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4 June 2020
Hot Springs Man Sentenced to 10 Years in Federal Prison for Drug Trafficking and Firearms PossessionRead the Press Release
Hot Springs, Arkansas – David Clay Fowlkes, Acting United States Attorney for the Western District of Arkansas, announced today that Terry Gibbons, age 43, of Hot Springs, Arkansas, was sentenced to a total of 120 months in federal prison followed by four years of supervised release on one count of Possession with Intent to Distribute Methamphetamine and one count of Possession of a Firearm in Furtherance of a Drug Trafficking Crime. The Honorable Chief Judge Susan O. Hickey presided over the sentencing hearing in the United States District Court in Hot Springs.
In November 2018, a Hot Springs Police Officer conducted a traffic stop on a vehicle operated by Gibbons. While speaking with Gibbons, the officer observed a firearm in the storage compartment of the driver’s door. A check of the firearm determined that it had been reported stolen. Gibbons was placed under arrest and searched, at which time the officer located several baggies of methamphetamine and drug paraphernalia.
The suspected methamphetamine was submitted to the Arkansas State Crime lab for testing and tested positive for methamphetamine with a total weight of 219.4 grams.
Gibbons was indicted by a federal grand jury in June of 2019, and entered a guilty plea in October of 2019.
This case was investigated by the Hot Springs Police Department. Assistant United States Attorney Bryan Achorn prosecuted the case for the Western District of Arkansas.
Henderson Heroin Trafficker SentencedRead the Press Release
RALEIGH, N.C. – A Henderson man was sentenced to 78 months in prison for trafficking heroin in Vance County.
According to court documents, Reginald Lamont Lewis, 31, was involved in the distribution of heroin from February 2017 until December 2018. During that time, law enforcement investigated the drug trafficking activities of Lewis by conducting undercover purchases of narcotics; over 300 individual doses of heroin were purchased in total. The execution of a search warrant led to the seizure of approximately $25,600 in U.S. currency.
Robert J. Higdon, Jr., U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of North Carolina made the announcement after sentencing by U.S. District Judge James C. Dever III. The Drug Enforcement Administration; the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF); the Henderson Police Department; the North Carolina State Bureau of Investigation; the Vance County Sheriff’s Office; and the Virginia State Police Department investigated the case and Assistant U.S. Attorney Nick J. Miller prosecuted the case.
A copy of this press release is located on our website. Related court documents and information are located on the website of the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of North Carolina or on PACER by searching for Case No. 5:18-cr-00518-D-1.
Grand Jury Indicts Former Administrator, Supervisor of Illinois Secretary of State Department of Vehicle Services for Alleged Fraud SchemeRead the Press Release
SPRINGFIELD, Ill. – A federal grand jury has returned an indictment that charges Candace Faye Wanzo, 57, of Centralia, Ill., with defrauding the Illinois Secretary of State’s Office and the Illinois Department of Revenue of nearly $350,000. During the time of the alleged fraud, from March 2015 to April 2017, Wanzo was employed at the Illinois Secretary of State’s Office as administrator and supervisor of Vehicle Services. In this capacity, Wanzo was responsible for operation of the Public Service Center located in the Howlett Building, in Springfield, Ill., where, among other services, vehicle owners may pay title and registration fees, apply and pay for license plates, and make sales tax payments related to the sale of vehicles.
The indictment alleges that Wanzo stole title and registration fees and sales tax payments. Wanzo allegedly concealed the theft of title and registration fees by replacing stolen funds with title and registration fees from other vehicle owners. Wanzo also allegedly used the United Parcel Service (UPS) rather than the U.S. Mail to deliver license plates to conceal the delay caused by Wanzo having to locate and use other funds to replace stolen funds.
According to the indictment, from March 2015 to April 2017, Wanzo misapplied approximately $303,649 in title and registration fees to conceal title and registration fees that she had previously stolen. In October 2015, without superiors’ permission or knowledge, Wanzo allegedly changed the SOS policy of not accepting cash for sales tax payments and directed staff to begin accepting cash for the sales tax payments. Staff were directed to deliver the cash to her at the end of the day in a yellow envelope. Wanzo also directed her staff to submit any customer complaints directly to her in order to conceal the complaints from her superiors.
In addition to the $303,649 in misapplied title and registration fees, the indictment alleges that Wanzo stole approximately $40,102 in sales tax payments from December 2008 to April 2017.
If convicted, the statutory penalty for each count of mail fraud (three counts) is not more than 20 years in prison and not more than three years of supervision. For the offenses of intentional misapplication of Secretary of State fees (one count) and for theft of Illinois Department of Revenue sales tax payments (one count), the penalty is not more than 10 years in prison and not more than three years of supervision.
The case was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation with the assistance of the Illinois Secretary of State Inspector General’s Office which referred the matter to federal law enforcement. Assistant U.S. Attorney Gregory K. Harris is representing the government in the prosecution.
Members of the public are reminded that an indictment is merely an accusation; the defendant is presumed innocent unless proven guilty.
Grand Jury Indicts Former Administrator, Supervisor of Illinois Secretary of State Department of Vehicle Services for Alleged Fraud SchemeRead the Press Release
SPRINGFIELD, Ill. – A federal grand jury has returned an indictment that charges Candace Faye Wanzo, 57, of Centralia, Ill., with defrauding the Illinois Secretary of State’s Office and the Illinois Department of Revenue of nearly $350,000. During the time of the alleged fraud, from March 2015 to April 2017, Wanzo was employed at the Illinois Secretary of State’s Office as administrator and supervisor of Vehicle Services. In this capacity, Wanzo was responsible for operation of the Public Service Center located in the Howlett Building, in Springfield, Ill., where, among other services, vehicle owners may pay title and registration fees, apply and pay for license plates, and make sales tax payments related to the sale of vehicles.
The indictment alleges that Wanzo stole title and registration fees and sales tax payments. Wanzo allegedly concealed the theft of title and registration fees by replacing stolen funds with title and registration fees from other vehicle owners. Wanzo also allegedly used the United Parcel Service (UPS) rather than the U.S. Mail to deliver license plates to conceal the delay caused by Wanzo having to locate and use other funds to replace stolen funds.
According to the indictment, from March 2015 to April 2017, Wanzo misapplied approximately $303,649 in title and registration fees to conceal title and registration fees that she had previously stolen. In October 2015, without superiors’ permission or knowledge, Wanzo allegedly changed the SOS policy of not accepting cash for sales tax payments and directed staff to begin accepting cash for the sales tax payments. Staff were directed to deliver the cash to her at the end of the day in a yellow envelope. Wanzo also directed her staff to submit any customer complaints directly to her in order to conceal the complaints from her superiors.
In addition to the $303,649 in misapplied title and registration fees, the indictment alleges that Wanzo stole approximately $40,102 in sales tax payments from December 2008 to April 2017.
If convicted, the statutory penalty for each count of mail fraud (three counts) is not more than 20 years in prison and not more than three years of supervision. For the offenses of intentional misapplication of Secretary of State fees (one count) and for theft of Illinois Department of Revenue sales tax payments (one count), the penalty is not more than 10 years in prison and not more than three years of supervision.
The case was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation with the assistance of the Illinois Secretary of State Inspector General’s Office which referred the matter to federal law enforcement. Assistant U.S. Attorney Gregory K. Harris is representing the government in the prosecution.
Members of the public are reminded that an indictment is merely an accusation; the defendant is presumed innocent unless proven guilty.
Four Defendants Charged in Two Separate Indictments for Their Roles in Incidents of Violence Associated with Civil Unrest in BuffaloRead 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 Deyanna Davis, 30, Semaj Pigram, 25, and Walter Stewart, 28, all of Buffalo, NY, with being a felon in possession of a firearm. The charge carries a maximum penalty of 10 years in prison.
Assistant U.S. Seth T. Molisani, who is handling that case, stated that according to the indictment, on June 1, 2020, all three defendants were in possession of a semi-automatic 9mm handgun despite previous felony convictions. Davis was previously been convicted in March 2010, in Erie County Court; Pigram was previously convicted in June 2016, in Erie County Court; and Stewart was previously convicted in July 2012, also in Erie County Court. As a result of these convictions, the defendants are legally prohibited from possessing a firearm.
The firearm that the defendants are each charged with unlawfully possessing was discovered inside a vehicle in which the trio were travelling on June 1, 2020. The vehicle was stopped shortly after it is alleged to have struck and injured both a Buffalo Police Officer and a New York State Trooper in the vicinity of Bailey Avenue.
In addition, the federal grand jury has returned a separate indictment charging Courtland Renford, 20, of Buffalo, NY, with arson of a building, Buffalo City Hall, used in interstate commerce, which is punishable by a mandatory minimum penalty of five years in prison, and a maximum of 20 years.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Jeremiah E. Lenihan, who is handling the case, stated that according to the indictment and a previously filed complaint, on May 30, 2020, during a gathering of protesters in Niagara Square in Buffalo, an individual, later identified as the defendant, was captured on video approaching Buffalo City Hall, carrying a green laundry basket that contained a fire. Renford then threw the burning laundry basket into a window of Buffalo City Hall, causing a fire inside. Buffalo Fire Department personnel extinguished the fire, which destroyed and/or damaged items inside. News cameras captured the defendant throwing his hands up after he had thrown the flaming laundry basket into City Hall. Investigators identified Renford after sending out an alert. He was taken into custody at his Buffalo residence on June 1, 2020.
“This Office will continue to work with federal, state, and local law enforcement to continue to do everything in our power to deliver justice to our community,” states United States Attorney Kennedy. “We will continue to work seamlessly together in order to deliver the strongest and clearest message possible to those who might be considering engaging in or inciting violence and mayhem in our community that such acts will not be tolerated.”
The indictments are the result of an investigation by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives, under the direction of Special Agent-in-Charge John B. Devito, New York Field Division, the Buffalo Police Department, under the direction of Commissioner Byron Lockwood, the New York State Police, under the direction of Major James Hall, and Homeland Security Investigations, under the direction of Special Agent-in-Charge Kevin Kelly. Additional assistance was provided by the Erie County District Attorney’s Office, under the direction of District Attorney John Flynn.
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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Former employee admits to stealing nearly $10 millionRead the Press Release
HOUSTON – A 65-year-old Texas man has pleaded guilty to wire fraud in his connection to stealing millions from a Deer Park oil corporation, announced U.S. Attorney Ryan K. Patrick.
James Arthur Camp, New Braunfels, admitted that from April 1998 through November 2017, he defrauded Lubrizol Corporation of $9,256,712.54. During the scheme, Camp submitted fraudulent invoices for laboratory services from two companies he owned, knowing they had not been performed.
