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28 August 2020
Wilmington Gang Member Receives More Than 9 Years in Federal PrisonRead the Press Release
NEW BERN, N.C. – Terrance Fisher, 29, of Wilmington, was sentenced yesterday to 112 months in prison for conspiracy to distribute and possess with the intent to distribute a quantity of heroin, distribution of a quantity of heroin and possession with intent to distribute a quantity of heroin.
According to court documents, on February 19, 2019, the Federal Bureau of Investigation’s (FBI) Safe Street Task Force and the Wilmington Police Department’s Narcotics and Gang Units conducted a controlled purchase of heroin from Fisher in the area of Market Street in Wilmington. On February 20, the FBI Task Force and Wilmington Police Detectives conducted a search of a room at the Suburban Extended Stay in Wilmington associated with Fisher. Law Enforcement found a quantity of heroin in the room. Fisher was not present at the time of the search, as he was visiting his North Carolina State Probation Officer. According to law enforcement, Fisher was a gang member in Wilmington and was part of a drug trafficking organization responsible for the importation and distribution of large amounts of heroin into Wilmington.
The investigation was part of OCDETF Operation Tiny Toon Adventure. An Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Force (OCDETF) is a joint federal, state, and local cooperative approach to combat drug trafficking and is the nation’s primary tool for disrupting and dismantling major drug trafficking organizations, targeting national and regional level drug trafficking organizations, and coordinating the necessary law enforcement entities and resources to disrupt or dismantle the targeted criminal organization and seize their assets. This OCDETF focuses on a Gang that has been involved in the distribution of large quantity of heroin into Eastern North Carolina.
Robert J. Higdon, Jr., U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of North Carolina made the announcement after sentencing by U.S. District Judge Louise W. Flanagan. The FBI’s Safe Street Task Force, New Hanover County Sheriff’s Office, and the Wilmington Police Department’s Gang Unit investigated the case and Assistant U.S. Attorney Timothy Severo prosecuted the case.
Related court documents and information can be found on the website of the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of North Carolina or on PACER by searching for Case No. 7:19-cr-00111-FL-1.
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The year 2020 marks the 150th anniversary of the Department of Justice. Learn more about the history of our agency at www.Justice.gov/Celebrating150Years.
Wilkes-Barre Man Sentenced to 211 Months’ Imprisonment for Firearms and Drug Trafficking OffensesRead the Press Release
SCRANTON - The United States Attorney’s Office for the Middle District of Pennsylvania announced that on August 27, 2020, Truman Jones, age 45, of Wilkes-Barre, Pennsylvania, was sentenced to 211 months’ imprisonment and four years of supervised release by United States District Judge Malachy E. Mannion, for heroin and crack cocaine trafficking and firearms offenses.
According to U.S. Attorney David J. Freed, Jones was convicted by a jury of all counts charged in the indictment: one count of conspiring to distribute 100 grams and more of heroin and crack cocaine, seven counts of distributing and possessing with intent to distribute heroin, and one count of possessing firearms in furtherance of his drug trafficking activities.
The evidence presented at trial showed that between the summer of 2015 and February 2016, Jones worked with several other individuals to distribute hundreds of grams of heroin and crack cocaine, often mixed with other controlled substances, including fentanyl, tramadol, and cocaine, in the Wilkes-Barre area. During a search warrant executed at a drug house maintained by Jones and another member of his conspiracy, the United States seized three loaded firearms, approximately 90 grams of heroin, and over $4,600. As a felon, Jones was prohibited from possessing firearms.
At sentencing, Jones was held accountable for at least 400 grams of heroin, which is the equivalent of approximately 16,000 potentially fatal doses of heroin, and for maintaining a drug stash house used to store, package, and sell narcotics. In pronouncing the sentence, Judge Mannion also highlighted Jones’s role as the leader of his drug trafficking organization, extensive criminal history, and the presence of young children when he was caught packaging heroin during a search warrant execution.
As part of the sentence, Judge Mannion forfeited two firearms and ammunition seized from Jones, multiple electronics, and $4,642. Investigators recovered and forfeited other firearms and ammunition from other codefendants.
Jones is the last defendant to be sentenced in this investigation. Five other members of his drug ring previously were sentenced after pleading guilty:
- Davon Beckford, of Wilkes-Barre, Pennsylvania, was sentenced to time served of approximately 13 months’ imprisonment and three years of supervised release. After violating the terms of his supervised release, Beckford was sentenced to an additional 6 months’ imprisonment.
- Jaquan Henderson, of Wilkes-Barre, Pennsylvania, was sentenced to 96 months’ imprisonment and three years of supervised release.
- Stephanie Walter, of Sugar Notch, Pennsylvania, was sentenced to two years’ probation.
- Al Dunlap, of Wilkes-Barre, Pennsylvania, was sentenced to 108 months’ imprisonment and three years of supervised release.
- Na’Deardra Mayhams, of Wilkes-Barre, Pennsylvania, was sentenced to 66 months’ imprisonment and three years of supervised release.
The matter was investigated by the Bureau of Alcohol Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, the Wilkes-Barre Police Department, the Luzerne County Drug Task Force, and the Pennsylvania State Police. Assistant United States Attorneys Phillip J. Caraballo and Jenny Roberts prosecuted the case.
This case is part of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), a program bringing together all levels of law enforcement and the communities they serve to reduce violent crime and make our neighborhoods safer for everyone. 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.
This case also 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.
This case further was brought as part of a district wide initiative to combat the nationwide epidemic regarding the use and distribution of heroin. Led by the United States Attorney’s Office, the Heroin Initiative targets heroin traffickers operating in the Middle District of Pennsylvania and is part of a coordinated effort among federal, state and local law enforcement agencies to locate, apprehend, and prosecute individuals who commit heroin related offenses.
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Whitesburg Woman Pleads Guilty to Wire Fraud and Aggravated Identity TheftRead the Press Release
LONDON, Ky. - A Whitesburg, Ky., woman, Sherry Thomas, 50, pleaded guilty on Thursday, before U.S. District Judge Claria Horn Boom, admitting to wire fraud and aggravated identity theft.
According to her plea agreement, Thomas was employed as the office manager and bookkeeper for the Carbon River Coal Corporation, from the 1980s until January 2019. While working there, rather than paying the appropriate expenses and taxes for the Corporation, Thomas engaged in a scheme to defraud the Corporation of its funds. Specifically, between July 18, 2013 and November 21, 2018, Thomas wrote 173 checks to herself, from the Corporation’s accounts, totaling $238,052.23, and deposited them into her personal account. In writing the checks, Thomas forged the signature stamp of the Vice President of the Corporation, without his permission.
Thomas was indicted in December 2019.
Robert M. Duncan, Jr., United States Attorney for the Eastern District of Kentucky; and Bryant Jackson, Special Agent in Charge, Internal Revenue Service – Criminal Investigation, jointly announced the guilty plea.
The investigation was conducted by IRS Criminal Investigations and the Department of the Treasury Inspector General for Tax Administration. The United States was represented by Assistant U.S. Attorney Nick Rabold.
Thomas is scheduled to be sentenced on December 8, 2020. She faces a maximum of 20 years in prison for the wire fraud, a minimum of two years consecutive for the identity theft, and a maximum fine of $500,000. However, any sentence will be imposed by the Court after consideration of the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and the federal sentencing statutes.
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White River Junction Man Pleads Guilty to Gun and Drug ChargesRead the Press Release
CONCORD - Hallet Merrick, 34, of White River Junction, pleaded guilty in federal court on Thursday to unlawfully possessing a firearm and fentanyl, United States Attorney Scott W. Murray announced today.
According to court documents and statements made in court, on November 20, 2019, Lebanon Police officers made contact with Merrick and arrested him on a warrant for failing to appear in Grafton County Superior Court. During searches of his person incident to his arrest, officers discovered approximately six grams of fentanyl, which Merrick claimed was for personal use. Officers also discovered a handgun in his sweatshirt pocket. As a convicted felon, Merrick is legally prohibited from possessing firearms.
Merrick is scheduled to be sentenced on December 10, 2020.
“Federal law prohibits convicted felons from possessing firearms,” said U.S. Attorney Murray. “This restriction is intended to reduce violent crime and thereby protect the public. To accomplish this goal, we will continue to work closely with ATF as well as state and local law enforcement agencies.”
This matter was investigated by the Lebanon Police Department, with assistance from the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives. The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Joachim H. Barth.
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Virginia Man Sentenced for $3.2 Million Romance Fraud SchemeRead the Press Release
KANSAS CITY, Mo. – A Dumfries, Virginia, man has been sentenced in federal court for his role in wire fraud and money laundering conspiracies as part of a $3.2 million romance fraud scheme.
Henry N. Asomani, 35, a naturalized U.S. citizen from Ghana, was sentenced by U.S. District Judge Roseann Ketchmark on Tuesday, Aug. 25, to 10 years in federal prison without parole. The court also ordered Asomani to pay $3.2 million in restitution to his victims, and to forfeit to the government the money he profited from the scheme.
On Dec. 13, 2019, Asomani was found guilty at trial of one count of conspiracy to commit wire fraud, two counts of wire fraud, one count of conspiracy to commit money laundering, and two counts of money laundering.
Asomani was the middle man who received the proceeds of the fraud conspiracy from victims and transferred the proceeds to unknown co-conspirators. Asomani transferred the funds among various accounts; he kept a portion of the proceeds for himself, and funneled the rest of the proceeds to co-conspirators in Ghana. Asomani operated five different companies with 16 different accounts at eight different banks.
Asomani received funds sent by more than a dozen victims across the United States, including three victims in the Kansas City metropolitan area, from Sept. 15, 2015, to Oct. 17, 2017. Although bank investigators and FBI agents warned Asomani that his bank accounts were receiving the proceeds of a fraud scheme, he continued to receive the funds and simply opened new accounts when funds were frozen, or accounts were closed by the banks.
Unknown co-conspirators targeted victims through online dating websites with various romance frauds. The unknown co-conspirators impersonated individuals who were involved in businesses overseas. They convinced the victims that they needed funds to help with moving gold from a foreign country, orphanage expenses, and school and travel expenses. The co-conspirators told the victims they would share the profits when the gold was returned to the United States. In fact, none of the victims received any profit or received any gold from the co-conspirators.
According to court documents, some victims suffered substantial financial hardship as a result of the fraud scheme. Some victims lost their retirement savings and some victims were forced to declare bankruptcy. Some victims borrowed money or took cash advances from credit cards in order to send money.
The trial testimony from 13 victims established a loss of over $3.2 million. For example, one victim who resided in Lee’s Summit, Missouri, set up a profile on ChristianMingle.com following the death of her husband to brain cancer. In October 2015, an individual claiming to be “Larry B. White” initiated contact with her. Following numerous conversations by email and telephone, “White” convinced the victim to invest in a Ghana gold mine. “White” promised a 40 percent return on the investment of money. From November 2015 through January 2016, under the direction of “White,” the victim sent funds to multiple entities by check and wire totaling approximately $3,292,000. Of that amount, $2,292,000 was transferred to accounts controlled by Asomani. Asomani spent $50,000 of those proceeds to make a down payment on a 2019 silver Lexus NX300. The victim never received any money or gold profits from “White.”
Another victim, who resides in Kansas City, Missouri, met “Bradley Fischer” on ChristianMingle.com. “Fischer” convinced the victim to send funds for school expenses, travel expenses, and to start a new life in Kansas City. On July 19, 2017, the victim wired $24,000 to Asomani’s bank account. “Fischer” promised to pay the victim back when he got to Kansas City. The victims received $1,000 back from “Fischer” after she realized she was being defrauded and confronted the individual.
Other victims reside in New Jersey, Alaska, Oklahoma, Florida, Texas, Kansas, and Iowa.
Asomani wired $1,789,416 from his bank accounts in the United States to bank accounts in Ghana. He spent approximately $342,278 on auto purchases and auto- or shipping-related expenses as part of the money-laundering scheme. Asomani shipped 18 vehicles to Ghana, having a declared value of approximately $284,190.
This case was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Paul S. Becker and Matthew Blackwood. It was investigated by the FBI.
University of Virginia Researcher Charged with Theft of Trade Secrets and Computer IntrusionRead the Press Release
CHARLOTTESVILLE, Va. – Haizhou Hu, a Chinese national conducting research at the University of Virginia, was arrested today and charged via criminal complaint with a pair of federal crimes just days after he attempted to board a flight to China. United States Attorney Thomas T. Cullen and David W. Archey, Special Agent in Charge of the FBI’s Richmond Division announced the arrest.
Hu, 34, is charged with accessing a computer without authorization, or exceeding authorization to obtain information from a protected computer and theft of trade secrets.
According to court documents, investigators first became aware of Hu, who is in the United States conducting research studying bio-mimics and fluid dynamics at the University of Virginia, on August 25, 2020 when he attempted to board a flight to China at Chicago’s O’Hare International Airport. A routine screening conducted by authorities revealed that Hu was alleged to be in possession of bio-inspired research simulation software code that he was not authorized to possess, and which represented the result of years of research and resources in its development by members of the University of Virginia academic community.
The investigation of the case is being conducted by the Federal Bureau of Investigation. First Assistant United States Attorney Daniel P. Bubar and Assistant United States Attorney Christopher Kavanaugh are prosecuting the case for the United States.
A criminal complaint is merely an accusation. The defendant is presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.
United States Reaches $2.1M Settlement with Ward Transformer Company for Recoupment of Cleanup Costs at Superfund Site Near RDU International AirportRead the Press Release
United States Attorney Robert J. Higdon, Jr. and the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) today announced a settlement with Ward Transformer Company (Ward Transformer) requiring the company to pay $2,135,000 to the United States for hazardous substance cleanup costs at the Ward Transformer Superfund Site (Site) located near the Raleigh-Durham International Airport in Raleigh, North Carolina. The Site was listed on EPA’s National Priorities List in 2003 as a result of Ward Transformer’s spill and release of hazardous substances, including polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs), at the Site during the manufacture and repair of transformers and other electrical equipment. The Company ceased operations in 2006. Extensive cleanup has already been completed at the Site, and this settlement recoups unreimbursed costs.
The settlement arose out of a civil condemnation action brought by Raleigh-Durham Airport Authority (RDU) against Ward Transformer to acquire the property for an RDU expansion project, RDU v. Ward Transformer, et al, Case No. 5:19-cv-304-D. The United States was named as a party to that lawsuit because of federal liens on the Site resulting from environmental cleanup costs under the Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation and Liability Act (“CERCLA”), also known as the Superfund Law.
The settlement provides that $2,135,000 of the funds RDU would have paid to Ward Transformer for the property will instead be paid to EPA for unreimbursed cleanup costs. Ward Transformer agreed to reimburse EPA for these cleanup costs in exchange for a release from EPA and protection from suit by third parties.
