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Wednesday 20 May 2020
Federal Inmate Sentenced to Additional Year in Prison for Possession of Narcotics at Federal Prison in Butner, North CarolinaRead the Press Release
RALEIGH, N.C. – A federal inmate incarcerated at the Federal Correctional Complex in Butner was sentenced to 12 months in prison and an additional two-year term of supervised release for possession of the opiate buprenorphine, a Schedule III narcotic commonly referred to by the brand name Suboxone. The 12-month term of imprisonment is in addition to, and consecutive to, his current term of imprisonment, and the two-year term of supervised release is in addition to and consecutive to his 3-year term of supervised release on his current sentence.
According to court documents, while Aaron Trujillo, 57, was serving a federal sentence for multiple bank robbery convictions, he was found in possession of multiple sublingual film strips containing buprenorphine. The Bureau of Prisons’ investigation also revealed a large cache of stamps and a debt ledger suggesting that he was involved in the sale and distribution of buprenorphine for several months.
Robert J. Higdon, Jr., U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of North Carolina made the announcement after sentencing by Chief U.S. District Judge Terrence W. Boyle. Bureau of Prisons Special Investigative Agents investigated the case and Special Assistant U.S. Attorney Michael Bredenberg prosecuted the case.
A copy of this press release is located on our website. Related court documents and information are located on the website of the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of North Carolina or on PACER by searching for Case No. 5:19-cr-00429-BO.
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The year 2020 marks the 150th anniversary of the Department of Justice. Learn more about the history of our agency at www.Justice.gov/Celebrating150Years.
Eugene Man Sentenced to Four Years in Federal Prison for Illegal Firearm PossessionRead the Press Release
EUGENE, Ore.—A convicted felon from Eugene was sentenced to federal prison today for illegally possessing a 20-gauge shotgun, announced U.S. Attorney Billy J. Williams.
Delano Franklin Oscar, Jr., 58, was sentenced to 48 months in federal prison and three years’ supervised release.
According to court documents, in the early morning hours of December 14, 2018, Lane County Sheriff deputies identified a parked car as reported stolen. They discovered Oscar asleep in the vehicle’s front passenger seat with a 20-gauge shotgun shell near his feet. The deputies searched the vehicle and found a loaded 20-gauge pump-action shotgun, a small baggy of methamphetamine, and a glass pipe. The shotgun had been reported stolen in October 2017. Oscar was arrested without incident.
On January 16, 2019, a federal grand jury in Eugene returned a two-count indictment charging Oscar with felon in possession of ammunition and a firearm. On January 29, 2020, he pleaded guilty to both charges.
As part of his plea agreement, Oscar agreed to voluntarily abandon his interest in the shotgun seized by investigators.
This case was investigated by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives (ATF) and the Lane County Sheriff’s Office, and was prosecuted by Pamela Paaso, Assistant U.S. Attorney for the District of Oregon.
The case was brought as part of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN). PSN is the centerpiece of the Department of Justice’s violent crime reduction efforts. PSN is an evidence-based program proven to be effective at reducing violent crime. Through PSN, a broad spectrum of stakeholders work together to identify the most pressing violent crime problems in the community and develop comprehensive solutions to address them. As part of this strategy, PSN focuses enforcement efforts on the most violent offenders and partners with locally based prevention and reentry programs for lasting reductions in crime.
Elma Man Sentenced for Lying on an ATF Firearms FormRead the Press Release
CONTACT: Barbara Burns
PHONE: (716) 843-5817
FAX #: (716) 551-3051BUFFALO, N.Y. - U.S. Attorney James P. Kennedy, Jr. announced today that David Polak, 48, of Elma, New York, who was convicted of knowingly causing a licensed firearms dealer to fail to make an appropriate entry in required firearms transfer records, was sentenced to serve one year probation by U.S. District Judge Elizabeth A. Wolford.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Misha A. Coulson, who handled the case, stated that in 2017, the defendant won two rifles in a charity raffle. On January 11, 2018, a six month restraining order was issued against Polak in Buffalo Family Court. Later, on the same day the restraining order was issued, the defendant went to The Gun Locker LLC to fill out paperwork related to him taking possession of the two rifles he previously won. When completing an ATF Firearms Transaction Record form 4473, Polak was asked “Are you subject to a court order restraining you from harassing, stalking, or threatening your child or intimate partner or child of such partner?” The defendant inaccurately marked “NO” on the form, and then dated and signed the form, which includes a warning that it is a federal crime to answer “NO” if the buyer is subject to a restraining order.
The sentencing is the result of an investigation by Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms & Explosives, under the direction of Special Agent-in-Charge John B. Devito, New York Field Division.
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Dominican National Sentenced for Identity Theft and Stealing MassHealth BenefitsRead the Press Release
BOSTON – A Dominican national formerly residing in Lawrence was sentenced today for Social Security and benefit fraud.
Cesar Franco Lara, 37, was sentenced during a videoconference before U.S. District Court Judge Leo T. Sorokin to 20 months in prison and ordered to pay $3,468 in restitution to MassHealth. Franco Lara will also face deportation proceedings upon completion of his sentence. In January 2020, Franco Lara pleaded guilty to one count of false representation of Social Security number and one count of theft of government money. Pursuant to a plea agreement that was accepted by the Court today, the government dismissed one count of aggravated identity theft after the defendant was sentenced.
On Aug. 5, 2016, Franco Lara applied for a Massachusetts identification card using the name, date of birth and Social Security number of a United States citizen born in Puerto Rico. On Aug. 18, 2016, he used that Massachusetts identification card to apply for and receive nearly $3,500 of MassHealth benefits in the U.S. citizen’s name. In an effort to determine the true identity of the defendant, law enforcement found a non-immigrant visitor visa application bearing the defendant’s photograph and fingerprints. This application was refused by the Department of State in 2015.
When arrested on federal charges, Franco Lara had on him a MassHealth ID card in the U.S. citizen’s name. His fingerprints were found to be a match of the fingerprints on file from the refused visa application.
United States Attorney Andrew E. Lelling; Michael Shea, Acting Special Agent in Charge of Homeland Security Investigations in Boston; Phillip Coyne, Special Agent in Charge of the Department of Health and Human Services, Office of Inspector General, Office of Investigations, Boston Field Division; William B. Gannon, Special Agent in Charge of the U.S. Department of State, Diplomatic Security Service, Boston Field Office; Joseph W. Cronin, Inspector in Charge of the U.S. Postal Inspection Service; Colonel Christopher Mason, Superintendent of the Massachusetts State Police; and John Gibbons, U.S. Marshal for the District of Massachusetts made the announcement today. HSI’s Document and Benefit Fraud Task Force, a specialized investigative group comprised of various local, state and federal agencies, conducted this investigation. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Lindsey E. Weinstein and David G. Tobin of Lelling’s Criminal Division prosecuted the case.
Dominican National Charged with Illegal ReentryRead the Press Release
BOSTON – A Dominican national was charged yesterday with illegal reentry of a previously deported alien.
Eddy Arias Tejada, 45, was charged today by Information with one count of unlawful reentry of a deported alien. Arias is currently in the custody of the United States Marshals Service.
According to the charging documents, Arias was deported from the United States to the Dominican Republic on March 7, 2017. Sometime after his March 2017 removal, Arias illegally reentered the United States. On or about Aug. 15, 2019, Arias was encountered in Quincy, Mass.
The charging statute provides for a sentence of up to 20 years in prison, three years of supervised release and a fine of up to $250,000. Sentences are imposed by a federal district court judge based upon the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors.
United States Attorney Andrew E. Lelling and Todd Lyons, Acting Field Office Director, Enforcement and Removal Operations, U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement, Boston, made the announcement today. Assistant U.S. Attorney Kenneth G. Shine of Lelling’s Major Crimes Unit is prosecuting the case
The details contained in the charging documents are allegations. The defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.
Convicted Felon Sentenced for Possession of a Firearm as a Prohibited PersonRead the Press Release
United States Attorney Joe Kelly announced that Mylon Mayfield, 22, of Omaha, was sentenced today to 21 months in the Bureau of Prisons for being a Felon in Possession of a Firearm by United States District Judge Robert F. Rossiter, Jr. He will also serve 3 years of supervised release following his release from prison. There is no parole in the federal prison system.
On July 15, 2019, Omaha Police Officers responded within minutes to a report of shots fired in the Spencer West Housing Projects at North 28th and Spencer Streets. The officers came upon suspects matching the description provided by dispatch. Based on answers by Mayfield and his evasive movements, officers suspected Mayfield was armed and dangerous. Upon their search, officers recovered a loaded Ruger LCR that Mayfield was concealing and possessing illegally as a prior felon. At the time of his arrest, Mayfield was on federal supervised release for transferring a firearm to a prohibited person. Mayfield was sentenced to an additional 12 months on his supervised release violation, resulting in a total sentence of 33 months on both cases.
This case was part of a Project Safe Neighborhood initiative and investigated by the Omaha Police Department.
Convicted Felon Imprisoned for Not Registering as A Sex OffenderRead the Press Release
MACON, Ga. – A former Columbus, Georgia resident and convicted sex offender who moved out of state and failed to register as a sex offender with local authorities was sentenced to prison for breaking the law, said Charlie Peeler, the U.S. Attorney for the Middle District of Georgia. John Corriher, 54, of Salisbury, North Carolina was sentenced by U.S. District Judge Clay Land on Tuesday, May 19, 2020 to 34 months in prison and five years supervised release for failing to register as a sex offender, a federal offense. There is no parole in the federal system.
“All convicted sex offenders are required by law to register as a sex offender with the appropriate registration officials each and every time they move. Failure to do so is a federal crime and will result in prosecution by this office,” said U.S. Attorney Charlie Peeler. “I want to thank the Muscogee County Sheriff’s Office and the United States Marshals Service for tracking down the whereabouts of this offender and for their excellent work investigating the case.”
Corriher was convicted in Florida of unlawful sexual activity with certain minors in February 2001. Following his conviction, he eventually settled in Columbus and registered annually as a sex offender through the Muscogee County Sheriff’s Office (MCSO) from November 2010 through April 2016. Following his last registration, the defendant absconded. In February 2017, an arrest warrant was taken out by MSCO for failure to register as a state sex offender. The investigation was turned over to the United States Marshals Service (USMS) when Corriher was found to be living in Salisbury, North Carolina, where he did not register as a sex offender. He was apprehended by USMS on March 18, 2019.
The case was investigated by the USMS and the MCSO. Assistant U.S. Attorney Crawford Seals 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.
Career Offender Who Sold Cocaine Near Parks and a School in Dubuque Sentenced to over Twelve Years in Federal PrisonRead the Press Release
A career offender with prior drug trafficking convictions who sold cocaine near protected locations multiple times and possessed a loaded handgun was sentenced today to more than a dozen years in federal prison.
Jerry Towns, age 31, from Dubuque, Iowa, received the prison term after a December 23, 2019 guilty plea to distributing cocaine.
Information disclosed at the guilty plea and sentencing hearing showed that Towns distributed cocaine near either a park or school on four different occasions in 2017 and 2018. Later in 2018, law enforcement stopped Towns while he was a passenger in a car. At the same time, law enforcement was getting ready to search Towns’ residence in Dubuque. Towns called his girlfriend and told her to get cocaine and a loaded gun out of the residence. Law enforcement stopped her as she was leaving and seized the drugs and loaded gun.
At sentencing, Towns was found to be a career offender. He had two prior felony offenses for distributing cocaine. He also had eleven other adult criminal convictions, including four convictions involving violence. During the sentencing, the court said it was clear Towns was making a living by dealing drugs and met any definition of a career offender.
Towns was sentenced in Cedar Rapids by United States District Court Judge C.J. Williams. Towns was sentenced to 151 months’ imprisonment. He must also serve a three-year term of supervised release after the prison term. There is no parole in the federal system.
Towns is being held in the United States Marshal’s custody until he can be transported to a federal prison.
The case was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Tony Morfitt and investigated by the Dubuque Police Department and the Dubuque County Sheriff’s Office.
Court file information at https://ecf.iand.uscourts.gov/cgi-bin/login.pl.
The case file number is 19-CR-1020.
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Bridgeport Man Charged with Distributing FentanylRead the Press Release
John H. Durham, United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut, and Brian D. Boyle, Special Agent in Charge of the Drug Enforcement Administration for New England, announced that a federal grand jury in New Haven returned an indictment today charging ANTHONY FIGUEROA-GONZALEZ, 27, of Bridgeport, with distributing fentanyl.