Specifically, Camp admitted that one of those fraudulent laboratory charges included one from his company Bay Area Analytical in the amount of $2,774.06. Camp inputted the data into Lubrizol’s accounting system, causing it to be transmitted electronically from Deer Park to company headquarters in Wycliffe, Ohio. That fraudulent charge was then bundled with other similar charges and paid via electronic funds transfer to Bay Area Analytical’s bank account at J P Morgan Chase Bank in the amount of $12,294.23.
U.S. District Judge Nancy Atlas accepted the plea and set sentencing for August. At that time, Camp faces up to 20 years in federal prison and a possible $250,000 maximum fine.
The FBI conducted the investigation. Assistant U.S. Attorney John Braddock is prosecuting the case.
Former President of First Mortgage Company Charged with 24 Counts of Financial FraudRead the Press Release
OKLAHOMA CITY – Yesterday, a federal grand jury returned a 24-Count Indictment charging Ronald J. McCord, 69, of Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, with defrauding two locally-based banks, Fannie Mae, and others, announced Timothy J. Downing, United States Attorney for the Western District of Oklahoma. The charges include bank fraud, money laundering, and making a false statement to a financial institution.
McCord was the former President of First Mortgage Company, LLC ("FMC"), an Oklahoma City-based mortgage lending and loan servicing company. The Indictment alleges a broad range of fraudulent conduct spanning approximately three years.
McCord is charged in Counts 1 through 7 with defrauding Spirit Bank ("Spirit") and Citizens State Bank ("Citizens")—two state-chartered financial institutions—as well as their respective residential mortgage subsidiaries, American Southwest Mortgage Corporation ("Mortgage Corp.") and American Southwest Mortgage Funding Corporation ("Funding Corp."). According to the Indictment, in approximately June 2016, an independent audit discovered that McCord had sold more than $14,100,000.00 in Spirit/Mortgage Corp. and Citizens/Funding Corp. loans "out of trust" by failing to repay Spirit/Mortgage Corp. when certain Spirit/Mortgage Corp.-initiated loans were refinanced or otherwise paid off. At the time of this discovery, FMC carried outstanding balances of about $200,000,000.00 and $140,000,000.00 on the Spirit/Mortgage Corp. and Citizens/Funding Corp. lines of credit, respectively.
According to the Indictment, this discovery prompted further internal review. An internal audit revealed that McCord had misappropriated additional Spirit/Mortgage Corp. and Citizens/Funding Corp. loans by: (1) using FMC’s warehouse line of credit with (i.e., obtaining mortgage loans from) Spirit/Mortgage Corp. or Citizens/Funding Corp., selling those Spirit/Mortgage Corp. or Citizens/Funding Corp. loans to Fannie Mae, then resubmitting the loan documents to Spirit/Mortgage Corp. or Citizens/Funding Corp. to receive additional money from the Spirit/Mortgage Corp. or Citizens/Funding Corp. line of credit; (2) using FMC’s warehouse line of credit with Spirit/Mortgage Corp. or Citizens/Funding Corp. to refinance the resulting loans without repaying Spirit/Mortgage Corp. or Citizens/Funding Corp. the originally loaned funds; (3) using FMC’s Spirit/Mortgage Corp. or Citizens/Funding Corp. line of credit to fund mortgages to borrowers, receiving payments from those borrowers, but never repaying Spirit/Mortgage Corp. or Citizens/Funding Corp.; (4) obtaining funds from Spirit/Mortgage Corp. or Citizens/Funding Corp. for loans that never closed, then failing to return the funds to Spirit/Mortgage Corp. or Citizens/Funding Corp.; and (5) using FMC’s warehouse lines of credit with Spirit/Mortgage Corp. and Citizens/Funding Corp. to "double fund" loans by obtaining funds from both financial institutions to fund the same loans. The Indictment alleges that McCord’s actions involved Spirit/Mortgage Corp. and Citizens/Funding Corp. loans that totaled approximately $40,000,000.00, in addition to the more than $14,100,000.00 in Spirit/Mortgage and Citizens/Funding Corp. loans that McCord had sold out of trust.
The Indictment further alleges that, upon learning of McCord’s conduct, Spirit/Mortgage Corp. and Citizens/Funding Corp. terminated future warehouse lending to FMC, and instituted new notification requirements that required McCord to assign FMC-funded mortgages to Spirit/Mortgage Corp. and Citizens/Funding Corp., to ensure that the title companies handling those mortgages sent payoffs directly to the banks. Though McCord filed the assignments as required, his employees contacted the title companies handling the mortgages and directed payments to FMC, not Spirit/Mortgage Corp. and Citizens/Funding Corp. McCord continued to collect loan payoffs without repaying Spirit/Mortgage Corp. and Citizens/Funding Corp. He then signed releases on the assigned mortgages after receiving the payoffs, subjecting the properties to potential foreclosure should Spirit/Mortgage Corp. or Citizens/Funding Corp. try to collect payments on the mortgages, to which they held title.
According to Count 8 of the Indictment, Spirit/Mortgage Corp. and Citizens/Funding Corp.’s refusal to fund new FMC mortgages prompted McCord to seek out a new warehouse lender. In early 2017, McCord began negotiating with CapLOC, LLC, a North Carolina-based mortgage lending business, and offered to sell FMC’s mortgage lending business in exchange for quick funding from CapLOC. In the course of those negotiations, McCord made false statements and representations to obtain CapLOC funds. McCord then used the money to repay Spirit/Mortgage Corp. part of his outstanding $40,000,000.00 debt.
Finally, the Indictment alleges that, in 2017, FMC serviced approximately 12,000 loans worth a total of approximately $1,800,000,000.00 for the Federal National Mortgage Association ("Fannie Mae"). Counts 9 through 24 of the Indictment allege that McCord defrauded Fannie Mae by diverting escrow monies intended to pay homeowners’ taxes, insurance, principal, and interest, to cover FMC’s operating expenses. As a result, McCord bounced checks to more than sixty taxing authorities, and borrowers throughout the Oklahoma City area and elsewhere missed making their tax payments. The Indictment further alleges that McCord laundered the stolen escrow monies by using the funds to write himself checks, pay more than half the purchase price of his son’s $900,000.00 Oklahoma City home, and build a custom vacation home in Colorado.
With regard to the bank fraud and false statement to a financial institution charges in the Indictment, McCord faces up to 30 years in prison and a fine of up to $1,000,000.00 on each count. He also faces up to 10 years in prison and a $250,000 .00 fine on to each of the money laundering counts. Furthermore, the Indictment seeks forfeiture from McCord in the amount of the proceeds of the fraudulent schemes and in the amount of the property involved in the offenses.
This case is the result of an investigation by the Federal Housing Finance Agency Office of the Inspector General, Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation Office of Inspector General, and the Federal Bureau of Investigation Oklahoma City Field Office. It is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Julia E. Barry.
Reference is made to the Indictment and other public filings for further information. An indictment is only a charge and is not evidence of guilt. A defendant is presumed innocent and is entitled to a fair trial at which the government must prove guilt beyond a reasonable doubt. To download a photo of U.S. Attorney Downing, click here.
Former Police Officer Sentenced to Prison Term for Possession of Child PornographyRead the Press Release
Fort Lauderdale, Florida – A federal judge sentenced Gabriel Albala, 45, of Margate, Florida to 30 months in prison followed by five years of supervised release for possessing child pornography that included images of children under age 12 engaged in sex acts. On Albala’s release from prison, he must register as a sex offender. Albala worked as a police officer with the Boynton Beach Police Department prior to his arrest.
Ariana Fajardo Orshan, U.S. Attorney for the Southern District of Florida, and George L. Piro, Special Agent in Charge, Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), Miami Field Office, make the announcement.
According to court records, law enforcement learned of Albala following the arrest of a man who sold child pornography on the internet. Review of the seller’s records included financial transaction and other information that led law enforcement to Albala. Officers executed a search warrant at Albala’s home. They found a desktop computer in his bedroom that contained multiple images of children engaged in sexual activity. Some of the pornographic videos involved children under 12. Law enforcement also found child pornography on Albala’s cellular telephone. On January 17, 2020, Albala pled guilty to possessing child pornography.
U.S. Attorney Fajardo Orshan commends the investigative efforts of FBI and, in particular, the FBI’s Child Exploitation and Human Trafficking Task Force. She also commends the Boynton Beach Police Department and Margate Police Department for their assistance. Special Assistant U.S. Attorney M. Kathleen Koontz prosecuted this case.
This case was brought as part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative to combat the growing epidemic of child sexual exploitation and abuse, launched in May 2006 by the Department of Justice. Led by U.S. Attorneys’ Offices and 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.
Related court documents and information may be found on the website of the District Court for the Southern District of Florida at www.flsd.uscourts.gov or at http://pacer.flsd.uscourts.gov.
Federal charges filed from incident during Saturday’s protest/riotingRead the Press Release
Indianapolis – United States Attorney Josh J. Minkler announced today, Antonio Wooden, 23, Indianapolis, was charged today with Unlawful Possession of a Firearm by a Fugitive from Justice and Unlawful Possession of a Firearm by an Unlawful User of a Controlled Substance.
“Freedom of speech and the right to protest are freedoms that all American have. Illegally possessing a firearm and firing at police are not.” said Minkler. “Mr. Wooden was not peaceably protesting, he was terrorizing and endangering the lives of those that were, including the police officers”
On May 31, 2020 Detectives the Indianapolis Metropolitan Police Department (IMPD), Crime Gun Intelligence Center (CGIC) learned a male, who was positively identified by IMPD investigators as Antonio Wooden, was firing an AR-15 style rifle during the protest/riots in downtown Indianapolis on Saturday May 30, 2020.
IMPD investigators located a video which shows Wooden raising a rifle, pointing the rifle in the direction of IMPD officers in the area of N Pennsylvania Ave and Market St., and firing at least one round. Wooden then lowered the rifle and moved farther east towards the IMPD Officers on Market St. Before the video ended, more gun shots can be heard.
Further investigation determined that Wooden has an active arrest warrant issued from the State of Ohio for Failure to Appear to face a charge of Drug Abuse, which was issued in Mason Municipal Court on May 12, 2020. Wooden was convicted of Battery Resulting in Bodily Injury in Marion County (Indiana) Superior Court on August 22, 2019 and is currently on probation in that case. Wooden also has an outstanding Protective Order against him.
On June 2, 2020, Wooden was arrested by IMPD a short distance from his residence during a traffic stop. A search warrant was also served at Wooden’s residence at 7311 E 19th St. Detectives located Wooden’s American Tactical .223 caliber rifle, a small amount of marijuana, along with sixty (60) live .223 rounds and two rifle magazines. They also located the goggles and distinct facemask that Wooden had on his person the night of the protest/riots.
This case was the result of an investigation by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives, Crime Gun Intelligence Center, and the Indianapolis Metropolitan Police Department.
