 2020, detectives located Abdul-Majid in his vehicle, which was parked in Washington, D.C. Upon seeing law enforcement, Abdul-Majid fled from the vehicle on foot, but was apprehended a short time later. Law enforcement officers seized the vehicle and subsequently executed a search warrant on the vehicle. During the search, law enforcement recovered clothing consistent with the items worn in the robberies. Officers also recovered a silver and black handgun, consistent with the weapon used in the robberies.
If convicted, Abdul-Majid faces a maximum sentence of 20 years in federal prison for robbery; seven years in federal prison, consecutive to any other sentence, for brandishing a firearm; and 10 years in federal prison, consecutive to any other sentence, for discharge of a firearm during and in relation to a crime of violence. 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.
A criminal complaint is not a finding of guilt. An individual charged by criminal complaint is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty at some later criminal proceedings.
United States Attorney Robert K. Hur commended the FBI and the PGPD, for their work in the investigation. Mr. Hur thanked Assistant U.S. Attorney Kelly Hayes, who is prosecuting the case.
# # #
United States seizes domain names used by foreign terrorist organizationRead the Press Release
ATLANTA – The United States has seized “Aletejahtv.com” and “Aletejahtv.org,” two websites which were unlawfully utilized by Kata’ib Hizballah, a Specially Designated National and a Foreign Terrorist Organization.
“Our system of commerce and our infrastructure, whether physical or electronic, is to be used by lawfully,” said U.S. Attorney Byung J. “BJay” Pak. “We will not allow groups that have been rightfully prohibited from obtaining goods and services in the United States to use our internet services – especially to further their terrorist agenda. This seizure underscores national collaboration and a commitment to protecting our commerce and infrastructure.”
“Once again we see designated foreign terrorist organizations turning to the internet to push their message and recruit followers for their violent causes,” said John Demers, Assistant Attorney General for National Security. “We will continue to fight terror recruitment and propaganda efforts in the digital world, as we do elsewhere.”
“The District of Arizona is home to many successful technology companies whose goods and services are capable of being used by individuals across the world,” said United States Attorney Michael Bailey. “We will not allow members of terrorist organizations to illegally use those goods and services to further their propaganda and agenda.”
“The National Security of the United States is, and will always be, the top priority for the Bureau of Industry and Security’s Office of Export Enforcement. Attempts to surreptitiously utilize U.S. based online networks and services to promote Iran backed terrorist propaganda will immediately be disrupted, disabled, and seized,” said P. Lee Smith, Performing the Non-exclusive Functions and Duties of the Assistant Secretary for Export Enforcement. “The Bureau of Industry and Security is committed to ensuring the stability of the Iraqi government and protecting our troops and Allied Forces against terrorist acts of violence”
On July 2, 2009, the U.S. Secretary of Treasury designated Kata’ib Hizballah, an Iran-backed terrorist group active in Iraq, as a Specially Designated National for committing, directing, supporting, and posing a significant risk of committing acts of violence against Coalition and Iraqi Security Forces. On the same day, the U.S. Department of State designated Kata’ib Hizballah as a Foreign Terrorist Organization for committing or posing a significant risk of committing acts of terrorism.
“Aletejahtv.com” and “Aletejahtv.org,” acted as Kata’ib Hizballah’s media arm
and published internet communications such as videos, articles, and photographs. These communications included numerous articles designed to further Kata’ib Hizballah’s agenda, particularly destabilizing Iraq and recruiting others to join their cause. They also functioned as a live online television broadcast channel, “Al-etejah TV.” Portions of the communications expressly noted that they were published by Kata’ib Hizballah.
Federal law prohibits designated entities like Kata’ib Hizballah from obtaining or utilizing goods or services, including website and domain services, in the United States without a license from the Office of Foreign Assets Control. “Aletejahtv.com” and “Aletejahtv.org” are domain names that are owned and operated by a United States company based in Scottsdale, Arizona. Kata’ib Hizballah did not obtain a license from the Office of Foreign Assets Control prior to utilizing the domain names.
On August 31, 2020, pursuant to a seizure warrant, the United States seized “Aletejahtv.com” and “Aletejahtv.org.” Visitors to the site received the following message: THIS WEBSITE HAS BEEN SEIZED. The domains for Aletejahtv.com and Aletejahtv.org have been seized by the United States Government.
This seizure was investigated by the Department of Commerce, Bureau of Industry and Security.
Assistant U.S. Attorneys from the Northern District of Georgia, Assistant U.S. Attorneys from the District of Arizona, and trial lawyers from the Department of Justice National Security Division prosecuted the seizure.
For further information please contact the U.S. Attorney’s Public Affairs Office at [email protected] or (404) 581-6016. The Internet address for the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Northern District of Georgia is http://www.justice.gov/usao-ndga.
United States Seizes Domain Names Used by Foreign Terrorist OrganizationRead the Press Release
The United States has seized “Aletejahtv.com” and “Aletejahtv.org,” two websites, which were unlawfully utilized by Kata’ib Hizballah, a Specially Designated National and a Foreign Terrorist Organization.
“Once again we see designated foreign terrorist organizations turning to the internet to push their message and recruit followers for their violent causes,” said John Demers, Assistant Attorney General for National Security. “We will continue to fight terror recruitment and propaganda efforts in the digital world, as we do elsewhere.”
“Our system of commerce and our infrastructure, whether physical or electronic, is to be used by lawfully,” said U.S. Attorney Byung J. “BJay” Pak for the Northern District of Georgia. “We will not allow groups that have been rightfully prohibited from obtaining goods and services in the United States to use our internet services – especially to further their terrorist agenda. This seizure underscores national collaboration and a commitment to protecting our commerce and infrastructure.”
“The District of Arizona is home to many successful technology companies whose goods and services are capable of being used by individuals across the world,” said U.S. Attorney Michael Bailey for the District of Arizona. “We will not allow members of terrorist organizations to illegally use those goods and services to further their propaganda and agenda.”
“The National Security of the United States is, and will always be, the top priority for the Bureau of Industry and Security’s Office of Export Enforcement. Attempts to surreptitiously utilize U.S. based online networks and services to promote Iran backed terrorist propaganda will immediately be disrupted, disabled, and seized,” said P. Lee Smith, Performing the Non-exclusive Functions and Duties of the Assistant Secretary for Export Enforcement at the Department of Commerce. “The Bureau of Industry and Security is committed to ensuring the stability of the Iraqi government and protecting our troops and Allied Forces against terrorist acts of violence”
On July 2, 2009, the U.S. Secretary of Treasury designated Kata’ib Hizballah, an Iran-backed terrorist group active in Iraq, as a Specially Designated National for committing, directing, supporting, and posing a significant risk of committing acts of violence against Coalition and Iraqi Security Forces. On the same day, the U.S. Department of State designated Kata’ib Hizballah as a Foreign Terrorist Organization for committing or posing a significant risk of committing acts of terrorism.
“Aletejahtv.com” and “Aletejahtv.org,” acted as Kata’ib Hizballah’s media arm and published internet communications such as videos, articles, and photographs. These communications included numerous articles designed to further Kata’ib Hizballah’s agenda, particularly destabilizing Iraq and recruiting others to join their cause. They also functioned as a live online television broadcast channel, “Al-etejah TV.” Portions of the communications expressly noted that they were published by Kata’ib Hizballah.
Federal law prohibits designated entities like Kata’ib Hizballah from obtaining or utilizing goods or services, including website and domain services, in the United States without a license from the Office of Foreign Assets Control. “Aletejahtv.com” and “Aletejahtv.org” are domain names that are owned and operated by a United States company based in Scottsdale, Arizona. Kata’ib Hizballah did not obtain a license from the Office of Foreign Assets Control prior to utilizing the domain names.
On August 31, 2020, pursuant to a seizure warrant, the United States seized “Aletejahtv.com” and “Aletejahtv.org.” Visitors to the site received the following message:
This seizure was investigated by the Department of Commerce, Bureau of Industry and Security.
Assistant U.S. Attorneys from the Northern District of Georgia, Assistant U.S. Attorneys from the District of Arizona, and trial lawyers from the Department of Justice National Security Division prosecuted the seizure.
For further information please contact the U.S. Attorney’s Public Affairs Office at [email protected] or (404) 581-6016. The Internet address for the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Northern District of Georgia is http://www.justice.gov/usao-ndga.
United States Reaches Settlement to Recover more than $60 Million Involving Malaysian Sovereign Wealth FundRead the Press Release
The Department of Justice has reached a settlement of its civil forfeiture cases against assets acquired by Riza Aziz utilizing funds allegedly embezzled from 1Malaysia Development Berhad (1MDB), Malaysia’s investment development fund, and laundered through financial institutions in several jurisdictions, including the United States, Switzerland, Singapore and Luxembourg.
These assets are estimated to be worth more than $60 million. With the conclusion of this settlement, together with the prior disposition of other related forfeiture cases, the United States will have recovered or assisted in the recovery of nearly $1.1 billion in assets associated with the 1MDB international money laundering and bribery scheme. This represents the largest recovery to date under the department’s Kleptocracy Asset Recovery Initiative and the largest civil forfeiture ever concluded by the Justice Department.
“As alleged in the forfeiture complaints, Riza Aziz and others collectively laundered billions of dollars pilfered from 1MDB, an investment fund intended to benefit the Malaysian people,” said Acting Assistant Attorney General Brian C. Rabbitt of the Justice Department’s Criminal Division. “Aziz and his co-conspirators allegedly diverted these funds for their own benefit and used them to acquire luxury real estate in New York and London and to make personal investments. The forfeiture of these assets will add to the almost $1.1 billion stolen from 1MDB that the U.S. Department of Justice has so far helped recover and return to the Malaysian people. This forfeiture sends a clear signal that the Department will not allow wrongdoers to use the U.S. financial system to launder the proceeds of their illegal activity.”
“With more than $1 billion forfeited as a result of our 1MDB-related asset forfeiture cases, we continue to shed light on the massive fraud and money laundering scheme that brazenly stole public funds belonging to the people of Malaysia,” said U.S. Attorney Nick Hanna of the Central District of California. “The high-end properties across the nation that have now been seized and forfeited demonstrate our commitment to preventing corrupt actors from using the United States as a place to hide stolen riches.”
“This case represents significant, unwavering investigative work by the FBI's International Corruption Team and our partners,” said Assistant Director Calvin Shivers of the FBI's Criminal Investigative Division. “Riza Aziz and his co-conspirators misappropriated and laundered billions of dollars away from Malaysian people for their personal gain, and they will not be permitted to profit. The FBI is committed to bringing all those who participated in this heinous scheme to justice and holding them accountable for the illicit actions.”
“The recent seizure of $60 million is another step on the path to return embezzled funds to the people of Malaysia,” said Don Fort, Chief, IRS Criminal Investigation (IRS-CI). “IRS-CI is committed to ensuring monies stolen from 1MDB are returned to their rightful beneficiaries and used for their original intended purpose.”
According to the civil forfeiture complaints, from 2009 through 2015, more than $4.5 billion in funds belonging to 1MDB were allegedly misappropriated by high-level officials of 1MDB and their associates and laundered through financial institutions in several jurisdictions by Malaysian public officials and their associates, including Aziz. 1MDB was created by the government of Malaysia to promote economic development in Malaysia through global partnerships and foreign direct investment, and its funds were intended to be used for improving the well-being of the Malaysian people.
Under the terms of the settlement, the claimants in the U.S. forfeiture actions agreed to forfeit all assets subject to pending forfeiture complaints in which they have a potential interest. Claimants are also required to cooperate and assist the Justice Department in the orderly transfer, management and disposition of the relevant assets. The assets subject to the settlement agreement include the sale proceeds of high-end real estate acquired in Beverly Hills as well as a luxury condominium in New York City; the sale proceeds of an investment made by Aziz in a Kentucky maintenance company; a luxury London townhome; and a promotional poster for the 1927 motion picture film “Metropolis.”
The assets being forfeited subject to this settlement are in addition to the more than $1 billion in assets the United States previously forfeited in connection with the Department of Justice’s 1MDB investigation. Following the conclusion of today’s settlement, several civil forfeiture complaints arising out of the 1MDB criminal conspiracy remain pending against assets associated with other alleged co-conspirators.
The FBI’s International Corruption Squads in New York City and Los Angeles and the IRS-CI are investigating the case. Deputy Chief Woo S. Lee and Trial Attorneys Barbara Levy, Jonathan Baum and Joshua Sohn of the Criminal Division’s Money Laundering and Asset Recovery Section (MLARS) and Assistant U.S. Attorneys Jonathan Galatzan and Steven R. Welk of the Central District of California are prosecuting the case. The Justice Department’s Office of International Affairs provided substantial assistance.
The department also appreciates the significant assistance provided by the Attorney General’s Chambers of Malaysia, the Royal Malaysian Police, the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission, the Attorney General’s Chambers of Singapore, the Singapore Police Force-Commercial Affairs Division, the Office of the Attorney General and the Federal Office of Justice of Switzerland, the judicial investigating authority of the Grand Duchy of Luxembourg and the Criminal Investigation Department of the Grand-Ducal Police of Luxembourg.
The Kleptocracy Asset Recovery Initiative is led by a team of dedicated prosecutors in MLARS, in partnership with federal law enforcement agencies, and often with U.S. Attorney’s Offices, to forfeit the proceeds of foreign official corruption and, where appropriate, to use those recovered assets to benefit the people harmed by these acts of corruption and abuse of office. In 2015, the FBI formed International Corruption Squads across the country to address national and international implications of foreign corruption. Individuals with information about possible proceeds of foreign corruption located in or laundered through the United States should contact federal law enforcement or send an email to [email protected] (link sends e-mail) or https://tips.fbi.gov/.
A civil forfeiture complaint is merely an allegation that money or property was involved in or represents the proceeds of a crime. These allegations are not proven until a court awards judgment in favor of the United States.
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.
United States Reaches Settlement to Recover More Than $60 Million in Assets Allegedly Acquired with Embezzled 1MDB FundsRead the Press Release
LOS ANGELES – The Department of Justice has reached a settlement of its civil forfeiture cases against assets acquired by Riza Aziz utilizing funds allegedly embezzled from 1Malaysia Development Berhad (1MDB), Malaysia’s investment development fund, and laundered through financial institutions in several jurisdictions, including the United States, Switzerland, Singapore and Luxembourg.
These assets are estimated to be worth more than $60 million. With this settlement, together with the prior disposition of other related forfeiture cases, the United States will have recovered or assisted in the recovery of nearly $1.1 billion in assets associated with the 1MDB international money laundering and bribery scheme. This represents the largest civil forfeiture ever concluded by the Justice Department.
“With more than $1 billion forfeited as a result of our 1MDB-related asset forfeiture cases, we continue to shed light on the massive fraud and money laundering scheme that brazenly stole public funds belonging to the people of Malaysia,” said United States Attorney Nick Hanna. “The high-end properties across the nation that have now been seized and forfeited demonstrate our commitment to preventing corrupt actors from using the United States as a place to hide stolen riches.”
“As alleged in the forfeiture complaints, Riza Aziz and others collectively laundered billions of dollars pilfered from 1MDB, an investment fund intended to benefit the Malaysian people,” said Acting Assistant Attorney General Brian C. Rabbitt of the Justice Department’s Criminal Division. “Aziz and his co-conspirators allegedly diverted these funds for their own benefit and used them to acquire luxury real estate in New York and London and to make personal investments. The forfeiture of these assets will add to the almost $1.1 billion stolen from 1MDB that the U.S. Department of Justice has so far helped recover and return to the Malaysian people. This forfeiture sends a clear signal that the Department will not allow wrongdoers to use the U.S. financial system to launder the proceeds of their illegal activity.”
