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24 August 2020
Indian National Pleads Guilty in Telemarketing ScamRead the Press Release
PROVIDENCE – An Indian National appearing today before a U.S. District Court Judge in Providence, RI, admitted to participating in a “Tech Support” telemarketing scam based in India, in which call center operators falsely represented themselves to be associated with Microsoft Corporation, falsely represented to victims that malware or viruses had been detected on their computers, and offered supposed services to remove the malware.
During the scam, members of the conspiracy gained access to the victims’ online banking user names and passwords. Using that information, funds were taken from the victim accounts.
Abrar Anjum, 34, admitted to the court that he allowed members of the conspiracy to use bank accounts under his control in the United States to receive funds taken from victim accounts. Anjum admitted that in return for allowing members of the conspiracy to deposit fraudulently obtained funds into his bank accounts, he was allowed to keep a portion of the funds. He transferred the remaining funds to his co-conspirators in India.
According to court documents, the “Tech Support” scheme operated out of call centers in India.
Anjum was arrested by FBI agents on February 3, 2020, prior to his boarding a flight to India from JFK Airport, and was arraigned the next day in U.S. District Court in Providence.
Appearing today before U.S. District Court Chief Judge John J. McConnell, Jr., Anjum, pleaded guilty to conspiracy to commit wire fraud, announced United States Attorney Aaron L. Weisman and Special Agent in Charge of the FBI Boston Division Joseph R. Bonavolonta.
Anjum, who remains detained in federal custody, is scheduled to be sentenced on October 21, 2020.
Conspiracy to commit wire fraud is punishable by statutory penalties of up to 20 years in federal prison, 3 years’ supervised release, and a fine of $250,000.
The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Milind M. Shah.
The FBI investigation is continuing.
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Husband Pleads Guilty to Tax Evasion and Wife Pleads Guilty to Aiding and Assisting the Preparation and Filing of False Tax Returns with the IRSRead the Press Release
HARRISBURG - The United States Attorney’s Office for the Middle District of Pennsylvania announced that Matthew Forney, age 41, of Camp Hill, Pennsylvania, pled guilty on August 21, 2020, to four counts of tax evasion. Kim Forney, age 47, of Windsor, Pennsylvania, pled guilty on August 17, 2020, to four counts of aiding in the preparation and filing of false tax returns.
According to United States Attorney David J. Freed, on September 23, 2018, police were called to the residence of Matthew and Kim Forney for reports of a shooting. Upon arrival, police discovered that their daughter’s boyfriend had shot both Matthew and Kim Forney. While securing the residence, officers observed bloody footprints leading through the house to an outside pool house. Inside the pool house, the police located a garbage bag, which contained a large amount of bundled United States currency. Police obtained and executed a search warrant. Inside a large gun safe located in the residence, police found additional amounts of bundled cash attached to daily receipts. The officers seized the cash and receipts.
The Forney’s daughter’s boyfriend was charged with two counts of aggravated assault in connection with the shooting, but charges were ultimately dismissed on June 19, 2019.
An investigation conducted by the Internal Revenue Service – Criminal Investigation determined that this currency was income that Matthew and Kim Forney earned through their business, but omitted on their federal income tax returns for the years 2014 through 2017. The Forneys deposited checks from their business sales into the business bank account, which was reported as taxable income on their tax returns, along with credit card sales. However, the Forneys retained any cash from their business sales at their residence. The Forneys did not report this cash as taxable income on their tax returns or pay taxes on these monies. The unreported income for these years totaled $817,713, which resulted in $292,066 in unpaid taxes.
The case was investigated by the Internal Revenue Service - Criminal Investigation (IRS-CI). Assistant U.S. Attorney Daryl Bloom is prosecuting the case.
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 under federal law for this offense is three years of imprisonment on each count, a term of supervised release following 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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Houstonian charged with defrauding investors in false lending schemeRead the Press Release
HOUSTON – A 67-year-old resident of Houston is set to appear in federal court on allegations of mail fraud, announced U.S. Attorney Ryan K. Patrick.
Alan H. Paull is expected to make his initial appearance before U.S. Magistrate Judge Sam Sheldon today at 2:15 p.m.
The indictment, returned Aug. 12, charges Paull with four counts of mail fraud for his alleged role in a scheme to defraud investors in his lending business Paull & Partners Investments LLC. From approximately July 2014 through September 2015, Paull allegedly made false representations and concealed material facts from those who had provided funds to his lending enterprise.
The charges allege he failed to repay investors their principal when a property sold as he had represented to them. Instead, Paull continued to pay monthly interest to those investors leading them to believe the properties had not been sold, according to the charges.
If convicted of mail fraud, Paull faces up to 20 years in federal prison as well as a possible $250,000 maximum fine.
The FBI conducted the investigation with the assistance of the Texas State Securities Board. Assistant U.S. Attorney John Braddock is prosecuting the case.
An indictment is a formal accusation of criminal conduct, not evidence. A defendant is presumed innocent unless convicted through due process of law.
Harrison County man sentenced for firearms violationRead the Press Release
CLARKSBURG, WEST VIRGINIA – Robert Given, Jr., of Lost Creek, West Virginia, was sentenced last week to six months incarceration for a firearms violation, U.S. Attorney Bill Powell announced.
Given, age 48, pled guilty to one count of “Possession of Machinegun” in November 2019. Given admitted to having a machine gun in February 2019 in Harrison County.
This case was brought as part of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN). Project Safe Neighborhoods is the centerpiece of the Department of Justice’s violent crime reduction efforts. PSN is an evidence-based program proven to be effective at reducing violent crime. Through PSN, a broad spectrum of stakeholders work together to identify the most pressing violent crime problems in the community and develop comprehensive solutions to address them. As part of this strategy, PSN focuses enforcement efforts on the most violent offenders and partners with locally based prevention and reentry programs for lasting reductions in crime.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Sarah E. Wagner prosecuted the case on behalf of the government. The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, the Harrison County Sheriff’s Office, Marion County Sheriff’s Office, the Clarksburg Police Department, and the Bridgeport Police Department investigated.
U.S. District Judge Thomas S. Kleeh presided.
Gang Members Sentenced to More Than 15 Years in Prison for Drug-Related ShootingRead the Press Release
Tampa, Florida – United States District Judge Steven D. Merryday has sentenced Leon Williams (30, Tampa) to 17 years and 6 months in prison and Reginald Jones, Jr. (25, Tampa) to 15 years and 8 months in prison for their roles in a conspiracy to distribute cocaine, crack cocaine, and marijuana, and for discharging a firearm during and in relation to that conspiracy. A federal jury had found Williams and Jones guilty on November 15, 2019.
According to evidence presented during the two-week trial, Williams and Jones are members of the Bird Gang, a violent street-level drug trafficking organization that has operated in Tampa Park for years, and is responsible for multiple homicides and shootings. The Bird Gang principally sold drugs at two locations, the Tampa Park housing complex and a nearby boarding house known as the “Blue House,” which the Bird Gang had essentially taken over. On May 29, 2018, in the middle of the afternoon, Williams and Jones acted as enforcers for the gang by shooting at people whom they believed had been communicating with law enforcement in an effort to stop the gang from selling drugs at the Blue House. Bullets fired by Williams, Jones, and their associates seriously injured one person, struck a car, and broke windows at a company located two blocks away, where almost 400 people were present at the time of the shooting.
This case was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation, the Drug Enforcement Administration, the Tampa Police Department, and the Florida Department of Law Enforcement. It is part of an ongoing effort to dismantle the Bird Gang, so far resulting in charges against 30 defendants. This case was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Michael M. Gordon.
This case is the result of an Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Force (OCDETF) investigation and was 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 Middle District of Florida, U.S. Attorney Maria Chapa Lopez coordinates PSN efforts in cooperation with various federal, state, and local law enforcement officials.
Four defendants, including two illegal aliens, sentenced for operating decade-long cocaine trafficking networkRead the Press Release
ATLANTA – Roberto Garza-Mendez, Shadarrian Grimes, Euklides Gonzalez-Hernandez, and Johnathan Pena have been sentenced for conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute cocaine. Garza-Mendez and Grimes confessed to having trafficked 200 kilograms of cocaine together during a ten-year span.
“Thanks to the diligent efforts of our law enforcement partners, these defendants’ days of distributing cocaine in the Atlanta community have ended,” said U.S. Attorney Byung J. “BJay” Pak. “Also, by seizing these defendants’ drug-related assets, we hope to send a clear message that drug traffickers will not be permitted to profit from the poison they distribute.”
“The sentencings for these criminals slams the door on a major conspiracy to peddle poison (cocaine) in our communities,” said Special Agent in Charge of the DEA Atlanta Field Division Robert J. Murphy. “DEA, its multi-level law enforcement partners and the U.S. Attorney’s Office, are committed to tracking down and bringing to justice those who pollute our neighborhoods with illegal drugs.”
According to U.S. Attorney Pak, the charges and other information presented in court: Following a multi-month federal investigation, DEA agents learned the date and time that Garza-Mendez intended to sell several kilograms of cocaine to Grimes. DEA agents and Georgia State Patrol Officers followed Garza-Mendez from his home, stopped his car, and seized the cocaine, as well as a loaded firearm.
Agents then executed a search warrant at Garza-Mendez’s home and seized additional kilograms of cocaine, $18,000 in cash, and a loaded rifle. They also executed a search warrant at Grimes’ home and seized $36,000 in cash that Grimes intended to use to purchase the cocaine from Garza-Mendez. Drug trafficking paraphernalia and a loaded pistol were also present in Grimes’ home.
Garza-Mendez – an illegal alien twice removed from the United States – and Grimes confessed that they had trafficked 200 kilograms of cocaine with each other for more than a decade. Grimes further confessed that he purchased his Suwanee, Georgia, home and other assets, such as diamond watches and a luxury vehicle, with proceeds from the sale of cocaine he obtained from Garza-Mendez.
The DEA investigation also uncovered that Gonzalez-Hernandez and Pena were more recent additions to the Garza-Mendez/Grimes network. Shortly after the arrests of Garza-Mendez and Grimes, agents executed a search warrant at the Conyers, Georgia, residence of Gonzalez-Hernandez, an illegal alien, who agents identified as the operator of a cocaine stash house. Agents seized approximately seven kilograms of cocaine hidden in an air compressor tank in Gonzalez-Hernandez’s apartment. Agents also learned that Pena had been a courier for Garza-Mendez, transporting cocaine and money among the defendants. He was arrested without incident outside his Stone Mountain, Georgia, residence.
The defendants were sentenced by U.S. District Judge Timothy C. Batten, Sr., as follows:
- Roberto Garza-Mendez, 34, of Norcross, Georgia, was sentenced to sixteen years in prison to be followed by five years of supervised release.
- Shadarrian Grimes, 49, of Suwanee, Georgia, was sentenced to twelve years in prison, to be followed by five years of supervised release.
- Euklides Gonzalez-Hernandez, 41, of Conyers, Georgia, was sentenced to five years, three months in prison.
- Johnathan Pena, 27, of Stone Mountain, Georgia, was sentenced to two years, four months in prison, to be followed by five years of supervised release.
All four defendants previously pleaded guilty. As part of their sentences, the Court ordered the defendants’ illegally-acquired assets to be forfeited to the United States. Garza-Mendez and Gonzalez-Hernandez will be deported to Mexico following their terms of imprisonment.
The Drug Enforcement Administration investigated this case.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Trevor C. Wilmot prosecuted the case.
The U.S. Attorney’s Office in Atlanta recommends parents and children learn about the dangers of drugs at the following web site: www.justthinktwice.gov.
For further information please contact the U.S. Attorney’s Public Affairs Office at [email protected] or (404) 581-6016. The Internet address for the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Northern District of Georgia is http://www.justice.gov/usao-ndga.
Former Navy Warehouse Manager Who Stole $2.5 Million Worth of Goods from the U.S. Navy Sentenced to Two YearsRead the Press Release
Assistant U. S. Attorney Michelle L. Wasserman (619) 546-8431
NEWS RELEASE SUMMARY – August 24, 2020
SAN DIEGO – Herbert Gutierrez, former warehouse manager at the U.S. Navy Military Sealift Command Warehouse in San Diego and 20-year veteran of the U.S. Navy, was sentenced in federal court today to 24 months in custody for stealing more than $2.5 million worth of goods from the Navy warehouse where he worked. Gutierrez was also ordered to forfeit $57,656.69 and pay $2,536,293.63 in restitution to the United States Navy.
Sentencing documents reflect that Gutierrez began stealing from the warehouse for his own personal gain a few months after he started working there. For approximately nine months, between July 2018 and April 2019, Gutierrez advertised items from the warehouse for sale online, including through such websites as eBay, and then allowed private individuals into the MSC warehouse yard during work hours and after hours to take the government property, load it onto trucks, and haul it away.
In February 2019, Gutierrez permitted a utility truck and a tractor-trailer to enter the MSC warehouse after hours and drive away with more than $1 million in stolen copper nickel tubing.
That same month, Gutierrez sold numerous Caterpillar parts from the warehouse to a company he found online. Once again, Gutierrez allowed a private freight company to enter the MSC warehouse yard and load the items, which filled four pallets. He created fraudulent government paperwork to conceal his criminal activity.
In April 2019, Gutierrez again allowed two individuals to enter the MSC warehouse in broad daylight, and he loaded up their vehicle with stolen government property, accepting thousands of dollars in cash in exchange. The two men were – unbeknownst to Gutierrez – undercover agents. At the time, Gutierrez told the undercover agents that “I’m looking at volume. I’m not looking at making a million-dollar profit, I’m looking at volume. I’m trying to keep this stuff going, that’s how I get paid.”
Gutierrez was paid for the stolen goods in cash and via PayPal. Gutierrez admitted in his plea agreement that the total aggregate value of the items that he stole from the United States and resold for personal profit was $2,536,293.63.
“This defendant was running a massive and brazen scheme that fleeced the Navy of millions of dollars,” said U.S. Attorney Robert Brewer. “This conduct was outrageous and illegal, and he is now appropriately going to prison for it. The excellent work of prosecutor Michelle Wasserman and NCIS agents brought justice for the Navy and taxpayers.”
“NCIS exposed Mr. Guiterrez's scheme to steal and sell government property,” said NCIS Southwest Field Office Special Agent in Charge Garrett Waugh. “This result highlights how critically important it is for our military personnel and family members to remain vigilant and always report suspected fraud. It also represents an outstanding effort by Special Agents assigned to the NCIS Southwest Field Office to bring a criminal to justice for threatening Navy readiness and wasting taxpayer money.”