As alleged in court documents, in August 2019, the Drug Enforcement Administration’s Bridgeport High Intensity Drug Trafficking Area (HIDTA) Task Force identified Figueroa-Gonzalez as a large-scale distributor of fentanyl. On September 17 and November 7, 2019, investigators made controlled purchases of approximately 50 grams of fentanyl from Figueroa-Gonzalez in Bridgeport.
Figueroa-Gonzalez was arrested on a federal criminal complaint on May 6, 2020.
The indictment charges Figueroa-Gonzalez with two counts of possession with intent to distribute, and distribution of, 40 grams or more of fentanyl, an offense that carries a mandatory minimum term of imprisonment of five years a maximum term of imprisonment of 40 years on each count.
U.S. Attorney Durham stressed that an indictment is not evidence of guilt. Charges are only allegations, and each defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt.
Figueroa-Gonzalez is currently released on a $100,000 bond.
The DEA’s Bridgeport HIDTA Task Force, includes personnel from the DEA Bridgeport Resident Office, the Connecticut State Police, and the Bridgeport, Norwalk, Stamford, Stratford, Milford and Danbury Police Departments. This case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Karen L. Peck.
Boston Man Sentenced for Being a Felon in Possession of a FirearmRead the Press Release
BOSTON – A Boston man was sentenced today in federal court in Boston for being a felon in possession of a firearm.
Jovani Miranda, 28, was sentenced during a videoconference before U.S. Senior District Court Judge Mark L. Wolf to 30 months in prison and three years of supervised release. In January 2020, Miranda pleaded guilty to one count of being a felon in possession of a firearm.
On Jan. 15, 2019, Jovani Miranda was found in possession of a Rossi, Model 462, .357 Magnum revolver, with an obliterated serial number, loaded with five .357 Magnum rounds of ammunition. Miranda is prohibited from possessing a firearm due to multiple prior felony convictions.
United States Attorney Andrew E. Lelling and Kelly D. Brady, Special Agent in Charge of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms & Explosives, Boston Field Division, made the announcement today. Valuable assistance was provided by the Suffolk County District Attorney’s Office and the Boston Police Department. Assistant U.S. Attorney Alathea Porter of Lelling’s Criminal Division is prosecuting the case.
This case is part of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), a program bringing together all levels of law enforcement and the communities they serve to reduce violent crime and make our neighborhoods safer for everyone. PSN is part of the Department’s renewed focus on targeting violent criminals, directing all U.S. Attorney’s Offices to work in partnership with federal, state, local, and tribal law enforcement and the local community to develop effective, locally-based strategies to reduce violent crime.
Alien Sentenced for Illegally Returning to United StatesRead the Press Release
MUSKOGEE, OKLAHOMA – The United States Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of Oklahoma announced that Nicolas Mojica-Flores, age 44, of Broken Arrow, Oklahoma was sentenced to time served and waived his right to contest his removal from the United States for Reentry Of Removed Alien, in violation of Title 8, United States Code, Section 1326(a). The charges arose from an investigation by the Department of Homeland Security – Homeland Security Investigations.
The Information alleged that on or about November 26, 2019, in the Eastern District of Oklahoma, the defendant, an alien, was in the United States after having been removed on or about November 13, 1998, at or near Laredo, Texas. He re-entered not having obtained the express consent of the Secretary of Homeland Security to reapply for admission to the United States.
The Honorable Ronald A. White, U.S. District Judge in the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Oklahoma, in Muskogee, presided over the hearing. Assistant United States Attorney Rob Wallace represented the United States at the sentencing hearing.
$400,000 Restitution Ordered for Two Minor Victims in Production of Child Pornography CaseRead the Press Release
Spokane – William D. Hyslop United States Attorney for the Eastern District of Washington, announced Dale Gordon Black, age 63, of Kennewick, Washington, who had previously pled guilty to three counts of production of child pornography, has just been ordered to pay $400,000 restitution to two of his victims.
On December 18, 2018, Black pleaded guilty to three counts of Production of Child Pornography. On July 16, 2019, Senior United States District Judge Edward Shea sentenced Black to a 30-year term of imprisonment, to be followed by a lifetime of court supervision after he is released from federal prison. The Court also ordered Black to forfeit $185,900 in cash and his Subaru Legacy, and to pay $19,150 in restitution to other victims and $305,000 in fines, $5,000 of which was imposed under the Justice for Victims of Trafficking Act.
On May 15, 2020, consistent with the stipulation and agreement of the parties, the Court found the two minor victims seeking restitution were entitled to receive restitution for past and future medical services, including physical, psychiatric, or psychological care, and ordered
Black to pay restitution in the amount of $200,000 per victim. The Court ordered Black, consistent with the agreement of the parties, to purchase a structured, guaranteed settlement annuity for each of the two victims seeking restitution, in the amount of $200,000. The Court ordered the structured settlement annuities purchased by Black shall provide monthly payments to the victims to be used for their future medical care.
According to information disclosed during court proceedings, on July 18, 2017, undercover Federal Bureau of Investigation agents downloaded a child pornography video from an Internet Protocol address that was traced to Black's residence using a peer-to-peer file sharing program.
Investigators obtained a search warrant and seized many electronic devices from Black’s residence. A forensic examination of Black’s electronic devices revealed child pornography images that he had produced. The images were of three children Black knew either as neighbors or through his work in a local youth mentoring program. Black produced the images at his house and on overnight trips he took alone with the children.
United States Attorney Hyslop said, “Sexual predation and exploitation of children are heinous crimes. That Dale Black preyed on vulnerable children through his participation in a youth mentorship program make his crimes even more egregious. The children in our community are safer now that Black has been convicted of three serious felony child pornography offenses and removed from society and the ability to hurt others. The restitution imposed reflects the gravity of the harm such terrible actions cause to victims. Victims of child pornography can never be truly compensated for what they suffered and endured. However, the United States Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of Washington will continue to pursue restitution as an integral part of our efforts to seek justice on behalf of child pornography victims. The sentence imposed in this case, the forfeiture of Black’s assets, and the restitution ordered serves as a stern warning to offenders that you will be held accountable for your actions.”
This case was pursued as part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative launched in May 2006 by the United States Department of Justice to combat the growing epidemic of child sexual exploitation and abuse. Led by the United States Attorneys' Offices and the Department of Justice Criminal Division's Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section, Project Safe Childhood marshals federal, state, and local resources to locate, apprehend, and prosecute individuals, who sexually exploit children, and to identify and rescue victims. The Project Safe Childhood Initiative (“PSC”) has five major components:
• Integrated federal, state, and local efforts to investigate and prosecute child exploitation cases, and to identify and rescue children;
• Participation of PSC partners in coordinated national initiatives;
• Increased federal enforcement in child pornography and enticement cases;
• Training of federal, state, and local law enforcement agents; and,
• Community awareness and educational programs.
For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit www.usdoj.gov/psc. For information about internet safety education, please visit www.usdoj.gov/psc and click on the tab “resources.”
This case was investigated by the Spokane Resident Office of the Federal Bureau of
Investigation with assistance from the ICAC Task Force, the Richland Police Department and the Kennewick Police Department.
The ICAC Task Force is comprised of the Cities of Richland and Kennewick, Benton County, and the Department of Homeland Security Investigations, Seattle Office. The ICAC Task Force serves the public’s best interest by allowing these agencies to pool resources and knowledge to investigate, prosecute and deter the possession, production, and distribution of child pornography and the utilization of the internet to seek out children as sexual victims.
This case was prosecuted by Brian M. Donovan and Alison L. Gregoire, Assistant United States Attorneys for the Eastern District of Washington.
Tuesday 19 May 2020
Wisconsin Dentist Sentenced to Prison for Tax EvasionRead the Press Release
A La Crosse, Wisconsin, dentist was sentenced to 72 months in prison today for tax evasion, announced Principal Deputy Assistant Attorney General Richard E. Zuckerman of the Justice Department’s Tax Division and U.S. Attorney Scott C. Blader for the Western District of Wisconsin.
According to evidence presented at trial, Frederick G. Kriemelmeyer, 71, operated a dental practice in La Crosse, Wisconsin. In 2007, Kriemelmeyer was ordered by the U.S. District Court for the Western District of Wisconsin to pay $135,337 to the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) for unpaid income taxes. By 2012, the IRS had assessed Kriemelmeyer for more than $450,000 in taxes, interest, and penalties. Evidence presented at the trial showed Kriemelmeyer took a number of actions to evade paying the taxes he owed. From at least 2013 through 2015, Kriemelmeyer did not file tax returns reporting the income from his dental practice, directed his patients to pay him in cash or by check with blank payee lines, and paid his business and personal expenses with third-party checks and cash.
In addition to the term of imprisonment, U.S. District Judge William M. Conley ordered Kriemelmeyer to serve three years of supervised release and to pay $226,839 in restitution to the United States. Kriemelmeyer was remanded to the custody of the Bureau of Prisons.
Principal Deputy Assistant Attorney General Zuckerman and U.S. Attorney Blader commended special agents of the IRS-Criminal Investigation Division, who conducted the investigation, and Trial Attorney Eric C. Schmale of the Tax Division and Assistant U.S. Attorney Elizabeth Altman, who prosecuted the case.
Additional information about the Tax Division and its enforcement efforts may be found on the division’s website.
Washington meth dealer sentenced to prisonRead the Press Release
HELENA—A Washington woman who admitted dealing methamphetamine in Helena, including selling it to an undercover officer in a car wash, was sentenced today to 97 months in prison followed by five years of supervised release, U.S. Attorney Kurt Alme said.
Breanne Marie Bame, 40, of Kenmore, WA, pleaded guilty in October to distribution of meth.
U.S. District Judge Charles C. Lovell presided.
The prosecution said in court records in the case that in November 2018, a co-defendant offered to sell an undercover officer 13 ounces of meth for $6,000. Later, in a controlled purchase with the co-defendant in Helena, the officer got into the co-defendant's car, where Bame also was seated. The co-defendant introduced Bame as "boss lady Bre." The officer said he had only $4,500 and asked if he could buy 10 ounces of meth. The co-defendant asked Bame for approval, Bame gave the go ahead and the deal was conducted. Bame later told law enforcement agents in an interview that she had traveled to Montana with the co-defendant and confirmed that they had sold meth at a car wash in Helena.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Tom Bartleson prosecuted the case, which was investigated by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, the Missouri River Drug Task Force, the Montana Highway Patrol, the Lewis and Clark County Sheriff's Office, the Helena Police Department and the U.S. Marshals Service.
This case is part of Project Safe Neighborhoods, a U.S. Department of Justice initiative to reduce violent crime. According to the FBI’s Uniform Crime Reports, violent crime in Montana increased by 36% from 2013 to 2018. Through PSN, federal, tribal, state and local law enforcement partners in Montana focus on violent crime driven by methamphetamine trafficking, armed robbers, firearms offenses and violent offenders with outstanding warrants.
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United States Joins False Claims Act Lawsuit against William M. Kelly, M.D. Inc. and Omega Imaging Inc.Read the Press Release
The United States has partially intervened in a False Claims Act lawsuit against William M. Kelly, M.D. Inc. and Omega Imaging Inc. in the U.S. District Court for the Central District of California, the Department of Justice announced today. The government intervened as to allegations that the defendants, which operate 11 radiology facilities in Southern California, violated the False Claims Act by submitting claims to Medicare for unsupervised radiology services and services provided at unaccredited facilities.
“Today’s announcement demonstrates the department’s commitment to protect the public fisc and ensure the safety of Medicare beneficiaries,” said Assistant Attorney General Jody Hunt of the Department of Justice’s Civil Division. “The department will aggressively pursue unscrupulous healthcare providers who cut corners for profits and jeopardize the health and safety of Medicare beneficiaries.”
Medicare requires that certain procedures, such as CT and MRI scans that involve intravenous contrast materials, be performed under “direct physician supervision,” which means that a physician must be present within the office suite during the procedure. The lawsuit alleges that that defendants performed and billed Medicare for contrast procedures without the proper physician supervision. The suit further alleges that certain of the defendants’ facilities lacked accreditation, which is a material Medicare billing requirement.
The case was filed under the qui tam or whistleblower provisions of the False Claims Act Act, which allow private parties to file suit on behalf of the United States for false claims and to receive a share of any recovery. The Act also permits the United States to intervene and take over the lawsuit, as it has done here in part. Those who violate the Act are subject to treble damages and applicable penalties.