According to the civil forfeiture complaints, from 2009 through 2015, more than $4.5 billion in funds belonging to 1MDB were allegedly misappropriated by high-level officials of 1MDB and their associates. Those funds allegedly were laundered through financial institutions in several jurisdictions by Malaysian public officials and their associates, including Aziz. 1MDB was created by the government of Malaysia to promote economic development in Malaysia through global partnerships and foreign direct investment, and its funds were intended to be used for improving the well-being of the Malaysian people.
Under the terms of the settlement, the claimants in the U.S. forfeiture actions agreed to forfeit all assets subject to pending forfeiture complaints in which they have a potential interest. Claimants are also required to cooperate and assist the Justice Department in the orderly transfer, management and disposition of the relevant assets. The assets subject to the settlement agreement include the sale proceeds of high-end real estate acquired in Beverly Hills, as well as a luxury condominium in New York City; the sale proceeds of an investment made by Aziz in a Kentucky maintenance company; a luxury London townhome; and a promotional poster for the 1927 motion picture “Metropolis.”
“This case represents significant, unwavering investigative work by the FBI's International Corruption Team and our partners,” said Assistant Director Calvin Shivers of the FBI's Criminal Investigative Division. “Riza Aziz and his co-conspirators misappropriated and laundered billions of dollars away from Malaysian people for their personal gain, and they will not be permitted to profit. The FBI is committed to bringing all those who participated in this heinous scheme to justice and holding them accountable for the illicit actions.”
“The recent seizure of $60 million is another step on the path to return embezzled funds to the people of Malaysia,” said Don Fort, Chief, IRS Criminal Investigation. “IRS-CI is committed to ensuring monies stolen from 1MDB are returned to their rightful beneficiaries and used for their original intended purpose.”
The assets being forfeited subject to this settlement are in addition to the more than $1 billion in assets the United States previously forfeited in connection with the Department of Justice’s 1MDB investigation. Following the conclusion of today’s settlement, several civil forfeiture complaints arising out of the 1MDB criminal conspiracy remain pending against assets associated with other alleged co-conspirators.
The FBI’s International Corruption Squads in New York City and Los Angeles and IRS Criminal Investigation are investigating this matter.
Assistant United States Attorneys Jonathan Galatzan and Steven R. Welk of the Asset Forfeiture Section in Los Angeles are working with Deputy Chief Woo S. Lee and Trial Attorneys Barbara Levy, Jonathan Baum and Joshua Sohn of the Criminal Division’s Money Laundering and Asset Recovery Section to prosecute the cases. The Justice Department’s Office of International Affairs provided substantial assistance.
The Justice Department also appreciates the significant assistance provided by the Attorney General’s Chambers of Malaysia, the Royal Malaysian Police, the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission, the Attorney General’s Chambers of Singapore, the Singapore Police Force-Commercial Affairs Division, the Office of the Attorney General and the Federal Office of Justice of Switzerland, the judicial investigating authority of the Grand Duchy of Luxembourg and the Criminal Investigation Department of the Grand-Ducal Police of Luxembourg.
A civil forfeiture complaint is merely an allegation that money or property was involved in or represents the proceeds of a crime. These allegations are not proven until a court awards judgment in favor of the United States.
Union County Woman Sentenced to 10 Years in Prison for Trafficking MethamphetamineRead the Press Release
NEWARK, N.J. – A Union County, New Jersey, woman was sentenced today to 120 months in prison for possessing with intent to distribute over 900 grams of methamphetamine, U.S. Attorney Craig Carpenito announced.
Lorena Marquez, 48, of Union Township, New Jersey, previously pleaded guilty before U.S. District Judge Susan D. Wigenton to an information charging her with one count of possession with intent to distribute over 50 grams of methamphetamine. Judge Wigenton imposed the sentence by videoconference today; she sentenced Marquez to 108 months in prison on the drug count and 12 months in prison, to be served consecutively, for violation of supervised release.
According to documents filed in this case and statements made in court:
In 2019, during a combined federal and local investigation targeting narcotics trafficking in northern New Jersey, law enforcement learned that Marquez stored and sold crystal methamphetamine at a self-storage facility in Jersey City. Law enforcement officials ultimately executed a search of Marquez’s storage unit and recovered approximately two pounds of crystal methamphetamine from the unit. Marquez was arrested the same day.
In addition to the prison term, Marquez was sentenced five years of supervised release.
U.S. Attorney Craig Carpenito credited special agents of the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration, under the direction of Special Agent in Charge Susan A. Gibson, with the investigation and arrest.
The government is represented by Assistant U.S. Attorney Ryan L. O’Neill of the U.S. Attorney’s Office’s Opioid Abuse Prevention and Enforcement Unit in Newark.
U.S. Attorney Matt Martin Recognizes Law Enforcement for Operation that Lead to Multiple Child Exploitation Arrests and the Rescue of Children from Sexual AbuseRead the Press Release
WINSTON-SALEM, NC - A man who pleaded guilty to transportation of child pornography was sentenced today, announced Matthew G.T. Martin, United States Attorney for the Middle District of North Carolina.
Dustin Davis HAYNES, 34, of Lexington, North Carolina, pleaded guilty on March 2, 2020, to one count of transportation of child pornography. He was sentenced by Chief United States District Judge Thomas D. Schroeder to 65 months of imprisonment followed by 10 years of supervised release.
HAYNES was the first individual arrested after a Boone Police Department detective infiltrated a private group on a mobile messenger application dedicated to the sexual exploitation of children and the trafficking of child pornography. According to documents filed in the case, the detective, pretending to be a 14 year-old girl, convinced an administrator to add him to the group. Once accepted, the detective was able to gain access to additional similar private groups. Several days later, the detective and agents from the State Bureau of Investigation (SBI) and Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) executed a search warrant at HAYNES’s Lexington, North Carolina residence and arrested him.
Over the next several months, SBI, HSI, and the Boone Police Department detective worked to identify additional group members and sent leads throughout the country, and the world. Many of the offenders had taken significant steps to mask their identities. The investigative team engaged these offenders online and tricked them into revealing personal identifying information. In total, 38 leads were sent to various law enforcement entities. To date, 23 offenders have been arrested and 8 children have been rescued from sexually abusive situations. As an example, an Ohio man was quickly arrested and his 14 year-old daughter was rescued. He had been sexually abusing her for ten years. Another individual was arrested on an oil rig in the North Sea and his 5 year-old daughter was rescued.
“Protecting children is a high calling,” said U.S. Attorney Matt Martin. “The Boone Police Department, the NC SBI, and the Department of Homeland Security are answering the call. The excellent proactive work of the investigators in this case has undoubtedly changed victims’ lives for the better and safeguarded others. I am proud that an investigation that began here in North Carolina has resulted in such a positive impact across the country, and even abroad. This case is an example of the effective local, state, and federal law enforcement partnerships required to fully combat online child sexual exploitation. Such partnerships are the heart of the Internet Crimes Against Children [ICAC] Task Force and more necessary now than ever as we have recently seen an alarming year-over-year increase in CyberTipline reports from the National Center For Missing and Exploited Children [NCMEC]. It takes courage to confront depictions of unspeakable sexual abuse, often amounting to torture, in order to bring child sex offenders to justice. The investigators in this case deserve our deep gratitude.”
“Individuals who distribute child pornography steal the innocence of children and revictimize them each time the evidence of their exploitation is shared online,” said Homeland Security Investigations Charlotte Special Agent in Charge Ronnie Martinez. "This case shows HSI is actively working to identity and disrupt the trade of these illegal images, and also to identify and seek prosecution of the criminals who produce, possess, and distribute them.”
The Boone Police Department, North Carolina State Bureau of Investigation, and Homeland Security Investigations are all members of the North Carolina Internet Crimes Against Children (ICAC) Task Force. The case was investigated by Detective Jason Reid of the Boone Police Department; Assistant Special Agent in Charge Nathan Anderson and Lead Analyst Tiffany Pate of SBI; and Group Supervisor Aaron Chapman, Special Agent Patrick Wilhelm, Certified Forensic Analyst Amy Olsen, and Investigative Research Specialist Janice Morquecho of HSI.
The HAYNES case was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorneys Eric L. Iverson and Whitney N. Shaffer. The case was brought as part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative by the Department of Justice to combat online child sexual exploitation and abuse. Led by United States Attorneys' Offices and the Criminal Division's Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section (CEOS), Project Safe Childhood marshals federal, state, and local resources to better locate, apprehend, and prosecute individuals who exploit children via the Internet, as well as to identify and rescue victims. For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit www.projectsafechildhood.gov.
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.
# # #
U.S. Attorney Justin Herdman and Toledo Police Chief George Kral announce Operation Red-zone ahead of Labor Day weekendRead the Press Release
U.S. Attorney Justin Herdman and Toledo Police Chief George Kral announced today the launch of Operation Red-Zone in the city of Toledo over the Labor Day holiday weekend. Joining the U.S. Attorney and Toledo Police Chief in the announcement were representatives from the ATF, DEA, FBI, U.S. Marshals, Lucas County Prosecutor, Lucas County Sherriff and the Ohio State Highway Patrol.
“It is no secret that violent crime in the city of Toledo and elsewhere around the country has been increasing,” said U.S. Attorney Herdman. “With the Labor Day holiday weekend approaching, I’m announcing the launch of Operation Red-zone in the city of Toledo. What this means is that if you are prohibited from possessing a firearm under federal law, either because you have a prior felony conviction, a prior misdemeanor conviction, or some other disqualifying condition, then you are in the Red-Zone. If you possess a firearm this weekend while in the Red-Zone, we are going to stop you and prosecute you in federal court.”
“In a year where gun violence has spiked not only in Toledo but across our nation, this closer collaboration with the U.S. Attorney’s office over the upcoming Labor Day weekend could not come at a better time,” said Toledo Police Chief George Kral. “It is my department’s job to keep Toledoans safe by taking illegal guns out of the hands of violent offenders; the extra assistance from Attorney Herdman’s office will be crucial in taking those criminals off the street and keeping them behind bars for a long time. With the hope of peace in the forefront of our minds, we also remain grounded that the threat of violence exists and we are prepared to prevent it.”
“ATF is here with our law enforcement partners to encourage everyone to take a step back from the violence and enjoy a peaceful Labor Day weekend,” stated Roland Herndon, ATF’s Special Agent in Charge for the Columbus Field Division. “But be aware, if you choose to use firearms to commit crimes, ATF and our law enforcement partners will be there, working to hold you accountable for those acts.”
During the press conference, U.S. Attorney Herdman announced that the Northern District will pursue federal charges, where applicable, against individuals who are prohibited under federal law from possessing firearms, or who otherwise use firearms in a violent crime or drug trafficking offense. In addition, the U.S. Attorney announced that law enforcement agents with ATF, DEA, FBI and U.S. Marshals will be out in full force over the holiday weekend.
“The people of the city of Toledo deserve peace and days and nights free from anxiety and fears caused by violent criminals, said U.S. Attorney Herdman. "We will stop at nothing to ensure that people who are causing this violence are put in federal prison.”
U.S. Attorney J. Douglas Overbey Announces $549,179 Award to Address Violence Against Women in TennesseeRead the Press Release
KNOXVILLE, Tenn. – United States Attorney J. Douglas Overbey of the Eastern District of Tennessee today announced that Partnership for Families, Children and Adults, Incorporated, Chattanooga, TN, received $549,179 in Department of Justice grants to respond to safety challenges posed by violence against women.
These grants are designed to develop the nation's capacity to reduce domestic violence, dating violence, sexual assault, and stalking by strengthening services to victims and holding offenders accountable. The grant is available under the Justice for Families Program and was awarded by the Office on Violence Against Women.
“We are thrilled this grant has been made to the Partnership for Families, Children and Adults. Domestic violence and violence directed toward women are particularly egregious crimes and will not be tolerated. Our office remains committed to deterring, investigating, and prosecuting those who commit domestic violence and other crimes against women,” said U.S. Attorney Overbey.
The Partnership for Families, Children and Adults and its collaborative partners, Hamilton County Circuit Courts; Hamilton County District Attorney’s Office; Chattanooga Police Department; Chattanooga Family Justice Center; and Hamilton County Sheriff’s Office; and Legal Aid of East Tennessee, will use the grant to: 1) provide supervised visits and safe exchanges to victims of domestic violence, dating violence, sexual assault and stalking; 2) conduct education surrounding domestic violence issues and best practices to partners and the community; 3) provide civil legal assistance to domestic violence victims, especially to rural victims; and 4) improve training and education of judges, judicial personnel, attorneys, child welfare workers and court advocates in civil justice system.
The Justice for Families Program was authorized in the Violence Against Women Reauthorization Act of 2013 to improve the response of the civil and criminal justice system to families with a history of domestic violence, dating violence, sexual assault, and stalking or in cases involving allegations of child sexual abuse.
###Two Las Cruces Men Arrested/Charged with Stealing Guns from Federal Firearms LicenseesRead the Press Release
Federal and local authorities have arrested two Las Cruces, NM, residents charged with allegedly stealing guns from multiple federal firearms licensees, announced U.S. Attorney John F. Bash and Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) Special Agent in Charge Jeffrey C. Boshek II, Dallas Field Office.
A federal criminal complaint filed in El Paso alleges that Ruben Orona, age 37, and Victor Medina, age 32, are responsible for a string of gun store burglaries—one in Las Cruces and two in El Paso—and stole 32 firearms. The burglaries included: Las Cruces Guns on July 30, 2020; Drakes Fine Sporting Arms in El Paso on August 11, 2020; and, Sportsman’s Elite in El Paso on August 16, 2020. The complaint further states that one of the stolen firearms, a .45 pistol which was later recovered by law enforcement, was used in a drive-by shooting in Doña Ana County on August 24, 2020.
Upon conviction, the defendants face up to ten years in federal prison.
“This case is a perfect example of the great collaboration ATF maintains with our law enforcement and industry partners to help keep our communities safe” said ATF Dallas Special Agent in Charge Boshek.
ATF, together with Homeland Security Investigations (HSI), El Paso Police Department, Las Cruces Police Department, Doña Ana County Sheriff’s Office and the U.S. Marshals Service, are conducting this ongoing investigation. Assistant U.S. Attorney Mallory Rasmussen is prosecuting this case on behalf of the government.
It is important to note that a criminal complaint is merely a charge and should not be considered as evidence of guilt. The defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.
This case is part of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), a program bringing together all levels of law enforcement and the communities they serve to reduce violent crime and make our neighborhoods safer for everyone. The Department of Justice reinvigorated PSN in 2017 as part of the Department’s renewed focus on targeting violent criminals, directing all U.S. Attorney’s Offices to work in partnership with federal, state, local, and tribal law enforcement and the local community to develop effective, locally-based strategies to reduce violent crime.
#####
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 Defendants Charged with Murder in Federal Court for Alleged Roles in Death of Postal Employee, Face Federal Drug Conspiracy Charges with Third DefendantRead the Press Release
Kingstree, South Carolina --- United States Attorney Peter M. McCoy, Jr. announced today that Trevor Raekwon Seward, 22, and Jerome Terrell Davis, 28, both of Andrews, have been charged in a six-count federal indictment for their alleged roles in the September 23, 2019, murder of postal employee Irene Pressley, 64, along her mail route in rural Williamsburg County. A third defendant, Ricky Jesus Barajas, 28, of Santa Rosa, California, was charged alongside Seward and Davis for a drug conspiracy, and Barajas and Davis were charged for use of a communication facility to commit a drug offense on the date of the murder.
