Latest Records
Newest first across public DOJ and U.S. Attorney press releases.
29 July 2020
California Man Charged with Making Interstate Threat to Bomb Charlottesville Public School BuildingsRead the Press Release
CHARLOTTESVILLE, VIRGINIA – Lucas Isaiah Newton-Grant, a California man who previously lived in the City of Charlottesville, was arrested yesterday in California and charged with threatening to bomb Charlottesville City School buildings. United States Attorney Thomas T. Cullen and David W. Archey, Special Agent in Charge of the FBI’s Richmond Division made the announcement.
Newton-Grant, 27, of Rancho Mirage, Calif., was arrested yesterday morning and charged via a federal criminal complaint with one count of communicating interstate threats. Newton-Grant appeared before a magistrate judge in California late yesterday evening. He will now be transported to the Western District of Virginia for additional court proceedings.
According to court documents, on July 7, 2020, as Charlottesville City Schools were discussing re-opening plans for the fall, Newton-Grant, using the Facebook screenname, “Lucas Newton-Grant” threatened to become the next “serialbomber” and wanting to “blow those building up.”
After being warned by someone online about making threatening comments, Newton-Grant responded, “I want them to come after me. They’ll be in for a pleasant surprise.” He further posted that “people will (expletive) die.”
The investigation of the case is being conducted by the Federal Bureau of Investigations. Assistant United States Attorney Ronald M. Huber is prosecuting the case for the United States.
A criminal complaint is merely an accusation. The defendant is presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.
Bridgeton Man Indicted for Armed Carjacking that Resulted in the Death of Female VictimRead the Press Release
St. Louis – A federal grand jury returned an indictment charging Anthony D. Jones, Jr., 28, of Bridgeton, Missouri, for his role in the May 4, 2019 carjacking and death of victim Jessica Vinson. The indictment charges Jones with carjacking resulting in death, possession of a firearm in furtherance of a crime of violence resulting in death, felon in possession of ammunition, felon in possession of a firearm, and witness tampering.
According to court documents, on May 4, 2019, Ms. Vinson’s body was recovered near the 5300 block of Vernon Avenue in St. Louis City. Investigation revealed that she had been shot. Her car, a 2015 Dodge Charger, was missing and her home in the 4300 block of Maffitt Avenue had been burglarized.
On May 6, 2019, St. Louis Metropolitan Police Department (SLMPD) officers attempted to conduct a traffic stop of Ms. Vinson’s vehicle, which fled at a high rate of speed and eventually crashed near an exit ramp at I-70 and Grand Avenue. Anthony Jones fled from the driver’s seat of the vehicle and a female fled from the front passenger seat. Police located Jones, who was hiding, and arrested him. Officers also recovered a pistol from the vehicle. The investigation also revealed that Jones sent electronic communications threatening to harm individuals who were aware of his violent conduct related to Ms. Vinson.
The St. Louis Metropolitan Police Department and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives are investigating these current charges.
The case was handled by Special Assistant United States Attorney (SAUSA) Jen Szczucinski as part of the Safer Streets Initiative. The initiative was launched by Attorney General Schmitt and U.S. Attorney Jeff Jensen in January of 2019 as an unprecedented state and federal partnership to prosecute violent crime in St. Louis. Since April 2019, lawyers from the Attorney General’s Office sworn in as SAUSAs have filed over 200 charges.
If convicted, carjacking resulting in death and possession of a firearm in furtherance of a crime of violence resulting in death carries a maximum penalty of life imprisonment or death; felon in possession of ammunition and felon in possession of a firearm carries a maximum penalty of 10 years imprisonment and a fine of $250,000; and witness tampering carries a maximum penalty of 20 years and a fine of $250,000 on each count.
Charges set forth in the Indictment are merely accusations and do not constitute proof of guilt. Every defendant is presumed to be innocent unless and until proven guilty.
Bay St. Louis Man Sentenced to 8 Years in Federal Prison for Possession with Intent to Distribute MethamphetamineRead the Press Release
Gulfport, Miss – Rico Laneaux, 38, of Bay St. Louis, was sentenced yesterday by Senior U.S. District Judge Louis Guirola, Jr. to serve 96 months in federal prison, followed by three years of supervised release, for possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine, announced U.S. Attorney Mike Hurst and Special Agent in Charge Brad Byerley with the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA). Judge Guirola also ordered Laneaux to pay a $15,000 fine.
On February 8, 2018, Bay St. Louis Police Department officers and DEA agents responded to the Hollywood Casino Hotel in Bay St. Louis regarding a narcotics complaint. A casino staff member located a large amount of suspected methamphetamine in the safe of a hotel room rented by Laneaux. Laneaux was held by casino security in the lobby of the casino prior to the arrival of law enforcement officers, but he fled from security and left the property before officers arrived. The suspected methamphetamine and a scale were found in Laneaux’s hotel room safe. The DEA crime lab determined that the methamphetamine weighed 26.78 grams and was 95% pure.
Laneaux pled guilty before Judge Guirola on September 3, 2019.
The case was investigated by the DEA and prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Shundral H. Cole.
Aurora Man Sentenced to 10 Years in Federal Prison for Possession of Child PornographyRead the Press Release
DENVER – United States Attorney Jason R. Dunn announced that Scott Lynn Garland, age 55, of Aurora, Colorado, was sentenced to serve 120 months (10 years) in federal prison followed by 5 years on supervised release for possession of child pornography. He was also ordered to pay $15,000 in restitution to identified victims. Garland appeared at the sentencing hearing in custody and was remanded at its conclusion. The Denver office of the FBI joined in this announcement.
Garland first came to the attention of law enforcement when the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children (NCMEC) received information from Internet Service Providers (ISPs) showing that accounts associated with Garland were involved in obtaining child pornography.
FBI agents conducting the subsequent investigation determined that Garland used a number of internet-based programs to communicate with others interested in child pornography. He also used these services to distribute and receive child pornography. Agents then obtained access to Garland’s online accounts as well as his personal devices. They reviewed the content and found child pornography depicting abuse of very young children.
In total, law enforcement determined that Garland possessed 1,917 still images and 843 video files of child pornography. Agents determined that he started his collection in approximately 2008.
The child pornography from Garland's devices was sent to NCMEC, which maintains a database of child pornography depicting identified child victims. NCMEC reported that 182 of the videos and 394 of the still images from Garland's collection reflect already identified child victims.
“Mr. Garland used images and videos of very young children with no regard for the carnage his actions caused,” said U.S. Attorney Jason Dunn. “While the facts of this case are extremely difficult to comprehend, it is important that parents know we’re working to protect their children, and that child predators know we are coming for them.”
“Today’s sentencing of Scott Garland demonstrates the FBI’s commitment to investigating cases of child sexual abuse material to protect our children from those who engage in this type of activity,” said FBI Denver Special Agent in Charge Michael Schneider. “The teamwork between our agents and law enforcement partners on the Child Exploitation and Human Trafficking Task Force ensured there is one less predator victimizing the most innocent and vulnerable members of our community.”
The sentence was pronounced by U.S. District Court Christine M. Arguello on July 29, 2020. Garland was charged by indictment on August 8, 2019, and pleaded guilty on December 19, 2019. The Denver office of the FBI and their Child Exploitation and Human Trafficking Task Force conducted this investigation. The defendant was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Patricia W. Davies.
This case was brought as part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative to combat the growing epidemic of child sexual exploitation and abuse launched in May 2006 by the Department of Justice. Led by U.S. Attorneys’ Offices and CEOS, Project Safe Childhood marshals federal, state and local resources to better locate, apprehend and prosecute individuals who exploit children via the Internet, as well as to identify and rescue victims. For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit www.justice.gov/psc.
A copy of this press release is located on the website of the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Colorado. Related court documents can be found on PACER by searching for Case Number 19-cr-361.
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.
Atlanta City Councilman Antonio Brown has been Indicted for Attempting to Defraud Several Financial InstitutionsRead the Press Release
ATLANTA – Atlanta City Councilman Antonio Brown has been indicted on multiple fraud charges in connection with Brown’s attempts to defraud several financial institutions by taking out loans and making credit card purchases – and then falsely claiming that he was the victim of identity theft and was not responsible for the charges or repaying the loans.
"For years, Antonio Brown allegedly sought to defraud a number of banks and credit card companies by falsely claiming that he was the victim of identity theft," said U.S. Attorney Byung J. "BJay" Pak. "Brown’s scheme was eventually brought to light, resulting in his indictment by the grand jury."
"This investigation is another example of the power of partnerships in combating financial fraud and identity theft," said Tommy D. Coke, Postal Inspector in Charge of the Atlanta Division. “Postal Inspectors are dedicated to pursuing individuals who seek to defraud for their own financial gain.”
"We are committed to working with our Federal law enforcement partners to aggressively pursue those who falsely claim their identity was stolen in an attempt to defraud financial institutions," said Gail S. Ennis, Inspector General of Social Security. "I thank the U.S. Postal Inspection Service and IRS Criminal Investigation for their efforts in this case, and the United States Attorney’s Office for bringing these charges."
According to U.S. Attorney Pak, the charges, and other information presented in court: Beginning in 2012, Antonio Brown opened a number of credit cards, which he then used to make thousands of dollars’ worth of purchases for his own personal benefit. Brown also obtained over $60,000 in automobile loans to finance the purchases of a Mercedes C300 and a Range Rover. Despite opening and using these credit cards and despite taking the money for the two automobile loans, Brown allegedly falsely claimed that his identity had been stolen and that someone else had made the credit card purchases or had taken out these loans.
The indictment further alleges that Brown provided false information to Signature Bank when applying for a $75,000 loan in August 2017. During the loan application process, Brown provided a personal financial statement falsely claiming that he earned $325,000 per year and had $200,000 in available cash or assets. Brown allegedly knew this information was false because he had recently submitted other loan applications reporting far less income and available cash or assets. For instance, in a July 2017 loan application to another bank, Brown submitted a 2016 federal income tax return reporting that he earned $125,000 per year (which was $200,000 less than what he represented that his income was to Signature Bank). Further, in an August 2017 loan application to yet another bank, Brown claimed he had an annual salary of $175,000 (which was $150,000 less than what he told Signature Bank), and only had $25,000 in available cash and assets (which was $175,000 less than what he told Signature Bank).
U.S. Attorney Pak noted that the charges in the indictment all relate to conduct that occurred before Brown was elected to the Atlanta City Council.
On July 29, 2020, the Grand Jury charged Antonio Brown, 35, of Atlanta, Georgia, with wire fraud, mail fraud, bank fraud, and making false statements on a bank loan application.
Members of the public are reminded that the indictment only contains charges. The defendant is presumed innocent of the charges and it will be the government’s burden to prove the defendant’s guilt beyond a reasonable doubt at trial.
The U.S. Postal Inspection Service, the Social Security Administration Office of Inspector General, and the Internal Revenue Service – Criminal Investigation Division are investigating this case.
Assistant U.S. Attorneys Thomas J. Krepp and Jeffrey W. Davis, Chief of the Public Corruption and Special Matters Section, are prosecuting the case.
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.
Alton Woman Sentenced for Cashing Dead Mother's Social Security ChecksRead the Press Release
This morning, in federal court in East St. Louis, Mia Lynn Cousett, 33, of Alton, Illinois, was sentenced to three years of probation for her conviction on twelve felony counts of theft of government funds. The funds stolen were social security checks payable to Cousett’s mother, who died in April 2017.
When she pled guilty to these offenses on Feb. 7, 2020, Cousett admitted that for twelve months after her mother passed away, she continued to cash her mother’s social security checks and then used those funds for her own expenses. Cousett forged her dead mother’s signature on the backs of each of those checks, deposited the checks into her mother’s bank account, and then accessed those funds using her mother’s debit card. The total of the social security checks stolen by Cousett was
$15,601. Cousett also admitted that she used her dead mother’s driver’s license number to conceal and perpetuate her thefts.In addition to the three years of probation, the court also ordered Cousett to pay full restitution of $12,849.06. This figure represents the $15,601 that was stolen, less $2,751.94 that was recovered prior to the sentencing hearing. Cousett was also ordered to pay $1,200 in special assessments.
At the time of the offenses, Cousett was employed as a letter carrier for the post office in Alton, Illinois. As part of her plea agreement, Cousett voluntarily resigned from her position at the post office.
The investigation was conducted by agents from the Social Security Administration, Office of the
Inspector General, Chicago Field Division, the United States Postal Inspection Service, Chicago
Division, St. Louis Field Office, and the Alton Police Department. The ca e was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorneys Scott A. Verseman and Luke J. Weissler.
Alleged Chicago Gang Leader Among 23 Defendants Charged in Federal Drug and Gun InvestigationRead the Press Release
CHICAGO — The alleged leader of the Black Disciples street gang in Chicago is among 23 individuals facing criminal charges as part of a federal investigation into drug and gun trafficking on the city’s South Side.
During the multi-year investigation, law enforcement seized 24 firearms, more than 13 kilograms of cocaine, more than a kilogram of heroin, approximately 1,350 grams of heroin laced with fentanyl, approximately 750 grams of fentanyl or fentanyl analogue, approximately 378 grams of crack cocaine, $52,595 in suspected illicit cash proceeds, and distribution quantities of suspected MDMA pills. Much of the alleged drug and gun trafficking occurred in the Englewood neighborhood on the South Side of Chicago.
Indictments and criminal complaints unsealed this week in U.S. District Court in Chicago charge 22 of the defendants with various drug or firearm offenses, while one defendant faces bank fraud charges. The defendants were arrested Tuesday and have begun making initial appearances in federal court.
Included among the defendants is DARNELL MCMILLER, also known as “Murder,” who is described in the charges as the current leader of the Black Disciples street gang in Chicago. Several other alleged high-ranking members of the Black Disciples were also charged and arrested, including CLARENCE JANUARY, who allegedly leads the gang’s “Dog Pound” faction, and KENNETH BROWN, who allegedly supplied the gang with drugs for distribution in Chicago. CHARLES KNIGHT, an alleged high-ranking member of the Gangster Disciples street gang, is charged as part of the probe with supplying narcotics to McMiller’s crew.
The investigation was led by the FBI and Chicago Police Department, with assistance from ATF, DEA, IRS Criminal Investigation Division, the Chicago High Intensity Drug Trafficking Task Force (HIDTA), and the FBI Windy City Task Force.
The charges and arrests were announced by John R. Lausch, Jr., United States Attorney for the Northern District of Illinois; Emmerson Buie, Jr., Special Agent-in-Charge of the Chicago office of the FBI; David Brown, Superintendent of CPD; Kristen deTineo, Special Agent-in-Charge of the Chicago Field Division of ATF; Robert J. Bell, Special Agent-in-Charge of the Chicago Field Division of the DEA; and Kathy A. Enstrom, Special Agent-in-Charge of IRS-CI in Chicago. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Andrew J. Dixon, Esther Mignanelli, Tobara Richardson, and Jasmina Vajzovic represent the government.
Valuable assistance in the probe was provided by the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of Wisconsin, which unsealed an eight-person indictment this week charging heroin trafficking offenses that are related to this investigation.
The Black Disciples are a national street gang that is prevalent throughout Chicago and the surrounding suburbs. According to the charges, members of the Black Disciples have been distributing narcotics and guns in the Englewood neighborhood and other parts of Chicago. The charges describe more than 50 illicit transactions in which alleged Black Disciples members sold guns or drugs to individuals who were cooperating with law enforcement. In many instances, the cooperating individuals surreptitiously video-recorded the transaction at the direction of law enforcement.
The complaint against McMiller, 34, of Chicago, accuses him of conspiring with Knight, 56, of Riverdale, to distribute fentanyl-laced heroin to a cooperating individual on Sept. 30, 2019. The transaction occurred in the 7000 block of South Lowe Avenue in Chicago, the complaint states.
Brown, 59, of Chicago, is charged with conspiring with alleged Black Disciple member TERRENCE MORRIS, 48, of Chicago, to distribute heroin in March 2019. During the investigation, law enforcement carried out a court-authorized search of a South Side storage unit rented by Brown and discovered 13 kilograms of cocaine, which were individually wrapped in sealed packages, the charges state.
January, 27, of Chicago, is accused of trafficking three handguns in the summer of 2019. He had previously been convicted of a felony firearm offense in the Circuit Court of Cook County and was not lawfully allowed to possess the guns. Several other convicted felons were also charged with unlawfully possessing firearms, including rifles and a shotgun furnished to members of the Black Disciples.
