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Wednesday 13 May 2020
Pittsburgh Felon with Nazi Obsession Pleads Guilty to Illegal Possession of a Firearm and AmmunitionRead the Press Release
PITTSBURGH, PA - A resident of Pittsburgh’s North Side has waived indictment and pleaded guilty to violating federal firearms law, United States Attorney Scott W. Brady announced today.
Dennis Alan Riggs, 51, pleaded guilty to one count of possession of firearms and ammunition by a convicted felon before U.S. District Judge Robert J. Colville. Riggs has been detained since his arrest in January 2020 and will remain detained pending sentencing.
"Each day, our office and our federal partners investigate and prosecute people who represent threats to our communities," said U.S. Attorney Brady. "Riggs is a felon with a history of violence who espoused white supremacist ideology, who illegally possessed multiple firearms and ammunition. Pittsburgh is safer today because Dennis Riggs is behind bars."
"The FBI is committed to keeping our community safe," said FBI Pittsburgh Special Agent in Charge Michael Christman. "This case was a joint effort with our local, state and federal partners on the FBI's Joint Terrorism Task Force (JTTF). Today's change of plea should send a message to everyone that the FBI will use all resources to make sure firearms are kept out of the hands of those prohibited from having them."
According to information provided to the court, on January 22, 2020 the defendant knowingly possessed seven firearms: a Ruger .223 Caliber AR-15 style rifle; a Ruger .22 caliber revolver; a Harrington & Richardson shotgun; a .38 special revolver; a Colt .38 Caliber revolver; a US revolver, 32 Caliber, which was loaded and with the hammer cocked; a Harrington & Richardson shotgun; and more than 1,000 rounds of ammunition. Riggs is prohibited from possessing a firearm because he was convicted on March 30, 1994, of Aggravated Assault in the Court of Common Pleas of Allegheny County. Federal law prohibits an individual who has been convicted of a felony from possessing a firearm or ammunition.
According to information presented at the detention hearing, Riggs was aware that he was prohibited from possessing a weapon due to a prior felony conviction. Agents found on his phone a video depicting Riggs wearing Nazi apparel, offering Nazi salutes and loading and unloading an AR-15 style rifle; a video of the 2019 Christchurch, New Zealand mosque shootings which killed 51; images of the defendant with firearms; and a photograph of convicted killer Dylann Roof with his current Bureau of Prisons contact information. Riggs decorated his house with Nazi
and Hitler posters and pictures, and possessed numerous other weapons, knives and daggers.
Judge Colville scheduled sentencing for September 17, 2020 at 10 a.m. The law provides for a maximum term of imprisonment of 10 years, 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.
Assistant United States Attorney Jessica L. Smolar is prosecuting this case on behalf of the government.
The FBI Pittsburgh Joint Terrorism Task Force conducted the investigation leading to the conviction in the case. Members of the FBI’s Joint Terrorism Task Force who were directly involved in this investigation include: FBI, Pennsylvania State Police, Allegheny County Police Department, Allegheny County Probation, and the Pittsburgh Bureau of Police.
This case was brought as part of Project Guardian. Reducing gun violence and enforcing federal firearms laws have always been among the Department of Justice’s highest priorities. Project Guardian serves as a complementary effort to the success of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN).
Pandemic Shutdown Not Stopping Child Exploitation Cases, According to Utah Federal Prosecutors, FBIRead the Press Release
SALT LAKE CITY – While many Utahns have spent the last two months staying home and staying safe as a result of COVID-19, online predators are threatening the safety of our children as they continue to exploit children in Utah and around the country.
Federal prosecutors and the FBI saw the potential risk coming in March. “Due to school closings as a result of COVID-19, children will potentially have an increased online presence and/or be in a position that puts them at an inadvertent risk. Due to this newly developing environment, the FBI is seeking to warn parents, educators, caregivers, and children about the dangers of online sexual exploitation and signs of child abuse,” an FBI national press release cautioned.
“During the pandemic, parents have taken on more and more during stay at home directives. Work, school, and parenting blend into demanding days. With everyone at home together, we may expect that the threat of child sexual exploitation would diminish. Unfortunately, that does not appear to be the case,” U.S. Attorney John W. Huber said today.
As a parent himself, Huber understands parents are focused on many things. However, it is important for them to remain vigilant in protecting their children from sexual predators. “I can also assure parents, who are feeling the strain in many areas that my office and our law enforcement partners are working as aggressively as ever to target these criminals and keep them away from our children,” Huber said.
"Kids should be aware that the idea of "stranger danger" also applies when they go online because predators will misrepresent themselves to gain their trust," said Paul Haertel, Special Agent in Charge of the FBI in Salt Lake City. "When a child is sexually exploited, there can be life-long consequences, but the crime is preventable. The FBI will do our part to go after those who hurt society's most vulnerable, and we urge parents and caregivers to do their part too through education and awareness."
Online sexual exploitation comes in many forms, according to the FBI national release. Individuals may coerce victims into providing sexually explicit images or videos of themselves. Other offenders may make casual contact with children online, gain their trust, and introduce sexual conversation that increases in egregiousness over time. Ultimately, this activity may result in maintaining an online relationship and the exchange of illicit images, the release says. Others may try to entice minors to meet them for sexual activity. A list of recommendations for parents and guardians is included with this press release.
Examples of recent cases:
Michael L. Travers, age 53, a long-haul trucker from Diberville, Mississippi, was sentenced Tuesday to 17½ years in federal prison by U.S. District Judge Ted Stewart in Salt Lake City. Travers pleaded guilty to one count of production of child pornography in December. As a part of the plea agreement, he admitted that between January and April of 2019, he produced sexually explicit images of Minor A, who was 8 years old at the time. Distribution of child pornography, coercion and enticement, and possession of child pornography counts were dismissed Tuesday as a part of the plea agreement.
The Travers case was investigated by the West Valley City Police Department.
Federal complaints filed on April 27, 2020, charge three individuals with possession of child pornography. The cases include:
Scott Andrew Clark, age 44, of Ogden faces possession of child pornography charges following an investigation by the Riverdale Police Department, the Weber County Sheriff’s Office, and a special agent with the U.S. Department of Homeland Security Investigations, who is assigned to the FBI’s Child Exploitation Task Force (CETF) and the Utah Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force (ICAC).
Clark came to the attention of law enforcement officers on April 7, 2020, when officers of the Riverdale Police Department responded to a call reporting a suspicious individual sitting in a parked vehicle next to a retail business. An employee of the business made the call after observing the same individual and vehicle the previous day. Officers approached the car and identified Clark, who admitted he was a registered sex offender. He also admitted he was in possession of child pornography. A forensic analysis conducted by the Weber County Sheriff’s Office revealed child pornography on two of the six devices located in Clark’s vehicle. The complaint alleges that there were more than 5,000 images and 200 videos of child pornography recovered on the devices, including images of infants and other children. Clark has a 2003 state court conviction in Utah for attempted sexual abuse of a minor.
Michael W. Fritchen, age 64, of North Salt Lake City, also charged with possession of child pornography, came to attention of law enforcement through a tip from the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children (NCMEC). The CyberTip reported an image depicting the sexual exploitation of a child approximately 4-6 years old.
An investigation by a Layton City police officer, working as a task force officer with the FBI’s task force, led law enforcement officers to Fritchen, whose criminal history includes a 1993 conviction on several counts of committing an indecent liberties on children. The case was conducted before a United States Air Force general court martial. He received a 10-year sentence.
A forensic review of a desktop seized from Fritchen’s home in North Salt Lake City uncovered more than 13,000 possible images depicting the sexual exploitation of children.
Miguel Angel Jimenez, age 24, of Magna, is charged with possession of child pornography following an investigation by a Layton City police officer working as a task force officer with the FBI’s task force. On Feb. 2, 2020, the Layton officer was conducting an undercover operation portraying himself as a 13-year-old girl when a chat began with an individual later identified as Jimenez. According to the complaint, Jimenez engaged in sexual conversation with someone he believed to be a 13-year-old child and arranged to meet the child for sex on multiple occasions; however, he never appeared at the meeting location.
The investigation continued leading law enforcement to an address in Magna where they found the defendant, a registered sex offender, who was on probation for enticing a minor and possessing child pornography in Salt Lake County. Jimenez was taken into custody when he appeared for a meeting with a probation officer. Numerous files of child pornography were found on his phone, including 773 images of child pornography and 507 videos, according to the complaint.
Clark, Fritchen, and Jimenez each face up to 20 years in prison, with a 10-year minimum mandatory sentence, if convicted of the charges in the complaint. They are currently in state custody.
Complaints are not findings of guilt. Individuals charged in complaints are presumed innocent until proven guilty in court.
Recommendations from the FBI’s National Press Office release issued March 23, 2020:
Parents and guardians can take the following measures to help educate and prevent children from becoming victims of child predators and sexual exploitation during this time of national emergency:
Online Child Exploitation
- Discuss Internet safety with children of all ages when they engage in online activity.
- Review and approve games and apps before they are downloaded.
- Make sure privacy settings are set to the strictest level possible for online gaming systems and electronic devices.
- Monitor your children’s use of the Internet; keep electronic devices in an open, common room of the house.
- Check your children’s profiles and what they post online.
- Explain to your children that images posted online will be permanently on the Internet.
- Make sure children know that anyone who asks a child to engage in sexually explicit activity online should be reported to a parent, guardian, or other trusted adult and law enforcement.
- Remember that victims should not be afraid to tell law enforcement if they are being sexually exploited. It is not a crime for a child to send sexually explicit images to someone if they are compelled or coerced to do so.
Child Abuse Awareness
- Teach your children about body safety and boundaries.
- Encourage your children to have open communication with you.
- Be mindful of who is watching your child for childcare/babysitting, playdates and overnight visits.
- If your child discloses abuse, immediately contact local law enforcement for assistance.
- Children experiencing hands-on abuse may exhibit withdrawn behavior, angry outbursts, anxiety, depression, not wanting to be left alone with a specific individual, non-age appropriate sexual knowledge, and an increase in nightmares.
Victim Reporting
Reporting suspected sexual exploitation can help minimize or stop further victimization, as well as lead to the identification and rescue of other possible victims. If you believe you are—or someone you know is—the victim of child sexual exploitation:
- Contact your local law enforcement agency.
- Contact your local FBI field office or submit a tip online at tips.fbi.gov.
- File a report with the National Center for Missing & Exploited Children (NCMEC) at 1-800-843-5678 or online at www.cybertipline.org.
When reporting, be as descriptive as possible in the complaint form by providing as much of the following as possible:
- Name and/or user name of the subject.
- Email addresses and phone numbers used by the subject.
- Websites used by the subject.
- Description of all interaction with the subject.
- Try to keep all original documentation, emails, text messages, and logs of communication with the subject. Do not delete anything before law enforcement is able to review it.
- Tell law enforcement everything about the online encounters—we understand it may be embarrassing for the parent or child, but providing all relevant information is necessary to find the offender, stop the abuse, and bring him/her to justice.
More information about the FBI’s guidance on child sexual exploitation and protecting your kids
Operation Relentless Pursuit initiative in Cleveland to receive $10 million in awards to support efforts to combat violent crimeRead the Press Release
The U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Northern District of Ohio announced that the Justice Department’s Office of Community Oriented Policing Services (COPS Office) and the Office of Justice Programs’ Bureau of Justice Assistance have awarded more than $61 million in grant funding to support the Attorney General’s Operation Relentless Pursuit (ORP) initiative. Of that $61 million, Cleveland area law enforcement will receive approximately $10 million in awards.
Launched on Dec. 18, 2019, ORP aims to intensify federal law enforcement resources into seven American cities with violent crime levels several times the national average - Albuquerque, Baltimore, Cleveland, Detroit, Kansas City, Memphis, and Milwaukee.
The award breakdown for Cleveland area law enforcement is as follows:
- Cleveland Division of Police– $7,968,944 for funding 30 position.
- Ohio State Highway Patrol & Ohio Investigative Unit – $1,281,658 for funding 5 positions.
- Ohio Division of Adult Parole Authority – $752,014 for funding 4 positions.
These awards will allow for the hiring of additional law enforcement officers to combat violent crime through the Operation Relentless Pursuit initiative.
“While violent crime is down across the country as a whole, some communities remain caught in the grips of violent actors,” said Attorney General William P. Barr. “That’s why I launched Operation Relentless Pursuit last December – an initiative to combat violent crime in seven cities where it remains stubbornly high. Today’s grant awards are critical to our mission. We cannot succeed in eradicating crime without resources – the most vital of which are the brave men and women who serve and protect our communities each day. These funds will boost the forces that need them most.”
“This funding from the Department of Justice is an important commitment in our continued fight against violent crime in Cleveland’s neighborhoods,” said U.S. Attorney Justin Herdman. “These awards will help hire more police officers, highway patrol, adult parole officers, and investigators to help combat violent crime on the streets of our city. Operation Relentless Pursuit will enable us to continue building partnerships between multiple law enforcement divisions in order to better serve the public and bring dangerous, violent criminals to justice.”
The COPS Office, through its COPS Hiring Program (CHP), awarded a total of $51 million to be used to hire 214 sworn law enforcement officers for state and local law enforcement task forces. The recipients of the funding will deploy existing veteran officers to task force duties and use the CHP funding to hire new recruits to backfill those positions, as practical. Officers deployed to
Operation Relentless Pursuit task forces as a result of CHP funding must be sworn, career law enforcement officers of the awarded agency, and their work on the task force must benefit their jurisdiction. In addition, they are required to work with their respective U.S. Attorney’s Office (USAO) and relevant federal agencies to investigate and prosecute suspects involved in gangs, drug trafficking, and other violent crime– related issues.
“Successful strategies to target and reduce violent crime are extremely resource intensive,” said COPS Office Director Phil Keith. “There is no greater resource than additional men and women on the front lines of relentless fight against gangs, drug traffickers and those that mean harm to our nation’s communities. The funding announced today is greatly needed for the Operation Relentless Pursuit jurisdictions and the COPS Office is honored to dedicate resources for this effort.”
For more information on the COPS Hiring Program ORP grants, please visit: https://cops.usdoj.gov/pdf/2020AwardDocs/chp/FY20_Relentless_Pursuit_Fact_Sheet.pdf
The Office of Justice Programs’ Bureau of Justice Assistance (BJA) is making $10 million available to support Operation Relentless Pursuit. BJA funds will support efforts such as the hiring of additional prosecutors, overtime expenses for task force members, multi-agency investigations, mobile data terminals and modern technological platforms, and development of strategic plans to address gaps in combating violent crime.
“The responsibility for fighting crime and violence belongs to agencies at every level of government, and winning that fight turns on our ability to deploy our collective resources wisely and effectively,” said Office of Justice Programs Principal Deputy Assistant Attorney General Katharine T. Sullivan. “We are eager to make these funds available so that our federal, state and local partners can continue the vital and noble work of protecting America’s most dangerous communities.”
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.
Omnicare Inc. Agrees to Pay over $15M to Resolve Allegations It Improperly Dispensed Narcotics at Long-Term Care FacilitiesRead the Press Release
SACRAMENTO, Calif. — Omnicare Inc., a subsidiary of CVS Health and a leading provider of pharmacy services to long-term care facilities, has agreed to pay the United States a $15.3 million civil penalty to resolve allegations that it violated federal law by allowing opioids and other controlled substances to be dispensed without a valid prescription, U.S. Attorney McGregor W. Scott announced today.
Omnicare operates “closed door” pharmacies, which are pharmacies that are not open to the public, that deliver controlled substances to nursing homes and other long-term care facilities. Omnicare makes daily deliveries of prescription medications to residents of long-term care facilities; but it also pre-positions limited stockpiles of controlled substances at long-term care facilities in “emergency kits,” which are to be dispensed to patients on an emergency basis. These emergency kits, which often include opioids and other controlled substances that are commonly abused and diverted, remain part of Omnicare’s inventory and must be tightly controlled and tracked. The controlled substances may be dispensed only pursuant to a valid prescription.