“First and foremost, my heart goes out to Ms. Pressley’s family for their profound loss. She was an exceptional woman who spent a lifetime in service of her community,” said U.S. Attorney McCoy. “This indictment alleges one of the most serious crimes in the criminal justice system: murder. It marks the result of exhaustive efforts by our federal, state, and local partners to investigate every facet of this case, and to do right by Ms. Pressley and her family. This office will continue to rely on these partnerships and use every tool at our disposal to aggressively prosecute violent crimes against the citizens of South Carolina.”
“One of the top priorities of the United States Postal Inspection Service is to protect postal employees, and when one of our postal family members is attacked, we do not rest until the perpetrator is caught,” said Tommy D. Coke, Postal Inspector in Charge of the Atlanta Division. “This investigation demonstrated the strength of multiple communities; through Inspection Service personnel from across the country who joined together with our local law enforcement partners to deliver justice, from the local community which showed resiliency amidst tragedy, and from the postal family who continued to proudly serve the community despite the terrible loss of one of their own.”
Pressley, who was found dead in her vehicle near her mail route in Andrews the afternoon of September 23, had worked with the Postal Service for more than two decades. The federal charges come after an extensive joint federal, state, and local investigation involving more than 70 law enforcement officers.
Seward and Davis were initially arrested in the weeks following September 23 on state charges related to Pressley’s murder. According to documents filed with the state court upon their arrest, just after 3 p.m., Seward and Davis allegedly shot Pressley multiple times with a semi-automatic weapon in an attempt to steal a package containing marijuana. Additionally, numerous shell casings were found at the scene of the shooting and forensic laboratory results from the United States Postal Inspection Service indicated at least one fingerprint on a mail parcel that connected Seward to the murder.
Yesterday’s federal indictment charges Seward and Davis with a number of crimes related to the murder and a drug conspiracy during the time of the murder:
- Seward and Davis are charged with killing Pressley “with premeditation and malice aforethought” while she was engaged in her official duties as a mail carrier;
- Seward and Davis are charged with obstructing the delivery of United States mail by means of actual or threatened force;
- Seward is charged with being a felon in possession of a firearm and ammunition, and carrying a firearm in furtherance of a crime of violence and causing the murder of Pressley by shooting her;
- Seward and Davis, along with Barajas, are charged in a marijuana distribution conspiracy; and
- Davis and Barajas are charged with using a telephone to facilitate the drug conspiracy on the date of the murder.
Seward and Davis face a sentence of no less than life in federal prison if convicted, and Barajas faces a maximum possible penalty of five years in federal prison. No final decision has been made regarding whether the Government will seek the death penalty.
The case was investigated by the United States Postal Inspection Service, South Carolina Law Enforcement Division (SLED), 3rd Circuit Solicitor’s Office, North Charleston Police Department, and the Williamsburg County Sheriff's Office.
Assistant United States Attorney Nick Bianchi is prosecuting the case.
The United States Attorney stated that all charges against these defendants are merely accusations and that all defendants are presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty.
#####
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.
postal_indictment_cleaned.pdf- Seward and Davis are charged with killing Pressley “with premeditation and malice aforethought” while she was engaged in her official duties as a mail carrier;
Three Former Caregivers Sentenced on Civil Rights and Obstruction Charges Related to Death of Disabled ResidentRead the Press Release
Three former caregivers in Fulton, Missouri, have been sentenced for their roles in the death of a disabled resident at Second Chance Homes, an organization that provided housing and care for developmentally disabled persons through a Missouri Department of Mental Health initiative.
On Tuesday, September 1, 2020, U.S. District Court Judge Brian C. Wimes sentenced Sherry Paulo to 210 months of imprisonment. Today, Judge Wimes sentenced Anthony Flores to 188 months of imprisonment and Anthony R. K. Flores (“R.K. Flores”) to three years of probation.
On Nov. 22, 2019, Sherry Paulo, 55, and Anthony Flores, 60, each pleaded guilty in federal court in the Western District of Missouri to one count of willfully failing to provide necessary medical care to victim C.D., resulting in injury to and the death of C.D. Paulo also pleaded guilty to one count of health care fraud arising from her efforts to hide C.D.’s death. On February 12, 2020, R.K. Flores pleaded guilty to one count of knowingly falsifying a document with the intent to impede, obstruct, and influence a federal investigation related to the death of C.D.
“Our caregivers have a moral as well as legal obligation to treat those they are entrusted to care for with respect and protect them from abuse,” said Assistant Attorney General Eric Dreiband of the Civil Rights Division. “In this free country, it is the solemn duty of government to protect all persons, including those who are most vulnerable, from criminal acts that result in the horror that occurred in this case. No one should be confined and left to die in a small, dark basement and then hidden in a trash can filled with cement. The department of Justice will ensure that those who commit acts like these and violate the civil rights of others see justice under the law.”
“These defendants violated their legal and moral obligation to provide medical care to a person with developmentally disabilities, who was dependent upon them, then attempted to cover up their crime beneath layers of deceit and literal concrete,” said U.S. Attorney Tim Garrison of the Western District of Missouri. “Besides substandard care and dismal living conditions, they refused to seek medical treatment for their victim as his health deteriorated. Today the justice system is holding them accountable for their roles in his tragic death.”
“These sentencings are the culmination of the unwavering commitment to seeking justice for those most vulnerable in our society,” said Timothy R. Langan, Special Agent in Charge of the FBI in Kansas City, Missouri. “The defendants in this case not only failed to provide care for the victim, but took steps to conceal their abuse while continuing to profit from their actions. The FBI remains committed to seeking justice for victims and insuring those responsible are held accountable.”
“These former caregivers committed horrendous crimes against a patient with a developmental disability, while raiding vital Medicaid funds to prop up their alibis,” said Curt L. Muller, Special Agent in Charge of the Office of Inspector General for the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. “We will continue to work with our law enforcement partners to ensure such criminals are brought to justice.”
According to court documents filed in connection with the sentencings, Paulo, Flores, and R.K. Flores worked as caregivers at Second Chance Homes. Victim C.D., who was significantly developmentally disabled and entirely dependent upon his caretakers, had been a resident at Second Chance Homes (SCH) since 2008. Paulo was assigned to care for C.D. in the months leading up to C.D.’s death.
In their guilty pleas, Flores and Paulo admitted that, beginning in 2014, they observed C.D.’s weight decline and his health deteriorate. However, Paulo stopped following C.D.’s prescribed health regimen and stopped taking C.D. to his doctors’ appointments. Paulo and Flores observed C.D. become underweight and pale, struggle to eat, and appear to have less energy. As C.D.’s health deteriorated, Paulo occasionally took C.D. out of his designated SCH residence and put him in the basement of the home she shared with Flores. The basement was small and dark without access to sunlight or running water. Although Paulo and Flores witnessed C.D.’s health continue to decline while in her basement, they did not take C.D. to get necessary medical treatment because they did not want Paulo to be blamed for C.D.’s malnutrition and ill health.
In approximately September 2016, C.D. suffered an acute medical emergency while in the basement room of Paulo and Flores’s home. Despite observing C.D.’s physical distress and obvious medical need, Paulo and Flores chose not to seek medical care for C.D. C.D. died in their home while Paulo and Flores watched. Before his death in or about September 2016, C.D. last saw a doctor in December 2015.
In their plea agreements, Paulo and Flores admitted that, after C.D.’s death, Paulo placed C.D.’s body in a trashcan. Paulo and Flores put the trashcan in a wooden crate that they filled with cement. Paulo, Flores, and R.K. Flores then placed the crate in Paulo’s storage unit.
In the months that followed, Paulo took extensive measures to cover up C.D.’s death. She instructed another SCH resident to lie in C.D.’s bed to convince officials that C.D. was still present at SCH; repeatedly used C.D.’s Electronic Benefits Card; asked an SCH employee to falsely present another SCH resident as C.D. at a doctor’s appointment and get a prescription in C.D.’s name; and falsified numerous official records related to C.D.
In particular, Paulo admitted that after C.D. died, she submitted, or caused to be submitted, false Medicaid claims for services purportedly rendered to C.D. when, as Paulo knew, C.D. was deceased. The amount wrongfully paid by Medicaid, between approximately September 2016 and April 2017, was $106,795.
It was not until April 2017 that the defendants admitted C.D. was no longer at SCH. Paulo reported C.D. missing to the Fulton, Missouri Police Department on April 17, 2017. When interviewed by the police, Paulo, Flores, and R.K. Flores falsely stated that they had seen C.D. on April 16, 2017. In truth, none of the defendants had seen C.D. in months; Paulo and Flores further knew that C.D. had died. Defendants Paulo, Flores, and R.K. Flores did not admit their wrongdoing until a week later, when the Fulton Police Department discovered C.D.’s body.
This case was investigated by the Jefferson City Resident Agency of the FBI Kansas City Division and the St. Louis Field Office of the Department of Health and Human Services Office of the Inspector General Kansas City Region. The case was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Cindi Woolery and Gregg Coonrod of the U.S. Attorney’s Office, and Special Litigation Counsel Julia Gegenheimer and Trial Attorney Janea Lamar of the Department of Justice, Civil Rights Division, Criminal Section. The Fulton, Missouri Police Department and Callaway County Prosecutor Christopher Wilson contributed significantly to the investigation and prosecution of this matter.
St. Louis County Man linked to Jennings Officer-involved Shooting Charged with Felon in Possession of FirearmRead the Press Release
ST. LOUIS – Lawton McKinnies, 31 years old of St. Louis County, is charged being a felon in possession of a firearm.
According to the criminal complaint, prior to September 1, 2020, St. Louis County Police conducting a fugitive investigation trying to find Dexter McKinnies (brother of defendant), learned the defendant had an active felony warrant for three counts of Assault First-degree and three counts of Armed Criminal Action.
On September 1, 2020, police set-up a meeting with McKinnies’ brother, Dexter, under a plan the brothers would be performing maintenance work on a property in Jennings. When Lawton McKinnies arrived, police arrested him on his felony warrant. Police searched McKinnies and found a weapon in his pocket. Police asked him some questions and McKinnies admitted having possession of the weapon and being a felon.
Police know the weapon found in McKinnies’ pocket is not made in Missouri and the weapon must have traveled in and affecting interstate commerce to have been in McKinnies’ pocket while he was in Missouri
During the course of the investigation, officers discovered McKinnies was previously sentenced to eight years of prison for the offenses of Assault 1st Degree and Armed Criminal Action.
If convicted, McKinnies faces a maximum of 10 years in prison and a fine of no more than $250,000. These charges are the result of a joint investigation by the Federal Bureau of Investigation and the St. Louis County Police Department. Assistant United States Attorney Donald S. Boyce is handling this case.
A criminal complaint is merely an accusation. The defendant is presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.
Six-Time Bank Robber from Philadelphia Sentenced to over 10 YearsRead the Press Release
PHILADELPHIA – United States Attorney William M. McSwain announced that Justin O’Brien, 33, of Philadelphia, PA, was sentenced to 10 years and 10 months in prison, three years of supervised release, and ordered to pay $7,244 in restitution by United States District Court Judge Nitza I. Alejandro-Quinones for armed bank robbery.
In December 2019, O’Brien pleaded guilty to committing an armed bank robbery on March 12, 2019, taking $1,260 from an employee of Firstrust Bank on Lancaster Avenue in Bryn Mawr, PA. The defendant also admitted to committing an assault by the use of a dangerous weapon – namely, a facsimile firearm (pellet gun).
As part of the plea agreement, O’Brien also acknowledged his guilt for five other bank robberies, and agreed that the Court could sentence him as if he had been convicted of these crimes: 1) the October 29, 2018 bank robbery of the Tompkins VIST Bank on Verree Road in Philadelphia, resulting in a loss of approximately $1,880; 2) the November 9, 2018 bank robbery of the M&T Bank on Frankford Avenue in Philadelphia, resulting in a loss of approximately $451; 3) the March 1, 2019 armed bank robbery of the Firstrust Bank on Krewstown Road in Philadelphia, resulting in a loss of approximately $975; 4) the March 8, 2019 armed bank robbery of the Tompkins VIST Bank on West Lancaster Avenue in Radnor Township, resulting in a loss of approximately $600; and 5) the March 18, 2019 bank robbery of the PNC Bank on Market Street in Philadelphia, resulting in a loss of approximately $2,078.
“O’Brien’s bank robbery spree terrorized innocent employees and showed a contempt for the law,” U.S. Attorney McSwain. “But federal crime means federal time, and now O’Brien has earned a long stint behind bars. My Office’s anti-violence public awareness campaign warns against the serious consequences of committing violent crime in the Eastern District of Pennsylvania. You can learn more about this campaign on our District website.”
“Thanks to the hard work of the Philadelphia FBI and its local partners, Justin O’Brien will no longer be in a position to terrorize the community,” said Michael J. Driscoll, Special Agent in Charge of the FBI’s Philadelphia Division. “While today’s sentence cannot undo the harm O’Brien caused his victims, it sends a message that if you commit a violent crime, the FBI and our law enforcement partners will work tirelessly to bring you to justice.”
This case is part of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), a program bringing together all levels of law enforcement and the communities they serve to reduce violent crime and make our neighborhoods safer for everyone. The Department of Justice reinvigorated PSN in 2017 as part of 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 case was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation, the Lower Merion Township Police Department, the Philadelphia Police Department, and the Radnor Township Police Department. It is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Thomas M. Zaleski.
Seattle man arrested for making bomb threat to Portland, Oregon, Police precinctRead the Press Release
(Seattle) - A 36-year-old Seattle man was arrested today and appeared in U.S. District Court in Seattle for making a threat to damage or destroy a building–in this case a Portland, Oregon, police precinct, announced U.S. Attorney Brian T. Moran. KYLE ROBERT TORNOW is accused of using an online communication system to claim he had planted explosives at a Portland, Oregon, Police precinct.
According to records file in the case, on July 24, 2020, TORNOW allegedly used the Portland Police TrackIT system to send a message claiming he had planted an explosive at one of the city’s police precincts. Using an alias, TORNOW claimed he had planted a bomb that was “undetectable” to canine searchers and that if he were caught, “others will take my place and immediately detonate the bomb.” The communication claimed it was a “felony threat” and needed to be taken “seriously to avoid death.”
FBI agents were able to trace the communications back to TORNOW, and he was arrested without incident this morning.
Making a threat to damage or destroy a building is punishable by up to ten years in prison and a $250,000 fine.
The charges contained in the complaint are only allegations. A person is presumed innocent unless and until he or she is proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.
The case is being investigated by the FBI. The case is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Thomas Woods.
Seattle Man Charged with Civil Disorder After Shooting Portland Firefighter with Ball BearingRead the Press Release
PORTLAND, Ore.—Jesse Herman Bates, 38, of Seattle, Washington, has been charged by criminal complaint with civil disorder after shooting a firefighter with a ball bearing during a protest in Portland on July 13, 2020, announced Billy J. Williams, U.S. Attorney for the District of Oregon.
According to court documents, in the early morning hours of July 13, 2020, a firefighting crew was working to put out a fire burning in the middle of an intersection in downtown Portland that was blocking traffic. A crowd of approximately 300 people were in the immediate area, some of whom were assaulting police officers and committing acts of vandalism and property damage. A firefighter, who was wearing a grey uniform with a large medic patch, was walking across the street to brief his team when he was shot in the chest with a round metal ball bearing.