“Ward Transformer’s environmental violations many years ago were egregious, and their impact has been significant and long-lasting – to both the environment and the American taxpayer,” said United States Attorney Robert J. Higdon, Jr. “This recovery represents an important victory for the American taxpayer, and we will continue to hold Ward Transformer and others accountable for violating federal laws that serve to protect our environment and natural resources.”
“EPA has overseen extensive cleanup work at the Ward Transformer Superfund Site, including the removal of over 420,000 tons of PCB-contaminated material in 2006 and ongoing work to cleanup the remainder of the Site,” said EPA Region 4 Administrator Mary S. Walker. “This agreement demonstrates EPA’s commitment to hold companies responsible for the costs of cleaning up contamination released into the environment.”
The United States Attorney’s Office previously brought criminal and civil actions against Ward Transformer and its owner, Robert Earl Ward, Jr. (Ward) (now deceased), for related environmental violations. Ward was criminally prosecuted for knowingly causing PCBs to be illegally dumped in violation of law, United States v. Robert Earl Ward, Jr., Case No. 5:79-cr-004-BR. Additionally, the United States obtained a civil judgment against Ward and Ward Transformer for $3,339,836 in cleanup costs, Case No. 83-63-CIV-5-BR. Subsequently, the United States brought another civil action and obtained a Consent Decree related to the Site, United States v. North Georgia Electric Membership, et al, Case No. 5:16-cv-820-FL. To date, EPA and private parties have spent over $90 million to clean up the Site.
The settlement was subject to a 30-day public comment period, which has expired, and approval by the Court.
Assistant United States Attorney Neal Fowler, EPA Associate Regional Counsel Jade Rutland, and Department of Justice Environment and Natural Resource Division Attorneys Andrew Ingersoll and Esperanza Anderson represented the United States in this civil action.
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The year 2020 marks the 150th anniversary of the Department of Justice. Learn more about the history of our agency at www.Justice.gov/Celebrating150Years.
U.S. Seizure of Three Websites Used by Iranian Front Company that Was Shipping Fuel on Four Tankers to VenezuelaRead the Press Release
WASHINGTON - The Justice Department today announced the seizure of three websites used by three front companies: Mobin International, Sohar Fuel, and Oman Fuel, that arranged a multimillion dollar fuel shipment by the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC), a designated foreign terrorist organization, that was bound for Venezuela.
On July 2, 2020, the United States filed a complaint seeking to forfeit all petroleum-product cargo aboard four foreign-flagged oil tankers, including the M/T Bella with international maritime organization (IMO) number 9208124, the M/T Bering with IMO number 9149225, the M/T Pandi with IMO number 9105073, and the M/T Luna with IMO number 9208100. A seizure order for the cargo from all four vessels was issued by U.S. District Court Judge Boasberg of the U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia.
On August 14, 2020, the United States announced that it successfully executed the seizure order and confiscated the cargo from all four vessels, totaling approximately 1.116 million barrels of petroleum. With the assistance of foreign partners, this seized property is now in U.S. custody.
Funds successfully forfeited with a connection to a state sponsor of terrorism may in whole or in part be directed to the United States Victims of State Sponsored Terrorism Fund (http://www.usvsst.com/) after the conclusion of the case.
The forfeiture complaint alleged how Mohammad Madanipour used a web of front companies, including Mobin International to perpetrate this scheme. The websites for Mobin International and related front companies, Sohar Fuel, and Oman Fuel, now display the following splash page noting control by the U.S. government:
Pursuant to 18 U.S.C. § 2232, interfering with lawful execution of the United States seizure order may subject a party to criminal penalties for interfering with the jurisdiction of the U.S. District Court for District of Columbia over the petroleum cargo.
A warrant for arrest and civil forfeiture complaint are merely allegations. The burden to prove forfeitability in a civil forfeiture proceeding is upon the government.
HSI’s Colorado Springs and FBI’s Minneapolis field office are investigating the case. The case is being handled by the National Security Division and the U.S. Attorney's Office for the District of Columbia. The Money Laundering and Asset Recovery Section is managing the seizure and forfeiture process. Assistant U.S Attorneys Zia M. Faruqui, Brian Hudak, Stuart Allen, and Jessi Brooks, and National Security Division Trial Attorney David Lim are litigating the case, with assistance from Paralegal Specialists Elizabeth Swienc, Legal Assistant Jessica McCormick, and Records Examiner Angela De Falco.
U.S. Seizure of Three Websites Used by Iranian Front Company that Was Shipping Fuel on Four Tankers to VenezuelaRead the Press Release
The Justice Department today announced the seizure of three websites used by three front companies: Mobin International, Sohar Fuel, and Oman Fuel, who arranged a multimillion dollar fuel shipment by the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC), a designated foreign terrorist organization, that was bound for Venezuela.
On July 2, 2020, the United States filed a complaint seeking to forfeit all petroleum-product cargo aboard four foreign-flagged oil tankers, including the M/T Bella with international maritime organization (IMO) number 9208124, the M/T Bering with IMO number 9149225, the M/T Pandi with IMO number 9105073, and the M/T Luna with IMO number 9208100. A seizure order for the cargo from all four vessels was issued by U.S. District Court Judge Boasberg of the U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia.
On Aug. 14, 2020, the United States announced that it successfully executed the seizure order and confiscated the cargo from all four vessels, totaling approximately 1.116 million barrels of petroleum. With the assistance of foreign partners, this seized property is now in U.S. custody.
Funds successfully forfeited with a connection to a state sponsor of terrorism may in whole or in part be directed to the United States Victims of State Sponsored Terrorism Fund (http://www.usvsst.com/) after the conclusion of the case.
The forfeiture complaint alleged how Mohammad Madanipour used a web of front companies, including Mobin International to perpetrate this scheme. The websites for Mobin International and related front companies, Sohar Fuel, and Oman Fuel, now display the following splash page noting control by the U.S. government:
Pursuant to 18 U.S.C. § 2232, interfering with lawful execution of the United States seizure order may subject a party to criminal penalties for interfering with the jurisdiction of the U.S. District Court for District of Columbia over the petroleum cargo.
A warrant for arrest and civil forfeiture complaint are merely allegations. The burden to prove forfeitability in a civil forfeiture proceeding is upon the government.
HSI’s Colorado Springs and FBI’s Minneapolis field office are investigating the case. The case is being handled by the National Security Division and the U.S. Attorney's Office for the District of Columbia. The Money Laundering and Asset Recovery Section is managing the seizure and forfeiture process. Assistant U.S Attorneys Zia M. Faruqui, Brian Hudak, Stuart Allen, and Jessi Brooks, and National Security Division Trial Attorney David Lim are litigating the case, with assistance from Paralegal Specialists Elizabeth Swienc, Legal Assistant Jessica McCormick, and Records Examiner Angela De Falco.
Two Men Who Allegedly Used Synthetic Identities, Existing Shell Companies, and Prior Fraud Experience to Exploit Covid-19 Relief Programs Charged in Miami Federal CourtRead the Press Release
Miami, Fl. -- Federal prosecutors have charged two Florida residents with bank fraud conspiracy for allegedly using synthetic identities to commit crimes, including defrauding banks and stealing over $3 million from Covid-19 relief programs.
Synthetic identities combine real (albeit stolen) identity information, such as stolen social security numbers, with fraudulent identity information, such as fake names and dates of birth. Criminals create these synthetic identities and use them to open fraudulent bank and credit card accounts, and to make fraudulent purchases.
Ariana Fajardo Orshan, U.S. Attorney for the Southern District of Florida, Kyle A. Myles, Special Agent in Charge, Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation, Office of Inspector General – Investigations (FDIC-OIG), Atlanta Region, Brian Swain, Special Agent in Charge, United States Secret Service (USSS), Miami Field Office, Kevin A. Kupperbusch, Special Agent in Charge, U.S. Small Business Administration, Office of Inspector General (SBA-OIG), Investigations Division, Eastern Region, Rod Owens, Special Agent in Charge, Social Security Administration, Office of the Inspector General, Antonio J. Gomez, Inspector in Charge, U.S. Postal Inspection Service (USPIS), Miami Division, and James S. Jackson, Deputy Inspector General for Investigations, Treasury Inspector General for Tax Administration (TIGTA) made the announcement.
According to the criminal complaint affidavit, beginning around 2017, Jean Fleuridor, 41, of Broward County, Florida and Hasan Brown, 44, of Miami-Dade County, Florida, and their co-conspirators were involved in a scheme to defraud a bank located in San Antonio, Texas. They used approximately 700 synthetic identities, in addition to stolen identities, to create bank accounts and shell companies. According to the criminal complaint, fraudulent payments were made from accounts registered to synthetic identities to accounts registered to defendants Brown and Fleuridor.
From about April through July of 2020, members of the conspiracy allegedly utilized the already-established synthetic identities and associated shell companies to fraudulently apply for assistance under the Paycheck Protection Program (PPP), a program established under the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (“CARES”) Act to help small businesses financially survive the pandemic. According to the complaint, the defendants fraudulently sought and received over $3 million dollars in PPP relief. This money was paid to companies registered to the synthetic identities.
Defendant Fleuridor had his initial appearance on August 26, 2020, and defendant Brown had his initial appearance on August 28, 2020, both before U.S. Magistrate Judge Alicia M. Otazo-Reyes. A copy of the criminal complaint and affidavit is attached to this release.
FDIC-OIG, USSS Miami, SBA-OIG, SSA-OIG, USPIS, and TIGTA are handling the investigation. Assistant U.S. Attorney Brooke Watson, of the Southern District of Florida, is prosecuting the case. Assistant U.S. Attorney Nicole S. Grosnof, also of the Southern District of Florida, is handling asset forfeiture. Trial Attorney Louis Manzo, from the Department of Justice, Criminal Division, Assistant U.S. Attorney Lauren Elbert, of the Eastern District of New York, and Assistant U.S. Attorney Trenton Reichling, of the Middle District of Florida, provided assistance.
In March 2020, the CARES Act was enacted. It was 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 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.
A federal criminal complaint is merely an accusation. A defendant is presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.
Related court documents and information appear on the website of the District Court for the Southern District of Florida at www.flsd.uscourts.gov or at http://pacer.flsd.uscourts.gov, under case no. 20-mj-03472-AOR.
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Criminal complaint and affidavitTwo Men Involved in Large-Scale Heroin Ring Sentenced to a Decade in Federal PrisonRead the Press Release
A Chicago man and a Cedar Rapids man who conspired with each other and others to sell heroin in Cedar Rapids were recently each sentenced to ten years in prison.
Devontae Horton, age 28, from Cedar Rapids, Iowa, received the prison sentence on August 27, 2020, after he was found guilty during a February 2020 jury trial. The jury found Horton guilty of conspiring to distribute 100 grams or more of heroin and distribution of heroin.
Sean Jarel Williams, age 31, from Chicago, Illinois, received the prison sentence today after a January 21, 2020 guilty plea to conspiracy to distribute at least 1,000 grams of heroin.
Evidence at Horton’s trial, and at both men’s sentencing hearings, showed that between approximately June 2015 and April 2019, Horton, Williams, and up to eleven others, conspired to distribute heroin in the Cedar Rapids area. The group was known as the “Ferrari” group. The members used one phone number, known as the “Ferrari phone”, to arrange and conduct heroin transactions. At times, ten to twenty people a day called the phone for the sole purpose of purchasing heroin.
In October 2018, Cedar Rapids police officers attempted to stop a vehicle occupied by Horton and another member of the Ferrari group. Horton tried to get away from police but was eventually apprehended. Officers located over $3,000 in cash in Horton’s front pocket. The cash was drug proceeds. In October 2018, Horton sold heroin directly to a confidential source. Investigators had arranged the transaction by calling the “Ferrari” phone.
Williams also used the “Ferrari” phone to arrange heroin transactions. Williams was also stopped by police in July 2017 travelling from Chicago to Cedar Rapids. At the time, Williams had approximately 350 grams of heroin in his vehicle that he intended to distribute in the Cedar Rapids area.
Bother Horton and Williams were sentenced in Cedar Rapids by United States District Court Judge C.J. Williams. Each was sentenced to 120 months’ imprisonment and must also serve a five-year term of supervised release after the prison term. There is no parole in the federal system.
“The ‘Ferrari’ group was a menacing source of deadly opioids in our community for far too long,” said United States Attorney Peter Deegan. “With these most recent sentencings, seven members of this criminal enterprise have now been brought to justice. This is a significant law enforcement achievement, but the battle against opioids continues. We will continue to work with our law enforcement and community partners to take the fight to the dealers and support those who struggle with addiction.”
Horton and Williams are the last of seven men who were charged together on April 24, 2019, for their role in the “Ferrari” group. The following have already been sentenced for their roles in distributing heroin for the “Ferarri” group:
Walter Malano Collins Murray, Jr., age 19, from Cedar Rapids, Iowa, was sentenced to 37 months’ imprisonment on December 30, 2019, following a guilty plea to conspiracy to distribute at least 100 grams of heroin.
Cortez Nelson, age 30, from Chicago, Illinois, was sentenced to 151 months’ imprisonment on May 20, 2020, following a guilty plea to conspiracy to distribute at least 1,000 grams of heroin.
Dewon Earl Meeks, age 30, from Cedar Rapids, Iowa, was sentenced to 71 months’ imprisonment on May 20, 2020, following a guilty plea to conspiracy to distribute at least 100 grams of heroin.
Anthony Ricks, age 31, from Chicago, was sentenced to 70 months’ imprisonment on July 10, 2020, following a guilty plea to conspiracy to distribute at least 100 grams of heroin.
Jarel Shawn Williams, age 23, from Chicago, Illinois, was sentenced to 127 months’ imprisonment on June 1, 2020, following a guilty plea to conspiracy to distribute at least 1,000 grams of heroin.
The case was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Ashley Corkery and was investigated as part of the Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Force (OCDETF) program of the United States Department of Justice through a cooperative effort of the Drug Enforcement Administration, the Iowa Division of Narcotics Enforcement, Cedar Rapids Police Department, Marion Police Department, and the Linn County Sheriff’s Office.
Court file information at https://ecf.iand.uscourts.gov/cgi-bin/login.pl.
The case file number is 19-CR-45.
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Twenty-One Defendants Face Federal Methamphetamine and Cocaine Conspiracy ChargesRead the Press Release
Over the past two weeks, federal, state and local authorities have arrested 21 individuals in connection with a cocaine and methamphetamine trafficking operations based in the Austin area, announced U.S. Attorney John F. Bash and Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) Special Agent in Charge Steven S. Whipple, Houston Division.
Two federal grand jury indictments returned in Austin charge the defendants with conspiring to distribute a controlled substance. Each of the cocaine distribution conspiracies allegedly involved more than 500 grams of cocaine. The methamphetamine conspiracy allegedly involved more than 50 grams of methamphetamine.
During this investigation, authorities have seized approximately 50 kilograms of methamphetamine, four kilograms of heroin, over two kilograms of cocaine, approximately 50 pounds of marijuana, multiple firearms and more than $473,000 in assets, including over $423,000 in U.S. Currency, attributed to this organization.