Charged with federal drug offenses are: McMiller; Knight; Brown; Morris; ALONZO BROOKS, 49, of Chicago; SHONGO COLLIER, 48, of Riverdale; LAWRENCE DRAUS, 41, of Crestwood; FREDRICK STEWART, 47, of Chicago; TONY REDDING, 44, of Chicago; RAMONT AUSTIN, 39, of Chicago; FRANKLIN REDDING, 46, of Chicago; BARRY MICKIEL, 49, of Chicago; BRIAN BILLUPS, 40, of Plainfield; JOSEPH ANDERSON, 43, of Chicago; and SANTANA STEELE, 36, of Chicago.
Charged with federal firearm offenses are January; ANTOINE MCDANIELS, 44, of Chicago; DEANDRE MARTIN, 32, of Chicago; WILLIE ALFORD, 45, of Chicago; TRAVIS WASHINGTON, 24, of Chicago; WENDALL KEMP, 55, of Chicago; and SHAWN HUDSON, 48, of Harvey.
Charged with bank fraud is JOHN ECTOR, 47, of Chicago.
The public is reminded that charges contain only accusations and are not evidence of guilt. The defendants are presumed innocent and entitled to a fair trial at which the government has the burden of proving guilt beyond a reasonable doubt. If convicted, the Court must impose reasonable sentences under federal sentencing statutes and the advisory U.S. Sentencing Guidelines.
The U.S. Attorney’s Office holds gun offenders accountable through Project Guardian and Project Safe Neighborhoods – the Department of Justice’s violent crime reduction strategies. The U.S. Attorney’s Office has deployed the Guardian and PSN programs to attack a broad range of violent crime issues facing the district, including by prosecuting individuals who illegally possess firearms. Additional federal law enforcement resources were recently allocated to Chicago under Operation Legend, which will enhance existing efforts by federal law enforcement agencies working in conjunction with state and local law enforcement offices to fight violent crime.
Additional Charge, for Child Sexual Exploitation, Filed Against Las Vegas Man Who Allegedly Sought to Exploit Protests in Las Vegas and Incite ViolenceRead the Press Release
LAS VEGAS, Nev. – Stephen Thomas Parshall, aka “Kiwi,” 35, of Las Vegas — who was charged last month with violations of federal and state law for conspiracy to cause destruction during protests in Las Vegas, and possession of an unregistered destructive device (specifically, an improvised incendiary device commonly known as a Molotov cocktail) — was charged earlier today by a separate criminal complaint with one count of sexual exploitation of children, announced U.S. Attorney Nicholas A. Trutanich for the District of Nevada, Special Agent in Charge Aaron C. Rouse of the FBI, and Sheriff Joseph Lombardo of the Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department. Parshall’s initial appearance in federal court on the new criminal complaint has not yet been scheduled.
According to court documents, Parshall was arrested on May 30, 2020. Law enforcement had learned of Parshall’s alleged participation in a conspiracy to cause destruction during protests that evening in Las Vegas, and of his alleged membership in the “Boogaloo” movement, a term used by extremists to signify a coming civil war and/or collapse of society. When law enforcement officers executed search warrants after the arrest, they located 10 images of child pornography, as well as numerous images of child erotica, on Parshall’s cellular phone
The minimum statutory penalty for the offense of sexual exploitation of children is 15 years in prison, and the maximum statutory penalty is 30 years in prison and a $250,000 fine. The minimum and maximum statutory sentences are prescribed by Congress and are provided here for informational purposes only.
A criminal complaint is merely an allegation and a defendant is presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.
The case was investigated by the FBI and Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department. Assistant U.S. Attorney Bianca Pucci is prosecuting the case.
If you have information regarding possible child sexual exploitation, please make a report to the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children by calling the 24-hour hotline at 1-800-THE-LOST (1-800-843-5678) or by making a report at www.cybertipline.com.
This case was brought as part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative launched in May 2006 by the Department of Justice to combat the growing epidemic of child sexual exploitation and abuse. Led by U.S. Attorney’s Offices and the Department of Justice’s Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section, Project Safe Childhood marshals federal, state and local resources to better locate, apprehend and prosecute individuals who exploit children via the Internet, as well as to identify and rescue victims. For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit www.justice.gov/psc.
###
Acting U.S. Attorney Announces Arrest of 65-Year-Old Pastor for Receipt of Child PornographyRead the Press Release
Audrey Strauss, the Acting United States Attorney for the Southern District of New York, and William F. Sweeney Jr., Assistant Director-in-Charge of the New York Office of the Federal Bureau of Investigation (“FBI”), announced the arrest today of FRANCIS HUGHES. HUGHES, 65, a pastor at a religious institution in Queens, New York, is charged with receiving images of child pornography via text from a 15-year-old minor in Westchester, New York, with whom Hughes was engaging in sexually explicit text communications. HUGHES was arrested this morning and will be presented later today before U.S. Magistrate Judge Lisa Margaret Smith in White Plains federal court.
Acting U.S. Attorney Audrey Strauss said: “The allegations against Francis Hughes are chilling and frightening to any parent. A person who, by the nature of his profession, is presumed to be trustworthy allegedly victimized a child. Thanks to the FBI, Hughes now faces a serious federal charge.”
FBI Assistant Director William F. Sweeney Jr. said: “We expect adults, especially those in positions of trust like Francis Hughes, to protect our children, not victimize them. Sadly, these allegations demonstrate there are still predators out there who abuse this trust. If you or anyone you know may have been a victim of Rev. Hughes, we are asking you contact us at 1-800-CALL-FBI. If you are a parent or guardian, please take a moment to have a discussion with your children about protecting themselves and about how they can report the type of predatory behavior that is alleged here today.”
According to the Complaint[1] filed today in White Plains federal court:
On February 16, 2020, HUGHES communicated by text messages with a 15-year-old boy (“Minor-1”). During the course of the text communications, among other things, Minor-1 sent HUGHES three images of Minor-1’s penis. Upon receiving one of the images, HUGHES responded, among other things, “Yummmmm I will suck you so much” and “Make you cum.” During the communications, HUGHES told Minor-1 that he was a part-time college professor and a counselor.
There may be more victims of this alleged conduct. If you have information to report, contact the Federal Bureau of Investigation at 1-800-CALL-FBI.
* * *
HUGHES, 65, of Glendale, New York, is charged with one count of receipt and distribution of child pornography, which carries a mandatory minimum sentence of five years in prison and a maximum sentence of 20 years in prison. The statutory maximum sentence is prescribed by Congress and is provided here for informational purposes only, as any sentencing of the defendant will be determined by the judge.
Ms. Strauss praised the efforts of the FBI and its Westchester County Safe Streets Task Force, and thanked the Greenburgh Police Department for its assistance. She added that the investigation is ongoing.
The prosecution is being handled by the Office’s White Plains Division. Assistant United States Attorney Marcia S. Cohen is in charge of the prosecution.
The charge in the Complaint is merely an accusation and the defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.
[1] As the introductory phrase signifies, the entirety of the text of the Complaint and the description of the Complaint set forth herein constitute only allegations, and every fact described should be treated as an allegation.
106 Month Prison Sentence for Parolee Caught with Stolen GunRead the Press Release
MACON, Ga. – A parolee caught with a stolen firearm was sentenced to federal prison this morning for his crime, said Charles “Charlie” Peeler, the United States Attorney for the Middle District of Georgia.
LeKanderick Pitts, 39, of Macon, was sentenced to 106 months in prison and three years supervised release by U.S. District Judge Marc Treadwell after pleading guilty to one count possession of a stolen firearm. There is no parole in the federal system.
Law enforcement with the Bibb County Sheriff’s Office and Georgia Department of Community Supervision conducted a parole search on September 28, 2018, of the motel room where Pitts was residing, as well as his vehicle. Officers confiscated baggies of cocaine, 14 rounds of ammunition and a stolen Hi-Point, Model C9, 9mm semi-automatic pistol. Pitts admitted he was in possession of the stolen firearm.
“The punishment is steep for possessing a stolen gun. This defendant’s decision to possess a stolen gun landed him in federal prison for more than eight years, where there is no parole,” said U.S. Attorney Charlie Peeler. “We are working closely with our local law enforcement partners to identify criminal gun cases that warrant federal prosecution, as part of our shared commitment through Project Safe Neighborhoods to reduce violent crime in Macon and across the Middle District. I want to thank Bibb County Sheriff’s Office, Georgia Department of Community Supervision, GBI and ATF for their work in this investigation.”
The investigation was conducted as part of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), the centerpiece of the Department of Justice’s violent crime reduction efforts. PSN is an evidence-based program proven to be effective at reducing violent crime. Through PSN, a broad spectrum of stakeholders work together to identify the most pressing violent crime problems in the community and develop comprehensive solutions to address them. As part of this strategy, PSN focuses enforcement efforts on the most violent offenders and partners with locally based prevention and reentry programs for lasting reductions in crime.
This case is also part of Project Guardian, the Department of Justice’s signature initiative to reduce gun violence and enforce federal firearms laws. Initiated by the Attorney General in the fall of 2019, Project Guardian draws upon the Department’s past successful programs to reduce gun violence; enhances coordination of federal, state, local, and tribal authorities in investigating and prosecuting gun crimes; improves information-sharing by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives when a prohibited individual attempts to purchase a firearm and is denied by the National Instant Criminal Background Check System (NICS), to include taking appropriate actions when a prospective purchaser is denied by the NICS for mental health reasons; and ensures that federal resources are directed at the criminals posing the greatest threat to our communities. For more information about Project Guardian, please see https://www.justice.gov/archives/projectguardian.
The case was investigated by the Bibb County Sheriff’s Office, the Georgia Department of Community Supervision, GBI and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms (ATF). Assistant U.S. Attorney Steven Ouzts prosecuted the case for the Government. Questions can be directed to Pamela Lightsey, Public Information Officer, United States Attorney’s Office, at (478) 621-2603 or Melissa Hodges, Public Affairs Director (Contractor), United States Attorney’s Office, at (478) 765-2362.
28 July 2020
Woman Sentenced to 18 Months in Prison for Assaulting Customs and Border Protection OfficerRead the Press Release
Assistant U. S. Attorney Michael A. Deshong (619) 546-9290
NEWS RELEASE SUMMARY – July 27, 2020
SAN DIEGO – Barbara Ross was sentenced in federal court today to 18 months in prison for assaulting a Customs and Border Protection Officer at the San Ysidro Port of Entry on August 2, 2019.
Ross, 39, was convicted by a federal jury following a two-day trial in January. According to evidence presented at trial, Ross attempted to enter the United States through a vehicle lane with her husband and two minor children in her car. When Customs and Border Protection Officer Robert Barragan attempted to ask Ross standard questions regarding her international travel, Ross became aggressive and threatening.
Ross screamed profanities at Officer Barragan and refused to answer questions. Officer Barragan referred her to a secondary inspection lot where other officers could speak with Ross without causing delays in the vehicle lane. As Ross’s husband drove their car to the secondary inspection lot, Ross continued to scream profanities. Upon arriving in the lot, Ross jumped out of the car and when Customs and Border Protection Officer Moises Perez contacted her, Ross repeatedly slapped at Officer Perez with enough force that she broke the skin on his hand and drew blood.
At sentencing today, the Court heard about Ross’s history of aggressive behavior towards law enforcement going back to 2003. The Court also heard about multiple prior incidents at the San Ysidro Port of Entry, including an incident in August 2018 where Ross refused to obey an officer’s orders, which caused officers to have to deploy a “stop stick” in order to stop her car.
“Our courageous federal officers put their lives on the line every day to protect our country, and when they are attacked, we will respond appropriately,” said U.S. Attorney Robert Brewer. “This defendant assaulted multiple officers without provocation. That kind of violence is unacceptable. We are committed to vigorously prosecuting these cases.” Brewer commended the work of prosecutor Michael Deshong and agents from HSI and CBP for their excellent work.
“Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) is committed to investigating and bringing to justice any assault against a law enforcement officer, specifically our federal partners within the Department of Homeland Security,” said Cardell Morant, Special Agent in Charge for HSI in San Diego. “The message is very simple, if you become violent with a federal law enforcement officer performing their duties, you can expect swift and severe charges in federal court.”
“CBP officers serve their country with honor, vigilance and professionalism, and as part of their national security duties they face significant risks. We are extremely appreciative of the diligent work of U.S. Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) special agents and the U.S. Attorney’s Office Southern District of California in bringing this case to justice,” said Pete Flores, CBP Director of Field Operations in San Diego.
DEFENDANTS Case Number 19cr3350-W
Barbara L. Ross Age: 39 San Diego, CA
SUMMARY OF CHARGES
Assault on a Federal Officer with Physical Contact, in violation of Title 18, United States Code, Section 111(a)(1)
Maximum Penalty: Eight years in prison
AGENCIES
United States Customs and Border Protection
Homeland Security Investigations
West Carrolton man sentenced to 16 years in prison for receiving images of sexual abuse of childrenRead the Press Release
DAYTON – Robert L. Hudson, 36, of West Carrolton, was sentenced in U.S. District Court to 192 months in prison for receiving child pornography.
According to court documents, Hudson used a Kik messenger account to receive and distribute child pornography files from others.
Hudson also used the online account to communicate with other users about child sexual exploitation.
In one such conversation, Hudson stated he had viewed child pornography with babies as young as six months old. Hudson also indicated in the conversation that he had engaged in sexual activities with a 12-year-old boy.
Hudson and the other user discussed options for finding and abusing young boys, including ways to “lure them in.”
Hudson was charged by criminal complaint in March 2019 and pleaded guilty in February 2020.
David M. DeVillers, United States Attorney for the Southern District of Ohio, and Chris Hoffman, Special Agent in Charge, Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), Cincinnati Division, announced the sentence imposed by U.S. District Court Judge Walter H. Rice. Assistant Deputy Criminal Chief Laura Clemmens is representing the United States in this case.
# # #
Utah Man Posing as Medical Doctor to Sell Baseless Coronavirus Cure Indicted on Fraud ChargesRead the Press Release
Utah resident Gordon H. Pedersen has been indicted for posing as a medical doctor to sell a baseless treatment for coronavirus (COVID-19). According to the indictment returned by a federal grand jury in Salt Lake City late last week, Pedersen fraudulently promoted and sold ingestible silver-based products as a cure for COVID-19 despite having no evidence that his products could treat or cure the disease. Pedersen is also alleged to have claimed to be a physician and worn a stethoscope and white lab coat in videos and photos posted on the Internet to further his alleged fraud scheme.
In a related matter, the company Pedersen previously co-owned, My Doctor Suggests LLC (My Doctor Suggests), has agreed to plead guilty to a one-count criminal information related to its false and misleading marketing of ingestible silver products as a drug treatment for COVID-19. The company has severed ties with Pedersen and agreed to cooperate in his prosecution. The criminal information filed Thursday in the U.S. District Court for the District of Utah are part of a global resolution with My Doctor Suggests that also includes a civil consent order requiring the company to cease fraudulently labeling its products and to issue full refunds to affected consumers.
“The Department of Justice will take swift action to protect consumers from those who offer phony cure-alls for the treatment and prevention of COVID-19,” said Acting Assistant Attorney General Ethan Davis. “We will continue to work closely with our partners at the Food and Drug Administration to quickly shut down schemes to promote and sell unlawful products during this pandemic.”
“In addition to the imposition of a civil restraining order that successfully shut down fraudulent claims of a COVID-19 cure-all, Mr. Pedersen now faces criminal charges for his conduct. The federal felony allegations are serious, especially against the backdrop of this pandemic where Americans are yearning for effective relief. If proven, this conduct reveals a scheme where greed was a higher priority than conveying truth to consumers,” said U.S. Attorney John W. Huber for the District of Utah.
The indictment against Pedersen alleges that, beginning in early 2020, he conducted a scheme to defraud consumers throughout the United States, by falsely presenting himself as a medical doctor and promoting and selling silver products on the Internet based on fraudulent claims of protection against, and treatment for, COVID-19, in the midst of a worldwide pandemic.
According to the criminal information filed Friday, My Doctor Suggests made false and misleading claims that the company’s silver-based products could be ingested to protect against COVID-19 and the products lacked the necessary directions for use as a drug product. The information also allege My Doctor Suggests operated without properly registering with the Food and Drug Administration (FDA). It is anticipated My Doctor Suggests will plead guilty to a single misdemeanor count of distributing misbranded drug products in interstate commerce in violation of the Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act.