The government’s partial intervention in this matter illustrates the government’s emphasis on combating health care fraud. One of the most powerful tools in this effort is the False Claims Act. Tips and complaints from all sources about potential fraud, waste, abuse, and mismanagement, can be reported to the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), at 800-HHS-TIPS (800-447-8477).
This case is being handled by the Department of Justice’s Civil Division with assistance from the Office of Inspector General of the Department of Health and Human Services. The case is captioned United States ex rel. Syd Ackerman v. William M. Kelly, M.D., Inc. and Omega Imaging, Inc., Civil Action No. ED CV 13-02195 JGB (C.D. Cal.).
The claims in which the United States has intervened are allegations only, and there has been no determination of liability.
United States Attorney’s Office District of Arizona April 2020 Immigration and Border ReportRead the Press Release
I. Illegal Reentry After Deportation (8 U.S.C. 1326)
74 individuals were charged in April with illegal reentry
A. 62 of those 74 individuals had previously been convicted of non-immigration criminal offenses in the U.S.
Of the 62 individuals with non-immigration criminal records:1. 19 had violent crime convictions, including:
2 individuals had homicide convictions
2 individuals had sex offense convictions
8 individuals had domestic violence convictions2. 17 had property crime convictions
3. 14 had DUI convictions
4. 28 had drug crime convictions
B. 32 of those 74 individuals had been deported three or more times
II. Alien Smuggling (8 U.S.C. 1324)
14 individuals were charged in April with alien smuggling
III. Illegal Entry (Criminal Consequence Initiative) (8 U.S.C. 1325)
0 individuals were charged in April with illegal entry on the CCI calendar
Criminal conviction information based on preliminary criminal history reports provided by the arresting agency.
These numbers represent United States Attorney's Office prosecutions only. These numbers do not include individuals apprehended by immigration enforcement officials and subjected solely to administrative process.
*The Department of Homeland Security instituted a policy in late March of expeditiously returning aliens who illegally enter the United States rather than detaining them. The decreased number of individuals presented to this Office for prosecution in April coincides with the implementation of that policy and other COVID-19 related border restrictions.
RELEASE NUMBER: 2020-052_April Immigration and Border Crimes Report
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For more information on the U.S. Attorney’s Office, District of Arizona, visit http://www.justice.gov/usao/az/
Follow the U.S. Attorney’s Office, District of Arizona, on Twitter @USAO_AZ for the latest newsU.S. Department of Justice Increases Efforts to Combat Sexual Harassment in Housing During the COVID-19 PandemicRead the Press Release
WILMINGTON, Del. – United States Attorney David C. Weiss requests that anyone who has witnessed or experienced sexual harassment by a landlord, property manager, maintenance worker, or anyone with control over housing report that conduct to federal or state law enforcement officials.
The COVID-19 pandemic has impacted the ability of many people to pay rent on time and has increased housing insecurity. The Department of Justice has heard reports of housing providers trying to exploit the crisis to sexually harass tenants. Sexual harassment in housing is illegal, and the Department of Justice stands ready to investigate such allegations and pursue enforcement actions where appropriate.
“Delawareans are facing very difficult times due to the current pandemic and any attempt to take advantage of them or this crisis to sexually harass tenants is illegal, abhorrent and will not be tolerated,” said U.S. Attorney Weiss. The U.S. Attorney’s Office will work closely with state and local partners to identify incidents of sexual harassment in housing.
The Justice Department’s Sexual Harassment in Housing Initiative is an effort to combat sexual harassment in housing led by the Civil Rights Division, in coordination with U.S. Attorney’s Offices across the country. Launched in 2017, the Initiative has filed lawsuits across the county alleging a pattern or practice of sexual harassment in housing and recovered millions of dollars in damages for harassment victims. The Justice Department’s investigations frequently uncover sexual harassment that has been ongoing for years. Many individuals do not know that being sexually harassed by a housing provider can violate federal law or that the Department of Justice may be able to help.
The Department encourages anyone who has experienced sexual harassment in housing, or knows someone who has, to contact the Civil Rights Division by calling (844) 380-6178 or emailing [email protected].
Individuals may also file a complaint alleging harassment or discrimination in housing with the Department of Housing and Urban Development through HUD’s website or by calling (800) 669-9777.
U.S. Attorney Dunn Announces $58k Grant to Mesa County to Fight COVID-19Read the Press Release
DENVER – U.S. Attorney Jason Dunn announced a $58,620 grant to Mesa County from the Department of Justice to help communities fighting COVID-19.
The grant is the latest to be awarded as part of a $14 million allocation for local jurisdictions across the state of Colorado. The City of Grand Junction Police Department was also awarded $91,671 last month to help it purchase personal protective equipment (PPE) and sanitize its vehicles.
“Our law enforcement officers are used to being on the front lines of a crisis, but the coronavirus is like nothing they – or any of us – have faced before,” Dunn said. “The DOJ wants to make sure that as officers are out there protecting and interacting with members of the community that they have the extra resources necessary to encounter these extraordinary circumstances.”
The grants are part of the Coronavirus Emergency Supplemental Funding (CESF) Program, authorized by the recent stimulus legislation signed by President Trump. The funds are designated for a wide range of purposes such as overtime, PPE, hiring, meeting the medical needs of inmates, and travel expenses for the distribution of resources in COVID-19 impacted areas.
Other jurisdictions can find out if they are eligible and apply immediately by visiting this website. The Justice Department is awarding grants on a rolling basis and aiming to have funds available for drawdown as soon as possible after receiving applications.
Two East Idaho Men Sentenced for Carjacking and Firearm ChargesRead the Press Release
POCATELLO – Rockit Rodriguez, 23, of Blackfoot, Idaho, was sentenced in U.S. District Court to 130 months in prison for carjacking and possession of a firearm in furtherance of a crime of violence, U.S. Attorney Bart M. Davis announced today. U.S. District Judge David C. Nye also ordered Rodriguez to serve five years of supervised release following his prison sentence. Rodriguez pleaded guilty to the charge on December 2, 2019.
On February 3, 2020, co-defendant Antonio Ray Sesma-Lopez, 20, of Fort Hall, Idaho, was sentenced to 37 months in prison for carjacking, followed by three years of supervised release. Sesma-Lopez pleaded guilty to the charge on October 22, 2019.
According to court records, in September 2018, Rodriguez was driving a vehicle containing Sesma-Lopez and a third individual on Riverton Road, at the overpass of Interstate 15, in Blackfoot. Rodriguez stopped the car on the overpass. A vehicle driving behind them stopped as well. Rodriguez and Sesma-Lopez exited their vehicle and approached the vehicle behind them. Rodriguez brandished a revolver and commanded the driver of the other vehicle to get out. The victim complied. Sesma-Lopez then directed the victim to give him his wallet, which the victim did. Rodriguez and Sesma-Lopez then fled in the victim’s vehicle.
This case was investigated by Federal Bureau of Investigation, Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives, Blackfoot Police Department, Fort Hall Police Department, and Bingham County Sherriff’s Office.
This case was prosecuted as part of the Department of Justice’s Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN) program. PSN is the centerpiece of the Department of Justice’s violent crime reduction efforts. PSN is an evidence-based program proven to be effective at reducing violent crime. Through PSN, a broad spectrum of stakeholders work together to identify the most pressing violent crime problems in the community and develop comprehensive solutions to address them. As part of this strategy, PSN focuses enforcement efforts on the most violent offenders and partners with locally based prevention and reentry programs for lasting reductions in crime.
This case is also part of Project Guardian, the Department of Justice’s signature initiative to reduce gun violence and enforce federal firearms laws. Initiated by the Attorney General in the fall of 2019, Project Guardian draws upon the Department’s past successful programs to reduce gun violence; enhances coordination of federal, state, local, and tribal authorities in investigating and prosecuting gun crimes; improves information-sharing by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives when a prohibited individual attempts to purchase a firearm and is denied by the National Instant Criminal Background Check System (NICS), to include taking appropriate actions when a prospective purchaser is denied by the NICS for mental health reasons; and ensures that federal resources are directed at the criminals posing the greatest threat to our communities. For more information about Project Guardian, please visit: https://www.justice.gov/projectguardian.
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Toledo duo sentenced for witness tampering in trial of former pastorRead the Press Release
Alisa Haynes, age 45, and Alexis Fortune, age 26, of Toledo, were sentenced today after pleading guilty to one count each of witness tampering days before the trial of former Toledo pastor and convicted felon, Anthony Haynes. Alisa Haynes was sentenced to 24 months in prison, and Alexis Fortune was sentenced to 48 months in prison. Alisa Haynes is the wife of Anthony Haynes, and Alexis Fortune is his step-daughter.
According to the plea agreement filed for the case, while Anthony Haynes was under federal indictment for sex trafficking of children and child pornography, both defendants visited a victim in the case at her apartment in order to force her to recant statements made to law enforcement. The defendants coerced the victim into leaving two voicemails on Alisa Haynes’s cell phone, stating that she was never trafficked or victimized by Anthony Haynes. Fortune and Haynes intended to share these voicemails with the attorney for Anthony Haynes to be used in the upcoming trial.
The victim reported these incidents to law enforcement and later went on to testify against Anthony Haynes. Haynes was sentenced to life in prison in June of 2019.
This case was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation’s Northwest Ohio Violent Crimes against Children Task Force and the Ohio Attorney General’s Bureau of Criminal Investigation. The case was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Ashley A. Futrell and Michael J. Freeman.
Texas Man Charged with $5 Million COVID-Relief FraudRead the Press Release
A Texas man has been charged in the Eastern District of Texas with allegedly filing bank loan applications fraudulently seeking more than $5 million dollars in forgivable loans guaranteed by the Small Business Administration (SBA) under the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act.
Samuel Yates, 32, of Maud, Texas, allegedly sought millions of dollars in forgivable loans guaranteed by the SBA from two different banks by claiming to have over 400 employees earning wages when, in fact, no employees worked for his purported business.
Yates is charged by way of a federal criminal complaint with violations of wire fraud, bank fraud, false statements to a financial institution, and false statements to the SBA.
“This defendant allegedly sought to steal millions of dollars in loans intended to aid legitimate small businesses grappling with the economic effects of COVID-19,” said Assistant Attorney General Brian A. Benczkowski of the Justice Department’s Criminal Division. “The department and our law enforcement partners will use all the tools at our disposal to investigate and prosecute frauds against the Paycheck Protection Program.”
“Any time the government provides large amounts of money to the public there are people who will try to cheat the system,” said U.S. Attorney Joseph D. Brown of the Eastern District of Texas. “We encourage lenders to be very careful, and to report suspicious applications. It is a priority of the Department of Justice to deter and prosecute this type of fraud.”
“The Treasury Inspector General for Tax Administration will aggressively pursue those who try to use the Internal Revenue Service to facilitate their schemes to defraud coronavirus relief programs,” said Special Agent in Charge Dale Forrester of the Treasury Inspector General for Tax Administration’s Cybercrime Investigations Division. “Our successes today would have not been possible without the joint efforts of the Small Business Administration Office of the Inspector General, the Department of Justice and other law enforcement partners.”
“Providing false statements to gain access to SBA’s programs will be aggressively investigated by our office,” said Special Agent in Charge Donald Abram of SBA OIG’s Central Region. “SBA OIG and its law enforcement partners are poised to root out wrongdoers in the Paycheck Protection Program and maintain its integrity. I want to thank the U.S. Attorney’s Office and our law enforcement partners for their dedication and pursuit of justice.”
“Today’s arrest should serve as a strong deterrent to anyone considering exploiting the COVID-19 pandemic to enrich themselves through fraud. These individuals have no concern for legitimate businesses whose employees and their families are hurting financially during these unprecedented times,” said Special Agent in Charge Ryan L. Spradlin of U.S. Immigration and Custom’s Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) Dallas. “HSI stands at the ready to utilize its ample investigative mandate to assist in rooting out such unscrupulous individuals, and hold them accountable for their crimes.”
According to court documents unsealed today in U.S. District Court in Texarkana, Yates allegedly made two fraudulent applications to two different lenders for loans guaranteed by the SBA for COVID-19 relief through the Paycheck Protection Program (PPP). In the application submitted to the first lender, Yates allegedly sought $5 million in PPP loan proceeds by fraudulently claiming to have 400 employees with an average monthly payroll of $2 million. In the second application, Yates claimed to employ over 100 individuals and was able to obtain a loan over $500,000. With each application, Yates submitted a list of purported employees that he obtained from a publicly available random name generator on the internet. He also submitted forged tax documents with each application.