According to Assistant United States Attorney Barry Glickman, who is prosecuting this case for the government, Wooden faces up to 10 years’ imprisonment, 3 years of supervised release, and a maximum fine of $250,000.
A charge is not evidence of guilt. All parties are presumed innocent until proven otherwise in federal court.
In October 2017, United States Attorney Josh J. Minkler announced a Strategic Plan designed to shape and strengthen the District’s response to its most significant public safety challenges. This prosecution demonstrates the office’s firm commitment to prosecute trigger pullers involved in illegal acquisition and possession of crime guns in the district. See United States Attorney’s Office, Southern District of Indiana Strategic Plan Section 2.4.
Federal Inmate Charged with Illegally Possessing a Cell PhoneRead the Press Release
JOHNSTOWN, Pa. – An inmate at the Moshannon Valley Correctional Center in Philipsburg, Pa., was indicted by a federal grand jury in Johnstown on a charge of possession of a prohibited object in prison, United States Attorney Scott W. Brady announced today.
The Indictment named Victor Soto, 40, as the sole defendant.
According to the Indictment presented to the court, on April 17, 2020, Soto possessed a cellular telephone.
The law provides for a maximum sentence of one year in prison and 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 Maureen Sheehan-Balchon is prosecuting this case on behalf of the government.
The Laurel Highlands Resident Agency of the Federal Bureau of Investigation conducted the investigation leading to the Indictment of Soto.
An indictment is an accusation. A defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.
Federal Grand Jury Indicts Former Urbana University High School Teacher, Girls' Cross Country Coach on Child Pornography ChargesRead the Press Release
URBANA, Ill. – A federal grand jury has returned an indictment that charges a former physical education teacher at Urbana’s University High School with distribution and possession of child pornography. Douglas O. Mynatt, 56, of the 100 Block of Dropseed Ave., Savoy, Ill., also previously served as the coach of the school’s girls’ cross country program.
Mynatt was previously arrested and charged by criminal complaint on April 3, 2020. Mynatt has remained in the custody of the U.S. Marshals Service since his arrest.
The indictment charges Mynatt with three counts of distribution of child pornography in January 2020 and possession of child pornography on April 2, 2020.
According to the affidavit filed in support of the criminal complaint, on March 20, 2020, the Champaign County Sheriff’s Office received a CyberTip referral that was made by the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children (NCMEC) to the Internet Crimes Against Children (ICAC) division of the Illinois Attorney General’s Office. An instant messaging application, Application A, self-reported to NCMEC that one of its online social media users possessed content believed to be images and movies of child pornography. Application A reported several IP addresses for logins by the user, identified as Mynatt, including from his home address in Savoy and at the University of Illinois in Champaign / Urbana.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Elly M. Peirson is representing the government in the prosecution. U.S Immigration and Customs Enforcement Homeland Security Investigations, the Champaign County Sheriff’s Office, and the Urbana Police Department are conducting the investigation.
If convicted, each count of distribution of child pornography carries a statutory penalty of at least five years to 20 years in prison; for possession of child pornography, the penalty is up to 10 years in prison.
Members of the public are reminded that an indictment is merely an accusation; the defendant is presumed innocent unless proven guilty.
The case was brought as part of Project Safe Childhood, a Department of Justice initiative led by U.S. Attorneys' Offices and the Criminal Division's Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section (CEOS), to marshal federal, state and local resources to 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.
Federal Court Enters Injunction Against Herbal Drug Manufacturer for Selling Misbranded and Unapproved Drugs in Violation of the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic ActRead the Press Release
Geoffrey S. Berman, the United States Attorney for the Southern District of New York, and Stacy Amin, Chief Counsel for the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (“FDA”), announced today that the United States District Court for the Southern District of New York has entered an injunction against defendants RAHSAN A. HAKIM (“Hakim”) and ADONIIAH A. RAHSAN (“Rahsan”) (collectively, the “Defendants”) for repeated violations of the Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act. HAKIM and RAHSAN do business as Sundial Herbal Products (“Sundial”).
U.S. Attorney Geoffrey S. Berman said: “If you threaten the public health by selling unapproved or misbranded drugs, we will stop you. There is no place for modern-day snake oil salesmen.”
FDA Chief Counsel Stacy Amin said: “Americans expect and deserve medical treatments that have been scientifically proven to be safe and effective. Making claims that unproven drugs can cure or prevent diseases places consumers’ health at risk. We remain committed to pursuing and taking swift action against those who attempt to subvert the regulatory functions of the FDA by repeatedly disregarding the law and distributing unapproved products.”
The Complaint
According to the Government’s complaint, Defendants manufactured and sold various herbal products – often referred to as “tonics” and “herbal teas” – that constitute unapproved new drugs. Defendants claimed that these products cure, treat, and/or prevent numerous diseases and conditions, including HIV, cancer, syphilis, diabetes, high blood pressure, arthritis, asthma, and heart disease. None of Defendants’ products had been tested or approved by the FDA for safety or effectiveness. These products were also “misbranded” in that they failed to include instructions for their safe use. Defendants’ sale of such products pose a threat to public health because the products’ disease treatment claims may cause consumers to delay appropriate medical care for these serious medical issues. Sundial had been inspected by the FDA multiple times, including during the pendency of the lawsuit, and, despite repeated promises to do so, Defendants failed to correct their violations of the Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act (“FDCA”).
The United States filed this lawsuit seeking to enjoin Defendants from manufacturing and selling drugs in violation of the FDCA.
The District Court’s Findings
On May 26, 2020, the District Court found that Defendants have repeatedly violated the law by distributing unapproved new and misbranded drugs. Among other things, the Court concluded that:
- “The labels that the FDA collected . . . indisputably establish that Defendants claimed that their products were intended for use in diagnosing, curing, mitigating, treating, and/or preventing a wide variety of diseases.”
- The drugs sold by Defendants were “unapproved new drugs” because, among other things, they are “not generally recognized as safe and effective” and have not been approved by the FDA.
- Defendants’ drugs were “misbranded” because “the record shows that many of Defendants’ drugs are intended for treating serious diseases or conditions such as HIV, cancer, and Ebola, all of which require diagnosis and management by a physician . . . . As such, they are only safe for use under the supervision of a physician, which brings them within the definition of prescription drugs.” Furthermore, “Defendants’ drugs are also misbranded because they lack adequate instructions for lay use.”
- “Defendants’ past violations are also egregious, as they made claims that their products could cure cancer, HIV, and Ebola, among other serious diseases,” and “absent injunctive relief, nothing prevents Defendants from returning to their old ways.”
Permanent Injunction
After finding that Defendants had committed “egregious” violations of the law, the Court entered a permanent injunction prohibiting Defendants from manufacturing or selling these products or any drug unless and until either: (1) a new drug application is approved for their drugs; or (2) they meet various requirements demonstrating compliance with the FDCA. Such requirements include that Defendants must:
- Remove all claims in labels, promotional material, websites, and social media pages that these herbal remedies diagnose, cure, mitigate, treat, or prevent disease.
- Recall and destroy, at their own cost, under the FDA’s supervision, all drugs manufactured, packed, labeled, held, and distributed from 2014 through the present.
- Retain, at their own cost, a qualified, trained, and experienced drug labeling expert to review and report to the FDA on Defendants’ compliance with the issued injunction and FDCA.
- Arrange for annual audits by an independent third-party to confirm ongoing compliance.
* * *
Mr. Berman thanked the investigators and attorneys of the FDA for their valuable assistance on this matter.
This case was handled by the Environmental Protection Unit of the Office’s Civil Division. Assistant U.S. Attorney Emily Bretz is in charge of this case.
- “The labels that the FDA collected . . . indisputably establish that Defendants claimed that their products were intended for use in diagnosing, curing, mitigating, treating, and/or preventing a wide variety of diseases.”
Federal Complaint Charges Peoria Man with Using Internet to Incite Rioting in PeoriaRead the Press Release
PEORIA, Ill. – A Peoria, Ill., man, Ca’Quintez Gibson, 26, has been arrested and charged by criminal complaint with using the internet to incite rioting in Peoria beginning on May 31 and ending June 1, 2020. Peoria police officers arrested Gibson last night and he appeared in federal court this afternoon via videoconference before U.S. Magistrate Judge Jonathan E. Hawley. Gibson was ordered to remain detained in the custody of the U.S. Marshals Service pending a detention hearing scheduled on June 8, 2020.
“The alleged actions by this defendant are an orchestrated effort to incite riots, incite looting, and cause general mayhem. Thanks to the coordinated effort of the Peoria Police Department and the FBI, he was quickly identified and safely apprehended,” said U.S. Attorney John Milhiser. “We will use all available resources to identify bad actors and get them off the streets to keep our communities safe.”
“The freedom to gather and peacefully protest is a right afforded to all Americans under the 1st Amendment to the Constitution. At the FBI, we take an oath to uphold the Constitution of the United States and Protect the American People. When individuals attempt to use the freedoms as a shield to commit acts of violence in our communities, those acts are not protected expressions,” said Sean M. Cox, FBI Special Agent in Charge, Springfield Division. “We are committed to working with our law enforcement partners to ensure those rights and our communities are protected. I want to commend and thank the Peoria Police Department and the U.S. Attorney’s Office, with whom we have worked in this instance, to hold this individual accountable for his alleged actions.”
Peoria Police Chief Loren Marion III stated, “Between May 31 and June 1, Peoria Police responded to several looting incidents throughout the City of Peoria. Detectives identified Gibson as an actor in those events. As I mentioned at the press conference, these actions will not be tolerated. I requested the FBI assist us in this investigation. I will continue to use any and all available resources to keep our community safe. I’d like to thank the FBI for their assistance in this investigation.”
According to the affidavit filed in support of the complaint, Gibson appeared in four Facebook Live videos posted on May 31, beginning at 5:15 p.m., with a four minute, 21 second video in which he references 50 gathering at 9:00 p.m.at Northwoods Mall in Peoria. During the video, Gibson is quoted as saying, “Y’all gonna see me there. And we ain’t with that peaceful s---.” and, “I’m not watchin’ no other city on … TV. They sent that b--- up. … Let’s send our s--- up.”
Gibson allegedly posted three additional Facebook Live videos in which he appears using another person’s Facebook account. The videos were posted at approximately 9:10 p.m.; 9:18 p.m.; and, 9:35 p.m. In the videos, Gibson is seen encouraging people to meet at Landmark Recreation Center, in Peoria. The 10 minute, 27 second video posted at 9:35 p.m. is of Gibson, asking numerous times where everyone is as he pans to the parking lot of the recreation center. In the video, Gibson states he needs 50 people to come to the Landmark as he tells the camera this is everyone’s opportunity.