“The FDA is actively monitoring the marketplace for fraudulent products represented as preventing, curing, or treating COVID-19. Americans expect and deserve treatments that are safe, effective and meet appropriate standards, and the agency will continue to bring to justice those who place profits above the public health during this pandemic,” said Judy McMeekin, Pharm.D., Associate Commissioner for Regulatory Affairs, U.S. Food and Drug Administration. “Today’s announcement should serve as a reminder that we will take action against those who jeopardize the health of Americans while taking advantage of a crisis.”
The Department of Justice previously sought and obtained an emergency court order in the U.S. District Court for the District of Utah, alleging in its civil complaint that My Doctor Suggests worked with two co-defendants, Pedersen and his company GP Silver LLC, to fraudulently promote and sell various silver products for the treatment and prevention of COVID-19. Subsequent orders temporarily enjoined Pedersen, GP Silver LLC, and My Doctor Suggests from distributing silver products as well as representing they could cure, mitigate, treat, or otherwise prevent COVID-19 or any other disease. The recent consent order permanently enjoins My Doctor Suggests LLC from making these representations, and it provides a notification and refund process for deceived consumers.
The consent order specifically requires that My Doctor Suggests LLC permanently stop any fraudulent promotions, clearly and conspicuously disavow any statement that its silver products treat or prevent COVID-19 in future marketing materials and consumer notices, implement robust compliance measures to prevent a reoccurrence, and provide full refunds upon request to any customer who purchased its silver products under fraudulent pretenses. Affected customers can contact My Doctor Suggests LLC at (1-866- 660-9868) or [email protected].
An indictment is an accusation by a federal grand jury and is not evidence of guilt. The defendant should be presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.
The criminal action is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Jacob Strain from the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Utah with assistance from Trial Attorney Matt Lash from the Department of Justice, Civil Division’s Consumer Protection Branch and James Smith from the FDA’s Office of Chief Counsel. The criminal case was investigated by the FDA’s Office of Criminal Investigations and the FBI’s Utah Field Office.
The civil enforcement action was handled by Trial Attorneys Speare I. Hodges and Sarah Williams of the Department of Justice, Civil Division’s Consumer Protection Branch and Assistant U.S. Attorney Joel A. Ferre, with support from FDA’s Office of Criminal Investigations.
Additional information about the Consumer Protection Branch and its enforcement efforts may be found at www.justice.gov/civil/consumer-protection-branch. For more information about the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Utah, visit its website at https://www.justice.gov/usao-ut. For information about the Department of Justice’s efforts to stop illegal COVID-19-related activity, visit www.justice.gov/coronavirus. For the most up-to-date information on COVID-19, consumers may visit the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and WHO websites.
The public is urged to report suspected fraud schemes related to COVID-19 by calling the National Center for Disaster Fraud (NCDF) hotline (1-866-720-5721) or by e-mailing the NCDF at [email protected].
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.
Utah Man Posing as Medical Doctor to Sell Baseless Coronavirus Cure Indicted on Fraud ChargesRead the Press Release
SALT LAKE CITY – Utah resident Gordon H. Pedersen has been indicted for posing as a medical doctor to sell a baseless treatment for coronavirus (COVID-19). According to the indictment returned by a federal grand jury in Salt Lake City late last week, Pedersen fraudulently promoted and sold ingestible silver-based products as a cure for COVID-19 despite having no evidence that his products could treat or cure the disease.
Pedersen is also alleged to have claimed to be a physician and worn a stethoscope and white lab coat in videos and photos posted on the Internet to further his alleged fraud scheme.
In a related matter, the company Pedersen previously co-owned, My Doctor Suggests LLC (My Doctor Suggests), has agreed to plead guilty to a one-count criminal information related to its false and misleading marketing of ingestible silver products as a drug treatment for COVID-19. The company has severed ties with Pedersen and agreed to cooperate in his prosecution. The criminal information filed Thursday in the United States District Court for the District of Utah is part of a global resolution with My Doctor Suggests that also includes a civil consent order requiring the company to cease fraudulently labeling its products and to issue full refunds to affected consumers.
“In addition to the imposition of a civil restraining order that successfully shut down fraudulent claims of a COVID-19 cure-all, Mr. Pedersen now faces criminal charges for his conduct. The federal felony allegations are serious, especially against the backdrop of this pandemic where Americans are yearning for effective relief. If proven, this conduct reveals a scheme where greed was a higher priority than conveying truth to consumers,” U.S. Attorney John W. Huber said.
“The Department of Justice will take swift action to protect consumers from those who offer phony cure-alls for the treatment and prevention of COVID-19,” said Acting Assistant Attorney General Ethan Davis. “We will continue to work closely with our partners at the Food and Drug Administration to quickly shut down schemes to promote and sell unlawful products during this pandemic.”
The indictment against Pedersen alleges that, beginning in early 2020, he conducted a scheme to defraud consumers throughout the United States, by falsely presenting himself as a medical doctor and promoting and selling silver products on the Internet based on fraudulent claims of protection against, and treatment for, COVID-19, in the midst of a worldwide pandemic.
According to the criminal information filed Friday, My Doctor Suggests made false and misleading claims that the company’s silver-based products could be ingested to protect against COVID-19 and the products lacked the necessary directions for use as a drug product. The information also allege My Doctor Suggests operated without properly registering with the Food and Drug Administration (FDA). It is anticipated My Doctor Suggests will plead guilty to a single misdemeanor count of distributing misbranded drug products in interstate commerce in violation of the Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act.
“The FDA is actively monitoring the marketplace for fraudulent products represented as preventing, curing, or treating COVID-19. Americans expect and deserve treatments that are safe, effective and meet appropriate standards, and the agency will continue to bring to justice those who place profits above the public health during this pandemic,” said Judy McMeekin, Pharm.D., Associate Commissioner for Regulatory Affairs, U.S. Food and Drug Administration. “Today’s announcement should serve as a reminder that we will take action against those who jeopardize the health of Americans while taking advantage of a crisis.”
The Department of Justice previously sought and obtained an emergency court order in the United States District Court for the District of Utah, alleging in its civil complaint that My Doctor Suggests worked with two co-defendants, Pedersen and his company GP Silver LLC, to fraudulently promote and sell various silver products for the treatment and prevention of COVID-19. Subsequent orders temporarily enjoined Pedersen, GP Silver LLC, and My Doctor Suggests from distributing silver products as well as representing they could cure, mitigate, treat, or otherwise prevent COVID-19 or any other disease. The recent consent order permanently enjoins My Doctor Suggests LLC from making these representations, and it provides a notification and refund process for deceived consumers.
The consent order specifically requires that My Doctor Suggests LLC permanently stop any fraudulent promotions, clearly and conspicuously disavow any statement that its silver products treat or prevent COVID-19 in future marketing materials and consumer notices, implement robust compliance measures to prevent a reoccurrence, and provide full refunds upon request to any customer who purchased its silver products under fraudulent pretenses. Affected customers can contact My Doctor Suggests LLC at (1-866- 660-9868) or [email protected].
An indictment is an accusation by a federal grand jury and is not evidence of guilt. The defendant should be presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.
The criminal action is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Jacob Strain from the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Utah with assistance from Trial Attorney Matt Lash from the Department of Justice, Civil Division’s Consumer Protection Branch and James Smith from the FDA’s Office of Chief Counsel. The criminal case was investigated by the FDA’s Office of Criminal Investigations and the FBI’s Utah Field Office.
The civil enforcement action was handled by Trial Attorneys Speare I. Hodges and Sarah Williams of the Department of Justice, Civil Division’s Consumer Protection Branch and Assistant U.S. Attorney Joel A. Ferre, with support from FDA’s Office of Criminal Investigations.
Additional information about the Consumer Protection Branch and its enforcement efforts may be found at www.justice.gov/civil/consumer-protection-branch. For more information about the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Utah, visit its website at https://www.justice.gov/usao-ut. For information about the Department of Justice’s efforts to stop illegal COVID-19-related activity, visit www.justice.gov/coronavirus. For the most up-to-date information on COVID-19, consumers may visit the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and WHO websites.
The public is urged to report suspected fraud schemes related to COVID-19 by calling the National Center for Disaster Fraud (NCDF) hotline (1-866-720-5721) or by e-mailing the NCDF at [email protected].
United States Reaches $200,000 Settlement with Siskiyou County Pharmacy for Controlled Substances Act ViolationsRead the Press Release
SACRAMENTO, Calif. — KJL Consultants Inc., doing business as Luke’s Yreka Drug, and owner Lucas Walsh have agreed to pay $200,000 to resolve allegations that the pharmacy committed multiple violations of the Controlled Substances Act’s strict recordkeeping requirements, U.S. Attorney McGregor W. Scott announced.
The pharmacy permanently ceased operations in December 2018, and a key term of the settlement agreement included the pharmacy’s surrender of its DEA registration for cause.
The settlement relates to a DEA administrative audit and inspection of Luke’s Yreka Drug in September 2016 during which the DEA identified more than 150 Controlled Substances Act violations including failing to maintain the archived DEA-E-222 form for orders of controlled substances from a distributor, to properly document the quantity and/or date of controlled substances received from a distributor, and to conduct a complete and accurate biennial inventory.
“To prevent diversion of opioids and other dangerous drugs and avoid harm to the public from abuse of these powerful substances, it is critical that all pharmacies, whether they be large national chains or small local stores like Luke’s, ensure that their drug transactions are properly documented, tracked and inventoried,” U.S. Attorney Scott said. “This settlement emphasizes the importance of proper and diligent recordkeeping and the significant penalties to pharmacies that fail to do so.”
“Failure to ensure proper record keeping and accurate inventories of controlled substances allows for potential diversion of powerful prescription drugs,” stated DEA Special Agent in Charge, Daniel Comeaux. “DEA is committed to keeping our communities safe by holding companies like KJL accountable for such deficiencies.”
This settlement resulted from joint efforts of the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of California and the DEA. It was handled by Assistant U.S. Attorney Lynn Trinka Ernce.
The claims resolved by this settlement are allegations only.
U.S. Attorney’s Office Settles ADA Claim with Hinsdale Plastic Surgeon over Alleged HIV DiscriminationRead the Press Release
CHICAGO — The U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Northern District of Illinois announced today that, as part of continued efforts to enforce the Americans with Disabilities Act, it has reached a settlement with Midwest Plastic Surgery in Hinsdale to resolve claims of discrimination against a 47-year-old woman with HIV.
The U.S. Attorney’s Office found that Midwest Plastic Surgery discriminated against the patient when its plastic surgeon unlawfully refused to perform a breast reduction surgery due to the patient’s HIV status. The patient had been living with HIV for more than 25 years, but this was the first time she had been refused medical treatment because of the virus. The U.S. Attorney's Office’s investigation revealed that Midwest Plastic Surgery’s actions were not based on, or consistent with, current medical knowledge. Moreover, an individual’s HIV status is not a legitimate or lawful reason to refuse to treat a patient seeking medical care.
Under the terms of the settlement agreement and consistent with penalties available under the ADA, Midwest Plastic Surgery will pay $25,000 to the victim of discrimination. In addition, Midwest Plastic Surgery must train its employees on the requirements of the ADA, implement an antidiscrimination policy, and report to the U.S. Attorney’s Office every time a person is not accepted as a patient, with a written justification for the decision. The U.S. Attorney’s Office waived the civil fine in recognition of the remorse expressed by the plastic surgeon for his misconduct and Midwest Plastic Surgery’s cooperation during the investigation.
This settlement is the second HIV-related discrimination case the U.S. Attorney's Office has resolved in recent months. In December 2019, the office reached a settlement with Downers Grove Tattoo Company, which had unlawfully refused to give a customer a tattoo because she was HIV-positive. Under the terms of that settlement agreement, the Downers Grove Tattoo Company paid $10,000 to the victim for violating the ADA. In addition, Downers Grove Tattoo Company was required to train its employees on the requirements of the ADA and implement an antidiscrimination policy.
“Physicians, tattoo artists, and others should understand that individuals seeking medical treatment or other physical care should not be excluded based on HIV,” said John R. Lausch, Jr., United States Attorney for the Northern District of Illinois. “These settlements should send a clear message that individuals living with HIV are entitled to the same services as everyone else.”
Title III of the ADA prohibits public accommodations, such as doctor’s offices and tattoo parlors, from excluding people with disabilities, including people with HIV, from enjoying goods, services, privileges, facilities, advantages and accommodations provided. For more information regarding the Department of Justice’s efforts to combat HIV discrimination, please visit https://www.ada.gov/hiv/ada_hiv_discrimination.htm.
The ADA was signed into law 30 years ago this week. To learn more about the obligations of public accommodations under federal disability rights statutes, call the Department of Justice’s toll-free ADA information line at 800-514-0301, 800-514-0383 (TTY), or log on to the ADA website at www.ada.gov.
U.S. Attorney’s Office Observes 30th Anniversary of the Americans with Disabilities ActRead the Press Release
PORTLAND, Maine: U.S. Attorney Halsey B. Frank announced today that the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Maine is proud to commemorate the 30th anniversary of the signing of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). This landmark legislation was signed into law on July 26, 1990, and is the nation’s preeminent civil rights law for providing access and equal opportunity for people with disabilities. The Department of Justice and the U.S. Attorney’s Office are committed to this work.
“Since its passage thirty years ago, the ADA has dramatically improved the lives of people with disabilities, ensuring them equal opportunity to fully participate in mainstream life without discriminatory barriers,” U.S. Attorney Frank said. “We are proud of our efforts in safeguarding the civil rights of persons with disabilities, but we recognize that our work is far from complete, and we still see unlawful barriers that prevent individuals with disabilities from fully participating in many aspects of society. As we mark the 30th anniversary of this historic civil rights law, the U.S. Attorney’s Office remains committed to enforcing the ADA.”
The promise of the ADA is its wide-ranging efforts to eliminate disability discrimination across the range of services, programs, and activities that most Americans take for granted, but for too long were largely inaccessible to individuals with disabilities. Whether in employment, areas of civic life, or in the day-to-day activities and access to goods and services that we all enjoy, the ADA requires that we take those steps necessary to ensure access for all.
Over the past 30 years, our country has undertaken the hard work of changing attitudes about disability, tearing down barriers to equality, and dismantling the systems that have historically excluded people with disabilities. Today, we commemorate the many ways that the ADA has transformed our society—by replacing exclusion with access, segregation with integration, and limitations with self-determination. The ADA has advanced the promise of the American dream, ensuring that people with disabilities can write their own stories. And as a society, we are better and stronger because of the contributions that people with disabilities make.
For more information about the 30th Anniversary of the ADA, please visit www.ada.gov. To file a complaint with the Department, please visit the Civil Rights Division’s portal at https://civilrights.justice.gov/report/. For more information about the ADA, call the Department’s toll-free ADA Information Line at 800-514-0301 or 800-514-0383 (TTY).
U.S. Attorney’s Office Commemorates 30th Anniversary of Americans with Disabilities ActRead the Press Release
BIRMINGHAM, Ala. – The U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Northern District of Alabama is proud to play a critical role in the Department of Justice’s enforcement efforts under the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). The ADA was signed into law 30 years ago by President George H.W. Bush, and is the landmark law that prohibits discrimination on the basis of disabilities. The ADA empowers the Department of Justice to investigate, litigate, and resolve complaints of discrimination as well as authorizing the Government to conduct compliance reviews of covered entities.
“As the United States Attorney for the Northern District of Alabama, I am committed to continuing the important work of enforcing the ADA on behalf of our local citizens,” said Escalona. “I am proud of the work our office has done throughout our district to ensure that individuals with disabilities have equal access in our society.”
Since the passage of the ADA, the U.S. Attorney’s Office has brought numerous institutions into compliance with the ADA. The district has undertaken wide-ranging efforts to eliminate disability discrimination across a broad range of services, programs, and activities that most Americans take for granted, but for too long were largely inaccessible to individuals with disabilities. For instance, as part of the Justice Department’s ADA Voting Initiative, the U.S. Attorney’s Office has worked collaboratively with local governments to increase accessibility at polling places. Whether in employment, areas of civic life, or in the day-to-day activities and access to goods and services that we all enjoy, the ADA requires that we take those steps necessary to ensure access for all.
For more information about the 30th Anniversary of the ADA, please visit www.ada.gov. To file a complaint with the Department, please visit the Civil Rights Division’s portal at https://civilrights.justice.gov/report/. For more information about the ADA, call the Department’s toll-free ADA Information Line at 800-514-0301 or 800-514-0383 (TTY).