The CARES Act is a federal law enacted on March 29, 2020, designed to provide emergency financial assistance to the millions of Americans who are suffering the economic effects caused by the COVID-19 pandemic. One source of relief provided by the CARES Act was the authorization of up to $349 billion in forgivable loans to small businesses for job retention and certain other expenses, through the PPP. In April 2020, Congress authorized over $300 billion in additional PPP funding.
The PPP allows qualifying small-businesses and other organizations to receive loans with a maturity of two years and an interest rate of 1 percent. PPP loan proceeds must be used by businesses on payroll costs, interest on mortgages, rent, and utilities. The PPP allows the interest and principal to be forgiven if businesses spend the proceeds on these expenses within eight weeks of receipt and use at least 75 percent of the forgiven amount for payroll.
A federal criminal complaint is merely an accusation. A defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.
Trial Attorney Louis Manzo of the Criminal Division’s Fraud Section and Assistant U.S. Attorney Frank Coan for the Eastern District of Texas are prosecuting the case.
The Justice Department acknowledges and thanks the SBA Office of Inspector General, and U.S. Postal Inspection Service for their efforts investigating this matter.
Anyone with information about allegations of attempted fraud involving COVID-19 can report it by calling the Department of Justice’s National Center for Disaster Fraud Hotline at 866-720-5721 or via the NCDF Web Complaint Form at: https://www.justice.gov/disaster-fraud/ncdf-disaster-complaint-form.
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.
Summerville Man Sentenced to over 5 Years for Million-Dollar Fraud SchemeRead the Press Release
Charleston, South Carolina --- United States Attorney Peter M. McCoy, Jr. announced today that Todd Van Natta, 43, of Summerville, was sentenced to five years in federal prison after pleading guilty to defrauding dozens of victims of over a million dollars via a business fraud scheme from 2016 through 2018.
Evidence presented to the court showed Van Natta sought out individuals to invest in various businesses that he controlled. The businesses were generally represented by Van Natta to purchase shipments of goods that he then would break down for resale at a profit. Through these investments, Van Natta deprived approximately 28 investors of a total of over one million dollars, with none of the investors receiving any return on their investment. The victims lived both in and outside of South Carolina, with several victims living in Ohio.
At the time of the offense, Van Natta was on federal supervised release for a similar conviction out of the District of Indiana. Information at sentencing established that Van Natta began his most recent criminal activity soon after his release from federal prison.
United States District Judge David C. Norton sentenced Van Natta to 51 months on his fraud conviction, and ten months consecutive for violating his supervised release, all to be followed by a three-year term of court-ordered supervision. The court also ordered Van Natta to pay over one million dollars in restitution to his victims. There is no parole in the federal system.
The sentencing hearing was conducted virtually, under the federal CARES Act, so that the parties did not appear in the courtroom.
The case was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation and the Ohio Department of Commerce. Assistant United States Attorneys Nathan Williams and Rhett DeHart of the Charleston office prosecuted the case.
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The year 2020 marks the 150th anniversary of the Department of Justice. Learn more about the history of our agency at www.Justice.gov/Celebrating150Years.
Sioux City Man Selling Meth, Cocaine, and Heroin Pleads Guilty in Federal CourtRead the Press Release
A Sioux City man selling methamphetamine, cocaine, and heroin from his home pled guilty on May 18, 2020 in federal court in Sioux City.
Monee Yodprasit, age 42, from Sioux City, Iowa, pled guilty to one count of conspiracy to distribute methamphetamine, one count of possession of a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime, and one count of possession of a firearm by a convicted felon.
In a plea agreement, Yodprasit admitted that between June of 2019 and November 2019, he conspired to sell more than 50 grams of pure methamphetamine. On November 7, 2019, law enforcement executed a search warrant on Yodprasit’s residence where they seized more than 2 pounds of cocaine, approximately 11 pounds of methamphetamine, approximately 20 grams of heroin or fentanyl, two loaded handguns in the vicinity of the drugs, and approximately $24,000 in cash. Yodprasit told law enforcement officers that he began dealing drugs after getting out of prison for dealing drugs because he could not find a job. Yodprasit’s criminal history includes a conviction from the United States District Court for South Dakota, Southern Division, Case No. 98-CR-40170-1, for conspiracy to possess a controlled substance, possession with intent to distribute a controlled substance, and distribution of a controlled substance, a felony drug offense, and a serious drug felony, for which he previously served more than 12 months of imprisonment.
Sentencing before United States District Court Chief Judge Leonard T. Strand will be set after a presentence report is prepared. Yodprasit remains in custody of the United States Marshal pending sentencing. On the conspiracy charge, Yodprasit faces a mandatory minimum sentence of 15 years' imprisonment and the following maximum penalties: up to life imprisonment without the possibility of parole; a fine of not more than $20,000,000; and a term of supervised release of at least 10 years up to life. On the possession of a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime, Yodprasit faces a mandatory minimum term of 5 years' imprisonment, which must be served consecutively to any other term of imprisonment imposed, and a maximum term of life imprisonment without the possibility of parole; a fine of not more than $250,000; and a term of supervised release of up to five years. And for possession of a firearm by a felon, Yodprasit faces maximum penalties of: not more than 10 years' imprisonment without the possibility of parole; a fine of not more than $250,000; and a term of supervised release of not more than 3 years.
The case is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Ron Timmons and was investigated by the United States Postal Inspection Service and Tri-State Drug Task Force based in Sioux City, Iowa, that consists of law enforcement personnel from the Drug Enforcement Administration; Sioux City, Iowa, Police Department; Homeland Security Investigations; Woodbury County Sheriff’s Office; South Sioux City, Nebraska, Police Department; Nebraska State Patrol; Iowa National Guard; Iowa Division of Narcotics Enforcement; United States Marshals Service; South Dakota Division of Criminal Investigation; and Woodbury County Attorney’s Office. This case was brought as part of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN). PSN is the centerpiece of the Department of Justice’s violent crime reduction efforts. PSN is an evidence-based program proven to be effective at reducing violent crime. Through PSN, a broad spectrum of stakeholders work together to identify the most pressing violent crime problems in the community and develop comprehensive solutions to address them. As part of this strategy, PSN focuses enforcement efforts on the most violent offenders and partners with locally based prevention and reentry programs for lasting reductions in crime.
This case is also part of Project Guardian, the Department of Justice’s signature initiative to reduce gun violence and enforce federal firearms laws. Initiated by the Attorney General in the fall of 2019, Project Guardian draws upon the Department’s past successful programs to reduce gun violence; enhances coordination of federal, state, local, and tribal authorities in investigating and prosecuting gun crimes; improves information-sharing by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives when a prohibited individual attempts to purchase a firearm and is denied by the National Instant Criminal Background Check System (NICS), to include taking appropriate actions when a prospective purchaser is denied by the NICS for mental health reasons; and ensures that federal resources are directed at the criminals posing the greatest threat to our communities. For more information about Project Guardian, please see /media/1122011/dl?inline.
Court file information at https://ecf.iand.uscourts.gov/cgi-bin/login.pl.
The case file number is CR19-4088.
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Several Maine Jurisdictions Awarded over $3.3 Million to Address COVID-19 PandemicRead the Press Release
Portland, Maine: United States Attorney Halsey B. Frank announced that the Department of Justice’s Office of Justice Programs (OJP) has awarded $3,266,879 to the State of Maine, $47,070 to the City of Westbrook, $45,597 to the City of South Portland, and $36,405 to the City of Saco to address the public safety challenges posed by the outbreak of COVID-19.
OJP awarded the grants as part of $850 million available under the Coronavirus Emergency Supplemental Funding program, authorized by the stimulus legislation President Trump signed in March. This program allows eligible state, local and tribal governments to apply immediately for these critical funds. Since the program was launched in early April, OJP has awarded more than $566 million to state, local and tribal agencies and organizations. A list of all awards can be found here.
“Maine jurisdictions continue to receive needed funds to address the public safety challenges posted by this pandemic,” said U.S. Attorney Frank. “I am pleased that the Department of Justice has been able to provide the state and local jurisdictions with resources they need to keep their personnel safe while they perform their crucial mission in this unprecedented time.”
The Coronavirus Aid, Relief and Economic Security, or CARES, Act gives jurisdictions considerable latitude in the use of funds for dealing with COVID-19. Potential uses include hiring personnel, paying overtime, purchasing protective equipment and distributing resources to hard-hit areas. Funds may also be used to help correctional facilities cover costs related to COVID-19, including, but not limited to, sanitation, contagion prevention and measures designed to address the related medical needs of inmates, detainees and correctional personnel.
Jurisdictions that have not yet applied for funds may do so until May 29, 2020. OJP will fund successful applicants on a rolling basis as it receives applications. Grantees may apply the funds retroactively to January 20, 2020, subject to federal rules.
Agencies that were eligible for the fiscal year 2019 State and Local Edward Byrne Memorial Justice Assistance Grant Program are candidates for the emergency funding. A complete list of eligible jurisdictions and their allocations is available at https://bja.ojp.gov/program/fy20-cesf-allocations. For more information, please visit https://bja.ojp.gov/funding/opportunities/bja-2020-18553.
OJP, directed by Principal Deputy Assistant Attorney General Katharine T. Sullivan, provides federal leadership, grants, training, technical assistance and other resources to improve the nation’s capacity to prevent and reduce crime, assist victims and enhance the rule of law by strengthening the criminal and juvenile justice systems. More information about OJP and its components is located at www.ojp.gov.
Rapid City Man Sentenced on Drug ChargeRead the Press Release
United States Attorney Ron Parsons announced that a Rapid City, South Dakota, man convicted of Possession with Intent to Distribute a Controlled Substance was sentenced by Jeffrey L. Viken, U.S. District Judge.
Jerry Gorisek, age 49, was sentenced on May 11, 2020, to 7 years in federal prison, followed by 5 years of supervised release, and was ordered to pay a $100 special assessment to the Federal Crime Victims Fund.
The charge relates to Gorisek possessing nearly 80 grams of methamphetamine and a loaded firearm while intending to distribute methamphetamine in Rapid City, which was found after Gorisek came into contact with a Pennington County Sheriff Deputy in July 2019.
Drug trafficking is an inherently violent activity. Firearms are tools of the trade for drug dealers. It is common to find drug traffickers armed with guns in order to protect their illegal drug product and cash, and enforce their illegal operations.
This case is part of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), a program bringing together all levels of law enforcement and the communities they serve to reduce violent crime and make our neighborhoods safer for everyone. The Department of Justice reinvigorated PSN in 2017 as part of its renewed focus on targeting violent criminals, directing all U.S. Attorney’s Offices to work in partnership with federal, state, local, and tribal law enforcement and local communities to develop effective, locally-based strategies to reduce violent crime.
The investigation was conducted by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives and the Pennington County Sheriff’s Office. Assistant U.S. Attorney Benjamin Patterson prosecuted the case.
Gorisek was immediately remanded to the custody of the U.S. Marshals Service.
Postal Service Employee Charged with Stealing Pill Bottle from MailRead the Press Release
PITTSBURGH - A resident of South Park, Pennsylvania, has been indicted by a federal grand jury in Pittsburgh on a charge of theft of mail by a postal employee, United States Attorney Scott W. Brady announced today.
The one-count Indictment named David G. Childers, age 38, of South Park, PA, as the sole defendant.
According to the Indictment, on or about December 18, 2019, Childers was an employee of the United States Postal Service and stole a pill bottle that was intended to be conveyed by mail.
The law provides for a maximum total sentence of not more than five years in prison, a fine of $250,000 or both. Under the Federal Sentencing Guidelines, the actual sentence imposed would be based upon the seriousness of the offense and the prior criminal history, if any, of the defendant. Bond of $5,000 unsecured has been requested.
Assistant United States Attorney Nicole Vasquez Schmitt is prosecuting this case on behalf of the government.
The U.S. Postal Service-Office of Inspector General (USPS-OIG) conducted the investigation leading to the Indictment in this case.
An indictment is an accusation. A defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.
Plum Man Charged with Fentanyl PossessionRead the Press Release
PITTSBURGH – A resident of Allegheny County has been indicted by a federal grand jury in Pittsburgh on charges of violating federal narcotics laws, United States Attorney Scott W. Brady announced today.
The one-count Indictment named Samuel Brooks, 53, of Plum, Pennsylvania, as the sole defendant.
According to the Indictment, from on or about November 6, 2018, Brooks possessed with intent to distribute 40 grams or more of fentanyl, a Schedule II controlled substance.