“Omnicare failed in its responsibility to ensure proper controls of medications used to treat some of the most vulnerable among us,” said DEA Acting Administrator Uttam Dhillon. “DEA is committed to keeping our communities safe by holding companies like Omnicare accountable for such failures, while ensuring continuity of care and necessary access to emergency prescription drug supplies.”
“When controlled substances are diverted from their intended lawful purpose, whether from a large ‘closed door’ pharmacy chain like Omnicare or a pharmacy open to the public, there is a substantial danger to public health and safety,” U.S. Attorney Scott stated. “That is why the United States Attorney’s Office, together with our law enforcement partners, will continue to enforce the Controlled Substances Act against pharmacies of any size or type that violate the Act and will seek substantial civil penalties when warranted.”
“Failure to control access to prescription drugs can lead to the diversion of medication that could fall into the wrong hands with potentially devastating consequences,” stated DEA Special Agent in Charge Daniel C. Comeaux. “Today’s settlement demonstrates DEA’s commitment in protecting the health and safety of the public by ensuring all entities involved in the distribution of controlled substances follow the law.”
The United States alleged that Omnicare violated the federal Controlled Substances Act in its handling of emergency prescriptions, its controls over the emergency kits, and its processing of written prescriptions that had missing elements. The federal investigation found that Omnicare failed to control emergency kits by improperly permitting long-term care facilities to remove opioids and other controlled substances from emergency kits days before doctors provided a valid prescription. The investigation also revealed that Omnicare had repeated failures in its documentation and reporting of oral emergency prescriptions of Schedule II controlled substances.
As part of the settlement agreement announced today, Omnicare agreed to pay the $15.3 million civil penalty and entered into a Memorandum of Agreement with the Drug Enforcement Administration that will require Omnicare to increase its auditing and monitoring of emergency kits placed at long-term care facilities.
This matter was investigated by the DEA’s Field Divisions in Denver, Los Angeles, San Francisco and Seattle, in conjunction with five U.S. Attorney’s Offices: the Central District of California, the Eastern District of California, the District of Colorado, the District of Oregon, and the District of Utah. The settlement agreement, which was finalized on May 6, resolves Omnicare’s civil liability for the alleged Controlled Substances Act violations in those five districts.
The claims settled by this civil agreement are allegations. In entering into this settlement agreement, Omnicare did not admit to any liability.
The United States Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of California was represented in this matter by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Colleen M. Kennedy and Geoffrey D. Wilson.
Omnicare Agrees to Pay over $15 Million to Resolve Allegations it Improperly Dispensed Opioids at Long-Term Care FacilitiesRead the Press Release
PORTLAND, Ore.—Omnicare, Inc., a subsidiary of CVS Health and a provider of pharmacy services to long-term care facilities, has agreed to pay the United States a $15.3 million civil penalty to resolve allegations that it violated federal law by, among other things, allowing opioids and other controlled substances to be dispensed without a valid prescription, United States Attorney Billy J. Williams announced today.
The Cincinnati-based Omnicare operates “closed door” pharmacies – meaning they were not open to the public – that deliver controlled substances to nursing homes and other long-term care facilities (LTCFs). Omnicare makes daily deliveries of prescription medications to residents of LTCFs, and it also pre-positions limited stockpiles of controlled substances at LTCFs in “emergency kits,” which are to be dispensed to patients on an emergency basis. These emergency kits, which often include opioids and other controlled substances that are commonly abused and diverted, remain part of Omnicare’s inventory and must be tightly controlled and tracked. The controlled substances may be dispensed only pursuant to a valid prescription.
The United States alleged that Omnicare violated the federal Controlled Substances Act in its handling of emergency prescriptions, its controls over the emergency kits, and its processing of written prescriptions that lacked required elements such as the prescriber’s signature or DEA number. The federal investigation found that Omnicare failed to control emergency kits by improperly permitting LTCFs to remove opioids and other controlled substances from emergency kits days before doctors provided a valid prescription. The investigation also revealed that Omnicare had repeated failures in its documentation and reporting of oral emergency prescriptions of Schedule II controlled substances.
As part of the settlement agreement announced today, Omnicare agreed to pay the $15.3 million civil penalty and entered into a Memorandum of Agreement with the Drug Enforcement Administration that will require Omnicare to increase its auditing and monitoring of emergency kits placed at LTCFs.
“At a time when the opioid abuse and addiction crisis continues to ravage communities across the country, vulnerable Americans must be able to trust that health care providers have their best interest in mind when administering care,” said U.S. Attorney Williams. “The Department of Justice and U.S. Attorney’s Office is committed to holding accountable companies like Omnicare who dispense powerful opioids without valid prescriptions.”
“Omnicare failed in its responsibility to ensure proper controls of medications used to treat some of the most vulnerable among us,” said DEA Acting Administrator Uttam Dhillon. “DEA is committed to keeping our communities safe by holding companies like Omnicare accountable for such failures, while ensuring continuity of care and necessary access to emergency prescription drug supplies.”
This matter was investigated by the DEA’s Field Divisions in Seattle, Denver, Los Angeles, and San Francisco, in conjunction with five United States Attorney’s Offices: the District of Oregon, the Central District of California, the Eastern District of California, the District of Colorado, and the District of Utah. The settlement agreement, which was finalized on May 6, resolves Omnicare’s civil liability for the alleged CSA violations in those five districts.
The claims settled by this civil agreement are allegations. In entering into this settlement agreement, Omnicare did not admit to any liability.
The United States Attorney’s Office for the District of Oregon was represented in this matter by Assistant United States Attorneys Clem Ashley and Alexis Lien from the Affirmative Civil Enforcement Unit.
Omnicare Agrees to Pay over $15 Million to Resolve Allegations It Improperly Dispensed Opioids at Long-Term Care FacilitiesRead the Press Release
LOS ANGELES – Omnicare, Inc., a subsidiary of CVS Health and a provider of pharmacy services to long-term care facilities, has agreed to pay the United States a $15.3 million civil penalty to resolve allegations that it violated federal law by, among other things, allowing opioids and other controlled substances to be dispensed without a valid prescription, United States Attorney Nicola T. Hanna announced today.
The Cincinnati-based Omnicare operates “closed door” pharmacies – meaning they were not open to the public – that deliver controlled substances to nursing homes and other long-term care facilities (LTCFs). Omnicare makes daily deliveries of prescription medications to residents of LTCFs, and it also pre-positions limited stockpiles of controlled substances at LTCFs in “emergency kits,” which are to be dispensed to patients on an emergency basis. These emergency kits, which often include opioids and other controlled substances that are commonly abused and diverted, remain part of Omnicare’s inventory and must be tightly controlled and tracked. The controlled substances may be dispensed only pursuant to a valid prescription.
The United States alleged that Omnicare violated the federal Controlled Substances Act in its handling of emergency prescriptions, its controls over the emergency kits, and its processing of written prescriptions that lacked required elements such as the prescriber’s signature or DEA number. The federal investigation found that Omnicare failed to control emergency kits by improperly permitting LTCFs to remove opioids and other controlled substances from emergency kits days before doctors provided a valid prescription. The investigation also revealed that Omnicare had repeated failures in its documentation and reporting of oral emergency prescriptions of Schedule II controlled substances.
As part of the settlement agreement announced today, Omnicare agreed to pay the $15.3 million civil penalty and entered into a Memorandum of Agreement with the Drug Enforcement Administration that will require Omnicare to increase its auditing and monitoring of emergency kits placed at LTCFs.
“Omnicare dispensed powerful opioids without valid prescriptions and failed to inform federal authorities of significant losses of opioids and other drugs,” United States Attorney Hanna stated. “With the opioid crisis still a very real concern, every entity that handles dangerous drugs will be held accountable to ensure powerful narcotics are properly dispensed and not diverted to the black market.”
“Omnicare failed in its responsibility to ensure proper controls of medications used to treat some of the most vulnerable among us,” said DEA Acting Administrator Uttam Dhillon. “DEA is committed to keeping our communities safe by holding companies like Omnicare accountable for such failures, while ensuring continuity of care and necessary access to emergency prescription drug supplies.”
This matter was investigated by the DEA’s Field Divisions in Denver, Los Angeles, San Francisco and Seattle, in conjunction with five United States Attorney’s Offices: the Central District of California, the Eastern District of California, the District of Colorado, the District of Oregon, and the District of Utah. The settlement agreement, which was finalized on May 6, resolves Omnicare’s civil liability for the alleged CSA violations in those five districts.
The claims settled by this civil agreement are allegations. In entering into this settlement agreement, Omnicare did not admit to any liability.
The United States Attorney’s Office for the Central District of California was represented in this matter by Assistant United States Attorney Charles E. Canter of the Civil Division's Civil Fraud Section.
Omnicare Agrees to Pay over $15 Million to Resolve Allegations It Improperly Dispensed Opioids at Long-Term Care FacilitiesRead the Press Release
SALT LAKE CITY – Omnicare, Inc., a subsidiary of CVS Health and a provider of pharmacy services to long-term care facilities, has agreed to pay the United States a $15.3 million civil penalty to resolve allegations that it violated federal law by, among other things, allowing opioids and other controlled substances to be dispensed without a valid prescription, United States Attorney John W. Huber announced today.
The Cincinnati-based Omnicare operates “closed door” pharmacies – meaning they are not open to the public – that deliver controlled substances to nursing homes and other long-term care facilities (LTCFs). Omnicare makes daily deliveries of prescription medications to residents of LTCFs, and it also pre-positions limited stockpiles of controlled substances at LTCFs in “emergency kits,” which are to be dispensed to patients on an emergency basis. These emergency kits, which often include opioids and other controlled substances that are commonly abused and diverted, remain part of Omnicare’s inventory and must be tightly controlled and tracked. The controlled substances may be dispensed only pursuant to a valid prescription.
The United States alleged that Omnicare violated the federal Controlled Substances Act in its handling of emergency prescriptions, its controls over the emergency kits, and its processing of written prescriptions that lacked required elements such as the prescriber’s signature or DEA number. The federal investigation found that Omnicare failed to control emergency kits by improperly permitting LTCFs to remove opioids and other controlled substances from emergency kits days before doctors provided a valid prescription. The investigation also revealed that Omnicare had repeated failures in its documentation and reporting of oral emergency prescriptions of Schedule II controlled substances.
The Omnicare pharmacies in Utah are Omnicare of Salt Lake City and Omnicare of St. George.
As part of the settlement agreement announced today, Omnicare agreed to pay the $15.3 million civil penalty and entered into a Memorandum of Agreement with the Drug Enforcement Administration that will require Omnicare to increase its auditing and monitoring of emergency kits placed at LTCFs.
“In Utah, we understand the dangers involved with opioids. We understand how carefully they must be managed and accounted for. Omnicare failed on several fronts, including dispensing opioids without a valid prescription and failing to report losses of opioids and other drugs,” U.S. Attorney John W. Huber said today. “Controls are in place to make sure that companies dispensing these drugs are doing it correctly and safely. When these controls are not followed, penalties like we see in this case will be imposed.”
“Omnicare failed in its responsibility to ensure proper controls of medications used to treat some of the most vulnerable among us,” said DEA Acting Administrator Uttam Dhillon. “DEA is committed to keeping our communities safe by holding companies like Omnicare accountable for such failures, while ensuring continuity of care and necessary access to emergency prescription drug supplies.”
This matter was investigated by the DEA’s Field Divisions in Denver, Los Angeles, San Francisco and Seattle, in conjunction with five United States Attorney’s Offices: the District of Utah, the Central District of California, the Eastern District of California, the District of Colorado, and the District of Oregon. The settlement agreement, which was finalized on May 6, resolves Omnicare’s civil liability for the alleged CSA violations in those five districts.
The claims settled by this civil agreement are allegations. In entering into this settlement, Omnicare did not admit to any liability.
Assistant United States Attorneys Carra Cadman and Sandra Steinvoort of the Affirmative Civil Enforcement section in the U.S. Attorney’s Office in Salt Lake City represented Utah in the matter.
North Country Man Pleads Guilty to Receipt and Possession of Child PornographyRead the Press Release
SYRACUSE, NEW YORK – Dean Brooks, age 40, of Hammond, New York, pled guilty today to one felony count charging receipt of child pornography and one felony count charging possession of child pornography, announced United States Attorney Grant C. Jaquith and Kevin Kelly, Special Agent in Charge of the Buffalo Field Office of Homeland Security Investigations (HSI).
As part of his guilty plea, Brooks admitted that he used his Yahoo e-mail account to request and receive seven sexually explicit images from a 14-year old Alabama girl during a two-week period in December 2017. A subsequent federal search warrant executed at his residence uncovered an additional nine child pornography images that Brooks downloaded from the internet to his cellular telephone.
Brooks remains detained pending his sentencing on August 13, 2020, in Utica, New York. He faces a minimum of five years and up to 20 years of imprisonment for his receipt of child pornography, and up to 20 years of imprisonment for his possession of child pornography. Brooks also faces a fine of up to $250,000.00 per count of conviction, as well as a term of supervised release of between five (5) years and life, and he will be required to register as a sex offender. A defendant’s sentence is imposed by a judge based on the particular statute the defendant is charged with violating, the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other factors. Sentences of imprisonment may be concurrent or consecutive at the discretion of the Court
Brooks’s case was investigated by Homeland Security Investigations (HSI), and the Baldwin County (Alabama) Sheriff’s Office. The case is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Geoffrey J. L. Brown.
Launched in May 2006 by the Department of Justice, Project Safe Childhood is 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 https://www.justice.gov/psc.
Nashua Man Sentenced to 15 Months for Participating in Drug Trafficking Conspiracy in Nashua AreaRead the Press Release
CONCORD – Marvin Morrison, 37, of Nashua, was sentenced to 15 months in federal prison and 4 months home confinement for participating in a conspiracy to distribute crack cocaine, United States Attorney Scott W. Murray announced today.
According to court documents and statements made in court, Morrison was a member of a drug trafficking organization that distributed crack cocaine and other drugs to various customers in the Nashua area.
Morrison previously pled guilty on February 18, 2020.
In addition to Morrison, six defendants in this case have pleaded guilty. Three of the defendants have been sentenced: Donald Johnson was sentenced to 42 months in prison; Melvin Nooks was sentenced to 120 months in prison; and Mallory Nooks received 60 months in prison. Three defendants still await sentencing. Three other defendants are awaiting trial.
“Drug trafficking threatens the safety of the citizens of Nashua and other communities throughout New Hampshire,” said U.S. Attorney Murray. “Through our close collaboration with our law enforcement partners, we will continue to combat the organizations that are responsible for distributing drugs in the Granite State. We will continue to protect our citizens by investigating, prosecuting, and incarcerating the drug dealers who endanger our communities.”
“Today’s sentence shows that Marvin Morrison’s efforts to further the success of this drug trafficking organization held no reward, and ultimately cost him his freedom,” said Joseph R. Bonavolonta, Special Agent in Charge of the FBI Boston Division. “The hard work of the FBI New Hampshire Safe Streets Gang Task Force in dismantling this organization and disrupting the flow of illegal narcotics to the Nashua area has paid off, but there is much more work to be done to ensure that other drug-trafficking networks don’t try to fill the void left by this one.”
This matter was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation with assistance from the New Hampshire State Police, Nashua Police Department, Manchester Police Department, Dover Police Department and Portsmouth Police Department. The case was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Georgiana Konesky and Anna Krasinski.
This case was supported by the Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Force (OCDETF). The OCDETF program is a federal multi-agency, multi-jurisdictional task force that supplies supplemental federal funding to federal and state agencies involved in the identification, investigation, and prosecution of major drug trafficking organizations.