DEFENDANT Case Number 19CR4552-W
Herbert Gutierrez Age: 54 San Diego, CA
SUMMARY OF CHARGES
Theft of Government Property – Title 18, U.S.C., Section 641
Maximum penalty: Ten years in prison and $250,000 fine
AGENCY
Naval Criminal Investigative Service
Former Camden County Public Service Authority Executive Director sentenced to federal prison for tax evasionRead the Press Release
BRUNSWICK, GA: The former executive director of the Camden County Public Service Authority is going to federal prison for misappropriating funds intended for payment of employees’ federal payroll taxes.
Willliam Brunson, 53, of Kingsland, Ga., was sentenced to 32 months in federal prison by U.S. District Court Judge Lisa Godbey Wood after pleading guilty to one count of Tax Evasion, said Bobby L. Christine, U.S. Attorney for the Southern District of Georgia. Judge Wood also ordered Brunson to pay restitution of $677,768.40 and to serve three years of supervised release after completion of his prison term.
There is no parole in the federal system.
“Such blatant theft as the scheme perpetrated by William Brunson strains the already fragile trust in public service,” said U.S. Attorney Christine. “This investigation and the ensuing prison sentence should be a stark reminder to other public servants that they are accountable to the taxpayers they serve.”
According to court documents and testimony, Brunson was responsible for paying over to the Internal Revenue Service employment taxes on behalf of the Public Service Authority (PSA). Federal taxes were withheld from employees’ paychecks from 2014 to 2016, but Brunson failed to remit more than $677,000 that was due to the IRS. In addition to not filing his personal tax returns during that period, Brunson also used a Camden County PSA credit card and other funds for his personal use, including the purchase of antique cars and car parts.
Brunson was terminated from the PSA in May 2018 after an audit of PSA finances and an investigation by the Georgia Bureau of Investigation (GBI).
“It is our hope that holding Brunson accountable for his greed will help regain some of the public’s trust that was eroded by his actions,” said Chris Hacker, Special Agent in Charge of FBI Atlanta. “When public officials abuse their positions of trust by stealing from the taxpayers they serve, it is a priority for the FBI and our federal, state and local partners to root them out and bring them to justice.”
“Government officials should be held to a higher ethical standard and it was obvious that Brunson chose greed over doing the honest thing,” said James E. Dorsey, IRS Criminal Investigations, Special Agent in Charge, Atlanta Field Office. “IRS-CI will continue to put resources on these investigations in an effort to rebuild public trust in our government officials.”
“This investigation and outcome shows that no one is above the law,” said GBI Director Vic Reynolds. “Trust and accountability is of utmost importance when it comes to handling public funds. Public servants will be held accountable for their actions should that trust be violated.”
The case was investigated by the IRS, the FBI and the GBI, and prosecuted by the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of Georgia.
Florida Man Pleads Guilty to Drug ConspiracyRead the Press Release
CHARLESTON, W.Va. – A Florida man pled guilty to participating in a drug conspiracy that spanned several states, announced United States Attorney Mike Stuart. Thomas Drew Bess, 39, pled guilty to conspiracy to distribute 50 grams or more of methamphetamine.
“Florida to LA to WV. Keeping this shipment of 96% pure and amazingly powerful meth from hitting the streets is a big win for law enforcement, the people of Charleston and all West Virginians,” said United States Attorney Mike Stuart. “We are using every available resource to stem the tide of meth that is coming into our communities. Great work by the Postal Inspection Service, DEA, the National Guard and my office. That’s called real teamwork.”
On September 1, 2019, Bess flew from Florida to Los Angeles, California. While there, he mailed a package that contained approximately 18.25 pounds of methamphetamine to Charleston. The package was picked up by a John Harvey Bush, Jr., and the methamphetamine was intended to be sold in the Charleston area. The U.S. Postal Inspection Service (USPIS) intercepted the package on September 4, 2019. Upon obtaining a search warrant for the package, they discovered over 18 pounds of methamphetamine inside. The majority of the methamphetamine was removed, except for 11.2 grams, which remained inside the package in order to conduct a controlled delivery. As law enforcement was delivering the package, the National Guard provided helicopter surveillance of the area. Bush was recorded driving to the residence and taking the package from the front porch. He then drove the package to his girlfriend’s residence, where he unloaded and opened the package, and discovered only 11.2 grams of methamphetamine. He attempted to flush the shipping label to the package. Shortly afterwards, law enforcement knocked on the front door of the girlfriend’s residence. Bush saw them through the window and was arrested as he tried to flee out the back door. Bush’s cell phone was seized and searched pursuant to a federal search warrant, where it became apparent that Bess had told Bush of the contents of the package, its tracking number, and when it would be arriving.
The methamphetamine was sent to the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) laboratory, where it tested 96% pure. Bess was subsequently arrested in Florida and brought to the Southern District of West Virginia on an indictment. Bess’ phone was searched pursuant to a federal warrant, wherein evidence of drug trafficking and distribution were discovered.
Bess faces life in prison when sentenced on December 8, 2020. Bush pled guilty on January 27, 2020. He faces up to 40 years in prison when sentenced on September 21, 2020.
The Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA), the United States Postal Service - Office of Inspector General, and the United States Postal Inspection Service (USPIS) conducted the investigation. The West Virginia National Guard assisted law enforcement with the investigation. Senior United States District Judge David A. Faber presided over the hearing. Assistant United States Attorney L. Alexander Hamner is handling the prosecution.
The Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Force (OCDETF) is an independent component of the U.S. Department of Justice. Established in 1982, OCDETF is the keystone of the Attorney General’s strategy to reduce the availability of illicit narcotics throughout the United States using a prosecutor-led, multi-agency approach to combat transnational organized crime. OCDETF agents and prosecutors nationwide handle complex investigations and prosecutions of the highest-level drug traffickers, money launderers, and other priority transnational criminal organizations that threaten the citizens of the United States. OCDETF facilitates joint operations by focusing its partner agencies on priority targets, by managing and coordinating multi-agency efforts, and by leveraging intelligence across multiple investigative platforms.
A copy of this press release is located on the website of the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of West Virginia. Related court documents and information can be found on PACER by searching for Case No. 2:20-cr-00024.
Follow us on Twitter: SDWVNews and USAttyStuart
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Florence Landlord Accused of Housing DiscriminationRead the Press Release
EUGENE, Ore.—The U.S. Attorney’s Office announced today that it has filed a lawsuit in federal court alleging that the owner of residential rental housing in Florence, Oregon, made discriminatory statements, preventing a foster parent from applying to rent a home, in violation of the federal Fair Housing Act.
“Under the Fair Housing Act, owners and managers of rental housing must ensure their properties are open to families with children,” said Billy J. Williams, U.S. Attorney for the District of Oregon. “Our office will vigorously enforce this important civil rights protection to provide relief for families victimized and deter future discrimination.”
The lawsuit, filed in the U.S. District Court in Eugene, alleges that Kathie Carmer, 74, of Florence, engaged in unlawful familial status discrimination in connection with a single family home in Florence that she had advertised for rent on Craigslist. The civil complaint alleges that a prospective tenant called Carmer in November 2018 to inquire about the rental and disclosed that she was looking for a residence suitable for herself and her four foster children. Carmer then allegedly made discouraging and discriminatory comments to the prospective tenant about her intent to leave the children with a babysitter while she is working, a carpeted house not being suitable for children, and the tenant not being a good fit for the rental. Carmer did not provide the prospective tenant an opportunity to continue with a rental application.
The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) investigated this case after receiving a complaint from the prospective tenant. The department concluded that there is reasonable cause to believe that Defendant violated the Fair Housing Act.
The filed complaint asserts three allegations against Carmer of discrimination against families with children, based upon the findings of HUD’s investigation: (1) refusing to rent or to negotiate for the rental of the advertised property because of familial status; (2) discriminating in the terms, conditions, or privileges of the rental of a dwelling because of familial status; and (3) making discouraging and other discriminatory statements to a potential renter with children.
The lawsuit seeks monetary damages, a civil penalty, and a court order barring future discrimination and harassment. While the complaint contains allegations of unlawful conduct; the allegations must be proven in federal court.
The United States is being represented in this matter by Adrian Brown, Assistant U.S. Attorney for the District of Oregon.
The federal Fair Housing Act prohibits discrimination in housing based on race, color, religion, national origin, sex, disability and familial status. Individuals who believe they may have been victims of familial status discrimination or other types of housing discrimination at rental dwellings owned or managed by Carmer, or who have other information that may be relevant to this case, are asked to contact the United States Attorney’s Office at 503-727-1000 and request to speak to the Civil Rights Coordinator.
Felon Pleads Guilty to Gun Possession After Police ChaseRead the Press Release
Memphis, TN – Patrick Vaughn, 35, has pleaded guilty to being a felon in possession of a firearm. D. Michael Dunavant, U.S. Attorney announced the guilty plea today.
According to information presented in Court, on January 4, 2019, detectives with the Memphis Police Department's Violent Crimes Unit were conducting surveillance on a possible carjacking suspect, Patrick Vaughn, driving a black 2006 Kia Amanti near Poplar Ave and Hollywood Street. Attempting to avoid the surveillance, Vaughn made several U-turns on Poplar; detectives then called for additional patrol officers.
Officers attempted to stop the vehicle, but Vaughn continued to flee on Poplar at a high rate of speed; he ran several red lights while striking other vehicles. Vaughn then left his vehicle and fled on foot for a short distance before being taken into custody. During the search of the vehicle, officers recovered a black Ruger .380 caliber handgun.
Vaughn later waived his Miranda rights and admitted to being a felon in possession of a handgun. As a result of his prior felony convictions, including a carjacking offense in 2008, Vaughn is prohibited by federal law from possession of firearms or ammunition.
The defendant pled guilty on August 24, 2020, before U.S. District Court Judge John T. Fowlkes Jr. A sentencing hearing is scheduled on November 18, 2020, where Vaughn faces a sentence of up to 10 years in federal prison. There is no parole in the federal system.
U.S. Attorney D. Michael Dunavant said: "Prohibited persons in possession of firearms such as convicted felons present a known and immediate risk of violence to the community at large. In order to protect public safety and uphold the rule of law, we must remove firearms from the hands of prohibited persons and remove dangerous felons from our streets."
This case was investigated by the Memphis Police Department and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF).
Special Assistant U.S. Attorney Samuel D. Winnig is prosecuting this case on behalf of the government. SAUSA Winnig is currently assigned from the Shelby County District Attorney General’s Office for the purpose of prosecuting violent crimes and firearms offenses in federal court.
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Federal Court Permanently Shuts Down Texas Tax Return PreparerRead the Press Release
A federal court permanently enjoined Siza Mhlanga, d/b/a Tax Refund Express, Camp Bowie Tax, Camp Bowie Tax Services, Tax Refund Company, and United Tax Refunds, of Fort Worth, Texas, from owning or operating a tax return preparation business and preparing tax returns for others, the Justice Department announced today. Mhlanga consented to the relief.
The complaint against Mhlanga, which was filed in the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Texas, alleges that Mhlanga repeatedly prepared returns that report fake deductions for charitable donations, business losses, and fabricated education and energy credits to generate tax refunds. For example, the complaint alleges that Mhlanga prepared a customer’s 2017 tax return on which Mhlanga fabricated a business for the customer and reported a fake business loss of $21,720. The complaint alleges that, over the course of tax years 2017 and 2018, Mhlanga filed hundreds of returns, and that by repeatedly understating his customers’ tax liabilities, Mhlanga caused the United States to lose substantial tax revenue.
“The Justice Department will pursue those who would abuse our nation’s tax laws,” said Principal Deputy Assistant Attorney General for the Tax Division Richard Zuckerman. “Taxpayers should be vigilant so they do not file tax returns claiming false deductions.”
Return preparer fraud is one of the IRS’ Dirty Dozen Tax Scams and taxpayers seeking a return preparer should remain vigilant. The IRS has information on its website for choosing a tax preparer and has launched a free directory of federal tax preparers. In the past decade, the Tax Division has obtained injunctions against hundreds of unscrupulous tax preparers. Information about these cases is available on the Justice Department website. An alphabetical listing of persons enjoined from preparing returns and promoting tax schemes can be found on this page. If you believe that one of the enjoined persons or businesses may be violating an injunction, please contact the Tax Division with details.
Ex-Company Controller Who Embezzled $2.8 Million from Employer and Cheated on His Taxes Sentenced to More Than 7 Years in Federal PrisonRead the Press Release
LOS ANGELES – A former controller for a Burbank-based commercial printing company was sentenced today to 87 months in federal prison for embezzling $2.8 million from his employer and failing to report the stolen funds as income to the IRS.
Sean Edin Talaee, 63, of Glendale, was sentenced by United States District Judge Otis D. Wright II, who also ordered him to pay $2,933,585 in restitution. Talaee
Talaee pleaded guilty in May 2019 to one count of mail fraud and one count of subscribing to a false income tax return.
From October 2015 to June 2018, Talaee worked as the controller overseeing the accounting and tax payments of Printograph, Inc., a commercial printing company that does business as GotPrint.com. During this time period, Printograph made a series of periodic estimated tax payments based on the company’s expected gross income, deductions, and credits for each year. Talaee enabled these estimated tax payments by bringing company checks to Printograph’s president and sole owner – who had signing authority for the company’s bank account – for her signature prior to their submission to the IRS.
On at least eight separate occasions, Talaee obtained company checks from Printograph’s president but instead inserted his own taxpayer information when filling out the IRS voucher forms that accompanied the estimated tax payments. By using his own information – and not the company’s – Talaee was able to claim the estimated tax payments for himself and caused the IRS to credit the payments to his own personal account, thereby embezzling the funds from Printograph and effectively laundering the embezzled proceeds through the IRS.
During the course of the scheme, Talaee embezzled $2.8 million from his employer and falsely claimed estimated tax payments in that amount for the years 2015, 2016 and 2017. These estimated tax payments allowed Talaee to receive a total of $2,778,994 in fraudulent tax refunds for these years, court papers state. Talaee failed to report the embezzled money as income for these tax years, causing a total tax loss of $740,085.