The law provides for a total sentence of not less than 10 years to a maximum of life in prison, a fine not to exceed $8,000,000, or both. Under the Federal Sentencing Guidelines, the actual sentence imposed is based upon the seriousness of the offense and the prior criminal history, if any, of the defendant.
Assistant United States Attorney Nicole Vasquez Schmitt is prosecuting this case on behalf of the government.
A federally administered Organized Crime and Drug Enforcement Task Force (OCDETF) conducted the investigation that led to the prosecution of Samuel Brooks. The task force is headed by the Drug Enforcement Administration and is comprised of members drawn from the Internal Revenue Service – Criminal Investigation, the United States Postal Inspection Service, the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, the Lawrence County Drug Task Force, Pennsylvania Office of Attorney General, Borough of Baldwin Police Department, McKees Rocks Police Department, Munhall Police Department, Allegheny County Sheriff’s Office, Pittsburgh Bureau of Police, and the Pennsylvania State Police. OCDETF was established in 1982 to support comprehensive investigations and prosecutions of major drug trafficking and money laundering organizations. It is the keystone of the drug reduction strategy of the Department of Justice. By combining the resources and expertise of federal agencies and their state and local law enforcement partners, OCDETF identifies, disrupts, and dismantles the most serious drug trafficking, money laundering, and transnational criminal organizations.
An indictment is an accusation. A defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.
Pittsburgh Man Charged with Possession of a Heroin/Fentanyl MixtureRead the Press Release
PITTSBURGH, PA - A resident of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, has been indicted by a federal grand jury in Pittsburgh on a charge of violating the federal narcotics laws, United States Attorney Scott W. Brady announced today.
The one-count Indictment named Ralph Justin Saunders, age 32, of the Perry South neighborhood, as the sole defendant.
According to the Indictment, on or about March 17, 2020, in the Western District of Pennsylvania, Saunders possessed with intent to distribute 100 grams or more of a mixture and substance containing detectable amounts of heroin and fentanyl, which are scheduled controlled substances under federal law. This Indictment follows Saunders’s arrest on March 17, 2020, after which he was charged by Criminal Complaint on March 18, 2020, with a violation of the federal narcotics laws. Saunders has been detained since his arrest on March 17, 2020.
The law provides for a term of imprisonment of not less than five years to a maximum of 40 years, a fine of not more than $5,000,000 or both. Under the Federal Sentencing Guidelines, the actual sentence imposed would be based upon the seriousness of the offense and the prior criminal history, if any, of the defendant.
Assistant United States Attorney Jerome A. Moschetta is prosecuting this case on behalf of the government.
The Federal Bureau of Investigation conducted the investigation leading to the Indictment in this case.
An indictment is an accusation. A defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.
Pittsburgh Man Caught in Wiretap Investigation Pleads Guilty to Drug ChargeRead the Press Release
PITTSBURGH - A Pittsburgh resident has pleaded guilty in federal court to violating federal narcotics laws, United States Attorney Scott W. Brady announced today.
Mbuotidem Essiet, 24, pleaded guilty to one count before United States District Judge William S. Stickman, IV.
In connection with the guilty plea, the court was advised that Essiet conspired to distribute and possessed with intent to distribute heroin from June of 2019 through December of 2019. Investigators obtained court authorization to conduct Title III interceptions of communications occurring over a telephone belonging to one of Essiet’s codefendants. Essiet was intercepted communicating with his codefendant about acquiring quantities of heroin, the price of heroin, and the quality of the heroin. Essiet was also observed at his codefendant’s residence through electronic surveillance.
Judge Stickman scheduled sentencing for September 29, 2020 at 10:30 a.m. The law provides for a maximum total sentence of not more than 20 years in prison, a fine not to exceed $1,000,000, or both. Under the Federal Sentencing Guidelines, the actual sentence imposed would be based upon the seriousness of the offenses and the prior criminal history, if any, of the defendant.
Assistant United States Attorney Mark V. Gurzo is prosecuting this case on behalf of the government.
The Federal Bureau of Investigation, Homeland Security Investigations, the Allegheny County Police Department, the Stowe Township Police Department, the Pittsburgh Bureau of Police, the Office of the Attorney General, the Allegheny County Sheriff's Office, the North Versailles Police Department, the Allegheny County Port Authority Police Department, the Munhall Police Department, and the Pennsylvania State Police conducted the investigation leading to the Indictment in this case.
This case is part of the Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Force program, known as OCDETF. OCDETF was established in 1982 to support comprehensive investigations and prosecutions of major drug trafficking and money laundering organizations. It is the keystone of the drug reduction strategy of the Department of Justice. By combining the resources and expertise of federal agencies and their state and local law enforcement partners, OCDETF identifies, disrupts, and dismantles the most serious drug trafficking, money laundering, and transnational criminal organizations.
Pennsylvania Man Indicted in Kidnapping and Death of Woman Whose Body Was Found in Nevada DesertRead the Press Release
LAS VEGAS, Nev. – A Pennsylvania resident was indicted by a federal grand jury today for allegedly kidnapping a woman in Pennsylvania then driving her to Nevada and killing her in the desert, announced U.S. Attorney Nicholas A. Trutanich for the District of Nevada and Special Agent in Charge Aaron C. Rouse for the FBI.
John Matthew Chapman, 40, is charged with one count of kidnapping which resulted in the death of the victim. He was previously charged by a criminal complaint on February 20, 2020. Chapman is currently in federal custody in Las Vegas, Nevada, where he awaits his initial court appearance before U.S. Magistrate Judge Daniel J. Albregts in U.S. District Court in Nevada on May 29, 2020.
According to allegations contained in the criminal complaint and indictment, on November 14, 2019, the Bethel Park Police Department in Pennsylvania conducted a welfare check on the victim at the request of a friend. During the welfare check, neighbors stated that they had not seen the victim in approximately two months, but they had observed a person whom they believed to be her boyfriend (Chapman) entering and leaving the victim’s residence. Inside the victim’s residence, officers found a fake CIA identification card with Chapman’s name and photograph, the victim’s cellular telephone, multiple zip ties, and a roll of duct tape.
A family member of the victim told investigators that she was communicating with the victim’s Facebook messenger account. Law enforcement determined that Chapman was pretending to be the victim, including responding to messages as the victim after her death.
On November 15, 2019, Chapman was arrested and interviewed by Bethel Park Police Department detectives. During the interview, Chapman admitted that in September 2019 he drove the victim from Bethel Park, Pennsylvania to Las Vegas, Nevada. He further admitted that he misled the victim to believe the trip was a vacation and they would potentially purchase a residence in Las Vegas. Chapman, however, had planned to kill the victim and had a “kill kit” ready before their departure to Nevada.
Chapman told investigators that he drove the victim out to the desert in Lincoln County, Nevada. Under the pretext of a photo shoot, the victim allowed Chapman to bind her hands and feet with plastic zip ties and affix her to a signpost. Chapman then applied duct tape to her mouth and nose, and watched her die from asphyxiation. The victim’s body was later discovered, and she was a “Jane Doe” unknown decedent until she was later positively identified by the Clark County Office of the Coroner/Medical Examiner through dental records.
The investigation revealed that Chapman returned to Pennsylvania afterwards, and continuously used the victim’s residence and money following her death and passed it off as his own.
If convicted, Chapman faces the maximum penalty of life in prison or death. The maximum statutory sentence is prescribed by Congress and is provided here for informational purposes only. If convicted of the offense, the sentencing of a defendant will be determined by the court based on the advisory Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors.
An indictment merely alleges that crimes have been committed. The defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.
The case is the product of an investigation by the FBI, the Lincoln County Sheriff’s Office, and the Bethel Park Police Department. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Lisa Cartier-Giroux and Allison Reese are prosecuting the case.
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One of the SCO Gang’s Heroin Source of Supply Sentenced to 8 Years’ ImprisonmentRead the Press Release
PITTSBURGH, PA - A former resident of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, has been sentenced in federal court to 8 years in prison and five years supervised release on his conviction of narcotics trafficking, United States Attorney Scott W. Brady announced today.
Senior United States District Judge Arthur J. Schwab imposed the sentence on Travis Moore, age 27.
According to information presented to the Court, the Greater Pittsburgh Safe Streets Task Force conducted a long-term investigation of drug trafficking occurring in and around the Braddock section of Pittsburgh. Moore and other individuals were identified as members and/or associates of a neighborhood based street gang, self-titled "SCO", which illegally distributed controlled substances in the Greater Pittsburgh Region.
In January of 2019, investigators obtained authorization to conduct a federal wire investigation, which continued through May of 2019. Moore along with 32 others were indicted in June of 2019 by a federal grand jury in three separate, but related, Indictments.
As to Moore, the Court was informed that intercepted communications confirmed that Moore was an associate of co-defendant, Howard McFadden, who is SCO’s leader, and was one of McFadden’s sources of supply for heroin. The court was further informed that on at least one occasion, in conjunction with intercepted communications, the defendant was observed via pole camera footage at a trap house location on Seddon Avenue in Braddock, PA, with several other members of the conspiracy, which was owned by McFadden and used by members of the conspiracy to meet, distribute and store controlled substances. Moore was sentenced for distributing at least 100 but less than 400 grams of heroin.
Assistant United States Attorney Rebecca L. Silinski prosecuted this case on behalf of the government.
United States Attorney Brady commended the multi-agency team, which was led by the Federal Bureau of Investigation, for the investigation leading to the successful prosecution of Moore. Partners in this investigation included the Drug Enforcement Administration, Bureau of Alcohol Tobacco Firearms and Explosives, United States Marshals Fugitive Task Force, Allegheny County Sheriff’s Office, Allegheny County Police Department, Pennsylvania State Police, Pennsylvania Attorney General’s Office Bureau of Narcotics, and the Pittsburgh Bureau of Police. Other assisting agencies included the Monroeville Police Department, Penn Hills Police Department, Wilkinsburg Police Department, and Allegheny County Adult Probation.
This case is part of the Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Force program, known as OCDETF. OCDETF was established in 1982 to support comprehensive investigations and prosecutions of major drug trafficking and money laundering organizations. It is the keystone of the drug reduction strategy of the Department of Justice. By combining the resources and expertise of federal agencies and their state and local law enforcement partners, OCDETF identifies, disrupts, and dismantles the most serious drug trafficking, money laundering, and transnational criminal organizations.
Omaha Repeat Offender Sentenced to 180 Months for Child PornographyRead the Press Release
United States Attorney Joe Kelly announced that Gregory Hanssen, 44, of Omaha, Nebraska, was sentenced today in federal court in Omaha for Transportation of Child Pornography with a Prior Conviction. United States District Judge Brian C. Buescher sentenced Hanssen to 180 months’ imprisonment. There is no parole in the federal prison system. After his release from prison, Hanssen will be on supervised release for 20 years and will be required to register as a sex offender.
In July 2019, the Omaha FBI's Child Exploitation and Human Trafficking Task Force executed a search warrant at Hanssen’s residence after receiving a Cyber Tipline Report from the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children indicating that a Google Photos user had uploaded apparent child pornography. Federal agents seized and searched Hanssen’s cell phone and tablet device and located more than 700 images of child pornography.
In 2006, Hanssen was convicted in separate cases of First Degree Sexual Abuse and Distribution, Possession, or Viewing of Child Pornography in the state of Arkansas.
This case was brought as part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative to combat the growing epidemic of child sexual exploitation and abuse launched in May 2006 by the Department of Justice. Led by United States Attorney’s Offices and the Criminal Division's Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section (CEOS), Project Safe Childhood marshals federal, state and local resources to better locate, apprehend and prosecute individuals who exploit children via the Internet, as well as to identify and rescue victims. For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit www.projectsafechildhood.gov.
This case was investigated by the Omaha FBI's Child Exploitation and Human Trafficking Task Force
New Jersey Man Sentenced to 18 Months in Prison for Possessing Child PornographyRead the Press Release
Geoffrey S. Berman, the United States Attorney for the Southern District of New York, announced that RAYMOND REID COLLINS JR. was sentenced yesterday to 18 months in prison for his possession of files containing sexually explicit images of a minor. COLLINS pled guilty on November 25, 2019, before U.S. District Judge Alison J. Nathan, who imposed yesterday’s sentence.
Manhattan U.S. Attorney Geoffrey S. Berman said: “Raymond Reid Collins Jr. has rightly been sentenced to prison for possession of thousands of images of child pornography, including images of infants and toddlers being sexually abused and exploited.”