The firefighter said the shot came from a protester armed with a “wrist rocket” style slingshot. A Multnomah County Sheriff’s Office deputy saw the suspect on camera and identified Bates as the slingshot shooter. Bates was also identified by his clothing. At approximately 3:50 a.m, law enforcement officers spotted Bates near a white tent in Lownsdale Square holding a crowbar. When officers confronted him and told him he was under arrest, Bates ran with the crowbar in hand. After receiving a less lethal munition to his backside, Bates dropped the crowbar and was taken into custody. He was later released.
On August 25, 2020, detectives from Seattle Police Department’s Robbery Unit received Bates’ outstanding federal arrest warrant and promptly issued a department-wide notice. Seattle police officers checked Bates’ last known address in West Seattle and learned that he was known to frequent Cal Anderson Park in the city’s Capitol Hill neighborhood. On September 1, 2020, bicycle officers spotted Bates on East Broadway Avenue near the park and arrested him without incident. He was then transferred to the District of Oregon by the FBI.
Bates made his initial appearance in federal court today before a U.S. Magistrate Judge. He was ordered released pending further court proceedings. If convicted, Bates faces a maximum sentence of five years in federal prison.
This case was investigated by the FBI. It is being prosecuted by the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Oregon.
A criminal complaint is only an accusation of a crime, and a defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.
San Diego Woman Created Fake “Employees” to Swindle CARES Act Funds; Pleads Guilty to Federal Fraud ChargesRead the Press Release
NEWS RELEASE SUMMARY – September 1, 2020
SAN DIEGO – Nikole L. Edwards – the founder of Social Savvy Marketing – pleaded guilty today to making false statements to the Small Business Administration. In court, Edwards admitted to submitting fake tax records and payroll information in order to secure a loan under the Paycheck Protection Program (“PPP”).
The Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (“CARES”) Act authorized the Small Business Administration to guarantee hundreds of billions of dollars in forgivable loans to small businesses to pay employees through the PPP. In order to obtain a PPP loan, a qualifying business has to provide its average monthly payroll expenses and number of employees, along with supporting documentation. These figures are used to calculate the amount of money the small business is eligible to receive under the PPP. A business’s PPP loan application is received and processed, in the first instance, by a participating financial institution, then transmitted to the Small Business Administration to assess the applicant’s eligibility.
In April and May 2020, Edwards applied for tens of thousands of dollars of PPP loans with three financial institutions. In her applications, Edwards falsely claimed that Social Savvy Marketing employed two individuals who earned annual salaries of $75,000 and $50,000. In reality, Social Savvy Marketing did not have any employees. Edwards also provided false addresses and Social Security numbers for her purported employees. To further support her false claims, Edwards submitted fake W-2s.
After a representative from one financial institution told Edwards that Social Savvy Marketing could not receive a PPP loan, Edwards lied and said: “This is a lifeline for my employees and my business and we won’t survive without it.” Despite not having any employees, Edwards ultimately succeeded in obtaining a $19,583 PPP loan. As part of her plea agreement, Edwards is required to repay the entire $19,583 loan.
“The PPP is designed to help struggling businesses meet legitimate payroll obligations, not to enrich sole proprietors engaging in outright fraud,” said U.S. Attorney Robert Brewer. “We are working diligently with our law enforcement partners to investigate and prosecute those who abuse this critical lifeline for the nation’s businesses, workers and economy.”
"The Paycheck Protection Program was designed to provide dire relief to business owners and employees suffering during the pandemic,” said Suzanne Turner, Special Agent in Charge of the FBI San Diego Field Office. “The FBI will not tolerate anyone who steals government funds intended to assist Americans who are struggling financially and is committed to tackling COVID-related fraud head on with our law enforcement partners.”
Edwards is scheduled to appear for sentencing before U.S. District Judge Gonzalo Curiel at November 18, 2020 at 8:30 a.m.
The CARES Act is a federal law enacted on March 29, 2020, designed to provide emergency financial assistance to the millions of Americans who are suffering the economic effects caused by the COVID-19 pandemic. One source of relief provided by the CARES Act was the authorization of up to $349 billion in forgivable loans to small businesses for job retention and certain other expenses, through the PPP. In April 2020, Congress authorized over $300 billion in additional PPP funding.
The PPP allows qualifying small businesses and other organizations to receive loans with a maturity of two years and an interest rate of one percent. PPP loan proceeds must be used by businesses on payroll costs, interest on mortgages, rent, and utilities. The PPP allows the interest and principal to be entirely forgiven if the business spends the loan proceeds on these expense items within a designated period of time after receiving the proceeds and uses a certain amount of the PPP loan proceeds on payroll expenses.
Anyone with information about allegations of attempted fraud involving COVID-19 can report it by calling the Department of Justice’s National Center for Disaster Fraud Hotline at 866-720-5721 or via the NCDF Web Complaint Form at: https://www.justice.gov/disaster-fraud/ncdf-disaster-complaint-form.
DEFENDANT: Case Number 20-CR-2637-GPC
Nikole L. Edwards Age: 40 San Diego, California
SUMMARY OF CHARGES
False Statements to the Small Business Administration – Title 15, U.S.C., Section 645
Maximum penalty: 2 years’ imprisonment and $5,000 fine
AGENCY
Federal Bureau of Investigation
Small Business Administration, Office of Inspector General
Salt Lake City Man Pleads Guilty to Fraud Counts in Connection with Getting A Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) LoanRead the Press Release
SALT LAKE CITY – A Salt Lake City resident pleaded guilty to charges in a five-count Felony Information in U.S. District Court Friday in connection with fraudulent representations he made to get a loan under the Paycheck Protection Program (PPP).
Michael Leroi Douros, 64, was charged with two counts of bank fraud, two counts of making a false statement to a bank, and money laundering in the Felony Information. Douros has a previous felony conviction.
“The President and Congress dedicated taxpayer funds to offer relief and hope during this extraordinarily challenging time for our nation. It is disappointing, to say the least, to see an individual use fraud and selfish motives to acquire hundreds of thousands of dollars,” U.S. Attorney John W. Huber said today. “This money could have been used to help reduce the strain on other employers and their employees, who would have qualified for the funds.”
The CARES Act is a federal law enacted on March 29, 2020, designed to provide emergency financial assistance to millions of Americans suffering from the economic effects caused by the COVID-19 pandemic. One source of relief provided by the CARES Act was the authorization of up to $249 billion in forgivable loans to small businesses for job retention and certain other expenses, through the PPP. In April 2020, Congress authorized more than $300 billion in additional PPP funding. Convicted felons and their businesses are not eligible to receive PPP loans.
The PPP allows qualifying small businesses and other organizations to receive loans with a maturity of two years and an interest rate of 1 percent. PPP loan proceeds must be used by businesses on payroll costs, interest on mortgages, rent, and utilities. The PPP allows the interest and principal on the PPP loan to be entirely forgiven if the business spends the loan proceeds on these expense items within a designated period of time after receiving the proceeds and uses a certain amount of the PPP loan proceeds on payroll expenses. The PPP application process requires applicants to submit an application form through an SBA-approved financial entity.
According to court documents filed as a part of his plea agreement, Douros made false representations to two banks in an effort to get a PPP loan for his business, Epic Rentals UT LLC. The business was registered with the Utah Division of Corporations on June 5, 2019, with Zach Douros listed as the registered agent.
The false statements included misrepresentations about Epic Rentals’ monthly payroll and the number of employees the business had; claims that his son owned 50 percent of Epic Rentals when, in fact, his son was a straw owner and did not own any portion of the business; and failure to disclose that he had been convicted of a felony in Utah and was on probation in the last five years.
Douros first filled out and submitted an application through Zions Bank. Zions Bank initially funded the PPP loan of $198,000. However, upon further inspection of the representations in the loan application, the bank cancelled the loan transfer. Douros submitted a second PPP loan application through Cache Valley Bank, which was funded at $239,091.67.
The money laundering conviction relates to a $20,000 payroll check made payable to the defendant from an Epic Rentals bank account.
Sentencing in the case will be Nov. 17, 2020, at 2 p.m. before U.S. District Judge Howard C. Nielson Jr. The potential penalty for the two bank fraud counts and the two false statement to a bank counts is 30 years per count. The potential penalty for money laundering is 10 years in federal prison. He faces a potential $1 million fine.
Assistant U.S. Attorneys in the Utah U.S. Attorney’s Office are prosecuting the case. FBI special agents are investigating the matter.
Anyone with information about allegations of attempted fraud involving COVID-19 can report it by calling the Department of Justice’s National Center for Disaster Fraud Hotline at 866-720-5721 or via the NCDF Web Complaint Form at: https://www.justice.gov/disaster-fraud/ncdf-disaster-complaint-form.
Salina Man Pleads Guilty to Distributing Child PornRead the Press Release
WICHITA, KAN. – A Salina man pleaded guilty Tuesday to distributing child pornography. As part of a plea agreement in the case, prosecutors agreed to drop charges that the defendant threatened the life of the President of the United States, U.S. Attorney Stephen McAllister said.
Aaron McDowell, 25, Salina, Kan., pleaded guilty to one count of distributing child pornography. Investigators discovered the child pornography while investigating charges that McDowell posted a threat to kill the president on social media.
Investigators examining McDowell’s phone found images of child pornography. They went on to discover that for about a year McDowell used an online chat application to trade child pornography with other users.
Sentencing is set for Nov. 20. The plea agreement recommends McDowell be sentenced to not less than 168 months and not more than 216 months in federal prison. McAllister commended the U.S. Secret Service, the Sedgwick County Sheriff’s Office, the Kansas Internet Crimes Against Children (ICAC) Task Force and Assistant U.S. Attorney Jason Hart for their work on the case.
Richfield Man Pleads Guilty to False Mall of America Bomb ThreatRead the Press Release
United States Attorney Erica H. MacDonald today announced the guilty plea of VINCENT TOGBE KONNEY, 62, to making a false bomb threat. KONNEY entered his guilty plea today before Judge Nancy E. Brasel in U.S. District Court in St. Paul, Minnesota.
According to KONNEY’s guilty plea and documents filed with the court, on August 13, 2018, KONNEY wrote a letter falsely accusing his wife of being part of a plot to bomb the Mall of America. Using a false name, KONNEY sent the letter to the United States Citizenship and Immigration Service in retaliation against his wife who was in the naturalization process when the letter was sent. In the letter, KONNEY claimed that while he was riding a bus, he overheard two women discussing a plot to blow up the Mall of America. KONNEY further claimed that one of the women had accidentally dropped her Social Security Card and her Permanent Resident Card and he enclosed with his false letter a photocopy of his wife’s real Permanent Resident Card. KONNEY closed the letter by urging the government to halt a “terrorist threat” by deporting his wife.
This case is the result of an investigation conducted by the FBI.
This case is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney John Docherty.
Defendant Information:
VINCENT TOGBE KONNEY, 62
Richfield, Minn.
Convicted:
- False bomb threat, 1 count
###
Additional news available on our website.
Follow us on Twitter and Facebook.
United States Attorney’s Office, District of Minnesota: (612) 664-5600
Repatriated ISIS Fighter Pleads Guilty to Terror ChargeRead the Press Release
A repatriated ISIS fighter has pleaded guilty to a terrorism charge, announced the Department of Justice.
Omer Kuzu – a 23-year-old U.S. citizen captured by the Syrian Democratic Forces and returned to the U.S. by the FBI after a five-year stint handling communications for ISIS – pleaded guilty Wednesday to conspiring to provide material support to terrorism.
“The Department of Justice remains committed to holding accountable those who have left this country in order to join and support ISIS,” said John C. Demers, Assistant Attorney General for National Security. “We are thankful for the work of our foreign partners and the FBI in returning Kuzu to this country to face justice in an American courtroom. We hope countries around the world, including our European allies and partners, will likewise take responsibility for their own citizens who traveled to support ISIS.”
“This defendant, an American citizen radicalized on American soil, pledged allegiance to a brutal terrorist group and traveled halfway across the world to enact its agenda,” said U.S. Attorney Erin Nealy Cox for the Northern District of Texas. “The United States must do everything we can to prevent and deter this type of radicalization and prioritize prosecution of those that support the terroristic agenda of ISIS. I am gratified Mr. Kuzu faced justice in an American court.”
“Preventing terrorism remains the FBI’s top mission priority. The defendant intentionally left the United States to join, train with, and fight on behalf of ISIS. The North Texas Joint Terrorism Task Force worked closely with our domestic and foreign partners to ensure the threat he posed was mitigated,” said FBI Dallas Special Agent in Charge Matthew DeSarno. “We remain vigilant in our effort to prevent terrorism as well as hold terrorists, and those who provide support to terrorist organizations, accountable for their actions.”
In plea papers, Kuzu admits that he and his brother, Yusuf, departed Texas for Istanbul, Turkey on Oct. 16, 2014. They then traveled to Orfa, Turkey, where an “ISIS taxi” picked them up and smuggled them across the border into Syria. They crashed in a series of “waiting houses” before ending up in Mosul, Iraq.
In Mosul, alongside 40 other foreign fighters, the brothers underwent five days of physical and weapons training led by ISIS instructors. They were then sent to Raqqah, Syria, where Kuzu started work at the ISIS telecommunications directorate.
Shortly thereafter, Kuzu admits, he pledged allegiance, or “Bay’ah,” to ISIS leader Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi and the Islamic Caliphate. He was given a monthly stipend, a Chinese-made AK 47, and an ISIS bride.
Subsequently, Kuzu was sent to the second lines in Kobani, Syria and Hama, Syria, to provide communications support for ISIS fighters on the front lines. He also worked in the Caliphate’s technology center.
In March 2019, Kuzu was captured by the SDF, alongside 1,500 suspected ISIS fighters. He was handed over to FBI custody, returned to American soil, and charged with conspiring to provide material support to ISIS.
In his plea papers, Kuzu admits that he knew ISIS had been designated a foreign terrorist organization (FTO) and engaged in terrorist activities.
He now faces up to 20 years in federal prison. Sentencing is set for Jan. 22, 2021.
The FBI’s Dallas Field Office conducted the investigation through the FBI’s Joint Terrorism Task Force (JTTF). Assistant U.S. Attorneys Errin Martin and Tiffany Eggers and Trial Attorney Michael Dittoe of the National Security Division’s Counterterrorism Section are prosecuting the case.
Repatriated ISIS Fighter Pleads Guilty to Terror ChargeRead the Press Release
A repatriated ISIS fighter pled guilty to a terrorism charge, announced U.S. Attorney for the Northern District of Texas Erin Nealy Cox.
Omer Kuzu – a 23-year-old U.S. citizen captured by the Syrian Democratic Forces and returned to the U.S. by the FBI after a five-year stint handling communications for ISIS – pleaded guilty Wednesday to conspiring to provide material support to terrorism.
“This defendant, an American citizen radicalized on American soil, pledged allegiance to a brutal terrorist group and traveled halfway across the world to enact its agenda,” said U.S. Attorney Erin Nealy Cox. “The United States must do everything we can to prevent and deter this type of radicalization and prioritize prosecution of those that support the terroristic agenda of ISIS. I am gratified Mr. Kuzu faced justice in an American court.”
“Preventing terrorism remains the FBI’s top mission priority. The defendant intentionally left the United States to join, train with, and fight on behalf of ISIS. The North Texas Joint Terrorism Task Force worked closely with our domestic and foreign partners to ensure the threat he posed was mitigated,” said FBI Dallas Special Agent in Charge Matthew DeSarno. “We remain vigilant in our effort to prevent terrorism as well as hold terrorists, and those who provide support to terrorist organizations, accountable for their actions.”
“The Department of Justice remains committed to holding accountable those who have left this country in order to join and support ISIS,” said John C. Demers, Assistant Attorney General for National Security. “We are thankful for the work of our foreign partners and the FBI in returning Kuzu to this country to face justice in an American courtroom. We hope countries around the world, including our European allies and partners, will likewise take responsibility for their own citizens who traveled to support ISIS.”