“(Talaee) embezzled a significant amount of money from Printograph and exposed the company – and its owner personally – to potential tax liability stemming from his theft of the company’s tax payments,” prosecutors wrote in their sentencing memorandum. “He did so repeatedly over the course of two years for his own personal gain.”
IRS Criminal Investigation and the FBI investigated this matter.
This case was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Alexander C.K. Wyman of the Major Frauds Section.
Eufaula Man Sentenced to 78 Months, $3,000 Restitution for Possession of Material Involving Sexual Exploitation of A MinorRead the Press Release
MUSKOGEE, OKLAHOMA – The United States Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of Oklahoma announced that Jacob Quinlan Navarrette, age 28, of Eufaula, Oklahoma was sentenced to 78 months’ imprisonment, 10 years of supervised release, and pay $3,000.00 in restitution for Possession Of Certain Material Involving The Sexual Exploitation Of A Minor, in violation of Title 18, United States Code, Sections 2252(a)(4)(B) and 2252(b)(2). Once released from incarceration, the Defendant must register as a sex offender, complete sex offender treatment and comply with conditions of that treatment including polygraphs to determine compliance, the Defendant may not possess any type of pornography, and he must submit to examinations of his computers. The charges arose from an investigation by the Federal Bureau of Investigation.
The Indictment alleged that beginning in or about January 2018, and continuing until on or about May 2, 2018, in the Eastern District of Oklahoma, the defendant knowingly possessed and accessed with the intent to view, and attempted to possess and access with the intent to view, a visual depiction of a prepubescent minor under the age of twelve engaging in sexually explicit conduct, and said visual depiction was of such sexually explicit conduct and had been transported in interstate commerce by computer.
United States Attorney Brian J. Kuester said, “The horrific acts committed against children by the criminals who produce child pornography is made profitable by the criminals that purchase, possess, and share it. I commend the FBI for its diligent efforts to identify, investigate, and bring to justice those who are involved in despicable acts against children.”
The Honorable Ronald A. White, U.S. District Judge in the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Oklahoma, in Muskogee, presided over the hearing. Assistant United States Attorney Sarah McAmis represented the United States.
Eagle Butte Man Sentenced for Firearm Charges and Voluntary ManslaughterRead the Press Release
United States Attorney Ron Parsons announced that an Eagle Butte, South Dakota, man convicted of Voluntary Manslaughter and Discharging a Firearm During and in Relation to a Crime of Violence was sentenced on August 17, 2020, by Chief Judge Roberto A. Lange, U.S. District Court.
Dante Johnson was sentenced to 15 years in federal prison, followed by 5 years of supervised release, and a special assessment to the Federal Crime Victims Fund in the amount of $200.
An Information was filed against Johnson on January 14, 2019. He pled guilty on June 1, 2020.
The conviction stemmed from an incident on January 12, 2019, when Johnson fired a gun and people at a neighboring house heard it. Upon hearing the gunshot, the victim exited the residence to see what was going on. As the victim stepped forward, Johnson pointed a handgun at him and shot the victim in the chest. The victim collapsed and died due to the gunshot wound.
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 its 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 local communities to develop effective, locally-based strategies to reduce 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. Initiated by the Attorney General in the fall of 2019, Project Guardian draws upon the Department’s past successful programs to reduce gun violence; enhances coordination of federal, state, local, and tribal authorities in investigating and prosecuting gun crimes; improves information-sharing by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives when a prohibited individual attempts to purchase a firearm and is denied by the National Instant Criminal Background Check System (NICS), to include taking appropriate actions when a prospective purchaser is denied by the NICS for mental health reasons; and ensures that federal resources are directed at the criminals posing the greatest threat to our communities. For more information about Project Guardian, please see: https://www.justice.gov/projectguardian.
This case was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation and Cheyenne River Sioux Tribe Law Enforcement Services. Assistant U.S. Attorney Jay Miller prosecuted the case.
Johnson was immediately turned over to the custody of the U.S. Marshals Service.
DUSA Pharmaceuticals to pay U.S. $20.75 million to settle False Claims Act allegations relating to promotion of unsupported drug administration processRead the Press Release
WASHINGTON – Massachusetts-based DUSA Pharmaceuticals Inc. (DUSA), a subsidiary of Sun Pharmaceutical Industries Inc. (Sun Pharma), has agreed to pay the United States $20.75 million to resolve allegations that DUSA caused physicians to submit false claims to Medicare and the Federal Employee Health Benefit Program (FEHBP) by knowingly promoting an administration process for the drug Levulan Kerastick that contradicted the product instructions approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and was unsupported by sufficient clinical evidence.
“The department is committed to protecting taxpayer-supported health care programs from fraud and abuse,” said Acting Assistant Attorney General Ethan P. Davis for the Justice Department’s Civil Division. “We will hold drug manufacturers accountable when they knowingly promote ineffective uses of their products that undermine patient care or waste program funds.”
“While this scheme to provide false instructions on the use of its product may have resulted in more sales and bigger profits, it also meant customers endured the frustration of being repeatedly subjected to less effective treatments to try to get their skin lesions to clear,” said U.S. Attorney Brian T. Moran for the Western District of Washington. “This investigation seeks to restore money to taxpayers and discourage those who put profits over effective treatment.”
“Drug makers that push the inappropriate use of their products undermine the health of patients and the financial integrity of federal health care programs, said Special Agent in Charge Steven J. Ryan of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Office of Inspector General. “Our oversight agency, working closely with our law enforcement partners, will continue to thoroughly investigate those who engage in such schemes.”
“The OPM OIG will always seek to hold accountable those prioritizing profits over patient health and safety,” said Norbert E. Vint, Deputy Inspector General Performing the Duties of the Inspector General, Office of Personnel Management (OPM) OIG. “This settlement demonstrates the commitment of our investigative staff and partners at the Department of Justice to combat health care fraud against the FEHBP.”
Levulan Kerastick is a prescription topical solution approved by the United States Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for the treatment of minimally to moderately thick actinic keratosis (AKs) of the face or scalp. At all relevant times, the “Dosage and Administration” section of the drug’s FDA-approved instructions described a two-stage process involving application of the topical solution to the target lesions and then, following an incubation period of 14 to 18 hours, illumination of the target lesion with blue light.
The United States alleged that, by January 2014, senior management at both DUSA and Sun Pharma knew that administration of Levulan Kerastick employing short incubation periods ranging from one to three hours resulted in AK clearance rates significantly lower than those achieved in clinical trials using 14 to 18-hour incubation. Nonetheless, between January 2014 and December 2016, DUSA allegedly encouraged physicians to use these demonstrably less effective short incubation periods by using, among other things, paid physician speaker programs, paid physician peer-to-peer discussions, promotion by DUSA’s sales force, and the dissemination of incomplete or misleading responses to questions from prescribing doctors. The department further alleged that DUSA failed to inform physicians that administering the drug using short incubation periods resulted in significantly lower AK clearance rates than achieved with the longer incubation period described in the FDA-approved instructions, and, in some instances, the company falsely stated that AK clearance rates were the same for the shorter and less effective incubation periods.
As part of the settlement, DUSA and its parent company, Sun Pharma, have agreed to enter into a Corporate Integrity Agreement with HHS-OIG. That agreement provides for procedures and reviews to be put in place to avoid and promptly detect conduct similar to that which gave rise to this matter.
The settlement with DUSA resolves a lawsuit filed under the whistleblower provision of the False Claims Act, which permits private parties to file suit on behalf of the United States for false claims and share in a portion of the government’s recovery. The civil lawsuit was filed by Aaron Chung, who formerly worked for DUSA as a sales representative. As part of today’s resolution, Chung will receive approximately $3.5 million.
The settlement with DUSA was the result of a coordinated effort among the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Western District of Washington and the Commercial Litigation Branch (Fraud Section) of the Justice Department’s Civil Division, with assistance from HHS’ Office of Counsel to the Inspector General, FDA’s Office of Chief Counsel, and HHS’ Office of General Counsel.
The settlement was handled by Assistant United States Attorneys Kayla Stahman for U.S. Attorney’s Office, Western District of Washington and Breanna Peterson of DOJ’s Civil Division Commercial Litigation Branch.
The claims resolved by this settlement are allegations only, and there has been no determination of liability. The lawsuit is captioned United States of America ex rel. Chung v. DUSA Pharmaceuticals, Inc., No. 16 cv 1614-JLR.
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DUSA Pharmaceuticals to Pay U.S. $20.75 Million to Settle False Claims Act Allegations Relating to Promotion of Unsupported Drug Administration ProcessRead the Press Release
Massachusetts-based DUSA Pharmaceuticals, Inc. (DUSA), a subsidiary of Sun Pharmaceutical Industries, Inc. (Sun Pharma), has agreed to pay the United States $20.75 million to resolve allegations that DUSA caused physicians to submit false claims to Medicare and the Federal Employee Health Benefit Program by knowingly promoting an administration process for the drug Levulan Kerastick that contradicted the product instructions approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and was unsupported by sufficient clinical evidence.
“The department is committed to protecting taxpayer-supported health care programs from fraud and abuse,” said Acting Assistant Attorney General Ethan P. Davis for the Justice Department’s Civil Division. “We will hold drug manufacturers accountable when they knowingly promote ineffective uses of their products that undermine patient care or waste program funds.”
“While this scheme to provide false instructions on the use of its product may have resulted in more sales and bigger profits, it also meant customers endured the frustration of being repeatedly subjected to less effective treatments to try to get their skin lesions to clear,” said U.S. Attorney Brian T. Moran for the Western District of Washington. “This investigation seeks to restore money to taxpayers and discourage those who put profits over effective treatment.”
“Drug makers that push the inappropriate use of their products undermine the health of patients and the financial integrity of federal health care programs, said Special Agent in Charge Steven J. Ryan of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Office of Inspector General. “Our oversight agency, working closely with our law enforcement partners, will continue to thoroughly investigate those who engage in such schemes.”
“The OPM OIG will always seek to hold accountable those prioritizing profits over patient health and safety,” said Norbert E. Vint, Deputy Inspector General Performing the Duties of the Inspector General, Office of Personnel Management (OPM) OIG. “This settlement demonstrates the commitment of our investigative staff and partners at the Department of Justice to combat health care fraud against the FEHBP.”
Levulan Kerastick is a prescription topical solution approved by the United States Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for the treatment of minimally to moderately thick actinic keratosis (AKs) of the face or scalp. At all relevant times, the “Dosage and Administration” section of the drug’s FDA-approved instructions described a two-stage process involving application of the topical solution to the target lesions and then, following an incubation period of 14 to 18 hours, illumination of the target lesion with blue light.
The United States alleged that, by January 2014, senior management at both DUSA and Sun Pharma knew that administration of Levulan Kerastick employing short incubation periods ranging from one to three hours resulted in AK clearance rates significantly lower than those achieved in clinical trials using 14 to 18-hour incubation. Nonetheless, between January 2014 and December 2016, DUSA allegedly encouraged physicians to use these demonstrably less effective short incubation periods by using, among other things, paid physician speaker programs, paid physician peer-to-peer discussions, promotion by DUSA’s sales force, and the dissemination of incomplete or misleading responses to questions from prescribing doctors. The department further alleged that DUSA failed to inform physicians that administering the drug using short incubation periods resulted in significantly lower AK clearance rates than achieved with the longer incubation period described in the FDA-approved instructions, and, in some instances, the company falsely stated that AK clearance rates were the same for the shorter and less effective incubation periods.
As part of the settlement, DUSA and its parent company, Sun Pharma, have agreed to enter into a Corporate Integrity Agreement with HHS-OIG. That agreement provides for procedures and reviews to be put in place to avoid and promptly detect conduct similar to that which gave rise to this matter.
The settlement with DUSA resolves a lawsuit filed under the whistleblower provision of the False Claims Act, which permits private parties to file suit on behalf of the United States for false claims and share in a portion of the government’s recovery. The civil lawsuit was filed by Aaron Chung, who formerly worked for DUSA as a sales representative. As part of today’s resolution, Chung will receive approximately $3.5 million.
The settlement with DUSA was the result of a coordinated effort among the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Western District of Washington and the Commercial Litigation Branch (Fraud Section) of the Justice Department’s Civil Division, with assistance from HHS’ Office of Counsel to the Inspector General, FDA’s Office of Chief Counsel, and HHS’ Office of General Counsel.
The claims resolved by this settlement are allegations only, and there has been no determination of liability. The lawsuit is captioned United States of America ex rel. Chung v. DUSA Pharmaceuticals, Inc., No. 16 cv 1614-JLR.
Cross Lanes Woman Sentenced to More than 15 Years for Drug CrimeRead the Press Release
CHARLESTON, W.Va. – A Cross Lanes woman was sentenced to more than 15 years in prison for a drug crime, announced United States Attorney Mike Stuart. Brandi Martin, 35, was sentenced to 188 months in prison and five years of supervised release for possession with intent to distribute five grams or more of methamphetamine.
“Deadly - six pounds of 96% pure meth,” said United States Attorney Mike Stuart. “Thanks to the great work of our law enforcement partners, the package was intercepted before Martin had a chance to distribute it. Meth-related overdose deaths have been on the rise in our communities.”
On January 25, 2018, law enforcement intercepted a package of approximately six pounds of methamphetamine headed for Martin’s address. On January 26, 2018, law enforcement obtained a search warrant for Martin’s residence. Officers executed the warrant and found Martin as she was attempting to flush 19 grams of cocaine, 73 grams of methamphetamine and heroin. These drugs were recovered from the toilet and were sent away for forensic analysis. The drugs were confirmed for their substance and purity. The methamphetamine in the toilet proved to be 96% pure. The six pounds of methamphetamine also was 96% pure. Martin ultimately admitted that she intended to distribute the methamphetamine she was attempting to flush. Two handguns also were recovered from her residence.
Martin has a previous federal felony conviction for the distribution of cocaine.
The Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) and United States Postal Inspection Service (USPIS) conducted the investigation as part of an Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Force. Senior United States District Judge David A. Faber imposed the sentence. Assistant United States Attorney L. Alexander Hamner is handling the prosecution.
The Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Force (OCDETF) is an independent component of the U.S. Department of Justice. Established in 1982, OCDETF is the keystone of the Attorney General’s strategy to reduce the availability of illicit narcotics throughout the United States using a prosecutor-led, multi-agency approach to combat transnational organized crime. OCDETF agents and prosecutors nationwide handle complex investigations and prosecutions of the highest-level drug traffickers, money launderers, and other priority transnational criminal organizations that threaten the citizens of the United States. OCDETF facilitates joint operations by focusing its partner agencies on priority targets, by managing and coordinating multi-agency efforts, and by leveraging intelligence across multiple investigative platforms.