According to court filings and statements made at public court proceedings, between approximately August 2016 and October 2016, COLLINS possessed an online cloud storage account that contained approximately 12,600 files known to contain child pornography, including depictions of prepubescent children. Approximately 2,100 of those files involved depictions of infants and toddlers engaged in sexual activity.
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In addition to the prison term, COLLINS, 59, of Madison, New Jersey, was sentenced to five years of supervised release, and will be required to pay restitution.
Mr. Berman praised the Federal Bureau of Investigation for its outstanding investigative work. Mr. Berman also thanked the New York City Police Department and the Manhattan District Attorney’s Office for their invaluable assistance with this matter.
This case is being handled by the Office’s General Crimes Unit. Assistant United States Attorney Rushmi Bhaskaran is in charge of the prosecution.
Mission Man Sentenced for Meth TraffickingRead the Press Release
United States Attorney Ron Parsons announced that a Mission, South Dakota, man, convicted of Conspiracy to Distribute Methamphetamine was sentenced on May 18, 2020, by Chief Judge Roberto A. Lange, U.S. District Court.
Louie Thunderhawk, age 33, was sentenced to 26 months in federal prison, followed by 4 years of supervised release, a $1,000 fine, and a special assessment to the Federal Crime Victims Fund in the amount of $100.
Thunderhawk was indicted by a federal grand jury on July 16, 2019. He pled guilty on February 24, 2020.
The conviction stemmed from a conspiracy beginning in at least February 2019, where Thunderhawk and others distributed between 200 and 350 grams of methamphetamine in and around the Rosebud Sioux Indian Reservation in South Dakota.
This case was investigated by the Rosebud Sioux Tribe Law Enforcement Services, the Valentine, Nebraska Police Department, and the Northern Plains Safe Trails Drug Enforcement Task Force. Assistant U.S. Attorney Meghan N. Dilges prosecuted the case.
Thunderhawk will self-report to the custody of the U.S. Marshals Service on May 26, 2020.
Middlesboro Man Sentenced for Federal Violations Related to Ginseng SalesRead the Press Release
LEXINGTON, Ky. - A Middlesboro, Kentucky man, Robert Billy Taylor, 54, was sentenced in federal court on Monday, to three years of probation and a $75,000 fine, by U.S. District Judge Robert Wier, for making and submitting false records regarding ginseng sales, in violation of the Lacey Act. Taylor was also prohibited from engaging in ginseng dealing as an agent or dealer in any state during the term of his probation.
According to his plea agreement, Robert Billy Taylor was the owner and operator of Taylor’s Roots and Herbs and Taylor’s Fresh Ginseng, in Middlesboro, Kentucky. Taylor was a dealer of wild American ginseng (Panax quinquefolius) and was licensed in Kentucky, Tennessee, and Virginia. The harvesting and sale of ginseng is governed by both federal and state regulations. As a dealer, he was required to maintain certain purchase and sales records.
The investigation by the United States Department of Fish and Wildlife revealed that over a period of years, Taylor had falsified the required Kentucky Ginseng Purchase Forms for multiple purchases of wild ginseng, including failing to include the correct weight of purchases, not keeping records of all his purchases, and purchasing ginseng that he knew was harvested from another state, but not properly certified before entering Kentucky. Taylor also acknowledged that he had stored 54 pounds of dry ginseng, despite telling law enforcement that he had not stored any, and possessing ginseng that had been harvested improperly, out of season.
Taylor’s son, Billy Taylor, was also sentenced on Monday for violations of the Lacey Act. He received one year of probation and community service.
Robert M. Duncan, Jr., United States Attorney for the Eastern District of Kentucky made the announcement.
The investigation was directed by the United States Fish and Wildlife Service, Kentucky Department of Agriculture, and Kentucky Department of Fish and Wildlife Resources. The United States was represented by Assistant U.S. Attorney Emily K. Greenfield.
The year 2020 marks the 150th anniversary of the Department of Justice. Learn more about the history of our agency at www.Justice.gov/Celebrating150Years.
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Mexican National Sentenced to 24 Months for Unlawful Re-Entry into United StatesRead the Press Release
LEXINGTON, Ky. – A Mexican National, who was residing in Jessamine County, Ky., Amancio Juarez Altunar, 39, was sentenced on Friday to 24 months in federal prison by United States District Judge Danny C. Reeves, for unlawful re-entry into the United States, after a previous deportation for an aggravated felony.
Juarez previously pleaded guilty to one count of illegal re-entry into the U.S., after deportation for an aggravated felony offense of a residential burglary conviction from Amarillo, Texas, in 2008. In January 2010, Juarez was released to ICE for deportation to Mexico. Juarez was located in Jessamine County in October 2019, after he was arrested for DUI in a single-vehicle injury collision. During his interview with ICE agents, he admitted that he had returned to the U.S. in 2015 without any legal authority to do so.
In addition to his prior deportation in 2010, Juarez had been voluntarily removed from the U.S. on at least eight separate occasions.
Under federal law, Juarez must serve 85 percent of his prison sentence; and upon release, he will be deported from the United States.
Robert M. Duncan, Jr., United States Attorney for the Eastern District of Kentucky; and Jerry C Templet Jr., Special Agent in Charge, Department of Homeland Security, U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement, jointly made the announcement.
The investigation was conducted by ICE. The United States was represented by Assistant United States Attorney Todd Bradbury.
The year 2020 marks the 150th anniversary of the Department of Justice. Learn more about the history of our agency at www.Justice.gov/Celebrating150Years.
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Man Sentenced to 100 months in PrisonRead the Press Release
FORT WAYNE – Ala El Bashatly, age 41, of Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada, was sentenced before U.S. District Court Judge Holly A. Brady following his plea of guilty for traveling into the United States for the purpose of engaging in illicit sexual conduct with a minor, announced U.S. Attorney Kirsch.
Bashatly was sentenced to 100 months in prison followed by 5 years of supervised release.
According to documents presented in this case, in April 2016, Bashatly travelled from Canada to Fort Wayne, Indiana, for the purpose of engaging in illicit sexual conduct with a 14 year old juvenile. Bashatly picked the juvenile up from her home and took her to a motel where they engaged in sexual conduct. Bashatly was arrested by the Federal Bureau of Investigation in June 2016 when he returned to Fort Wayne. The defendant has been detained since his arrest in June 2016.
The case was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation, with the assistance of Indiana State Police, the Fort Wayne Police Department, the Fort Wayne Sexual Assault Treatment Center, and the Indiana Division of Child Services. The case was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Stacey R. Speith.
Man Charged with Using Stolen Identities to Purchase Multiple VehiclesRead the Press Release
A man has been charged in U.S. District Court for fraudulently using other people’s identities when he purchased two vehicles and attempted to purchase a third vehicle, announced U.S. Attorney Trent Shores.
Ryan Andy Cuevas, 32, of Moreno Valley, California, is charged with financial institution fraud, aggravated identity theft, fraudulent use of a social security number and possession of a stolen motor vehicle.
“The U.S. Attorney’s Office, along with our partners at the Social Security Administration Office of Inspector General and Homeland Security Investigations, will protect the integrity of U.S. identity documents by prosecuting those who steal the identities of other law-abiding citizens and those who defraud financial institutions. This defendant came from California to our great state to allegedly defraud our citizens, and we won’t stand for it,” said U.S. Attorney Trent Shores.
According to a Criminal Complaint, Cuevas allegedly submitted a fraudulent application for credit financing on Nov. 30, 2019, to Tinker Federal Credit Union for the purchase of an RV from Bob Hurley RV in Tulsa. In the process, Cuevas is alleged to have used the identity of R.Z, including R.Z.’s name and social security number. The defendant was approved for a $38,000 loan and eventually picked up the RV on Dec. 2, 2019, in Pawhuska.
On Dec. 2, Cuevas is also alleged to have used a false identity when applying for financing to purchase a truck suitable to pull the RV at Patriot Chevrolet in Bartlesville. According to the Criminal Complaint, Cuevas used a blended name from two different men, consisting of an address and California driver’s license belonging to S.R. and a social security number belonging to S.F.
Based on information received back from credit agencies and financial institutions, sales representatives at Patriot Chevrolet reported the questionable activity to the Bartlesville Police Department on Dec. 4, 2019. During the subsequent investigation and arrest, officers searched a 2011 Mercedes that Cuevas was driving and found fraudulent identity documents and the RV title and key. Documents included copies of birth certificates, social security cards, social security number annual earnings reports, wage and earning statements from various employers and California driver’s licenses.
Officers further discovered the Mercedes had been fraudulently purchased in California on Nov. 22, 2019, and driven to Oklahoma, according to the Complaint. The defendant allegedly used the same identity when purchasing the Mercedes that was used to apply for financing at Patriot Chevrolet.
The Social Security Administration Office of Inspector General, U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s Homeland Security Investigations–Tulsa, and the Bartlesville Police Department are conducting the investigation. Assistant U.S. Attorney Kevin C. Leitch is prosecuting the case.
This matter will proceed in United States District Court in Tulsa, where the Complaint is currently pending. A Complaint is a temporary charge alleging a violation of law. For the case to proceed to trial, the United States must present the charge to a federal Grand Jury within 30 days of the defendant’s initial appearance in federal court. Once a Grand Jury returns an Indictment, a defendant has a right to a jury trial at which the United States would have the burden of proving the defendant’s guilt beyond a reasonable doubt. All defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.
Leesburg Woman Sentenced to 48 Months in Prison for Aggravated Identity Theft and Wire FraudRead the Press Release
Ocala, Florida – Senior U.S. District Judge James D. Whittemore today sentenced Stacey Lavette Hendricks (49, Leesburg) to 48 months in federal prison for aggravated identity theft and wire fraud. Hendricks had pleaded guilty on January 30, 2020.
According to court records, Hendricks worked administrative jobs at several Florida medical clinics. She used these jobs to gain access to medical records and patients’ birthdates and Social Security numbers. She then sold the stolen identities to others for cash, or used them herself to defraud businesses. In May 2019, Hendricks unwittingly sold stolen patient identities to an undercover law enforcement officer. When agents searched her home and car, they located 113 distinct sets of stolen identities from clinic patients.
This case was investigated by the United States Secret Service. It was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney William S. Hamilton.
Las Vegas Man Indicted for Unlawful Possession of A Firearm After Officers Respond to Domestic Violence CallRead the Press Release
LAS VEGAS, Nev. — A federal grand jury returned an indictment today charging Akila Chappell-Hersh, of Las Vegas, for allegedly possessing a firearm after prior felony convictions following a domestic violence incident call to law enforcement, announced U.S. Attorney Nicholas A. Trutanich for the District of Nevada and Special Agent in Charge Patrick Gorman for the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF).
“During the COVID-19 situation, domestic violence reports increased as many victims have been trapped with their abusers at home,” said U.S. Attorney Trutanich. “Our office has continued working with our law enforcement partners throughout the pandemic to execute the Department of Justice’s Project Guardian initiative, reducing gun violence and enforcing federal firearms laws — especially in cases involving a history of intimate partner violence.”
The indictment charges Chappell-Hersh, 26, with two counts of felon in possession of a firearm. He was charged in a criminal complaint in April 2020. Chappell-Hersh is scheduled to make his initial court appearance before U.S. Magistrate Judge Brenda Weksler on June 1, 2020.
According to the allegations in the complaint and indictment, on November 17, 2019, Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department officers responded to a call in reference to a domestic violence incident. The caller reported hearing arguing and yelling from the apartment. A search warrant was served and a Sig Sauer P229, .40 caliber, was found under the mattress in the bedroom. Chappell-Hersh is prohibited from possessing a firearm after having convictions in Clark County for possession of a firearm by a prohibited person and possession of stolen property.
When Chappell-Hersh was located by Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department officers, he had a Glock 30S (a .45 caliber semi-automatic firearm) with a 26-round extended magazine on his person.
If convicted, Chappell-Hersh faces a statutory maximum sentence of 10 years in prison and a $250,000 fine as to each count. Chappell-Hersh also faces a period of supervised release, restitution, and monetary penalties. The maximum statutory sentence is prescribed by Congress and is provided here for informational purposes only. If convicted of the offense, the sentencing of a defendant will be determined by the court based on the advisory Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors.
An indictment merely alleges that crimes have been committed. The defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.
This case is the product of an investigation by ATF. Assistant U.S. Attorney Linda Mott is prosecuting the case.
This case is part of Project Guardian, the Department of Justice’s signature initiative to reduce gun violence and enforce federal firearms laws. Initiated by the U.S. 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 ATF 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.