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Local Man Pleads Guilty to Possessing and Transporting a Firearm with an Obliterated Serial Number and Leaving a Designated Customs Facility Without AuthorizationRead the Press Release
St. Thomas, USVI – Javier Enrique Lima pled guilty on Tuesday to: 1) possessing and transporting a firearm with an obliterated serial number; and 2) departing a customs facility without authorization, United States Attorney Gretchen C.F. Shappert announced.
According to information provided in court and in court documents, on February 3, 2020, defendant presented himself at Customs and Border Protection (CBP) in the Red Hook ferry terminal after returning from Tortola, British Virgin Islands. A CBP Officer working the x-ray machine noticed a firearm in the backpack Lima brought with him, and called for another officer. Lima immediately fled the facility on foot, leaving his backpack. The backpack contained a firearm with an obliterated serial number. Law enforcement agents made multiple efforts to locate Lima, but were unable to do so. He later turned himself in.
The defendant was remanded to the custody of the U.S. Marshals Service and will be sentenced at a later date.
The case is being investigated by the Department of Homeland Security, Homeland Security Investigations, and by Customs and Border Protection. It is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Donna Rainwater.
Local Firm Ordered to Pay More Than $150,000 for Hazardous Waste ViolationsRead the Press Release
Assistant U. S. Attorney Melanie K. Pierson (619) 546-7976
NEWS RELEASE SUMMARY – May 13, 2020
SAN DIEGO – Curtis Technology Inc., a San Diego firm that makes specialized coatings, was sentenced in federal court today to pay a $45,000 fine and $114,297 in clean-up costs for illegally transporting hazardous waste from its facility without a manifest.
Curtis Technology Inc. (CTI) pleaded guilty in February, admitting that it conducted metal finishing operations at its location on Sorrento Valley Road, which generated various wastes, including ferric chloride, alkaline, waste filter cake, solvents and other chemicals. The company admitted that between December 12, 2015 and August 22, 2019, the CTI owner and a maintenance employee transported chemicals, including waste ferric chloride, waste filter cake, waste alkaline, waste solvents and other chemical wastes, from the CTI location on Sorrento Valley Road to the CTI owner’s three residences located on Wrelton Drive, Corte Morea, and Bourgeois Way, without an accompanying hazardous waste manifest.
On November 8, 2019, a maintenance worker for CTI told the FBI that beginning in 2017, at the direction of the company owner, he transported various chemicals (both unused and waste) to be stored at the owner’s three residences in San Diego. The employee stated that the chemicals were hazardous, and that some could react with others stored at the same location if they were to come in contact with each other, potentially resulting in explosion. The employee further stated that he had been to the residences prior to 2017 with the owner and had observed containers of unknown chemicals at the residences prior to his first deliveries at each location. The chemicals he delivered were stored in five-gallon buckets with lids and jars with lids, and included selenium, cesium, ferric chloride, alkaline and filter cake (solids strained from liquids or sludges). All three residences where the chemicals were stored were unoccupied, and none of the chemicals were labeled as hazardous waste. None of the chemicals transported to the residences by the employee were accompanied by a hazardous waste manifest.
On November 14, 2019, federal search warrants were executed at the three residences identified by the employee as places where the hazardous waste was being stored. Collectively, at the three sites, over 300 containers of waste chemicals were discovered. At one of the locations, chemicals deemed too unstable to transport were discovered. The area was evacuated, the San Diego Fire Department Bomb Squad arrived, and the chemicals were detonated on site. The remaining chemicals were removed from the sites, and disposed of as hazardous waste through the EPA Superfund program at a cost of approximately $114,000. The illegal activity occurred after the company had been subject to an adverse administrative action relating to its management of its hazardous waste.
“This company was so cavalier and irresponsible about the storage of chemicals that it knowingly put an entire neighborhood at risk,” said U.S. Attorney Robert Brewer. “This sentence holds the company accountable for its illegal actions.” Brewer also commended the prosecution team headed by AUSA Melanie Pierson for their diligence in this case.
“The illegal transportation and storage of dangerous chemicals and hazardous waste could have easily resulted in a serious injury or death,” said San Diego FBI Acting Special Agent in Charge Omer Meisel. “Today’s conviction demonstrates the FBI's commitment to working with our law enforcement partners to hold accountable those individuals who do not follow proper hazardous waste protocol and put the community at risk.”
“The defendant illegally stored chemicals in a residential area that were too unstable to safely transport for disposal,” said Acting Special Agent in Charge Scot Adair of EPA’s criminal enforcement program in California. “These actions required the evacuation of a neighborhood to allow local law enforcement officials to detonate the chemicals safely. EPA and our law enforcement partners are committed to addressing these risks and enforcing our environmental laws.”
DEFENDANT Case Number 20cr0715-JAH
Curtis Technology Inc. Incorporated: 1981 San Diego, CA
SUMMARY OF CHARGES
Transportation of Hazardous Waste Without a Manifest – Title 42, U.S.C., Section 6928(d)(5)
Maximum penalty for corporation: Five years of probation and a fine of the greater of $500,000 or $50,000 per day of violation and a minimum fine of $5000 per day of violation
AGENCY
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Criminal Investigation Division
Federal Bureau of Investigation
Leader of Townsend Street Drug Trafficking Organization Pleads GuiltyRead 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 Lamario Mills, a/k/a Rio, 32, of Buffalo, NY, pleaded guilty before U.S. Magistrate Judge Jeremiah J. McCarthy to possessing with intent to distribute, and distributing, 500 grams or more of cocaine. The charge carries a mandatory minimum penalty of five years in prison, a maximum penalty of 40 years in prison, and a $5,000,000 fine.
Assistant U.S. Attorneys Jeremiah E. Lenihan and Joshua A. Violanti, who are handling the case, stated that in August 2018, investigators began looking into the drug trafficking activities of the defendant and multiple co-defendants, which were focused in the area of 67 Townsend and 76 Townsend Street in Buffalo. Between August 2018 and June 18, 2019, Mills and his co-defendants sold cocaine and crack cocaine in that area. Investigators conducted a total of 27 controlled purchases of crack cocaine and 12 purchases of cocaine.
Mills was an organizer in the drug trafficking organization, responsible for supplying members on a near-daily basis with crack cocaine, which they in turn sold on behalf of the organization. On June 18, 2019, investigators executed a search warrant at the defendant's Delaware Avenue residence, and seized a quantity of cocaine and marijuana, and utensils used to cook the cocaine into crack cocaine, such a pan, spatula, tongs, and plates. They also seized $35,562.00 in cash.
Mills was arrested in June 2018 along with nine other defendants, he is the second to be convicted.
The plea is the result of an investigation by the Drug Enforcement Administration, under the direction of Special Agent-in-Charge Ray Donovan, New York Field Division; Homeland Security Investigations, under the direction of Special Agent-in-Charge Kevin Kelly; the New York State Police, under the direction of Major James Hall; the Buffalo Police Department, under the direction of Commissioner Byron Lockwood; the Erie County District Attorney’s Office, under the direction of District Attorney John Flynn; and the Erie County Crime Analysis Center.
Sentencing is scheduled for August 17, 2020, at 12:30 p.m. before U.S. District Judge Richard J. Arcara.
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Lawrence Man Sentenced for Distributing FentanylRead the Press Release
BOSTON – A Lawrence man was sentenced yesterday for selling fentanyl to an undercover officer.
Jonathan Marquez, 32, was sentenced by U.S. District Court Judge Leo T. Sorokin to 33 months in prison and 36 months of supervised release. In January 2020, Marquez pleaded guilty to one count of distributing fentanyl. Marquez was arrested in September 2019 and has been detained since October 2019.
In September 2019, an undercover officer placed an order with a fentanyl dealer, and Marquez then met the undercover officer at an arranged location in Lawrence. Marquez handed the officer 11 individually-wrapped bags containing brownish powder in exchange for cash. Laboratory results later determined that the brownish powder contained fentanyl.
United States Attorney Andrew E. Lelling; Joseph R. Bonavolonta, Special Agent in Charge of the Federal Bureau of Investigation, Boston Field Division; Brian D. Boyle, Special Agent in Charge of the Drug Enforcement Administration, Boston Field Division; and Michael Shea, Acting Special Agent in Charge of the Homeland Security Investigations in Boston made the announcement today. Assistant U.S. Attorney Bill Abely, Deputy Chief of Lelling’s Major Crimes Unit, prosecuted the case.
Lame Deer man admits beating girlfriendRead the Press Release
BILLINGS – A Lame Deer man today admitted he hit his girlfriend repeatedly in the face, causing facial and dental injuries, U.S. Attorney Kurt Alme said.
Anfernee Jamal Whiteman, aka Anfernee Jamal Limberhand, 21, pleaded guilty to assault resulting in substantial injury to a dating partner. Whiteman faces a maximum five years in prison, a $250,000 fine and three years of supervised release.
U.S. Magistrate Judge Timothy J. Cavan presided. Whiteman was detained pending further proceedings. A sentencing date has not yet been set.
In court documents filed by the prosecution, the assault occurred on Sept. 14, 2019 near the commodities building in Lame Deer, on the Northern Cheyenne Indian Reservation. A Bureau of Indian Affairs law enforcement officer responded to a report of a woman being beaten up and heard the victim scream as he neared the area. The officer saw Whiteman standing over the victim.
The victim was upset, bloody and screaming at Whiteman. Whiteman attempted to flee and was arrested. Whiteman's knuckles were swollen and there was blood on his pants and shirt. The victim was taken to the Lame Deer Indian Health Service where she said her "boyfriend hit her repeatedly in the face." The victim had abrasions on her head and face and dental injuries from the assault.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Bryan Dake prosecuted the case, which was investigated by the FBI.
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KC Police Department Receives $5 Million in Federal Grants to Reduce Violent CrimeRead the Press Release
KANSAS CITY, Mo. – The Kansas City, Missouri, Police Department has received more than $5 million in federal grants from the U.S. Department of Justice to support the city’s efforts to reduce violent crime, announced U.S. Attorney Tim Garrison.
“Operation Relentless Pursuit surges federal resources to help our state and local partners in their fight to drive down violent crime in Kansas City,” Garrison said. “Providing the resources to deploy additional police officers with a strategic focus will help us fight violent crime by investigating, arresting, and prosecuting drug traffickers and criminals with guns.”
The Office of Community Oriented Policing Services (COPS Office) and the Office of Justice Programs’ Bureau of Justice Assistance this week announced a total of more than $61 million in grant funding to support Operation Relentless Pursuit in seven cities. Launched on Dec. 18, 2019, Operation Relentless Pursuit aims to intensify federal law enforcement resources into seven American cities with violent crime levels several times the national average – the Kansas City metropolitan area (including both Kansas City, Missouri, and Kansas City, Kansas), Albuquerque, Baltimore, Cleveland, Detroit, Memphis, and Milwaukee.
In addition to the $3,675,522 COPS grant announced this week, the Kansas City, Missouri, Police Department recently received a $1,428,571 grant through the Bureau of Justice Assistance. Grant funding will be used to hire 18 additional positions, including nine police officers to replace experienced officers deployed to the Operation Relentless Pursuit task force. Grant funding also will be used for technological enhancements.
“While violent crime is down across the country as a whole, some communities remain caught in the grips of violent actors,” said Attorney General William P. Barr. “That’s why I launched Operation Relentless Pursuit last December – an initiative to combat violent crime in seven cities where it remains stubbornly high. Today’s grant awards are critical to our mission. We cannot succeed in eradicating crime without resources – the most vital of which are the brave men and women who serve and protect our communities each day. These funds will boost the forces that need them most.”
The COPS Office, through its COPS Hiring Program (CHP), awarded a total of $51 million to hire 214 sworn law enforcement officers for state and local law enforcement task forces. The recipients of the funding will deploy existing veteran officers to task force duties and use the CHP funding to hire new recruits to backfill those positions. Officers deployed to Operation Relentless Pursuit task forces as a result of CHP funding must be sworn, career law enforcement officers of the awarded agency. In addition, they are required to work with their respective U.S. Attorney’s Office and relevant federal agencies to investigate and prosecute suspects involved in gangs, drug trafficking, and other violent crime-related issues.
“Successful strategies to target and reduce violent crime are extremely resource intensive,” said COPS Office Director Phil Keith. “There is no greater resource than additional men and women on the front lines of the relentless fight against gangs, drug traffickers, and those that mean harm to our nation’s communities. The funding announced today is greatly needed for the Operation Relentless Pursuit jurisdictions and the COPS Office is honored to dedicate resources for this effort.”
For more information on the COPS Hiring Program ORP grants, please visit: https://cops.usdoj.gov/pdf/2020AwardDocs/chp/FY20_Relentless_Pursuit_Fact_Sheet.pdf
The Office of Justice Programs’ Bureau of Justice Assistance is making $10 million available to support Operation Relentless Pursuit. These funds will support efforts such as the hiring of additional prosecutors, overtime expenses for task force members, multi-agency investigations, mobile data terminals and modern technological platforms, and development of strategic plans to address gaps in combating violent crime.“The responsibility for fighting crime and violence belongs to agencies at every level of government, and winning that fight turns on our ability to deploy our collective resources wisely and effectively,” said Office of Justice Programs Principal Deputy Assistant Attorney General Katharine T. Sullivan. “We are eager to make these funds available so that our federal, state, and local partners can continue the vital and noble work of protecting America’s most dangerous communities.”
Justice Department Sues Atlanta-Based Property Owners and Management Company for Housing Discrimination Against African AmericansRead the Press Release
The Justice Department announced today that it has filed a lawsuit against Crimson Management LLC, Benefield Housing Partnership d/b/a Cedartown Commons, and Cedartown Housing Associates, d/b/a Cedarwood Village, alleging that they violated the Fair Housing Act by intentionally discriminating on the basis of race against African-American applicants for housing.
“Congress enacted the Fair Housing Act in 1968 to protect Americans from the racially motivated violence and discrimination that has stained our nation’s history. More than five decades later, our nation regrettably continues to suffer the scourge of racial bias,” said Assistant Attorney General Eric Dreiband of the Civil Rights Division. “The Department of Justice will continue to fight to protect the rights of all Americans to rent and own their homes without regard to their race.”
“More than 50 years after the passage of the Fair Housing Act, cases like this demonstrate that there is still work to be done to ensure that all people, regardless of race and color, have equal access to housing,” said U.S. Attorney Byung J. “BJay” Pak for the Northern District of Georgia. “My office will continue to devote resources to investigate and eradicate housing discrimination.”
The lawsuit, filed in the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Georgia, alleges that from at least 2012 to 2018, the defendants steered African-American housing applicants who are elderly or have a disability away from Cedarwood Village, a predominantly white housing complex, to Cedartown Commons, a predominantly African-American housing complex, which is inferior in appearance, location, and amenities to Cedarwood Village. Both complexes are located in Cedartown, Georgia. The complaint also alleges that the defendants subjected African-American residents who are elderly or have a disability to less favorable rental terms, conditions, and privileges as compared to similarly situated white tenants, and denied these African-American applicants more desirable units at the Village.
Today’s lawsuit seeks monetary damages to compensate the victims, civil penalties, and a court order barring future discrimination. The complaint contains allegations of unlawful conduct, which must be proven in federal court.
Fighting illegal housing discrimination is a top priority for the Justice Department. The Fair Housing Act prohibits discrimination in housing on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, familial status, national origin, and disability. More information about the Civil Rights Division and the laws it enforces is available at www.justice.gov/crt. Individuals who believe they have been victims of housing discrimination at the defendants’ properties may contact the Justice Department by calling 1-833-591-0294 to leave a message, or sending an e-mail to [email protected].