The complaint affidavit alleges that during the afternoon of May 31, Facebook user Ca’Quintez Gibson Sr., made numerous posts beginning at 3:30 p.m.: “Bra y’all letting little ole Champaign out do us?” Attached was a video of groups attempting to break into stores in a strip mall.
According to Peoria Police Department reports, from May 31, at approximately 9:00 pm. through June 1, 2020, at 6:00 a.m., there were approximately 27 business burglaries reported, approximately 14 criminal damage to property reports, and several reports of arson.
The affidavit alleges that on June 1, Facebook account Ca’Quintez Gibson Sr., posted at 1:13 a.m.: [smiling emoji with tears] “YEAAAAAA SEND THIS B---- UP !! !! !! !! !! !! #” [fist emoji] and at 6:28 a.m.: “MISSION #Send PeoriaUp ACCOMPLISHED” [flexing bicep emoji] ..”I KNEW Y’ALL WOULD ACT A A—WITH ME YALL JUST NEEDED A LIL PUSH.”
The Peoria Police Department and the Federal Bureau of Investigation, Springfield Division, are conducting the investigation. Supervisory Assistant U.S. Attorney Darilynn J. Knauss is representing the government in the prosecution.
If convicted for the offense of inciting a riot, the statutory penalty is up to five years in prison, a fine of up to $250,000, and three years of supervised release following imprisonment.
Members of the public are reminded that a complaint is merely an accusation; the defendant is presumed innocent unless proven guilty.
Fayetteville Man Pleads Guilty to Receipt and Possession of Child PornographyRead the Press Release
SYRACUSE, NEW YORK – Alan Longmore, age 66, of Fayetteville, New York, pled guilty today before United States District Judge David N. Hurd to one count of receipt of child pornography and one count of possession of child pornography, announced United States Attorney Grant C. Jaquith and Kevin M. Kelly, Special Agent in Charge of the Buffalo Field Office of Homeland Security Investigations (HSI). Longmore, who remains detained pending his sentencing, faces at least 180 months of imprisonment and up to 210 months of imprisonment on the charges when he is sentenced on October 1, 2020 in Utica, New York. The Court will also impose a term of supervised release of between five (5) years and life, and Longmore will be required to register as a sex offender.
As part of his guilty plea, Longmore admitted that he received images and videos of child pornography through a Peer-to-Peer file-sharing program. A forensic review of his laptop computer revealed that it contained numerous video files depicting child pornography. After being confronted about these charges, Longmore admitted to engaging in this conduct for years. In addition to these video and image files, the defendant also admitted to secretly recording and subsequently possessing video files depicting two minors engaged in sexually explicit conduct.
Longmore’s case was investigated by Homeland Security Investigations, Syracuse Office with assistance from the NYSP Computer Crimes Unit, and the Manlius Police Department. 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.
Fayette County Man with Prior Child Porn Conviction Pleads to Possessing 1000’s of Images Depicting the Sexual Exploitation of ChildrenRead the Press Release
PITTSBURGH -A Fayette County resident pleaded guilty in federal court to a charge of possession of material depicting the sexual exploitation of a minor, United States Attorney Scott W. Brady announced today.
Michael Pulliam, 36, of Fairchance, Pennsylvania pleaded guilty to one count before Chief United States District Judge Mark R. Hornak.
In connection with the guilty plea, the court was advised that in April 2019, an undercover online investigation revealed that Pulliam was sharing child pornography over the eMule file sharing network. A subsequent search of Pulliam’s residence, and electronic devices, uncovered thousands of images of child pornography, including images of prepubescent children and sadistic and masochistic conduct. The Court was further advised that Pulliam has a prior conviction in federal court for possession of child pornography, which triggers a mandatory sentence of at least 10 years in prison.
Judge Hornak scheduled sentencing for October 6, 2020 at 9:30 am. The law provides for a total sentence of 20 years in prison, a fine of $250,000, or both. Under the Federal Sentencing Guidelines, the actual sentence imposed is based upon the seriousness of the offense and the prior criminal history, if any, of the defendant.
Pending sentencing, the court ordered that the defendant remain detained.
Assistant United States Attorney Lee J. Karl is prosecuting this case on behalf of the government.
The Pennsylvania State Police conducted the investigation that led to the prosecution of Pulliam.
Ellenville Woman Pleads Guilty to Drug Conspiracy ChargeRead the Press Release
ALBANY, NEW YORK – Margaret Vandyke, age 58, of Ellenville, New York, pled guilty today to her involvement in a drug trafficking organization that distributed crack cocaine and fentanyl in Ulster County.
The announcement was made by United States Attorney Grant C. Jaquith; Peter C. Fitzhugh, Special Agent in Charge of Homeland Security Investigations (HSI), New York; Ulster County Sheriff Juan Figueroa, whose office leads the Ulster Regional Gang Enforcement Narcotics Team (URGENT); Ulster County District Attorney David Clegg; New York State Police Superintendent Keith M. Corlett; and Village of Ellenville Police Chief Philip Mattracion.
Vandyke admitted that between September 2017 and December 2018, in cooperation with co-conspirators, she sold over 300 grams of crack cocaine on behalf of the organization in various locations around Ellenville.
Vandyke faces at least 10 years and up to life in prison, a term of supervised release of at least 5 years and up to life, and a maximum fine of $10 million, when she is sentenced by United States District Judge Mae A. D’Agostino on October 2, 2020. 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.
The following defendants have also pled guilty in connection with the conspiracy, and were sentenced as follows:
Name
Age
Prison Term
Supervised Release Term
Iqwan Mandiville, aka “Qwan”
27
70 months
4 years
Randy Mandiville, aka “B-Murda”
31
42 months
6 years
The following defendants have also pled guilty in connection with the conspiracy, and face the following terms of imprisonment:
Name
Age
Minimum
Maximum
Luis Curet
35
5 years
40 years
Edwin Jorge
46
None
20 years
Jennifer McCombs, aka
“Jennifer Marks”49
5 years
40 years
The following defendant still faces charges in this case, and faces the following terms of imprisonment if convicted on the drug conspiracy charge:
Name
Age
Minimum
Maximum
Antonio Naveo, aka “Gratto,” aka “Green Eyes”
39
10 years
Life
Naveo is also charged with unlawful possession of a Mossberg shotgun as a felon. The charges against Naveo are merely accusations. He is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.
This case is being investigated by HSI, the Ulster County Sheriff’s Office in conjunction with URGENT, an inter-agency taskforce targeting drug dealers and gang members in Ulster County, and the New York State Police, with assistance from the Village of Ellenville Police and the Ulster County District Attorney’s Office. The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Emmet J. O’Hanlon.
Dominican National Sentenced for Fentanyl DistributionRead the Press Release
BOSTON – A Dominican national previously residing in Lawrence pleaded guilty and was sentenced today for distributing fentanyl.
Enel Alfredo Mendez-Aquino, 30, pleaded guilty to distribution of fentanyl and was sentenced by U.S. Senior District Court Judge Mark L. Wolf to 12 months in prison and three years of supervised release. Mendez-Aquino will face deportation proceedings upon completion of his sentence. Mendez-Aquino was indicted by a grand jury on Aug. 1, 2019.
On June 11, 2019, federal agents observed Mendez-Aquino throw objects into a SUV parked on Abbott Street in Lawrence. During a subsequent stop of the SUV, the occupants of the vehicle admitted that they had just purchase drugs from Mendez-Aquino. Law enforcement officers arrested Mendez-Aquino, who has been in custody since. A lab test confirmed that the drugs were fentanyl and cocaine.
This case is part of a coordinated enforcement operation in the Merrimack Valley called “Devil’s Highway.” The operation targeted the distribution of opioids, including fentanyl and heroin, and resulted in charges against a total of 40 people for federal drug offenses, with at least a dozen more individuals facing state charges.
United States Attorney Andrew Lelling and Joseph R. Bonavolonta, Special Agent in Charge of the Federal Bureau of Investigation, Boston Field Division made the announcement today. Assistant U.S. Attorney Lucy Sun prosecuted the case.
Department of Justice awards $2.3 million to help Northern Ohio public safety agencies address Coronavirus costsRead the Press Release
The Department of Justice announced today that it has awarded approximately $2.3 million in funding to public safety agencies throughout Northern Ohio to help respond to the challenges posed by the COVID-19 pandemic. This funding is available through the Coronavirus Emergency Supplemental Funding Program (CESF), which allows for eligible state, local and tribal governments to support a broad range of activities to prevent, prepare for, and respond to the coronavirus.
“The Justice Department has acted swiftly to help our law enforcement partners throughout Northern Ohio address public safety issues during the COVID-19 pandemic,” said U.S. Attorney Justin Herdman. “This funding will help pay for costs associated with the pandemic such as overtime, medical personal protective equipment, hiring, training and other expenses.”
In the Northern District of Ohio, communities receiving funding via the CESF include:
- City of Cleveland - $1,719,898
- City of Akron - $403,225
- City of Youngstown - $139,227
- Trumbull county - $58,008
- Lorain county - $58,008
For more information about the Coronavirus Emergency Supplemental Funding program, please visit https://bja.ojp.gov/funding/opportunities/bja-2020-18553. For more information about the Office of Justice Programs, please visit https://www.ojp.gov/
Department of Justice Provides over $1M in Grants to Local Law Enforcement for Community Oriented PolicingRead the Press Release
Fairview Heights, Ill. – U.S. Attorney Steven D. Weinhoeft announced today that four local law enforcement agencies will be receiving a total of more than $1 million in grant awards from the
Department of Justice’s Office of Community Oriented Policing Services (COPS) Hiring Program.
Community-oriented policing focuses on building ties and working closely with community members.
The following police departments in the Southern District of Illinois have been awarded COPS funding:
Anna Police Department $125,000Brooklyn Police Department $123,044
Caseyville Police Department $125,000
Collinsville Police Department $750,000
These police departments were among 596 law enforcement agencies across the nation chosen to receive COPS grants totaling $400 million. The funds are expected to provide financial support to hire additional full-time law enforcement professionals and enhance local community policing strategies and tactics.“The Department of Justice is committed to providing the police chiefs and sheriffs of our great nation with needed resources, tools, and support. The funding announced today will bolster their ranks and contribute to expanding community policing efforts nationwide,” said Attorney General
William P. Barr. “A law enforcement agency’s most valuable assets are the men and women who put their lives on the line every day in the name of protecting and serving their communities.”U.S. Attorney Weinhoeft said, “We are a self-governing nation, which requires a relationship between the government and the community that it serves. In these turbulent times, we see the damage that occurs when those relationships are fractured. These grants reflect a substantial commitment to help strengthen those bonds and provide support for the valuable work these police departments are already doing for the communities they protect. For the residents of
Anna, Brooklyn, Caseyville, and Collinsville, this is very good news.”he COPS Hiring Program is a competitive award program intended to reduce crime and advanc public safety through community policing by providing direct funding for the hiring of career law enforcement officers. Applicants were required to identify a specific crime and disorder problem focus area and explain how the funding will be used to implement community policing approaches to that problem focus area. Forty-three percent of the awards announced today will focus on violent crime, while the remainder of the awards will focus on a variety of issues, including school-based policing to fund school resource officer positions, building trust and respect, and opioid education, prevention, and intervention. The COPS Office received nearly 1,100 applications requesting more than 4,000 law enforcement positions.