A copy of this press release is located on the website of the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of West Virginia. Related court documents and information can be found on PACER by searching for Case No. 19-CR-00209.
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Crips Gang Member Sentenced to More Than 15 Years in Federal Prison for Leading Bank Robbery Crew and for Being A Felon in Possession of A FirearmRead the Press Release
DENVER – United States Attorney Jason R. Dunn today announced that Eric Coleman, age 43, and a leader of the Rolling 60s Crips, was sentenced to serve 188 months (over 15 years) in federal prison for bank robbery and for being a felon in possession of a firearm. Coleman appeared remotely in custody and was remanded at the hearing’s conclusion. The FBI joined in today’s announcement.
According to the stipulated facts contained in his plea agreement, as well as the government’s argument at sentencing, Coleman was a member and leader of the Rolling 60s Crips, and a mastermind of a multi-defendant bank robbery operation. Coleman actively recruited and manipulated juveniles to carry out the actual robberies. He made juvenile and younger gang members put on makeup and use a firearm to rob the banks.
For example, on March 14, 2018, the ENT Federal Credit Union in Colorado Springs, Colorado was robbed. After the robbery, law enforcement learned that Coleman had picked up the robber -- a co-defendant -- from the credit union, driving them away from the scene. The four individuals involved in these robberies, including Coleman, met up at a fast food restaurant where the robber gave the firearm to Coleman and the money was divided.
On April 30, 2018, law enforcement stopped four individuals who were planning to commit another bank robbery. Officers found an individual wearing makeup. The manner in which the makeup was being worn matched several recent bank robberies and business robberies. During interviews following the stop, law enforcement learned that Coleman would hand the bank robber a firearm for the robbery. A subsequent search of Coleman’s residence resulted in officers finding three firearms, including one in a bag with Mr. Coleman's prescription medication, directly tying him to the weapon.
All seven of the defendants have pleaded guilty, and three of the seven defendants have been sentenced.
In addition to the bank robbery, Coleman was a felon in possession of three firearms, including: a .38 caliber revolver; a .40 caliber pistol; and a 9mm rifle. Prior to the firearms being discovered, Coleman had been convicted of multiple felony offenses, making it illegal for him to have possessed the firearms.
“Bank robbery, especially with a weapon, is a violent crime,” said U.S. Attorney Jason Dunn. “In this case, Mr. Coleman used his position as a gang leader to recruit minors to do his dirty work. He will now serve a lengthy prison sentence appropriate for someone who orchestrated and led others to commit these crimes.”
“The success of this investigation is largely attributed to the close working relationships between federal, state, and local law enforcement and our Southern Colorado Safe Streets Task Force,” said FBI Denver Special Agent in Charge Michael Schneider. “The collaborative effort to address violent crimes, such as bank robberies, within our local communities is just one example of how highly the FBI values its partnerships and the critical role these relationships play in making our community safer.”
The sentence was pronounced by U.S. District Court Judge William J. Martinez on August 19, 2020. The guilty plea was entered on March 5, 2020. This case was investigated by the Colorado Springs FBI. Local law enforcement, including the Colorado Springs Police Department and the El Paso County Sheriff’s Office, assisted with the investigation. The defendant is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Kurt Bohn.
A copy of this press release is located on the website of the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Colorado. Related court documents can be found on PACER by searching for Case Number 18-cr-360.
The year 2020 marks the 150th anniversary of the Department of Justice. Learn more about the history of our agency at www.Justice.gov/Celebrating150Years.
Convicted Sex Offender Sentenced in Federal Court for Failing to RegisterRead the Press Release
SHREVEPORT, La. – Christopher D. Watson, 40, was sentenced today by U.S. District Judge S. Maurice Hicks, Jr. for failing to register as a convicted sex offender, Acting United States Attorney Alexander C. Van Hook announced. Watson was sentenced to 37 months in prison, followed by 5 years of supervised release.
Watson previously pled guilty to the charge on February 3, 2020. According to evidence introduced in court, Watson was convicted of Sexual Abuse in the Second Degree in the State of Oregon in February 2008 and was required to register as a convicted sex offender in the State of Oregon for life. Watson moved to Utah and lived there from 2011 until 2018 and while there was arrested multiple times for failing to register as a sex offender.
In August 2018, Watson moved from Utah to Shreveport, Louisiana. In October 2018, Watson was arrested by law enforcement officers in Bossier City following a complaint. After learning he was a convicted sex offender, officers advised Watson to register as a sex offender in Louisiana. In December 2018 while responding to a complaint, Bossier City Police officers had another encounter with Watson and he was advised a second time to register as a registered sex offender as required by law and was cited to appear in Louisiana state court for failing to register as required.
On October 9, 2019, Shreveport Police officers encountered Watson and learned that he had not registered as a convicted sex offender. Watson was placed under arrest for failing to register as required. Under federal law, a convicted sex offender is required to register under the Sex Offender Registration and Notification Act.
The United States Marshals Service, Bossier City Police Department, and Shreveport Police Department conducted the investigation. Assistant U.S. Attorney Brian C. Flanagan prosecuted the case.
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Convicted Felon Sentenced in Federal Court for Firearms ChargeRead the Press Release
SHREVEPORT, La. – Acting United States Attorney Alexander C. Van Hook announced that Marquis Moss, 31, of Shreveport, was sentenced today for being a convicted felon in possession of a firearm. U.S. District Judge S. Maurice Hicks, Jr. sentenced Moss to 115 months (9 years, 7 months) in prison, followed by 3 years of supervised release.
Moss previously pleaded guilty on February 3, 2020. According to evidence introduced in court, after 9-1-1 dispatchers received a hang-up call on February 22, 2019, Shreveport Police officers were dispatched to Fullerton Street in Shreveport where the call originated. When officers arrived, they found Moss outside in the neighborhood armed with a pistol and ammunition.
Moss was previously convicted of carnal knowledge of a juvenile (2013) and attempted distribution of a false CDS. Under federal law, it is illegal for anyone who has been convicted of a felony to be in possession of a firearm or ammunition.
The ATF and the Shreveport Police Department conducted the investigation. Assistant U.S. Attorney Mary J. Mudrick prosecuted the case.
This case is part of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), a program that has been historically successful in bringing together all levels of law enforcement and the communities they serve to reduce violent crime and make neighborhoods safer for everyone. To learn more about Project Safe Neighborhoods, go to www.justice.gov/psn.
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Conecuh County Man Sentenced to 37 Months for Being a Felon in Possession of a FirearmRead the Press Release
United States Attorney Richard W. Moore of the Southern District of Alabama announced that Matthew John Cobb, 35, of Castleberry, Alabama, was sentenced in federal court for being a convicted felon in possession of a firearm. Cobb pleaded guilty to the charge in April of 2020.
In connection with his guilty plea, Cobb admitted that in June 2019, law enforcement officials were investigating him as a suspect in string of hunting-camp burglaries that resulted in several stolen firearms. On June 13, 2019, a special response team located Cobb in the attic of a residence in Brooklyn, Alabama. Officers found a backpack in the attic that contained stolen items, including a .45-caliber handgun. During a post-Miranda interview, Cobb admitted that he possessed the handgun that was recovered from the backpack inside the attic. Cobb also acknowledged that he was a convicted felon and was aware that he was not supposed to possess firearms. At the time he possessed the firearm, Cobb had a prior felony conviction for Theft of Property, First Degree in the Circuit Court of Conecuh County, Alabama.
Chief United States District Court Judge Kristi K. DuBose imposed a sentence of 37 months’ incarceration, to be followed by a three-year term of supervised release. During that time, Cobb will undergo testing and treatment for substance abuse and will receive mental health evaluation and treatment. The court did not impose a fine, but the judge ordered Cobb to pay $100 in special assessments.
This case was investigated by the Conecuh County Sheriff’s Office, the Covington County Sheriff’s Office, and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives. It was prosecuted in the United States Attorney’s Office by Assistant United States Attorney Christopher Baugh.
Cleveland Postal Service Manager accused of distribution of controlled substances and theft of mailRead the Press Release
U.S. Attorney Justin Herdman announced that a federal grand jury sitting in Cleveland has returned a six-count indictment charging Anthony Sharp, age 30, of South Euclid, Ohio, with conspiracy to distribute and possess with intent to distribute controlled substances, possession with intent to distribute controlled substances, money laundering and theft of mail.
“This defendant allegedly stole what he believed to be were drugs shipped through the mail and then sold them for a great profit,” said U.S. Attorney Justin Herdman. “I am grateful for the work of the U.S. Postal Service Office of Inspector General and the U.S. Postal Inspection Service for their hard work on this investigation and to help keep illegal drugs out of our community.”
U.S. Postal Service Office of Inspector General Special Agent in Charge Kenneth Cleevely stated: “Postal employees are paid to deliver mail and parcels, not steal and distribute drugs in the community. When a postal employee decides to violate the public’s trust, special agents with the USPS OIG will work with our law enforcement partners to see that they lose their job, their pension, and their freedom. To report postal employees engaged in criminal activity, contact our special agents at www.uspsoig.gov or 888-USPS-OIG.”
“This arrest is a shining example of the coordinated efforts of federal and local law enforcement to protect the mail system from being used for criminal purposes, such as drug transportation and trafficking”, said Acting Inspector In Charge of the U.S. Postal Inspection Service, Tosha Dennis. “This partnership between the US Postal Inspection Service, USPS OIG and local law enforcement (Euclid, South Euclid and Cuyahoga County Sheriff’s Office) should serve as a warning to anyone dealing in dangerous and illegal substances. The Postal Inspection Service has always made it their mission to protect the public and the United States Postal Service from these illegal and dangerous drugs.”
According to court documents, the U.S. Postal Service Office of Inspector General (USPS OIG) began an investigation into the defendant based on suspicions that the defendant, a Postal Service Manager in Cleveland, was profiling U.S. Mail suspected to contain controlled substances, illegally opening the parcels and stealing the contents.
On July 22, 2020, USPS OIG special agents and postal inspectors observed Sharp arrive at a Postal Service processing facility to help sort Express Mail by hand, states the affidavit in support of the criminal complaint. Sharp is then allegedly observed removing two packages, which contained methamphetamine and cocaine, and placing them into his own mail hamper and removed them from the postal facility, placing them in his personal vehicle.
Sharp was later detained during a traffic stop, and a search of his vehicle produced the two packages that contained methamphetamine and cocaine, as well as a third package that contained two kilograms of a mixture of fentanyl. The complaint alleges that the packages were opened. Additionally, agents discovered several other open Express and Priority Mail parcels inside the trunk of the vehicle, absent the contents.
As a result of the offenses, the defendant is ordered to forfeit approximately $100,000 seized, a 2008 Harley Davidson motorcycle and a 2019 White Polaris Slingshot.
An indictment is only a charge and is not evidence of guilt. A defendant is entitled to a fair trial in which it will be the government’s burden to prove guilt beyond a reasonable doubt.
A defendant is entitled to a fair trial in which it will be the government’s burden to prove guilt beyond a reasonable doubt.
If convicted, the defendant's sentence will be determined by the Court after review of factors unique to this case, including the defendant's prior criminal record, if any, the defendant's role in the offense and the characteristics of the violation.
In all cases, the sentence will not exceed the statutory maximum and in most cases it will be less than the maximum.
The investigation preceding the indictment was conducted by the U.S. Postal Service Office of Inspector General and U.S. Postal Inspection Service. This case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Margaret Sweeney and Kathryn Andrachik.
Charity Employee to Serve 27 Months in Federal Prison for Embezzling over $450,000Read the Press Release
INDIANAPOLIS – United States Attorney Josh J. Minkler announced today that U.S. District Judge Tanya Walton Pratt sentenced Christina Short, 43, of Speedway, Indiana, to 27 months in federal prison for perpetrating a six-year scheme to steal over $450,000 from the charitable foundation where she worked.
“Those who donate to charitable causes should feel secure in knowing their funds will go where they intended,” said Minkler. “And those who choose to steal should likewise know that they will be caught, prosecuted, and held accountable in court.”
Short’s now-former employer was Zeta Tau Alpha (ZTA), a national women’s college fraternity headquartered in Carmel, Indiana. ZTA has thousands of student members across approximately 170 colleges throughout the country, as well as approximately 200,000 living alumni members.
Short worked for over 16 years as the financial coordinator for the ZTA Foundation, which is ZTA’s 501(c) (3) charitable organization. ZTA Foundation raises money for scholarships and educational opportunities for ZTA students and alumni, as well as for breast cancer awareness. As financial coordinator, she was responsible for receiving donations in the mail, depositing them in the Foundation’s bank account, and ensuring that the donations are accounted for in the Foundation’s financial ledgers.
For over six years, beginning in 2012 and continuing until she was terminated in November 2018, Short perpetrated a scheme to steal donations and deposit them into her own personal bank accounts. In all, she stole 816 donations on nearly 500 separate occasions for a total of $450,874.48. She used the money she stole primarily for personal expenses, such as restaurants, clothing, youth sports, and vacations.
Her embezzlement went undetected for so long because of the sophisticated steps she took to conceal it. First, she focused on money orders or other donations that would not cause the donor to be alerted if the donation was deposited in her bank account—in other words, she avoided stealing personal checks.
Second, when she washed and altered the “pay to” line on the money orders, she used over 14 different variations of her name or her maiden name, such as “Kristina M Short,” “Christina Aranjo Short,” and “Christy Short,” in an effort to disguise her scheme from her bank.
Third, she made sure to record all donations in ZTA Foundation’s donation database software, including the ones she stole. As a result, she ensured that donors received confirmation and assurance that their donations were received, such as “thank you” cards and tax receipts. Donors would even see their name in annual ZTA publications, even though Short had pocketed their donations.
Finally, at the same time, she manually manipulated donation reports to hide the amounts she stole and ensure that the reports matched the ZTA Foundation’s bank records, so neither the Foundation nor their outside accountants would detect her thefts.
Ultimately, a bank examiner noticed a suspicious-looking deposit and contacted ZTA, who confronted Short. She admitted to stealing only that check and was terminated. ZTA immediately notified and cooperated fully with the Federal Bureau of Investigations and Carmel Police Department, who investigated and uncovered the full scope of Short’s six-year scheme.