In plea papers, Mr. Kuzu (now 25) admits that he and his brother, Yusuf, departed Texas for Istanbul, Turkey on Oct. 16, 2014. They then traveled to Orfa, Turkey, where an “ISIS taxi” picked them up and smuggled them across the border into Syria. They crashed in a series of “waiting houses” before ending up in Mosul, Iraq.
In Mosul, alongside 40 other foreign fighters, the brothers underwent five days of physical and weapons training led by ISIS instructors. They were then sent to Raqqah, Syria, where Mr. Kuzu started work at the ISIS telecommunications directorate.
Shortly thereafter, Mr. Kuzu admits, he pledged allegiance, or “Bay’ah,” to ISIS leader Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi and the Islamic Caliphate. He was given a monthly stipend, a Chinese-made AK-47, and took an ISIS bride.
Subsequently, Mr. Kuzu was sent to the second lines in Kobani, Syria and Hama, Syria, to provide communications support for ISIS fighters on the front lines. He also worked in the Caliphate’s technology center.
In March 2019, Mr. Kuzu was captured by the SDF, alongside 1,500 suspected ISIS fighters. He was handed over to FBI custody, returned to American soil, and charged with conspiring to provide material support to ISIS.
In his plea papers, Mr. Kuzu admits that he knew ISIS had been designated a foreign terrorist organization (FTO) and engaged in terrorist activities.
He now faces up to 20 years in federal prison. His sentencing is set for Jan. 22, 2021.
The Federal Bureau of Investigation’s Dallas Field Office conducted the investigation through the FBI’s Joint Terrorism Task Force (JTTF). Assistant U.S. Attorneys Errin Martin and Tiffany Eggers and Trial Attorney Michael Dittoe of the National Security Division’s Counterterrorism Section are prosecuting the case.
Registered Child Sex Offender Sentenced to Ten Years in Prison for Posssessing Child PornographyRead the Press Release
MACON, Ga. – A registered child sex offender living in Perry, Georgia was sentenced to ten years in prison today after an international investigation found he was uploading child pornography on a popular instant messaging app, said Charles “Charlie” Peeler, the United States Attorney for the Middle District of Georgia.
David Franklin Browder, III, 31, of Perry, Georgia was sentenced by U.S. District Judge Marc Treadwell to 120 months in prison followed by 25 years of supervised release after he pleaded guilty to possession of child pornography. Judge Treadwell also ordered that Browder pay $3,000 in restitution to each identifiable victim in the 213 images of child sexual exploitation the defendant possessed. Browder will also have to register as a sex offender in any state where he resides following his release from prison. There is no parole in the federal system.
The defendant admitted that, using the name “yappydappy,” he uploaded images of minors, including an infant, being sexually abused onto the Kik instant messaging app. Canadian authorities first began investigating the case in 2019, discovering the account was associated with an IP address located in the United States. They provided the file to Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) Atlanta, through the HSI Cyber Crimes Center for further investigation. On January 8, 2020, HSI agents, with the assistance of the Houston County Sheriff’s Office, executed a federal search warrant at the Perry residence where the defendant lived, seizing devices belonging to Browder. A HSI forensic analysis found approximately 213 image files containing child sexual exploitation material. The National Center for Missing and Exploited Children’s (NCMEC) Child Recognition and Identification System (CRIS) was used to identify child victims contained in the images. In all, the CRIS system identified 49 images from nine known series of child pornography contained within the defendant’s image files. Browder is a repeat child sex offender and was convicted in 2008 in the Superior Court of Houston County, Georgia for criminal attempt to commit child molestation and sexual battery of a minor.
“Browder is a repeat child sex offender, with two previous state convictions for egregious crimes against children in Houston County. He will now spend the next ten years in a federal prison, where there is no parole,” said Charlie Peeler, the U.S. Attorney. “Tracking down this child predator, and removing him from the streets of Perry, is the result of the excellent partnership between HSI Ottawa and HSI Atlanta. I want to thank both agencies for their work in this case, and for their total dedication to saving children worldwide from the grip of their abusers.”
“The children of Houston County, Georgia should sleep easier knowing a child pedophile is off their streets for the next decade,” said acting Special Agent in Charge Robert Hammer, who oversees Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) operations in Georgia and Alabama. “These types of heinous investigations wouldn’t be possible without the great partnerships of the Houston County Sheriff’s Office and the U.S. Attorney’s Office."
The case was investigated by HSI Atlanta, HSI Ottawa, Canada with assistance from the Houston County Sheriff’s Office. Assistant U.S. Attorney Shanelle Booker prosecuted the case for the Government. Questions can be directed to Pamela Lightsey, Public Information Officer, United States Attorney’s Office, at (478) 621-2603 or Melissa Hodges, Public Affairs Director (Contractor), United States Attorney’s Office, at (478) 765-2362.
Pueblo Man Found Guilty of Being A Felon in Possession of A Firearm Following Two-Day Jury TrialRead the Press Release
DENVER – United States Attorney Jason R. Dunn today announced that Maximillian Zeferino Esquibel, age 32 of Pueblo, was found guilty following a two-day jury trial in U.S. District Court in Colorado. The jury deliberated for less than 3 hours before reaching their verdict. Following the trial, which was before U.S. District Court Judge R. Brooke Jackson, the judge continued Esquibel’s bond pending sentencing, which is scheduled for December 4, 2020. Esquibel appeared at the trial in person. This is the first criminal jury trial in the District of Colorado since COVID-19 impacted the court system in March. The FBI and Southern Colorado Safe Streets Violent Gang Task Force joined in this announcement.
According to court documents and facts presented at trial, on August 9, 2019, law enforcement agents and officers executed a search warrant at Esquibel’s residence. He was present during the execution of the warrant, along with his girlfriend. There were children present as well.
During the search investigators found four firearms, including an AR-15 style rifle, with the safety switch turned to the “fire” position, loaded with an extended magazine that contained multiple rounds of live ammunition. Three other firearms and over 100 rounds of ammunition were also seized.
Esquibel had a prior felony conviction in Pueblo County in 2006 for aggravated robbery, making it a crime for him to possess firearms.
This case was investigated by the FBI and Southern Coloarado Safe Streets Violent Gang Task Force. The trial was handled by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Jason St. Julien and Thomas Minser.
This case is part of Project Guardian, the Department of Justice’s signature initiative to reduce gun violence and enforce federal firearms laws. Initiated by the Attorney General in the fall of 2019, Project Guardian draws upon the Department’s past successful programs to reduce gun violence; enhances coordination of federal, state, local, and tribal authorities in investigating and prosecuting gun crimes; improves information-sharing by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives when a prohibited individual attempts to purchase a firearm and is denied by the National Instant Criminal Background Check System (NICS), to include taking appropriate actions when a prospective purchaser is denied by the NICS for mental health reasons; and ensures that federal resources are directed at the criminals posing the greatest threat to our communities. The United States Attorney’s Office has prosecuted this case with support from Project Guardian partners.
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-376.
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.
President & Executive Vice President of Republic Group, Inc. Indicted and Arrested for Conspiracy to Commit Wire FraudRead the Press Release
SAN JUAN, P.R. – On Monday, August 31, 2020, defendant, Gary Steven Wykle and Alejandro Cortés-López were arrested and charged in a fourteen-count indictment alleging Conspiracy to Commit Wire Fraud, Securities Fraud, and Wire Fraud, announced today W. Stephen Muldrow, United States Attorney for the District of Puerto Rico. The FBI was in charge of the investigation.
Gary Steven Wyckle and Alejandro Cortés-López were, respectively, the President and Executive Vice President of The Republic Group, Inc. From in or about 2010, through 2017, Wyckle, and Cortés-López, along with other individuals known and unknown to the Grand Jury, raised over $12,000,000 in so-called Promissory Notes on behalf of The Republic Group, Inc.
Defendants Wyckle and Cortés-López solicited investors in person, via telephone, and via the internet, and caused materially false and misleading representations to be made to investors. Wyckle and Cortés-López falsely stated to investors that their investment would facilitate high-interest rate, short-term loans for various companies, including hotels, resorts, and other hospitality industries in the Dominican Republic, and elsewhere. The defendants failed to disclose to investors that investments would be used for Wyckle’s personal expenses, goods and services at retail stores, restaurants, travel, rent, entertainment, and to make lulling payments to existing investors. Defendant Cortés-López was paid a commission, which he failed to disclose, from each investor that he brought to The Republic Group, Inc.
“The defendants’ alleged conduct undermines the confidence investors place in the financial markets,” said U.S. Attorney W. Stephen Muldrow. “Financial markets are governed by rules that are supposed to protect investors. These defendants, skilled at convincing individuals to place their trust in them, engaged in a ‘Ponzi’ scheme to defraud investors, and ultimately cost them millions of dollars. We will investigate and prosecute these types of crimes to the fullest extent of the law.”
“When people lose trust in the systems, society crumbles. This is why the FBI is committed to staying ahead of this threat, by following the evidence wherever it may lead and pursuing these cases to the fullest extent of the law,” said Rafael Riviere Vázquez, Special Agent in Charge of the FBI.
Investors who believe they are victims of Gary Steven Wykle and Alejandro Cortés-López, and who signed contracts with them or The Republic Group, Inc., are encouraged to contact the U.S. Attorney’s Office at (787) 766-5656, to obtain information about the proceedings and their rights to restitution.
The case is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Edward Veronda. Both defendants are facing a maximum term of imprisonment of 30 years, and a fine not to exceed $1,000,000.
An indictment is only an accusation and not evidence of guilt. All defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty.
# # #
Portland Woman Charged with Civil Disorder After Throwing Helmet at Police OfficerRead the Press Release
PORTLAND, Ore.—Michelle Peterson O’Connor, 31, of Portland, has been charged by criminal complaint with civil disorder after throwing a helmet at an officer making an arrest during an unlawful assembly in Portland on August 24, 2020.
According to court documents, in the early morning hours of August 24, 2020, the Portland Police Bureau’s Rapid Response Team was conducting crowd control duties during a riot near the bureau’s Northeast Precinct. Portland officers witnessed O’Connor pick up a helmet from the ground and throw it at an officer arresting another person, striking the officer in the head. O’Connor was arrested without incident.
O’Connor made her initial appearance in federal court today before a U.S. Magistrate Judge. She was released pending further court proceedings. If convicted, O’Connor faces a maximum sentence of five years in federal prison.
This case was investigated by the FBI. It is being prosecuted by the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Oregon.
A criminal complaint is only an accusation of a crime, and a defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.
Portland Man Charged with Repeatedly Assaulting Federal Officers with VehicleRead the Press Release
PORTLAND, Ore.—Lonnie Vantewa Albert, 55, of Portland, has been charged by criminal complaint for allegedly assaulting two Federal Protective Service officers with a sport utility vehicle on August 30, 2020, announced Billy J. Williams, U.S. Attorney for the District of Oregon.
According to court documents, in the early morning hours of August 30, two Federal Protective Service officers deployed to Portland in support of ongoing federal law enforcement operations departed the Edith Green-Wendell Wyatt Federal Building in a rental vehicle en route to their hotel. Both officers were wearing their government-issued uniform with visible police patches and a badge.
While driving east on Interstate 84 approaching Interstate 205, one of the officers observed a gray sport utility vehicle passing on their left. The officer observed the other driver, later identified as Albert, glance toward him. Albert then turned sharply, nearly hitting the officers’ vehicle. The driving officer made several attempts to change lanes and pass Albert, but Albert swerved in either direction to block their vehicle. After positioning his vehicle to the officers’ left, Albert turned sharply to the right, striking the officers’ vehicle and causing his own vehicle to spin before coming to a stop.
When one of the officers got out of the vehicle to see if Albert was injured, Albert drove toward the officer, veered left, and fled the scene. The officers briefly pursued Albert to collect his license plate number and other identifying information. Albert then exited the freeway and stopped his vehicle near Adventist Health Portland, a hospital on SE 100th Avenue. When the officers pulled into the hospital parking lot, Albert pursued at a high rate of speed and struck the officers’ vehicle a second time.
Shortly thereafter, Portland Police Bureau officers placed Albert under arrest. The FPS officers’ vehicle sustained visible dents, scratches, and other damage.
Albert made his first appearance in federal court on September 1, 2020 before a U.S. Magistrate Judge. He was released on conditions pending further court proceedings. If convicted, Albert faces a maximum sentence of eight years in federal prison.
This case was investigated by the Federal Protective Service. It is being prosecuted by the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Oregon.
A criminal complaint is only an accusation of a crime, and a defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.
Portland Couple Sentenced to Federal Prison for Fraud Scheme Targeting Elderly CoupleRead the Press Release
PORTLAND, Ore.—A Portland couple with previous fraud convictions was sentenced to federal prison today for defrauding a local elderly couple of approximately $1.6 million in a scheme lasting more than two years, announced U.S. Attorney Billy J. Williams.
Ronnie Stevens aka Tim Ephrem, 51, was sentenced to 71 months in federal prison and three years’ supervised release. Steven’s wife, Tina Ephrem aka Lisa Ann Peterson, 44, was sentenced to 60 months in federal prison and three years’ supervised release.
“Elder abuse is a devastating crime that can leave its victims financially and emotionally damaged for the rest of their lives,” said U.S. Attorney Williams. “Seniors fall victim to fraud schemes at far greater rates than the rest of the population. We all need to watch out for our elderly friends and loved ones. Your vigilance will make a difference. Our office remains committed to stopping the full range of criminal activities seeking to exploit Oregon’s seniors.”
“Prison sentences and restitution are what we can offer in the justice system. But, how can these elderly victims recover their sense of security and ability to trust others in what should be their golden years?” said Renn Cannon, Special Agent in Charge of the FBI in Oregon. “Stevens and Ephrem can never truly repair the damage they have done through their selfishness.”
“On behalf of the Tigard Police Department, I want to express our appreciation to our federal partners who assisted us with investigation,” said Tigard Police Chief Kathy McAlpine. “This was a serious crime occurring in Tigard as individuals preyed upon our elder community, one of our most vulnerable populations. The successful prosecution of this case has ensured the perpetrators are held accountable for their actions.”
According to court documents, between September 2016 and December 2018, Stevens and Ephrem conspired with one another to defraud an elderly couple, Adult Victim 1 (AV1) and Adult Victim 2 (AV2).
The scheme began in September 2016 when AV1, who was 76 years old at the time, offered a commercial trailer for sale at his business. Stevens claimed he brokered vehicle sales and could sell the trailer in exchange for a cut of the profit. Stevens did not ultimately sell the trailer, but quickly ingratiated himself with the victim.
Stevens later approached AV1 with an alleged lucrative investment opportunity. Stevens claimed that a friend named Tammy Ward was set to inherit an estate valued in excess of $100 million from her recently deceased father, but could not come up with the fees and legal costs necessary to release the estate. Stevens told AV1 that if he could advance the funds to release the estate, AV1 would receive a substantial return when the estate closed.
AV1 made multiple payments to Stevens over a period of time as Stevens told him various stories about delays and increased costs associated with the release of the estate. As part of the conspiracy, AV1 and AV2 both spoke to a woman on the phone who claimed to be Tammy Ward. Investigators revealed that Tammy Ward was a fictitious identity used by Stevens and Ephrem as part of the fraud scheme.