For additional information about the COPS Office, please visit https://cops.usdoj.gov/.Corrections officer charged with smuggling contraband into Oahu Community Correctional CenterRead the Press Release
HONOLULU, Hawaii – Jon Estabilio, Jr., 45, of Honolulu, Hawaii, was charged today by federal complaint with possession of a controlled substance with the intent to distribute, providing or possessing contraband in prison, and bribery of public officials. Estabilio has been remanded to federal custody pending further proceedings.
U.S. Attorney Kenji M. Price for the District of Hawaii announced that the complaint alleges that on June 3, 2020, Estabilio, an adult corrections officer at the Oahu Community Correctional Center (“OCCC”) was searched administratively after prison call information suggested Estabilio was smuggling contraband into the prison. Several packs of cigarettes, lighters, tattoo kits, and a total of 16 small zip lock baggies containing methamphetamine were found on Estabilio.
“The complaint in this case describes the egregious conduct of a corrections officer who chose to endanger the OCCC community rather than protect it, by smuggling the very same poison that destroys the lives of so many in our communities into OCCC. My office will not tolerate corrections officers who engage in such conduct and will aggressively prosecute those who do to the fullest extent of the law,” said U.S. Attorney Price.
"The alleged behavior will not be tolerated in our community. It is a FBI priority to investigate allegations of wrongdoing from those who have taken an oath to protect our citizens. We must always hold our law enforcement and corrections officers to the highest standards of accountability and integrity," said Federal Bureau of Investigation Special Agent in Charge Eli S. Miranda.
The charges in the complaint are merely allegations, and a defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.
This prosecution was investigated by the FBI. It is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Sean Van Demark.
Chicago woman pleads guilty to fraud in Southern District of GeorgiaRead the Press Release
SAVANNAH, GA: A Chicago woman pled guilty today in U.S. District Court for conspiring to steal the identities of three Savannah residents and a checking account of a Savannah-area corporation.
Ayondela Moore, 45, of Chicago, previously indicted for Conspiracy to Commit Bank, Mail and Wire Fraud, admitted to fraudulently obtaining debit and credit cards in the names of Savannah residents, and using those cards to make various purchases, including a roundtrip flight to Jamaica, purchases at an amusement park, and purchases at clothing, hardware and drug stores, said Bobby L. Christine, U.S. Attorney for the Southern District of Georgia. Moore also admitted using a Savannah resident’s bank account to make a car insurance payment for Moore’s Mercedes-Benz SUV.
“This prosecution sends the message that people – no matter where they are located – will not defraud residents of South Georgia and get away with it,” said U.S. Attorney Christine. “Identity theft is a serious crime with disastrous consequences for its victims, and I will continue to ensure that these crimes are prosecuted.”
“This case confirms that anyone who preys on citizens’ identification for financial gain and to further their criminal activity will be held accountable,” said Secret Service Resident Agent in Charge Glen M. Kessler. “Our success in this case and other similar investigations is a result of the extraordinary work of our agents and our close relationship with our network of law enforcement partners.”
“This case highlights the cooperative spirit of the Inspection Service that spanned from the Chicago Division to the Miami Division,” said Antonio J. Gomez, Inspector in Charge of the U.S. Postal Inspection Service-Miami Division. “The Postal Inspection Service stands ready to assist its local, state and Federal partners in the investigation of suspects who misuse the United States Mail to victimize individuals.”
This investigation began with a report by one of the victims to the Savannah Office of the U.S. Secret Service. Victims of identity theft are encouraged to reach out to the Secret Service so that the perpetrators can be investigated and prosecuted.
This investigation was led by the U.S. Secret Service and the U.S. Postal Inspection Service, and prosecuted for the United States by Assistant U.S. Attorney Jonathan A. Porter
Charleston Man Pleads Guilty to Federal Gun CrimeRead the Press Release
CHARLESTON, W.Va. – A Charleston man has pled guilty to a gun crime, according to United States Attorney Mike Stuart. Dakota Santonia, 24, pled guilty to being a felon in possession of a firearm.
Santonia admitted that on January 20, 2019, he knowingly possessed a stolen Smith and Wesson Model 60-7 .38 special revolver and ammunition in Charleston, when he knew he had been previously convicted of first degree robbery and therefore was not allowed to possess that firearm or ammunition.
Santonia faces up to 10 years in prison when sentenced on October 21, 2020.
The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) and the Charleston Police Department conducted the investigation. United States District Judge Irene C. Burger presided over the hearing. Assistant United States Attorney Negar M. Kordestani is handling the prosecution.
This case is being prosecuted as part of the Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN) program, 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.
These case also was 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. The United States Attorney’s Office has prosecuted these cases with support from the Project Guardian partners noted above. For more information about Project Guardian, please see: https://www.justice.gov/projectguardian.
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Charges against federal prison inmates reflect crackdown on continued illegal behavior by detaineesRead the Press Release
BRUNSWICK, GA: Nearly two dozen federal prison inmates are facing new charges for continued illegal behavior while incarcerated, potentially adding more time to their sentences.
A total of 20 inmates, all incarcerated at Federal Correctional Institution-Jesup in Jesup, Ga., have been charged in fiscal year 2020, with seven recently charged via Informations, said U.S. Attorney Bobby L. Christine. The charges range from assault on prison guards or other inmates, public indecency, and possession of contraband in the form of cell phones and narcotics. Two other defendants are charged with providing contraband to inmates.
“Corrections officers have a difficult, stressful job in protecting the health and safety of those incarcerated in federal prisons,” said U.S. Attorney Christine. “We hold seriously our duty to provide assistance by prosecuting those inmates who continue to violate the law while behind bars.”
Those charged, their charges, include:
Possessing Contraband in Prison (Cell Phones)
- Jared Thomas Bowers, 32, of Anchorage, Alaska. Bowers is incarcerated for drug trafficking, with a scheduled release of October 2023.
- Sean Butler, 40, of Bradenton, Fla. Butler is incarcerated for possession of cocaine with intent to distribute, with a scheduled release date of February 2023.
- Darrell Lee Byrd, Jr., 32, of Austin, Texas. Byrd is incarcerated for possession of cocaine with intent to distribute, with a scheduled release date of January 2026.
- Leroy Chappell, Jr., 43, of Macon, Ga. Chappell is incarcerated for possession of cocaine with intent to distribute, with a scheduled release date of June 2022.
- Reynaldo Diaz, 42, of Miami, Fla. Diaz is incarcerated for possession of cocaine with intent to distribute, and possession of a firearm by a convicted felon, with a scheduled release date of September 2021.
- Yancey Garringer, 41, of Miramar Beach, Fla. Garringer is incarcerated for possession of cocaine with intent to distribute, with a scheduled release date of September 2021.
- Clarence Goree, 45, of Chicago. Goree is incarcerated for conspiracy to possess a controlled substance with intent to distribute, with a scheduled release date of March 2029.
- Walter Johnson, 46, of Fort Walton, Fla. Johnson is incarcerated for possession of cocaine with intent to distribute, with a scheduled release date of December 2023.
- David Muniz, 36, of Covington, Ky. Muniz is incarcerated for conspiracy to distribute heroin, with a scheduled release date of April 2020.
- David Needom, 43, of Cartersville, Ga. Needom is incarcerated for possession of a firearm during a drug trafficking crime, with a scheduled release date of March 2021.
- Robert White, 37, of Manning, S.C. White is incarcerated for conspiracy to possess cocaine with intent to distribute, with a scheduled release date of October 2028.
- Durrell Williams, 34, of Queens, N.Y. Williams is incarcerated for possession of cocaine with intent to distribute, with a scheduled release date of April 2024.
- Miguel Lopez, 33, of Miami, Fla. Lopez is incarcerated for possession of a machine gun, with a scheduled release date of February 2021.
- Christopher Woods, 41, of Washington, D.C. Woods is incarcerated for armed robbery, with a scheduled release date of September 2023.
Possessing/Providing Contraband in Prison (Narcotics)
- Jamohl Swann, 39, of Indian Head, Md. Swann is incarcerated for possession of cocaine with intent to distribute, with a scheduled release date of June 2023.
- Julio Lopez, 46, of Miami, Fla. Lopez is incarcerated for possession of a firearm by a convicted felon, with a scheduled release date of October 2027.
- Angela Satterwhite, 43, of Indian Head, Md., is charged with providing contraband in prison. The charge carries a possible penalty of up to five years in federal prison.
- Margie Izquierdo, 45, of Hialeah, Fla., is charged with providing contraband in prison. The charge carries a possible penalty of up to five years in federal prison.
Assault
- Dennis Ogburn, 50, of Chicago. Ogburn is incarcerated for conspiracy to distribute cocaine, with a scheduled release date of November 2025.
Public Indecency
- Berry Green, 26, Miami, Fla. Green is incarcerated for possession of a firearm by a convicted felon, with a scheduled release date of October 2033.
- Stephon Greene, 27, Manassas, Va. Greene is incarcerated for possession of cocaine with intent to distribute, with a scheduled release date of February 2026.
- Duwayne Jones, 44, Lake Worth, Fla. Jones is incarcerated for distribution of heroin, with a scheduled release date of March 2029.
The additional charges could add as much as five years to incarcerated defendants’ current sentences.
“We cannot let prisoners get the upper hand on corrections officers, putting their lives and the lives of other inmates in danger,” said Chris Hacker, Special Agent in Charge of FBI Atlanta. “The FBI wants to thank our partners, the Bureau of Prisons FCI-Jesup investigators, whose hard work was integral in making these charges possible.”
Criminal informations contain only charges; defendants are presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.
The cases are being investigated by the FBI and the U.S. Bureau of Prisons Special Investigative Services at FCI-Jesup, and are being prosecuted for the United States by Assistant U.S. Attorney Joshua S. Bearden.
Buffalo Man Arrested and Charged with Brutally Beating, Raping, and Sex Trafficking Three VictimsRead 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 Michael McDonald, a/k/a George Jackson, a/k/a Rabbit, 41, of Buffalo, NY, was arrested and charged by criminal complaint with sex trafficking. The charge carries a mandatory minimum penalty of 15 years in prison and a maximum of life.