Members of ZTA’s executive staff were present for Short’s sentencing and submitted remarks to the Court regarding the sense of personal betrayal that Short, a 16-year employee and one-time friend of many at ZTA, had caused.
“Embezzlement is a crime that diverts funds from their intended use and causes harm to businesses and individuals. This sentence clearly shows that if you choose to commit this type of crime, you will be held accountable for your actions,” said Special Agent in Charge Paul Keenan, FBI Indianapolis. “The FBI and our law enforcement partners will continue to identify and investigate those who unlawfully enrich themselves at the expense of others.”
According to Assistant U.S. Attorney Nick Linder, who prosecuted the case, the Court ordered Short to repay the entire amount she stole, and that after sentencing, she made an initial payment of approximately $30,000. Short will also serve three years of supervised release after her 27-month prison sentence.
In October 2017, United States Attorney Josh J. Minkler announced a Strategic Plan designed to shape and strengthen the District’s response to its most significant public safety challenges. This prosecution demonstrates the Office’s firm commitment to prosecuting complex, long-running fraud schemes. (See United States Attorney’s Office, Southern District of Indiana Strategic Plan 5.1)
Buffalo Man Pleads Guilty to Lying on the Stand While Testifying About A Murder in A Federal TrialRead the Press Release
CONTACT: Barbara Burns
PHONE: (716) 843-5817
FAX #: (716) 551-3051BUFFALO, N.Y. - U.S. Attorney James P. Kennedy, Jr. announced today that Jonathan Singletary, a/k/a Freeze, 38, of Buffalo, NY, pleaded guilty before Chief U.S. District Judge Frank P. Geraci, Jr. to obstructing an official proceeding. The charge carries a maximum penalty of life in prison and a $250,000 fine.
Assistant U.S. Attorneys Justin G. Bish, Charles J. Volkert, Jr., and Meghan A. Tokash, who are handling the case, stated that in January 2010, the defendant informed his New York State parole officer that he had information concerning the murder of Jabril Harper, which occurred on December 16, 2009, and the robbery of Morris Singer, which occurred on January 4, 2010.
On January 11, 2010, Singletary provided a signed, sworn statement to the Buffalo Police Department. In the statement, the defendant said that Rodshaun Black came to his house on December 23, 2009, and told him that he and Ernest Green had robbed and killed Jabril Harper in Roosevelt Park after the victim began fighting them. Singletary also told the detectives that Black admitted the murder of Jabril Harper was part of a $10,000 contract killing. The defendant shared these details once again on December 6, 2011, while testifying before a federal grand jury.
On October 25, 2017, representatives of the United States Attorney’s Office and the FBI met with Singletary to prepare Singletary for testimony in the trial of Rodshaun Green and Ernest Black. An Assistant U.S. Attorney (AUSA) reviewed the January 11, 2010, sworn statement the defendant made to the Buffalo Police Detectives and the defendant’s sworn grand jury testimony from December 6, 2011. Singletary expressed reluctance to testify and did not want to read his prior Buffalo Police statement or his grand jury testimony, so the AUSA read it to the defendant and Singletary agreed that both his Buffalo Police statement and his grand jury testimony were true and accurate.
On November 29, 2017, representatives of the United States Attorney’s Office and the FBI again met with the defendant prior to his trial testimony scheduled for that day. Singletary again expressed reluctance to testify, but agreed to do so. The defendant told the government representatives that he had a problem testifying in front of Rodshaun Black’s mother because he had known her for a long time. Singletary then refused to review his grand jury testimony from December 6, 2011, and the statement he gave to Buffalo Police detectives on January 11, 2010, but said he was not worried because everything he had said previously was true.
On November 29, 2017, the prosecution called Singletary as a witness in United States v. Rodshaun Black and Ernest Green, et al., an official criminal trial proceeding in United States District Court for the Western District of New York. The defendant was sworn and then testified falsely and evasively. Specifically, Singletary: denied ever speaking to Rodshaun Black about the Jabril Harper murder; denied knowing Rodshaun Black’s mother; denied discussing his relationship with Rodshaun Black’s mother with an FBI agent and an AUSA earlier that day in preparation for his trial testimony; denied that he learned about Jabril Harper’s murder directly from Rodshaun Black; and testified that his prior statement to the Buffalo Police Department consisted of information he was told to say by the detectives who interviewed him.
The plea is the result of an investigation by the Buffalo Police Department, under the direction of Commissioner Byron Lockwood; the Federal Bureau of Investigation, under the direction of Special Agent-in-Charge Stephen Belongia; and the New York State Department of Corrections and Community Supervision, under the direction of under the direction of Acting Commissioner Anthony J. Annucci.
Sentencing is scheduled for November 12, 2020, at 1:30 p.m. before Judge Geraci.
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Breathitt County Man Sentenced to 180 Months for Drug Trafficking and Possession of Firearm by Convicted FelonRead the Press Release
LEXINGTON, Ky. - A Clayhole, Ky., man, Phillip Lovins, 61, was sentenced in federal court on Friday, to 180 months in prison, by Chief U.S. District Judge Danny Reeves, after previously pleading guilty to being a convicted felon in possession of firearms and ammunition and possession with intent to distribute Methadone.
According to his plea agreement, in May 2019, law enforcement found Lovins in possession of several boxes of ammunition, a 9 mm. pistol, a 270 caliber rifle, and a plastic bag with 100 Methadone 40 mg tablets. Lovins admitted that he had obtained the Methadone from his supplier, on multiple occasions, and he sold the pills to others. Lovins further admitted that he was a convicted felon and was prohibited from possessing a firearm.
Lovins pleaded guilty in February 2020. In May 2015, Lovins was convicted of several felonies, including four counts of Trafficking a Controlled Substance, one count of Tampering with Physical Evidence, and one count of Possession of a Controlled Substance, in Breathitt County Circuit Court.
Under federal law, Lovins must serve 85 percent of his prison sentence. Upon his release, he will be under the supervision of the U.S. Probation Office for six years.
Robert M. Duncan, Jr., United States Attorney for the Eastern District of Kentucky; Shawn Morrow, Special Agent in Charge, ATF, Louisville Field Division; Rodney Brewer, Commissioner of the Kentucky State Police; and Rich Storm, Commissioner of the Kentucky Department of Fish and Wildlife, jointly made the announcement.
The investigation was directed by ATF, KSP, and the Kentucky Department of Fish and Wildlife. The United States was represented by Assistant U.S. Attorney Roger West.
The year 2020 marks the 150th anniversary of the Department of Justice. Learn more about the history of our agency at www.Justice.gov/Celebrating150Years.
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Beggs Man Sentenced to 25 Months for Possession of Firearm, AmmunitionRead the Press Release
MUSKOGEE, OKLAHOMA – The United States Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of Oklahoma announced that Gerome William Davis, age 22, of Beggs, Oklahoma was sentenced to 25 months’ imprisonment, and 3 years of supervised release for Felon In Possession Of Firearm And Ammunition, in violation of Title 18, United States Code, Sections 922(g)(1) and 924(a)(2). The charges arose from an investigation by the Okmulgee County Sheriff’s Office, the District 25 District Attorney’s Office, and the Federal Bureau of Investigation as part of the Project Safe Neighborhoods (“PSN”) effort in the Eastern District of Oklahoma to reduce violent crime.
The Indictment alleged that on or about December 2, 2019, in the Eastern District of Oklahoma, the defendant, having been convicted of a crime punishable by imprisonment for a term exceeding one year, and knowing of said conviction, knowingly possessed in and affecting commerce a firearm, which had been shipped and transported in interstate commerce.
United States Attorney Brian J. Kuester said, “Enforcing federal firearms laws removes guns from violent offenders and makes communities safer. The Project Safe Neighborhoods project is such a valuable initiative because it brings state, local, tribal, and federal law enforcement agencies together to focus on reducing violent crime.”
“The FBI is committed to keeping firearms out of the hands of convicted felons like Mr. Davis," said Melissa Godbold, Special Agent in Charge of the FBI's Oklahoma City Field Office. “The FBI and our law enforcement partners will continue to work closely together to investigate those who violate federal firearms statutes.”
The Honorable Ronald A. White, U.S. District Judge in the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Oklahoma, in Muskogee, presided over the hearing. Assistant United States Attorney Ryan Conway represented the United States at the sentencing hearing.Allen Woman Charged in MurderRead the Press Release
United States Attorney Ron Parsons announced that an Allen, South Dakota, woman was charged in federal district court with First Degree Murder.
Jonnie Fineran, age 18, was charged on August 4, 2020. Fineran appeared before U.S. Magistrate Judge Daneta Wollmann on August 12, 2020, and pled not guilty to the charge.
The maximum penalty upon conviction is mandatory life in federal prison and a $250,000 fine, 5 years of supervised release, and $100 to the Federal Crime Victims Fund. Restitution may also be ordered.
The charge relates to Fineran killing a man by stabbing him on July 24, 2020, at Manderson. The charge is merely an accusation and Fineran is presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty.
The investigation is being conducted by the Oglala Sioux Tribe Department of Public Safety and the Federal Bureau of Investigation. Assistant U.S. Attorney Eric Kelderman is prosecuting the case.
Fineran was detained pending trial. A trial date has not been set.
Akron Man Pleads Guilty to Role in Multi-State Meth ConspiracyRead the Press Release
HUNTINGTON, W.Va. – An Akron, Ohio man who participated in a conspiracy which saw large quantities of methamphetamine transported from Akron and distributed in the Southern District of West Virginia pled guilty today, announced United States Attorney Mike Stuart. Lennie T. Whisenant, Jr., 25, entered a guilty plea to conspiracy to distribute 500 grams or more of methamphetamine.
“I’ll tell you a secret: WV is not the place to seek drugs. Another one from Akron. Incredible how these out-of-state drug dealers keep coming to West Virginia to peddle their poisons. We’ll keep arresting them and prosecuting them,” said United States Attorney Mike Stuart.
Whisenant admitted that during the months of April and May of 2019, he participated in a conspiracy with multiple individuals to distribute methamphetamine in the Southern District of West Virginia. Whisenant and others used a residence located at 1235 25th Street in Huntington to store methamphetamine after it was shipped from the Akron area. Whisenant and others then distributed the methamphetamine to various customers in the Huntington and Charleston areas. Whisenant also made reports back to sources in Akron regarding amounts of methamphetamine that had been sold and amounts that remained in Huntington. As part of his plea, Whisenant admitted that he was responsible for distributing up to 1.5 kilograms of methamphetamine during the conspiracy.
Whisenant faces 10 years to life in federal prison when he is sentenced on November 30, 2020.
The joint investigation was led by the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI). Other agencies which participated and assisted in the investigation include the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF), the Violent Crime and Drug Task Force West, the Metropolitan Drug Enforcement Network Team (MDENT), the West Virginia State Police, the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) Task Force, the Beckley/Raleigh County Drug and Violent Crime Unit, the United States Marshals Service, the Cabell County Sheriff’s Department, the Charleston Police Department, the Putnam County Sheriff’s Department, the Ohio State Highway Patrol, the Akron, Ohio Police Department, and the Brecksville, Ohio Police Department.
United States District Judge Robert C. Chambers presided over the hearing. Assistant United States Attorney Joseph F. Adams is handling the prosecution.
A copy of this press release is located on the website of the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of West Virginia. Related court documents and information can be found on PACER by searching for Case No. 3:19-cr-00245.
Follow us on Twitter: SDWVNews and USAttyStuart
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21 August 2020
Wayzata Man Charged with Arson of Minneapolis BankRead the Press Release
United States Attorney Erica H. MacDonald today announced a felony information charging MARC BELL GONZALES, 29, with one count of conspiracy to commit arson. GONZALES will make his initial appearance in U.S. District Court at a later date.
According to allegations in the information, on May 28, 2020, GONZALES joined and engaged with other individuals in conduct designed to accelerate a fire in the Wells Fargo Bank building located in south Minneapolis. Specifically, GONZALES poured gasoline onto the bank property for the purpose of accelerating the fire.
The ATF and FBI urge the public to report suspected arson, use of explosive devices, or violent, destructive acts associated with the recent unrest. Anyone with information specifically related to business fires in the Twin Cities can call 1-888-ATF-TIPS (1-888-283-8477), email [email protected] or submit information anonymously via ReportIt.com. In addition to fires, the FBI is looking for people who may have incited or promoted violence of any kind. Anyone with digital material or tips can call 1-800-CALLFBI (800-225-5324) or visit tips.fbi.gov.
This case is the result of an investigation conducted jointly by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF), the Minneapolis Police Department, and the Minnesota State Fire Marshal Division.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Andrew R. Winter is prosecuting the case.
The charges contained in the information are merely accusations, and the defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.
Defendant Information:
MARC BELL GONZALES, 29
Wayzata, Minn.
Charges:
- Conspiracy to commit arson, 1 count
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United States Attorney’s Office, District of Minnesota: (612) 664-5600
Vermontville Man Pleads Guilty to Sexually Exploiting ChildrenRead the Press Release
GRAND RAPIDS, MICHIGAN — Dustyn Wayne Olmstead, 31, of Vermontville, Michigan, pleaded guilty to sexual exploitation and attempted sexual exploitation of children, and distributing child pornography, U.S. Attorney Andrew Birge announced today. Sentencing before Chief U.S. District Judge Robert J. Jonker will be on December 1, 2020. At sentencing, Olmstead will face a mandatory minimum of 15 years’ imprisonment and a combined maximum of 50 years’ imprisonment, restitution, fines, and other penalties.
Olmstead pleaded guilty to using text-messaging services to communicate with multiple minors, including a 13-year-old girl from Allegan County and a 14-year-old girl from Ottawa County. Olmstead manipulated one girl into sending him naked pictures of herself and he tried to get the other to do the same. As part of the process to desensitize the girls to sexual material, Olmstead sent a video of a girl, approximately 9 years old, engaging in a sex act with an adult male. Olmstead communicated with numerous individuals he believed to be children. Persons who believe that they or someone they know may have been a victim of Olmstead’s should call the FBI at (616) 456-5489.
This case is part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative designed to protect children from online exploitation and abuse. The U.S. Attorney’s Office, county prosecutor’s offices, the Internet Crimes Against Children task force (ICAC), federal, tribal, state, and local law enforcement are working closely together to locate, apprehend, and prosecute individuals who exploit children. The partners in Project Safe Childhood work to educate local communities about the dangers of online child exploitation, and to teach children how to protect themselves. For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit the following web site: www.projectsafechildhood.gov.