U.S. Attorneys in Texas and Attorney General Paxton Partner to Warn Consumers of Fraudsters Selling Counterfeit, Mislabeled, and Non-Existent PPERead the Press Release
BEAUMONT, Texas - Today, U.S. Attorney Stephen J. Cox joined fellow U.S. Attorneys in Texas—Ryan K. Patrick in the Southern District, Erin Nealy Cox in the Northern District and John F. Bash in the Western District—and Attorney General Ken Paxton to inform the public about several fraudulent schemes involving masks, personal protection equipment (PPE), and other COVID-19 related equipment. They urge everyone to exercise increased due diligence and caution when dealing with new suppliers or vendors, especially when using a third-party broker.
As demand for PPE increases, scammers may advertise equipment they do not actually have in attempts to make a quick profit. These PPE products may be counterfeit and mislabeled, and some may not exist at all. Some fraudsters reach out directly to consumers and government entities through email or social media to push their products. Red flags that a seller may be engaging in a scam include:
- Unusual payment terms
- Last-minute price changes
- Last-minute excuses for delay in shipment
- Unexplained source of a large quantity of material
- Evidence of re-packaging or mislabeling
“Fraudsters that engage in the trafficking of counterfeit or non-existent PPE prey upon their fellow citizens at a time when they are at their most vulnerable, and, in so doing, deny front line medical professionals needed protective equipment,” said U.S. Attorney Stephen J. Cox. “One of my highest priorities is identifying these scammers, shutting down their operations, and bringing them to justice. The public deserves nothing less.”
There are ongoing federal and state prohibitions on charging exorbitant prices for PPE during this time of national emergency. Texans who believe they have encountered scams or price gouging should call the Office of the Attorney General’s toll-free complaint line at (800) 621-0508 or file a complaint online. For additional information on disaster scams, please visit our disaster scams website.
More information on unapproved or counterfeit PPE can be found at cdc.gov/niosh. You can also find information on the U.S. Food and Drug Administration website and the Environmental Protection Agency website. If you have information about PPE-related fraud, or about hoarding or price gouging of critical supplies, you can report it without leaving your home to the National Center for Disaster Fraud by calling the National Hotline at (866) 720-5721 or by submitting the NCDF Web Complaint Form.
#####U.S. Attorney McSwain Announces Fraudsters Thwarted from Stealing $44 Million of State Stimulus MoneyRead the Press Release
PHILADELPHIA – United States Attorney William M. McSwain announced today that federal and state law enforcement, in collaboration with the Pennsylvania Department of Labor & Industry, and together with measures implemented by US Bank, have successfully prevented over $44 million from reaching criminals who attempted to steal Pandemic Unemployment Assistance (PUA) funds in Pennsylvania. The U.S. Department of Labor Office of Inspector General (DOL-OIG) utilized sophisticated data analytics to identify the fraudulent claims. The Department of Labor & Industry provided program assistance and data, and DOL-OIG was supported by the U.S. Attorney’s Office-led Coronavirus Working Group of federal and state law enforcement agencies in Southeastern Pennsylvania, including the U.S. Postal Inspection Service, the Federal Bureau of Investigation, the United States Secret Service, the Social Security Administration Office of Inspector General, and the Pennsylvania Office of Attorney General.
PUA is funded entirely by federal dollars under the CARES Act and the program is administered by the state. Data analytics enabled DOL-OIG and the other law enforcement agencies to trace clusters of fraudulent claims for PUA funds back to the same criminals. The Department of Labor & Industry then used the information to stop the payment of PUA funds to those criminals.
The outstanding work of law enforcement saved over $28 million in PUA funds that would have been paid to fraudsters by check or direct deposit. In addition, US Bank administers the Pennsylvania debit card program used to make some PUA payments. US Bank applied analytics to identify an additional $16 million in fraudulent claims, and those funds will be returned to the Pennsylvania Department of Treasury.
Many of the fraudsters stole identities of real Pennsylvanians to file their fraudulent claims. Law enforcement’s ability to track the fraud was greatly enhanced by Pennsylvanians who came forward and reported that they had received PUA funds but had never applied for them. Anyone who receives state unemployment compensation funds that they did not apply for, whether by check, direct deposit or debit card, are probably victims of identity theft. If you find yourself in that position, U.S. Attorney McSwain strongly encourages you to report it immediately to the Department of Labor & Industry and return the funds.
“Pandemic Unemployment Assistance funds are intended to help Pennsylvanians who lost their jobs because of the coronavirus,” said U.S. Attorney Bill McSwain. “Thieves who attempt to take these funds are taking advantage of others’ misfortune – ripping them off while also ripping off all taxpayers who fund the program. I want to commend the outstanding cooperation and coordination among federal and state agencies, and private banking institutions, that together achieved this remarkable success. The U.S. Attorney’s Office Coronavirus Working Group enables us to combine the tremendous resources and skill of federal and state law enforcement to do what it takes to bring these criminals to justice.”
“The ongoing work of this joint task force has prevented criminals from stealing tens of millions of dollars meant for out-of-work Pennsylvanians,” Attorney General Josh Shapiro said. “If you receive unemployment compensation you did not apply for, notify state officials right away. With your help we will take down these sophisticated scammers who are trying to use the COVID-19 pandemic for their own selfish, illegal, gain.”
“Criminals continue to exploit the Unemployment Insurance program for personal gain, and with selfish disregard for their fellow citizens. Fraud against the UI program distracts state workforce agencies from serving individuals in need of assistance, and siphons taxpayer funds from those who are qualified and eligible to receive UI benefits. The Office of Inspector General will continue to work closely with the U.S. Attorney’s Office, the Pennsylvania Department of Labor & Industry, and our many law enforcement partners, to see to it that these criminals are sought out and held accountable,” said Derek Pickle, Acting Special Agent-in-Charge, Philadelphia Region, U.S. Department of Labor Office of Inspector General.
U.S. Attorney McSwain and Acting Special Agent-in-Charge Pickle identified the following potentially fraudulent activities for Pennsylvanians to be alert to:
- You have not applied for unemployment benefits but you receive a PA Treasury check or direct deposit or a debit card issued by US Bank that you did not know about or apply for.
- You receive correspondence from the PA Department of Labor & Industry or the PA Department of Treasury about receiving unemployment assistance that you did not apply for.
- Someone comes to your home that you do not know and tells you that their unemployment assistance check or debit card was mistakenly mailed to you.
- Someone asks you to use your bank account to deposit their unemployment assistance.
- Someone, in person or electronically, tells you that you are entitled to unemployment assistance and requests personal identifying information from you.
- Someone offers to help you file for unemployment benefits for a fee.
- Someone claims to be from the government and asks for a fee or personal information to complete your PUA application.
If any of these suspicious activities happen to you, you should not assist or confront the fraudster. End the interaction immediately and report the activity to the Department of Labor & Industry on their Benefits Fraud Form available at dlisecureweb.pa.gov/FRTS/BenefitsFraud.aspx or call the PA Fraud Hotline at 1-800-692-7469.
U.S. Attorney Lelling Announces MOU with Special Inspector General for Pandemic Recovery Brian D. MillerRead the Press Release
BOSTON – United States Attorney Andrew E. Lelling announced today that the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Massachusetts has entered into a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with Special Inspector General Brian D. Miller of the Office of the Special Inspector General for Pandemic Recovery (SIGPR), to investigate and prosecute fraud in the distribution of the massive relief package authorized by the CARES Act.
“It’s an unfortunate reality that a certain kind of criminal capitalizes on crises to take advantage of government programs,” said U.S. Attorney Lelling. “Since the outset of this pandemic, my office has worked with our law enforcement partners to disrupt fraudulent schemes targeting the government’s pandemic relief efforts. This partnership with SIGPR marks an important step in enhancing that effort.”
The MOU will allow the U.S. Attorney’s Office and SIGPR to enhance their cooperative efforts in investigating and prosecuting matters involving loans, loan guarantees and other investments made by the Secretary of the Treasury under the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act of 2020, while using criminal and civil resources efficiently.
“I am looking forward to working with United States Attorney Andy Lelling and his team in Boston,” said Special Inspector General Miller. “Identifying fraud and preventing any waste or abuse of the money provided under the CARES Act is a top priority for both of our offices, and we are determined to bring those who attempt to steal from American taxpayers to justice. This partnership, I am confident, will help to ensure the security and efficiency of the CARES Act funds.”
The MOU outlines four objectives: 1) to provide a coordinated response to CARES Act funding fraud, with an emphasis on organized criminal activity, as well as criminal and civil fraud affecting federal money, vulnerable victims, and fraud recidivists; 2) to speed up legal process, case intake, and prosecution of CARES Act-related fraud; 3) to link and associate isolated CARES Act-related complaints with larger schemes and related unlawful activity; and 4) to deter future CARES Act funding fraud by increasing awareness of successful criminal prosecutions and civil enforcement actions against individuals and companies involved in CARES-related financial fraud.
Assistant U.S. Attorneys from the Criminal Division and the Civil Division of the U.S. Attorney’s Office will serve as liaisons to the partnership with SIGPR. The District of Massachusetts will also provide other staffing support for these investigations.
Massachusetts residents who believe they are victims of fraud or other criminal activity related to the pandemic should contact the U.S. Attorney’s Office at [email protected] or call 1-888-221-6023. Members of the public can also contact the FBI’s Internet Crime Complaint Center (IC3) by visiting www.IC3.gov. If you or someone you know are in immediate danger, please call 911.
U.S. Attorney David J. Freed Recognizes the 30th Anniversary of the Americans with Disabilities ActRead the Press Release
Harrisburg - U.S. Attorney David J. Freed recognizes the 30th anniversary of the passage of the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990 (ADA), which was signed into law by President George H.W. Bush on July 26, 1990. At the signing ceremony, President Bush stated the ADA “signals the end to the unjustified segregation and exclusion of persons with disabilities from the mainstream of American life.”
Thirty years later, the ADA is a transformative law that prohibits discrimination on the basis of disability in places of public accommodation, including all hotels, restaurants, retail stores, theaters, health care facilities, convention centers, parks, and places of recreation (Title III), in all activities of state and local governments (Title II), and in employment (Title I). The ADA empowers the Department of Justice to investigate, litigate, and resolve complaints of discrimination as well as authorizing the Government to conduct compliance reviews of covered entities.
According to United States Attorney David J. Freed, because of measures taken to enforce the ADA, the United States Attorney’s Office has worked with the Commonwealth and local governments, as well as area business to ensure compliance with the antidiscrimination provisions of the ADA. In particular, this Office has taken a leading role in the United States to ensure individuals with disabilities can exercise their right to vote in person at polling places in the Middle District of Pennsylvania.
"We remain committed to eliminating segregation and exclusion of persons with disabilities from the mainstream of American life," said US Attorney Freed. "This Office will continue to investigate and enforce the ADA to ensure that those with disabilities are free from barriers to vote, to attend school, to visit a place of public accommodation, and to participate in the democratic process at state and local government buildings.”
For more information about the ADA, please visit www.ADA.gov. Anyone who has experienced discrimination in violation of the ADA, should contact the Civil Rights coordinator of the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Middle District of Pennsylvania by calling 717-614-4911 or emailing [email protected].
# # #
U.s. Attorney John Anderson Appoints Denise Billy as the Missing and Murdered Indigenous Persons Coordinator for the District of New MexicoRead the Press Release
ALBUQERQUE, N.M. - U.S. Attorney John Anderson announced today the appointment of Denise Billy to serve as the Missing and Murdered Indigenous Persons (MMIP) Coordinator for the District of New Mexico. Ms. Billy will be the first MMIP Coordinator under a new Department of Justice (DOJ) initiative.
As the MMIP coordinator, Ms. Billy will gather reliable data to identify MMIP cases connected to New Mexico’s 22 Tribal Nations. She will also conduct outreach with tribal communities to assist in the creation and implementation of community action plans. Her duties will further include coordinating with tribal, local, state and federal law enforcement to develop protocols and procedures for responding to and addressing MMIP cases. Ms. Billy will serve tribal communities and victims throughout New Mexico and will seek to improve data collection as well as assist our tribal partners and advocacy groups.
“I am delighted that Ms. Billy is joining the U.S. Attorney’s Office as our first MMIP Coordinator,” said U.S. Attorney John C. Anderson. “Ms. Billy served in many law enforcement capacities for years, which I believe will suit her well in this new position. Developing national and local protocols to address the MMIP crisis is a priority for the Department of Justice and for the U.S. Attorney’s Office here in New Mexico. I have every confidence that Ms. Billy will make valuable contributions to this effort.”
“I am honored and delighted to be chosen to serve as the MMIP Coordinator for the District of New Mexico,” said Ms. Billy. “I look forward to continuing to serve tribal communities here in the heart of Indian Country. This issue is of utmost importance to me and to our Tribal Nations.”
“We are sad that she will be leaving the department, as she has been a valuable asset throughout her work here, but she is ideally qualified for this opportunity,” said Chief Sylvester Stanley of the Isleta Police Department. “While she is leaving as an employee, we are pleased that she will still be assisting us on several issues from her new position. I am confident that she will be an outstanding addition to the Office of the U.S. Attorney.”
Prior to joining the U.S. Attorney’s Office, Ms. Billy served as a Criminal Investigator for the Isleta Pueblo Department of Criminal Investigations. She has also served the Navajo Nation as a Patrol Officer and a Criminal Investigator. She has a bachelor’s degree from the University of Phoenix and is also working on a Master’s Degree in Law and Indigenous People’s Law from the University of Oklahoma. Ms. Billy is a member of the Navajo Nation.
On November 22, 2019, Attorney General William Barr launched a national strategy to address missing and murdered Native Americans. When establishing the MMIP Initiative, DOJ made an initial investment of $1.5 million to hire MMIP coordinators to serve with U.S. Attorneys’ Offices in 11 states, including New Mexico.
The strategy also calls for the deployment of the FBI’s most advanced response capabilities when needed, improved data collection and analysis and training to support local response efforts.
Two Men Charged in Violent KidnappingRead the Press Release
SPRINGFIELD, Mo. – Two men were charged in federal court today for kidnapping a woman who was rescued from her attackers at a Neosho, Missouri, hotel room.
Freddie Lewis Tilton, 47, of Joplin, Missouri, and Alvin Dale Boyer, 35, of Rogers, Arkansas, were charged in a criminal complaint filed in the U.S. District Court in Springfield, Mo. Tilton was arrested at a Joplin residence today. He was taken into custody after shooting at Newton County Sheriff’s deputies who were executing a state search warrant in an unrelated case. Officers responded with tear gas and there were no injuries.
Tilton has an initial court appearance on Wednesday, July 29. He remains in federal custody pending a detention hearing, which has not yet been scheduled. Boyer remains a fugitive.
Today’s federal criminal complaint alleges that Tilton and Boyer kidnapped the victim, identified in court documents as “S.T.,” on July 19, 2020.
According to an affidavit filed in support of the federal criminal complaint, an employee at Boonslick Lodge in Neosho, Missouri, called police at approximately 11:50 p.m. on July 19, 2020, to report that a woman was being choked and dragged into a room. A police officer knocked on the door of the room, and S.T., bloody and injured, opened the door and ran out of the room. Tilton had climbed out the back window and escaped.
S.T. told investigators she had arrived at the hotel to meet Boyer (who had rented the room) but found Tilton waiting for her. S.T. had separated from Tilton and had an order of protection against him. When she found Tilton in the room, she said, she tried to leave but was dragged back in by Tilton. She had a Walther 9mm handgun in her waistband but lost it during the struggle. Tilton picked up the handgun and used it to strike her. At one point, S.T. made it to the door but was dragged back inside by Tilton. Tilton had the handgun with him when he climbed out the hotel room window. Tilton attempted to climb down a vertical rain gutter, the affidavit says, but fell to the ground as the guttering broke then ran away.
Officers searched the hotel room and found numerous indications that a violent, physical struggle had taken place inside the room, according to the affidavit, in addition to blood on the room floor and door. Inside the hotel room, officers found a chair with rope and zip ties attached, more nylon rope and zip ties, duct tape, a pair of pliers, a blowtorch and lighter fluid, drop cloths, a Taurus 9mm handgun, and a Kimber .223-caliber semi-automatic rifle.
S.T. was transported to a hospital for treatment of her injuries.
The charge contained in this complaint is simply an accusation, and not evidence of guilt. Evidence supporting the charge must be presented to a federal trial jury, whose duty is to determine guilt or innocence.