The defendants include: 25-year-old Juan Miguel Campuzano-Rebollar of Austin; 39-year-old Santana Olmedo-Carbajal of Cedar Creek, TX; 52-year-old Jose Miguel Campuzano-Gonzalez of Austin; 26-year-old Saudiel Granados-Cruz of Austin; 22-year-old Narciso Osorio-Aquino of Austin; 44-year-old Martha Yanez of Elgin, TX; 21-year-old Blanca Arce-Mora of Austin; 50-year-old Jose Ramiro Castellan-Ortiz of Austin; 26-year-old Jose Cruz-Licona of Austin; 22-year-old Blanca Arteaga of Austin; 33-year-old Antonio Benitez-Ugarte of Austin; 28-year-old Iris Garcia of Austin; 33-year-old Jose Rivera-Benitez of Austin; 55-year-old Edward Keane of Perryopolis, PA; 48-year-old William Sump of Port Lavaca, TX; 59-year-old Elvis Jackson of Taylor, TX; 59-year-old Angela Eans of Bastrop, TX; 46-year-old Hulan McCoy of Bastrop; 37-year-old Christopher Henderson of Bastrop; 35-year-old Brandon Carter of Bastrop; and, 34-year-old Joshua Haywood of Austin.
“The arrests made over the last couple of weeks in Austin and the surrounding area conclude a comprehensive investigation targeting the criminal activities of a violent local street gang and their Mexican Cartel sources of supply,” said DEA Special Agent in Charge Whipple. “The DEA, along with our state and local law enforcement partners, will continue to pursue any individual or organization that threaten the well-being and stability of our communities. Nothing is more critical than the safety and security of our citizens.”
The 14 defendants charged with crimes carrying mandatory-minimum prison sentences (Campuzano-Rebollar, Olmedo-Carbajal, Campuzano-Gonzalez, Granados-Cruz, Osorio-Aquino, Yanez, Arce-Mora, Castellan-Ortiz, Cruz-Licona, Keane, Sump, McCoy, Carter and Haywood) face between five and 40 years in federal prison upon conviction. The remaining defendants face up to 20 years in federal prison upon conviction.
Jackson, Eans, McCoy, Henderson, Carter and Haywood were arrested yesterday morning on these charges. McCoy, Carter and Haywood remain in custody pending detention hearings expected to occur next week in U.S. Magistrate Court in Austin.
“With the arrest of these individuals our residents can feel safer knowing that the flow and distribution of illegal drugs in Bastrop County has been interrupted,” stated Bastrop County Sheriff Maurice Cook. “This offender roundup is a great example of when law enforcement agencies work together.”
It is important to note that an indictment 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 resulted from an investigation conducted by the DEA, FBI, Austin Police Department, Cedar Park Police Department, Texas Department of Public Safety, Hays County Sheriff’s Office, IRS-CI and the Bastrop County Sheriff’s Office. U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement, Enforcement and Removal Operations (ICE-ERO) assisted with the arrests. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Gabriel Cohen and Kathryn Cherry are prosecuting this case on behalf of the government.
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The year 2020 marks the 150th anniversary of the Department of Justice. Learn more about the history of our agency at www.Justice.gov/Celebrating150Years.
Three Men Sentenced in Money Laundering, Identity Theft SchemeRead the Press Release
United States Attorney Erica H. MacDonald today announced the sentencing of VLADIMIR VALENTINOVICH CHEVTAYEV, 44, to 26 months in prison for conspiracy to commit money laundering. CHEVTAYEV, who was sentenced on August 25, 2020, pleaded guilty on January 25, 2019, to one count of conspiracy to commit money laundering. CHEVTAYEV is the third man to be sentenced as part of a money laundering conspiracy used to defraud financial institutions through an elaborate auto-financing scheme.
Co-defendant RUSLAN FURMAN, 45, who pleaded guilty on January 13, 2019, was sentenced on May 29, 2020 to 24 months in prison for aggravated identity theft. Co-defendant THOMAS POPLAR, 46, who pleaded guilty on October 2, 2018 to one count of conspiracy to commit money laundering, was sentenced on August 17, 2020, to 37 months in prison. All three defendants were sentenced by Judge Susan Richard Nelson in U.S. District Court in St. Paul, Minnesota.
From 2013 through 2016, CHEVTAYEV, an officer at All Auto Care, an auto repair business located in Hopkins, Minnesota, conspired with FURMAN, POPULAR and others to defraud financial institutions out of money through an elaborate auto-financing scheme. All Auto Care had a dealership license that permitted it to buy and sell vehicles at auto auctions in the State of Minnesota. As part of the scheme, the vehicles were “sold” by CHEVTAYEV, and others through All Auto Care to a Dodge dealership located in Gurnee Illinois, where POPLAR and FURMAN worked. CHEVTAYEV, FURMAN, POPLAR and others committed the fraud by applying for fraudulent vehicle financing using deceased buyer’s names, stolen identities, or by paying people for the use of their information to buy luxury vehicles. Often times, the vehicles financed were involved in accidents, were not worth the amount financed, or did not actually exist. After receiving the loan proceeds, the conspirators made a nominal number of “lulling” payments to make the loans appear legitimate when in actuality the men laundered the funds through various bank accounts they controlled.
This case is the result of an investigation conducted by the Criminal Investigation Division of the Internal Revenue Service, the Federal Bureau of Investigation, the Plymouth, Minnesota Police Department, and the Gurnee, Illinois Police Department.
Assistant United States Attorney Julie E. Allyn prosecuted the case.
Defendant Information:
VLADIMIR VALENTINOVICH CHEVTAYEV, 44
Plymouth, Minn.
Convicted:
- Conspiracy to commit money laundering, 1 count
Sentenced:
- 26 months in prion
- $456,157.77 in restitution (split jointly)
- 2 years supervised release
THOMAS POPLAR, 46
McHenry, Illinois
Convicted:
- Conspiracy to commit money laundering, 1 count
Sentenced:
- 37 months in prison
- $543,973 restitution (split jointly)
- 2 year supervised release
RUSLAN FURMAN, 45
Deerfield, Illinois
Convicted:
- Aggravated Identity Theft, 1 count
Sentenced:
- 24 months in prison
- $298,644 restitution (split jointly)
- 1 year supervised release
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United States Attorney’s Office, District of Minnesota: (612) 664-5600
Tennessee Man Charged with Wire FraudRead the Press Release
NEWARK, N.J. – A Tennessee man charged with two counts of wire fraud will make his initial appearance before a New Jersey judge today, U.S. Attorney Craig Carpenito.
Ketan Ghutadaria, 50, of Johnson City, Tennessee, is charged by complaint with two counts of wire fraud and is scheduled to appear by videoconference before U.S. Magistrate Judge Edward S. Kiel. Ghutadaria was arrested in Tennessee on Aug. 13, 2020, by inspectors of the U.S. Postal Inspection Service (USPIS) and appeared before U.S. Magistrate Judge Cynthia Richardson Wyrick in Greenville, Tennessee, federal court.
According to documents filed in this case and statements made in court:
From March 2018 through September 2018, Ghutadaria used a company’s bank account information to pay off his personal financial debts and without prior approval or authorization. Ghutadaria authorized companies to submit Automated Clearing House (ACH) debit transactions for bill payments, which were deducted from the victim company’s bank account in New York. During many of these transactions, Ghutadaria falsely represented that he was the authorized account holder for the victim company’s bank account. Ghutadaria used some of the fraudulently obtained funds to pay for a new 2017 Audi Q7 and a new 2017 Audi A6. Ghutadaria authorized 31 fraudulent ACH debit transactions utilizing the victim company’s bank account information.
The charge of wire fraud carries a maximum sentence of 20 years in prison and a $250,000 fine, or twice the gross pecuniary gain or loss from the offense, whichever is greater.
U.S. Attorney Carpenito credited postal inspectors from the USPIS, Newark Division, under the direction of Inspector in Charge James Buthorn; postal inspectors from the USPIS – Knoxville Domicile, Atlanta Division, under the direction of Inspector in Charge Tommy Coke; the U.S. Marshals Service from the Eastern District of Tennessee, under the direction of U.S. Marshal David Jolley; and the Hudson County Prosecutor’s Office Special Investigations Unit, under the direction of Prosecutor Esther Suarez with the investigation leading to the charges.
The government is represented by Assistant U.S. Attorney Cassye Cole of the U.S. Attorney’s Office’s Criminal Division in Newark.
The charges and allegations in the complaint are merely accusations, and the defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.
Tax preparer sent to prison after causing more than $3 million in fraudulent tax returnsRead the Press Release
HOUSTON - A suburban Houston-area man has been ordered to prison following his convictions of 15 counts of fraud and tax violations, announced U.S. Attorney Ryan K. Patrick.
A Houston federal jury convicted Winfred Fields Feb. 13 following a two-week trial.
Today, U.S. District Judge Ewing Werlein Jr. handed Fields a 109-month sentence to be immediately followed by three years of supervised release.
Fields operated tax and bookkeeping businesses from an office on Richmond Avenue in Houston for many years under the business names Fields Enterprises, Your Tax Professionals and The Tax Boss.
At trial, the jury heard Fields participated in a scheme involving the submission of U.S. Individual Tax Returns on behalf of foreign people working on vessels on the Outer Continental Shelf of the United States. These crewmembers were engaged in oil and gas exploitation activities in the Gulf of Mexico.
“In order to enrich himself and line his own pockets, the defendant mislead his clients by falsely claiming an international tax treaty was justification for amending their tax returns,” said Special Agent in Charge D. Richard Goss of IRS-Criminal Investigation’s (CI) Houston Field Office. “As shown by today’s sentencing, this type of deceit will not go unpunished. IRS-CI will continue to protect the public by pursuing unscrupulous tax return preparers.”
“Tax fraud schemes have been around for many years,” said Inspector in Charge Adrian Gonzalez of the Houston Division of the U.S. Postal Inspection Service (USPIS). “USPIS is committed to working with our law enforcement partners to ensure the U.S. Mails are not used as a tool to facilitate these fraudulent schemes. The arrest and sentencing of Winfred Fields was a direct result of the collaborative efforts between the USPIS and IRS-CI.”
At trial, the evidence showed Fields falsely claimed workers were exempt from U.S. tax under a tax treaty between the United States and the United Kingdom, Spain or New Zealand. The employing companies had previously provided to the IRS withholdings from the worker’s wages and reported the income to the IRS. However, Fields submitted amended tax returns as well as original nonresident tax forms 1040NR claiming a refund of the entirety of the amounts paid in as U.S. taxes for various tax years including 2007 through 2012.
Fields charged a fee of $2,500 for each crew member’s first return and required a $1,000 fee for each return thereafter. He required direct receipt of the refunds so he could negotiate the checks and take his fee off the top. Fields had some refund checks deposited directly into one of several bank accounts he maintained. Alternatively, he cashed the checks at a Houston check cashing business or had the checks deposited into one of several attorney trust accounts three different Houston lawyers had maintained. Fields gathered the check proceeds or deposited them into the attorney trust accounts after paying a fee to the check cashing business and the attorneys for the service of cashing the U.S. Treasury checks. Fields deposited the proceeds in one of several bank accounts he utilized during the scheme.
Fields agreed to provide the remainder of the refund proceeds to the foreign clients. He did that for a while, but ultimately stopped forwarding any money to the workers. As those individuals began contacting him to ask for updates on their refund claims, he repeatedly sent misleading and materially false responses to their questions.
The jury heard that Fields fraudulently obtained $3,097,974.19 in tax refunds from the IRS and kept approximately $1,302,271.75 for himself.
The defense attempted to convince the jury he acted in good faith and believed the wages were exempt. He also claimed he was trying to pay the crewmembers their refunds but just got behind. The jury rejected Fields’ contentions in their verdict and found him guilty as charged on all 15 counts.
Fields was permitted to remain on bond and voluntarily surrender to a U.S. Bureau of Prisons facility to be determined in the future.
IRS - CI and USPIS conducted the investigation. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Melissa Annis and Charles Escher prosecuted this case.
Taunton Woman Indicted on Cocaine Possession ChargeRead the Press Release
BOSTON – A Taunton woman was indicted yesterday by a federal grand jury on cocaine possession charges.
Kiyanna Ambers, 42, was indicted on one count of possessing with intent to distribute 28 grams or more of cocaine base, and cocaine. Ambers was previously arrested and charged by criminal complaint with possession of cocaine on June 29, 2020.
According to charging documents, Ambers was found in possession of at least 28 grams or more of cocaine on June 29, 2020. Investigators also seized approximately $11,462 from Ambers.
The charge of possession with intent to distribute 28 grams or more of cocaine base provides for a minimum of five years and up to 40 years in prison, a minimum of four years and up to a lifetime of supervised release and a fine of up to $5 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 Field Division made the announcement today. Assistant U.S. Attorney Lauren A. Graber of Lelling’s Narcotics and Money Laundering Unit is prosecuting the case.
The operation was conducted by a multi-agency task force through the Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Force (OCDETF), a partnership between federal, state and local law enforcement agencies. The principal mission of the OCDETF program is to identify, disrupt and dismantle the most serious drug trafficking, weapons trafficking and money laundering organizations, and those primarily responsible for the nation’s illegal drug supply. More information on the OCDETF program is available here: https://www.justice.gov/ocdetf/about-ocdetf.
The details contained in the charging documents are allegations. The defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.
Tacoma man charged with unlawful possession of destructive device at Capitol Hill protest that turned violentRead the Press Release
(Seattle)—A 19-year-old Tacoma man who attended a Seattle protest armed with an improvised explosive device is now charged federally, announced U.S. Attorney Brian T. Moran. SAMI C. HORNER is charged with unlawful possession of a destructive device. HORNER made his initial appearance on the charge today in U.S. District Court in Seattle.
According to the criminal complaint, on Wednesday night, August 26, 2020, HORNER was identified in a group of people that first assembled at Volunteer Park on Seattle’s Capitol Hill. As the group marched on 15th Avenue East, HORNER was observed smashing windows at a bank branch. HORNER was chased down and arrested. In his backpack law enforcement found a glass bottle with a wick, filled with flammable material. HORNER also carried two lighters, a helmet, a mask with filters, and a walkie-talkie. The glass bottle, more commonly referred to as a Molotov Cocktail, fits the legal definition of an incendiary device.
Possession of an improvised explosive device 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 Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms & Explosives and the Seattle Police Department. The case is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Thomas Woods.
Suburban Chicago Restaurateur Charged with COVID-Relief FraudRead the Press Release
CHICAGO – The owner of a restaurant in suburban Chicago has been indicted on a federal fraud charge for allegedly fraudulently obtaining more than $175,000 in a forgivable Paycheck Protection Program loan guaranteed by the Small Business Administration under the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act.
MELISSA TURASKY, 43, of Lake in the Hills, Ill., was charged in an indictment returned Thursday in the Northern District of Illinois with one count of bank fraud and one count of making false statements to a financial institution. Arraignment in U.S. District Court in Chicago has not yet been scheduled.