This case is being investigated by the Allegan County Sheriff's Office and the FBI working together as part of the West Michigan Based Child Exploitation and Human Trafficking Task Force (WEBCHEX) and prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Daniel Mekaru.
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Utica Man Pleads Guilty to Child Exploitation ChargesRead the Press Release
SYRACUSE, NEW YORK – Aaron Bohannon, 53, of Utica, New York, pled guilty yesterday to one count of sexual exploitation of a child and one count of distribution of child pornography, announced United States Attorney Grant C. Jaquith and Kevin Kelly, Special Agent in Charge of the Buffalo Field Office of Homeland Security Investigations (HSI).
Sentencing is scheduled for December 17, 2020, at which time Bohannon faces a minimum of 15 years and up to 50 years in prison, a fine of $250,000, and a term of supervised release of at least 5 years and up to life. Bohannon also will be required to register as sex offender. A defendant’s sentence is imposed by a judge based on the particular statute the defendant is charged with violating, the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other factors.
As part of his guilty plea, Bohannon admitted that he sexually exploited his victim from at least 2018 through June of 2019, recorded the abuse, and distributed the sexually explicit material to others. Bohannon further admitted that he distributed other sexually explicit images and videos of minors.
This case was investigated by the New York State Police, the Oneida County Sheriff’s Office, the Utica Police Department, and the Department of Homeland Security, Homeland Security Investigations and is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Michael D. Gadarian.
This case was prosecuted as part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative designed to protect children from online exploitation and abuse. Led by the United States Attorneys’ Offices, Project Safe Childhood marshals federal, state, and local resources to better locate, apprehend, and prosecute individuals who exploit children via the Internet, as well as identify and rescue victims. For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit http://www.justice.gov/psc/.
Tyler County man admits to drug distributionRead the Press Release
WHEELING, WEST VIRGINIA – Richard Warf, of Sistersville, West Virginia, has admitted to distributing methamphetamine, heroin, cocaine and cocaine, U.S. Attorney Bill Powell announced.
Warf, age 56, pled guilty to one count of “Conspiracy to Distribute and to Possess with the Intent to Distribute Controlled Substances.” Warf admitted to working with others to distribute methamphetamine, heroin, cocaine and cocaine base in Wetzel County, Ohio, Georgia, and the Southern District of West Virginia from 2016 to April 2018.
Warf faces up to 20 years incarceration and a fine of up to $1,000,000. Under the Federal Sentencing Guidelines, the actual sentence imposed will be based upon the seriousness of the offenses and the prior criminal history, if any, of the defendant.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Robert H. McWilliams, Jr. is prosecuting the case on behalf of the government. The Drug Enforcement Administration, the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives, the West Virginia State Police, the Wetzel County Sheriff’s Office, the Marshall County Sheriff’s Office, and the New Martinsville Police Department investigated.
The investigation was funded in part by the federal Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Force Program (OCDETF). OCDETF was established in 1982 to conduct comprehensive, multilevel attacks on major drug trafficking and money laundering organizations and is the keystone of the Department of Justice’s drug reduction strategy. Today, OCDETF combines the resources and expertise of its member federal agencies in cooperation with state and local law enforcement. The principal mission of the OCDETF program is to identify, disrupt, and dismantle the most serious drug trafficking organizations, transnational criminal organizations, and money laundering organizations that present a significant threat to the public safety, economic, or national security of the United States.
U.S. Magistrate Judge James P. Mazzone presided.
Two Charged Attempting to Board Flight at Cyril E. King International Airport with 865 grams of Cocaine and $11,000 cashRead the Press Release
St. Thomas, USVI – United States Attorney Gretchen C.F. Shappert announced that earlier today, Julio Soto Robles and Gregory Vega were charged in federal court with possession of a controlled substance (cocaine) with intent to distribute.
According to court records, on August 18, 2020, Soto Robles and Vega arrived at the Cyril E. King Airport on a flight from Puerto Rico with no luggage. During a primary inspection by Customs and Border Protection agents, Soto Robles was found to be in possession of $11,000 in U.S. currency. On August 20, 2020, Soto Robles and Vega returned to the Cyril E. King airport and attempted to board a flight bound for Puerto Rico. During the secondary inspection process, Customs and Border Protection agents searched a carry-on bag that the two men were carrying. Agents discovered approximately 865 grams, or just under two pounds, of cocaine inside the bag.
A detention hearing will be held before Magistrate Ruth Miller on Tuesday, August 25, 2020. United States Attorney Shappert reminds the public that a criminal complaint is merely a charging document and is not evidence of guilt. Every defendant is presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty.
The case is being investigated by Customs and Border Protection and the Department of Homeland Security.Two Bossier City Men Sentenced in Anabolic Steroid Distribution ConspiracyRead the Press Release
SHREVEPORT, La. – Former Bossier Parish School Board Member Mike Mosura, 44, and Brant R. Landry, 39, both of Bossier City, were sentenced by United States District Judge Elizabeth E. Foote for their participation in a conspiracy to distribute anabolic steroids, Acting United States Attorney Alexander C. Van Hook announced.
Brant R. Landry was sentenced to 87 months (7 years, 3 months) in prison, followed by 3 years of supervised release. Mike Mosura was sentenced to 3 years of supervised probation.
Mike Mosura and Brant R. Landry each pleaded guilty in August 2019. According to information presented to the court, from January 2016 to May 2018, Mosura and Landry were involved in a scheme to distribute anabolic steroids in the Shreveport-Bossier City area. United States Postal officials in Benton, Louisiana, identified large volumes of mail that contained suspected drugs, many of which came from other countries, including China. On one occasion, a postal official observed Landry using gloves and a towel to place parcels in a collection box. The parcels were examined and found to contain illegal drugs.
On May 22, 2018, Landry’s vehicle was stopped by a Bossier Parish deputy for driving erratically. Landry told the deputy that he had a .45-caliber pistol and medication inside the vehicle. After searching it, the deputy found a plastic baggie containing a white powdery substance that was later identified as a synthetic Cathinone, and 11 vials of yellow liquid, later determined to be anabolic steroids. Further investigation revealed that Landry distributed steroids to Mosura, who in turn consumed and distributed the steroids to third parties.
The DEA Task Force, U.S. Postal Inspection Service and the Bossier Parish Sheriff’s Office investigated the case. Assistant U.S. Attorney Earl M. Campbell prosecuted the case.
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Three Men Plead Guilty to Drug Conspiracy in Transnational Heroin Trafficking OperationRead the Press Release
Three men have pleaded guilty this week for their roles in a heroin trafficking operation with ties to Mexico’s New Generation Cartel, announced U.S. Attorney Trent Shores.
The three were among more than 30 individuals indicted for drug conspiracy and other crimes related to the cartel’s operations. U.S. Attorney Trent Shores announced the initial indictment at a press conference held in May 2019. The investigation was given the name Operation Smack Dragon.
“Operation Smack Dragon successfully disrupted and dismantled a drug trafficking organization pushing heroin onto our streets. Today, three more conspirators have admitted their guilt and will soon be headed to federal prison,” said U.S. Attorney Trent Shores. “Joel-lyn McCormick, lead attorney for my Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Force Unit, and our dedicated law enforcement partners relentlessly pursue justice for families and communities devastated by the illegal drug trade. Heroin and other illicit opioids remain a problem in our country. We will continue the fight to keep them out of Oklahoma.”
“Investigations such as these cannot be successful without DEA Tulsa’s partnership of our numerous law enforcement partners in Eastern Oklahoma and the Texoma High Intensity Drug Trafficking Area (HIDTA) Initiative,” said Eduardo A. Chávez, special agent in charge DEA Dallas Field Division. “These individuals are being held responsible for their actions. Whether it is a gram or a kilogram, heroin is poisoning our streets and we remain steadfast in our commitment to rid these drugs from the streets of Oklahoma.”
“This successful joint investigation is a great example of what impactful partnerships and close coordination can result in,” said Ryan L. Spradlin, special agent in charge Homeland Security Investigations Dallas. “HSI will always prioritize eliminating threats posed by transnational criminal organizations and will partner with anybody who shares that commitment!"
Alphonso Caldwell, 27, of Tulsa, pleaded guilty on Aug. 21, 2020, to drug conspiracy. In his written plea, Caldwell admitted that from November 2017 to June 2019 he possessed with intent to distribute and to distribute heroin. Caldwell stated that he purchased ½ kilogram to 1 kilogram of heroin multiple times per week from both Jose Garcia and Edson Garcia-Velasquez. Caldwell purchased the heroin and redistributed it to third parties who redistributed the heroin to others. He relied on customers’ payments to purchase additional heroin. Caldwell is scheduled to be sentenced before U.S. District Judge Claire V. Eagan on Dec. 1, 2020.
David Diaz, 32, pleaded guilty on Aug. 21, 2020, to drug conspiracy. In his written plea, Diaz stated that he knowingly conspired with others to possess with intent to distribute and to distribute heroin from January 2018 to June 2019. Diaz admitted to purchasing 100 grams or more of heroin for another person and redistributing it to third parties. He relied on customers’ payments to purchase additional heroin. Diaz is scheduled to be sentenced before U.S. District Judge Claire Eagan on Dec. 2, 2020.
Preston Wilson, 28, pleaded guilty, on Aug. 17, 2020, to drug conspiracy. In his written plea, Wilson stated that he knowingly conspired with others to possess heroin with the intent to distribute from January 2018 to June 2019. During this time, he admitted to purchasing heroin from Devin Hartzell to redistribute to third parties. Wilson also admitted that he relied on the payments from his customers to purchase additional heroin. Wilson is scheduled to be sentenced before U.S. District Judge Claire Eagan on Nov. 23, 2020.
According to the Indictment, the alleged transnational criminal organization’s hierarchy had clearly defined roles, as leaders from Mexico supplied heroin to the Tulsa “cell heads.” These “cell heads” were originally from Mexico but lived in Tulsa. Stille Giovanni Gutierrez Vivanco, allegedly directed, from Mexico, the overall drug trafficking operations in Tulsa by delegating responsibilities for the import and distribution of the heroin and for the movement of the proceeds from heroin sales. The criminal organization smuggled heroin into the United States and transported the drug to storage locations in Tulsa where they prepared it for distribution throughout the United States. After preparing the heroin, the coconspirators would repackage it for distribution to mid-level distributers, who would then redistribute it to street-level dealers until it eventually found its way into the hands of customers.
The Drug Enforcement Administration and U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s Homeland Security Investigations led the investigation in partnership with the U.S. Department of Treasury, Internal Revenue Service- Criminal Investigation; the Oklahoma State Attorney General’s Office; and Tulsa Police Department. Assistant U.S. Attorney Joel-lyn McCormick is prosecuting this case. AUSA McCormick is the Lead Attorney for the Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Force Unit for the Northern District of Oklahoma.
You can find the May 2019 Indictment announcement here.
Tahlequah Man Sentenced to 60 Months Probation for Firearm PossessionRead the Press Release
MUSKOGEE, OKLAHOMA – The United States Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of Oklahoma announced that Troy Gene Duchesne, age 29, of Tahlequah, Oklahoma was sentenced to 5 years’ probation for Felon in Possession of Firearm, in violation of Title 18, United States Code, Sections 922(g)(1) and 924(a)(2). The charges arose from an investigation by the Tahlequah Police Department and the Federal Bureau of Investigation.
The Indictment alleged that on or about September 26, 2019, within the Eastern District of Oklahoma, the defendant, having previously been convicted of a crime punishable by imprisonment for a term exceeding one year, and knowing of such conviction, knowingly possessed in and affecting commerce, a firearm which had been shipped and transported in interstate commerce.
United States Attorney Brian J. Kuester said, “I am thankful for the strong working relationships between local and federal law enforcement agencies in the Eastern District. This investigation was a result of such relationships. We all serve better when we serve our communities together.”
The Honorable Ronald A. White, U.S. District Judge in the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Oklahoma, in Muskogee, presided over the hearing. Assistant United States Attorney Shannon Henson represented the United States at the sentencing hearing.
Subcontractor at NASA Ames Field Center to Pay $1.2 Million to Resolve Claims of Inflated Workers’ Compensation PaymentsRead the Press Release
New Mexico-based Fiore Industries Inc. agreed to pay the United States $1,200,000 to resolve allegations that it caused false claims to be submitted to the government for payment. The announcement was made today by United States Attorney David L. Anderson and NASA Office of Inspector General Special Agent in Charge Jennifer Bryan.
Fiore is a subcontractor that provide fire protection services at NASA’s Ames field center in Mountain View, Calif. According to the settlement agreement made public today, the settlement resolves the government’s claims that in 2016 Fiore overcharged the government by seeking hundreds of thousands of dollars in additional payments from NASA based on inflated workers’ compensation rates. The government claimed that the rates Fiore submitted to justify the additional payments did not account for discounts Fiore knew it would receive but did not disclose to NASA.
“Federal contractors and subcontractors must deal squarely and honestly with the government at all times,” said U.S. Attorney Anderson. “By signing this agreement, Fiore agrees to account for various deductions to which the government is entitled and also agrees to cooperate with any further investigation into other parties that may be responsible for overcharging. This agreement protects taxpayers by holding government contractors accountable for their claims practices.”
The claims resolved by this settlement are allegations only, and there has been no determination of liability.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Sharanya Mohan handled the matter for the government, with assistance from Kurt Kosek. The settlement is the result of an investigation by the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Northern District of California and the NASA Office of Inspector General, with significant assistance from other components of NASA.
St. Paul Man Charged with COVID-Relief Fraud, Money LaunderingRead the Press Release
United States Attorney Erica H. MacDonald today announced the unsealing of a federal indictment charging KYLE WILLIAM BRENIZER, 32, with fraudulently obtaining $841,000 in Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) loans intended to provide relief for small businesses affected by COVID-19.[1] The indictment, which was returned under seal on August 19, 2020, charges BRENIZER with two counts of wire fraud and two counts of money laundering. BRENIZER, who was taken into custody earlier today, made his initial appearance before Magistrate Judge Becky R. Thorson in U.S. District Court in St. Paul, Minnesota. BRENIZER was ordered to remain in custody pending a formal detention and arraignment hearing, which is scheduled for Wednesday, August 26.