This case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Ami Harshad Miller. It was investigated by the FBI, the Neosho, Mo., Police Department, the Newton County, Mo., Sheriff’s Department, and Immigration and Customs Enforcement's (ICE) Homeland Security Investigations (HSI).
Texas Man Sentenced to 12 Years in Federal Prison for Drug TraffickingRead the Press Release
Hot Springs, Arkansas – David Clay Fowlkes, Acting United States Attorney for the Western District of Arkansas, announced today that Shane Ellis Krum, age 37, of Gilmer, Texas, was sentenced to 144 months in federal prison followed by four years of supervised release on one count of Possession with Intent to Distribute Methamphetamine. The Honorable Chief Judge Susan O. Hickey presided over the sentencing hearing in the United States District Court in Hot Springs.
On or about December 26, 2017, in Hot Springs, Arkansas, a Garland County Sheriff’s Deputy conducted a traffic stop on a brown sedan for a traffic violation. As the vehicle stopped, the driver, later identified as Krum, got out and walked to a fence on the side of the road. Krum lit a cigarette, then turned and walked back to the vehicle and sat down in the driver’s seat. After learning that Krum had a search wavier on file, a search of his vehicle was conducted. During the search, Deputies located a loaded semi-automatic handgun under the driver’s seat. Deputies also searched the area Krum had been standing and located a backpack that contained a plastic bag of suspected methamphetamine, a plastic bag of suspected marijuana and drug paraphernalia.
The suspected methamphetamine was sent to the Arkansas Crime Laboratory where it was determined to be 50.7 grams of actual methamphetamine.
Krum was indicted by a federal grand jury in September of 2018, and entered a guilty plea in October of 2019.
This case was investigated by the Garland County Sheriff’s Department. Assistant United States Attorney’s Bryan Achorn and Candace Taylor prosecuted the case for the Western District of Arkansas.
Syracuse Man Sentenced to 60 Months as Felon Possessing FirearmsRead the Press Release
SYRACUSE, NEW YORK – Luis Matos, age 31, of Syracuse, was sentenced today to serve 60 months in federal prison for his possession of four (4) firearms as a convicted felon, announced United States Attorney Grant C. Jaquith, John B. DeVito, Special Agent in Charge of the New York Field Division of the United States Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives (ATF), and Chief Kenton Buckner, City of Syracuse Police Department (SPD). In addition to the 60-month prison sentence imposed today, Matos was also ordered to serve a three-year term of supervised release when he is released from incarceration.
In pleading guilty previously, Matos admitted that he was a convicted felon when he possessed three (3) rifles sold during an undercover ATF and SPD firearms purchase operation in Solvay, New York, on December 19, 2018. He further admitted that he possessed a fourth rifle sold during a second undercover purchase in Syracuse on January 14, 2019. Luis Matos was a previously convicted felon (Criminal Possession of a Controlled Substance in the Third Degree, a class B New York State felony from July 2018) and was on probation at the time he possessed the firearms in this case.
This case was investigated by the United States Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives (ATF) and the Syracuse Police Department-Special Investigations Division (SPD-SID). The case was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Richard Southwick as part of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), 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
Spectro Scientific agrees to pay $1M to settle allegations related to Air Force’s Small Business Innovation and Research programRead the Press Release
DAYTON – The United States entered into a $1 million Settlement Agreement with a global oil and fuel analysis instruments company that was awarded three contracts through the United States Air Force Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) program.
Spectro Scientific (Spectro) will pay $1,050,957 to resolve allegations that it violated the False Claims Act through its participation in the United States Air Force SBIR program based at Wright-Patterson AFB.
SBIR seeks to ensure that small businesses without access to capital receive an opportunity to develop new technology through federally-funded research and development. SBIR funding fosters small businesses with innovative ideas and provides the chance to grow their technology for future commercialization.
The SBIR program is reserved for small businesses with less than 500 employees and must not be majority owned by a single venture capital company.
Spectro repeatedly self-certified that it met the small business size requirements for eligibility to receive SBIR funding. Based on certain disclosures that Spectro later made about its ownership, the government conducted an investigation led by the Air Force Office of Special Investigations (AFOSI) into Spectro’s eligibility for its SBIR award.
The United States contends that Spectro became ineligible to participate in the SBIR program by virtue of an acquisition where it became majority owned by a single venture capital company at the time it was awarded and performed certain phases of the SBIR contract.
Specifically, Spectro was awarded contracts in 2012, 2014 and 2017 while the company was ineligible. The Massachusetts-based entity received funding from the Air Force Research Laboratory at Wright-Patterson AFB for exploratory applications of advanced oil analysis technology for use in the field.
“This office is committed to protecting taxpayer dollars and safeguarding the integrity of these programs so eligible companies receive a fair opportunity to contract with the Air Force,” said U.S. Attorney David M. DeVillers.
“One of the top investigative priorities of the Air Force Office of Special Investigations is to ensure the integrity of the Department of the Air Force’s procurement system, to include research and development programs,” said Paul W. Wachsmuth, Director, OSI Office of Procurement Fraud Investigations. “Any small business who seeks to participate in the SBIR program must do so with integrity.”
DeVillers was joined by the AFOSI Procurement Fraud Detachment 4 at Wright-Patterson AFB, and the Procurement Fraud Division of the Air Force Material Command Law Office, in announcing the settlement. Assistant United States Attorneys Brandi M. Stewart and Andrew M. Malek represented the United States in this matter.
# # #
South Carolina Man Pleads Guilty to Federal Charges Relating to a String of Armed Carjacking OffensesRead the Press Release
Baltimore, Maryland – Quention Price, age 27, of Columbia, South Carolina, pleaded guilty today to two federal carjacking charges; to discharging a weapon during a crime of violence; and to using, carrying, and brandishing a firearm during a crime of violence, in connection with a carjacking and attempted carjacking committed on June 15, 2019, in the Inner Harbor area of downtown Baltimore.
The guilty plea was announced by United States Attorney for the District of Maryland Robert K. Hur; Special Agent in Charge Jennifer C. Boone of the Federal Bureau of Investigation, Baltimore Field Office; and Commissioner Michael Harrison of the Baltimore Police Department.
United States Attorney Robert K. Hur stated, “We are committed to working with our law enforcement partners to get guns out of the hands of violent criminals and off of our streets. If you use a gun, you could face federal time, where there is no parole—ever. Please, put down the guns and save a life—maybe even your own.”
According to his guilty plea, on the evening of June 15, 2019, Price stood in the middle of the street in Baltimore’s Inner Harbor region in front of a Honda Civic, forcing the vehicle to stop. Price approached the driver’s side door, telling the driver to “open the door” while pulling on the door handle. When the driver refused, Price became frustrated, walked to the front of the car, pulled out a handgun, and discharged two bullets in an attempt to take the vehicle. One of the bullets went through the front windshield of the car and lodged in the empty front passenger seat. The driver and his backseat passenger were able to get away in the car, successfully avoiding Price, who fled the scene.
As detailed in his plea agreement, while fleeing from the first carjacking, Price fired his weapon at a passing Subaru Outback station wagon. The bullet went through the hood of the vehicle, just below the front windshield. Price was then captured on surveillance video walking into the middle of Light Street where he approached multiple cars and brandished his gun while pulling on the car door handles. At approximately 11:00 p.m. Price approached a BMW 325i, climbed onto the hood of the vehicle and began striking the windshield with his gun, cracking the glass and punching a hole, all while screaming at the driver to “get out of the car.” Price then walked to the driver’s side, struck the driver in the face with the butt of his pistol through an open window, and pulled the victim out of the vehicle by her hair. After the driver and passenger had exited the car, Price drove the BMW northbound on Light Street towards the Inner Harbor, crashing the car a few blocks away. As a Baltimore Police officer responded, Price fell out of the car and moved toward the trunk, where he was immediately arrested. Officers recovered the gun, a .357 revolver, from behind the BMW, where Price was found when police arrived on the scene. The gun matched the description provided by the driver of the BMW and contained three spent shell casings in the cylinder, indicating that it had been fired three times. The driver and passenger of the BMW were brought to the scene and identified Price as the carjacker. Price was also subsequently heard on recorded jail calls admitting to carjacking vehicles and to firing his gun at the vehicles and their passengers.
Price and the government have agreed that, if the Court accepts the plea agreement, Price will be sentenced to 20 years in federal prison. U.S. District Judge George L. Russell, III has scheduled sentencing for September 24, 2020 at 9:30 a.m.
United States Attorney Robert K. Hur commended the FBI and the Baltimore Police Department for their work in the investigation. Mr. Hur thanked Assistant U.S. Attorney Michael Goldsticker, who is prosecuting the case.
# # #
Sex Traffickers Sentenced to Combined 81 Years in PrisonRead the Press Release
ALEXANDRIA, Va. – Six defendants have been sentenced to a combined 81 years in prison for their respective roles in the sex trafficking of a minor victim and an adult victim at multiple locations in Northern Virginia and Maryland in 2018 and 2019.
“Sex traffickers often prey upon the most vulnerable victims in our society and intentionally exploit those vulnerabilities,” said G. Zachary Terwilliger, U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of Virginia. “The damage inflicted upon children through this form of sexual exploitation is immeasurable. The victim—survivors are subject to multiple forms of mental, physical, and emotional trauma, the scars of which never fully fade. The minor victim in this case was particularly vulnerable, and her traffickers used fear, coercion, and control to abuse and exploit her entire being for profit. We will remain dogged in our pursuit of all those who perpetrate this modern day slavery.”
From April 2018 through Jan. 14, 2019, five of the defendants sex trafficked a minor victim throughout Virginia and Maryland. The minor was housed at multiple hotels in Alexandria and Fairfax for the purposes of commercial sex, and the defendants advertised the minor victim through various means, including prostitution advertisements online on Bedpage.com, CityXGuide.com, and Backpage.com (shortly before it was seized by the federal government). They also advertised the minor victim through the communications platform WhatsApp by sending her picture out to a list-serve of known customers. As a form of grooming, the male defendants engaged in sexual intercourse with the minor. As a form of enticement, the defendants permitted the minor to keep about 50 percent of the commercial sex proceeds while the defendants collected the remaining 50 percent.
“These sentencings underscore the FBI’s commitment to holding accountable those who prey upon innocent victims for their own greed,” said James A. Dawson, Special Agent in Charge of the FBI Washington Field Office Criminal Division. “In full collaboration with our task force partners throughout the area, the FBI will continue to work tirelessly to stop criminals such as these, and prevent them from abusing children and vulnerable individuals while profiting from illicit acts. The FBI will remain focused on recovering victims and arresting the sex traffickers who exploit them, and we will not stop working to remove these offenders from the streets of our communities.”“Human traffickers treat human life like property, exploiting and extorting for profit,” said Raymond Villanueva, Special Agent in Charge of Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) Washington, D.C. “This case shows the callous greed traffickers exhibit, ensnaring children and forcing them into sexual exploitation. HSI is committed to investigating and seeking prosecution of human traffickers alongside our federal and local partners.”
“The actions of these defendants are quite frankly reprehensible as they've purposely preyed upon our most vulnerable and impressionable victims for far too long,” said Edwin C. Roessler Jr., Chief of Fairfax County Police. “From the onset of this investigation, federal prosecutors and agents teamed up with Fairfax County officers and detectives to methodically pursue justice for these young victims and worked to ensure no other families could be torn apart by the unspeakable conduct of our defendants.”
“The successful conclusion of this case was due, in part, to the collaborative efforts of law enforcement and prosecutors, in addition to, the courageousness of the victims,” said Jarad L. Phelps, Acting Chief of Police for Prince William County. “Sex trafficking targets our most vulnerable community members and it’s upon us all to report and investigate these matters efficiently to ensure the victims receive justice and begin the healing process. With each prosecution, a message is sent to sex traffickers that this type of exploitation will not be tolerated. We encourage any victim of trafficking to please come forward and take the brave step to stop this abuse.”
In January 2019, members of the conspiracy, including defendant Fatima Ventura Perez, recruited an adult victim to fly from Miami to Reagan National Airport to work in a brothel apartment in Laurel, Maryland. Ventura-Perez also sent out advertisements of the adult victim and the minor victim on her commercial sex customer listserve via WhatsApp, resulting in numerous men arriving at the apartment to have sex, with each victim being sexually exploited by over 50 men each. The minor victim and the adult victim were sold for sex out of that brothel apartment. On Jan. 14, 2019, law enforcement recovered both victims at the brothel apartment, which was leased by Ventura Perez.
Name, Age
Hometown
Charge(s)
Sentence
Elvis Pichardo Hernandez
Dominican Republic / Capitol Heights, MD
Sex trafficking of a minor
13 years
Jose David Reyes-Gonzalez
Dominican Republic / Laurel, MD
Sex trafficking of a minor
14 years
Daniel Palacios Rodriguez
Mexico / Greenbelt, MD
Two counts of sex trafficking of a minor
16 years
Alexandra Guzman-Beato
Dominican Republic / Silver Spring, MD
Sex trafficking of a minor
16 years
Juan Rufino Martinez-Dominguez
Dominican Republic / Newark, NJ
Sex trafficking of a minor
15 1/2 years
Fatima Ventura Perez
Dominican Republic / College Point, NY
Coercion and enticement
6 1/2 years
Assistant U.S. Attorney Maureen C. Cain prosecuted the case along with Special Assistant U.S. Attorney Gwendelynn Bills of the Justice Department’s Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section.
Significant assistance was provided by the Prince George’s County Police Department, Montgomery County Police Department, New York Police Department, Newark Police Department, FBI Baltimore Field Office, FBI New York Field Office, and FBI Newark Field Office.
This case was investigated by the FBI’s Washington Field Office’s Child Exploitation and Human Trafficking Task Force, composed of FBI agents and local, state and federal partners.
A copy of this press release is located on the website of the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of Virginia. Related court documents and information are located on the website of the District Court for the Eastern District of Virginia or on PACER by searching for Case No. 1:19-cr-218.
Seventh Conspirator Pleads Guilty to Participation in the DC Solar Ponzi Scheme Involving $2.5B in Transactions and Nearly $1B in LossRead the Press Release
SACRAMENTO, Calif. — Alan Hansen, 49, of Vacaville, pleaded guilty Tuesday to his participation in a massive fraud scheme through DC Solar, a solar energy company in Benicia formerly owned and operated by Jeff and Paulette Carpoff, that defrauded investors of approximately $1 billion, U.S. Attorney McGregor W. Scott announced.
Those losses resulted from investment transactions in solar energy hardware valued at approximately $2.5 billion. Hansen also pleaded guilty to aiding and abetting money laundering. Hansen is the seventh person to plead guilty to federal criminal charges relating to the fraud scheme since October 2019. The Carpoffs pleaded guilty to their roles in the fraud conspiracy and other charges in January 2020.
According to court documents, between 2011 and 2018, DC Solar manufactured mobile solar generator units (MSG), solar generators that were mounted on trailers. The company touted the versatility and environmental sustainability of the mobile solar generators and claimed that they were used to provide emergency power to cellphone towers and lighting at sporting and other events. The Carpoffs and their co-conspirators solicited investors by claiming that there were favorable federal tax benefits associated with investments in alternative energy. The conspirators pulled off their scheme by selling solar generators that did not exist to investors, making it appear that solar generators existed in locations that they did not, creating false financial statements, and obtaining false lease contracts, among other efforts to conceal the fraud. In reality, at least half of the approximately 17,000 solar generators claimed to have been manufactured by DC Solar did not exist and DC Solar paid early investors with funds contributed by later investors.
According to court documents, Hansen was an employee of a telecom company with which DC Solar had done business and executed certain contracts. In that role, Hansen accepted $1 million from co-conspirators at DC Solar to fraudulently sign a false contract those co‑conspirators later used to induce investments by victims. Thereafter, Hansen took a job at DC Solar at a significant pay increase and left his former employment. Later, as a DC Solar executive, Hansen and a co-conspirator agreed to share $20,000 to sign a false contract related to the earlier agreement, using a fake name. The conspirators also used that false contract to induce an investment by victims. Hansen was paid for signing the first false contract through a series of interstate wire transfers into an account he set up in the name of a consulting company. Hansen knew the money he was paid came from payments by DC Solar investors, and that DC Solar was deceiving them to induce those payments. Nevertheless, Hansen provided a co-conspirator with information to complete those wire transfers, intending to commit money laundering.