Greene County Man Pleads Guilty to Drug Trafficking Charge as Part of Investigation into DS44 Neighborhood GangRead the Press Release
PITTSBURGH, PA – A former resident of Waynesburg, Pennsylvania pleaded guilty in federal court to charges related to drug trafficking in connection with a large-scale investigation conducted by the Greater Pittsburgh Safe Streets Task Force, United States Attorney Scott W. Brady announced today.
Robert Hartlaub, 33, pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy to distribute or possess with intent to distribute heroin and fentanyl, before United States District Judge William S. Stickman IV. Mr. Hartlaub is one of 36 defendants charged in the Indictment.
In connection with the guilty plea, the court was advised that in 2017, the Greater Pittsburgh Safe Streets Task Force initiated an investigation primarily targeting the Darccide/Smash 44, or DS44, neighborhood gang, and its drug-trafficking activity, in and around the South Side area of Pittsburgh. As part of this large-scale narcotics and firearms investigation, in February of 2019, the United States received authorization to conduct a federal wire investigation, which continued through June of 2019.
The court was further advised that Mr. Hartlaub was involved in the distribution of heroin and fentanyl, including purchasing distribution level quantities of heroin and fentanyl from co-conspirator Ronald Williams, and redistributing the drugs to others.
Judge Stickman scheduled sentencing for October 1, 2020, at 10:30 am. The law provides for a total sentence of not more than twenty years in prison, a fine of up to $1,000,000, 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 each defendant. Hartlaub remains on bond pending sentencing.
Assistant United States Attorney Christy C. Wiegand is prosecuting this case on behalf of the government.
The Federal Bureau of Investigation led the multi-agency investigation of this case, which also included the Bureau of Alcohol Tobacco Firearms and Explosives, Allegheny County Adult Probation, Allegheny County Police Department, Allegheny County Sheriff’s Office, Pennsylvania Attorney General’s Office Bureau of Narcotics, Pittsburgh Bureau of Police, and the Wilkinsburg Police Department. Other assisting agencies include the Green Tree Police Department, New York City Police Department, Mount Oliver Police Department, Pennsylvania State Police, Yonkers Police Department, United States Marshals Fugitive Task Force, and the United States Postal Inspection Service.
The investigation was funded by the federal Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Force Program (OCDETF). The OCDETF program supplies critical federal funding and coordination that allows federal and state agencies to work together to successfully identify, investigate, and prosecute major interstate and international drug trafficking organizations and other criminal enterprises.
Fort Wayne Man Sentenced to over 17 Years in PrisonRead the Press Release
FORT WAYNE – Edwin Calligan, age 42, of Fort Wayne, Indiana, was sentenced before U.S. District Court Judge Holly A. Brady following his conviction by a jury in January 2020 for being a felon in possession of a firearm, importing a detectible amount of 5F-ADB (synthetic cannabinoid) into the United States and attempted possession with intent to distribute 5F-ADB, announced U.S. Attorney Kirsch.
Calligan was sentenced to 210 months in prison followed by 3 years of supervised release.
According to documents presented in this case, in June of 2017, a federal search warrant was executed at Calligan’s residence in Fort Wayne where a firearm was found in addition to ammunition. Calligan has prior felony convictions for Attempted Murder and Criminal Reckleness, that prohibit him from legally possessing a firearm or ammunition. Over the course of the investigation, several parcels were seized by Custom Border Protection, which contained the illegal substance, 5f-ADB that been imported from China/Hong Kong.
“Due to his extensive criminal history, Mr. Calligan was sentenced to a significant prison sentence,” said U.S. Attorney Thomas L. Kirsch II. “This type of sentence should send a message, that if you have a long violent criminal history and are still involved in criminal dealings, you will be held accountable. We have a strong coordinated team of law enforcement professionals that will find, arrest and prosecute you.”
The case was investigated by the Department of Homeland Security Investigations, the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives and United States Custom and Border Protection, with the assistance of United States Postal Inspection Service, Allen County Drug Task Force, Allen County SWAT team, and the Indiana State Police. The case was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Stacey R. Speith.
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Fort Wayne Man & Woman ChargedRead the Press Release
FORT WAYNE – Horia Malutan, age 43 and Kelly Krieger, age 35, both of Fort Wayne, Indiana were charged in a criminal complaint with armed bank robbery, announced U.S. Attorney Kirsch.
According to documents in this case, on December 24, 2019, Malutan, armed with a dangerous weapon, allegedly forced his way into a bank located on Lower Huntington Road. Once inside, he demanded to be taken to the vault where he had employees fill a bag with money. Once the bag was filled with cash, he ordered the employees to lay down in the vault while he exited the bank. He was later identified through a tip that was received by police. It is also alleged that, Kelly Krieger, the bank manager, had assisted in the planning, thus aiding and abetting the robbery. Over $220,000.00 was taken during the robbery.
US Attorney Kirsch said, “I commend the efforts of the FBI along with our state and local law enforcement partners in solving this case. Our law enforcement partners are dedicated professionals that work in unison to bring cases like this to justice.”
The United States Attorney’s Office emphasizes that a Criminal Complaint is merely an allegation and that all persons are presumed innocent until, and unless proven guilty in court.
If convicted, any specific sentence to be imposed will be determined by the Judge after a consideration of federal sentencing statutes and the Federal Sentencing Guidelines.
The case is being investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation Safe Streets Gang Task Force which is comprised of the Fort Wayne Police Department, the Indiana State Police Organized Crime and Corruption Unit and the Allen County Sheriff’s Department. Also assisting in the investigation was the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives. The case is being handled by Assistant United States Attorney Lesley J. Miller Lowery.
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Former Wilkinsburg Man Caught in Drug Trafficking Conspiracy Sentenced to 5 Years in PrisonRead the Press Release
PITTSBURGH – A former resident of Wilkinsburg, Pennsylvania, has been sentenced in federal court to five years’ (60 months’) imprisonment on his conviction of conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute fentanyl, United States Attorney Scott W. Brady announced today.
Chief United States District Judge Mark R. Hornak imposed the sentence on Jeremy Fooks, 33.
According to information presented to the court, the charges resulted from a 12-month investigation by the FBI Greater Pittsburgh Safe Streets Task Force (GPSSTF), which targeted a large scale Drug Trafficking Organization operating in Butler, Beaver and Allegheny Counties. Over the course of the investigation, law enforcement determined that Fooks was distributing fentanyl, and, as a condition of his guilty plea, accepted responsibility for the distribution of between 32 and 40 grams of fentanyl in the Pittsburgh area. The court was further informed that the defendant also accepted responsibility for ammunition that was seized during the execution of a search warrant at his residence. Fooks has two prior felony drug convictions and as such, is prohibited from possessing firearms or ammunition.
Assistant United States Attorney Robert C. Schupansky prosecuted this case on behalf of the government.
The FBI’s Greater Pittsburgh Safe Streets Task Force (GPSSTF) led the mulit-agency investigation that led to the successful prosecution of George. The GPSSTF is comprised of dedicated law enforcement professionals from the Wilkinsburg Police Department, Pennsylvania Attorney General’s Bureau of Narcotics Investigations, Allegheny County Sheriff’s Office, Allegheny County Police Department, Pittsburgh Bureau of Police and the FBI. Additionally, the GPSSTF and the United Sates Attorney’s Office for theWestern District of Pennsylvania, would like to recognize the significant contributions made to this investigation by the Pennsylvania State Police, United Sates Postal Inspection Service, Cranberry Township Police Department and the New Brighton Police Department.
Former U.S. Marine Corps Subcontractor Pleads Guilty to Obstruction of JusticeRead the Press Release
A former subcontractor for the U.S. Marine Corps pleaded guilty today to destroying records in connection with a federal investigation of bribery and procurement fraud at Marine Corps Base Camp Lejeune (MCBCL), located in Jacksonville, North Carolina.
William J. Thompson, 56, of Sneads Ferry, North Carolina, pleaded guilty to one count of destruction of records in a federal investigation before U.S. District Chief Judge Terrence W. Boyle of the Eastern District of North Carolina. A sentencing date has not been set.
According to documents filed with the court, Thompson owned and operated C&D Painting and Construction, a construction company with its principal place of business in Sneads Ferry, North Carolina. Public Official 1 was a civilian employee of the U.S. Marine Corps who directed the procurement of information technology services and equipment to be used by the Marine Corps at MCBCL and elsewhere. Company A was an information technology services company and was owned and operated by Person 1.
On March 28, 2018, agents of the FBI, Naval Criminal Investigative Service (NCIS) and Internal Revenue Service-Criminal Investigations (IRS-CI) interviewed Thompson. During the interview, agents of the aforementioned agencies informed Thompson that they were investigating an alleged bribery conspiracy between Public Official 1, Person 1, Company A and Thompson. The agents questioned Thompson about work that C&D Construction completed as a subcontractor for Company A at MCBCL and about renovations that Thompson performed at Public Official 1’s residence. At the time of the interview, the investigation was covert and not known to all subjects, including Public Official 1.
On the same evening of the interview and the following morning, Thompson exchanged several text messages with Public Official 1 in which Thompson informed Public Official 1 that the FBI, NCIS, and IRS-CI were investigating Public Official 1’s involvement in contracting matters while Public Official 1 was employed by the Marine Corps. After informing Public Official 1 of the pending federal investigation, Thompson deleted the relevant text messages from his phone, despite knowing that the messages constituted evidence related to the federal investigation into bribery and procurement fraud at MCBCL.
This case was investigated by the FBI, Defense Criminal Investigative Service, NCIS, Naval Audit Service and IRS-CI. Trial Attorney Erica O’Brien Waymack of the Criminal Division’s Public Integrity Section is prosecuting the case.
The year 2020 marks the 150th anniversary of the Department of Justice. Learn more about the history of our agency at www.Justice.gov/Celebrating150Years.
Former Monahans Police Officer Sentenced to 87 Months in Federal Prison on Child Pornography ChargeRead the Press Release
In Midland today, a federal judge sentenced former Monahans police officer Marshal Lacy Hobbs to 87 months in federal prison on a child pornography charge, announced U.S. Attorney John F. Bash and Texas Department of Public Safety Director Steven McCraw.
In addition to the prison term, U.S. District Judge David Counts ordered that Hobbs, age 36 of Andrews, TX, pay a $30,000 fine; a $5,000 assessment under the Amy and Vicky Child Pornography Victim Restitution Improvement Act; and, a $5,000 assessment under the Justice for Victims of Trafficking Act. Judge Counts also ordered that Hobbs be placed on supervised release for a period of five years after completing his prison term. Hobbs, who had been on bond during this litigation, was remanded into the custody of the U.S. Marshals Service following today’s hearing in order to begin serving his prison term.
On December 19, 2019, Hobbs pleaded guilty to one count receipt of child pornography. Court records reveal that in November 2019, Hobbs knowingly engaged in social media communications on his cell phone with a female he knew to be under 18 and that he received multiple videos and images of that minor female engaged in sexually explicit activity.
“When an officer who has sworn to protect his community instead decides to target a child for exploitation, we will be relentless in seeking justice. I am pleased with the sentence imposed today,” stated U.S. Attorney Bash.
The Texas Rangers investigated this case along with the Andrews Police Department. Assistant U.S. Attorney Shane A. Chriesman prosecuted this case on behalf of the government.
This case was brought as part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative to combat the epidemic of child sexual exploitation and abuse launched in May 2006 by the Department of Justice. Led by U.S. Attorneys’ Offices and the Criminal Division’s Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section, Project Safe Childhood marshals federal, state and local resources to better locate, apprehend and prosecute individuals who exploit children via the Internet, as well as to identify and rescue victims. For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit www.projectsafechildhood.gov.
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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.
Former Clay County Sheriff’s Deputy Charged with Online Enticement of A Minor to Engage in Sexual ActivityRead the Press Release
Jacksonville, Florida – United States Attorney Maria Chapa Lopez announces the arrest and filing of a criminal complaint charging Travis Ryan Pritchard (36, Green Cove Springs) with online enticement of a minor and attempted online enticement of a minor to engage in sexual activity. If convicted, Pritchard faces a mandatory minimum penalty of 10 years, and up to a life, in federal prison.
According to the
complaint , Pritchard was employed as a deputy with the Clay County Sheriff’s Office. At the time of the alleged offense, he was assigned to the DUI unit. From December 2019 through May 2, 2020, Pritchard used an online chat application to communicate with a 15-year-old girl with whom he had engaged in sexual activity on a weekly basis. Beginning on April 29, 2020, an undercover detective from the Green Cove Springs Police Department assumed the child’s identity and continued chatting with Pritchard using the online chat application. Late in the night of May 1, 2020, and into the early morning hours of the next day, Pritchard encouraged the “child” to sneak out of her home to meet with him for a “quickie.” In anticipation of their meeting, he sent the “child” a photograph of himself from the waist down, wearing only boxer shorts. At approximately 2:00 a.m. on May 2, 2020, Pritchard arrived near the child’s home to pick her up in his patrol vehicle, and sent the “child” a message saying, “I’m here.” A short time later, Pritchard was arrested by officers from the Green Cove Springs Police Department.A criminal complaint is merely a formal charge that a defendant has committed one or more violations of federal criminal law, and every defendant is presumed innocent unless, and until, proven guilty.
This case was investigated by the Green Cove Springs Police Department and Homeland Security Investigations. It is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Kelly S. Karase.
It is another case brought as part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative launched in May 2006 by the Department of Justice to combat the growing epidemic of child sexual exploitation and abuse. Led by the United States Attorneys’ Offices and the Criminal Division’s Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section, Project Safe Childhood marshals federal, state, and local resources to locate, apprehend, and prosecute individuals who sexually exploit children, and to identify and rescue victims. For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit www.justice.gov/psc.
Florence Man Pleads Guilty to Possession of Firearm by Convicted FelonRead the Press Release
COVINGTON, Ky.- A Florence, Kentucky, man, Cordero D. Warren, 31, pled guilty in federal court on Wednesday, before U.S. District Judge David Bunning to being a convicted felon in possession of a firearm.
Warren admitted that on September 24, 2019, officers conducted a traffic stop on a vehicle in Florence. During the traffic stop, officers observed a loaded handgun on the floorboard at Warren’s feet. According to the plea agreement, Warren admitted that he knew he was a convicted felon and prohibited from possessing a firearm.
Warren was indicted in October 2019.
Robert M. Duncan, Jr., United States Attorney for the Eastern District of Kentucky; Shawn Morrow, Special Agent in Charge, ATF, Louisville Field Division; and Sheriff Michael A. Helmig, Boone County Sheriff’s Department, jointly announced the guilty plea.
The investigation was conducted by ATF and Boone County Sheriff’s Department. The United States was represented by Assistant U.S. Attorney Elaine Leonard.
Warren is scheduled to be sentenced on August 18, 2020. He faces up to 10 years in prison and a maximum fine of $250,000. However, any sentence will be imposed by the Court after consideration of the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and the federal sentencing statutes.
This is another case prosecuted as part of the Department of Justice’s “Project Safe Neighborhoods” Program (PSN), which is a nationwide, crime reduction strategy aimed at decreasing violent crime in communities. It involves a comprehensive approach to public safety — one that includes investigating and prosecuting crimes, along with prevention and reentry efforts. In the Eastern District of Kentucky, U.S. Attorney Robert Duncan Jr., coordinates PSN efforts in cooperation with various federal, state, and local law enforcement officials.
This case is also part of Project Guardian, the Department of Justice’s signature initiative to reduce gun violence and enforce federal firearms laws. Initiated by the Attorney General in the fall of 2019, Project Guardian draws upon the Department’s past successful programs to reduce gun violence; enhances coordination of federal, state, local, and tribal authorities in investigating and prosecuting gun crimes; improves information-sharing by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives when a prohibited individual attempts to purchase a firearm and is denied by the National Instant Criminal Background Check System (NICS), to include taking appropriate actions when a prospective purchaser is denied by the NICS for mental health reasons; and ensures that federal resources are directed at the criminals posing the greatest threat to our communities. Click here for more information about Project Guardian.