According to the allegations in the indictment, BRENIZER was the owner and manager of True-Cut Construction LLC (“True-Cut”), a contracting and construction company located in Brooklyn Park, Minnesota. In August 2018, True-Cut and BRENIZER were ordered by the Minnesota Department of Labor and Industry to cease and desist from doing business and in December 2019, True-Cut’s contractor license expired and was never renewed.
According to the allegations in the indictment, on May 1, 2020, BRENIZER submitted a false and misleading PPP application in the name of True-Cut seeking approximately $841,000, but the application was denied. On May 12, 2020, BRENIZER again submitted a false and misleading PPP application in the name of True-Cut seeking approximately $841,000 in PPP funds. This time, in order to conceal his involvement, BRENIZER submitted the application under the name of another individual whom BRENIZER falsely claimed was the 90 percent owner of True-Cut. BRENIZER falsely stated that True-Cut’s average monthly payroll was $336,400 for approximately 30 employees. In support of both loan applications, BRENIZER caused to be submitted to the lender fraudulent supporting documentation, such as falsified bank statements and IRS documents. In addition, BRENIZER falsely certified that he was not subject to any pending criminal charges even though he was allegedly named in multiple felony charges pending in the State of Minnesota for such charges as check forgery, identify theft, and theft by swindle. Due to these various misrepresentations and omissions, on May 13, 2020, BRENIZER’s second application was approved, and he received $841,000 in PPP funds.
According to the allegations in the indictment, instead of using the PPP funds for permissible business expenses, BRENIZER transferred approximately $650,000 to a bank account unrelated to True-Cut and made a $29,000 payment to purchase a Harley-Davidson motorcycle, spent over $1,000 on golf expenses, among other retail and entertainment expenditures for his personal benefit.
The CARES Act is a federal law enacted on March 29, 2020, designed to provide emergency financial assistance to the millions of Americans who are suffering the economic effects caused by the COVID-19 pandemic. One source of relief provided by the CARES Act was the authorization of up to $349 billion in forgivable loans to small businesses for job retention and certain other expenses, through the PPP. In April 2020, Congress authorized over $300 billion in additional PPP funding.
The PPP allows qualifying small-businesses and other organizations to receive loans with a maturity of two years and an interest rate of one percent. PPP loan proceeds must be used by businesses on payroll costs, interest on mortgages, rent, and utilities. The PPP allows the interest and principal on the PPP loan to be forgiven if the business spends the loan proceeds on these expense items within a designated period of time after receiving the proceeds and uses at least a certain percentage of the PPP loan proceeds on payroll expenses.
Anyone with information about allegations of attempted fraud involving COVID-19 can report it by calling the Department of Justice’s National Center for Disaster Fraud Hotline at 866-720-5721 or via the NCDF Web Complaint Form at: https://www.justice.gov/disaster-fraud/ncdf-disaster-complaint-form.
This case is the result of an investigation conducted by IRS – Criminal Investigations, the FBI, the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation – Office of Inspector General, and the Small Business Administration – Office of Inspector General.
Assistant U.S. Attorneys Matthew S. Ebert and Allison K. Ethen are prosecuting the case, with assistance from the Department of Justice Criminal Division’s Fraud Section.
Defendant Information:
KYLE WILLIAM BRENIZER, a/k/a Kyle Williams, 32
St. Paul, Minn.
Charges:
- Wire fraud, 2 counts
- Money laundering, 2 counts
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United States Attorney’s Office, District of Minnesota: (612) 664-5600
[1] The charges contained in the indictment are merely accusations, and the defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.
Sioux City Man Sentenced to Federal Prison for Distribution of Methamphetamine and Possessing a Gun During a Drug Trafficking CrimeRead the Press Release
A Sioux City man who distributed approximately 4 pounds of methamphetamine from his residence was sentenced, Thursday, August 20, 2020, to more than 15 years in federal prison.
Carlos Jose Gomez, age 37, from Sioux City, Iowa was convicted of conspiracy to distribute methamphetamine and possession of a firearm during a drug trafficking crime.
On March 4, 2020, law enforcement executed a search warrant on Gomez’s property where they seized approximately 5 grams of methamphetamine, a loaded handgun, and $1,000 in cash belonging to Gomez. In a plea agreement, Gomez admitted to selling nearly 4 pounds of “ice” methamphetamine from December of 2019 through March 4, 2020. Gomez also admitted to knowingly possessing a gun in furtherance of selling methamphetamine.
Gomez was sentenced in Sioux City by United States District Court Chief Judge Leonard T. Strand. Gomez was sentenced for Count 1 to 123 months’ imprisonment, and for Count 2 to 60 months’ imprisonment. Gomez must also serve a 5-year term of supervised release after the prison term. There is no parole in the federal system.
Gomez is being held in the United States Marshal’s custody until he can be transported to a federal prison.
The case was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Ron Timmons and was investigated by Tri-State Drug Task Force based in Sioux City, Iowa, that consists of law enforcement personnel from the Drug Enforcement Administration; Sioux City, Iowa, Police Department; Homeland Security Investigations; Woodbury County Sheriff’s Office; South Sioux City, Nebraska, Police Department; Nebraska State Patrol; Iowa National Guard; Iowa Division of Narcotics Enforcement; United States Marshals Service; South Dakota Division of Criminal Investigation; and Woodbury County Attorney’s Office.
Court file information at https://ecf.iand.uscourts.gov/cgi-bin/login.pl.
The case file number is 20-CR-4024.
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Sentencings in "Operation End Game" Child Exploitation InvestigationRead the Press Release
ATHENS, Ga. – Two defendants arrested during “Operation End Game,” a multi-agency effort targeting and arresting adult perpetrators in the Athens-area seeking sex with children, were sentenced to prison this week for their crimes, said Charles “Charlie” Peeler, the United States Attorney for the Middle District of Georgia.
U.S. District Judge C. Ashley Royal sentenced Joseph Daniel Kelly, 45, of Monroe, Georgia on Monday, August 17 to 57 months in prison and ten years supervised release and Fredrick Lamar Smith, 29, of Royston, Georgia on Tuesday, August 18 to 46 months in prison and ten years supervised release after both previously pleaded guilty to one count of use of facilities in interstate and foreign commerce to transmit information about a minor. Following their prison terms, both defendants will have to register as sex offenders. There is no parole in the federal system.
“The punishment is prison for those caught seeking to sexually exploit minor children. Rest assured, this office is relentless in seeking the maximum punishment for criminal child predators,” said U.S. Attorney Charlie Peeler. “‘Operation End Game’ successfully brought into custody many individuals who were actively seeking to cause irreparable harm to minors. I want to thank the law enforcement agencies involved in this operation for protecting our state’s children.”
“Operation End Game” was a three-day proactive effort centered in Athens, Georgia in July 2019 to arrest adults communicating with children on-line and then traveling to meet them for the purpose of having sex. The cases were investigated by the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Middle District of Georgia, the Georgia Internet Crimes Against Children (ICAC) Task Force, the Georgia Bureau of Investigation’s Child Exploitation and Computer Crimes Unit (CEACC), the Athens-Clarke County Police Department (ACCPD), the FBI and the Athens-Clarke County District Attorney’s Office. Assistant U.S. Attorney Lyndie Freeman is prosecuting the case for the Government. Questions can be directed to Pamela Lightsey, Public Information Officer, United States Attorney’s Office, at (478) 621-2603 or Melissa Hodges, Public Affairs Director (Contractor), United States Attorney’s Office, at (478) 765-2362. The year 2020 marks the 150th anniversary of the Department of Justice. Learn more about the history of our agency at www.Justice.gov/Celebrating150Years.
Second charged in series of Youngstown-area armed robberiesRead the Press Release
U.S. Attorney Justin Herdman announced that an information charge was filed against Edgar Ramirez, age 22, of Youngstown, Ohio. Ramirez is charged with three counts of interference with commerce by means of robbery and three counts of using, carrying, and brandishing a firearm during and in relation to a crime of violence.
Melvin Lee Jackson was previously charged in this matter.
According to court documents, from December 17 to December 21, 2019, Ramirez and Jackson are accused of robbing a Speedway in Boardman, a Subway in Youngstown and a Kwik Fill in Struthers. During each robbery, Ramirez and Jackson allegedly held store employees at gunpoint and demanded money.
An information charge is only a charge and is not evidence of guilt. A defendant is entitled to a fair trial in which it will be the government’s burden to prove guilt beyond a reasonable doubt.
If convicted, the defendant’s sentence will be determined by the Court after review of factors unique to this case, including the defendant’s prior criminal record, if any, the defendant’s role in the offenses and the characteristics of the violations. In all cases, the sentence will not exceed the statutory maximum and in most cases it will be less than the maximum.
The investigation preceding the indictment was conducted by the Federal Bureau of Investigation. The U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Northern District of Ohio would like to acknowledge and thank investigators with the Mahoning County Juvenile Justice Center and the Youngstown, Boardman, and Struthers police departments for their cooperation with this matter. This case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Yasmine Makridis.
Robeson County Man Sentenced to 16 Years for Illegally Possessing FirearmsRead the Press Release
RALEIGH - A Maxton man was sentenced yesterday to 192 months for unlawfully possessing two firearms.
According to court documents, on February 13, 2018, Robeson County Deputies arrested Larry Lowery, 43, on breaking and entering charges. Two weeks prior to his arrest, Lowery broke into and stole several items from two local Robeson County businesses. When the Deputies took Lowery into custody, they found two stolen firearms in Lowery’s pockets. Lowery is a convicted felon with nine separate felony breaking and entering convictions spanning over two decades.
Lowery pled guilty to possessing a firearm after being convicted of a felony offense on January 30, 2020. Lowery qualified as an Armed Career Criminal due to the numerous felony breaking and entering convictions. Accordingly, Lowery faced a mandatory minimum sentence of 180 months’ imprisonment. Citing the years of criminal conduct, including breaking into a middle school and church at the age of 37, U.S. District Judge James C. Dever, III found a sentence above the minimum requirement was necessary and appropriate to protect the public and promote respect for the law.
This case is part of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), a program bringing together all levels of law enforcement and the communities they serve to reduce violent crime and make our neighborhoods safer for everyone. The United States Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of North Carolina implements the PSN Program through its Take Back North Carolina Initiative. This initiative emphasizes the regional assignment of federal prosecutors to work with law enforcement and District Attorney’s Offices on a sustained basis in those communities to reduce the violent crime rate, drug trafficking, and crimes against law enforcement.
Robert J. Higdon, Jr., U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of North Carolina made the announcement after sentencing by U.S. District Judge James C. Dever III. Robeson County Sheriff’s Office and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives (ATF) investigated the case and Assistant U.S. Attorney J.D. Koesters prosecuted the case.
Related court documents and information can be found on the website of the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of North Carolina or on PACER by searching for Case No. 7:18-CR-120-D.
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The year 2020 marks the 150th anniversary of the Department of Justice. Learn more about the history of our agency at www.Justice.gov/Celebrating150Years.
Reno Man Indicted and Arrested for Passport FraudRead the Press Release
RENO, Nev. — A Reno resident made his initial appearance in federal court today before U.S. Magistrate Judge William G. Cobb on a charge for using a U.S. passport that was obtained by making a false statement, announced U.S. Attorney Nicholas A. Trutanich for the District of Nevada and Special Agent in Charge Matthew J. Perlman of the U.S. Department of State’s Diplomatic Security Service (DSS), San Francisco Field Office.
On Thursday, August 20, a federal grand jury returned an indictment charging Ludy Will Dial Jr, aka “Russel Van Wyck” and “Russell Van Wyck,” 69, with one count of use of passport secured through a false statement. He was arrested yesterday. A jury trial has been scheduled before U.S. District Judge Howard D. McKibben on October 19, 2020.
According to the indictment, on or about July 8, 2015, Dial Jr. used a U.S. passport that was issued due to a false statement made in the application. Specifically, the application stated that the person in the passport photo was named Russel Van Wyck, when in fact the person was Dial Jr. In addition, Dial Jr. used that passport to obtain a Nevada Driver’s License.
Dial Jr. faces a statutory maximum sentence of 10 years in prison and a $250,000 fine, as well as a period of supervised release, restitution, and monetary penalties.
An indictment merely alleges that a crime has been committed. The defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.
This case is the product of an investigation by DSS. Assistant U.S. Attorney Peter Walkingshaw is prosecuting the case.
If you are aware of fraud associated with a U.S. passport, please email [email protected] or contact your nearest DSS field office.
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Recent Indictments for Firearms Offenses in Fresno, Kern and Stanislaus CountiesRead the Press Release
FRESNO, Calif. — As part the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of California’s strategy to reduce violent crime by focusing on firearms prosecutions, U.S. Attorney McGregor W. Scott announced that a federal grand jury returned indictments in the following cases involving illegal firearms offenses.
Brian Zamora, 28, of Fresno, was charged Thursday with being a felon in possession ammunition. According to court documents, on Aug. 12, law enforcement officers observed Zamora, whom they knew to have a warrant for a parole violation, place a bag in a car and then enter the car. They stopped the car, arrested Zamora, and found a loaded AR-style semi-automatic handgun with no serial number, known as a “ghost gun,” equipped with a 30-round high-capacity magazine, along with a laser sight, and a pressure switch for the laser. The gun and the magazine were loaded with 10 total rounds of a mix of .233‑caliber and 5.56 mm ammunition. Zamora has eight prior felony convictions in Fresno County and is prohibited from possessing either a firearm or ammunition. This case is the product of an investigation by the Multi-Agency Gang Enforcement Task Force (MAGEC), including Fresno Police Department and California Highway Patrol; the FBI; the California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation; the Fresno County Sheriff’s Office; and the Fresno Police Department.
(1:20-cr-140)Adrian Perez, 38, of Wasco, was charged Aug. 13 with being a felon in possession of ammunition, According to court documents, on Jan. 6, law enforcement officers initiated a traffic stop and discovered that Perez possessed an antique handgun and ammunition. Perez has four prior felony convictions in Kern County and is prohibited from possessing ammunition. This case is the product of an investigation by the Kern County Sheriff’s Office and the FBI.