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Las Vegas Man Indicted for Threatening to Assault and Murder Nevada U.S. RepresentativeRead the Press Release
LAS VEGAS, Nev. — Louis Damato, 47, of Las Vegas, was indicted by a federal grand jury today for allegedly making threats to assault and murder a Nevada U.S. Representative, announced U.S. Attorney Nicholas A. Trutanich for the District of Nevada and Special Agent in Charge Aaron C. Rouse for the FBI.
Damato was previously charged in a criminal complaint on March 27, 2020. His initial court appearance is scheduled before U.S. Magistrate Judge Brenda Weksler on June 1, 2020.
As alleged in the complaint and indictment, on March 16, 2020, the office of U.S. Representative Dina Titus in Washington, D.C., received a threatening voicemail stating in pertinent part: “… I bought a f*cking gun ok I’m coming to DC to blow your f*cking head off!” Later that day, U.S. Capitol Police determined that the phone that left the threatening voicemail belonged to Damato. The Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department located Damato at a hotel casino, where he was arrested and read his Miranda rights. Damato allegedly admitted that he had been calling Representative Titus’ office for several days, and that he left the threatening message on the morning of March 16, 2020.
If convicted, Damato faces a statutory maximum sentence of 10 years in prison and a $250,000 fine for the threatening to assault and murder a public official charge and five years in prison and a $250,000 fine for the interstate threats charge.
The maximum statutory sentence is prescribed by Congress and is provided here for informational purposes only. If convicted of the offense, the sentencing of a defendant will be determined by the court based on the advisory Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors.
An indictment merely alleges that a crime has been committed. The defendant is presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.
This case was the product of an investigation by the U.S. Capitol Police, the Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department, and the FBI. Assistant U.S. Attorney Nicholas Dickinson is prosecuting the case.
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Landover Man Sentenced to More Than 12 Years in Federal Prison for an Armed CarjackingRead the Press Release
Greenbelt, Maryland – U.S. District Judge Paul W. Grimm today sentenced Dante Tyler-El, age 54, of Landover, Maryland, to 150 months in federal prison, followed by five years of supervised release, for carjacking and for using, carrying and brandishing a firearm during and in relation to a crime of violence. Tyler-El entered his guilty plea on February 25, 2020.
The sentence 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; Chief Marcus Jones of the Montgomery County Police Department; Chief Henry P. Stawinski III of the Prince George’s County Police Department; Calvert County Sheriff Mike Evans; and Chief Peter Newsham of the Metropolitan Police Department.
“Armed criminals, like Dante Tyler-El, jeopardize lives and they must be held accountable,” said United States Attorney Robert K. Hur. “Police and prosecutors are working to identify armed criminals who deserve to be charged in federal court. As a result of his conviction, Dante Tyler-El will now serve more than 12 years in federal prison, where there is no parole—ever. Please put down the gun and save a life, maybe even your own.”
According to his guilty plea, on June 5, 2019, Tyler-El perpetrated three armed robberies, as well as the carjacking. As detailed in his plea agreement, at 5:30 a.m. Tyler-El assaulted a victim who was pumping gas at a gas station in Prince Frederick, Maryland, putting a gun in the victim’s face, stealing the victim’s wallets and credit cards, and then placing the victim in handcuffs.
Tyler-El admitted that at 5:00 p.m., he approached a victim who was sitting in her vehicle in a parking lot in Gaithersburg, Maryland, waiting for her daughter to finish a dance class. Tyler-El, dressed in a neon construction vest and hard hat, approached the victim holding a Walther PK380 pistol, which he put to the victim’s head and demanded money. Tyler-El then handcuffed the victim and forced her into the back seat of the vehicle, where he restrained her while he rummaged through the vehicle. When the victim screamed, Tyler-El struck her with the pistol, causing severe bruising on the victim’s face. After finding the victim’s credit cards, Tyler-El got into the driver’s seat and drove away with the victim still in the back seat. After driving for some distance, Tyler-El got out of the vehicle and fled.
According to his plea agreement, at 7:00 p.m. Tyler-El, brandishing the pistol and wearing the same neon construction vest and hard hat, robbed a victim outside his apartment building in Hyattsville, Maryland, stealing $150 in cash. Approximately one hour later, Tyler-El robbed three pedestrians at gunpoint as they walked along Eastern Avenue in Washington, D.C., just across the Maryland border. Tyler-El admitted that during the robbery he fired the pistol into the air as a show of force to compel the victims’ compliance. Tyler-El stole credit cards and $6 in cash from the victims.
Tyler-El was stopped by law enforcement early the next morning after crossing the Bay Bridge into Queen Anne’s County, Maryland. A search of the vehicle recovered some of the victims’ credit cards, as well as the loaded Walther PK 380 used during the robberies and carjacking.
This case is part of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), a program bringing together all levels of law enforcement and the communities they serve to reduce violent crime and make our neighborhoods safer for everyone. Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN) is the centerpiece of the Department of Justice’s violent crime reduction efforts. PSN is an evidence-based program proven to be effective at reducing violent crime. Through PSN, a broad spectrum of stakeholders work together to identify the most pressing violent crime problems in the community and develop comprehensive solutions to address them. As part of this strategy, PSN focuses enforcement efforts on the most violent offenders and partners with locally based prevention and reentry programs for lasting reductions in crime.
This case is also part of Project Guardian, the Department of Justice’s signature initiative to reduce gun violence and enforce federal firearms laws. Initiated by the Attorney General in the fall of 2019, Project Guardian draws upon the Department’s past successful programs to reduce gun violence; enhances coordination of federal, state, local, and tribal authorities in investigating and prosecuting gun crimes; improves information-sharing by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives; and ensures that federal resources are directed at the criminals posing the greatest threat to our communities. For more information about Project Guardian, please see: https://www.justice.gov/projectguardian.
United States Attorney Robert K. Hur commended the FBI, the Montgomery County Police Department, the Prince George’s County Police Department, the Calvert County Sheriff’s Office, and the Metropolitan Police Department for their work in the investigation. Mr. Hur thanked Assistant U.S. Attorney Burden H. Walker, who prosecuted the case.
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La Crosse Dentist Sentenced for Tax EvasionRead the Press Release
MADISON, WIS. – A La Crosse, Wisconsin, dentist was sentenced to 72 months in prison today for tax evasion, announced Principal Deputy Assistant Attorney General Richard E. Zuckerman of the Justice Department’s Tax Division and U.S. Attorney Scott C. Blader for the Western District of Wisconsin.
According to evidence presented at trial, Frederick G. Kriemelmeyer, 71, operated a dental practice in La Crosse, Wisconsin. In 2007, Kriemelmeyer was ordered by the U.S. District Court for the Western District of Wisconsin to pay $135,337 to the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) for unpaid income taxes. By 2012, the IRS had assessed Kriemelmeyer for more than $450,000 in taxes, interest, and penalties. Evidence presented at the trial showed Kriemelmeyer took a number of actions to evade paying the taxes he owed. From at least 2013 through 2015, Kriemelmeyer did not file tax returns reporting the income from his dental practice, directed his patients to pay him in cash or by check with blank payee lines, and paid his business and personal expenses with third-party checks and cash.
In addition to the term of imprisonment, U.S. District Judge William M. Conley ordered Kriemelmeyer to serve three years of supervised release and to pay $226,839 in restitution to the United States. Kriemelmeyer was remanded to the custody of the Bureau of Prisons.
Principal Deputy Assistant Attorney General Zuckerman and U.S. Attorney Blader commended special agents of IRS-Criminal Investigation, who conducted the investigation, and Trial Attorney Eric C. Schmale of the Tax Division and Assistant U.S. Attorney Elizabeth Altman, who prosecuted the case.
Additional information about the Tax Division and its enforcement efforts may be found on the division’s website.
Hatboro Man Pleads Guilty to Sexually Exploiting an InfantRead the Press Release
PHILADELPHIA – United States Attorney William M. McSwain announced that Jerry Zweitzig, 71, of Hatboro, Pennsylvania, has pleaded guilty to charges of manufacturing and attempted manufacturing of child pornography. These charges arose from the defendant’s sexual abuse of an infant and his videotaping of that abuse.
Investigators found the video of the infant, which was created in 2010, while preparing for Zweitzig’s sentencing hearing in a separate child exploitation case filed by this Office. In that previous case, Zweitzig was charged in May 2019 with five counts of manufacturing and attempted manufacturing of child pornography and one count of possession of child pornography. Those charges arose from the defendant’s sexual exploitation of a different child over a period of years, his photographing and videotaping of his sexual abuse of that child, and his extensive collection of child pornography involving thousands of other children. Zweitzig pleaded guilty to all of those counts in October 2019.
On June 16, 2020, the defendant is scheduled to be sentenced on both cases by United States District Court Judge Wendy Beetlestone. He faces a maximum possible sentence of 200 years’ imprisonment, a mandatory minimum term of 15 years, between five years and a lifetime of supervised release, a $1,750,000 fine, mandatory restitution, and a $700 special assessment.
“Sexual exploitation of a minor of any age, let alone an infant, is utterly reprehensible and will be met with swift justice,” said U.S. Attorney McSwain. “Because of the excellent forensic work by our partners at Homeland Security Investigations, we uncovered this additional crime, ensuring that the defendant will now be held accountable for his actions. Working with all of our law enforcement partners, my Office will continue to identify and punish sexual predators to protect our children and our communities.”
“Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) is committed to protecting the children and youth of our communities who are most vulnerable to online predators,” said Brian A. Michael, Special Agent in Charge for HSI Philadelphia. “When a criminal places a record of that abuse online or in other public forums, the abuse continues and can resurface throughout the victim’s life. HSI and our law enforcement partners are committed to finding, and bringing to justice, those who exploit children.”
This case was brought as part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative to combat the growing epidemic of child sexual exploitation and abuse launched in May 2006 by the Department of Justice. Led by United States Attorneys’ Offices and the Criminal Division's Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section (“CEOS”), Project Safe Childhood marshals federal, state, and local resources to better locate, apprehend, and prosecute individuals who exploit children via the Internet, as well as to identify and rescue victims. For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit www.projectsafechildhood.gov.
The case was investigated by the Department of Homeland Security, Homeland Security Investigations, the Horsham Police Department, and the Montgomery County District Attorney’s Office. It is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Eric L. Gibson.
Former Tribal Chair & Former Councilmember Sentenced for Embezzlement SchemeRead the Press Release
United States Attorney Ron Parsons announced today that two former Crow Creek Sioux Tribe councilmembers were sentenced for their roles in an embezzlement scheme involving tribal funds. Chief U.S. District Judge Roberto A. Lange presided over the sentencing hearings.
Tina Grey Owl, age 64, a former elected councilperson of the Crow Creek Sioux Tribe, was sentenced to a split sentence of ten months of custody, with five months to be served at a facility designated by the Bureau of Prisons and five months to be served on home confinement. Grey Owl was ordered to pay restitution, although the total will be determined at a later date, and to pay $100 to the Federal Crime Victims Fund. The total loss associated with Grey Owl’s embezzlement, which was accepted by the court, was approximately $192,300. Following the term of custody, she will serve two years of supervised release.
Roxanne Lynette Sazue, age 63, the former elected chair of the Crow Creek Sioux Tribe, was sentenced to a split sentence of five months custody, with one month to be served at a facility designated by the Bureau of Prisons and four months to be served on home confinement. She was also ordered to pay $43,300 in restitution and $100 to the Federal Crime Victims Fund. Following the term of custody, she will serve two years of supervised release.
Three other defendants were previously sentenced for their respective roles in the embezzlement scheme. Roland Robert Hawk, Sr., 51, the former elected treasurer of the Crow Creek Sioux Tribe, was sentenced to forty-two months of imprisonment and ordered to pay $325,762.50 in restitution. Francine Maria Middletent, 55, a former elected councilmember of the Tribe, was sentenced to thirty months of imprisonment, and ordered to pay $273,817.55 in restitution and $100 to the Federal Crime Victims Fund. Jacqueline Ernestine Pease, 34, was sentenced to three years of probation, and ordered to pay $74,100 in restitution and $100 to the Federal Crime Victims Fund. Pease was not an elected official, yet she worked in the Tribe’s Finance Office, where Hawk was the overall supervisor and where Middletent worked as Chief Financial Officer.