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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Engineer Charged in Texas with COVID-Relief FraudRead the Press Release
An engineer has been charged in the Eastern District of Texas with allegedly filing bank loan applications fraudulently seeking more than $10 million dollars in forgivable loans guaranteed by the Small Business Administration (SBA) under the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act.
Shashank Rai, 30, of Beaumont, Texas, allegedly sought millions of dollars in forgivable loans guaranteed by the SBA from two different banks by claiming to have 250 employees earning wages when, in fact, no employees worked for his purported business.
Rai 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.
“As alleged, Rai fraudulently pursued millions of dollars in loans intended for legitimate small businesses suffering the economic hardships of the COVID-19 pandemic,” said Assistant Attorney General Brian A. Benczkowski of the Justice Department’s Criminal Division. “The department and our law enforcement partners will remain vigilant in our efforts to protect critical CARES Act relief programs from fraud and abuse.”
“The behavior in this case was very brazen,” said U.S. Attorney Joseph D. Brown of the Eastern District of Texas. “Those who submit these applications for loans or other assistance need to understand that there are people checking on the representations made, and those representations are made under oath and subject to the penalties of perjury. Federal agencies are watching for fraud, and people who lie and try to cheat the system are going to be caught and prosecuted.”
“To support small and community banks, the Federal Home Loan Banks can accept Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) loans as collateral when making loans to their members,” said Richard Parker, Acting Deputy Inspector General for Investigations for the Federal Housing Finance Agency, Office of Inspector General. “The Office of Inspector General is proud to work with our partners in law enforcement to prevent, detect, and deter attempts to perpetrate fraud in the Federal Home Loan Bank System and steal the assistance intended for small business owners and employees under this important part of the CARES Act.”
“Today’s charges hold the defendant responsible for his actions to swindle money out of a federal program intended to help those in need during a pandemic crisis,” said Inspector General Jay N. Lerner of the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation Office of Inspector General (FDIC OIG). “When an individual cheats the Paycheck Protection Program out of money, it deprives hard-working Americans and deserving small businesses. The FDIC OIG is committed to working with our law enforcement partners to investigate financial crimes in order to preserve the integrity of the nation’s banking sector.”
“SBA OIG and its law enforcement partners will aggressively investigate fraud in the Paycheck Protection Program,” said SBA Inspector General Hannibal “Mike” Ware. “The nation’s small businesses are counting on this program, and we will safeguard it to maintain the public trust. I want to thank the U.S. Attorney’s Office and our law enforcement partners for their dedication and pursuit of justice.”
“While the government is trying to help out small businesses, scammers are out there trying to help themselves,” said Inspector in Charge Delany De Leon-Colon of the Criminal Investigations Group. “Postal Inspectors are proud to work alongside the Department of Justice and our other law enforcement partners to identify and investigate anyone who capitalizes on this pandemic to commit fraud. The U.S. Postal Inspection Service is committed to protecting small business owners, and the American public, from those who seek to do financial harm.”
According to court documents unsealed today in U.S. District Court in Beaumont, Rai allegedly made two fraudulent claims to two different lenders for seek loans guaranteed by the SBA for COVID-19 relief through the PPP. In the application submitted to the first lender, Rai allegedly sought $10 million in PPP loan proceeds by fraudulently claiming to have 250 employees with an average monthly payroll of $4 million. In the second application, Rai allegedly sought approximately $3 million in PPP loan proceeds by fraudulently claiming to have 250 employees with an average monthly payroll of approximately $1.2 million.
According to court documents, the Texas Workforce Commission provided information to investigators of having no records of employee wages having been paid in 2020 by Rai or his purported business, Rai Family LLC. In addition, the Texas Comptroller’s Office of Public Accounts reported to investigators that Rai Family LLC reported no revenues for the fourth quarter of 2019 or the first quarter of 2020.
According to court documents, materials recovered from the trash outside of Rai’s residence included handwritten notes that appear to reflect an investment strategy for the $3 million, which is the amount of money that Rai allegedly sought from the second lender.
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.
Assistant Chief L. Rush Atkinson and Trial Attorney Lou 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 FHFA Office of Inspector General, FDIC Office of Inspector General, 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.
Durable medical equipment company owner charged in kickback schemeRead the Press Release
SAVANNAH, GA: A Florida man who operated a durable medical equipment company has been charged for his alleged participation in a Medicare kickback and telemedicine fraud scheme.
Patrick Wolfe, 48, of Belleair Beach, Fla., the operator of Wilmington Island Medical Inc., which does business as WI Medical Inc., a Georgia company, is accused of conspiring to pay kickbacks for “leads,” which were in actuality signed orders from physicians and nurse practitioners, and then billing those orders to Medicare Part B and Medicare Part C using WI Medical, said Bobby L. Christine, U.S. Attorney for the Southern District of Georgia. The financial total for orders facilitated through this scheme is alleged to be in the millions of dollars. Medicare beneficiaries were located in the Southern District of Georgia and elsewhere. The defendant was charged by way of an Information, filed in the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Georgia.
“White collar crime – and particularly health care fraud – continues to be a priority for this office and we are proud to work with our dedicated law enforcement partners to aggressively pursue those who illegally exploit government safety-net programs for personal gain,” said U.S. Attorney Christine.
This prosecution, arising out of the related “Operation Brace Yourself” and “Operation Double Helix,” together with those previously announced, continue to add to the largest fraud operation prosecuted in the history of the Southern District of Georgia. Previous charges in this string of cases include eight physicians, two nurse practitioners, three operators of different telemedicine companies, two brokers of patient data, and several owners of durable medical equipment companies. The Medicare and Medicaid beneficiaries whose identities were used as part of the scheme are located throughout the country, including throughout the Southern District of Georgia.
The combined total of more than $475 million in fraud charged in the Southern District of Georgia is part of nationwide operations by the Department of Justice that thus far has included allegations involving billions of dollars in fraudulent claims for genetic testing, orthotic braces, pain creams, and other items.
“This is another in a long line of charges in a continuous investigation into fraud that hurts every taxpayer and steals money earmarked for those who need it to meet their healthcare issues,” said Chris Hacker, Special Agent in Charge of FBI Atlanta. “The FBI and our fellow federal partners will not rest until everyone involved in wrongdoing is brought to justice.”
“Now more than ever, it’s paramount that we safeguard the Medicare trust fund,” said Derrick L. Jackson, Special Agent in Charge at the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Office of Inspector General in Atlanta. “We continue to work with our law enforcement partners to identify and hold responsible providers who perpetrate telemedicine fraud schemes.”
“This type of corruption involving health care fraud against Medicare and Medicaid has managed to defraud American taxpayers of millions upon millions of dollars,” said Resident Agent in Charge Glen M. Kessler of the U.S. Secret Service. “The U.S. Secret Service and our partners are always willing to take prompt and coordinated actions to hold these telemarketers and medical professionals responsible for placing personal greed above the good of the public, particularly in light of our nation’s current struggles with the COVID-19 pandemic.”
Indictments or criminal informations contain only charges; defendants are presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.
This investigation is ongoing. As telemedicine becomes an increasing part of our healthcare system, particularly during the COVID-19 pandemic, vigilance in ensuring that fraud and kickbacks do not usurp the legitimate practice of medicine by electronic means is more important than ever. If you are aware of any fraud or kickbacks relating to telemedicine, including COVID-19 fraud, please call the FBI hotline at 1-800-CALL-FBI.
This particular prosecution resulted from a joint investigation of multiple agencies and offices. U.S. Attorney Christine acclaimed the hard work of the investigatory team, led by FBI - Savannah, the Department of Health and Human Services Office of Inspector General, and the United States Secret Service.
Assistant U.S. Attorneys J. Thomas Clarkson and Jonathan A. Porter are prosecuting these cases on behalf of the United States.
Couple Sentenced to More Than a Dozen Years in Federal Prison for Moore Armed Bank RobberyRead the Press Release
OKLAHOMA CITY – Duncan Eric Herron, II, 32, and Regenea Carol Berry, 31, of Oklahoma City, have been sentenced collectively to more than 12 years for their roles in an armed bank robbery, announced U.S. Attorney Timothy J. Downing.
"This case highlights the capabilities and collaboration of our federal, state, and local law enforcement officials," said U.S. Attorney Downing. "It also shows that those who menace our community, especially with firearms, will be held accountable. Simply put, this aggression will not stand."
On May 20, 2019, Herron and Berry were charged by criminal complaint for the bank robbery. According to the affidavit submitted in support of the criminal complaint, Herron and Berry entered an International Bank of Commerce ("IBC") branch located in Moore, Oklahoma, wearing all black clothing and masks that covered their faces. As Heron entered the lobby of the bank, he racked the slide of a firearm. Herron and Berry then intimidated bank employees by ordering them to the ground and demanding money. They collected and ultimately made off with money that belonged to the bank. A search on May 18 at a residence linked to Herron and Berry turned up evidence that connected them to the robbery. Law enforcement arrested them thereafter on the criminal complaint.
On June 19, 2019, a federal grand jury indicted Herron and Berry for the bank robbery. On July 22, 2019, Herron and Berry appeared before the Honorable Charles B. Goodwin, U.S. District Judge, and pled guilty.
On April 3, 2020, Judge Goodwin sentenced Berry to 70 months in prison, followed by three years of supervised release. And earlier this week, on May 11, 2020, Judge Goodwin sentenced Herron to 84 months in prison, followed by three years of supervised release. Both defendants were also ordered to pay restitution to the bank.
This sentence is the result of an investigation by the Federal Bureau of Investigation–Oklahoma City Field Office and the Moore Police Department. Prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Mary E. Walters and Wilson D. McGarry.
Reference is made to court filings for further information. To download a photo of U.S. Attorney Downing, click here.
Convicted Felon Is Sentenced to Prison for Illegally Possessing GunsRead the Press Release
MACON, Ga. – A Macon County, Georgia resident with a criminal history was sentenced to prison for possessing guns, said Charlie Peeler, the U.S. Attorney for the Middle District of Georgia. Joe Oliver Butler, III, 38, was sentenced by U.S. District Judge Marc Treadwell on Tuesday, May 12 during a video conference hearing to 46 months in prison and three years supervised release after pleading guilty to possession of a firearm by a convicted felon. There is no parole in the federal system.
Montezuma Police pulled Butler over after he failed to maintain his lane while driving on February 5, 2018. Butler admitted he had been drinking, and also told the officer he was a convicted felon who was currently on probation and had two firearms on him, one of which was stolen. The officer removed a Smith & Wesson M&P 22, .22 LR semi-automatic pistol from Butler’s waistband and a Raven Arms MP-25, .25 Auto semi-automatic pistol from Butler’s pocket. The officer also found multiple bags of various types of drugs that were packaged for distribution, including a bag of n-ethlypentylone, also known as bath salts, weighing 11.491 grams, plus multiple bags of crack cocaine, methamphetamine, powder cocaine and marijuana, as confirmed by scientific testing performed by the GBI and the Montezuma Police Department.
“Convicted felons will get hard time for gun crimes in the Middle District of Georgia,” said U.S. Attorney Charlie Peeler. “One way our office supports law enforcement in protecting the public is to prosecute convicted felons for illegally possessing firearms. I want to thank the Montezuma Police Department, GBI and ATF for their excellent work investigating this case.”
This case is part of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), the centerpiece of the Department of Justice’s violent crime reduction efforts. PSN is an evidence-based program proven to be effective at reducing violent crime. Through PSN, a broad spectrum of stakeholders work together to identify the most pressing violent crime problems in the community and develop comprehensive solutions to address them. As part of this strategy, PSN focuses enforcement efforts on the most violent offenders and partners with locally based prevention and reentry programs for lasting reductions in crime.
The case is also part of Project Guardian, the Department of Justice’s signature initiative to reduce gun violence and enforce federal firearms laws. Initiated by the Attorney General in the fall of 2019, Project Guardian draws upon the Department’s past successful programs to reduce gun violence; enhances coordination of federal, state, local, and tribal authorities in investigating and prosecuting gun crimes; improves information-sharing by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives when a prohibited individual attempts to purchase a firearm and is denied by the National Instant Criminal Background Check System (NICS), to include taking appropriate actions when a prospective purchaser is denied by the NICS for mental health reasons; and ensures that federal resources are directed at the criminals posing the greatest threat to our communities. For more information about Project Guardian, please see https://www.justice.gov/archives/projectguardian.
This case was investigated by the U.S. Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms & Explosives (ATF), GBI and the Montezuma Police Department. Assistant U.S. Attorney Steven Ouzts prosecuted the case for the Government. Questions can be directed to Pamela Lightsey, Public Information Officer, United States Attorney’s Office, at (478) 621-2603 or Melissa Hodges, Public Affairs Director (Contractor), United States Attorney’s Office, at (478) 765-2362.
Consultant Agrees to Plead Guilty to RICO Offense Related to Bribery Scheme that Enriched L.A. City Councilmember and AssociatesRead the Press Release
LOS ANGELES – A real estate development consultant has agreed to plead guilty to a federal racketeering offense for participating in a wide-ranging “pay-to-play” scheme in which developers bribed public officials – including a member of the Los Angeles City Council – to secure official acts that would benefit their projects.
George Chiang, 41, of Granada Hills, agreed to plead guilty to one count of conspiring to violate the Racketeer Influenced and Corrupt Organization (RICO) statute.
Chiang was charged with participating in the RICO conspiracy in a criminal information filed today in United States District Court. In conjunction with the charging document, federal prosecutors also filed a plea agreement in which Chiang agreed to fully cooperate in the government’s ongoing investigation into political corruption in the City of Los Angeles.
In the court documents, Chiang admitted that he participated in a criminal enterprise called the Council District A Enterprise (CD-A Enterprise). The enterprise was led by a member of the Los Angeles City Council and involved individuals engaged in a course of conduct – including bribery and honest services fraud – designed to enrich themselves, to conceal their activities from authorities and the public, and to maintain and advance their political power.
The public officials involved in the CD-A Enterprise received cash; consulting and retainer fees; political contributions; tickets to concerts, shows, and sporting events; and other gifts in exchange for affecting the success of development projects.
In early 2014, Chiang was a real estate broker who was recruited by “Individual 1” – a longtime employee of the City of Los Angeles, who eventually became the Deputy Mayor for Economic Development – to be a consultant who would interface with Chinese companies that were developing real estate projects in Los Angeles, according to court documents.
As he started providing consulting services, Chiang became a close political ally of “Councilmember A,” who was a member of the Planning and Land Use Management Committee and member of the Economic Development Committee, according to court documents. Chiang also became a close ally of Councilmember A’s special assistant. Through these relationships, Chiang developed a business relationship with Justin Jangwoo Kim, a fundraiser for Councilmember A. Kim previously agreed to plead guilty to a bribery offense involving Councilmember A and the special assistant.
“Members and associates of the CD-A Enterprise conspired with one another to facilitate bribery schemes that would provide Councilmember A and other City officials financial benefits and keep members in power to maintain the CD-A Enterprise’s political stronghold in the City,” according to Chiang’s plea agreement. “In exchange, Councilmember A, Individual 1, and members and associates of the CD-A Enterprise, would take official action to ensure certain development projects and CD-A Enterprise associates received favored treatment from the City and thereby secure their bribe-financed influence. In addition, members and associates of the CD-A Enterprise sought political contributions from developers and their proxies (e.g., lobbyists, consultants, etc.) to benefit Councilmember A and his allies in exchange for official acts to benefit those developers and their proxies, including defendant Chiang.”