Between 2016 and 2018, Stevens placed more than 5,000 outgoing calls to AV1 and AV2 and, along with Ephrem, stole more than $1.6 million from their two victims. Stevens and Ephrem spent the stolen money on rent, utility bills, restaurants, cigars, luxury retail purchases and repeated travel to Las Vegas, Nevada and other locations including Hawaii, Anaheim, California, and Spirit Mountain Lodge in Grand Ronde, Oregon.
Stevens and Ephrem were arrested on January 11, 2019. They made their initial appearances in federal court the same day and were ordered detained.
On January 8, 2019, a federal grand jury in Portland returned a six-count indictment charging Stevens and Emphrem. Together, on November 18, 2019, they pleaded guilty to conspiring with one another to commit wire fraud.
During sentencing, U.S. District Court Judge Michael W. Mosman ordered Stevens and Emphrem to pay more than $1.6 in restitution to their victims.
This case was investigated by the Tigard Police Department and the FBI and is being prosecuted by Donna Maddux and Julia Jarrett, Assistant U.S. Attorneys for the District of Oregon.
Elder abuse is a serious crime against some of our nation’s most vulnerable citizens, affecting nearly 10% of older Americans every year. Together with our federal, state, local and tribal partners, the Department of Justice and U.S. Attorney’s Office is steadfastly committed to combatting all forms of elder abuse and financial exploitation through enforcement actions, training and resources, research, victim services, and public awareness.
If you or someone you know are in immediate danger, please call 911.
If you or someone you know needs help, abuse complaints may be filed with the FTC at www.ftccomplaintassistant.gov or at 877-FTC-HELP. The Department of Justice provides a variety of resources relating to elder abuse victimization through its Office of Victims of Crime, which can be reached at www.ovc.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.
Porter Woman Pleads Guilty to Theft or Embezzlement by Bank EmployeeRead the Press Release
MUSKOGEE, OKLAHOMA – The United States Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of Oklahoma announced that Deborah Kay Jenkins, age 48, of Porter, Oklahoma entered a guilty plea to Theft, Embezzlement Or Misapplication By Bank Employee, in violation of Title 18, United States Code, Section 656, punishable by up to 30 years of imprisonment, a fine up to $1,000,000.00, or both.
The Information alleged that From in or about May 2017 through in or about February 2019, in the Eastern District of Oklahoma, the defendant, being an employee of, and connected in a capacity with First Bank in Porter, Oklahoma, a bank whose deposits are insured by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation, with intent to injure and defraud the said First Bank, willfully misapplied, embezzled, abstracted, and purloined more than $1,000.00 of the moneys, funds, assets and securities entrusted to the custody and care of First Bank, in that the defendant withdrew cash and transferred funds from the bank and misapplied, embezzled, abstracted and purloined the funds.
The charges arose from an investigation by the Federal Bureau of Investigation.
The Honorable Steven P. Shreder, U.S. Magistrate Judge in the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Oklahoma, in Muskogee, accepted the plea and ordered the completion of a presentence investigation report.
Special Assistant United States Attorney Courtney Jordan represented the United States at the plea hearing.
Pittsburgh Felon Charged in Shooting of ATF Special Agent in June 2020Read the Press Release
PITTSBURGH, PA – A resident of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania has been indicted by a federal grand jury in Pittsburgh on charges of assault on a federal employee, and violating federal firearms laws, United States Attorney Scott W. Brady announced today.
According to U.S. Attorney Brady, on June 18, 2020, a multi-agency enforcement action was occurring in Pittsburgh’s Uptown neighborhood following the indictment of members of a large-scale cocaine trafficking organization. At approximately 6:00 a.m., a Special Agent on a Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) Special Response Team was shot and wounded as he breached a doorway.
The three-count Indictment, returned on September 1, named Dion Williams, age 44, of Pittsburgh, as the sole defendant.
"My office has zero tolerance for assaults upon or violence directed against law enforcement officers. Violent drug trafficking felons like Dion Williams who brazenly use illegal firearms to shoot at law enforcement officers have no place in western Pennsylvania," said U.S. Attorney Brady. "We will continue to use all available resources to dismantle drug gangs and bring violent criminals to justice, and to protect the men and women of law enforcement who work tirelessly every day to keep us all safe."
"It’s essential that we keep law enforcement officers safe as they protect and serve the nation’s communities," said FBI Pittsburgh Special Agent in Charge Michael Christman. "Assault on law enforcement officers undermines the rule of law and will not be tolerated. Anyone who fires at law enforcement threatens the safety of our community and will face serious legal consequences. I am thankful the injured ATF agent is recovering and appreciative of his service and dedication."
"While danger is an inherent part of our job as law enforcement officers we take anyone who tries to kill a federal agent as a clear and present danger to not only law enforcement but the community as a whole," said John Schmidt, acting Special Agent in Charge of ATF’s Philadelphia Field Division. "Today, we applaud the multi-jurisdictional efforts that resulted in the indictment of this alleged violent offender. ATF, along with our local, state and federal partners will continue to target violent individuals who have little regard for the law and human life."
According to the Indictment, Williams is accused of using a deadly and dangerous weapon to assault and inflict bodily injury upon a member of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives. Williams is also accused of discharging a firearm during a crime of violence and being a convicted felon in possession of a firearm and ammunition. Williams has four prior drug convictions in the Allegheny County Court of Common Pleas, and has one prior conviction for
distribution and possession with intent to distribute 28 grams or more of crack cocaine in U.S. District Court for the Western District of Pennsylvania. Federal law prohibits anyone who has been convicted of a crime punishable by a term of imprisonment exceeding one year from possessing a firearm or ammunition.
The law provides for a maximum total sentence of not less than ten years in prison, nor more than life imprisonment, a fine of $250,000 or both. Under the Federal Sentencing Guidelines, the actual sentence imposed would be based upon the seriousness of the offenses and the prior criminal history, if any, of the defendant.
Assistant United States Attorney Douglas C. Maloney and Assistant United States Attorney Jerome A. Moschetta are prosecuting this case on behalf of the government.
The Federal Bureau of Investigation conducted the investigation leading to the Indictment in this case.
An indictment is an accusation. A defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.
Parent Charged in College Admissions CaseRead the Press Release
BOSTON – A Massachusetts man was indicted by a federal grand jury in connection with using fraud and bribery to have his daughter designated as a tennis recruit for Georgetown University.
Amin Khoury, 54, of Palm Beach, Fla. and Mashpee, Mass., was indicted on one count of conspiracy to commit mail fraud and honest services mail fraud and bribery concerning programs receiving federal funds and one count of bribery concerning programs receiving federal funds.
According to the indictment, in May 2014, Khoury agreed to pay Gordon Ernst, who at the time was employed as the head coach of men’s and women’s tennis at Georgetown University, approximately $200,000 through a third-party in exchange for Ernst designating Khoury’s daughter as a purported tennis recruit to Georgetown University, despite the fact that Khoury’s daughter’s tennis skills were below that of a typical Georgetown tennis recruit.
In December 2014, Georgetown mailed Khoury’s daughter a letter informing her that the Committee on Admissions had reviewed her application at Ernst’s request, and had rated her admission as “likely.” In May 2015, after Khoury’s daughter was formally accepted to Georgetown, Khoury allegedly flew to Massachusetts with $200,000 in cash. Khoury then met with a third-party at his Cape Cod home and gave the third-party $180,000 in cash with the understanding that the money would be given to Ernst, and also provided the third-party with $20,000. The third-party then allegedly drove to Falmouth where he met with Ernst’s spouse and provided her with $170,000 in cash, keeping $10,000 as an additional fee. It is further alleged that Ernst thereafter continued to pursue Khoury to collect the remaining $20,000 that Khoury owed Ernst as part of the recruitment deal.
Case information, including the status of each defendant, charging documents and plea agreements are available here: https://www.justice.gov/usao-ma/investigations-college-admissions-and-testing-bribery-scheme.
The charge of conspiracy to commit mail fraud and honest services mail fraud and bribery concerning programs receiving federal funds provides for a sentence of up to five years in prison, three years of supervised release and a fine of $250,000 or twice the gross gain or loss, whichever is greater. The charge of bribery concerning programs receiving federal funds provides for a sentence of up to 10 years in prison, three years of supervised release and a fine of $250,000 or twice the gross gain or loss, whichever is greater. Sentences are imposed by a federal district court judge based upon the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors.
United States Attorney Andrew E. Lelling; Joseph R. Bonavolonta, Special Agent in Charge of the Federal Bureau of Investigation, Boston Field Division; Joleen Simpson, Acting Special Agent in Charge of the Internal Revenue Service’s Criminal Investigations in Boston; and Mark Deckett, Resident Agent in Charge of the Department of Education, Office of Inspector General made the announcement today. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Eric S. Rosen, Justin D. O’Connell, Leslie A. Wright, Kristen A. Kearney, Stephen E. Frank and Karin M. Bell of Lelling’s Criminal Division are prosecuting the case.
The details contained in the charging documents are allegations. The defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.
Overland Park Man Pleads Guilty to Possessing Child PornographyRead the Press Release
KANSAS CITY, KAN. – An Overland Park man pleaded guilty today to possessing 152 videos containing child pornography, U.S. Attorney Stephen McAllister said.
Alan Noltensmeyer, 46, Overland Park, Kan., pleaded guilty to one count of possessing child pornography. The investigation began when the FBI was investigating how people were using software designed to provide anonymity for obtaining and trading child pornography. Investigators identified Noltensmeyer’s IP address. They found approximately 2,400 images and 152 videos containing child pornography on an external hard drive and optical disc.
Sentencing is set for Dec. 3. He could face a sentence of not less than five years in federal prison and a fine up to $250,000. McAllister commended the FBI and Assistant U.S. Attorney Kim Flannigan for their work on the case.
Operation Legend: Case of the DayRead the Press Release
Each weekday, the Department of Justice will highlight a case that has resulted from Operation Legend. Today’s case is out of the Southern District of Indiana. Operation Legend launched in Indianapolis on Aug. 14, 2020 in response to the city facing record-breaking homicide and non-fatal shooting rates. In just the first two weeks, the operation has already yielded impactful results; federal, state, and local law enforcement agencies have seized 49 guns and arrested 18 fugitives.
United States vs. John Green
"The goal of Operation Legend is to provide neighborhoods where all the people of Indianapolis can safely live, work and raise their families," said U.S. Attorney Joshua Minkler for the Southern District of Indiana. "Federal agents working with the Indianapolis Metropolitan Police Department to remove a trigger puller and his illegally possessed firearms from our streets moves all of us one step closer to that goal."
John Green was charged on Aug. 8, 2020, with unlawful possession of a firearm by a convicted felon, according to a criminal complaint filed in Federal Court in the Southern District of Indiana. The Bureau of Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) and Indianapolis Metropolitan Police Department (IMPD) led the investigation.
According to the criminal complaint, on Aug. 8, 2020, IMPD was dispatched to an incomplete call where a female claimed to be shot. A witness described a black male wearing a black shirt and khaki pants shooting a firearm. IMPD officers identified John Green a block away. When the officers engaged him, Green advised that he did not have any firearms. After Green was located, the witness further described Green shooting a rifle in the air in his front yard. Authorities located two (2) spent rifle casings in Green’s front yard. An evidence technician reported to the scene and collected the two (2) spent .223 casings. The witness identified Green as the person shooting a rifle in the front yard while children were outside playing in the area.
IMPD advised Green that two (2) shell casings were found in his front yard and that a search warrant was being written for his residence. When IMPD asked Green if any firearms would be located in the residence and Green replied “no.”
Subsequently, Green told IMPD officers that they would find a 9mm and AR-15 in his home. A search warrant was obtained for Green’s residence and a Ruger AR-15 rifle and a Hi-Point 9mm were located inside. The rifle was loaded and the round in the chamber matched the ammunition from the casings in the front yard. Multiple additional rifle and pistol magazines were located in Green’s residence.
Because of a previous felony conviction punishable by more than one year in prison, Green is prohibited from possessing firearms.
The details contained in the charging document are allegations. The defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.
Background on Operation Legend
President Trump promised to assist America’s cities that have been plagued by violence. In July, Attorney General William P. Barr announced the launch of Operation Legend, a sustained, systematic and coordinated law enforcement initiative across all federal law enforcement agencies working in conjunction with state and local law enforcement officials to fight violent crime in cities across America that were experiencing an uptick in violence. Operation Legend is named after four-year-old LeGend Taliferro, who was shot and killed on June 29th in Kansas City, Missouri while he slept in his home.
Operation Legend was launched in Kansas City, Mo., on July 8, 2020, and expanded to Chicago and Albuquerque on July 22, 2020, to Cleveland, Detroit, and Milwaukee on July 29, 2020, to St. Louis and Memphis on Aug. 6, 2020, and to Indianapolis on Aug. 14, 2020. As part of Operation Legend, Attorney General Barr has directed federal agents from the FBI, U.S. Marshal Service, DEA and ATF to surge resources these cities to help state and local officials fighting violent crime. Since its inception, Operation Legend has yielded close to 1500 local, state, and federal arrests.
Ohio Tax Attorney Sentenced to Prison for Obstructing the IRSRead the Press Release
A Columbus, Ohio, attorney was sentenced to 18 months in prison today, announced Principal Deputy Assistant Attorney General Richard E. Zuckerman of the Justice Department’s Tax Division and U.S. Attorney David DeVillers for the Southern District of Ohio.
According to documents and information provided to the court, Marcus “Marc” Dunn was a licensed attorney in Ohio. From 2007 until his client Dr. Kevin Lake died, Dunn advised and assisted Dr. Lake in legal matters relating to the operation of his clinics, including Columbus Southern Medical Clinic in Columbus, Ohio. At the time, Dunn specialized in tax law.
Around 2010, the IRS audited Dr. Lake’s entities. In response to an IRS revenue officer’s request for documentation supporting the entities’ claimed clinical equipment depreciation deductions, Dunn provided false “bills of sale” purporting to support the deductions, but which in fact falsely inflated the value of the equipment. At the same time that Dunn provided these inflated values to the IRS, he provided contradictory valuation information to third parties.
In 2011, Dunn filed petitions in U.S. Tax Court challenging the IRS’s determination that some of the audited entities owed additional taxes. The case was ultimately settled with an agreement that approximately $608,583 was due. When the IRS revenue officer attempted to collect the settlement amount in 2014, Dunn frustrated the IRS’s collection efforts by falsely representing that the relevant entities were defunct with no assets. In all, Dunn caused a tax loss of $513,960 to the United States.
On Nov. 26, 2018, Dunn pleaded guilty to corruptly endeavoring to impede and obstruct the IRS and the Supreme Court of Ohio suspended Dunn’s license to practice law in March 2019.
In January 2017, Dr. Lake pleaded guilty to drug, tax, and fraud charges, but died before sentencing in that case.
In addition to the term of imprisonment, U.S. District Judge Michael H. Watson ordered Dunn to serve 3 years of supervised release. Restitution to the government has already been paid using funds seized from Dr. Lake.
Principal Deputy Assistant Attorney General Zuckerman and U.S. Attorney DeVillers commended special agents of IRS-Criminal Investigation, who conducted the investigation, and Trial Attorneys Richard M. Rolwing and Carl F. Brooker of the Tax Division, who prosecuted the case.
North Stratford Man Sentenced to 21 Months for Selling Prescription Drugs in School ZoneRead the Press Release
CONCORD - Timothy L. Adjutant, 28, of North Stratford, was sentenced to 21 months in federal prison for distributing buprenorphine near a school, United States Attorney Scott W. Murray announced today.
According to court documents and statements made in court, on November 14, 2018, in Colebrook, Adjutant sold buprenorphine, also known as Suboxone, to an individual who was cooperating with law enforcement officers. At the time of the sale, Adjutant indicated he had more Suboxone for sale. On December 4, 2018, Adjutant sold Suboxone to a cooperating individual in the parking lot of a drug store in Colebrook. Both transactions occurred within 1,000 feet of the Colebrook Elementary School.