According to court documents, in about March 2014 through February 2019, Roland Robert Hawk, Sr., Francine Maria Middletent, Roxanne Lynette Sazue, Jacquelyn Ernestine Pease, Tina Grey Owl, and Brandon Sazue embezzled, stole, willfully misapplied, willfully permitted to misapplied, and converted to their own use approximately $1,000,000 of monies, funds, credit, goods, assets, and other property belonging to the Crow Creek Sioux Tribe.
During times relevant to each defendant’s case, Brandon Sazue served as Chair of the Crow Creek Sioux Tribe, Hawk served as the elected Treasurer of the tribe, Roxanne Sazue was also chair, and Middletent and Grey Owl were elected councilpersons. When not serving in their respective leadership positions, all defendants, except for Brandon Sazue, worked for Hawk in the Tribe’s Finance Office. In their respective leadership roles and employment positions, the defendants had the access and opportunity to the funds that were embezzled from the tribe.
Brandon Sazue, the sixth and final defendant pending sentencing, will be sentenced on June 16, 2020.
The investigation was conducted by the U.S. Attorney’s Office and the Federal Bureau of Investigation. Assistant U.S. Attorney Jeremy R. Jehangiri prosecuted the case.
The case was brought pursuant to The Guardians Project, a federal law enforcement initiative to coordinate efforts between participating agencies, to promote citizen disclosure of public corruption, fraud, and embezzlement involving federal program funds, contracts, and grants, and to hold accountable those who are responsible for adversely affecting those living in South Dakota’s Indian country communities. The Guardians Project is another step of federal law enforcement’s on-going efforts to increase engagement, coordination, and positive action on behalf of tribal communities. Led by the U.S. Attorney’s Office, the participating agencies include: Federal Bureau of Investigation; the Offices of Inspector General for the Departments of Interior, Health and Human Services, Social Security Administration, Agriculture, Transportation, Education, Justice, and Housing and Urban Development; Internal Revenue Service, Criminal Investigation Division; U.S. Postal Inspector Service; U.S. Postal Service, Office of Inspector General.
For additional information about The Guardians Project, please contact the U.S. Attorney’s Office at (605)330-4400. To report a suspected crime, please contact law enforcement at the federal agency’s locally listed telephone number.
Former IPS teachers’ union president sentenced to federal prisonRead the Press Release
Indianapolis – United States Attorney Josh I. Minkler, announced today that Rhondalyn Cornett, 55, of Indianapolis was sentenced to 16 months in federal prison by Judge Tanya Walton Pratt.
"Ms. Cornett held a position of public trust and authority over the students and her fellow colleagues at IPS." said Minkler. "She violated that trust and took advantage of her authority to line her pockets with others money. She now faces the reality of her greed.”
Cornett began as a teacher with Indianapolis Public Schools in 1994. In 2013, she became the president of the Indiana Educators Association, a division of the Indiana State Teachers Association who represents all the teachers in the Indianapolis Public Schools, the largest school district in Indiana.
Shortly after attaining the presidency, Cornett began a four-year long scheme of embezzlement from the IEA, and ultimately the teachers themselves. The scheme began in 2014, and lasted until her resignation in 2018. She stole over $154,000 from the teachers who serve the most economically disadvantaged students in the state.
In pronouncing her sentence, Judge Pratt specifically noted that Cornett’s embezzlement stole money that was not only meant to benefit the teachers, but ultimately the students of IPS themselves, an act that she called tragic.
This case was jointly investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation, U.S. Department of Labor, Office of Inspector General, Office of Investigations – Labor Racketeering and Fraud, Marion County Prosecutor’s Office, and the Indianapolis Metropolitan Police Department.
“Ms. Cornett sought to personally benefit from funds that should have supported our city’s teachers and their students – money that was aimed at shaping the future of our city,” said IMPD Chief Randal Taylor. “The women and men of the IMPD and our law enforcement partners remain committed to ensuring our city’s educators, and the young people in their care, are never taken advantage of.”
“Intentionally using funds meant for others is unacceptable and this sentence should send a clear message to others who would consider doing the same,” said Acting Special Agent in Charge Robert Middleton, FBI Indianapolis. “Public corruption is one of the FBI’s top investigative priorities and we remain committed to identifying and pursuing those who violate the public’s trust.”
“In the case of Rhondalynn Cornett, the tenets of the law have prevailed and the legal system has followed its course. I pray that Ms. Cornett's faith in our Lord and Savior, Jesus the Christ will redirect her to become a very productive citizen again in the near future.” said Ronald S. Swann, President, Indianapolis Education Association.
In October 2017, United States Attorney Josh J. Minkler announced a Strategic Plan designed to shape and strengthen the District’s response to its most significant public safety challenges. This prosecution demonstrates the Office’s firm commitment to prosecuting large-scale fraud schemes that warrant federal resources and arrest those who abuse their positions of trust. See United States Attorney’s Office, Southern District of Indiana Strategic Plan 5.3.
Federal Law Enforcement Leaders Affirm Importance of Protecting Civil Rights Amid Coronavirus PandemicRead the Press Release
SACRAMENTO, Calif. — Today, U.S. Attorney McGregor W. Scott and FBI Special Agent in Charge Sean Ragan denounced discrimination and acts of hate targeting racial, ethnic, and religious minorities in the Eastern District of California.
“The majority of hate crimes go unreported,” said U.S. Attorney Scott. “Especially during the coronavirus pandemic, victims are encouraged to report bias-motivated crimes. The FBI and the U.S. Attorney’s Office are ready to investigate and vigorously prosecute hate crimes so that all people can live their lives freely and without fear.”
“Hate crimes are not only an attack on a victim; these violent acts threaten and intimidate an entire community,” said Special Agent in Charge Ragan. “For this reason, investigating hate crimes is one of the FBI’s highest priorities and the FBI Sacramento Field Office continues unabated in our pursuit of offenders.”
The Justice Department prosecutes hate crimes and violations of anti-discrimination laws to the fullest extent of the law. Attorney General William Barr and Assistant Attorney General for Civil Rights Eric Dreiband have called upon department prosecutors throughout the country to watch for hate-motivated acts of violence.
U.S. Attorney Scott and Special Agent in Charge Ragan urge communities within the Eastern District of California to take the following steps to protect racial, ethnic, religious and other minority community members from bias and hate:
- Encourage reporting of all incidents of bias and hate. Hate crimes are often underreported to both federal and local law enforcement. It is critical to report hate crimes not only to show support for the individual(s) directly impacted, but also to send a clear message that the community will not tolerate these kinds of crimes. Reporting also enables law enforcement to fully understand the scope of the problem in a community and assign resources toward preventing and addressing crimes of bias and hate.
- How to report hate crimes. If you or someone you know are in immediate danger, call 911. Then, report the crime by calling the FBI Sacramento Field Office at (916) 746-7000 or submitting a tip online at tips.fbi.gov. Tips can be submitted anonymously but contact information is valuable to gather information needed to fully assess the reported situation. The FBI also has linguists available to ensure all callers are understood. The U.S. Attorney’s Office is notified of tips submitted.
- Use language supported by public health officials when referring to the global pandemic and the precipitating virus. World Health Organization (WHO) officials have recommended using “coronavirus disease 2019” or “COVID-19” as appropriate descriptors.
- Disseminate accurate COVID-19 information within professional and social networks. U.S. Government officials have warned the public about widespread misinformation and disinformation related to the COVID-19 pandemic. Avoid spreading inaccurate information by relying on trusted sources for news and public health guidance. Examples include: the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (www.CDC.gov), the World Health Organization (www.WHO.int), and the California Department of Public Health (www.cdph.ca.gov).
Federal Law Enforcement Leaders Address Discrimination During the Coronavirus PandemicRead the Press Release
LOS ANGELES – During the coronavirus pandemic, the Justice Department is continuing its mission to detect, investigate and prosecute wrongdoing. United States Attorney Nick Hanna and FBI Assistant Director in Charge Paul Delacourt today stressed that a crucial part of this mission is ensuring that all citizens are free from harassment or discrimination because of their ethnicity.
“Federal law enforcement is dedicated to working with our colleagues on the state level and the entire community we serve to prevent acts of bias, especially violent acts or threats,” Mr. Hanna said. “Everyone in the United States has felt the effects of the ongoing emergency, and we want to ensure that no one suffers further disruption due to fear, prejudice or xenophobia.”
“While we are made up of many ethnicities and backgrounds in this country, particularly in a multi-cultural city like Los Angeles, we must always be cognizant that we are all Americans and must respect the fundamental civil rights which unite us,” said Mr. Delacourt, who is in charge of the FBI’s Los Angeles Field Office. “The FBI is concerned about the potential for hate crimes by individuals and groups targeting minority populations whom they wrongly believe are responsible for the spread of the virus. While the FBI routinely reaches out to community organizations in the areas we serve, we want to reach the community directly by asking anyone who has been victimized by a crime inspired by hatred or discrimination to contact their nearest FBI office to make a report.”
There is a significant disparity between hate crimes that actually occur and those reported to law enforcement. It is critical to report hate crimes not only to show support for the people directly impacted, but also to send a clear message that the community will not tolerate these kinds of crimes. Reporting also enables law enforcement to fully understand the scope of the problem in a community and assign resources toward preventing and addressing crimes of bias and hate.
Members of the public are encouraged to report crimes motivated by bias or hate to law enforcement. If you or someone you know are in immediate danger, call 911. If you believe you have been the target or victim of a hate crime or other violation of your civil rights, please contact your local FBI field office. You may reach the FBI’s Los Angeles Field Office 24 hours a day at (310) 477-6565 or you may submit an online tip at https://www.fbi.gov/tips.
The United States Attorney’s Office for the Central District of California and the FBI’s Los Angeles Field Office serve approximately 20 million residents in the counties of Los Angeles, Orange, Riverside, San Bernardino, Ventura, Santa Barbara and San Luis Obispo. The United States Attorney’s Office and the FBI have dedicated civil rights units that vigorously investigate and prosecute allegations of hate crimes against victims targeted because of their race or ethnicity.
Escaped Convict Pleads Guilty After Being Caught Crossing the Mexican Border in CaliforniaRead the Press Release
SPRINGFIELD, Mo. – A man who escaped from a Springfield, Missouri, halfway house 17 months ago pleaded guilty in federal court today after being caught crossing the border from Mexico into San Diego, California.
Benjamin E. Garnica, 34, pleaded guilty before U.S. District Judge M. Douglas Harpool to escaping from federal custody.
Garnica was sentenced on March 20, 2014, to 100 months in federal prison after pleading guilty to his role in a conspiracy to distribute methamphetamine. Garnica’s sentence was reduced to 80 months on Feb. 22, 2017, due to changes in the federal sentencing guidelines. He was transferred from federal prison to Alpha House Residential Reentry Center in Springfield on April 19, 2018. Garnica was set to be discharged from Alpha House on Oct. 15, 2018.
On Sept. 8, 2018, about five weeks prior to his discharge, Garnica signed out of the halfway house in order to go to work and did not return as scheduled by 6 p.m. that day. Garnica’s locker and his drawers had been emptied of all their contents. On Sept. 18, 2018, Garnica – whose location was unknown – was indicted by a federal grand jury and a warrant issued for his arrest.
In February 2020, Garnica was arrested in San Diego as he was reentering the United States from Mexico.
Under federal statutes, Garnica is subject to a sentence of up to five years in federal prison without parole. The maximum statutory sentence is prescribed by Congress and is provided here for informational purposes, as the sentencing of the defendant will be determined by the court based on the advisory sentencing guidelines and other statutory factors. A sentencing hearing will be scheduled after the completion of a presentence investigation by the United States Probation Office.
This case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Patrick Carney. It was investigated by the U.S. Marshals Service.
Eagle Butte Man Sentenced for Abusive Sexual ContactRead the Press Release
United States Attorney Ron Parsons announced that an Eagle Butte, South Dakota, man convicted of Abusive Sexual Contact was sentenced on May 19, 2020, by Chief Judge Roberto A. Lange, U.S. District Court.
Ryan Dupris, age 24, was sentenced to 36 months in federal prison, followed by 5 years of supervised release, and a special assessment to the Federal Crime Victims Fund in the amount of $100.
Dupris was indicted by a federal grand jury on September 10, 2019. He pled guilty on February 25, 2020.
The conviction stemmed from an incident that occurred on January 2, 2019, in Eagle Butte, where Dupris knowingly caused a female victim to engage in sexual contact with him by threatening her.
This case was investigated by the Cheyenne River Sioux Tribe Law Enforcement Services. Assistant U.S. Attorney Cameron J. Cook prosecuted the case.
Dupris was immediately remanded to the custody of the U.S. Marshals Service.