Chiang’s plea agreement contains a 22-page “factual basis” that details certain activities of the CD-A criminal enterprise. According to the factual basis, Councilmember A accepted bribes from “Company D,” a China-based real estate development company, which employed Chiang as a consultant. Among other things, Company D funneled $66,000 to an associate of Councilmember A and pledged $100,000 to a political action committee to benefit a relative of Councilmember A running for the CD-A seat on the City Council. In exchange, Councilmember A filed motions and voted to approve Company D’s “Project D” at City hearings.
In addition, Chiang agreed to pay Individual 1 a share of the lucrative consulting proceeds he received from Company D in exchange for Individual 1 shepherding Project D through the approval process in Individual 1’s capacity as Deputy Mayor, according to the plea agreement’s factual basis. Individual 1 directly and indirectly accepted more than $100,000 from Chiang for assisting in obtaining approvals for Project D, including by exerting pressure on other City officials who could influence the project’s success, according to court documents.
The court has not scheduled a date for Chiang to enter his guilty plea. Once he does formally enter the guilty plea, he will face a statutory maximum sentence of 20 years in federal prison.
The case against Chiang is part of an ongoing public corruption investigation being conducted by the FBI and the U.S. Attorney’s Office.
Chiang is the third person to agree to plead guilty to a federal felony related to this ongoing investigation. In addition to Kim, former Los Angeles City Councilmember Mitchell Englander has agreed to plead guilty to a charge of scheming to falsify material facts related to his cover up of cash payments and other gifts offered from a Los Angeles businessperson. Kim is scheduled to enter his guilty plea on June 3, and Englander is set to plead guilty on June 4.
Any member of the public who has information related to this or any other public corruption matter in the City of Los Angeles is encouraged to send information to the FBI’s tip line at tips.fbi.gov or to contact the FBI’s Los Angeles Field Office at (310) 477-6565.
The case against Chiang is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Mack E. Jenkins, Chief of the Public Corruption and Civil Rights Section, and Assistant United States Attorney Veronica Dragalin of the Public Corruption and Civil Rights Section.
Coalition of U.S. Attorneys Announce $15.3 Million Settlement with Omnicare, Inc., a CVS Health Company, for Improper Dispensing of Controlled SubstancesRead the Press Release
DENVER – United States Attorney Jason R. Dunn announced today that Omnicare, Inc., a subsidiary of CVS Health and a provider of pharmacy services to long-term care facilities, has agreed to pay the United States a $15.3 million civil penalty to resolve allegations that it violated federal law by, among other things, allowing opioids and other controlled substances to be dispensed without a valid prescription.
Omnicare operates “closed door” pharmacies – meaning they are not open to the public – that deliver controlled substances to nursing homes and other long-term care facilities (LTCFs). Omnicare makes daily deliveries of prescription medications to residents of LTCFs, and it also pre-positions limited stockpiles of controlled substances at LTCFs in “emergency kits,” which are to be dispensed to patients on an emergency basis. These emergency kits, which often include opioids and other controlled substances that are commonly abused and diverted, remain part of Omnicare’s inventory and must be tightly controlled and tracked. The controlled substances may be dispensed only pursuant to a valid prescription.
The United States alleged that Omnicare violated the federal Controlled Substances Act in its handling of emergency prescriptions, its controls over the emergency kits, and its processing of written prescriptions that lacked required elements such as the prescriber’s signature or DEA number. The federal investigation found that Omnicare failed to control emergency kits by improperly permitting LTCFs to remove opioids and other controlled substances from emergency kits days before doctors provided a valid prescription. The investigation also revealed that Omnicare had repeated failures in its documentation and reporting of oral emergency prescriptions of Schedule II controlled substances.
As part of the settlement agreement announced today, Omnicare agreed to pay the $15.3 million civil penalty and entered into a Memorandum of Agreement with the Drug Enforcement Administration that will require Omnicare to increase its auditing and monitoring of emergency kits placed at LTCFs.
“The abuse of opioids and other controlled substances has taken a heavy toll in Colorado and our country,” said United States Attorney Jason Dunn. “It is critical that every company involved in the dispensing of these drugs strictly follows the controls required by law. And when they don’t, we will work to ensure that an appropriate penalty is imposed.”
“Omnicare failed in its responsibility to ensure proper controls of medications used to treat some of the most vulnerable among us,” said DEA Acting Administrator Uttam Dhillon. “DEA is committed to keeping our communities safe by holding companies like Omnicare accountable for such failures, while ensuring continuity of care and necessary access to emergency prescription drug supplies.”
This matter was investigated by the DEA’s Field Divisions in Denver, Los Angeles, San Francisco and Seattle, in conjunction with five United States Attorney’s Offices: the Central District of California, the Eastern District of California, the District of Colorado, the District of Oregon, and the District of Utah. The settlement agreement, which was finalized on May 6, resolves Omnicare’s civil liability for the alleged CSA violations in those five districts.
The Omnicare pharmacies in the District of Colorado are Omnicare of Pueblo, Omnicare of Grand Junction, and Omnicare of Golden.
The claims settled by this civil agreement are allegations. In entering into this settlement, Omnicare did not admit to any liability.
The United States Attorney’s Office for the District of Colorado was represented in this matter by Deputy Civil Chief Amanda Rocque and Assistant United States Attorney Andrea Wang.
Cincinnati Man Sentenced to 150 Months for Trafficking MethamphetamineRead the Press Release
COVINGTON, Ky. – A Cincinnati man, who admitted to conspiring with others to distribute methamphetamine and multiple sales of crystal methamphetamine was sentenced today to 150 months in prison.
U.S. District Judge David Bunning sentenced 35-year-old Michael Angelo Williams for conspiring to distribute 50 grams or more of methamphetamine and four counts of methamphetamine distribution.
Williams pled guilty in October of 2019.
Williams previously admitted to conspiring with others to distribute methamphetamine for several months in 2019. Williams sold a total of over 240 grams of substances containing methamphetamine on several occasions ranging from March through July of 2019 at locations in Northern Kentucky and Cincinnati. Agents arrested him on August 14, 2019, and seized a loaded handgun and ammunition. Williams has several prior convictions for offenses such as drug trafficking and illegally carrying firearms.
Under federal law, Williams must serve 85 percent of his prison sentence and will be under the supervision of the U.S. Probation Office for five years after his release from prison.
Robert M. Duncan, Jr., United States Attorney for the Eastern District of Kentucky; William C. Hoffman, Special Agent in Charge, Federal Bureau of Investigation, Cincinnati Field Office; and Christopher Conners, Director of the Northern Kentucky Drug Strike Force, jointly announced the sentence.
The investigation was conducted by the FBI and the Northern Kentucky Drug Strike Force. The United States was represented by Assistant U.S. Attorney Tony Bracke.
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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Cincinnati Man Sentenced to 137 Months for Drug Trafficking ConspiracyRead the Press Release
COVINGTON, Ky. – A Cincinnati man, Lucien J. Lanier, 35, was sentenced to 137 months in federal prison on Wednesday, by U.S. District Judge David L. Bunning, after previously pleading guilty to conspiracy to distribute 100 grams or more of heroin, 40 grams or more fentanyl, and 10 grams or more of acetylfentanyl.
Lanier admitted that, between May 23, 2018 and June 27, 2018, he conspired with Dante Martin and Tomorrow Tuggle to distribute heroin, fentanyl, and acefentanyl. According to court records, officers conducted a series of controlled buys from Martin, in 2018 in Kenton County. Martin was driven to each of the transactions by Tuggle. Lanier admitted that on each occasion he was a source of supply for the drugs and had instructed Martin on how to “cut” the drugs for distribution.
Lanier was arrested at a residence in Cincinnati on June 28, 2018. A search of the residence uncovered drug paraphernalia, drug packing materials, digital scales, marijuana, more than 100 grams of fentanyl, more than 100 grams of crack cocaine, four firearms and ammunition, and bundles of United States currency.,
At the time of his arrest for the drug trafficking conspiracy, Lanier was a fugitive wanted by the Cincinnati Police Department for the felonious assault of a female victim on June 10, 2018. According to court records, Lanier, in an unprovoked attack, punched the victim in the head, resulting in the victim having emergency brain surgery. Lanier was ultimately convicted on that charge in Hamilton County, Ohio, Court of Common Pleas and on sentenced to serve 5 years imprisonment.
Lanier pleaded guilty to the drug trafficking conspiracy charge in September 2019. Lanier has four prior felony drug trafficking convictions.
Lanier’s co-defendants were sentenced in March 2019. Martin received 84 months in prison and Tuggle received three months.Under federal law, Lanier and his co-defendants must serve 85 percent of their prison sentences. Judge Bunning ordered that Lainer’s sentence for the drug conspiracy charge be served consecutively to the sentence Lanier is serving for the felony assault. Lanier will be under the supervision of the U.S. Probation Office for 5years, following his release.
“The sentence imposed by the Court reflects the seriousness of Lanier’s offense, and the significance of his criminal history, which includes convictions for drug offenses and violent conduct,” said Robert M. Duncan, Jr., U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of Kentucky. “Lanier was ultimately held accountable because of the dedicated work of the law enforcement officers involved in this investigation. I commend them for their efforts to protect the public.”
“The criminal history of Lanier shows his complete disregard for the lives of others,” said DEA Detroit Field Division Special Agent in Charge Keith Martin. “Because of the cooperation between DEA, local law enforcement counterparts, and the U.S. Attorney’s Office, this drug trafficker is out of the community and facing a significant sentence.”
U.S. Attorney Duncan, DEA Special Agent in Charge Martin, and Chris Conners, Director of the Northern Kentucky Drug Strike Force, jointly announced the sentence.
The investigation was conducted by the DEA and Northern Kentucky Drug Strike Force. The United States was represented by Assistant U.S. Attorney Wade Napier.
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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Christian Ruffin of Raleigh Indicted on Child Pornography ChargesRead the Press Release
RALEIGH, N.C. – A federal grand jury returned an indictment today charging a Raleigh man with nine counts of receipt of child pornography, and one count of possession of child pornography.
According to the indictment, Christian Ruffin, 23, allegedly received at least nine images containing visual depictions of minors engaged in sexually explicit conduct. The indictment further alleges that on November 14, 2019, Ruffin was found to be in possession of digital media containing images and videos involving minors engaged in sexually explicit conduct.
If convicted, Ruffin would face a statutory minimum sentence of 5 years’ imprisonment and a maximum sentence of up to 20 years per count. He also would face up to a lifetime of supervised release following any term of imprisonment.
Robert J. Higdon, Jr., U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of North Carolina, made the announcement. The Federal Bureau of Investigation and the Raleigh Police Department are investigating the case. Assistant United States Attorney Jake D. Pugh is prosecuting the case.
An indictment is merely an accusation. The defendant is presumed innocent until proven guilty.
This case is part of the Project Safe Childhood initiative, a national program aimed at ensuring that criminals exploiting children are effectively prosecuted by making full use of all available law enforcement resources at every level. For more information about this important national initiative, go to www.projectsafechildhood.gov.
A copy of this press release is located on our website.
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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.
Chicopee Man Indicted for Heroin DistributionRead the Press Release
BOSTON – A Chicopee man was arrested on drug distribution charges.
Brett Garcia, 33, was charged in an indictment unsealed today with possessing with intent to distribute 100 grams or more of heroin. Garcia was arraigned today and was detained pending a hearing scheduled for Friday, May 15, 2020.
The indictment alleges that Garcia possessed with intent to distribute 100 grams or more of heroin on Feb. 28, 2020 in Hampden County.
The indictment was the result of an investigation into heroin trafficking in Chicopee.
The charging statute provides for a sentence of at least five years and up to 40 years in prison, at least three years of supervised release and a fine of $2 million. Sentences are imposed by a federal district court judge based on the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors.
United States Attorney Andrew E. Lelling; Brian D. Boyle, Special Agent in Charge of the Drug Enforcement Administration, New England Field Division; Colonel Christopher Mason, Superintendent of the Massachusetts State Police; and Chicopee Police Chief William R. Jebb made the announcement today. Assistant U.S. Attorney Todd E. Newhouse of Lelling’s Springfield Branch Office is prosecuting the case.
The details contained in the indictment are allegations. The defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.
Cameron Hayes of Raleigh Indicted on Child Pornography ChargesRead the Press Release
RALEIGH, N.C. – A federal grand jury returned an indictment today charging a Raleigh man with three counts of receipt of child pornography, and one count of possession of child pornography.
According to the indictment, Cameron Hayes, 33, allegedly received at least three images containing visual depictions of minors engaged in sexually explicit conduct. The indictment further alleges that on January 7, 2020, Hayes was found to be in possession of digital media containing images and videos involving minors engaged in sexually explicit conduct.
If convicted, Hayes faces a statutory minimum sentence of 5 years’ imprisonment and a maximum sentence of up to 20 years per count. He also would face up to a lifetime of supervised release following any term of imprisonment.
Robert J. Higdon, Jr., U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of North Carolina, made the announcement. The Federal Bureau of Investigation and the Raleigh Police Department are investigating the case. Assistant United States Attorney Jake D. Pugh is prosecuting the case.
An indictment is merely an accusation. The defendant is presumed innocent until proven guilty.
This case is part of the Project Safe Childhood initiative, a national program aimed at ensuring that criminals exploiting children are effectively prosecuted by making full use of all available law enforcement resources at every level. For more information about this important national initiative, go to www.projectsafechildhood.gov.
A copy of this press release is located on our website.
***
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.
California MS-13 leader who participated in 3 Columbus murders sentenced to serve life in prison without chance of releaseRead the Press Release
COLUMBUS, Ohio – A Santa Maria, Calif. man was sentenced in federal court in Columbus today to spend the rest of his life in prison without the possibility of release.
Jose Bonilla-Mejia (a/k/a Espia), 31, participated in the 2015 murders of two men who were stabbed and beat to death and buried in shallow graves at Innis Park. Bonilla-Mejia also played a role in planning a 2016 murder at an apartment complex at Melroy Avenue and Kelburn Road in Columbus.
Namely, Bonilla-Mejia took part in the murders of Carlos Serrano-Ramos, Wilson Villeda and Salvador Martinez-Diaz.
Bonilla-Mejia pleaded guilty in August 2019 to participating in a racketeering conspiracy and two counts of murder in aid of racketeering.
The defendant is one of 23 individuals charged in a February 2018 second superseding indictment who are alleged to be members and associates of MS-13 in Columbus.
“This is a violent transnational criminal organization that victimizes the citizens of the United States and Central America,” U.S. Attorney David M. DeVillers said. “Mr. Bonilla-Mejia personally participated in the murders and mutilations of victims with the purpose of sending a message from MS-13. With this sentence, we are sending a message back. Mr. Bonilla-Mejia and many of his coconspirators will die in prison.”
The defendants are charged in a racketeering conspiracy, which includes five murders as well as attempted murder, extortion, money laundering, drug trafficking, assault, obstruction of justice, witness intimidation, weapons offenses and immigration-related violations.
The second superseding indictment alleges that the defendants committed a host of overt acts in furtherance of the conspiracy, including: 1) the December 2006 murder of Jose Mendez, a suspected confidential informant, in Perry County; 2) the November 2008 murder of Ramon Ramos on Lockbourne Road in Columbus; 3) the mid-2015 murder of Carlos Serrano-Ramos, a suspected rival gang member, near Innis Road in Columbus; 4) the November 2015 murder of Wilson Villeda near Innis Road in Columbus; and 5) the December 2016 murder of Salvador Martinez-Diaz, a suspected rival gang member, on Melroy Avenue in Columbus.
The murders often involved defendants using weapons like machetes, knives and hammers to attack and beat their victims to death.