The indictment was announced by John R. Lausch, Jr., United States Attorney for the Northern District of Illinois; and Christopher Diiorio, Special Agent-in-Charge of the U.S. Secret Service Chicago Field Office. The U.S. Small Business Administration participated in the investigation.
The government is represented by Assistant U.S. Attorney Alexandra Morgan.
“The Paycheck Protection Program was designed as a lifeline for small businesses struggling to survive the COVID-19 pandemic,” said U.S. Attorney Lausch. “Our office is committed to working with our law enforcement partners to root out abuse of the important relief programs established under the CARES Act.”
The CARES Act was enacted in March to provide emergency financial assistance to the millions of Americans suffering the economic effects caused by the COVID-19 pandemic. One source of relief provided by the CARES Act was the PPP, which allows qualifying small businesses and other organizations to receive loans with a maturity of two years and a low 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 forgiven if businesses spend the proceeds on these expenses within 24 weeks of receipt and use at least 60% of the forgiven amount for payroll.
According to the indictment, Turasky owned Gifford’s Bar and Restaurant, which did business as Gifford’s Kitchen and Social, in Elgin, Ill. In early March, Gifford’s was no longer operational and had been evicted from its restaurant rental space. By the end of March, all of Gifford’s employees had been terminated, the indictment states.
Turasky applied for and obtained $176,822 in PPP funds for Gifford’s by submitting a fraudulent loan application to a bank, the indictment states. Turasky fraudulently provided figures approximating Gifford’s monthly payroll and other business expenses, to make it falsely appear that Gifford’s continued to have payroll and business operating expenses, the indictment states.
The public is reminded that an indictment is merely an accusation. The defendant is presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law. The bank fraud and false statement charges are each punishable by up to 30 years in federal prison. If convicted, the Court must impose a reasonable sentence under federal statutes and the advisory U.S. Sentencing Guidelines.
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.
Statement from Attorney General William P. Barr on the Ninth Circuit’s Stay in the Case Concerning the Federal Courthouse in PortlandRead the Press Release
Attorney General William P. Barr issued the following statement on the Ninth Circuit's stay in Index Newspapers LLC, et al v. United States Marshals Service, et al:
“Last night, the U.S. Court of Appeals for Ninth Circuit entered an order temporarily blocking an injunction entered by a federal district court in Portland that imposed extensive but vaguely defined constraints on federal law enforcement personnel striving to protect the federal courthouse and surrounding areas in Portland from destruction. In practical effect, the district court’s order prevented the federal government from effectively addressing violent mobs through the general crowd-control measures that are required, and it unacceptably increased the risk of serious injury to federal law enforcement officers. The Ninth Circuit’s decision is an important step that will allow federal officers to continue carrying out their important security responsibilities without being subject to untenable conditions.
As the Department of Justice explained in our briefing, federal officers in Portland – like law enforcement in other parts of the country – have confronted aggressive mob violence. Behind the veil of “protests,” highly organized violent operators have carried out direct attacks on federal personnel and property, particularly the federal courthouse in Portland. Shielded by the crowds, which make it difficult for law enforcement to detect or reach them, violent opportunists in Portland have attacked the courthouse and federal officers with explosives, lasers, projectiles, and other dangerous devices. In some cases, purported “journalists” or “legal observers” have provided cover for the violent offenders; in others, individuals wearing supposed press badges have themselves attacked law enforcement or trespassed on federal property. More than 200 federal officers have been injured in Portland alone.
The Portland city government has the ability to stop this. Instead, the city government has abetted the violence through action and inaction, neutered the ability of the police department to deal with the mobs, impeded the ability of police to coordinate with federal law enforcement, and refused to pursue charges against the rioters. By contrast, the U.S. Attorney’s Office in Portland has charged 74 people with federal crimes arising from the Portland riots, including arson, assaulting federal officers, and destruction of federal property. The message should be unmistakable: The First Amendment protects the rights to speak and assemble, but not to attack people or property. The Department of Justice will continue to fully and fairly enforce federal law against these violent rioters.”
Statement by Department of Justice Spokesperson Kerri Kupec on the Execution of Keith Dwayne NelsonRead the Press Release
Department of Justice Spokesperson Kerri Kupec has issued the following statement:
“Today, Keith Dwayne Nelson was executed at U.S. Penitentiary Terre Haute in accordance with the capital sentence recommended by a jury in 2001 and imposed by the U.S. District Court for the Western District of Missouri in 2002. Nelson was pronounced dead at 4:32 p.m. EDT by the Vigo County Coroner.
In October 1999, Nelson told an acquaintance that he wanted to kidnap, rape, torture, and kill a young girl he had seen in Kansas City, Kansas. Shortly thereafter, Nelson parked his white pickup truck outside the home of 10-year-old Pamela Butler, who was rollerblading nearby. As Pamela skated by the truck, Nelson grabbed her around the waist, threw her into the truck, and sped away as Pamela’s sisters looked on in terror. Sometime later that day, Nelson raped Pamela, strangled her to death with a wire, and buried her in a forest behind a church in Kansas City, Missouri. In October 2001, Nelson pleaded guilty to the kidnapping and unlawful interstate transportation of a child for the purpose of sexual abuse resulting in death, and the district court, consistent with a federal jury’s recommendation, later sentenced him to death. His conviction and sentence were affirmed on appeal, and his claims for collateral relief were denied by every court that considered them.
More than two decades after viciously taking the life of Pamela Butler, causing untold devastation to those who loved her, Nelson finally faced the justice he deserved. Family members of Pamela Butler, including her mother, attended the execution and witnessed implementation of the sentence for Nelson’s horrific crime.”
St. Louis Alderman Larry Arnowitz Pleads Guilty and is Sentenced for Using Campaign Funds for His Own Personal UseRead the Press Release
St. Louis, MO –Larry Arnowitz, 66, of St. Louis, Missouri, was sentenced today by United States District Court Judge Steven R. Clark to eighteen months imprisonment after pleading guilty to one count of mail fraud related to his illegal use of campaign funds for his personal use and expenses. The Court ordered Arnowitz to serve twelve months within the Bureau of Prisons, and six months of home confinement following release from prison. Arnowitz was also ordered to make restitution to the victims in the amount of $21,197.85.
According to the Indictment and Plea Agreement, Arnowitz served as the Alderman for the 12th Ward of the City of St. Louis, having first been elected during 2011. Arnowitz maintained his political campaign account under the name “Friends of Larry Arnowitz.” Numerous individuals and organizations contributed to the Friends of Larry Arnowitz based upon representations that their political donations would be properly and legally used for campaign and reelection purposes. From June, 2015 through February, 2019, Arnowitz instead used donated campaign funds for personal expenses, unrelated to any legitimate campaign or reelection purpose. Arnowitz used funds from the Friends of Larry Arnowitz campaign account to make payments towards his personal residential mortgage and for other personal expenses, and he made substantial cash withdrawals from the account for his own personal use and expenses.
Further, during 2018 and 2019, Arnowitz held fundraising events at the Sugar Creek Golf Course, where participating players donated funds to the “Friends of Larry Arnowitz” campaign committee, either by check or cash. Following those fundraising events, Arnowitz failed to deposit any cash donations and one or more checks into his campaign committee account, spending those donated proceeds instead on personal expenses unrelated to any legitimate campaign or reelection purpose.
In order to conceal his fraud, Arnowitz filed false reports with the Missouri Ethics Commission, which reports failed to identify the many cash withdrawals from the Friends of Larry Arnowitz campaign account, and which failed to identify payments made directly from the Friends of Larry Arnowitz campaign account which were made for his own personal use, unrelated to any campaign or reelection purpose. As one example, on February 13, 2019, Arnowitz withdrew $5,000 from his Friends of Larry Arnowitz campaign account in the form of a cashier’s check, which he then mailed to Ocwen Financial Services in partial payment of his personal residential mortgage.
The Federal Bureau of Investigation investigated this case. Assistant U.S. Attorney Hal Goldsmith handled the case for the U.S. Attorney’s Office.
Scranton Man Sentenced to 41 Months’ Imprisonment for Conspiracy to Distribute Bath SaltsRead the Press Release
SCRANTON—The United States Attorney’s Office for the Middle District of Pennsylvania announced that Kevin Peterson, age 36, of Scranton, Pennsylvania, was sentenced to 41 months’ imprisonment followed by three years on supervised release on August 25, 2020, by U.S. District Court Judge Malachy E. Mannion for participating in a conspiracy to distribute alpha-pvp, commonly known as “bath salts.”
According to United States Attorney David J. Freed, Peterson admitted to agreeing with others to distribute the drug to customers in the Luzerne County area during 2014 and 2015. The members of the conspiracy obtained the alpha-pvp from suppliers in China.
Peterson was one of seven people charged by a grand jury in August 2016. That indictment was the fourth wave of arrests connected to alpha-pvp distribution in Luzerne County. In all, 18 people have been charged in the case since July 2013, including the Texas-based suppliers of the bath salts. All of the defendants have entered guilty pleas in the case.
The investigation was conducted by Homeland Security Investigations, United States Postal Inspectors, the Drug Enforcement Administration, members of the Pennsylvania State Police, and local police from Luzerne County. Assistant United States Attorney Francis P. Sempa prosecuted the case.
This case is part of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), a program bringing together all levels of law enforcement and the communities they serve to reduce violent crime and make our neighborhoods safer for everyone. 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.
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San Diego Man Sentenced to more than 11 years in Federal Prison for Child Pornography OffensesRead the Press Release
RELEASE SUMMARY – August 28, 2020
SAN DIEGO - Christopher Duane Wade was sentenced in federal court today to more than 11 years in federal prison for distribution of child pornography. Wade first came to the attention of law enforcement in April of 2019, when he communicated with an undercover agent from Homeland Security Investigations (HSI), posing as a 13-year-old girl on an encrypted chat application. After more than a week of sexually explicit chats with the apparent 13-year-old girl, Wade arranged a meeting. When Wade showed up for the meeting, he was met by HSI special agents. Agents seized Wade’s cellular phone and found it contained child pornography, including depictions of the abuse of very young children. Wade’s cell phone also contained chat discussions between Wade and other individuals, where Wade sent others files of child pornography.
In the sentencing proceedings, the Government argued that Wade, who pled guilty to child pornography charges, engaged in egregious conduct that distinguished him from other child pornography offenders. The prosecutor pointed to conversations located on Wade’s cell phone that encouraged others to sexually abuse minors to whom they had access, and to document such abuse for purposes of distributing it to others. Wade had also engaged in sexually explicit chats with two other undercover agents posing as minors prior to his arrest.
Following his release from federal prison, the Court imposed a 10-year term of supervised release, during which time Wade will be required to comply with special conditions, including conditions prohibiting him from having contact with minors.
“One of our most important roles as prosecutors is to protect our nation’s vulnerable children,” said U.S. Attorney Robert Brewer. “In addition to personally engaging in despicable conduct, this defendant worked to recruit others to follow in his footsteps. The sentence set forth today makes our community safer and recognizes the severe harm child pornography inflicts on its victims.” U.S. Attorney Brewer commended Assistant U.S. Attorney Janet Cabral and the agents at Homeland Security Investigations for their work on this case.
This case is the result of the ongoing efforts of the Violent Crime and Human Trafficking (VCHT) Section of the U.S. Attorney’s Office. Formed in 2019, by U.S. Attorney Robert Brewer, the VCHT is tasked with leading collaborations between federal and local law enforcement in the investigation and prosecution of cases involving violent crimes, firearms and gang cases; sex trafficking and child exploitation; civil rights, and labor trafficking. The VCHT Section oversees the Southern District of California Coordinators for Project Safe Childhood, Project Safe Neighborhoods, and Human Trafficking.
DEFENDANT Criminal Case No. 19cr2285-DMS
Christopher Duane Wade Age: 41 San Diego, CA
SUMMARY OF CHARGE
Title 18, United States Code, Section 2252(a)(2), Distribution of Images of Minors Engaged in Sexually Explicit Conduct
Maximum penalties: 5-20 years in prison
INVESTIGATING AGENCIES
Homeland Security Investigations
Ruidoso police officer charged with sending child pornography by emailRead the Press Release
ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. – Christopher Bryant, 46, of Ruidoso, New Mexico made an initial appearance in federal court in Las Cruces, New Mexico yesterday on charges of transportation of child pornography.
According to a criminal complaint, Bryant committed these offenses between Aug. 13 and Aug. 17 in Lincoln County, New Mexico. He alleged found child pornography on the internet and took screenshots of three images of children engaged in sexually explicit conduct. Bryant, who is a detective for the Ruidoso Police Department, allegedly sent the images to himself by email.
Bryant is currently in custody and will return to court Tuesday, Sept. 1 for preliminary and detention hearings. A criminal complaint is only an accusation. A defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt.
The FBI investigated this case with the support of the Ruidoso Police Department. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Matilda McCarthy Villalobos and Dustin Segovia are prosecuting the case.
Robbery Crew Ringleader Sentenced to Nearly 4 Years in Prison for Jewelry Heists that Netted More Than $800,000 in Stolen GoodsRead the Press Release
SANTA ANA, California – The ringleader of a prolific robbery crew that targeted traveling jewelry salespeople, following them for many miles at times and inflicting at least $835,000 in losses, was sentenced today to 45 months in federal prison.
Federico Santiago Quiroz Lucca, 52, a.k.a. Christian Sergio Alessandro Hernandez Valenzuela, of the Rampart Village neighborhood of Los Angeles, was sentenced via videoconference by United States District Judge James V. Selna, who also ordered him to pay $835,000 in restitution. Lucca pleaded guilty in December 2019 to one count of conspiracy to interfere with commerce by robbery.
From October 2017 until April 2019, Lucca and his co-conspirators surveilled and conspired to rob a series of jewelry salespeople and bank customers in the Los Angeles metropolitan area, the San Francisco Bay Area and Denver. Lucca led and organized the crew’s activities, enlisting help from several Colombian nationals who traveled to Los Angeles to participate in the conspiracy and robberies. He also used his apartment as a base of operations and meeting place where some co-conspirators lived, and equipment and stolen goods were stored.
The various heists followed a similar pattern: a member of the crew known as a “scout” identified a victim who was likely to be carrying jewelry or cash. The victims typically were jewelers conducting business at jewelry stores or malls in Orange County, the Jewelry District in downtown Los Angeles, or at various trade shows. The scout followed the victim, and would wait for an opportunity when the scout and co-conspirators could rob the jeweler.
The co-conspirators followed victims to locations such as gas stations and hotels, where the defendants used a ruse, such as puncturing a car tire to stop the victim, and then posed as a Good Samaritan, or simply used force, to rob the victims.
For example, on February 8, 2018, Lucca and his crew spent four hours following a traveling jewelry salesman making rounds on behalf of his employer to jewelry stores in Orange County. As the victim returned to his car after stopping in Cypress, he was violently pushed from behind, falling into his car door, and his bag containing approximately $400,000 in jewelry was stolen.