Assistant U.S. Meghan A. Tokash, who is handling that case, stated that in October 2017, the FBI began investigating the defendant for operating an illegal sex buying scheme by employing fraud, force and/or coercion. According to the complaint:
• McDonald recruited Victim 1 to “dance” and “strip” in Florida using Facebook, telling her she would not have to engage in prostitution. However, once Victim 1 traveled from Buffalo to Florida, the defendant raped her and forced her to in prostitution in both Florida and Buffalo. Victim continued to engage in sex acts for McDonald out of fear. The defendant also assaulted Victim 1 on numerous occasions.
• In January 2018, the Plantation, Florida Police Department responded to a residence after receiving a 911 call that an individual was being held against her will. Victim 2 was rescued from the house. Victim 2 told investigators that she met the defendant and flew from New York to Florida. Once in Florida, she said McDonald sexually assaulted her and forced her to perform sexual acts for money against her will. Victim 2 attempted to leave but the defendant stopped her and threatened to beat her if she attempted to leave again.
• In January 2017, Victim 3 was recruited on Snapchat through an individual she knew in her teenage years. Initially, McDonald lied to Victim 3 stating he could help her fulfill her dreams of becoming a singer and obtain custody of her children. The defendant event stated that he knew Beyonce. Shortly after meeting McDonald, Victim 3 told investigators the defendant allowed another man to rape her and made her feel that all she could do was work as a prostitute for him. McDonald controlled every aspect of her and life and isolated Victim 3 from her friends and family. The defendant also routinely beat, choked, and raped Victim 3.The complaint is the result of an investigation by the Federal Bureau of Investigation, under the direction of Assistant Director Marlin Ritzman, and the Cheektowaga Police Department, under the direction of Chief Michael Sliwinski.
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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Browning man sentenced in gun violence crimeRead the Press Release
GREAT FALLS—A Browning man who admitted firing a gun during a confrontation in Browning on the Blackfeet Indian Reservation was sentenced today to five years in prison and five years of supervised release, U.S. Attorney Kurt Alme said.
Arthur Thomas Westwolf, Jr., 26, pleaded guilty in January to possession of a firearm in furtherance of a crime of violence.
Chief U.S. District Judge Brian M. Morris presided.
The prosecution said in court documents that Westwolf and another man, identified as John Doe, got into a confrontation on July 28, 2018 in front of a Browning residence. Westwolf returned to his truck and asked an occupant to give him his gun. Westwolf pulled a 9 mm caliber pistol from the truck and aimed it at Doe. Doe turned around and fled on foot. Westwolf then fired.
A witness reported the assault to law enforcement and said the vehicle left at a high rate of speed and headed toward East Glacier. Blackfeet Law Enforcement Services responded and located the vehicle, which was occupied by Westwolf and two others. All denied having the gun. Westwolf matched the description of the shooter, and he eventually admitted to firing the gun. The gun was located in the vehicle. When interviewed by federal investigators, Westwolf admitted to possessing the firearm and pointing it at the victim. He admitted to discharging the weapon but claimed he shot in the air.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Kalah Paisley prosecuted the case, which was investigated by the FBI and Blackfeet Law Enforcement Services.
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Brockton Man Charged with Illegal Possession of FirearmsRead the Press Release
BOSTON – A Brockton man was charged in connection with attempting to purchase six firearms from an undercover federal agent.
Rotchill Seme, 21, of Brockton, was arrested yesterday and charged with being a felon in possession of a firearm. Following an initial appearance today, Seme was detained pending a detention hearing scheduled for June 10, 2020.
According to the criminal complaint, beginning on May 25, 2020, Seme began texting with an uncover federal agent about purchasing multiple firearms. After meeting on May 27, 2020, Seme agreed to purchase six handguns from the undercover agent for $3,500. On June 3, 2020, Seme met the undercover agent in a Brockton fast food restaurant parking lot to conduct the transaction. As the meeting concluded, law enforcement approached to arrest Seme, who attempted to flee but was arrested. Seme, who was wearing an ankle GPS bracelet at the time of his arrest, is on parole following state convictions for various drug and firearms offenses and is therefore prohibited from possessing firearms and ammunition.
The charging statute provides for a sentence of up to 10 years in prison, three years of supervised release and a fine of $250,000. Sentences are imposed by a federal district court judge based upon the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors.
United States Attorney Andrew E. Lelling; Kelley D. Brady, Special Agent in Charge of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, Boston Field Division; Colonel Christopher Mason, Superintendent of the Massachusetts State Police; and Scott Antolik, Special Agent in Charge of the Social Security Administration, Office of Inspector General, Office of Investigations, Boston Field Division made the announcement today. Assistant U.S. Attorney David G. Tobin, of Lelling’s Major Crimes Unit, is prosecuting the case.
The details contained in the court documents are allegations. The defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.
Brewton Man Sentenced to 14 Months for Failure to Register as a Sex OffenderRead the Press Release
United States Attorney Richard W. Moore of the Southern District of Alabama announced that Timothy Felder, 47, of Brewton, Alabama, was sentenced today in federal court on a charge of failure to register as a convicted sex offender. Felder pled guilty to the charge in December of 2019.
According to court documents filed in connection with his guilty plea, Felder had previously been convicted of Incest in Fulton County, Georgia. As a result of that conviction, Felder was required to register as a sex offender for life. Felder was initially compliant with his registration conditions. On April 4, 2019, Felder requested permission to work for an amusement company that was temporarily set up in Atmore, Alabama. That request was denied by an Escambia County Sheriff’s detective. Felder was scheduled to report for address verification in June 2019 but did not report. Escambia County Sheriff’s detectives went to Felder’s address. Residents there told detectives that Felder had not lived there for approximately two months, and that he had told them he was leaving to work for the traveling amusement company. Felder was eventually located and arrested by members of the U.S. Marshal’s Service in Milton, Florida, on September 25, 2019. An employee of the amusement company reported that Felder had been working with them since March 2019 and had travelled to locations in Alabama, Tennessee, Kentucky, Indiana, Illinois, and Wisconsin. Felder did not register in any of those jurisdictions. Felder was interviewed and admitted to traveling out of state, failing to register in those states, failing to get permission to travel, and failing to attend registration appointments.
United States District Court Judge Terry Moorer imposed a sentence of 14 months imprisonment. The judge ordered that Felder serve a ten-year term of supervised release beginning upon his discharge from prison. Upon his release from prison, Felder will be required to undergo sex offender treatment and to register as a sex offender. Judge Moorer ordered that Felder pay $100 in special assessments.
This case was brought as part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative launched in May 2006 by the Department of Justice to combat the growing epidemic of child sexual exploitation and abuse. Led by the United States Attorneys’ Offices and the Criminal Division's Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section, Project Safe Childhood marshals, federal, state, and local resources to locate, apprehend, and prosecute individuals who sexually exploit children, and to identify and rescue victims. For more information about Project Safe Childhood and for information about internet safety education, visit www.usdoj.gov/psc
The case was investigated by the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office and the United States Marshal’s Service. It was prosecuted in the United States Attorney’s Office by Assistant United States Attorney Kacey Chappelear.
Billings meth trafficker sentenced to prisonRead the Press Release
BILLINGS—A Billings woman who admitted methamphetamine trafficking charges was sentenced today to six years in prison and five years of supervised release, U.S. Attorney Kurt Alme said.
Sarah Marie Guckeen, 37, pleaded guilty in February to conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute meth and possession with intent to distribute meth.
U.S. District Judge Susan P. Watters presided.
The prosecution said in court records that in March 2019, law enforcement received a call from a woman who said she had recovered some meth. Guckeen had called the woman the day before about a package she was expecting to be delivered to the woman's house. When the package arrived, the woman got suspicious, opened the package and found meth. The package contained about a pound of meth, which is the equivalent of 3,624 doses.
In an interview with agents, Guckeen admitted to being the intended recipient of the meth package and that she was going to be taking over distribution for another person, whose source of supply was in California. The source of supply had sent Guckeen the pound of meth.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Colin Rubich prosecuted the case, which was investigated by the FBI task force, the Eastern Montana High Intensity Drug Trafficking Area Task Force and the Billings Police Department.
This case is part of Project Safe Neighborhoods, a U.S. Department of Justice initiative to reduce violent crime. According to the FBI’s Uniform Crime Reports, violent crime in Montana increased by 36% from 2013 to 2018. Through PSN, federal, tribal, state and local law enforcement partners in Montana focus on violent crime driven by methamphetamine trafficking, armed robbers, firearms offenses and violent offenders with outstanding warrants.
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Baltimore Felon Pleads Guilty to Illegal Possession of a FirearmRead the Press Release
Baltimore, Maryland – William Garland, age 30, of Baltimore, Maryland, pleaded guilty today to being a felon in possession of a firearm.
The guilty plea was announced by United States Attorney for the District of Maryland Robert K. Hur; Special Agent in Charge Timothy Jones of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) Baltimore Field Division; and Chief Melissa R. Hyatt of the Baltimore County Police Department.
According to his guilty plea, on January 4, 2019, Baltimore County’s Criminal Apprehension Support Team (CAST) executed an arrest warrant for Garland in connection with a theft that occurred on December 21, 2018. At the time of his arrest, officers recovered a loaded 9mm handgun from Garland’s right front jacket pocket. Garland had a previous felony conviction and was prohibited from possessing a firearm or ammunition. The gun was determined to have been stolen from a Virginia federal firearms licensee in February 2015.
Garland and the government have agreed that, if the Court accepts the plea agreement, Garland will be sentenced to six years in federal prison. U.S. District Judge George L. Russell, III has scheduled sentencing for July 30, 2020.
This case is part of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), a program bringing together all levels of law enforcement and the communities they serve to reduce violent crime and make our neighborhoods safer for everyone. Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN) is the centerpiece of the Department of Justice’s violent crime reduction efforts. PSN is an evidence-based program proven to be effective at reducing violent crime. Through PSN, a broad spectrum of stakeholders work together to identify the most pressing violent crime problems in the community and develop comprehensive solutions to address them. As part of this strategy, PSN focuses enforcement efforts on the most violent offenders and partners with locally based prevention and reentry programs for lasting reductions in crime.
United States Attorney Robert K. Hur commended the ATF and the Baltimore County Police Department for their work in the investigation. Mr. Hur thanked Assistant U.S. Attorney Lindsey N. McCulley, who is prosecuting the case.
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Atlantic City Man Charged with RiotingRead the Press Release
CAMDEN, N.J. – An Atlantic County, New Jersey, man has been arrested on charges that he participated in a riot in Atlantic City on May 31, 2020, following a day of otherwise peaceful protests, U.S. Attorney Craig Carpenito announced today.