In March 2016, law enforcement officers arrested Bonilla-Mejia in Akron, Ohio in connection with an outstanding warrant issued in California. Shortly thereafter, he was transported to California and detained in the Santa Barbara County Jail before returning to Ohio to face his federal charges.
David M. DeVillers, United States Attorney for the Southern District of Ohio; Chris Hoffman, Special Agent in Charge, Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), Cincinnati Division; Rebecca Adducci, Detroit Field Office Director, U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) Enforcement and Removal Operations; Franklin County Sheriff Dallas Baldwin; and Columbus Police Chief Thomas Quinlan announced the sentence imposed today by U.S. District Judge Edmund A. Sargus, Jr. U.S. Attorney DeVillers commended the assistance of Santa Barbara County District Attorney Joyce E. Dudley’s office.
Deputy Criminal Chief Brian J. Martinez and Assistant United States Attorney Noah R. Litton are representing the United States in this case.
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Buffalo Man Charged with Selling Drugs That Led to A Death Faces Life in PrisonRead 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 a federal grand jury has returned an indictment charging Steven Gonzalez, a/k/a Unc, 44, of Buffalo, NY, with distribution of heroin, fentanyl, and acetyl fentanyl causing death; conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute heroin, fentanyl, and acetyl fentanyl; possessing with intent to distribute heroin; and using and maintaining a drug involved premises. The charges carry a mandatory minimum term of imprisonment of 20 years, a maximum penalty of life in prison, and a $1,000,000 fine.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Michael J. Adler, who is handling the case, stated that according to the indictment, between 2018 and July 2019, the defendant conspired with others to distribute heroin, fentanyl, and acetyl fentanyl, which led to the death of an individual identified as L.K. During the course of the conspiracy, Gonzalez utilized 1252 West Avenue in Buffalo for his drug trafficking activities.
The indictment is the result of an investigation by the Buffalo Police Department, under the direction of Commissioner Byron Lockwood, and the Drug Enforcement Administration, under the direction of Special Agent-in-Charge Ray Donovan, New York Field Division.
The fact that a defendant has been charged with a crime is merely an accusation and the defendant is presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty.
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Braxton County woman sentenced for methamphetamine distributionRead the Press Release
CLARKSBURG, WEST VIRGINIA – Brandi Dawn Singleton, of Burnsville, West Virginia, was sentenced today to 12 months incarceration for her role in a methamphetamine distribution operation, U.S. Attorney Bill Powell announced.
Singleton, age 42, pled guilty to one count of Distribution of Methamphetamine in Proximity to a Protected Location” in September 2019. Singleton admitted to selling methamphetamine near Gilmer County High School in September 2018.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Brandon S. Flower prosecuted the case on behalf of the government. The Mountain Lakes Drug & Violent Crimes Task Force investigated.
Senior U.S. District Judge Irene M. Keeley presided.
Braxton County man sentenced for drug distributionRead the Press Release
CLARKSBURG, WEST VIRGINIA – Joseph Lee Frederick, of Duck, West Virginia, was sentenced today to 12 months incarceration for drug distribution, U.S. Attorney Bill Powell announced.
Frederick, age 36, pled guilty to one count of “Aiding and Abetting Distribution of Methamphetamine within 1,000 Feet of a Protected Location” in September 2019. Frederick admitted to selling methamphetamine near Gilmer County High School in September 2018.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Brandon S. Flower prosecuted the case on behalf of the government. The Mountain Region Drug & Violent Crimes Task Force investigated.
Senior U.S. District Judge Irene M. Keeley presided.
Beware of SBA Loan Scams, Government Officials WarnRead the Press Release
CHARLOTTE, N.C. – Government officials issued a warning today, to alert the public about potential fraud schemes related to economic stimulus programs offered by the U.S. Small Business Administration to assist small business owners during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Andrew Murray, U.S. Attorney for the Western District of North Carolina, John A. Strong, Special Agent in Charge of the FBI in North Carolina, and Kevin Kupperbusch, Special Agent in Charge of the Small Business Administration, Office of the Inspector General (SBA-OIG), Eastern Region, made the announcement today.
“During these unprecedented times, when small business owners impacted by COVID-19 are doing their best to keep their businesses afloat, it is easy to fall prey to scammers. We advise everyone to remain vigilant in safeguarding their personal and their business information, and to be particularly discerning of emails or other solicitations related to economic relief programs. As always, we are working in coordination with our law enforcement partners to identify fraudulent schemes and to bring scammers to justice, but the best first line of defense is for the public to exercise extreme caution before divulging important information to those who may be using economic relief programs as an opportunity to commit fraud,” said U.S. Attorney Andrew Murray.
“While American small business owners and employees are struggling, fraudsters are busy trying to steal the money meant to help those families survive. With billions of dollars in aid available, they will try every trick in the book to rob the rightful recipients of those funds. The FBI along with our partners are working every day to keep Americans safe during this unprecedented time. We want to remind everyone to go to official sites for information and never trust a text, email, or phone call promising a deal that sounds too good to be true,” said FBI Special Agent in Charge John Strong.
“Fraudsters prey upon those in vulnerable positions, and this is a critical time for our nation’s small businesses,” said SBA OIG Special Agent in Charge Kevin Kupperbusch. “SBA OIG and its law enforcement partners are actively working together to root out fraud in SBA’s programs and bring those responsible to justice. The public is encouraged to learn about potential fraud schemes and scams as a safeguard to being victimized.”
The Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act (CARES Act), is the largest financial assistance bill to date, and includes provisions to help small businesses. The public is warned to be extra vigilant in protecting their information and to be on the lookout for grant fraud, loan fraud, and phishing, as scammers are targeting small business owners during these economically difficult times.
To raise awareness, the SBA’s Office of Inspector General has published the following information pertaining to possible scams and emerging fraud schemes:
- The SBA does not initiate contact on either 7a or disaster loans or grants. If you are proactively contacted by someone claiming to be from the SBA, suspect fraud.
- If you are contacted by someone promising to get approval of an SBA loan, but requires any payment up front or offers a high interest bridge loan in the interim, suspect fraud.
- The SBA limits the fees a broker can charge a borrower to 3% for loans $50,000 or less and 2% for loans $50,000 to $1,000,000 with an additional ¼% on amounts over $1,000,000. Any attempt to charge more than these fees is inappropriate.
- Look out for phishing attacks/scams utilizing the SBA logo. These may be attempts to obtain your personally identifiable information (PII), to obtain personal banking access, or to install ransomware/malware on your computer.
- If you are in the process of applying for an SBA loan and receive email correspondence asking for PII, ensure that the referenced application number is consistent with the actual application number.
- Any email communication from SBA will come from accounts ending with sba.gov.
- The presence of an SBA logo on a webpage does not guarantee the information is accurate or endorsed by SBA. Please cross-reference any information you receive with information available at www.sba.gov.
If you have a question about getting an SBA disaster loan, call 800-659-2955 or send an email to [email protected]. If you have questions about other SBA lending products, call SBA’s Answer Desk at 800-827-5722 or send an email to [email protected]. The above-referenced list of emerging SBA scams and additional information can also be accessed at: https://www.sba.gov/document/report--sba-programs-scams-fraud-alerts.
If you think you are a victim of a scam or attempted fraud involving SBA loans and COVID-19, contact the SBA OIG hotline at (800) 767-0385, or online at: https://sbax.sba.gov/oigcss/.
You can also report the fraud by calling the Department of Justice’s National Center for Disaster Fraud Hotline at 866-720-5721 or via the NCDF Web Complaint Form.
Bergen County Man Charged in Large-Scale Identity TheftRead the Press Release
NEWARK, N.J. – A Bergen County man was arrested today for his alleged role in a large-scale fraudulent credit card and fake identification making operation, U.S. Attorney Craig Carpenito announced.
Michael Fulcher, 35, of Teaneck, New Jersey, was arrested this morning by special agents of the U.S. Secret Service and charged by complaint with one count each of possession of 15 or more counterfeit access devices, possession of access device-making equipment, and aggravated identity theft. He appeared by teleconference today before U.S. Magistrate Judge Cathy L. Waldor and released on $100,000 unsecured bond.
According to the documents filed in this case and statements made in court:
On March 23, 2020, Fulcher was found to be in possession of identity theft and access device-making equipment in the attic of his Teaneck home. Law enforcement officers seized a large amount of equipment that was used to produce fraudulent credit cards, driver’s licenses, counterfeit money, and counterfeit identification cards. Fulcher had 4,920 counterfeit credit cards, 206 counterfeit driver’s licenses from 24 different states containing victims’ personal identifiable information along with unknown suspect photographs, several state’s holograms for driver’s licenses, devices used to read the data that is encoded on the magnetic strip of a credit card, devices used to re-encode data onto the magnetic strip of a credit card, printers designed to print plastic cards, and several laptop computers, hard drives, memory devices, and other electronic devices.
Law enforcement officers searched the electronic devices found in Fulcher’s home and found, among other things, templates to create credit cards, currency, and identification documents, including driver’s licenses, and spreadsheets containing thousands of unique credit card account numbers.
The charge of possession of 15 or more counterfeit access devices carries a statutory maximum sentence of 10 years in prison. The possession of access device-making machines charge carries a statutory maximum sentence of 15 years in prison, and the aggravated identity theft charge carries a mandatory sentence of two years in prison, which must be served consecutively to any other sentence imposed. Each of the offenses also carries a maximum fine of $250,000, or twice the gain or loss from the offense, whichever is greater.
U.S. Attorney Carpenito credited special agents of the U.S. Secret Service, under the direction of Special Agent in Charge Mark McKevitt in Newark, with the investigation leading to the charges and arrest. He also thanked the Department of Homeland Security, Homeland Security Investigations in Newark, the U.S. Postal Inspection Service, and the Teaneck Police Department for their assistance.
The government is represented by Special Assistant U.S. Attorney Kendall Randolph of the U.S. Attorney’s Office’s Organized Crime and Gangs Unit in Newark.
The charge and allegations contained in the complaint are merely accusations, and the defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.
Another strip mall property settles ADA allegationsRead the Press Release
HOUSTON — The owners of a property known as Center West Plaza have settled allegations under Title III of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) to remove barriers and greatly improve physical accessibility, announced U.S. Attorney Ryan K. Patrick.
The United States initiated an investigation into Center West Plaza as part of a compliance review of strip shopping centers after receiving a complaint regarding a similar property. The investigation revealed that physical barriers existed at various locations in the parking lot and access points of the shopping center.
The settlement agreement requires the property owner to remedy all access barriers the United States has identified within three months.
Under the ADA, persons with disabilities shall be afforded the opportunity to participate in or benefit from the goods, services, facilities, privileges, advantages or accommodations equal to that afforded to other individuals. Title III mandates that no individual shall be discriminated against on the basis of a disability by any person who owns, leases or operates a place of public accommodation.
The Center West Plaza property is a place of public accommodation. As such, the owner is subject to the Title III requirements.
The United States Attorney is authorized to commence a civil action when he believes discrimination exists, seeking full compliance with the ADA, including requiring the owners and operators of places of public accommodations to remedy the violations.
Assistant U.S. Attorneys Keith Edward Wyatt and Annalisa Cravens handled this investigation with the assistance of Paralegal Specialist Raymond Babauta.
Allentown Man Arrested for Distribution of Child Pornography and Weapons ChargesRead the Press Release
PHILADELPHIA – United States Attorney William M. McSwain announced that Kelly Wayne Smith, 59, of Allentown, Pennsylvania, was arrested and charged by Criminal Complaint with knowingly distributing, and attempting to distribute, child pornography, as well as illegal possession of a firearm by a prohibited person. At Smith’s initial appearance, United States Magistrate Judge Henry S. Perkin ordered Smith detained until trial.
In October 2019, a social networking platform reported to the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children (“NCMEC”) Cyber Tipline that several images depicting child pornography had been uploaded to an account registered to Smith. In May 2020, a search warrant was executed at Smith’s residence and authorities found several photos depicting child pornography, including one that was reported to the NCMEC. Authorities also seized a handgun during the search.
If convicted, the defendant faces a maximum possible sentence of 50 years in prison, with a mandatory minimum term of 15 years.
“Adults should be protecting children from harm, not exploiting them for their own twisted gratification,” said U.S. Attorney McSwain. “Each time somebody distributes images that depict a child being exploited, that child is re-victimized all over again. My Office is committed to rooting out and punishing the online exploitation of children and we will continue to work tirelessly with our law enforcement partners to do just that.”
“Distribution of child pornography is a heinous act that perpetuates the sexual exploitation of children,” said Michael J. Driscoll, Special Agent in Charge of the FBI's Philadelphia Division. “The FBI stands ready to step in and work with our law enforcement partners to protect our children from such victimization.”
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 Federal Bureau of Investigation and the Allentown Police Department, and it is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Sherri Stephan.
An indictment, information, or criminal complaint is an accusation. A defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.
Tuesday 12 May 2020
Wayne County Prosecutor’s Office Receives $1.4 Million and Detroit Police Department Receives $2.4 Million in Awards to Support Efforts to Combat Violent CrimeRead the Press Release
DETROIT – The Justice Department announced that the Office of Community Oriented Policing Services (COPS Office) and the Office of Justice Programs’ Bureau of Justice Assistance have awarded more than $61 million in grant funding to support the Attorney General’s Operation Relentless Pursuit (ORP) initiative. Of that $61 million, the Wayne County Prosecutor’s Office will receive $1.4 million. In addition, the Detroit Police Department will receive $2.4 million.
Launched on Dec. 18, 2019, ORP aims to intensify federal law enforcement resources into seven American cities with violent crime levels several times the national average - Albuquerque, Baltimore, Cleveland, Detroit, Kansas City, Memphis, and Milwaukee.
“While violent crime is down across the country as a whole, some communities remain caught in the grips of violent actors,” said Attorney General William P. Barr. “That’s why I launched Operation Relentless Pursuit last December – an initiative to combat violent crime in seven cities where it remains stubbornly high. Today’s grant awards are critical to our mission. We cannot succeed in eradicating crime without resources – the most vital of which are the brave men and women who serve and protect our communities each day. These funds will boost the forces that need them most.”
To meet the objectives of the program, the Wayne County Prosecutor’s Office (WCPO) will hire 7 attorneys and contract with the 3rd Circuit Court to secure the services of a one-person grand juror. The Assistant Prosecuting Attorneys (APA) will work directly with the ATF, FBI, DEA, and U.S. Marshals to coordinate and vertically prosecute violent crimes, gun crimes, human trafficking, and targeted offenders. They will work collaboratively with the United States Attorney’s Office to determine which path(s) of prosecution will have the greatest impact on violent crime and best advance the goals of the operation.
At least one APA will be dedicated to the one-person grand jury; a specially assigned circuit court judge with broad powers to investigate criminal activity through streamlined and secret proceedings. With a one-person grand jury witnesses can be examined under oath far more quickly than under “traditional” processes and without the fear that important testimony will be shared with other witnesses or targets of the investigation.
The grant funds awarded to the Detroit Police Department will go to fund 15 new police officer positions.
United States Attorney Matthew Schneider stated, “Even during this pandemic, our local law enforcement partners continue to make great progress in keeping our communities safe, and I’m very pleased we can support them by bringing in more federal resources.”
Prosecutor Kym Worthy said, “In order to prosecute violent crime we need the staff and resources to do so. The award of $1.4 million dollars will allow us to hire seven assistant prosecutors to work with other law enforcement agencies to vertically prosecute violent offenders. This type of coordinated response has been shown to be effective and successful. We are thankful that the Department of Justice has awarded the Wayne County Prosecutor’s Office this grant.”