Suboxone is a controlled substance that is often prescribed as a treatment for opioid withdrawal symptoms. As an opioid itself, however, it is still subject to abuse if injected or snorted and can produce a euphoria similar to other opioids like heroin and fentanyl.
Federal law provides that a person who distributes a controlled substance within 1000 feet of a school is subject to a mandatory minimum sentence of one year in prison.
Adjutant previously pleaded guilty on May 6, 2020.
“Drug trafficking endangers public health and safety in small and large communities throughout New Hampshire,” said U.S. Attorney Murray. “This is especially true with the illegal sales of opioids. In order to safeguard our citizens, we will continue to work closely with all of our federal, state, and local law enforcement partners to identify, prosecute and incarcerate the criminals responsible for trafficking drugs.”
This matter was investigated by the DEA, with assistance from the Colebrook Police Department, the Pittsburg Police Department, the New Hampshire State Police, U.S. Customs and Border Protection, the Coos County Sheriff’s Office, the New Hampshire Liquor Commission’s Division of Enforcement and Licensing, the Office of Inspector General of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, and the New Hampshire Attorney General’s Office. The case was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorneys John S. Davis and Charles L. Rombeau.
###
Nine Boston Police Officers Arrested for Overtime Fraud SchemeRead the Press Release
BOSTON – Nine current and former Boston Police Officers were arrested today and charged in connection with committing over $200,000 in overtime fraud at the Boston Police Department’s evidence warehouse.
Lieutenant Timothy Torigian, 54, of Walpole; Sergeant Gerard O’Brien (retired), 62, of Braintree; Sergeant Robert Twitchell (retired), 58, of Norton; Officer Henry Doherty (retired), 61, of Dorchester; Officer Diana Lopez (retired), 58, of Milton; Officer James Carnes (retired), 57, of Canton; Officer Michael Murphy, 60, of Hyde Park; Officer Ronald Nelson (retired), 60, of Jamaica Plain; and Officer Kendra Conway, 49, of Boston, were each charged in an indictment unsealed today with one count of conspiracy to commit theft concerning programs receiving federal funds and one count of embezzlement from an agency receiving federal funds. The defendants will make initial appearances via videoconference in federal court in Boston later today.
“I am a strong supporter of the police, especially in these difficult times. But all must be treated equally under the law, regardless of wealth, power or station,” said United States Attorney Andrew E. Lelling. “These officers are charged with stealing taxpayer money, year after year, through fraud. Beyond the theft of funds, this kind of official misconduct also erodes trust in public institutions, at a time when that trust is most needed. I want to thank Commissioner Willie Gross for his cooperation in this case, and the BPD’s Anti-Corruption Unit for its assistance.”
“As law enforcement officers, we have a tremendous responsibility to the public we serve, and therefore must be held to the highest standards of trust and integrity. These police officers are accused of breaking that trust by conspiring to steal hundreds of thousands of dollars to increase their paychecks,” said Joseph R. Bonavolonta, Special Agent in Charge of the FBI Boston Division. “They are the anomaly from the honest and hard-working men and women of the BPD. We’d like to thank Commissioner Gross and his department for their invaluable assistance in putting an end to this systemic practice and helping us root out these individuals who we believe decided to take advantage of their positions for their own personal gain.”
“Law enforcement officers are expected to perform their duties honorably and with integrity, not to take advantage of the system for personal gain. Today, the OIG, along with the FBI, arrested nine current and former Boston police officers who allegedly submitted time slips that did not reflect the hours they actually worked. The OIG is committed to fully investigating all allegations concerning violations of public trust,” said Guido Modano, Special Agent in Charge of the Department of Justice Office of the Inspector General New York Field Office.
“As a result of an investigation, information was uncovered by the Boston Police Department’s Anti-Corruption Unit regarding alleged payroll/overtime abuse by officers assigned to the Evidence Management Unit. The Federal Bureau of Investigation and United States Attorney’s Office became involved with the criminal investigation into the allegations. As a result of the investigation, former and current Boston Police Officers were indicted by a Federal Grand Jury. Pursuant to applicable law, the officers indicted that currently work for the department have been suspended without pay pending the outcome of the case.” Said Police Commissioner William Gross, “The allegations and behavior alleged in today’s indictments is very troubling and in no way reflect the attitudes of the hard-working employees of the Boston Police Department. I hold my officers to the highest standards and expect them to obey all the laws that they have taken an oath to uphold. News of these indictments sends a strong message that this type of behavior will not be tolerated or ignored and can damage the trust my officers have worked so hard to build with the communities we serve.”
According to the indictment, the defendants were assigned to Boston Police Department’s (BPD) Evidence Control Unit (ECU), where they were responsible for, among other things, storing, cataloging and retrieving evidence at the warehouse. ECU officers were eligible to earn overtime pay of 1.5 times their regular hourly pay rate for overtime assignments. It is alleged that beginning in at least May 2016, the defendants routinely departed overtime shifts two or more hours early but submitted false and fraudulent overtime slips claiming to have worked the entirety of each shift.
One overtime shift, called “purge” overtime, was focused on reducing the inventory of the evidence warehouse. The shift was supposed to be performed from 4:00 to 8:00 p.m. on weekdays. On days which the defendants claimed to have worked until 8:00 p.m., the warehouse was closed, locked and alarmed well before 8:00 p.m., and often by 6:00 p.m. or before. Despite this, it is alleged that the defendants routinely submitted false and fraudulent overtime slips claiming to have worked from 4:00 to 8:00 p.m. Supervisors, who also left early from this shift, allegedly submitted their own false and fraudulent slips and also knowingly endorsed the fraudulent overtime slips of their subordinates.
Another shift, called “kiosk” overtime, was available to two ECU officers one Saturday a month from 6:00 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. This shift involved collecting materials, such as unused prescription drugs, from kiosks in each police district in the city and then transporting the materials to an incinerator in Saugus. It is alleged that defendants who performed this overtime shift routinely submitted overtime slips claiming to have worked eight and a half hours when in fact the defendants frequently completed the work and left the shift early, often before 10:00 a.m.
Between May 2016 and February 2019 the defendants allegedly collectively embezzled over $200,000 in overtime pay. According to court documents, Torigian received over $43,000 for overtime hours he did not work; Twitchell, O’Brien and Doherty each received over $25,000 for overtime hours they did not work; Carnes and Lopez each received over $20,000 for overtime hours they did not work; and Murphy, Nelson and Conway each received over $15,000 for overtime hours they did not work.
From 2016 through 2018, BPD received annual benefits from the U.S. Department of Transportation and U.S. Department of Justice in excess of $10,000, which were funded pursuant to numerous federal grants.
The charge of embezzlement from an agency receiving federal funds provides for a sentence of up to 10 years in prison, three years of supervised release and a fine of $250,000 or twice the gross gain or loss. The charge of conspiracy provides for a sentence of up to five years in prison, three years of supervised release and a fine of $250,000. Sentences are imposed by a federal district court judge based upon the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors.
U.S. Attorney Lelling, FBI Boston SAC Bonavolonta, DOJ-OIG SAC Modano and BPD Commissioner Gross made the announcement today. Assistant U.S. Attorney Mark Grady of Lelling’s Public Corruption & Special Prosecutions Unit is prosecuting the case.
The details contained in the indictment are allegations. The defendants are presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.
New Jersey Man Pleads Guilty to Child Pornography, Cyberstalking ChargesRead the Press Release
CONTACT: Barbara Burns
PHONE: (716) 843-5817
FAX #: (716) 551-3051BUFFALO, N.Y. - U.S. Attorney James P. Kennedy, Jr. announced today that Timothy Myers, 35, of Freehold, NJ, pleaded guilty before Chief U.S. District Judge Frank P. Geraci, Jr. to production of child pornography and cyberstalking. The charges carry a minimum penalty of 15 years in prison, a maximum penalty of 35 years, and a $250,000 fine.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Charles M. Kruly, who is handling the case, stated that between December 2016 and August 2017, the defendant, using the names “CJ Mikowski” and “Colin James,” communicated via Facebook with five minor girls who lived in the Western District of New York. During those communications, Myers pretended to be a boy close in age to the minor girls with whom he was speaking. The defendant then coerced or attempted to coerce, each of the minor girls, who ranged in age from 13-16 years old, into sending sexually explicit visual depictions of themselves. Myers also transported one victim from New York State to New Jersey and engaged in sexual intercourse with her, and distributed sexually explicit images of the victim over Facebook.
In addition, between March and August 2017, the defendant, while residing in New Jersey and using the alias Colin James, contacted one of the victims via Facebook and made her believe she was in a relationship with him. Myers then persuaded the victim to produce sexually explicit images of herself. When the victim did not send the defendant additional sexually explicit images, he threatened to distribute images of the victim that he had already obtained. This repeated harassment caused the victim substantial emotional distress. Myers also used Facebook to contact three other victims using the names CJ Mikowski and Colin James. Once again, he made the victims believe that he was in a relationship with them and requested that they produce sexually explicit images of themselves. The defendant told the victims that if they did not send him these images, he would distribute previously sent images of the victims. These victims also suffered substantial emotional distress as a result of defendant’s repeated and sustained harassment.
The plea is the result of an investigation by New York State Police, under the direction of Major James Hall, and Homeland Security Investigations, under the direction of Special Agent-in-Charge Kevin Kelly.
Sentencing is scheduled for December 17, 2020, before Judge Geraci.
# # # #
Native Mob Gang Member Sentenced to 270 Months in Prison for Drug Trafficking and Firearm ChargesRead the Press Release
United States Attorney Erica H. MacDonald today announced the sentencing of TEVIN JAY MAURSTAD, 25, to 270 months in prison. Following a two-day bench trial, MAURSTAD was convicted on October 25, 2019, on six counts of drug trafficking and firearms violations. MAURSTAD was sentenced yesterday before Judge Susan Richard Nelson in U.S. District Court in St. Paul, Minnesota
“The defendant is a dangerous Native Mob gang member with a penchant for violence. He has a long history of drug trafficking, violence, and during the course of the investigation, he tried to intimidate witnesses,” said United States Attorney Erica H. MacDonald. “With this sentence, the court has recognized the danger he imposes to communities and has sentenced him accordingly.”
As proven at trial, on August 4, 2016, MAURSTAD was pulled over in Morrison County for a traffic violation. During a search of his vehicle, law enforcement found a loaded .45 caliber handgun, a pound of methamphetamine and digital scales in the hood of the vehicle. On January 29, 2018, law enforcement pulled over a black Chrysler 300 for speeding. MAURSTAD, who was driving the vehicle, was unable to produce a driver’s license. After a search of the vehicle, law enforcement found methamphetamine hidden inside the paneling of the vehicle. On February 13, 2018, federal law enforcement searched a storage unit rented by MAURSTAD. Law enforcement recovered a large quantity of ammunition and firearm accessories and Native Mob paraphernalia.
This case was the result of an investigation conducted by the Drug Enforcement Administration, the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives, the Morrison County Sheriff’s Office, the Carlton County Sheriff’s Office, the Minnesota Bureau of Criminal Apprehension, and the Minnesota Department of Corrections. This case was brought as part of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), an initiative that brings together federal, state, and local law enforcement to combat violent crime. This case is also part of Project Guardian, the Department of Justice’s signature initiative to reduce gun violence and enforce federal firearms laws.
Assistant U.S. Attorneys Andrew R. Winter and Bradley M. Endicott prosecuted the case.
Defendant Information:
TEVIN JAY MAURSTAD, 25
Minneapolis, Minn.
Convicted:
- Conspiracy to Distribute Methamphetamine, 1 Count
- Possession with Intent to Distribute a Controlled Substance, 2 Counts
- Possession of a Firearm in Furtherance of a Drug Trafficking Crime, 1 Count
- Felon in Possession of a Firearm, 1 Count
- Felon in Possession of Ammunition, 1 Count
Sentenced:
- 270 months in prison
###
Additional news available on our website.
Follow us on Twitter and Facebook.
United States Attorney’s Office, District of Minnesota: (612) 664-5600
Myrtle Beach Man Sentenced to More Than 15 Years in Federal Prison for Selling Heroin that Caused Overdose DeathRead the Press Release
Florence, South Carolina --- United States Attorney Peter M. McCoy, Jr., announced today that Caleb Wade Sexton, 22, of Myrtle Beach, was sentenced to more than 15 years in federal prison after pleading guilty to selling a quantity of heroin and fentanyl that resulted in a March 12, 2019, overdose death in Myrtle Beach.
"These cases are too common in our state, and we will continue to swiftly and severely prosecute those who push drugs that kill others,” said U.S. Attorney McCoy. “This case is another example of the impressive work from our joint federal, and state partners, and in particular the local task force designed to disrupt and dismantle the flow of deadly opioids into the Myrtle Beach area.”
“Let it be known that those who bring this poison into our community and threaten the lives of those who live, visit and work in our great State will be held accountable,” said Chief Amy Prock of the Myrtle Beach Police Department. “We will not stand by and let this happen. We will be intentional in our actions and we will not rest.”
Evidence presented to the court showed that on March 12, 2019, Sexton distributed a quantity of heroin and fentanyl to an individual who overdosed and died after using the drugs. Officers quickly identified Sexton as the suspect in this overdose and developed a confidential source who, working at the direction of law enforcement, purchased quantities of heroin and fentanyl from Sexton on several occasions. At the time of his arrest, Sexton was in possession of a quantity of heroin and fentanyl, and had a loaded Glock 27 pistol in the waistband of his pants. A search of his vehicle revealed additional heroin and fentanyl, along with a Mini Draco .223 assault handgun loaded with 30 rounds of ammunition. A search warrant was executed on the day of the arrest at a warehouse suspected to be used to prepare the drugs for distribution. There law enforcement located a bag of marijuana, a scale, two bags of clear capsules, and a stick suspected of being used to fill the capsules with illegal drugs. Sexton was ultimately charged with various violations of federal narcotics and firearms laws, and with distributing a controlled substance resulting in death and serious bodily injury.
Chief United States District Judge R. Bryan Harwell sentenced Sexton to 188 months in federal prison, to be followed by a three-year term of court-ordered supervision. There is no parole in the federal system.
The case was investigated by the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA), Myrtle Beach Police Department, Horry County Police Department, and with the assistance of the Horry County Coroner’s Office. Assistant United States Attorney Everett McMillian of the Florence office prosecuted the case.
#####
The year 2020 marks the 150th anniversary of the Department of Justice. Learn more about the history of our agency at www.Justice.gov/Celebrating150Years.
More Than $900,000 Coming to the Western District of New York to Fight Violence Against WomenRead the Press Release
CONTACT: Barbara Burns
PHONE: (716) 843-5817
FAX #: (716) 551-3051BUFFALO, N.Y. - U.S. Attorney James P. Kennedy, Jr. announced today that the Department of Justice, Office on Violence Against Women, has awarded three grants totaling more than $900,000 to a university, a college, and a social service agency in the Western District of New York.
Niagara University in Lewiston, NY, will receive $300,000, and Nazareth College in Rochester, NY, will receive $299,957, under the Grants to Reduce Domestic Violence, Dating Violence, Sexual Assault, and Stalking on Campus Program. The program focuses on combatting domestic violence, dating violence, sexual assault, and stalking on campuses. These comprehensive efforts are designed to enhance victim services, implement prevention and education programs, and develop and strengthen security and investigation strategies in order to prevent, prosecute, and respond to domestic violence, dating violence, sexual assault, and stalking.