In a January 2019 incident, a couple who operated a jewelry business in Connecticut was participating in a jewelry show at the Los Angeles Convention Center, when a man wearing a yellow and orange safety vest asked to help them pack up their belongings. The man in the safety vest ended up pushing their large cart with all their belongings – including a bag containing approximately $400,000 in jewelry – and the bag was later discovered to be missing. Evidence subsequently developed by investigators determined that Lucca’s robbery crew had tracked the victims for days.
Lucca and two co-conspirators were arrested in April 2019 in Northern California after they surveilled various locations, including jewelry stores, a residence, and the Santa Clara Convention Center, where a jewelry show was scheduled to occur. They have been in federal custody since that time.
The total admitted losses in this case were at least $835,000.
Three of Lucca’s co-conspirators – Jose Manuel Lopez Molina, 48, a.k.a. Nestor Eduardo Munoz Laguna, of Colombia; Roberto Alonso Castellanos, 51, a.k.a. Pablo Garzon Leon, of Pomona, and; Jose Oscar Cupitre Nuñez, 48, of Australia, -- pleaded guilty to criminal charges in this case. Castellanos and Molina received prison sentences. Nuñez’s sentencing hearing is scheduled for October 26. A fifth defendant, Roberto Melendez Falcon, 54, a.k.a. Arnulfo Delgado Rengifo, of Los Angeles, is scheduled to go on trial in this matter on January 26, 2021.
The FBI and Los Angeles Police Department investigated the matter.
This case was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorneys Khaldoun Shobaki of the Cyber and Intellectual Property Crimes Section and Joshua O. Mausner of the Violent and Organized Crime Section.
Refugee Convicted of Immigration Fraud and Removed to SomaliaRead the Press Release
TUCSON, Ariz. – Last week, Mohamed Abdirahman Osman, aka, Mustaf Adan Arale, 29, of Mogadishu, Somalia, was sentenced to time served by District Court Judge Rosemary Marquez. Osman previously pleaded guilty to two felony counts of False Swearing in an Immigration Matter. Osman has been in custody for two years.
At the time of his refugee application, and again when seeking his permanent legal resident alien status, Osman failed to disclose to the United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) that he also used another identity. Osman admitted that he knew that if he had disclosed the true information, he would have been denied entry into the United States.
“We will do everything we can to preserve the integrity of the refugee application process in the United States,” said United States Attorney Michael Bailey. “There are individuals throughout the world who are being persecuted and seeking status in the United States. Osman undermined the system and those individuals with valid claims by lying his way into receiving entry.”
As a result of his convictions, Osman’s refugee status was revoked and a Judicial Order of Removal was issued requiring Osman be removed to Somalia. On August 28, 2020, Osman boarded a flight from Arizona to return to Somalia. Osman is prohibited from returning to the United States without proper legal authority.
“Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) is committed to thoroughly investigate those who seek to undermine our nation’s security by compromising the integrity of our immigration laws,” said Scott Brown, special agent in charge for HSI Phoenix. “This case is a perfect example of how HSI and other federal agencies work together to combat those trying to defraud the government. We will continue to work closely with our law enforcement partners to hold those involved of these types of criminal schemes accountable.”
“USCIS is proud to play a critical role in preserving our nation’s rich history of lawful immigration,” said USCIS Tucson Field Office Director Julie Hashimoto. “Thus, we have a responsibility to protect the integrity of the system. This conviction demonstrates the severe consequences for using false information in order to gain an immigration benefit.”
The Federal Bureau of Investigation, HSI, and USCIS investigated this matter. Beverly K. Anderson, Assistant United States Attorney, handled the prosecution.
CASE NUMBER: CR-18-1584-TUC-RM
RELEASE NUMBER: 2020-071_Osman# # #
For more information on the U.S. Attorney’s Office, District of Arizona, visit http://www.justice.gov/usao/az/
Follow the U.S. Attorney’s Office, District of Arizona, on Twitter @USAO_AZ for the latest news.Providence Holy Cross Medical Center Agrees to Improve Access for Deaf and Hard of Hearing Patients and to Compensate FamilyRead the Press Release
LOS ANGELES – Providence Health System – Southern California, which operates Providence Holy Cross Medical Center in Mission Hills, has entered into a settlement with the United States, agreeing to comply with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) by ensuring effective communication for patients who are deaf or hard of hearing.
The settlement, which was finalized today, resolves allegations that Providence failed to provide a qualified sign language interpreter or other appropriate assistance to an elderly deaf patient who went to the San Fernando Valley facility on four consecutive days for medical tests and procedures. The patient’s adult children had to take time off work – and one had to fly across the country – to interpret for the patient, including during consultations that included complex medical terms the patient’s children struggled to interpret. One of the patient’s children even had to wear a hairnet and surgical mask to interpret just before a procedure.
The settlement requires Providence to do the following:
- Provide appropriate auxiliary aids and services, including qualified interpreters, where necessary to ensure effective communication to patients and their companions who are deaf or hard of hearing;
- Advertise the availability of auxiliary aids and services;
- Designate an ADA Coordinator to ensure access to appropriate auxiliary aids and services necessary for effective communication;
- Train staff on the appropriate and timely use of auxiliary aids and services, including qualified interpreters, to ensure effective communication;
- Conduct individualized assessments for patients who are deaf or hard of hearing to determine what auxiliary aids and services are best suited for their needs; and
- Pay $100,000 in compensation to the patient and his family.
Assistant United States Attorney Matthew Nickell of the Civil Division’s Civil Rights Section handled this matter.
Providence cooperated with the government’s investigation.
This year marks the ADA’s 30th anniversary. The Justice Department will continue to use its enforcement and technical assistance tools to eliminate unlawful discrimination against individuals with disabilities.
For more information on the ADA, please call the toll-free ADA Information Line at 800-514-0301 or 800-514-0383 (TDD), or access the ADA website at http://www.ada.gov.
Prison, Restitution Ordered for Florida Woman Guilty in A Student Financial Aid Identity Theft SchemeRead the Press Release
ALBANY, Ga. – A Florida woman who concocted a complicated student financial aid fraud scheme, stealing the identities of 2,300 people, has been sentenced to prison and will pay back more than $300,000 in restitution, said Charles “Charlie” Peeler, the United States Attorney for the Middle District of Georgia.
April Thornton, 35, of Lake Alfred, Florida was sentenced by U.S. District Judge Louis Sands on Thursday, August 27 to 36 months in prison and three years of supervised release after she pleaded guilty to possession of unauthorized devices. Judge Sands also ordered Thornton to pay restitution to the IRS in the amount of $217,738 and to the U.S. Department of Education in the amount of $121,238, for a total of $338,976 in restitution. There is no parole in the federal system.
According to facts admitted by the defendant, Thornton’s illegal activity was first discovered during a routine traffic stop in 2014 by a Cook County deputy. The deputy, smelling marijuana from the car and discovering Thornton’s driver’s license was suspended, executed a legal search, finding a large amount of personal identity information, financial information and medical information scattered throughout the car and in the trunk, ranging from college debit cards to social security numbers. Officers found personal identity information for several people who were found to be student financial aid fraud victims. Investigators ultimately discovered that Thornton filed 202 false tax returns with the IRS between 2011 and 2013, receiving $217,738 in refunds. Investigators also discovered 32 student fraud victims from the names Thornton possessed, including the dispersal of $121,238 in fraudulent student loans, often received in debit cards. In all, investigators found Thornton possessed the identities of 2,300 people, with Thornton attempting to reap $1,563,166 in illegal gains.
“Stealing identities to then steal money from the government hurts those whose identities were stolen and the American taxpayer. Identity theft severely disrupts a person’s life and oftentimes the damage is done before a person is even aware they have been the victim of a crime. Our office will pursue justice for victims of identity theft and recover money stolen from the United States,” said Charlie Peeler, the U.S. Attorney. “IRS Criminal Investigation, the U.S. Secret Service, the U.S. Department of Education’s Office of Inspector General and the Cook County Sheriff’s Office did an excellent job investigating this complicated scheme, and helping bring justice for the victims.”
“Identity theft inflicts a tremendous amount of damage on innocent victims,” said James E. Dorsey, Special Agent in Charge of the IRS Atlanta Field Office. “Ms. Thornton perpetuated an elaborate scheme driven by greed and a blatant disregard for her victims. Today’s sentencing is two-fold: Justice being served to Ms. Thornton and to the victims of a sophisticated stolen identity refund fraud scheme. We will continue to pursue criminals who prey on innocent victims, and we will continue to enforce our nation’s tax laws.”
“Identity theft is an ever-increasing problem across the country. Victims have their lives invaded in a way that often causes long-lasting financial consequences. The United States Secret Service, along with our law enforcement partners, remain committed to aggressively pursuing those committing these crimes,” said Clint Bush, Resident Agent in Charge, Albany, Georgia Resident Office, United States Secret Service.
“Federal student aid exists so that individuals can make their dream of a higher education a reality. Ensuring that those who steal student aid – through identity theft or other means – are stopped and held accountable for their criminal actions is a big part of our mission,” said Neil Sanchez, Special Agent in Charge of the U.S. Department of Education Office of Inspector General’s Southern Regional Office. “I’m proud of the work of the Office of Inspector General and our law enforcement partners for their work in this case, and we will continue to work together to stop those who steal federal education funds. America’s students and taxpayers deserve nothing less.”
The case was investigated by the Internal Revenue Service-Criminal Investigations, the U.S. Secret Service, the U.S. Department of Education Office of Inspector General’s Southern Regional Office and the Cook County Sheriff’s Office. Assistant U.S. Attorney Robert McCullers 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.
Overdose calls increase 24% and higher in some counties during COVIDRead the Press Release
MARTINSBURG, WEST VIRGINIA – As the Northern District of West Virginia continues to see the effects of the opioid epidemic, U.S. Attorney Bill Powell is concerned about the increase in overdose calls during the peak months of COVID.
From March through June 2020, the state of West Virginia, as did many other states across the country, closed many public places and asked that residents shelter in place. During this same time frame, the number of EMS calls due to suspected overdoses was 24% higher than the same time frame in 2019 for the five counties with the highest overall calls in the Northern District of West Virginia: Berkeley, Harrison, Monongalia, Jefferson, and Marion.
“In speaking with those on the front lines battling the drug epidemic, this isn’t a coincidence. The isolation, job loss, and disruption in some treatment services most likely led to this increase. This is a concerted group effort. I know we can’t prosecute our way out of the issue. And while we need to be ever vigilant in getting the drugs off the streets, we will also continue our community outreach work,” said Powell. “My office has worked diligently through this pandemic to stop the dealers in their tracks, and we are also working with Quick Response Teams, educators, and the West Virginia Office of Drug Control Policy to assist those offering prevention and treatment solutions.”
The U.S. Attorney’s Office offers prevention education, support with Quick Response Teams, community informational meetings, and other forms of outreach. For more information on outreach efforts, go to https://www.justice.gov/usao-ndwv/programs/community-outreach.
The data is collected by the West Virginia Office of Drug Control Policy from Emergency Medical Service providers across each county. To view the data, go to https://dhhr.wv.gov/office-of-drug-control-policy/datadashboard/Pages/default.aspx.
North Platte Man Receives 40-Year Sentence for Production of Child PornographyRead the Press Release
United States Attorney Joe Kelly announced that Cory D. Preitauer, 30, formerly of North Platte, Nebraska, was sentenced today in Lincoln, Nebraska, by Chief United States District Judge John M. Gerrard for conspiracy and production of child pornography. Preitauer was sentenced to 40 years in prison and a lifetime of supervised release. There is no parole in the federal system.
In March of 2019, a state search warrant was served at the home of a target living in Kansas City, Missouri. During a forensic examination of the computer seized in the Kansas City investigation the examiners located screenshots of a chat between the Kansas City target and Preitauer’s co-defendant Mathew Goad. During the chat, Goad indicated he had sexually assaulted a child and recorded that assault. Goad then sent the recording to the target. Further investigation revealed that Goad and Preitauer were both involved in the production of the video. After his arrest, Preitauer admitted to law enforcement that he and Goad created the video of the sexual assault. The child was four years old at the time the video was created. Goad was previously sentenced by this Court.
After today’s sentencing, FBI Omaha Special Agent in Charge Kristi Johnson said, “The FBI takes an active role in protecting children. The sentencing of Cory Preitauer is an example of our commitment to removing sexual predators from children’s lives.”
This case was brought as part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative to combat the growing epidemic of child sexual exploitation and abuse launched in May 2006 by the Department of Justice. Led by 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.
This case was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation.
New Haven Man Sentenced to Prison for Distributing HeroinRead the Press Release
John H. Durham, United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut, announced that CHRISTIAN RIVERA-TORRES, also known as “Pantera,” 41, of New Haven, was sentenced today by U.S. District Judge Jeffrey A. Meyer in New Haven to 24 months of imprisonment, followed by three years of supervised release, for distributing heroin.
According to court documents and statements made in court, an investigation headed by the Drug Enforcement Administration New Haven Task Force and New Haven Police Department revealed that Malbin Rubiera-Herrera, also known as “Chaca,” acquired fentanyl, heroin and cocaine from sources in Connecticut and New Jersey and distributed the drugs through a network of associates in the greater New Haven area. Between October and December 2018, investigators made controlled purchases of narcotics from Rubiera-Herrera. Subsequent court-authorized wiretaps revealed a widespread narcotics trafficking conspiracy that involved the trafficking of kilogram-quantities of fentanyl, heroin and cocaine into Connecticut.
The investigation revealed that Rivera-Torres received heroin from Rubiera-Herrera and sold the drug to his own customers.
On June 5, 2019, a grand jury returned a superseding indictment charging Rivera-Torres, Rubiera-Herrera and 12 other individuals with fentanyl, heroin and cocaine trafficking offenses.
Rivera-Torres has been detained since his arrest on state charges on May 7, 2019. On October 24, 2019, he pleaded guilty in federal court to one count of conspiracy to distribute, and to possess with the intent to distribute, heroin.
A search of Rubiera-Herrera's residence at the time of arrest on April 30, 2019, revealed approximately 300 grams of fentanyl. He pleaded guilty on June 20, 2019, and awaits sentencing.
Rivera-Torres’ criminal history spans more than 20 years and includes numerous state convictions.
This matter is being investigated by the DEA New Haven Task Force and the New Haven Police Department, with the assistance of the Federal Bureau of Investigation, Department of Homeland Security, U.S. Marshals Service, Connecticut State Police, Connecticut Department of Correction, East Haven Police Department, Easton Police Department, Orange Police Department, and the Cape May County (N.J.) Prosecutor's Office, Gangs, Guns and Narcotics Task Force.
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.
This case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Jocelyn Courtney Kaoutzanis and S. Dave Vatti.