Joseph W. Bayliss, 44, of Martinez, and Ronald J. Roach, of Walnut Creek, each pleaded guilty to related charges on Oct. 22, 2019. Robert A. Karmann, 53, of Clayton, pleaded guilty to related charges on Dec. 17, 2019. Ryan Guidry, 53, of Pleasant Hill, pleaded guilty to related charges on Jan. 14. Jeff and Paulette Carpoff pleaded guilty to related charges on Jan. 24 and are scheduled for sentencing on Nov. 10. The investigation into the fraud remains ongoing.
This case is the product of an investigation by the Federal Bureau of Investigation, IRS‑Criminal Investigation, and the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation Office of Inspector General. Assistant U.S. Attorneys André M. Espinosa and Kevin C. Khasigian are prosecuting the case.
Hansen is scheduled to be sentenced by U.S. District Judge John A. Mendez on Nov. 3. Hansen faces a maximum statutory penalty of 15 years in prison. The actual sentence, however, will 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.
Seventeen Charged in Multi-State Drug Trafficking Ring in “Operation Clear Cut”Read the Press Release
Jackson, TN – Seventeen individuals have been charged in federal court with operating a multi-state drug trafficking organization in West Tennessee, Arkansas, and Mississippi. D. Michael Dunavant, U.S. Attorney for the Western District of Tennessee, announced the unsealing of the federal complaint today.
The following individuals were charged with one count of conspiracy to distribute methamphetamine and were arrested during a law enforcement takedown operation this week:
• David Bone, 54, of Dyer County
• Stacey Caksackkar, 52, of Crockett County
• Troy Chew, 45, of Blytheville, Arkansas
• Colby Criswell, 28, of Gibson County
• Thomas Dacus, 43, of Crockett County
• Stacy Edwards, 31, of Dyer County
• Jason Glisson, 42, of Dyer County
• Frederick Johnson, 36, of Meridian, Mississippi
• Crystal Lee, 37, of Crockett County
• Draper Lee, 39, of Crockett County
• Nicholas Grant Mealer, 21, of Crockett County
• Tammy Mealer, 50, of Crockett County
• Madison Middlebrook, 21, of Blytheville, Ark.
• Michael Newson, 35, of Senatobia, Miss.
• Shawn Sherry Overton, 45, of Dyer County
• Shawn Riley, 41, of Dyer County
• Ronald Solomon, 40, of Dyer CountyAdditionally, Draper Lee, Middlebrook, and Solomon were charged with being felons in possession of a firearm. The takedown was part of "Operation Clear Cut," a multi-agency federal task force responsible for curtailing organized crime and narcotics in West Tennessee. According to information from the criminal complaint, the organization was responsible for distributing more than 70 pounds of methamphetamine in West Tennessee and elsewhere. In addition to the seizure of narcotics, law enforcement seized more than $31,000 in U.S. currency and 8 firearms during the course of the investigation.
For count one, the defendants face possible sentences of up to 20 years in federal prison, followed by 6 years supervised release and a fine of $2 million. For those defendants charged with being felons in possession of a firearm, the additional possible sentence is up to 10 years in federal prison, followed by 3 years supervised release and a fine of $250,000. There is no parole in the federal system.
The case will be presented to a federal grand jury at a later date to consider an indictment against the suspects.
U.S. Attorney D. Michael Dunavant said, "West Tennessee is a major logistics hub for the country, and drug trafficking organizations transport and distribute large quantities of drugs into and throughout our communities. We must use every available resource to disrupt and dismantle these conspiracies, and hold them accountable for distributing poisonous illegal drugs that cause addiction, injury, and death. We commend the outstanding investigative work of our federal, state, and local law enforcement partners in this important case involving significant seizures of dangerous narcotics."
"The charges and arrests today were only possible due to the cooperation of local, state, and federal law enforcement agencies working together to identify and target drug traffickers in our ongoing mission to ensure the safety of our communities in the tri-state area," said Acting Special Agent in Charge Jermicha L. Fomby of the Memphis Field Office of the Federal Bureau of Investigation. "The FBI, with our fellow law enforcement partners, are committed to ensuring that there is no safe haven for criminal activity and that those who seek to sell drugs and engage in violence know that we are coming for them."
This case was investigated by the FBI Memphis Safe Streets Task Force, Jackson Resident Agency, Dyersburg Police Department, Tennessee Bureau of Investigation (TBI), and the Crockett County Sheriff’s Office. The Lexington Police Department, Tennessee Highway Patrol, 24th Judicial District Drug Task Force, Jackson Police Department, Selmer Police Department, Bolivar Police Department, Hardeman County Sheriff’s Office, Milan Police Department, and the West Tennessee Drug Task Force also participated in the arrest operation.
The charges and allegations contained in the complaint are merely accusations of criminal conduct, not evidence. Each charged defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt, and convicted through due process of law.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Matt Wilson is prosecuting this case on behalf of the government.
###
Securities Trader Admits Market Manipulation Scheme that Netted More Than $17 Million in Illicit ProfitsRead the Press Release
NEWARK, N.J. – A New Jersey-based securities trader today admitted orchestrating a massive, long-running market manipulation scheme and tax fraud that netted more than $17 million in illegal profits between 2014 and 2016, U.S. Attorney Craig Carpenito announced.
Joseph Taub, 41, of Clifton, New Jersey, pleaded guilty before U.S. District Judge John Michael Vazquez in Newark federal court to counts four and five of a superseding indictment charging him with securities fraud and conspiracy to defraud the United States.
According to documents filed in this case and statements made in court:
From 2014 to 2016, Taub and others conspired to manipulate the securities prices of numerous public companies by coordinating trading in dozens of brokerage accounts he secretly controlled. Taub used “straw accounts” that were held in the names of others to conduct much of his trading. Taub funded many of these straw accounts and used the straw account holders to conceal the scheme from regulators and law enforcement.
To manipulate securities prices, Taub engaged repeatedly in a series of contemporaneous transactions designed to artificially influence the market price of the securities of various publicly traded companies, and induce other market participants to trade in those securities based on the false impression that there was real market interest in the securities, using Run Based Manipulation and Order Based Manipulation.
Run Based Manipulation is a type of securities manipulation in which a manipulator takes either a long or a short position in a security, enters orders or trades in a manner designed to inflate or deflate the price of the security while attracting others to trade the security and finally reverse their position at the inflated or deflated price. A common feature of Run Based Manipulation is that the manipulator profits directly from the manipulated market by exploiting investors who bought at inflated prices or sold at depressed prices. Order Based Manipulation is a type of securities manipulation involving orders, sometimes but not always accompanied by trades, that are intended to give other market participants a false signal about the security’s demand or supply.
Taub also admitted defrauding the United States by hiding from the brokerage firms and the IRS the identities of those who actually controlled the straw accounts and who reaped the majority of the profits from the scheme. As a result, the profits from the straw accounts were taxed at the lower tax rates applicable to the straw account holders instead of the higher tax rates applicable to Taub, which allowed Taub to avoid $394,424 in taxes.
The securities fraud count carries a maximum potential penalty of 20 years in prison and a $5 million fine. The conspiracy to defraud the United States count carries a maximum potential penalty of five years in prison and a $250,000 fine, or twice the gross gain or loss from the offense. Under the terms of the plea agreement, if accepted by the court, Taub will receive a sentence of 18 months in prison, will forfeit $17.1 million, and will be ordered to pay restitution in the amount of $394,424 to the IRS. Sentencing is scheduled for Dec. 1, 2020.
Sean Greenwald pleaded guilty to his role in the scheme on Feb. 21, 2018 and awaits sentencing.
The Department of Justice has also reached a settlement of its civil forfeiture case against assets acquired by Taub and his family using proceeds of the market manipulation scheme. Under the terms of the settlement, Taub and his family members agreed to forfeit all assets subject to the pending forfeiture complaint in which they have a potential interest. Taub is also required to cooperate with and assist the Justice Department in the orderly transfer, management and disposition of the relevant assets.
U.S. Attorney Carpenito credited special agents of the FBI, under the direction of Acting Special Agent in Charge Joe Denahan in Newark, special agents of IRS – Criminal Investigation, under the direction of Special Agent in Charge Michael Montanez in Newark, and special agents of the U.S. Attorney’s Office, District of New Jersey, with the investigation. He also thanked the Securities and Exchange Commission’s New York Regional Office, under the direction of Marc P. Berger, for its assistance in this investigation.
The government is represented by Criminal Division Deputy Chief Daniel V. Shapiro; Senior Trial Counsel Catherine R. Murphy and Assistant U.S. Attorney Jennifer S. Kozar of the U.S. Attorney’s Office Economic Crimes Unit in Newark; and Unit Chief Sarah Devlin, of the U.S. Attorney’s Office Asset Recovery and Money Laundering Unit.
Rochester Man Who Fled Police with A Gun and Drugs Going to Prison for Five YearsRead the Press Release
CONTACT: Barbara Burns
PHONE: (716) 843-5817
FAX #: (716) 551-3051ROCHESTER, N.Y. - U.S. Attorney James P. Kennedy, Jr. announced today that Timothy Feliciano, 34, of Rochester, NY, who was convicted of possession of a firearm in furtherance of drug trafficking, and possessing with intent to distribute crack cocaine, was sentenced to serve 60 months in prison by U.S. District Judge Charles J. Siragusa.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Katelyn M. Hartford, who handled the case, stated that on January 11, 2017, the defendant was apprehended after a foot chase with police on Thomas Street in Rochester. During the chase, Feliciano discarded his jackets. Officers recovered the jackets and found a .38 caliber revolver, approximately 1.7 grams of crack cocaine, a razor, small plastic baggies for packaging, and nine plastic vials of marijuana for sale, in the pockets.
The sentencing is the result of an investigation by the Rochester Police Department, under the direction of Chief La’Ron Singletary, and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives, under the direction of Special Agent-in-Charge John B. Devito, New York Field Division.# # # #
Repeat Sex Offender Sentenced to 60 Years for Sexually Exploiting ChildrenRead the Press Release
Orlando, Florida – U.S. District Judge Roy B. Dalton, Jr. has sentenced Todd Joseph Simmerman (30, Titusville) to 60 years in federal prison for sexually exploiting two minors and committing the offenses while required to register as a sex offender. The court also ordered Simmerman to forfeit the electronic device he had used to commit the offenses.
Simmerman had pleaded guilty on January 27, 2020.
According to court documents, in 2013, Simmerman pleaded guilty to traveling to meet a child to engage in unlawful sexual conduct, after using a computer to lure a child, in violation of Florida law. As part of his sentence, he was required to register as a sex offender. Six months after completing his state sentence, Simmerman met a 15-year-old on Snapchat and enticed the child to engage in sexual activity. The child victim introduced Simmerman to a 15-year-old friend and Simmerman also preyed upon that child. Simmerman used his cellphone to record his sexually abusive encounters with both victims, which occurred over a period of about five months, until his arrest.
“This repeated child predator will spend the rest of his natural life in prison, thanks to HSI special agents and our partners at the Brevard County Sheriff’s Office,” said HSI Orlando Assistant Special Agent in Charge David J. Pezzutti. “While we cannot undo the damage of his horrible crimes, we hope that this sentence helps with the healing process for his victim.”
This case was investigated by Homeland Security Investigations and the Brevard County Sheriff’s Office. It was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Karen L. Gable.
This case was brought as part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative launched in May 2006 by the Department of Justice to combat the growing epidemic of child sexual exploitation and abuse. Led by United States Attorneys’ Offices and the Criminal Division’s Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section (CEOS), Project Safe Childhood marshals federal, state, and local resources to locate, apprehend, and prosecute individuals who sexually exploit children, and to identify and rescue victims. For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit www.justice.gov/psc.
Portland Man Charged in May 29, 2020 Arson at Justice CenterRead the Press Release
PORTLAND, Ore.—U.S. Attorney Billy J. Williams announced today that Edward Thomas Schinzing, 32, has been charged by criminal complaint with using fire to maliciously damage or destroy the Justice Center in downtown Portland on May 29, 2020.
Multnomah County and the City of Portland own the Justice Center building located at 1120 SW 3rd Avenue in Portland. The facility houses the Multnomah County Detention Center jail and the Portland Police Bureau headquarters.
According to court documents, Schinzing was marching with a group of protestors when he arrived at the front of the Justice Center shortly before 11:00 p.m. on May 29, 2020. A few minutes later, several people broke windows near the northwest corner of the Justice Center where the Corrections Records Office is located. They subsequently entered the secured office through the broken windows.
Three civilian Multnomah County employees were working inside the Corrections Records Office at the time and fled for safety as the windows were broken. Based on a preliminary review of publicly-available videos from YouTube, Twitter, surveillance cameras, and still photos posted online, about 30 individuals entered the Justice Center through the broken windows. The individuals spray-painted portions of the office; damaged computer and other office equipment, furniture, and interior windows; and started fires.
Among those who entered the Justice Center, Schinzing was identified by a comparison with a jail booking photo and a distinctive tattoo of his last name across his upper back. Schinzing spread a fire that started near the front of the office by lighting additional papers on fire and moving them into a drawer of a separate cubicle.
At about 11:08 p.m., the building’s fire sprinkler system activated and extinguished the fires. At about the same time, law enforcement officers secured that portion of the Justice Center. The Multnomah County Detention Center housed approximately 289 inmates at the time.
Schinzing made his first appearance in federal court today before a U.S. Magistrate Judge and was ordered detained pending further court proceedings. Arson is punishable by up to 20 years in prison with a mandatory minimum sentence of 5 years.
This case is being jointly investigated by the FBI; Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF); U.S. Marshals Service; Portland Police Bureau; Multnomah County Sheriff’s Office; and Multnomah County District Attorney’s Office. It is being prosecuted by the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Oregon.
Criminal complaints are only accusations of a crime, and a defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.
Schinzing marching with a crowd of demonstrators across the Burnside Bridge in Portland on May 29, 2020 Schinzing marching with a crowd of demonstrators in downtown Portland on May 29, 2020 Schinzing inside the Corrections Records Office on May 29, 2020 before the fire is ignited Close up of Schinzing inside the Corrections Records Office on May 29, 2020 before the fire is ignited Schinzing spreading the fire in the Corrections Records Office by moving flaming papers into separate cubicles on May 29, 2020 A demonstrator photographs the fire in the Corrections Records Office on May 29, 2020 Damage to the Corrections Records Office from fire on May 29, 2020 Damage to the Corrections Records Office from fire on May 29, 2020 Damage to the Corrections Records Office from fire on May 29, 2020 Damage to the Corrections Records Office from fire on May 29, 2020Pharmaceutical Company Agrees to Pay $3.5 Million to Resolve Allegations of Violating False Claims ActRead the Press Release
NEWARK, N.J. – Pacira Pharmaceuticals Inc. will pay $3.5 million to resolve allegations that it paid kickbacks to doctors in the form of bogus research grants to induce them to prescribe its analgesic EXPAREL, Attorney for the United States Rachael A. Honig announced today. The allegations arose from a whistleblower suit filed under the False Claims Act.
“Pacira tried to accelerate sales of its EXPAREL product through an illegal kickback scheme,” Attorney for the United States Honig said. “Pharmaceutical companies may not entice doctors to use their products by offering research grants in return for sales. Illegal inducements can distort medical decision-making, lead to the use of overpriced drugs, and drive up health care costs for everyone.”
“The payment of kickbacks or bribes in exchange for phony research and other grants, robs the government and every American,” FBI-Newark Acting Special Agent in Charge Joe Denahan said. “Today’s agreement by Pacira Pharmaceuticals Inc., to pay $3.5 million, should send a strong message to anyone thinking about participating in this type of illegal activity. The FBI remains committed to combating these types of schemes and bringing these perpetrators to justice.”
“Offering phony research grants in order to increase sales and fatten the bottom line is illegal and can be detrimental to the medical decision-making process,” Scott J. Lampert, Special Agent in Charge of the Office of Inspector General for the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, said. “We will continue to work with our law enforcement partners to safeguard our government health care programs and the taxpayers picking up the bill.”
According to documents filed in this case and the contentions of the United States contained in the settlement agreement:
From Dec. 1, 2012, through April 30, 2015, Pacira paid disguised kickbacks in the form of research and other grants to healthcare providers and institutions. Pacira intended these payments to induce sales of its newly-launched local analgesic, EXPAREL, to the targeted physicians and their respective hospitals. The research grants in question were typically initiated by Pacira sales representatives or marketing executives, who discussed internally their sales goals in connection with the grant. Pacira also required that EXPAREL be placed on formulary at the physician’s institution before awarding any research grant.