Carlos A. Matchett, 30, of Atlantic City, New Jersey, was arrested June 3, 2020, by special agents of the FBI and is charged by complaint with use of a facility of interstate and foreign commerce, namely, a cellular telephone, and the social media platform Facebook, with intent to participate in and carry on a riot. Matchett will make his initial appearance today by videoconference before U.S. Magistrate Judge Karen M. Williams.
According to the complaint:
During the evening of May 31, 2020, following protests in Atlantic City, a group of people engaged in a spree of rioting, destruction, and looting in and around the Tanger Outlets, an area known locally as “the Walk.” Police responded to the area and observed Matchett standing in the middle of a roadway shouting obscenities at law enforcement and enticing persons around him to join in looting. After Matchett refused orders to disperse, police arrested him. During a search, they found a knife, a hatchet, and a jar filled with gasoline inside a backpack that he was wearing.
Further investigation revealed that shortly before his arrest, Matchett made public postings on his Facebook page linking to a news article about looting in Philadelphia and remarking to others, “LET’S START A RIOT.” Matchett also posted a video on Facebook on May 31, 2020, that showed him encouraging and assisting others in the vicinity of the Tanger Outlets in Atlantic City to loot goods from smashed store fronts.
The charge in the complaint carry a maximum prison term of five years and a maximum fine of $250,000.
U.S. Attorney Carpenito credited special agents of the FBI’s Atlantic City Resident Agency, under the direction of Acting Special Agent in Charge Douglas Korneski in Newark and the FBI’s Atlantic City Resident Agency’s Joint Terrorism Task Force, whose members include the Atlantic City Police Department and New Jersey State Police, with the investigation leading to today’s arrest. He also thanked officers of the Atlantic City Police Department, under the direction of Police Chief Henry White, for their assistance.
The government is represented by Assistant U.S. Attorney Gabriel J. Vidoni of the U.S. Attorney’s Office’s Criminal Division in Camden.
The charges and allegations contained in the complaint are merely accusations, and the defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.
Armed Career Criminal Sentenced to 15 Years for Possessing A Firearm and AmmunitionRead the Press Release
Tampa, Florida – U.S. District Judge Virginia Hernandez Covington today sentenced Surrodrick McCobb (45, Sarasota) to 15 years in federal prison for possessing a firearm and ammunition as a convicted felon. The court also ordered McCobb to forfeit the firearm and ammunition used in the offense.
McCobb had pleaded guilty on January 24, 2020.
According to court documents, on November 9, 2018, deputies from the Sarasota County Sheriff’s Office served a search warrant at McCobb’s home and recovered a loaded firearm and a box of ammunition from a drawer in the master bedroom. A fingerprint analyst matched McCobb’s fingerprint to a fingerprint that a crime scene technician had lifted from the box of ammunition. At the time, McCobb had previously been convicted of several felonies and is therefore prohibited from possessing firearms or ammunition.
This case was investigated by Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives and the Sarasota County Sheriff’s Office. It is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Charlie D. Connally.
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 Middle District of Florida, U.S. Attorney Maria Chapa Lopez coordinates PSN efforts in cooperation with various federal, state, and local law enforcement officials.
Arkansas Project Manager Charged in Oklahoma with COVID-Relief FraudRead the Press Release
TULSA, Okla. – A project manager employed by a major retailer was charged in a complaint unsealed today for allegedly filing fraudulent bank loan applications seeking more than $8 million in forgivable loans guaranteed by the Small Business Administration (SBA) under the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act.
Assistant Attorney General Brian A. Benczkowski of the Justice Department’s Criminal Division, U.S. Attorney Trent Shores for the Northern District of Oklahoma, Acting Deputy Inspector General Richard Parker of the Federal Housing Finance Agency Office of Inspector General (FHFA OIG) and Inspector General Jay N. Lerner of the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation Office of Inspector General (FDIC OIG) and Inspector General Hannibal “Mike” Ware of the Small Business Administration Office of Inspector General (SBA OIG) made the announcement.
Benjamin Hayford, 32, of Centerton, Arkansas, was charged in a federal criminal complaint filed in the Northern District of Oklahoma with wire fraud, bank fraud, making false statements to a financial institution, and making false statements to the SBA.
Hayford allegedly sought millions of dollars in forgivable loans guaranteed by the SBA from multiple banks by claiming fictitious payroll expenses. To support his applications, Hayford allegedly provided lenders with fraudulent payroll documentation purporting to establish payroll expenses that were, in fact, non-existent. In addition, Hayford represented to a financial institution that the Limited Liability Partnership for which he applied for relief was established in January 2020 and was operating as of Feb. 15, 2020. In fact, a search of the contents of Hayford’s email account revealed that Hayford did not create the partnership until April 2020, several days before he began applying for Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) loans.
“It is disgraceful that anyone would exploit loans meant to protect America’s small business owners during this public health crisis,” said U.S. Attorney Trent Shores. “Unfortunately, COVID-fraudsters are out there and active. Their victims are people who perform the back-breaking and emotionally challenging work to live their dream as a business owner and give back to their communities. My Coronavirus Anti-Fraud Team is more than capable to hold individuals accountable for illegally taking money from our financial institutions and from hard working Americans.”
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 until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.
Deputy Chief Brian R. Young of the Criminal Division’s Fraud Section and Assistant U.S. Attorney Victor A.S. Régal for the Northern District of Oklahoma are prosecuting the case. The U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Western District of Arkansas provided valuable assistance in this matter.
The Justice Department acknowledges and thanks the FHFA OIG, the SBA OIG, and the FDIC OIG for their efforts investigating this mater.
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.
Arkansas Project Manager Charged in Oklahoma with COVID-Relief FraudRead the Press Release
A project manager employed by a major retailer was charged in a complaint unsealed Wednesday for allegedly filing fraudulent bank loan applications seeking more than $8 million in forgivable loans guaranteed by the Small Business Administration (SBA) under the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act.
Assistant Attorney General Brian A. Benczkowski of the Justice Department’s Criminal Division, U.S. Attorney Trent Shores for the Northern District of Oklahoma, Acting Deputy Inspector General Richard Parker of the Federal Housing Finance Agency Office of Inspector General (FHFA OIG), Inspector General Jay N. Lerner of the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation Office of Inspector General (FDIC OIG) and Inspector General Hannibal “Mike” Ware of the Small Business Administration Office of Inspector General (SBA OIG) made the announcement.
Benjamin Hayford, 32, of Centerton, Arkansas, was charged in a federal criminal complaint filed in the Northern District of Oklahoma with wire fraud, bank fraud, making false statements to a financial institution, and making false statements to the SBA.
Hayford allegedly sought millions of dollars in forgivable loans guaranteed by the SBA from multiple banks by claiming fictitious payroll expenses. To support his applications, Hayford allegedly provided lenders with fraudulent payroll documentation purporting to establish payroll expenses that were, in fact, non-existent. In addition, Hayford represented to a financial institution that the Limited Liability Partnership for which he applied for relief was established in January 2020 and was operating as of Feb. 15, 2020. In fact, a search of the contents of Hayford’s email account revealed that Hayford did not create the partnership until April 2020, several days before he began applying for Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) loans.
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 until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.
Deputy Chief Brian R. Young of the Criminal Division’s Fraud Section and Assistant U.S. Attorney Victor A.S. Régal for the Northern District of Oklahoma are prosecuting the case. The U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Western District of Arkansas provided valuable assistance in this matter.
The Justice Department acknowledges and thanks the FHFA OIG, the SBA OIG, and the FDIC OIG for their efforts investigating this mater.
For the most up-to-date information on COVID-19, consumers may visit the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and WHO websites. The public is urged to report suspected fraud schemes related to COVID-19 (the Coronavirus) to the National Center for Disaster Fraud (NCDF) hotline by phone at (1-866-720-5721) or via an online reporting form available at www.justice.gov/disaster-fraud/webform/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.
Amesbury Man Previously Charged with Child Pornography Offenses Re-Arrested for Violating Conditions of ReleaseRead the Press Release
BOSTON – An Amesbury man who was previously charged with child pornography offenses was re-arrested today after allegedly violating his conditions of pretrial release.
Thomas Cross, 30, was arrested today for violating the conditions of his pretrial release by possessing devices with internet accessibility. Cross was ordered detained following a detention hearing in federal court in Boston this afternoon.
Cross was initially detained by a Magistrate Judge following his arrest on Nov. 15, 2018, on charges of possession, receipt, and distribution of child pornography. Cross appealed the order of pretrial detention to the District Court, who released Cross on July 17, 2019 on conditions which, among other things, prohibited him from accessing the internet, possessing pornographic material, and possessing internet-accessible devices.
Today, during a search at Cross’s home based on a CyberTip regarding the potential use of social media to exchange child pornography, Cross was found to be in possession of multiple cell phones and an internet-connected gaming console. The search of those devices is ongoing.
According to the charging documents, Cross’s pending charges stem from the Nov. 15, 2018 search of Cross’s home that resulted in the seizure of several electronic devices, which contained files depicting child pornography and chats between Cross and a person he identified as Desiree Daigle, in which they exchange various child pornography files. Some of the images depict an infant known to Daigle, allegedly taken in Daigle’s home. It is alleged that in the course of the chat, the two discussed plans for Cross to meet the child in person so that they could sexually abuse the child together. Both Cross and Daigle admitted to exchanging child pornography with each other. Daigle, who is in custody, has been separately charged with the sexual exploitation of children, and her case remains pending.
The charges of distribution and receipt of child pornography each provide for a mandatory minimum sentence of five years and up to 20 years in prison. The charge of possession of child pornography provides for a sentence of up to 20 years in prison. All of the charges provide for a minimum of five years and up to a lifetime of supervised release and a fine of $250,000. Sentences are imposed by a federal district court judge based upon the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors.
United States Attorney Andrew E. Lelling and Joseph R. Bonavolonta, Special Agent in Charge of the Federal Bureau of Investigation, Boston Field Division, made the announcement today. Assistance was provided by the Amesbury Police Department. Assistant U.S. Attorney Anne Paruti, Lelling’s Project Safe Childhood Coordinator and a member of the Major Crimes Unit, is prosecuting the case.
The case was brought as part of Project Safe Childhood. In 2006, the Department of Justice created Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative designed to protect children from exploitation and abuse. Led by the U.S. Attorneys’ Offices and the DOJ’s Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section, Project Safe Childhood marshals federal, state, and local resources to locate, apprehend, and prosecute individuals who exploit children, as well as identify and rescue victims. For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit www.projectsafechildhood.gov/.
The details contained in the charging documents are allegations. The defendants are presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.
Akron man sentenced to 8 years for possession with intent to distribute more than 800 grams of methamphetamineRead the Press Release
Justin E. Herdman, United States Attorney for the Northern District of Ohio, announced today that Jason D. Bivins, age 47, of Akron, was sentenced this week to a term of 97 months imprisonment after pleading guilty to possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine.