Montgomery Man Sentenced to Ten Years in Prison for Possession of Child PornographyRead the Press Release
Montgomery, Alabama – On Wednesday, August 26, 2020, Charles Bennett Salter III, a 38-year-old resident of Montgomery, Alabama, was sentenced to 121 months in prison after pleading guilty to possession of child pornography, announced United States Attorney Louis V. Franklin, Sr. The pronounced sentence in this case was at the very top of the federal sentencing guidelines. After serving his sentence, Salter will be on supervised release for five years and must register as a sex offender.
The investigation into Salter’s online activity began in February 2018. Over the course of the investigation, law enforcement found more than 3,000 images and 86 videos of child pornography on various electronic devices. The National Center for Missing and Exploited Children (NCMEC) examined the devices and identified more than 1500 images of known victims. Although law enforcement did not identify any local victims in the images and videos containing child pornography, during the sentencing hearing, the judge noted that an additional 439 images of clothed children were found on Salter’s cell phone that may have been taken by him in, or around, the Montgomery area. These photos were from various public places, such as stores and restaurants, and appeared to have been taken without the children’s knowledge. Many of these images focused on the buttocks or genital areas of the unsuspecting children. It was also noted that female dolls of various sizes, one with its arms bound behind its back, along with children’s underpants and white duct tape, were found by agents in Salter’s bedroom.
“Let me be clear, the possession of child pornography is not a victimless crime,” stated U.S. Attorney Franklin. “The children in these images are real victims, who suffer real trauma when photographed while being molested and/or posing in sexually suggestive positions. In fact, the victimization is repeated each time that photograph is shared with someone else. The evidence proves that Salter had a sexual interest in children and it played a role in creating the demand for child pornography. Even more disturbing was the covert capturing of images of local children. Make no mistake, Salter is a predator and I believe the prison sentence he received was justified and necessary to protect our children from the threat he posed.”
This case was investigated by the Alabama Law Enforcement Agency (ALEA), with assistance from the Montgomery Police Department, the Prattville Police Department, the Tallassee Police Department, and the United States Marshals Service. Assistant United States Attorneys Russell Duraski and Hollie Reed prosecuted the case.
Minneapolis Felon Sentence to 10 Years in Prison for Illegal Possession of A FirearmRead the Press Release
United States Attorney Erica H. MacDonald today announced the guilty plea and sentencing of TYRONE ANTHONY LAMAR STEWART, 35, to 10 years in prison for possessing a firearm as a felon. STEWART pleaded guilty and was sentenced earlier today before Senior Judge Ann D. Montgomery in U.S. District Court, in Minneapolis, Minnesota.
According to STEWART’s guilty plea and documents filed with the court, on October 9, 2019, law enforcement with the South West Hennepin County Drug Task Force executed a state search warrant at STEWART’s residence in Minneapolis. Law enforcement found approximately 60 grams of heroin, a 9 mm semi-automatic pistol, and two digital scales. Because STEWART has previous felony convictions, under federal law, he is prohibited at any time from possessing a firearm or ammunition.
This case is the result of an investigation by the Minneapolis Police Department, Hennepin County Sheriff’s Office, the South West Hennepin County Drug Task Force, and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives. 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. Attorney Thomas Calhoun-Lopez is prosecuting the case.
Defendant Information:
TYRONE ANTHONY LAMAR STEWART, 35
Minneapolis, Minn.
Convicted:
- Possessing a firearm as a felon, 1 count
Sentenced:
- 120 months in prison
- 3 years supervised release
###
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United States Attorney’s Office, District of Minnesota: (612) 664-5600
Maysville Man Sentenced to 300 Months for Drug TraffickingRead the Press Release
COVINGTON, Ky. – A Maysville, Kentucky man, Shane A. Fox, 39, was sentenced to 300 months in federal prison on Friday, by U.S. District Judge David Bunning, for conspiracy to distribute 280 grams or more of crack cocaine and possession of crack cocaine with intent to distribute.
According to his plea agreement, Fox was the leader of a conspiracy that obtained approximately 15 kilograms of powder cocaine, converted the bulk of it to crack cocaine, and then distributed the substance in the Maysville, Kentucky area, between 2017 and June 24, 2019. Fox had five prior felony convictions for drug offenses at the time of these offenses and committed his current offense of conviction while on parole.
Other members of the conspiracy have already been sentenced for their roles: Jackson Bennett was sentenced to 120 months; Demarcus Gibbs was sentenced to 120 months; Robert Turner was sentenced to 66 months; Demetrius Morton was sentenced to 60 months; Lyric Holmes was sentenced to 24 months; Melanie Johnson was sentenced to 24 months; And Aireus Johnson was sentenced to 18 months.
Fox pleaded guilty in February of 2020.
Under federal law, Fox must serve 85 percent of his prison sentence and, will be under the supervision of the U.S. Probation Office for 10 years after his release from prison.
"Shane Fox was the ring-leader of a drug trafficking organization whose purpose was to distribute crack cocaine in and around Maysville,” said Robert M. Duncan, Jr., United States Attorney for the Eastern District of Kentucky. “The thorough investigation conducted by law enforcement led to the dismantling of Fox’s organization, to its members being held accountable for their criminal acts, and Maysville being made safer. The sentence imposed on Fox was warranted because of his leadership role in the organization and his lengthy criminal history.”
U.S. Attorney Duncan, and Keith Martin, Special Agent in Charge, DEA Detroit Field Division, jointly announced the sentences.
The investigation was conducted by the DEA. The United States was represented by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Jennifer Weinhold and Tony Bracke.
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Maryland Fraudsters Facing Federal Indictment for Fraudulent $28 Million Investment Ponzi SchemeRead the Press Release
Greenbelt, Maryland – A federal grand jury has indicted Dennis Mbongeni Jali, age 35, formerly of Upper Marlboro, Maryland; John Erasmus Frimpong, age 40, of Upper Marlboro; and Arley Ray Johnson, age 61, of Bowie, Maryland on federal charges of conspiracy, wire fraud, securities fraud, and money laundering. The indictment was returned on July 27, 2020, and was unsealed today.
The indictment 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; Special Agent in Charge Matthew S. Miller of the United States Secret Service - Washington Field Office; and Postal Inspector in Charge Peter R. Rendina of the U.S. Postal Inspection Service - Washington Division.
“The defendants allegedly recruited investors at churches, presenting themselves as pastors concerned about the investors’ financial freedom,” said U.S. Attorney Robert K. Hur. “The indictment alleges that instead, the defendants used new investments to further their Ponzi scheme and to fund their lavish lifestyles, including luxury vehicles and private jets.”
“In a time of such financial insecurity, the defendants allegedly preyed on their victims with false hope of financial security,” said FBI Special Agent in Charge Jennifer Boone. “They used the victims’ hard earned money for luxury cars, private jets and family vacations while the victims ended up with false promises and empty hopes.”
“The U.S. Postal Inspection Service has a proud history of protecting the American public from fraud by thwarting criminals using our nation’s mail system in furtherance of their scams,” said Postal Inspector in Charge Peter R. Rendina. “This case represents excellent work from Postal Inspectors and our federal law enforcement partners.”
According to the indictment, Jali was the sole owner of The Smart Partners LLC (“Smart Partners”), which Jali organized in Delaware on January 12, 2017. From at least August 2017 until May 2019, Smart Partners was doing business as “1st Million Dollars,” or “1st Million,” which Jali caused to be registered as a limited liability company with the Maryland Department of Assessments and Taxation on January 17, 2019. 1st Million’s offices were headquartered in Largo, Maryland, but had satellite offices elsewhere, including Florida. Jali served as 1st Million’s Chief Executive Officer and Frimpong served as Chief Marketing Officer. From May 2018 until May 2019, Johnson served as 1st Million’s Chief Operating Officer.
As alleged in the indictment, 1st Million presented itself as a wealth management and financial literacy company, with its core business offering being a 12-month guaranteed investment contract. These investment contracts, entitled “Corporate Guarantees,” allegedly guaranteed individuals who invested money with 1st Million monthly returns ranging from 6% to 35% of the initial investment. At the end of the investment period, the contract allegedly promised that the investor would receive the return of all of the principal invested. The indictment alleges that the contract represented that the client’s principal would be invested in foreign currency or cryptocurrency. Cryptocurrency is digital or virtual currency that does not exist in any physical form and is not issued by any government or centralized entity. Cryptocurrency is designed to work as a secure medium of exchange and can be bought, sold, and exchanged on various online platforms and exchanges.
The indictment alleges that Jali, Frimpong, and Johnson recruited victims to invest in 1st Million by holding promotional events at upscale hotels and event spaces, attending church-sponsored events intended to target investments from churchgoers, and representing themselves as religious men more interested in the philanthropic financial freedom of others than personal financial gain. The defendants allegedly presented themselves as “pastors,” and told prospective investors that 1st Million’s work was in furtherance of God’s mission as it helped churches and their members achieve personal wealth and financial freedom.
To encourage individuals to invest with 1st Million, Jali, Frimpong, and Johnson allegedly falsely stated that: investors’ principal would be held in a trust account protected from any financial instability of 1st Million or market volatility; that 1st Million and its traders, including Jali and Frimpong were fully licensed and qualified to pursue their investment activities by all relevant federal regulators, including the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC), and had extensive experience trading on Wall Street; that the financial condition of the company was healthy and earning astronomical profits; and that the investors’ money would be used to invest in foreign currency and cryptocurrency markets, when in fact, investors’ money was used to pay earlier investors and diverted for the personal use of Jali, Frimpong, and Johnson. To increase the amount of money obtained from investors, the defendants allegedly promised higher guaranteed rates of return to 1st Million investors who invested greater amounts of money in the investment contracts.
As detailed in the indictment, Jali, Frimpong, and Johnson promised investors that they could increase the returns on their investments, typically by 0.5% per month, for every new investor they successfully recruited to 1st Million. The defendants allegedly hired “agents” of 1st Million to organize recruiting events to attract more investors, in exchange for a higher return on the agents’ investments. Jali further recruited investors by allegedly misrepresenting his own personal wealth and exhibiting a lavish lifestyle purportedly paid from his successful currency trading on his personal accounts when, in fact, his lavish lifestyle was allegedly paid for with diverted investor funds. For example, the indictment alleges that Jali spent at least $47,000 of investor money on luxury vehicles and approximately $78,000 on private jets that he used to fly on personal or semi-personal trips, including a flight from Charlotte, North Carolina to Washington, D.C. on January 9, 2019, with Jali, his wife, and his three children as the only passengers.
Over the course of the conspiracy, the indictment alleges that the defendants persuaded or attempted to persuade investors to provide them with wire transfers, checks, and cash totaling more than $28 million, from numerous victims, under the fraudulent pretense of investing in the foreign exchange and cryptocurrency markets. The indictment seeks a money judgment of at least $28,021,868.01, including $2,481,994.57 seized from 10 bank accounts associated with the defendants, and a 2016 Porsche SUV.
If convicted, the defendants face a maximum sentence of 20 years in federal prison for a wire fraud conspiracy and for each count of wire fraud; a maximum of five years in federal prison for a securities fraud conspiracy and a maximum of 20 years in federal prison for each count of securities fraud. Jali also faces a maximum of 10 years in federal prison for each of three counts of money laundering. 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. Frimpong has an initial appearance in U.S. District Court in Greenbelt today at 2:00 p.m. before U.S. Magistrate Judge Timothy J. Sullivan. Johnson is scheduled to appear before Magistrate Judge Sullivan for his initial appearance on Monday, August 31, 2020.
Jali fled the United States in May 2019, but has since been arrested in South Africa. The Department of Justice is working to ensure that Jali is brought to justice in the United States.
An indictment is not a finding of guilt. An individual charged by indictment is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty at some later criminal proceedings.
The Securities and Exchange Commission and the U.S. Commodity Futures Trading Commission also filed civil actions against the defendants today.
United States Attorney Robert K. Hur commended the FBI, the U.S. Secret Service, and the U.S. Postal Inspection Service for their work in the investigation. Mr. Hur thanked Assistant U.S. Attorneys Burden H. Walker and Dana J. Brusca, who are prosecuting the case.
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Man from Dulce, New Mexico, pleads guilty to assaulting 8-month-old baby in Indian CountryRead the Press Release
ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. – Patrick Duran, 31, of Dulce, New Mexico, pleaded guilty on Aug. 19 in federal court in Albuquerque to assaulting an infant in Indian Country resulting in serious bodily injury.
According to his plea agreement and other public court records, Duran assaulted the child on or about Sept. 28, 2014, on the Jicarilla Apache Indian Reservation in Rio Arriba County, New Mexico. Duran lost his temper while babysitting. He picked the baby up from its crib and bit the baby on the arm. The baby’s mother later returned home to find her child unresponsive with both eyes looking in the same direction. She called an ambulance to take the baby to a hospital in Farmington where doctors ordered the baby flown to Albuquerque for further treatment for serious internal injuries, including bleeding to the brain and eyes, and seizures. The baby is eligible to register with the Jicarilla Apache Nation because both of the child’s parents are members. Duran is a non-Indian.
Duran is out of custody awaiting sentencing on Nov.30. He faces up to seven years in prison under the terms of his plea agreement. .
The Farmington office of the Federal Bureau of Investigation and the Jicarilla Apache Police Department investigated this case. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Kyle Nayback and Nicholas Marshall are prosecuting the case.
Man from Albuquerque sentenced to 14 months in federal prison for posting threatening Facebook messages to Governor Michelle Lujan Grisham of New Mexico, law enforcement officers, and other government officialsRead the Press Release
ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. – Daniel Logan Mock, 34, of Albuquerque, New Mexico was sentenced in federal court in Albuquerque on Aug. 27 to 14 months on two counts of transmission of threatening communications in interstate commerce.
Mock previously pleaded guilty to this offense on May 13. According to his plea agreement, Mock admitted to committing these offenses in Bernalillo County, New Mexico on March 2 and March 13. Mock posted messages on Facebook threatening to kill Governor Michelle Lujan Grisham of New Mexico, law enforcement officers, and other government officials.
Mock must also serve a two-year supervised release term after completing his sentence.
The FBI investigated this case with the U.S. Marshals Service, the New Mexico State Police, and the Albuquerque Police Department. Assistant U.S. Attorney Jaymie L. Roybal prosecuted the case.
Man Sentenced to 51 Months for Bank Fraud SchemeRead the Press Release
NEW BERN, N.C. – Jamal Watson was sentenced this week to 51 months in prison for defrauding financial institutions.
According to court documents, Watson, age 42, had just been released from federal prison after serving 121 months for Distribution of Heroin and Possession of Firearm by a Felon when he began a bank fraud scheme to purchase vehicles from dealerships throughout North Carolina. Watson, his wife and another individual applied for loans to purchase 20 vehicles during a one year period. At first, Watson used his own social security number, but provided false employment information. After the first two vehicles were repossessed for lack of payment, Watson and his wife provided fake social security numbers and fictitious employment information. To hinder the banks from locating fraudulently obtained vehicles, Watson also provided a fake North Carolina driver’s license bearing a false Durham address. In addition to the period of incarceration, the Court ordered Watson to pay restitution to the victims and forfeit the $29,732,36, which was the amount of the loan he obtained to purchase a Maserati from a Charlotte dealership.