After awarding the grant money, Pacira expressed little interest in the proposed research. Pacira did not contractually require that the grant recipient adhere to the proposed research topic or achieve certain milestones before payment. In many cases, Pacira did not follow up with the grant recipient to ensure that the work was being performed, and in some cases, the grant recipient did no work at all. Pacira did not document why it needed the research or the fair market value of the proposal. Finally, Pacira executives coached grant recipients and other employees on how to avoid internal scrutiny of the grant payments.
Medicare and Medicaid do not pay for claims that include products tainted by illegal kickbacks. Pacira caused the submission of false claims by using these research grants to induce sales of EXPAREL, which it knew would be used in procedures reimbursed by Medicare and Medicaid.
The allegations were raised in a lawsuit filed under the qui tam, or whistleblower, provisions of the False Claims Act, which allows private citizens with knowledge of fraud to bring civil actions on behalf of the Government and to share in any recovery. As part of today’s resolution, the whistleblower—a pharmacist who brought the misconduct to the government’s attention—will receive approximately $520,000 of the recovery from the federal share of the settlement, plus approximately $118,000 from the state share of the settlement.
Attorney for the United States Honig credited special agents of the FBI, under the direction of Acting Special Agent in Charge Denahan in Newark; special agents of the HHS-OIG, under the direction of Special Agent in Charge Lampert, as well as special agents with the U.S. Attorney’s Office in Newark, with the investigation.
The government is represented by Assistant U.S. Attorney Andrew A. Caffrey, III, of the U.S. Attorney’s Office’s Health Care Fraud Unit in Newark.
The case is captioned United States ex rel. Schneider v. Pacira Pharmaceuticals, Inc. (D.N.J.). The claims settled by this agreement are allegations only, and there have been no admissions of liability.
Orange County Heroin Dealer Sentenced to PrisonRead the Press Release
Tampa, Florida – U.S. District Judge Charlene Edwards Honeywell today sentenced Eric Manuel Robles Rivera (45, Orlando) to 33 months in federal prison for possessing heroin with the intent to distribute it. Robles Rivera had pleaded guilty on April 23, 2020.
According to court documents, Robles Rivera was part of a drug trafficking organization (“DTO”) that was distributing heroin and other controlled substances in Orange County. During its investigation of the DTO, the Federal Bureau of Investigation learned that Robles Rivera kept heroin at a storage unit in a facility in Kissimmee, and that he had accessed the storage unit almost daily between June 2016 and March 2017. On March 9, 2017, investigators executed search warrants at locations associated with members of the DTO. Inside the storage unit that had been rented by Robles Rivera, investigators found more than 60 grams of heroin packaged in dozens of baggies.
This case is the result of an Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Force (OCDETF) investigation. The principal mission of the OCDETF program is to identify, disrupt and dismantle the most serious drug trafficking, weapons trafficking and money laundering organizations, and those primarily responsible for the nation’s illegal drug supply. This investigation was conducted by the Federal Bureau of Investigation, the Drug Enforcement Administration, the Tampa Police Department, and the Florida Department of Law Enforcement. It was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Michael Sinacore.
Orange County Felon Sentenced for Federal Firearms ViolationsRead the Press Release
BEAUMONT, Texas – A 31-year-old Vidor, Texas man has been sentenced for federal violations in the Eastern District of Texas announced U.S. Attorney Stephen J. Cox today.
Taylor Graham Cozart pleaded guilty on Feb. 10, 2020, to being a felon in possession of a firearm and was sentenced to 100 months in federal prison today by U.S. District Judge Marcia A. Crone.
According to information presented in court, on July 30, 2019, law enforcement officers responded to a motorcycle accident on Interstate Highway 10 in Orange County, Texas. They determined that Cozart was the driver of the motorcycle, which was stolen, and after he was transported to a nearby hospital and the scene was cleared, officers located a backpack affixed to the motorcycle. The backpack contained a pistol, ammunition, $3,000 cash, methamphetamine, Xanax and Hydrocodone pills. Law enforcement also learned that Cozart was a convicted felon with three prior felony drug convictions. As a convicted felon, Cozart is prohibited from owning or possessing firearms or ammunition.
This case was prosecuted as part of the Project Safe Neighborhoods Initiative. Project Safe Neighborhoods is aimed at reducing gun and gang violence, deterring illegal possession of guns, ammunition and body armor, and improving the safety of residents in the Eastern District of Texas. Participants in the initiative include community members and organizations as well as federal, state and local law enforcement agencies.
This case was investigated by the Texas Department of Public Safety, the Orange County Sheriff’s Office and the Federal Bureau of Investigation and prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Michelle S. Englade.
North Dakota Woman Sentenced for Meth TraffickingRead the Press Release
United States Attorney Ron Parsons announced that a Fort Yates, North Dakota, woman convicted of Conspiracy to Distribute Methamphetamine was sentenced on July 27, 2020, by U.S. District Judge Charles B. Kornmann.
Shanna Michelle Pleets, age 41, was sentenced to 60 months in federal prison, followed by 4 years of supervised release, and a special assessment to the Federal Crime Victims Fund in the amount of $100.
Pleets was indicted by a federal grand jury on July 16, 2019. She pled guilty on April 16, 2020.
The conviction stemmed from a conspiracy in 2018, wherein Pleets conspired with others to distribute more than 50 grams of methamphetamine on the Standing Rock Sioux Indian Reservation in South Dakota.
This case was investigated by the Northern Plains Safe Trails Drug Enforcement Task Force, the Mobridge Police Department, the Bureau of Indian Affairs, and the Corson County Sheriff’s Office. Assistant U.S. Attorney Cameron J. Cook prosecuted the case.
Pleets was immediately remanded to the custody of the U.S. Marshals Service.
Nineteen indicted in cartel-connected drug trafficking conspiracyRead the Press Release
Seattle - Fifteen people were arrested today throughout the Puget Sound region and in California following an 18-month investigation of a drug trafficking organization tied to the CJNG cartel in Mexico, announced U.S. Attorney Brian T. Moran. The defendants arrested today made their initial appearance in U.S. District Court in Seattle.
“This cartel is known as a violent and prolific drug trafficking group. I commend the DEA-led task force for taking a bite out of its drug distribution and money laundering networks,” said U.S. Attorney Brian Moran. “Over the course of this investigation law enforcement seized more than 100 pounds of methamphetamine and ten pounds of heroin, and agents and officers continued their work despite the challenges posed by the COVID-19 pandemic.”
“The South Sound Streets are safer today with the removal of this violent criminal ring that pushed heroin, methamphetamine and fentanyl into our communities,” said DEA Special Agent in Charge Keith Weis. “Without question the critical partnership between local, state and federal law enforcement agencies made today’s effort possible and ultimately benefits the public’s safety.”
“The results of this operation are a clear example of what can be achieved through HSI’s partnership with state, local and federal law enforcement agencies,” said Eben Roberts, acting special agent in charge HSI Seattle.” I commend all of the agents, officers and analysts involved in this operation. Their dedication resulted in the removal of massive amounts of narcotics from our community, the disruption of an extremely dangerous supply chain and undoubtedly saved numerous lives.”
The indictment charges conspiracy, possession, attempted possession and distribution of methamphetamine and heroin, as well as a money laundering conspiracy. These are the nineteen defendants named in the grand jury indictment:
Alan GOMEZ MARENTES; 35, Los Angeles, California, and Tukwila, Washington
Juan Antonio GONZALEZ CARRILLO; 31, Gardena, California
Luis MAGANA RAMIREZ; 32, Fife, Washington
Jose Elias BARBOSA CEBALLOS; 35, Port Orchard, Washington
Jose Daniel ESPINOZA; 33, Renton, Washington
Estefhany COREA MENDOZA; 27, Burien, Washington
Adrian IZAZAGA MARTINEZ; 29, Kent, Washington
Jorge MONDRAGON; 24, Kent, Washington
Benjamin FUENTES; 28, Renton, Washington
Luis ZAVALZA SANCHEZ; 31, Seattle, Washington
Alysha Marie JONES; 27, Shelton, Washington
Armando FIERRO PONCE; 26, Renton, Washington
Amanda MEYER; 35, Kent, Washington
Michael WOOD; 45, Port Orchard, Washington
Luis CASTILLO BARRAGAN; 32, Kent, Washington
Efrain LUNA RODRIGUEZ; 21, Maywood, California
Julian PINEDA CASILLAS; 33, Victorville, California
Blanca MEDINA; 36, Los Angeles, California, and Tukwila, Washington
Ruth GOMEZ MARENTES; 34, Kent, Washington
In all, fifteen search warrants were served in the Puget Sound region, and four were served today in California. Today alone, agents seized: twenty pounds of methamphetamine, heroin, cocaine, 200 fentanyl pills, nine firearms, and more than $250,000 in cash. Previously, during the investigation, law enforcement seized more than 100 pounds of meth, various quantities of cocaine, heroin, 1500 fentanyl pills, and six firearms.
This was an Organized Crime and Drug Enforcement Task Force (OCDETF) investigation, providing supplemental federal funding to the federal and state agencies involved.
The investigation was conducted by the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration’s (DEA) Tacoma Resident Office in partnership with Tahoma Narcotics Enforcement Team (TNET), Kent Police Department, Homeland Security Investigations, SeaTac Police Department, Thurston County Narcotics Team (TNT), the Federal Bureau of Investigation, and the Bureau of Alcohol Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF). In addition, to the agencies listed above, these law enforcement agencies assisted in the investigation and/or with arrests and search warrants executed today: DEA Seattle Special Response Team, Valley Narcotics Enforcement Team, Valley SWAT, Pierce County SWAT, Pierce County Sheriff’s Office, Joint Narcotics Enforcement Team, Bremerton Special Operations Group, King County SWAT, King County Sheriff’s Office Metro, Burien Police Department, Auburn Special Investigations Unit, FBI Seattle, FBI SWAT, FBI Portland Tactical and TNET, which is comprised of Tacoma, Lakewood, Auburn, Kent, Bonney Lake and Puyallup Police Departments, the Pierce County Sheriff’s Office and the Washington State Department of Corrections. The investigation was supported by the Northwest High Intensity Drug Trafficking Area (HIDTA).
The case is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorneys Amy Jaquette and Marci Ellsworth.
Limited images from this investigation are available from DEA Public Affairs Officer Jodie Underwood at [email protected].
gomez_marentes_et_al_indictment.pdfNew Haven Crack Distributor Sentenced to 5 Years in Federal PrisonRead the Press Release
John H. Durham, United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut, announced that ERIN JONES, also known as “Cree,” 43, of New Haven, was sentenced today by U.S. District Judge Jeffrey A. Meyer in New Haven to 60 months of imprisonment, followed by four years of supervised release, for distributing crack cocaine.
According to court documents and statements made in court, law enforcement identified Jones and his girlfriend, Bianca Daniels, as crack cocaine suppliers in the Farnham Court area of New Haven. In November 2018 and March 2019, investigators made controlled purchases of crack from Jones and Daniels.
Jones and Daniels were arrested on related state charges on March 6, 2019. A search of their residence on that date revealed approximately 29 grams of crack and approximately 52 grams of powder cocaine.
On July 16, 2019, Jones pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy to distribute and to possess with intent to distribute 28 grams or more of cocaine base (“crack”).
Jones, who is released on a $50,000 bond, is required to report to prison on October 26.
Daniels pleaded guilty on July 15, 2019, and awaits sentencing.
This matter has been investigated by the New Haven Police Department and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives. The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Maria del Pilar Gonzalez and Sarah P. Karwan.
Mitchell Man Charged with Assaulting a Federal OfficerRead the Press Release
United States Attorney Ron Parsons announced that a Mitchell, South Dakota, man has been indicted by a federal grand jury for Assaulting, Resisting, and Impeding a Federal Officer.
John Willard Arcoren, III, age 39, was indicted on July 16, 2020. He appeared before U.S. Magistrate Judge Mark A. Moreno on July 27, 2020, and pled not guilty to the Indictment.
The maximum penalty upon conviction is up to 8 years in federal prison and/or a $250,000 fine, 3 years of supervised release, and $100 to the Federal Crime Victims Fund. Restitution may also be ordered.
The Indictment alleges that on May 14, 2020, Arcoren did forcibly assault, oppose, impede, intimidate, and interfere with a law enforcement officer who was employed by the Rosebud Sioux Tribe Law Enforcement Services, and that such conduct involved physical contact.
The charge is merely an accusation and Arcoren is presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty.
The investigation is being conducted by the Rosebud Sioux Tribe Law Enforcement Services. Assistant U.S. Attorney Michael J. Elmore is prosecuting the case.
Arcoren was remanded to the custody of the U.S. Marshals Service pending trial. A trial date has not been set.
Mission Man Found Not Guilty of Assault ChargesRead the Press Release
United States Attorney Ron Parsons announced that a Mission, South Dakota, man was acquitted of Assault With a Dangerous Weapon and Assault Resulting In Serious Bodily Injury as a result of a federal jury trial in Pierre, South Dakota, beginning on Tuesday, July 21, 2020, and concluding on Wednesday, July 22, 2020.
Lorenzo Brave Hawk, Sr., age 35, was indicted by a federal grand jury on July 11, 2019.
The charges alleged that on November 9, 2018, Brave Hawk assaulted an individual with a metal baseball bat with the intent to do bodily harm and the alleged assault resulted in serious bodily injury.
The investigation was conducted by the Rosebud Sioux Tribe Law Enforcement Services. The U.S. Attorney’s Office prosecuted the case.
Member of North Shore Latin Kings Chapter Pleads Guilty to Drug Distribution ChargesRead the Press Release
BOSTON – A member of the North Shore Chapter of the Massachusetts Almighty Latin King and Queen Nation (“Latin Kings”) pleaded guilty today to drug distribution charges.
Henry Caribe a/k/a “King 40 Cal,” 29, pleaded guilty to conspiracy to distribute cocaine base. U.S. Senior District Court Judge Rya W. Zobel scheduled sentencing for Nov. 3, 2020. Caribe was charged in December 2019, at which time he was serving a state sentence.
During the plea proceedings, Caribe admitted to selling a cooperating witness over 70 grams of cocaine base, or “crack” cocaine, in a series of audio/video recorded sales that took place between January and March of 2015.
The Latin Kings are a violent criminal enterprise comprised of thousands of members across the United States. As alleged in court documents, the gang uses drug distribution to generate revenue, and engages in violence against witnesses and rival gangs to further its influence and to protect its turf.
The conspiracy charge provides for a sentence of up to 20 years in prison, a minimum of three years and up to life of supervised release and a fine of up to $1 million. Sentences are imposed by a federal district court judge based upon the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors.
United States Attorney Andrew E. Lelling; Joseph R. Bonavolonta, Special Agent in Charge of the Federal Bureau of Investigation, Boston Field Division; and Commissioner Carol Mici of the Massachusetts Department of Correction made the announcement today. Valuable assistance was also provided by the FBI North Shore Gang Task Force and the Bristol County and Suffolk County District Attorney’s Offices. Assistant U.S. Attorney Philip A. Mallard and Mark Grady of Lelling’s Criminal Division are prosecuting the case.
The details contained in the charging documents are allegations. The remaining defendants are presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.
Massachusetts Man Charged with Unemployment Insurance ScamRead the Press Release
BOSTON – A Melrose man was arrested today and charged in connection with his role in an unemployment insurance fraud scheme.
Alan Neal Scott, 68, was charged by criminal complaint with one count of mail fraud. Following an initial appearance today, Scott was detained pending a probable cause and detention hearing set for July 30, 2020.
According to charging documents, Scott allegedly submitted numerous fraudulent unemployment insurance claims with the Massachusetts Department of Unemployment Assistance (DUA). Scott submitted these claims using his own identity as well as the identities of various individuals – including individuals who were not eligible for unemployment benefits as they were incarcerated at the time of the claims and could not have been employed as reported. Moreover, the fraudulent claims all reported prior employment at a non-operational Massachusetts-based business also associated with Scott. The complaint alleges that as a result of these fraudulent claims, the DUA sent unemployment benefits funds to several addresses connected to Scott and that the funds were deposited into accounts controlled by Scott.
The charging statute provides for a sentence of up to 20 years in prison, three years of supervised release, a fine of not more than $250,000 or twice the gross gain or loss, whichever is greater, forfeiture and restitution. Sentences are imposed by a federal district court judge based upon the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors.