Niagara University will partner with the New York State Police, Campus Sexual Assault Victims Unit, Niagara County Sheriff Victim Assistance Unit, and the YWCA of the Niagara Frontier. Nazareth College will partner with the New York State Police, the Willow Domestic Violence Center, and RESTORE Sexual Assault Services. Efforts to implement a comprehensive violence against women project on campus will include: prevention programming; ongoing training to all law enforcement on how to effectively respond to these crimes; access to 24-hour confidential victim services and advocacy; and ongoing training to all personnel in the campus disciplinary process.
In addition, Community Services For Every1, Inc. in Buffalo, NY, will be receiving $325,000 under the Training and Services to End Violence Against Women with Disabilities Grant Program. The goal of the program is to create accessible, safe, and effective services for individuals with disabilities and Deaf individuals who are victims of domestic violence, dating violence, sexual assault, and stalking and accountability for those committing such crimes. Community Services for Every1, Inc. will collaborate with the Family Justice Center of Erie County to: train and engage local nonprofit organizations and governmental agencies to better support domestic violence survivors with intellectual/developmental disabilities; connect people with intellectual/developmental disabilities to suitable preventive education and victim support opportunities; and offer education, outreach, and advocacy services to strengthen coordination among domestic violence stakeholder organizations.
“Violence against women can take on many forms, on many different levels, from a college student being victimized on campus, to a vulnerable woman being victimized in a relationship,” stated U.S. Attorney Kennedy. “Whether domestic or dating violence, sexual assault, or stalking, it’s all wrong and it’s all criminal. These grants will go a long way to help: educate women about these criminal behaviors; train those who respond when a crime occurs; and hold those responsible for these crimes accountable.”
# # # #
Methuen Man Indicted in Fentanyl and Acetyl Fentanyl ConspiracyRead the Press Release
BOSTON – A Methuen man was charged in a superseding indictment yesterday in connection with selling a fentanyl and acetyl fentanyl mixture to an undercover agent on six occasions.
Andi Guerrero-Lara, a/k/a “Manny Sierra,” 22, was charged in a superseding indictment with conspiracy to distribute 400 grams or more of fentanyl and 100 grams or more of acetyl fentanyl as well as distribution and possession with intent to distribute 40 grams or more of fentanyl and 10 grams or more of acetyl fentanyl.
Guerrero-Lara was arrested and charged by criminal complaint with co-defendant Angel Rivera-Valle, a/k/a “Jose Antonio Serrano,” in October 2019. Both defendants have been in custody since.
Guerrero-Lara and Rivera-Valle were subsequently indicted by a federal grand jury on Dec. 18, 2019. Rivera-Valle pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy to distribute and possess with intent to distribute 40 grams or more of fentanyl and three counts of distribution of fentanyl. Rivera-Valle is scheduled to be sentenced by U.S. Senior District Court Judge Richard G. Stearns on Sept. 8, 2020.
The defendants were members of a drug trafficking organization operating in the Merrimack Valley area of Massachusetts that regularly sold large quantities of fentanyl. Between September and October 2019, an undercover agent purchased a fentanyl and acetyl fentanyl mixture from the defendants on six separate dates.
The charge of conspiracy to distribute and possess with intent to distribute 400 grams or more of fentanyl and 100 grams or more of acetyl fentanyl carries a minimum mandatory sentence of 10 years and up to life in prison, at least five years of supervised release and a fine of up to $10 million. The charge of distribution and possession with intent to distribute 40 grams or more of fentanyl and 10 grams or more of acetyl fentanyl carries a minimum mandatory sentence of five years and up to 40 years in prison, at least four years of supervised release and a fine of up to $5 million. The charge of distribution and possession with intent to distribute fentanyl and acetyl fentanyl carries a sentence of up to 20 years in prison, at least 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 and Brian D. Boyle, Special Agent in Charge of the Drug Enforcement Administration, New England Division made the announcement. Assistance was provided by the Massachusetts State Police and the Andover Police Department. Assistant U.S. Attorney Alathea E. Porter of Lelling’s Narcotics and Money Laundering Unit is prosecuting the case.
Methamphetamine Trafficker Sentenced to 12+ Years in PrisonRead the Press Release
MACON, Ga. – A methamphetamine trafficker caught with a large amount of “ice” methamphetamine was sentenced to serve twelve and a half years in prison today for his crime, said Charles “Charlie” Peeler, the United States Attorney for the Middle District of Georgia.
DeMarcus Bell, 42, of Cordele, Georgia was sentenced by U.S. District Judge Marc Treadwell to 150 months in prison followed by five years of supervised release after he pleaded guilty to conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute methamphetamine. There is no parole in the federal system.
On October 7, 2018, an officer with the Byron, Georgia Police Department conducted a traffic stop on a vehicle driven by Bell. The defendant consented to a search of the vehicle and officers found what was later confirmed to be 993 grams of d-methamphetamine hydrochloride with a purity of 89%, 1,017.1 grams of d-methamphetamine hydrochloride with a purity of 82% and 58.27 grams of methamphetamine hydrochloride. The methamphetamine was found hidden in boxes containing small bags of chips that were in the backseat and trunk of the vehicle. In the passenger glove box, officers also found a 9mm semiautomatic pistol.
“Methamphetamine trafficking destroys lives, cripples families and gravely harms communities. We will prosecute illegal drug traffickers, and they will face federal prison without parole,” said Charlie Peeler, the U.S. Attorney. “I want to thank our local and federal law enforcement partners for their work in this case and for taking these dangerous drugs off the streets.”
The case was investigated by the Byron Police Department, Peach County Sheriff’s Office, Perry Police Department, Monroe County Sheriff’s Office, DeKalb County Sheriff’s Office and the FBI. Assistant U.S. Attorney Elizabeth Howard prosecuted the case for the Government. Questions can be directed to Pamela Lightsey, Public Information Officer, United States Attorney’s Office, at (478) 621-2603 or Melissa Hodges, Public Affairs Director (Contractor), United States Attorney’s Office, at (478) 765-2362.
Media Advisory In-Person Press ConferenceRead the Press Release
WHEN: Thursday, September 3, 2020 at 10:00 a.m.
WHERE: Rocky Mount Train Station
101 Coastline Street
Rocky Mount, NC 27804
Re: Prosecutions of Violent Criminals & Drug Traffickers in Eastern North Carolina
The United States Attorney’s Office announces a press conference to update the region on significant prosecutions of violent criminals and major drug traffickers operating in Nash, Edgecombe, and Wilson Counties. Participants will also discuss ongoing efforts of our Take Back North Carolina initiative focusing on these counties.
In addition to United States Attorney Robert J. Higdon, Jr., we anticipate members of the Nash, Edgecombe and Wilson County Sheriff’s Offices and the Wilson and Rocky Mount Police Departments along with the North Carolina State Bureau of Investigation and Drug Enforcement Administration to participate in this event.
Credentialed members of the media are invited to attend. For additional information, and to RSVP your intentions to attend this event, please email Don Connelly at [email protected].
Man Charged for Assault on Metropolitan Police Officer Who Was in Proximity to Confrontation of Senator Rand PaulRead the Press Release
WASHINGTON – Brennen Sermon, 27, of Orlando, Florida, was charged by information on Friday, August 28, 2020, announced Acting United States Attorney Michael R. Sherwin. Sermon was in the vicinity of U.S. Senator Rand Paul when he was arrested by the Metropolitan Police Department for assault on a Metropolitan Police Department Officer.
Sermon was charged by information in D.C. Superior Court with one count of assault on a law enforcement officer in violation of D.C. Code § 22-405(b). He was arraigned on that charge and was released on his personal recognizance.
A Gerstein affidavit, based on an initial report from a responding officer, was filed along with the information. It states that at about 12:30 am on August 28, 2020, a Metropolitan Police Department officer was holding a police line at 14th and F Street NW when the defendant kicked his bicycle and fled. The officer pursued, and the defendant punched the officer in the left side of his face. The affidavit further reports that the officer sustained a laceration and severe swelling above his left eye, was transported to the hospital, and received stitches. A supplemental Gerstein affidavit filed after the initial report was prepared which clarified that a preliminary review of body worn camera showed that the individual kicking the bicycle and the individual throwing the punch appear to be wearing different color shirts. Therefore, the defendant is presently charged only with respect to the punching allegation.
Both the information and the Gerstein affidavits are formal accusations of criminal conduct, not evidence of guilt. A defendant is presumed innocent unless proven guilty. If convicted, Sermon faces a maximum sentence of 180 days in prison for each count, a fine of up to $1,000.
In announcing the charge, Acting U.S. Attorney Sherwin, commended the work of the Metropolitan Police Department in responding to these events.
Maine Man Sentenced to 60 Months for Fentanyl and Heroin TraffickingRead the Press Release
CONCORD - Edson Wilson, 43, of Augusta, Maine was sentenced to 60 months in federal prison for possession of heroin and fentanyl with intent to distribute, United States Attorney Scott W. Murray announced today.
According to court documents and statements made in court, on June 15, 2019, a New Hampshire State Police trooper pulled over a vehicle on I-95 north for a traffic violation. Wilson was a passenger in the vehicle. While speaking with the occupants of the vehicle, the trooper noticed indicators of drug use. After the occupants also gave conflicting stories about their destination and travel, they consented to a search of the vehicle. The trooper located a vacuum- sealed package that contained approximately 198 grams of heroin and fentanyl under Wilson’s seat. Wilson was placed under arrest and later admitted that he had purchased the drugs earlier that day and further stated that he intended to sell at least half of the drugs.
Wilson previously pleaded guilty on May 6, 2020.
“Interstate 95 is a conduit for illegal drugs being transported into Northern New England,” said U.S. Attorney Murray. “Thanks to alert enforcement action by New Hampshire State Police, this shipment was stopped before it could be distributed and the responsible party was brought to justice. This 60 month prison term should serve as a warning to traffickers who plan to transport heroin and fentanyl into New Hampshire and Maine.”
This matter was investigated by the New Hampshire State Police with assistance from the Greenland Police Department. The case was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Charles L. Rombeau.
###
Local Man Pleads Guilty to Armed CarjackingRead the Press Release
Memphis, TN – Courtney Freeman, 31, has pleaded guilty in federal court to armed carjacking and brandishing a firearm during a crime of violence. D. Michael Dunavant, U.S. Attorney announced the guilty plea today.
According to information presented in Court, on September 25, 2018, J.P. was fueling his 2011 GMC Acadia at the Jubilee Express gas station on North Watkins Drive.A young male that J.P. did not know, later identified as the defendant Courtney Freeman, approached J.P.’s vehicle and tapped on the glass. J.P. rolled the window down. Freeman then pointed a handgun at him and said, "get out the car or I’ll blow you away." J.P. immediately exited the car. Freeman entered the vehicle and drove away. Police later recovered security camera footage from the store, which confirmed the victim’s description.
J.P. ran to his home a few blocks away, called law enforcement, and reported his car stolen. Police responded and he informed them that his cell phone, wallet with credit cards, social security card, $260 in cash and a Ruger .380 pistol were all in the car at the time. Officers put out a stolen vehicle report.
The next day, September 26, 2018, Memphis Police found the stolen car on St. Charles Street. The vehicle was then towed and processed by a crime scene officer. Investigators found 7 pieces of paper with ridge detail, which were then forwarded to latent print examiners, who determined some of the prints belonged to Courtney Freeman.
The victim then identified Courtney Freeman to law enforcement as the person who carjacked him.
Agents with the National Insurance Crime Bureau examined the VIN of the 2011 GMC Acadia and concluded the vehicle was manufactured outside the state of Tennessee.
The defendant pled guilty on September 1, 2020, before U.S. District Court Judge Mark S. Norris. A sentencing hearing is scheduled on December 9, 2020, where Freeman faces a mandatory minimum sentence of 7 years imprisonment and a maximum of life imprisonment. There is no parole in the federal system.
U.S. Attorney D. Michael Dunavant said, "Forcibly taking an automobile by brandishing a firearm violently victimizes vulnerable citizens, and is only millimeters away from a homicide. This is another instance where brazen behavior yields brutal consequences for both victims and offenders. As long as this indiscriminate and senseless violence rules the streets, we will use federal prison to punish and control these community predators, one by one."
This case was investigated by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF).
Assistant U.S. Attorney J. William Crow is prosecuting this case on behalf of the government.
###
Lexington Man Sentenced to 80 Months for Drug Trafficking and Firearm OffenseRead the Press Release
LEXINGTON, Ky. - A Lexington, Ky., man, Andrew Maurice King, 29, was sentenced in federal court on Monday, to 80 months in prison, by Chief U.S. District Judge Danny Reeves, for trafficking 10 grams or more of valerylfentanyl and being a convicted felon in possession of a firearm.
According to his plea agreement, King admitted that on May 30, 2019, Lexington Police Department officers found significant quantities of marijuana, oxycodone, fentanyl, and valerylfentanyl; approximately $2,900 in cash; scales and packaging; and a Romarm SKS rifle, in his residence. King admitted that he possessed the valerylfentanyl with the intent to distribute and that he was a convicted felon, prohibiting him from possessing the firearm.
King pleaded guilty in May 2020.
Under federal law, King must serve 85 percent of his prison sentence. Upon his release, he will be under the supervision of the U.S. Probation Office for three years.
Robert M. Duncan, Jr., United States Attorney for the Eastern District of Kentucky; Jeffrey Todd Scott, Special Agent in Charge for the Drug Enforcement Administration, Louisville Field Division; and Chief Lawrence Weathers, Lexington Police Department, jointly announced the guilty plea.
The investigation was conducted by the DEA and Lexington Police Department. The U.S. Attorney’s Office was represented by Assistant U.S. Attorney David Kiebler.
This case was prosecuted as part of the Organized Crime and Drug Enforcement Task Force’s (OCDETF) Operation Synthetic Opioid Surge (SOS), a Department of Justice initiative designed to target trafficking of dangerous synthetic opioids.
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.
— END —
Las Vegas Man Indicted for Falsifying Auto Collision Centers’ Tax ReturnsRead the Press Release
A federal grand jury in Las Vegas, Nevada, returned a superseding indictment today charging a Las Vegas man with conspiracy to defraud the IRS, announced Principal Deputy Assistant Attorney General Richard E. Zuckerman of the Justice Department’s Tax Division, U.S. Attorney Nicholas A. Trutanich for the District of Nevada, and Special Agent in Charge Tara Sullivan for the IRS-Criminal Investigation.
According to the superseding indictment, Lance K. Bradford conspired with others to prepare tax returns on behalf of several automotive collision centers falsely claiming that the centers and their owners incurred millions in deductible expenses. From 2013 through 2015, these false returns allegedly claimed more than $11 million in false deductions, resulting in significant underreporting of business income and taxes due to the IRS.
Bradford was previously charged with aiding and assisting in the filing of false individual, corporate, and partnership returns on behalf of other individuals and businesses.
If convicted, Bradford faces a maximum sentence of five years in prison for the conspiracy charge and three years in prison for each of the 29 counts of aiding and assisting the filing of a false tax return. Bradford also faces a period of supervised release, restitution, and monetary penalties.
An indictment merely alleges that crimes have been committed. The defendant is presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt.
Principal Deputy Assistant Attorney General Zuckerman and U.S. Attorney Trutanich commended special agents of IRS-Criminal Investigation and the Federal Bureau of Investigation, who conducted the investigation, and Trial Attorney Patrick Burns of the Tax Division and Assistant U.S. Attorney Steve Myhre, who are prosecuting the case.
Additional information about the Tax Division and its enforcement efforts may be found on the division’s website.