Robert J. Higdon, Jr., U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of North Carolina made the announcement after sentencing by U.S. District Judge Louise W. Flanagan. The United States Postal Inspection Service investigated the case and Assistant U.S. Attorney Susan Menzer prosecuted the case.
A copy of this press release is located on our website. Related court documents and information can be found on the website of the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of North Carolina or on PACER by searching for Case No. 5:19-cr-00261-FL.
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The year 2020 marks the 150th anniversary of the Department of Justice. Learn more about the history of our agency at www.Justice.gov/Celebrating150Years.
Man Charged in Federal Court with Illegally Possessing Loaded Gun After Allegedly Looting Downtown Chicago StoreRead the Press Release
CHICAGO — The U.S. Attorney’s Office has charged a man with a federal firearm offense after he allegedly illegally possessed a loaded gun while looting a store in downtown Chicago earlier this month.
JAVONTE T. WILLIAMS, 27, of Chicago, is charged with one count of illegal possession of a firearm by a convicted felon. Williams was prohibited from possessing a gun after previously being convicted of a felony firearm offense in the Circuit Court of Cook County, for which he was sentenced to probation.
Williams was arrested this morning on the federal charge and made an initial appearance in federal court. U.S. Magistrate Judge Sheila M. Finnegan ordered Williams to remain in federal custody pending a detention hearing on Sept. 1, 2020, at 2:00 p.m.
The charge was announced by John R. Lausch, Jr., United States Attorney for the Northern District of Illinois; Kristen deTineo, Special Agent-in-Charge of the Chicago Field Division of the U.S. Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives; and David Brown, Superintendent of the Chicago Police Department. Valuable assistance was provided by the Cook County State’s Attorney’s Office in bringing this charge. The government is represented by Assistant U.S. Attorney Christopher V. Parente.
According to the federal criminal complaint, Chicago Police officers observed Williams exiting a closed retail store in the first block of East Randolph Street in downtown Chicago at 5:00 a.m. on Aug. 10, 2020. Williams was carrying merchandise in his hands as he exited the store, the complaint states. As officers pursued and arrested Williams, a semi-automatic handgun fell from his body to the ground, the complaint states. The gun was loaded with seven rounds of ammunition in the magazine and one in the chamber, according to the complaint.
The case was brought under Operation Legend, a Department of Justice initiative in which federal law enforcement agencies work in conjunction with state and local law enforcement to fight violent crime. As part of Operation Legend, Attorney General William P. Barr directed ATF, FBI, U.S. Marshals Service, and DEA to significantly increase resources in Chicago to help state and local officials fight violent crime, particularly firearm offenses.
The public is reminded that a complaint is not evidence of guilt. The defendant is presumed innocent and entitled to a fair trial at which the government has the burden of proving guilt beyond a reasonable doubt. Illegal possession of a firearm by a convicted felon is punishable by up to ten years in federal prison. If convicted, the Court must impose a reasonable sentence under federal statutes and the advisory U.S. Sentencing Guidelines.
Luzerne County Man Sentenced to Five Years’ Imprisonment for Receiving Child PornographyRead the Press Release
SCRANTON—The United States Attorney’s Office for the Middle District of Pennsylvania announced that William Barratt, age 40, of Sugarloaf Township, Pennsylvania, was sentenced to five years’ imprisonment on August 27, 2020, by U.S. District Court Judge Malachy E. Mannion for receiving child pornography.
According to United States Attorney David J. Freed, Barratt previously pleaded guilty to using his cell phone and computer to access images and videos of child pornography from websites on the internet. Barratt committed the offense between April 2018 and March 5, 2019, in Luzerne County.
Judge Mannion also ordered Barratt to serve five years on supervised release following his prison sentence. Barratt must also pay restitution in the amount of $3000 to each of nine victims identified in the images of child pornography that were seized from Barratt’s devices. Judge Mannion also ordered Barratt to undergo sex offender treatment and to comply with the Sex Offender Registration and Notification Act.
The case was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation, the Pennsylvania State Police, and the Luzerne County District Attorney’s Office. Assistant United States Attorney Francis P. Sempa prosecuted the case.
This case was brought as part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative launched in May 2006 by the Department of Justice to combat the growing epidemic of child sexual exploitation and abuse. Led by the United States Attorneys' Offices and the Criminal Division's Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section, Project Safe Childhood marshals federal, state, and local resources to locate, apprehend, and prosecute individuals who sexually exploit children, and to identify and rescue victims. For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit www.usdoj.gov/psc For more information about internet safety education, please visit www.usdoj.gov/psc and click on the tab "resources."
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Luzerne County Man Indicted on Drug and Firearm OffensesRead the Press Release
SCRANTON - The United States Attorney’s Office for the Middle District of Pennsylvania announced that on August 11, 2020, Todd Houghtlin, age 50, of Duryea, Pennsylvania, was indicted by a federal grand jury for illegal possession of a firearm and fentanyl.
According to United States Attorney David J. Freed, the indictment alleges that on July 14, 2020, Houghtlin, who was a user of illegal drugs, was found in possession of fentanyl and a .380 caliber handgun loaded with four rounds of ammunition.
This matter was investigated by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF), the Luzerne County Drug Task Force and the Kingston Police Department, Assistant U.S. Attorney Robert J. O’Hara is prosecuting the case.
This case was brought as part of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), a program that has been historically successful in bringing together all levels of law enforcement 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 enforcement and the local community to develop effective, locally-based strategies to reduce crime.
Indictments and Criminal Informations are only allegations. All persons charged are presumed to be innocent unless and until found guilty in court.
A sentence following a finding of guilt is imposed by the Judge after consideration of the applicable federal sentencing statutes and the Federal Sentencing Guidelines.
The maximum penalty for the firearm offense is ten years’ imprisonment and a fine. Under the Federal Sentencing Guidelines, the Judge is also required to consider and weigh a number of factors, including the nature, circumstances and seriousness of the offense; the history and characteristics of the defendant; and the need to punish the defendant, protect the public and provide for the defendant's educational, vocational and medical needs. For these reasons, the statutory maximum penalty for the offense is not an accurate indicator of the potential sentence for a specific defendant.
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Lexington Man Sentenced to 180 Months for Armed Drug TraffickingRead the Press Release
LEXINGTON, Ky. - A Lexington man, Raymond Cong Duong, 35, was sentenced on Friday, before U.S. District Judge Karen Caldwell, to 180 months in federal prison, for possession with intent to distribute 40 grams or more of fentanyl and possession of a firearm in furtherance of drug trafficking.
According to his plea agreement, Lexington Police executed a search warrant at Duong’s residence, on January 22, 2019, seizing 138 grams of fentanyl, 28 grams of methamphetamine, several small baggies of heroin, eight firearms, cash, and drug trafficking paraphernalia. Duong admitted that the illegal narcotics were his and that he sold them to others. He further admitted that he possessed a firearm in furtherance of his drug trafficking.
Duong has two prior felony convictions for drug trafficking, one from Jefferson County in 2011 and one from Fayette County in 2012.
Duong pleaded guilty in January 2020.
Robert M. Duncan, Jr., United States Attorney for the Eastern District of Kentucky; J. Todd Scott, Special Agent in Charge, DEA Louisville Field Division; Shawn Morrow, Special Agent in Charge, ATF Louisville Field Division; Commissioner Rodney Brewer, Kentucky State Police; and Chief Lawrence Weathers, Lexington Police Department; jointly announced the sentence.
The investigation was conducted by the DEA, ATF, KSP, and Lexington Police Department. The United States was represented by Assistant U.S. Attorney David Kiebler.
This is case was prosecuted as part of three Department of Justice initiatives: “Project Safe Neighborhoods” Program (PSN), which is a nationwide, crime reduction strategy aimed at decreasing violent crime in communities. It involves a comprehensive approach to public safety — one that includes investigating and prosecuting crimes, along with prevention and reentry efforts. In the Eastern District of Kentucky, U.S. Attorney Duncan coordinates PSN efforts in cooperation with various federal, state, and local law enforcement officials.
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. Click here for more information about Project Guardian.
Operation Synthetic Opioid Surge (SOS), a partnership with DEA, the Lexington Police Department, the Fayette Commonwealth Attorney’s Office, and the United States Attorney’s Office to prosecute readily provable fentanyl and fentanyl analogue distribution cases in Fayette County, with the goal of helping reduce overdose deaths caused these deadly drugs.
The year 2020 marks the 150th anniversary of the Department of Justice. Learn more about the history of our agency at www.Justice.gov/Celebrating150Years.
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Lexington Man Convicted of Possession of Firearm by Convicted FelonRead the Press Release
LEXINGTON, Ky. - A Lexington man was convicted yesterday by a federal jury sitting in Lexington, of possession of a firearm by a convicted felon.
After 20 minutes of deliberation, following a one-day trial, the jury convicted 29-year-old Terrico W. Williams of the charged offense.
According to testimony at trial, on September 11, 2019, officers with the Lexington Police arrested Williams, on an outstanding warrant. Williams was searched and found to have a loaded, .22 caliber handgun concealed inside his pants. Williams has a previous felony conviction from the Fayette Circuit Court, from 2016, for Manslaughter Second Degree.
Williams was indicted in October 2019.
Robert M. Duncan, Jr., United States Attorney for the Eastern District of Kentucky; Shawn Morrow, Special Agent in Charge, ATF, Louisville Field Division; and Chief Lawrence Weathers, Lexington Police Department, jointly announced the verdict.
The investigation was conducted by ATF and Lexington Police Department. The United States was represented in the case by Assistant U.S. Attorney Cynthia Rieker.
Williams will appear for sentencing on December 10, 2020. He faces a maximum of ten years in prison. However, the Court must consider the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and the applicable federal sentencing statutes before imposing a sentence.
This is another case prosecuted as part of the Department of Justice’s “Project Safe Neighborhoods” Program (PSN), which is a nationwide, crime reduction strategy aimed at decreasing violent crime in communities. It involves a comprehensive approach to public safety — one that includes investigating and prosecuting crimes, along with prevention and reentry efforts. In the Eastern District of Kentucky, U.S. Attorney Robert Duncan Jr., coordinates PSN efforts in cooperation with various federal, state, and local law enforcement officials.
This case is also a 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. Click here for more information about Project Guardian.
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Leader and Members of Methamphetamine Trafficking Ring Are Sentenced to PrisonRead the Press Release
CHARLOTTE, N.C. – Senior U.S. District Judge Graham C. Mullen sentenced to prison the leader and members of a methamphetamine trafficking ring on drug conspiracy charges, announced Andrew Murray, U.S. Attorney for the Western District of North Carolina.
Judge Mullen sentenced the defendants as follows:
- The leader, Cheng “Cam” Yang, 34, of Claremont, N.C., was sentenced to 15 years in prison and five years of supervised release.
- Cheng “Cam” Young’s brother, Peng Yang, 35, of Claremont, N.C, was sentenced to 156 months in prison and five years of supervised release.
- Cheng “Cam” Yang’s younger brother, Nicholas Yang, 21, of Claremont, N.C., was sentenced to three years in prison followed by five years of supervised release.
- Cheng “Cam” Yang’s aunt, Susan Yang, 37, of Claremont, N.C., was ordered to serve 42 months in prison and five years of supervised release.
- Cheng “Dawb” Yang, 38, of Morganton, N.C., who bears no familial relationship to Cheng “Cam” Yang, was sentenced to 60 months in prison and five years of supervised release.
- Austin Litchfield, 31, of Los Angeles, was ordered to serve 12 years in prison and five years of supervised release.
- Randy Martinez, 27, also of Los Angeles, was sentenced to 48 months in prison and three years of supervised release.
In related cases, Cheng “Cam” Yang’s distributors were sentenced as follows:
- Belden Watson, 59, of Rutherford College, N.C., was sentenced to 97 months in prison and five years of supervised release.
- Rex Eversole, 30, of Morganton, was sentenced to 110 months in prison and five years of supervised release; and
- Ashley Vaught, 30, of Lenoir, N.C., was sentenced to 30 months in prison and two years of supervised release.
According to filed court documents and statements made in court, from March 2019 to September 2019, Cheng “Cam” Yang led a methamphetamine trafficking conspiracy operating in Caldwell County and elsewhere. Litchfield, assisted by Martinez, was Cheng “Cam” Yang’s California-based source of supply of methamphetamine. Yang distributed the methamphetamine in Caldwell County assisted by his local drug network of distributors. According to court records, over the course of the conspiracy, Cheng “Cam” Yang and his co-defendants distributed more than 45 kilograms of high-purity methamphetamine, with a street value of over $4 million.
During the arrests of the defendants on September 10, 2019, law enforcement seized three and a half kilograms of crystal methamphetamine and seven firearms from the defendants’ homes.
The defendants were prosecuted as part of an ongoing Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Force (OCDETF) investigation dubbed “Dixie Crystal.” Since 2015, the investigation has led to the prosecution of more than 200 individuals, and the seizure of more than 100 kilograms of crystal methamphetamine, $1,000,000 in U.S. currency and other assets, and dozens of firearms.
OCDETF is a joint federal, state and local cooperative approach to combat drug trafficking and is the nation’s primary tool for disrupting and dismantling major drug trafficking organizations, targeting national and regional drug trafficking organizations, and coordinating the necessary law enforcement entities and resources to disrupt or dismantle the targeted criminal organization and seize their assets.
In making today’s announcement U.S. Attorney Murray thanked the following agencies for their investigative efforts which led to the prosecution of this case: ICE’s Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) in Charlotte; the Drug Enforcement Administration’s Charlotte Field Office; the U.S. Postal Inspection Service in Charlotte; the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms & Explosives in Charlotte; the North Carolina State Bureau of Investigation; the Alexander County Sheriff’s Office; the Burke County Sheriff’s Office; the Caldwell County Sheriff’s Office; the Catawba County Sheriff’s Office; the Lincoln County Sheriff’s Office; the Hickory Police Department; the Mooresville Police Department; the Newton Police Department; the Longview Police Department; the Huntersville Police Department; the Charlotte Mecklenburg Police Department; and the Morganton Department of Public Safety.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Steven R. Kaufman, of the U.S. Attorney’s Office in Charlotte, is prosecuting the case.
KC Man Sentenced to 20 Years for Drug Trafficking, Illegal FirearmRead the Press Release
KANSAS CITY, Mo. – A Kansas City, Missouri, man has been sentenced in federal court for drug trafficking and illegally possessing a firearm.
Robert J. Thomas Jr., 38, was sentenced by U.S. District Judge Gary A. Fenner on Thursday, Aug. 27, to 20 years in federal prison without parole.
On Nov. 20, 2019, Thomas pleaded guilty to possessing marijuana with the intent to distribute and to possessing a firearm in furtherance of a drug-trafficking crime.