United States Attorney Andrew E. Lelling; Michael Mikulka, Special Agent in Charge of the U.S. Department of Labor, Office of Inspector General, Labor Racketeering and Fraud Investigation, New York Regional Office; Michael Shea, Acting Special Agent in Charge of the Homeland Security Investigations in Boston; Joseph Cronin, Inspector in Charge of the United States Postal Inspection Service; and Scott Antolik, Special Agent in Charge of the Social Security Administration, Office of the Inspector General, Office of Investigations, Boston Field Division made the announcement today. The Commonwealth of Massachusetts, Department of Unemployment Assistance, Program Integrity Unit also provided assistance with the investigation. Assistant U.S. Attorney Sara Miron Bloom of Lelling’s Securities, Financial and Cyber Fraud Unit is prosecuting the case.
The details contained in the criminal complaint are allegations. The defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.
Man Sentenced to 15 Years for Large-Scale Drug Trafficking ConspiracyRead the Press Release
NEWPORT NEWS, Va. – A North Carolina man was sentenced today to 15 years in prison for his role in a large-scale drug trafficking conspiracy rooted in Mexico, spanning the continental United States, and settling in Hampton.
According to court documents, Donald Lee Southerland, 49, pleaded guilty earlier this year to conspiracy to distribute and possession with intent to distribute cocaine, heroin, cocaine base and fentanyl. Over the course of approximately three to four years, Southerland is conservatively attributed with hundreds of thousands of U.S. dollars in drug proceeds as well as over 63 kilograms of heroin and more than 43 kilograms of marijuana among other significant quantities of illicit substances. Southerland’s biggest heroin customer lived in Hampton.
The case was investigated as part of the Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Forces (OCDETF), Operation Cookout. The OCDETF program is a federal multi-agency, multi-jurisdictional task force that supplies supplemental federal funding to federal and state agencies involved in the identification, investigation, and prosecution of major drug trafficking organizations. The principal mission of the OCDETF program is to identify, disrupt and dismantle the most serious drug trafficking, weapons trafficking and money laundering organizations, and those primarily responsible for the nation’s illegal drug supply.
The High Intensity Drug Trafficking Areas (HIDTA) program, created by Congress with the Anti-Drug Abuse Act of 1988, provides assistance to Federal, state, local, and tribal law enforcement agencies operating in areas determined to be critical drug-trafficking regions of the United States. This grant program is administered by the Office of National Drug Control Policy (ONDCP). There are currently 28 HIDTAs, which include approximately 18 percent of all counties in the United States and 66 percent of the U.S. population.
G. Zachary Terwilliger, U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of Virginia; Raymond Villanueva, Special Agent in Charge of U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s Homeland Security Investigations Washington D.C.; Jesse R. Fong, Special Agent in Charge for the Drug Enforcement Administration’s (DEA) Washington Field Division; Kelly R. Jackson, Special Agent in Charge, Washington, D.C. Field Office, IRS-Criminal Investigation (IRS-CI); Colonel Gary T. Settle, Superintendent of Virginia State Police; Steve R. Drew, Chief of Newport News Police; Terry L. Sult, Chief of Hampton Police Division; Col. K.L. Wright, Chief of Chesapeake Police; and Hampton Commonwealth's Attorney Anton A. Bell made the announcement after sentencing by U.S. District Judge David J. Novak. Special Assistant U.S. Attorney Amy Cross and Assistant U.S. Attorneys Kevin Hudson and Peter Osyf are prosecuting this case.
A copy of this press release is located on the website of the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of Virginia. Related court documents and information are located on the website of the District Court for the Eastern District of Virginia or on PACER by searching for Case No. 4:19-cr-47.
Milwaukee Man Indicted for Arson Causing Injury to a Firefighter at 40th & Lloyd IncidentRead the Press Release
Matthew D. Krueger, United States Attorney for the Eastern District of Wisconsin, announced that on July 28, 2020, a federal grand jury indicted Joshua M. Lusk (age: 32) of Milwaukee, for arson and attempted arson, causing an injury to a Milwaukee Fire Department firefighter, in violation of Title 18, United States Code, Sections 844(i) and 2. The arson occurred at a residence located at 2120-2122 North 40th Street, in Milwaukee, Wisconsin.
If convicted of the arson and attempted arson causing injury to a firefighter, Lusk would face a mandatory minimum of seven years and a maximum of 20 years in prison. He also would face a fine of up to $250,000.
“As alleged in the indictment, Lusk engaged in senseless violence, attempting to destroy the home of innocent people,” said United States Attorney Krueger. “I commend the excellent work of the U.S. Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives, and the Milwaukee Police Department in investigating this matter. The Justice Department is committed to working with state and local authorities to ensure public safety in Milwaukee.”
“Our partnership with the Milwaukee Police Department and the United States Attorney’s Office continues to hold those responsible for violent crimes accountable for their actions,” remarked Special Agent in Charge Kristen deTineo of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) of the Chicago Field Division.
Milwaukee Police Chief Alfonso Morales remarked: “The Milwaukee Police Department would like to thank all law enforcement that worked tirelessly on this investigation. This is just one example of how having strong relationships with our local, state, and federal partners can have a positive impact on the members of the city of Milwaukee.”
The ATF and the Milwaukee Police Department investigated the case, which will be prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Christopher Ladwig.
A criminal indictment is merely a formal method of charging an individual and does not constitute inference of his or her guilt. An individual is presumed innocent until such time, if ever, that the government establishes his or her guilt beyond a reasonable doubt.
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.
# # # #
Lexington Man Sentenced to Six Years in Federal Prison on Firearms ChargeRead the Press Release
Columbia, South Carolina --- United States Attorney Peter M. McCoy, Jr., announced today that Demarcus Deon Booker, 34, of Lexington, was sentenced to six years in federal prison after pleading guilty to being a felon in possession of a firearm and ammunition.
Evidence presented in court established that on June 12, 2018, officers with the West Columbia Police Department responded to shots fired at a gas station in West Columbia. A 911 caller observed a person matching Booker’s description with a handgun tucked in his pants walking away from a silver vehicle. Officers located an unoccupied silver Chevrolet Cruz with bullet holes parked next to a building in close proximity to the gas station.
Officers searched the area and made contact with two individuals, one of whom was Booker, who were walking away from the gas station. Booker ultimately fled into the woods, where law enforcement officers located him after a short pursuit. Officers were able to determine that Booker and occupants of another vehicle exchanged gunfire, and Booker shot out of the passenger window of the silver Chevrolet Cruz. Booker had at least one firearm as he fled the scene, which officers were able to recover.
The evidence presented to the court showed that federal law prohibited Booker from possessing firearms and ammunition based upon multiple prior convictions, including a 2006 assault and battery of a high and aggravated nature, a 2012 possession with intent to distribute marijuana, and a 2012 possession with intent to distribute marijuana.
United States District Judge Mary G. Lewis sentenced Booker to 72 months in federal prison, to be followed by a three-year term of court-ordered supervision. There is no parole in the federal system.
This case was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), West Columbia Police Department, and Lexington County Sheriff’s Department. This case was prosecuted as part of the joint federal, state, and local Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), 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. Special Assistant United States Attorney Casey Rankin Smith of the Columbia office prosecuted the case.
#####
The year 2020 marks the 150th anniversary of the Department of Justice. Learn more about the history of our agency at www.Justice.gov/Celebrating150Years.
Law Enforcement Searches a Dozen Locations and Arrests Multiple Individuals in Relation to Meth Trafficking ChargesRead the Press Release
On July 27 and July 28, 2020, law enforcement officers executed twelve search warrants in the Northern and Southern Districts of Iowa. Search warrants were executed in Waterloo, Cedar Falls, Roland, and Marshalltown, Iowa. As a result of the investigation and the execution of the search warrants, three people were charged with methamphetamine trafficking and arrested pursuant to arrest warrants issued in the Northern District of Iowa.
The Indictment alleges that, between on or about January 2019 and on or about July 2020, Bobbey Dean Robey, Travis Charles Werkmeister, and Genaro Aguilar Lemus conspired to distribute methamphetamine. All three appeared today in federal court in Cedar Rapids. If convicted, each faces a mandatory minimum sentence of 10 years’ imprisonment and a possible maximum sentence of life imprisonment without the possibility of parole, a $10,000,000 fine, and at least five years of supervised release following any imprisonment.
As with any criminal case, a charge is merely an accusation and each defendant is presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty.
The case is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Ashley Corkery and investigated as part of the Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Force (OCDETF) program of the United States Department of Justice through a cooperative effort of the Federal Bureau of Investigation, the Iowa Division of Narcotics Enforcement, the Tri-County Drug Task Force, the Mid-Iowa Drug Task Force, the Iowa Counter Drug Task Force, and the Central Iowa Drug Task Force.
Court file information at https://ecf.iand.uscourts.gov/cgi-bin/login.pl.
The case file number is 20-CR-2034.
Follow us on Twitter @USAO_NDIA.
Justice Department Settles Disability-Based Housing Discrimination Lawsuit with Owners and Developers of 82 Apartment Complexes in 13 StatesRead the Press Release
The Department of Justice and the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of Ohio announced today that the owners, developers and builders of 82 multi-family housing complexes have agreed to make extensive modifications to their properties and pay $475,000 to resolve claims that they violated the Fair Housing Act and the Americans with Disabilities Act by designing and constructing apartment complexes that are inaccessible to persons with disabilities.
This agreement resolves one of the largest housing accessibility lawsuits that the Justice Department has filed. The housing complexes at issue are located in Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Kentucky, Missouri, North Carolina, Ohio, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania, Tennessee, Texas and West Virginia, and contain more than 3,000 units that are required to have accessible features.
Today’s settlement, which must still be approved by the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Ohio, resolves the government’s lawsuit, filed in May 2019, against Ohio-based Miller-Valentine Operations Inc. and its affiliated companies. Under the terms of the settlement, the defendants must take extensive corrective actions to make the complexes accessible to persons with disabilities. These include replacing excessively sloped portions of sidewalks, installing properly sloped curb ramps and walkways to allow persons with disabilities to access units from sidewalks and parking areas, providing sufficient room for wheelchair users in bathrooms and kitchens, and removing accessibility barriers in public and common use areas at the complexes. The defendants will pay $400,000 to establish a settlement fund to compensate individuals with disabilities who were harmed by the accessibility violations and $75,000 in civil penalties to the government to vindicate the public interest.
The settlement also requires the defendants to receive training about the Fair Housing Act and the Americans with Disabilities Act, to take steps to ensure that their future multifamily housing construction complies with these laws, and to provide periodic reports to the Justice Department.
“For nearly three decades, federal law has mandated that new multifamily housing be accessible to people with disabilities,” said Assistant Attorney General Eric Dreiband of the Civil Rights Division. “And yet, after all these years, some in the housing industry continue to ignore their legal obligations by building inaccessible properties that deny individuals with disabilities the opportunity to live in and enjoy housing on equal terms with non-disabled tenants. There simply is no excuse for these violations of longstanding federal law. This lawsuit and its resolution should send an unmistakable message that this Department will work tirelessly to pursue those who deny individuals with disabilities their federally protected right to accessible housing.”
“Today’s settlement, if approved by the court, will achieve two major goals,” said David M. DeVillers, U.S. Attorney for the Southern District of Ohio. “It will correct actions taken in the past that limited access to housing for people with disabilities and at the same time put steps in place to prevent this from happening in the future.”
The complexes at issue, many of which were built with financial assistance from the federal government’s Low-Income Housing Tax Credit program or other federal programs, are:
Illinois
- Twin Lakes Senior Villas, Rantoul, IL
Indiana
- Honey Creek, Greenwood, IN
- Mill Pond, Muncie, IN
- Summit Pointe, Lawrenceburg, IN
- Waterbury Apartments, Decatur, IN
Iowa
- Meadow Vista Senior Villas, Altoona, IA
Kansas
- Galena Estates, Galena, KS
Kentucky
- Weaver Farm Apartments, Florence, KY
Missouri
- Hampshire Landing, Joplin, MO
North Carolina
- Madison Place Senior, Gastonia, NC
- Pinecrest Apartments, Walkertown, NC
- River Crossing, Charlotte, NC
- The Enclave at Winston-Salem, Winston-Salem, NC
- The Landings at Steele Creek I, Charlotte, NC
- The Landings at Steele Creek II, Charlotte, NC
- Twin Cedars I, Hickory, NC
- Twin Cedars II, Hickory, NC
- Villas at Twin Cedars, Hickory, NC
Ohio
- Aspen Grove Apartments, Middletown, OH
- Bent Tree Apartments I, Piqua, OH
- Bent Tree Apartments II, Piqua, OH
- Breckenridge Apartments, Findlay, OH
- Bridge Street Landing, Chillicothe, OH
- Brookdale Trillium Crossing, Columbus, OH
- Brookstone Apartments, Bellefontaine, OH
- Carriage Trails Senior Villas, Huber Heights, OH
- Cedar Trail, Bellbrook, OH
- Cedar Wood Apartments, Mansfield, OH
- Cobblegate Square Apartments, Moraine, OH
- Deerfield Crossing, Lebanon, OH
- Eagles Point Apartments, Kenton, OH
- Faith Community Housing, Crestline, OH
- Fox Run, Trotwood, OH
- Glen Arbors Apartments, Napoleon, OH
- Harbour Cove Apartments, Cincinnati, OH
- Harmony Senior Village, Williamsburg, OH
- Holly Hills Apartments, Jackson, OH
- Hoover Place, Dayton, OH
- Hunter’s Oak Apartments, Greenville, OH
- Indian Trace I, Oxford, OH
- Indian Trace II, Oxford, OH
- Lake Towne Senior, Walbridge, OH
- Lofts at Hoover, Dayton, OH
- Lofts at One West High Street, Oxford, OH
- Lyons Place I, Dayton, OH
- Lyons Place II, Dayton, OH
- Mallard Glen, Amelia, OH
- Mallard Landing, Marion, OH
- Meadow Creek Apartments, Bryan, OH
- Meadow View South, Springboro, OH
- Oak Wood Apartments, Lexington, OH
- Pheasant Run Senior, Dayton, OH
- Pine Ridge, Logan, OH
- Quail Run Apartments, Van Wert, OH
- Queen Esther’s Village, Canton, OH
- Riverside Landing at Delaware Place, Delaware, OH
- Riverview Bluffs, New Richmond, OH
- Sandhurst, Zanesville, OH
- Scioto Woods I, Chillicothe, OH
- Scioto Woods II, Chillicothe, OH
- Siena Village Senior Living, Dayton, OH
- St. Bernard Commons, St. Bernard, OH
- St. Rita’s Senior Housing, Garfield Heights, OH
- Stone Creek Apartments, Moraine, OH
- Sycamore Creek Apartments, Sidney, OH
- Timber Glen II, Batavia, OH
- Timber Ridge Apartments, Dayton, OH
- Timberlake Apartments, Vandalia, OH
- Walnut Run Senior Villas, Cortland, OH
- Waterstone Landing, Perrysburg, OH
- Whitehouse Square Senior Villas, Whitehouse, OH
- Wind Ridge Apartments, Tipp City, OH
- Windsor Place, Beavercreek, OH
- Wright Place Apartments, Xenia, OH
Oklahoma
- Fairway Breeze Apartments, El Reno, OK
- Reserve at Spencer, Spencer, OK
Pennsylvania
- Allegheny Pointe, Apollo, PA
- Walkers Ridge Apartments, Greensburg, PA
Texas
- Gallatin Park Apartments, Gallatin, TX
- Oak Ridge Apartments, Nolanville, TX
- Silversage Point at Western Center, Fort Worth, TX
West Virginia
- Reserve at Oak Spring, Clarksburg, WV
Persons who believe they or someone they know may have been harmed by the inaccessible conditions at any of these properties, either when they or someone associated with them lived there or considered living there, should contact the Justice Department toll-free at 1-833-591-0295 or by e-mail at [email protected].
The federal Fair Housing Act prohibits discrimination in housing based on disability, race, color, religion, national origin, sex and familial status. Among other things, the Fair Housing Act requires all multifamily housing constructed after March 13, 1991, to have basic accessibility features, including accessible routes without steps to all ground floor units, and units accessible to wheelchair users and others with disabilities. Enacted in 1990, the Americans with Disabilities Act requires, among other things, that places of public accommodation, such as rental offices at multifamily housing complexes designed and constructed for first occupancy after Jan. 26, 1993, be accessible to persons with disabilities. More information about the Civil Rights Division and the laws it enforces is available at http://www.justice.gov/crt.