The COPS Office, through its COPS Hiring Program (CHP), awarded a total of $51 million to be used to hire 214 sworn law enforcement officers for state and local law enforcement task forces. The recipients of the funding will deploy existing veteran officers to task force duties and use the CHP funding to hire new recruits to backfill those positions, as practical. Officers deployed to Operation Relentless Pursuit task forces as a result of CHP funding must be sworn, career law enforcement officers of the awarded agency, and their work on the task force must benefit their jurisdiction. In addition, they are required to work with their respective U.S. Attorney’s Office (USAO) and relevant federal agencies to investigate and prosecute suspects involved in gangs, drug trafficking, and other violent crime– related issues.
“Successful strategies to target and reduce violent crime are extremely resource intensive,” said COPS Office Director Phil Keith. “There is no greater resource than additional men and women on the front lines of relentless fight against gangs, drug traffickers and those that mean harm to our nation’s communities. The funding announced today is greatly needed for the Operation Relentless Pursuit jurisdictions and the COPS Office is honored to dedicate resources for this effort.”
For a breakdown of the awards, please see the attached spreadsheet. For more information on the COPS Hiring Program ORP grants, please visit: https://cops.usdoj.gov/pdf/2020AwardDocs/chp/FY20_Relentless_Pursuit_Fact_Sheet.pdf
The Office of Justice Programs’ Bureau of Justice Assistance (BJA) is making $10 million available to support Operation Relentless Pursuit. BJA funds will support efforts such as the hiring of additional prosecutors, overtime expenses for task force members, multi-agency investigations, mobile data terminals and modern technological platforms, and development of strategic plans to address gaps in combating violent crime.
“The responsibility for fighting crime and violence belongs to agencies at every level of government, and winning that fight turns on our ability to deploy our collective resources wisely and effectively,” said Office of Justice Programs Principal Deputy Assistant Attorney General Katharine T. Sullivan. “We are eager to make these funds available so that our federal, state and local partners can continue the vital and noble work of protecting America’s most dangerous communities.”
The year 2020 marks the 150th anniversary of the Department of Justice. Learn more about the history of our agency at www.Justice.gov/Celebrating150Years.
United States Attorney William D. Hyslop Releases Public Service Announcements for National Police WeekRead the Press Release
Spokane, Washington – As part of National Police Week, William D. Hyslop, United States Attorney for the Eastern District of Washington, announced the release of three video public service announcements (“PSA”) honoring the service of our law enforcement officers across the country. And, we particularly honor those who lost their lives in the line of duty in 2019. Each year, during National Police Week we commemorate the courage, duty, and extraordinary character this selfless profession mandates. Sadly, it also marks a time to honor and pay tribute to the 307 men and women whose names were engraved in 2020 on the National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial, 135 of which represent those killed in the line of duty in 2019.
U.S. Attorney Hyslop said, “Few callings are as noble as serving as a law enforcement professional. Law enforcement officers are essential to the strength and prosperity of our communities. There are more than 18,000 law enforcement agencies nationwide, with brave men and women who honorably serve their communities daily. Every day, these courageous men and women place the safety and security of their communities above their own. Their unwavering commitment to serve on the front lines fighting crime and violence deserves our gratitude.”
The video PSAs can be viewed at the following links
Supporting Law Enforcement During Police Week 2020
https://youtu.be/3bHlVOi3NJI
Police Week 2020 – Honoring Law Enforcement for their Service and Selflessness
https://youtu.be/U2vnTUVCvHA
Honoring the Sacrifices of Law Enforcement during Police Week 2020
https://youtu.be/cFG52fcUIZc
If you would like to schedule an interview with U.S. Attorney Hyslop, please contact Debbie Doll, Executive Assistant to the U.S. Attorney, at 509-413-6344.
Union Man Pleads Guilty to Methamphetamine TraffickingRead the Press Release
COVINGTON, Ky. – A Union, Kentucky, man, Randy Lee Hall, 37, pleaded guilty on Tuesday, before U.S. District Court Chief Judge Danny C. Reeves, to possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine.
Hall admitted that on November 14, 2019, he possessed with the intent to distribute 50 grams or more of actual methamphetamine. According to his plea agreement, law enforcement officials searched Hall’s car and recovered 64.5 grams of actual methamphetamine, and Hall admitted that he intended to distribute the drugs.
Hall was indicted in December 2019.
Robert M. Duncan, Jr., United States Attorney for the Eastern District of Kentucky; Keith W. Martin, Special Agent in Charge for the DEA Detroit Field Division; and Chief Tom Grau, Florence Police Department, jointly announced the guilty plea.
The investigation was conducted by the DEA and the Florence Police Department. The United States was represented by Assistant U.S. Attorney Amanda B. Harris.
Hall will be sentenced on a date yet to be determined by the Court. He faces a sentence of not less than 10 years and not more than life imprisonment, and a fine of not more than $10 million. However, any sentence will be imposed by the Court after its consideration of the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and the federal sentencing statutes.
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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U.S.Attorney Weinhoeft Recognizes National Police WeekRead the Press Release
Fairview Heights, Ill. – U.S. Attorney Steven D. Weinhoeft of the Southern District of Illinois
joins today with federal officials across the Department of Justice in observance of National
Police Week. During this week – May 10 through May 16 – we pay special honor to the service and
sacrifice of our nation’s federal, state, local, and tribal law enforcement. Due to the ongoing
pandemic, all Police Week events will be virtual this year, but our respect and heartfelt gratitude
remain as strong as ever.“There is no more noble profession than serving as a police officer,” said Attorney General William
P. Barr. “The men and women who protect our communities each day have not just devoted their lives
to public service, they’ve taken an oath to give their lives in order to ensure our safety. And
they do so not only in the face of hostility from those who reject our nation’s commitment to the
rule of law, but also in the face of evolving adversity – such as an unprecedented global health
pandemic. This week, I ask all Americans to join me in saying ‘thank you’ to our nation’s federal,
state, local, and tribal law enforcement officers. Their devotion and sacrifice to our peace and
security will not be taken for granted.”U.S. Attorney Weinhoeft said, “Law enforcement officers are ‘the thin blue line’ that maintains
order and protects us from chaos. Police work has always involved risk; but we are living through a
moment in history when danger hides in the most routine activities. While most Americans are
sheltering in place, we have witnessed men and women in essential positions heroically serving the
people of this nation in spite of the danger. As they continue to merit our praise and sincerest
gratitude, we pause this week to show our respect to all the law enforcement officers who daily
make this brave act of sacrifice, putting our collective safety ahead of their own. I am especially
proud of the dedicated officers who serve and protect the Southern District of Illinois and who
have continued to work, without fanfare, in the midst of this pandemic.”In 1962, President Kennedy issued the first proclamation for Peace Officers Memorial Day and
National Police Week, to remember and honor law enforcement officers for their service and
sacrifices. Each year during National Police Week, our nation celebrates the contributions of law
enforcement from around the country, recognizing their hard work, dedication, loyalty and
commitment to keeping our communities safe. This year the COVID-19 pandemic has underscored
law enforcement officers’ courage and unwavering devotion to the communities they swore to serve. Peace Officers Memorial Day, observed every year on May 15, specifically honors lawenforcement officers killed or disabled in the line of duty. Based on data collected and analyzed
by the FBI’s Law Enforcement Officer Killed and Assaulted (LEOKA) Program, 89 law enforcement
officers died nationwide in the line of duty in 2019, including Illinois State Trooper Nicholas
Hopkins here in the Southern District of Illinois. In the early morning hours of August 23, 2019,
Trooper Hopkins, 33, was shot and killed while attempting to execute a search warrant at a
residence in East St. Louis. A 10-year veteran of law enforcement, Trooper Hopkins was a member of
the Illinois State Police SWAT team – a group of dedicated professionals routinely tasked with some
of the most dangerous assignments. His tragic death was deeply felt across the district and still
weighs heavily on the hearts of all who knew him.Comprehensive data tables and brief narratives describing the other fatal attacks on law
enforcement officers are available at https://ucr.fbi.gov/leoka/2019/home. According to FBI data,
there were an additional 41 officers nationwide who were killed accidentally last year while on
duty. Trooper Hopkins’ name, along with the names of the other fallen officers, has been added to
the wall at the National Law Enforcement Memorial and will be read aloud on Wednesday, May 13,
2020, during a candlelight vigil.Because public events have been suspended as a result of COVID-19, the vigil will be livestreamed
to the public at 7:00 PM CDT. To register to view this free online event, please
www.LawMemorial.org/webcast. To learn more about National Police Week and the virtual
candlelight vigil, please visit www.policeweek.org.
U.S. Attorney’s Office Recognizes National Police WeekRead the Press Release
SACRAMENTO, Calif. — In honor of National Police Week, the U.S. Attorney’s Office honors and remembers the service and sacrifice of federal, state, local, and tribal law enforcement.
Each year, during National Police Week, our nation celebrates the contributions of law enforcement from around the country, recognizing their hard work, dedication, loyalty and commitment to keeping our communities safe. This year, the COVID-19 pandemic has underscored the courage and unwavering devotion of law enforcement officers to the communities they swore to serve.
“There is no more noble profession than serving as a police officer,” said Attorney General William P. Barr. “The men and women who protect our communities each day have not just devoted their lives to public service, they’ve taken an oath to give their lives in order to ensure our safety. And they do so not only in the face of hostility from those who reject our nation’s commitment to the rule of law, but also in the face of evolving adversity – such as an unprecedented global health pandemic. This week, I ask all Americans to join me in saying ‘thank you’ to our nation’s federal, state, local, and tribal law enforcement officers. Their devotion and sacrifice to our peace and security will not be taken for granted.”
“This is a time for all of us to honor and pay tribute to our law enforcement heroes who gave the ultimate sacrifice while protecting our communities,” said U.S. Attorney McGregor W. Scott. “We will never forget their sacrifice and we will keep their families and fellow officers in our hearts and minds.”
In 1962, President Kennedy issued the first proclamation for Peace Officers Memorial Day and National Police Week to remember and honor law enforcement officers for their service and sacrifices. Peace Officers Memorial Day, which falls on May 15 every year, specifically honors law enforcement officers killed or disabled in the line of duty.
Based on data collected and analyzed by the FBI’s Law Enforcement Officer Killed and Assaulted (LEOKA) Program, 89 law enforcement officers died nationwide in the line of duty in 2019. Comprehensive data tables about these incidents and brief narratives describing most of the fatal attacks are included in the sections of Law Enforcement Officers Killed and Assaulted, 2019.
Three of the law enforcement officers killed in the line of duty being remembered this week are from the Eastern District of California— Officer Natalie Corona of the Davis Police Department, Officer Tara O’Sullivan of the Sacramento Police Department, and Deputy Brian Ishmael of the El Dorado County Sheriff’s Department. The United States Attorney’s Office brought federal charges in full cooperation and consultation with the El Dorado District Attorney’s Office related to the marijuana cultivation that resulted in the death of Deputy Ishmael. In November 2019, a federal grand jury returned a four-count indictment charging four men with marijuana cultivation and firearms offenses.
The names of the fallen officers who have been added in 2020 to the wall at the National Law Enforcement Memorial will be read on Wednesday, May 13, 2020, during a Virtual Annual Candlelight Vigil. Because public events have been suspended as a result of COVID-19, the vigil will be live streamed to the public at 8:00 pm (EDT). To register to view this free online event, please go to https://nleomf.org/. To learn more about National Police Week and the virtual candlelight vigil, please visit www.policeweek.org.
U.S. Attorney’s Office Prosecuting Domestic Violence on Ft. KnoxRead the Press Release
LOUISVILLE, Ky. – United States Attorney Russell Coleman today announced the charging of Chaniqua Boyd, via criminal complaint, with assault occurring on the Fort Knox, KY military installation, land within the federal maritime and territorial jurisdiction of the United States.
“Law enforcement must be especially vigilant during this pandemic of the risk of domestic violence and we will be especially aggressive in responding when it occurs,” said U.S. Attorney Russell Coleman.
According to the criminal complaint, on May 10, 2020, Fort Knox Military Police responded to the residence of Boyd and Army Sgt. First Class V.G. where they detained Boyd. V.G. was transported to Louisville for treatment of a stab wound to the upper chest which resulted in a punctured lung. According to a statement given by Boyd, she stated she did not intend to stab V.G.
If convicted at trial the maximum sentence for assault with a dangerous weapon with the intent to do bodily harm is 10 years in prison, a $250,000 fine, and up to 3 years of supervised release.
A federal complaint is a written statement of the essential facts of the offense charged and must be made under oath before a United States magistrate judge. The charge set forth in a complaint is merely an accusation and the defendant is presumed innocent until proven guilty.
This case is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Mac Shannon and U.S. Army Captain James D. Taylor, Special Assistant United States Attorney. The U.S. Army Criminal Investigative Division (CID) conducted the investigation with assistance from the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI).
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U.S. Attorney William D. Hyslop Recognizes Law Enforcement’s Service and Sacrifice During National Police WeekRead the Press Release
Spokane – In honor of National Police Week, William D. Hyslop, U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of Washington, asks all citizens, “When you see a law enforcement officer, thank them for their service. This week, we urge everyone to recognize the service and sacrifice of federal, state, local, and Tribal law enforcement.”
National Police Week will be observed Sunday, May 10 through Saturday, May 16, 2020.
On Wednesday, May 13, 2020, pay tribute to those who have died in the line of duty in 2019 by watching the virtual candlelight vigil sponsored by the National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial Fund. https://www.youtube.com/user/TheNLEOMF
On Friday, May 15, 2020, stop for a moment to remember our fallen officers on Peace Officers Memorial Day.
“There is no more noble profession than serving as a police officer,” said Attorney General William P. Barr. “The men and women who protect our communities each day have not just devoted their lives to public service, they’ve taken an oath to give their lives in order to ensure our safety. And they do so not only in the face of hostility from those who reject our nation’s commitment to the rule of law, but also in the face of evolving adversity – such as an unprecedented global health pandemic. This week, I ask all Americans to join me in saying ‘thank you’ to our nation’s federal, state, local, and tribal law enforcement officers. Their devotion and sacrifice to our peace and security will not be taken for granted.”
U.S. Attorney Hyslop said, “At the United States Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of Washington, we have the great privilege to work closely on a daily basis with federal, state, local and Tribal law enforcement officers in pursuit of justice. They are prepared at any moment to put their lives at risk for our community’s safety. In 2019, one deputy sheriff was shot and killed in the line of duty in Eastern Washington. One officer death is too many. Nationally, the names of 135 officers killed in the line of duty are being added to the National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial. I ask you to take time this week to remember our fallen law enforcement officers throughout the country, and their families and loved ones who live with their loss.”
In 1962, President Kennedy issued the first proclamation for Peace Officers Memorial Day and National Police Week to remember and honor law enforcement officers for their service and sacrifices. Peace Officers Memorial Day, which every year falls on May 15, specifically honors law enforcement officers killed or disabled in the line of duty.
Each year, during National Police Week, our nation celebrates the contributions of law enforcement from around the country, recognizing their hard work, dedication, loyalty and commitment to keeping our communities safe. This year the COVID-19 pandemic has underscored law enforcement officers’ courage and unwavering devotion to the communities they swore to serve.
Based on data collected and analyzed by the FBI’s Law Enforcement Officer Killed and Assaulted (LEOKA) Program, 89 law enforcement officers died nationwide in the line of duty in 2019, including one officer here in the Eastern District of Washington. Comprehensive data tables about these incidents and brief narratives describing most of the fatal attacks are included in the sections of Law Enforcement Officers Killed and Assaulted, 2019.
The names of the fallen officers who have been added in 2020 to the wall at the National Law Enforcement Memorial will be read on Wednesday, May 13, 2020, during a Virtual Annual Candlelight Vigil. Because public events have been suspended as a result of COVID-19, the vigil will be livestreamed to the public at 8:00 PM (EDT). The online event can be viewed at https://www.youtube.com/user/TheNLEOMF.