Kansas City police officers contacted Thomas on Dec. 1, 2017, during an investigation of a pedestrian hit-and-run earlier that day by a Chevrolet pickup truck after his address was identified through the license plates of the truck. Thomas confirmed that he owned the truck and was taken into custody.
On Dec. 4, 2019, officers searched Thomas’s vehicle, which was in the impound lot. They found a loaded Smith and Wesson .40-caliber pistol and a black Nike backpack that contained a total of 684 grams of marijuana, a Ziploc plastic baggie that contained various colors of pills, and two small clear plastic baggies that contained a total of 19 grams of cocaine. A warrant was issued for Thomas’s arrest.
A Kansas City police officer saw a silver 2007 Chevrolet Impala with expired tags on Feb. 22, 2018, and conducted a traffic stop. The vehicle came to a stop along with a second vehicle, a 2006 green Ford Mustang driven by Thomas, which was in front of the Impala. Thomas got out of his vehicle, ignoring the officer’s directions, and stated that his 15-year-old daughter was driving the Impala. Thomas got back into the Mustang and both vehicles began traveling, with the officer following until they pulled into a driveway. The officer detained Thomas and his daughter.
The officer searched the Impala and found several clear baggies that contained a total of 354 grams of marijuana, 22 individually-wrapped clear baggies that contained seven grams of cocaine, and three baggies that contained unknown white and green pill/powdery substance.
This case was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Trey Alford. It was investigated by the Kansas City, Mo., Police Department.
KC Man Charged in Church ArsonRead the Press Release
KANSAS CITY, Mo. – A Kansas City, Missouri, man was charged in federal court today with the arson fire at Beyond Thee Four Walls Ministries this week.
Christopher A. Durant, 38, was charged with arson in a complaint filed in the U.S. District Court in Kansas City, Mo.
Today’s complaint alleges that Durant set fire to the building at 5910-5916 East U.S. Highway 40 in Kansas City, which housed Beyond Thee Four Walls Ministries, on Wednesday, Aug. 26.
The Kansas City, Mo., Fire Department was dispatched to that location at approximately 3:25 a.m. on Wednesday, Aug. 26. Upon arrival, firefighters encountered heavy fire inside the one-story commercial structure.
According to an affidavit filed in support of today’s federal criminal complaint, investigators reviewed video surveillance footage that depicted an unknown man – later identified as Durant – throwing chunks of asphalt at the front windows of the building at about 12:54 a.m. A few minutes later, the affidavit says, Durant returns and lights an unknown object and places it in through what appears to be the mail slot in the front door. He then lights what appears to be a piece of paper and places it in through the mail slot. He then lights another unidentified object and places it in through the front window previously broken out by the chunks of asphalt. Duran then leaves at approximately 1 a.m.
At about 1:30 a.m., the affidavit says, video surveillance footage depicts Durant returning to the church, lighting what appears to be a piece of paper, and placing it through the front window. Approximately two minutes later, Durant walks up to the front window with an object in his hand and leans in through the broken window, which is then followed by a large flash consistent with the introduction and subsequent ignition of an ignitable liquid.
During the fire scene examination, an accelerant detection canine was used to process the scene to determine if an ignitable liquid was present. The canine indicated an area on the floor inside the church, under the same window Durant allegedly had broken and appeared to introduce an ignitable liquid. This area was also later determined to be the area of the fire origin.
On Thursday, Aug. 27, ATF agents noticed Durant, who matched the description of the unknown suspect depicted in the church video surveillance footage, walking on Van Brunt Boulevard and arrested him. At the time of his arrest, Durant was in possession of marijuana.
The charge contained in this complaint is simply an accusation, and not evidence of guilt. Evidence supporting the charge must be presented to a federal trial jury, whose duty is to determine guilt or innocence.
This case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Emily Morgan. It was investigated by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, the Kansas City, Mo., Police Department, and the Kansas City, Mo., Fire Department’s Fire Investigation Unit.
Operation LeGend
Operation LeGend is a federal partnership with local law enforcement to address the increase in homicides and violent crime in Kansas City, Mo., in 2020. The operation honors the memory of four-year-old LeGend Taliferro, one of the youngest fatalities during a record-breaking year of homicides and shootings. Additional federal agents were assigned to the operation from the FBI, Drug Enforcement Administration, the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, and the U.S. Marshals Service.Iowa Man Admits Producing and Possessing Child PornographyRead the Press Release
CAMDEN, N.J. – An Iowa man today admitted to producing and possessing images of child sexual abuse, U.S. Attorney Craig Carpenito announced.
Donavon Oliphant, 38, of Independence, Iowa, pleaded guilty by videoconference before U.S. District Judge Noel L. Hillman to an information charging him with one count of sexual exploitation of a minor and one count of possession of child pornography.
According to documents filed in this case and statements made in court:
In August 2019 Oliphant produced 11 images and four videos of child sexual abuse. The videos depicted sexual acts involving a pre-pubescent child and an adult male. Oliphant then used a peer-to-peer file-sharing program to share these images and videos with an individual located in Gloucester County, New Jersey. When law enforcement accessed Oliphant’s file-sharing account, they found more than 100 videos and 100 images of child sexual abuse.
The sexual exploitation of a minor charge carries a mandatory minimum sentence of 15 years in prison, a maximum potential penalty of 30 years in prison, and a $250,000 fine. The possession of child pornography offense carries a maximum potential penalty of 20 years in prison, and a $250,000 fine. Oliphant will be required to register as a sex offender. Sentencing is scheduled for Jan. 7, 2020.
U.S. Attorney Carpenito credited special agents of U.S. Department of Homeland Security, Homeland Security Investigations (HSI), under the direction of Special Agent in Charge Jason Molina, with the investigation leading to today’s guilty plea.
The government is represented by Deputy U.S. Attorney Matthew J. Skahill and Assistant U.S. Attorney Daniel A. Friedman of the U.S. Attorney’s Office’s Criminal Division in Camden.
Informational: Federal Court arraignmentsRead the Press Release
The U.S. Attorney’s Office announced that the following persons were arraigned or appeared this week before U.S. Magistrate judges on indictments handed down by the Grand Jury or on criminal complaints. The charging documents are merely accusations and defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty:
Appearing in Billings before U.S. Magistrate Judge Timothy J. Cavan and pleading not guilty on Aug. 25 was:
Jimmie Lee Singleton, 60, of Livingston, on charges of prohibited person in possession of a firearm. If convicted of the most serious crime, Singleton faces a maximum 10 years in prison, a $250,000 fine and three years of supervised release. Singleton was released pending further proceedings. The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives investigated the case. Pacer case reference. 20-79.
Tanya Smith, 44, of Laurel, on charges of theft of government property, false statements to a government agency and Social Security fraud-concealment. If convicted of the most serious crime, Smith faces a maximum 10 years in prison, a $250,000 fine and three years of supervised release. Smith was released pending further proceedings. The Social Security Administration investigated the case. Pacer case reference. 20-81.
Appearing in Missoula before U.S. Magistrate Judge Kathleen L. DeSoto and pleading not guilty on Aug. 25 was:
Nathaniel Vincent Long, 41, of Missoula, on charges of possession with intent to distribute controlled substances and drug user in possession of a firearm. If convicted of the most serious crime, Long faces a maximum 20 years in prison, a $1 million fine and three years of supervised release. Long was released pending further proceedings. The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives investigated the case. Pacer case reference. 20-35.
If any of the above cases are of interest to your media organization and the community it serves, we encourage you to monitor the progress of the case regularly through the U.S. District Court calendar and the PACER system.
To establish a PACER account, which will allow you to review documents filed in the case, please go to, http://www.pacer.gov/register.html. To access the district court’s calendar, please go to https://ecf.mtd.uscourts.gov/cgi-bin/PublicCalendar.pl.
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Illinois Man Who Removed Evidence from Opioid Overdose Death Scene Instead of Calling 911 Sentenced to Federal PrisonRead the Press Release
A man who removed drugs and paraphernalia from an opioid overdose death scene and then lied to police was sentenced today to nearly two years in federal prison.
Mateusz D. Syryjczyk, age 29, from Rockford, Illinois, received the prison term after a March 13, 2020 guilty plea to one count of misprision of a felony.
At the plea hearing, Syryjczyk admitted that, in May 2019, he knew that the crime of distribution of controlled substances resulting in serious bodily injury had occurred. He also admitted that he failed to notify authorities that the crime had been committed and that he took affirmative steps to conceal the crime. Evidence at a prior hearing showed that Syryjczyk and his girlfriend, Jacqueline Birch, and another individual drove to a residence in Dubuque, Iowa, during the late evening of May 26, 2019. Birch and the other individual went into the residence, and returned a short time later with purported heroin they had purchased inside the residence. The three then drove to a hotel in Dubuque, where they all used the purported heroin. The third individual began to overdose in the room. Birch and Syryjczyk did not immediately call 911, but, over the course of multiple hours, Birch would occasionally perform CPR on the individual to restore some breathing function, though the person never regained consciousness. Eventually, Birch and Syryjczyk decided they needed to call 911, and Syryjczyk took the remaining drug paraphernalia from the room to prevent law enforcement from finding it. Syryjczyk also made false statements to the responding police officers about the cause of the individual’s condition. That individual was pronounced dead at the scene. An autopsy later determined the cause of death was use of heroin, fentanyl, and valeryl fentanyl.
Syryjczyk was sentenced in Cedar Rapids by United States District Court Judge C.J. Williams. Syryjczyk was sentenced to 21 months’ imprisonment. He must also serve a one-year term of supervised release after the prison term. There is no parole in the federal system.
Syryjczyk was released on the bond previously set and is to surrender to the Bureau of Prisons on a date yet to be set.
The case was investigated by the Dubuque Drug Task Force and is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Dan Chatham.
Court file information at https://ecf.iand.uscourts.gov/cgi-bin/login.pl.
The case file number is 19‑CR‑1042‑CJW-‑MAR.
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Illegal Alien Sentenced to 35 Years for Spearheading International and Multi-State Methamphetamine Drug Trafficking Organization from Oklahoma CityRead the Press Release
OKLAHOMA CITY – Cesar Alzuarte-Rodriguez, 43, an illegal alien from Mexico, has been sentenced to serve a federal prison term of 420 months for conspiracy to distribute methamphetamine and spearheading an international and multi-state drug trafficking organization, announced U.S. Attorney Timothy J. Downing. Alzuarte is the latest of 23 defendants sentenced in federal court so far, with a collective total sentence of 168 years in prison.
According to an Indictment filed on March 17, 2018, and the Superseding Indictment on June 5, 2018, Alzuarte-Rodriguez (Alzuarte) and other defendants were charged with conspiracy to distribute methamphetamine, possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine, distribution of methamphetamine, maintaining drug involved premises, and felons and illegal aliens in possession of a firearms and money laundering. The Indictment alleged that Alzuarte was the head of an organization that illegally imported methamphetamine from Mexico through sources of supply in Arizona, Colorado, and California. The organization maintained houses in Oklahoma City where methamphetamine was brought and stored for re-distribution. When Alzuarte and other co-defendants were arrested on March 8, 2018, agents to that date had seized 248 pounds of methamphetamine with an estimated street value of $1,000,000, more than $275,000 in cash, and 10 firearms.
On March 4, 2019, Alzuarte pleaded guilty to the drug conspiracy. Alzuarte further agreed to forfeit the aforementioned firearms and cash, a house located on 639 SE 10th Street used in the drug trafficking enterprise, and multiple vehicles used by his drug trafficking organization.
On August 26, 2020, U.S. District Court Judge Scott L. Palk sentenced Alzuarte to serve 35 years in prison, to be followed by four years of supervised release following his release from prison. In announcing Alzuarte’s sentence, Judge Palk emphasized Mr. Alzuarte’s illegal alien status, his leadership of a multi-state and international methamphetamine trafficking organization, and the large amount of “poison” Alzuarte pumped into impacted communities.
Twenty-two of Alzuarte’s co-defendants in the drug trafficking enterprise have already been sentenced:
- Miguel Berzosa-Flores, Age 52, was sentenced to 168 months in prison, on February 4, 2020.
- Federico Rios-Aranda, Age 46, was sentenced to 144 months in prison, on October 17, 2019.
- Monica Bojorquez, Age 38, was sentenced to 84 months on in prison, on February 20, 2020.
- Armando Herrera-Garcia, Age 38, was sentenced to 18 months in prison, on September 25, 2019.
- Mayra Medina, Age 36, was sentenced to 24 months in prison, on August 6, 2019.
- Elias Sotelo-Tena, Age 26, was sentenced to 3 years of probation on August 20, 2019.
- Albino Gonzalez-Gandarilla, Age 43, was sentenced to 156 months in prison, on June 10, 2020.
- Enoc Ricado-Santiago, Age 21, was sentenced to 96 months in prison, on October 16, 2019.
- Guillermo Cardona-Figueroa, Age 24, was sentenced to 37 months in prison, on August 1, 2019.
- Christian McKinney, Age 23, was sentenced to 48 months in prison, on September 5, 2019.
- Carlos Estrada-Mojarro, Age 22, was sentenced to 24 months in prison, on September 9, 2019.
- Luis Vega Maldonado, Age 41, was sentenced to 144 months in prison, on January 10, 2020.
- Jesus Manuel-Lopez, Age 24, was sentenced to 204 months in prison, on August 12, 2019.
- Erik Osualdo Montelongo, Age 36, was sentenced to 30 months in prison, on December 10, 2019.
- Zephyran Shawn Hayes, Age 41, was sentenced to 180 months in prison, on August 6, 2019.
- Jeremy Wright, Age 42, was sentenced to 120 months in prison, on June 20, 2019.
- Brandon Ramirez-Garcia, Age 23, was sentenced to 108 months in prison, on June 12, 2020.
- Jazmine Altamarino, Age 48, was sentenced to 18 months in prison, on November 19, 2019.
- Mayra Cabello-Tierablanca, Age 32, was sentenced to 18 months in prison, on August 7, 2019.
- Kyle Shropshire, Age 46, was sentenced to 12 months and 1 day in prison, on September 12, 2019.
- Jessica Lissette Mar, Age 28, was sentenced to 24 months in prison, on August 15, 2019.
- Angel Ricardo Gonzalez-Martinez, Age 29, was sentenced to 48 months in prison, on August 12, 2019.
This case is the result of an investigation by the Drug Enforcement Administration’s Oklahoma City District Office, with assistance from the Drug Enforcement Administration’s Denver, San Diego, and Phoenix Field Division Offices, City of Edmond Police Department, City of Norman Police Department, IRS Criminal Investigations Division, Canadian County Sheriff’s Department, Homeland Security Investigations Oklahoma City Office, District 21 Task Force, Oklahoma Highway Patrol, and DEA offices in Tulsa and McAlester. Assistant United States Attorney David Petermann prosecuted the case.
Reference is made to court filings for further information. To download a photo of U.S. Attorney Downing, click here.