(1:20-cr-133)Fernando Manjarrez, 33, of Turlock, was charged on July 30 with being a felon in possession of ammunition. According to court documents, on Nov. 15, 2019, law enforcement officers discovered that Manjarrez possessed 9 mm ammunition. Manjarrez has three prior felony convictions in Stanislaus County and is prohibited from possessing ammunition. This case is the product of an investigation by the Turlock Police Department, the FBI, and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives. (1:20-cr-124-DAD)
Assistant U.S. Attorney Laura Jean Berger is prosecuting the three cases.
If convicted, the defendants face a maximum statutory penalty of 10 years in prison and a $250,000 fine. Any sentence, however, would be determined at the discretion of the court after consideration of any applicable statutory factors and the Federal Sentencing Guidelines, which take into account a number of variables. The charges are only allegations; the defendants are presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt.
These cases are part of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), a program bringing together all levels of law enforcement and the communities they serve to reduce violent crime and make our neighborhoods safer for everyone. The Department of Justice reinvigorated PSN in 2017 as part of the Department’s renewed focus on targeting violent criminals, directing all U.S. Attorney’s Offices to work in partnership with federal, state, local, and tribal law enforcement and the local community to develop effective, locally based strategies to reduce violent crime. To learn more about Project Safe Neighborhoods, go to www.justice.gov/psn.
The cases are also part of Project Guardian, the Department of Justice’s signature initiative to reduce gun violence and enforce federal firearms laws. Initiated by the Attorney General in the fall of 2019, Project Guardian draws upon the Department’s past successful programs to reduce gun violence; enhances coordination of federal, state, local, and tribal authorities in investigating and prosecuting gun crimes; improves information-sharing by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives when a prohibited individual attempts to purchase a firearm and is denied by the National Instant Criminal Background Check System (NICS), to include taking appropriate actions when a prospective purchaser is denied by the NICS for mental health reasons; and ensures that federal resources are directed at the criminals posing the greatest threat to our communities. For more information about Project Guardian, please see www.justice.gov/projectguardian.
Rancho Cucamonga Businessman Sentenced to One Year in Prison for Exploiting Immigrant Farmworkers by Charging Illegal Visa FeesRead the Press Release
SANTA ANA, California – The owner of a Rancho Cucamonga-based farm labor recruiting company was sentenced today to 12 months in federal prison for his role in an immigration fraud scheme that illegally charged Mexican nationals thousands of dollars to obtain H-2A work visas and additional money for expenses once they arrived in the United States.
Jorge Vasquez, 60, of Fontana, the owner of H-2A Placement Services, was sentenced by United States District Judge Josephine L. Staton, who also ordered Vasquez to pay $135,389 in restitution. Vasquez pleaded guilty in June 2019 to one count of conspiracy and one count of aiding and abetting fraud in foreign labor contracting.
Vasquez and co-defendant Melquiades Jacinto Lara, 64, of Santa Paula, the owner of J&D Harvesting, which contracted workers to farms in Ventura County, conspired to commit mail fraud, false swearing in immigration matters, and fraud in foreign labor contracting.
The H-2A visa program allows employers to hire foreign, short-term agricultural workers when the employer cannot find suitable workers in the United States. H-2A labor contractors provide foreign workers to farms and generally are responsible for recruiting, transporting and housing the foreign workers. Before the foreign workers can receive visas, several government agencies must certify the need for foreign workers and determine that foreign workers would not adversely impact workers already in the United States.
In addition to provisions designed to protect domestic workers, the H-2A program has rules designed to protect foreign workers from exploitation, including prohibitions from charging the foreign workers for government approvals, equipment needed to perform their jobs, transportation to and from the fields, and costs associated with housing.
As part of the scheme, Vasquez travelled to Mexico to recruit farmworkers, who were charged as much as $3,000 to obtain their H-2A visas.
In addition to illegally charging the foreign workers, Vasquez also made false promises to the workers about how long the visas would be valid and failed to tell the workers that they would be charged for housing, food and transportation.
Vasquez also promised an H-2A visa, in exchange for $3,500 to $4,000, to an undercover agent with the Labor Department’s Office of Inspector General, who Vasquez believed was an undocumented individual working in the construction industry in Las Vegas and had no interest in working in the agricultural industry.
Vasquez also illegally agreed to provide visas to individuals already present in the United States in exchange for a fee of up to $4,000.
In relation to the costs being borne by the foreign workers, Vasquez and Jacinto allegedly filed documents with federal authorities that contained false statements in connection with their application for visas for 75 workers to harvest lemons, avocados and oranges. Investigators have reviewed USCIS records that indicate that Vasquez and Jacinto have filed petitions for more than 350 farmworkers from 2012 until May 2018.
Jacinto pleaded guilty to two felonies – conspiracy and fraud in foreign labor contracting – and served a six-month federal prison sentence.
Co-defendant Ricardo Mendoza Oseguera, 41, of Santa Paula, the owner of Discoteca Mi Pueblito, a music and convenience store in Santa Paula, which redeemed vouchers given to workers for J&D Harvesting after deducting fees from the workers’ pay, pleaded guilty to one count of operating an unlicensed money transmitting business. He is scheduled to be sentenced on November 20.
This matter was investigated by the United States Department of Labor - Office of Inspector General, Homeland Security Investigations, and the Diplomatic Security Service.
This case was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorneys Damaris Diaz of the Violent and Organized Crime Section and Jonathan S. Galatzan of the Asset Forfeiture Section.
Pensacola Business Owner Ordered to Pay over $72,000 in Restitution and Fines for Defrauding the United StatesRead the Press Release
PENSACOLA, FLORIDA – United States Attorney Lawrence Keefe, of the Northern District of Florida, today announced that Pensacola business owner Gerald Mandel, 52, was sentenced to three years’ probation on federal charges of theft of government money and submitting false claims for overpayment to the United States. Mandel, owner and operator of DLUX Printing, in Pensacola, filed approximately 9 fraudulent invoices to the Government Publishing Office (GPO), an agency of the United States, resulting in over $47,000 of fraudulent payments. In addition to probation Mandel was ordered to pay full restitution as well as a $25,000 fine, for a total of $72,255.48.
“Gerald Mandel took advantage of the control he had over the direct mail services process to steal almost 50,000 taxpayer dollars from the federal government,” said U.S. Attorney Keefe. “His sentencing today sends a message that we expect, and demand, our government employees and contractors act with integrity and follow the law. Greed will not go unchecked in the Northern District of Florida.”
Mandel submitted approximately 115 invoices to GPO for payment between January 1, 2013, and May 15, 2018. According to the GPO’s Office of Inspector General, 33 of those invoices were submitted for direct mail services. Contracts for direct mail services require the contractor to print items for a government agency and then mail the majority of those items directly to individual consumers. Mandel schemed to receive overpayment for direct mail contracts by printing only about half the number of items ordered by the consumer. Mandel then falsified shipping documents to reflect that the orders were actually complete so that he would receive full payment from the GPO. Investigators identified 11 shipments containing falsified mailing documents which Mandel used to file 9 fraudulent invoices.
“The Government Publishing Office, Office of Inspector General is committed to ensuring the integrity of GPO contracts and financial expenditures,” said Inspector General Michael P. Leary. “We take allegations of false claims, overbilling and theft of government funds very seriously and will aggressively investigate these matters to ensure efficiency and effectiveness throughout GPO programs. We appreciate the efforts of the DOJ in pursuing these allegations and will continue our collaboration with the DOJ to investigative those who seek to defraud agency programs.”
Deputy United States Attorney Jeffrey Tharp prosecuted the case after an investigation by the Government Publishing Office, Office of Inspector General.
The United States Attorney’s Office for the Northern District of Florida is one of 94 offices that serve as the nation’s principal litigators under the direction of the Attorney General. To access public court documents online, please visit the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Florida website. For more information about the U.S. Attorney’s Office, Northern District of Florida, visit http://www.justice.gov/usao/fln/index.html.
The year 2020 marks the 150th anniversary of the Department of Justice. Learn more about the history of our agency at www.Justice.gov/Celebrating150Years.
Mandel Statement of Facts Press Release - U.S. v. MandelPelham Man Sentenced to 24 Months in Prison for Cocaine DistributionRead the Press Release
CONCORD - Michael Baez, 40, of Pelham, was sentenced to 24 months in federal prison for distributing cocaine, United States Attorney Scott W. Murray announced today.
According to court documents and statements made in court, in 2019, Baez sold cocaine to a cooperating individual on multiple occasions. One transaction took place in a parking lot in Nashua. Additional deals occurred at the defendant’s residence in Pelham, New Hampshire. In total, Baez sold over 420 grams of cocaine to the cooperating individual.
Baez previously pled guilty on May 11, 2020.
“Federal, state and local law enforcement agencies worked together to bring this defendant to justice,” said U.S. Attorney Murray. “Drug dealers who choose to do business in New Hampshire should understand that they will be identified, arrested and prosecuted. Federal prison sentences await those who persist in peddling illegal drugs.”
“When law enforcement agencies partner together in a task force environment, as in this case, we can leverage all of our resources in removing illegal narcotics, and the criminals like Michael Baez who deal them, from the streets,” said Joseph R. Bonavolonta, Special Agent in Charge of the FBI Boston Division.
This matter was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation with assistance from the New Hampshire State Police, Nashua Police Department, Manchester Police Department, Dover Police Department, and Portsmouth Police Department. The case was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Anna Krasinski.
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Operation LeGend Results in 288 Arrests, Including 24 Murder SuspectsRead the Press Release
KANSAS CITY, Mo. – U.S. Attorney Tim Garrison announced today that 288 arrests have been made by local and federal law enforcement officers in Operation LeGend.
Among those arrested since the launch of the operation, 61 are federal defendants. Among the remaining 227 arrests, 24 were homicide cases and 72 were fugitives with either state or federal warrants for their arrest. The remaining 131 non-fugitive arrests were referred for prosecution in state court.
In addition to the arrests, agents and officers have seized 89 firearms during Operation LeGend.
The U.S. Attorney’s Office is not able to track cases that are referred for prosecution in state court. In addition to the arrests of federal defendants charged in other districts, or who were arrested for violating their supervised release, the following 38 defendants have been charged in federal court in the Western District of Missouri:
Edward Latimore, felon in possession of a firearm; G’aunte Butler, drug user in possession of a firearm; Chase Lewis, drug user in possession of a firearm; Romeny Aubrey, felon in possession of a firearm; Robert Jordan, felon in possession of a firearm; Harun Rimson, felon in possession of a firearm; Anthony Meneses, felon in possession of a firearm; Lance Saenz, felon in possession of a firearm; Scott Yount, drug trafficking; Crystal Smith, drug trafficking; Aurora Page, felon in possession of a firearm; Crystell Smith, drug trafficking; Devonte Bowman, arson; Jamahl Jones, felon in possession of a firearm; Michael Moore, felon in possession of a firearm; Tylor Lack, felon in possession of a firearm; Dominic McDaniel, felon in possession of a firearm; Cameron Smith, felon in possession of a firearm; Charles Bai, felon in possession of a firearm, drug trafficking; Federico Yanez-Saldivar, felon in possession of a firearm, drug trafficking; Manuel Vazques, felon in possession of a firearm, drug trafficking.
Previously reported federal defendants:
Terrell L. Releford, felon in possession of a firearm; Dustin M. Jordan, felon in possession of a firearm; Zackory Phillips, felon in possession of a firearm; Travis J. Pipes, heroin trafficking, possession of a firearm in furtherance of a drug-trafficking crime; Dylan Pruett, felon in possession of a firearm; Chase M. Murphy, armed robbery conspiracy, armed robbery, brandishing firearms during a crime of violence.
Monty Ray, unlawful drug user in possession of a firearm; Steven Younce, felon in possession of a firearm, meth trafficking, possessing firearms in furtherance of a drug-trafficking crime; Daniel Briscoe, methamphetamine trafficking, heroin trafficking; Leamandreal Dorsey, felon in possession of a firearm; Shannon Walz, felon in possession of a firearm, felon in possession of ammunition; Maricela Lozano, carjacking, using a firearm during a crime of violence; Gary Dorch, felon in possession of a firearm; Patricia Nelson, felon in possession of a firearm; Bobby Lynn King, felon in possession of a firearm; Logan Tanner Laws, unlawful drug user in possession of a firearm; Michael Glen Zeigers, felon in possession of a firearm; Nelson, King, Laws, and Zeigers are co-defendants also charged with conspiracy to distribute methamphetamine, money laundering, and possessing firearms in furtherance of a drug-trafficking crime.
Operation LeGend
Operation LeGend is a federal partnership with local law enforcement to address the increase in homicides and violent crime in Kansas City, Mo., in 2020. The operation honors the memory of four-year-old LeGend Taliferro, one of the youngest fatalities during a record-breaking year of homicides and shootings. Additional federal agents were assigned to the operation from the FBI, Drug Enforcement Administration, the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, and the U.S. Marshals Service.Ohio man admits to role in drug conspiracyRead the Press Release
WHEELING, WEST VIRGINIA – Kenyatta Banks, Jr., of Canal Winchester, Ohio has admitted to his role in a drug conspiracy that spanned several states, U.S. Attorney Bill Powell announced.
Banks, age 29, pled guilty to one count of “Conspiracy to Distribute and to Possess with the Intent to Distribute Controlled Substances.” Banks admitted to working with others to traffic methamphetamine, cocaine and heroin in Wetzel County, Ohio, Georgia, as well as into the southern district of West Virginia.
Banks faces up to 20 years incarceration and a fine of up to $1,000,000. Under the Federal Sentencing Guidelines, the actual sentence imposed will be based upon the seriousness of the offenses and the prior criminal history, if any, of the defendant.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Robert H. McWilliams, Jr. is prosecuting the case on behalf of the government. The Drug Enforcement Administration, the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives, the West Virginia State Police, the Wetzel County Sheriff’s Office, the Marshall County Sheriff’s Office, and the New Martinsville Police Department investigated.
The investigation was funded in part by the federal Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Force Program (OCDETF). OCDETF was established in 1982 to conduct comprehensive, multilevel attacks on major drug trafficking and money laundering organizations and is the keystone of the Department of Justice’s drug reduction strategy. Today, OCDETF combines the resources and expertise of its member federal agencies in cooperation with state and local law enforcement. The principal mission of the OCDETF program is to identify, disrupt, and dismantle the most serious drug trafficking organizations, transnational criminal organizations, and money laundering organizations that present a significant threat to the public safety, economic, or national security of the United States.
U.S. Magistrate Judge James P. Mazzone presided.