According to the indictment filed in this matter, on July 13, 2019, Bivins admitted to possession with intent to distribute approximately 892 grams of a mixture and substance containing methamphetamine.
This case was investigated by the Akron Police Department and the Akron Office of the FBI and was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Damoun Delaviz and Henry F. DeBaggis, II.
3 June 2020
Worcester Man Charged with Civil Disorder and Possession of a Destructive DeviceRead the Press Release
BOSTON – A Worcester, Mass. man was arrested and charged today with civil disorder and possession of a Molotov cocktail during a demonstration over the death of George Floyd in Minneapolis, Minnesota. The incident occurred during demonstrations in the City of Worcester.
Vincent Eovacious, 18, has been charged with civil disorder, in that he attempted to obstruct or interfere with law enforcement officers engaged in responding to the violent demonstration in Worcester on June 1, 2020, and unlawful possession of firearm, namely a destructive device. Eovacious was arrested today after being released on bond following state charges, including possession of an incendiary device. He will appear in federal court in Worcester tomorrow.
“The right to protest is not the right to hurt police officers and destroy property,” said United States Attorney Andrew E. Lelling. “According to the complaint, this self-proclaimed anarchist built Molotov cocktails – homemade firebombs – to use during a demonstration honoring George Floyd. We will aggressively prosecute anyone who pursues violence under cover of peaceful protest.”
“This defendant was in possession of several Molotov Cocktails and appeared intent to use them as lethal devices against Police Officers while they were protecting the rights of protestors. This violent act puts the our entire community, protestors and first responders alike, at risk. I commend the outstanding work of the Worcester Police Department who acted swiftly and were able to arrest this individual before any harm could be done,” stated ATF Special Agent in Charge Kelly D. Brady.
“As alleged, the danger posed by Vincent Eovacious in this case was very real. The apparent intent to hurl Molotov cocktails at police officers who are risking their lives to protect the Constitutional rights of protesters and the safety of us all is utterly reprehensible,” said Joseph R. Bonavolonta, Special Agent in Charge of the FBI Boston Division. “Today’s arrest sends a clear message--when you are intent on conducting a violent act that breaks federal law, the FBI and our law enforcement partners will move with speed to hold you accountable. After all, this type of behavior puts our entire community in danger, and we simply will not let it go unaddressed.”
According to charging documents, on June 1, 2020, crowds gathered at various locations in Worcester to protest the recent death of George Floyd, including South Main Street. At approximately 10:00 p.m., a large crowd blocked traffic and began throwing objects in the direction of the police. As officers on scene gathered into a line formation, one officer observed a man dressed in a trench coat standing on top of a building at 848 Main Street which is clearly marked, “No Trespassing.” The man, later identified as Eovacious, allegedly yelled for the crowd below to kill the police and paced back and forth on the rooftop. The officer then observed Eovacious remove from a bottle from his satchel that appeared to contained liquid and attempt to insert a rag into the bottle while holding a silver object that the officer believed to be a lighter. Minutes later, officers observed Eovacious walking in the area of May and Main Streets, still carrying the satchel, and stopped him. According to court documents, officers searched the satchel and recovered three clear glass bottles with a slightly yellow liquid that smelled of gasoline, five white rags, one green lighter and one silver lighter. Eovacious stated that the liquid in the glass bottles was gasoline and that he was “with the anarchist group” and was “waiting for an opportunity.”
The civil disorder charge provides for a sentence of up to five years in prison, three years of supervised release and a fine $250,000. The charge of unlawful possession of a firearm provides for a sentence of up to ten years in prison, three years of supervised release and a fine of up to $250,000. Sentences are imposed by a federal district court judge based upon the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors.
U.S. Attorney Lelling, ATF SAC Brady, FBI SAC Bonavolonta, and Worcester Police Chief Steven M. Sargent made the announcement today. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Greg Friedholm and Danial Bennett, of Lelling’s Worcester Branch Office, are prosecuting the case.
The details contained in the court documents are allegations. The defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.
Whitewright Accountant Sentenced for Federal Violations in Embezzlement SchemeRead the Press Release
SHERMAN, Texas – A 50-year-old Whitewright, Texas woman has been sentenced to federal prison for violations in the Eastern District of Texas, announced U.S. Attorney Stephen J. Cox and FBI Dallas Special Agent in Charge Matthew J. DeSarno today.
Beverly Diane Cross pleaded guilty on Dec. 4, 2019, to wire fraud and was sentenced to 102 months in federal prison today by U.S. District Judge Amos L. Mazzant III. She was also ordered to pay restitution in the amount of $620,408.14.
According to information presented in court, from 2015 through June 2019, Cross worked at MicroFab as its accountant. Cross abused her position of trust as the company’s accountant to embezzle funds from MicroFab. Cross falsified payroll data and other company documents to pay herself unearned salary amounts and undue expense reimbursements over a four-year period. During the last two years of her fraud scheme, the average monthly amount of money she embezzled from the company totaled around four times her monthly salary. In one instance, Cross bought a car from another MicroFab employee for her son, but stole the precise amount of money from MicroFab to purchase the car. Cross’s fraudulent actions resulted in a loss of approximately $620,000 to MicroFab and caused a considerable negative impact to the company and its employees, many of which suffered salary reductions, and two of which lost their jobs.
“The defendant methodically planned and executed a scheme to steal from her employer with total disregard for the company or her co-workers,” said U.S. Attorney Stephen J. Cox. “However, she failed to account for the tenacity and perseverance of not only our federal agents, but the very employers who trusted her.”
“The defendant’s decision to steal from her employer caused salary reductions, job loss, and erased the earnings the company worked to accumulate for over 35 years,” said FBI Dallas Special Agent in Charge Matthew J. DeSarno. “Financial crime is not a victimless crime. The FBI and our law enforcement partners will pursue anyone who uses their position of trust for personal gain.”
This case was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation’s Frisco Resident Agency of the Dallas Field Office and prosecuted by Special Assistant U.S. Attorney Todd M. Blessing and Assistant United States Attorney Christopher A. Eason.
United States Joins Lawsuit against AECOM Alleging False Claims in Connection with Hurricane Disaster ReliefRead the Press Release
The United States has intervened in a whistleblower lawsuit against AECOM, an architecture and engineering firm based in Los Angeles, California, and certain disaster relief applicants, alleging that they violated the False Claims Act by submitting false claims to the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) for the repair or replacement of certain facilities damaged by Hurricane Katrina, the Justice Department announced today.
“FEMA plays a critical role in helping communities to recover from natural disasters,” said Assistant Attorney General Jody Hunt of the Department of Justice’s Civil Division. “To ensure that FEMA can accomplish its mission and help those truly in need, the department will hold accountable those who seek to defraud FEMA by providing false information about their entitlement to assistance.”
Under the Robert T. Stafford Disaster Relief and Emergency Assistance Act and program rules, FEMA provided institutional applicants, such as schools and universities, with Public Assistance (PA) program funds for the repair or replacement of facilities damaged by Hurricane Katrina. Applicable rules, however, limit such funding to the amount required to restore damaged facilities to their pre-disaster condition, and the full cost of replacement is available only if repair estimates exceed a defined threshold.
AECOM received more than $300 million from FEMA between 2005 and 2019 as a technical assistance contractor in support of FEMA disaster response efforts on the Hurricane Katrina recovery. In this role, AECOM was responsible for conducting site evaluations and preparing and reviewing damage and repair estimates used to determine whether applicants were eligible for PA program funds. In particular, AECOM and the applicants were responsible for providing FEMA with truthful and accurate information regarding each facility’s pre-disaster design and all damage resulting from Hurricane Katrina.
The lawsuit alleges that, between 2007 through 2013, AECOM knowingly submitted false claims on behalf of applicants seeking PA program funds, including by using inflated repair estimates and other false information that improperly increased funding for applicants. In addition, the lawsuit alleges that certain applicants falsely certified the accuracy of the information and are thus jointly and severally liable for false claims prepared and submitted by AECOM on their behalf. The lawsuit further alleges that, by 2011, AECOM management was aware of systemic problems concerning the provision of false and inaccurate information to FEMA but failed to notify the government.
One of the recipients named in the lawsuit, Xavier University of Louisiana, has agreed to pay the United States $12 million to resolve its alleged role in the submission of false and misleading repair estimates prepared by AECOM on its behalf. According to the government’s allegations, Xavier improperly obtained PA program funds for its gymnasium, student center, and electrical grid that substantially exceeded the amounts it was entitled to receive under program rules. As part of the settlement, Xavier has agreed to cooperate with the department’s investigation of other parties and any related litigation.
“Federal disaster funds are an instrumental component in the effort to assist disaster victims with their recovery,” said the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of Louisiana. “The favorable resolution of this False Claims Act matter illustrates the collaborative efforts and firm commitment by our federal partners to use all available remedies to address signs of fraud, waste and abuse.”
“The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Office of Inspector General will continue to identify and investigate disaster fraud schemes to ensure that taxpayer funds are properly spent to help disaster victims and rebuild affected communities,” said DHS Inspector General Dr. Joseph V. Cuffari. “We remain committed to working with our partners in the Department of Justice to root out waste, fraud and abuse.”
The lawsuit was originally filed under the qui tam or whistleblower provisions of the False Claims Act (FCA) by Robert Romero, an AECOM Project Specialist. The FCA permits private parties to file suit on behalf of the United States for false claims and to share in any recovery. The FCA also permits the United States to intervene in such an action, as it has done, in part, in this case. The whistleblower lawsuit is captioned United States ex rel. Robert Romero v. AECOM, Inc., et al., No. 16-cv-15092 (E.D. La.). As part of the resolution with Xavier, Mr. Romero received approximately $2.3 million.
The lawsuit is being handled by the Civil Division’s Commercial Litigation Branch and the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of Louisiana, with assistance from FEMA’s Office of Chief Counsel. Investigative support is being provided by the Department of Homeland Security’s Office of Inspector General, through its Major Fraud and Corruption Unit and New Orleans Resident Office.
The claims alleged in the lawsuit, including those resolved by Xavier, are allegations only, and there has been no determination of liability.
United States Joins Lawsuit against AECOM Alleging False Claims in Connection with Hurricane Disaster ReliefRead the Press Release
WASHINGTON – The United States has intervened in a whistleblower lawsuit against AECOM, an architecture and engineering firm based in Los Angeles, California, and certain disaster relief applicants, alleging that they violated the False Claims Act by submitting false claims to the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) for the repair or replacement of certain facilities damaged by Hurricane Katrina, the Justice Department announced today.
“FEMA plays a critical role in helping communities to recover from natural disasters,” said Assistant Attorney General Jody Hunt of the Department of Justice’s Civil Division. “To ensure that FEMA can accomplish its mission and help those truly in need, the department will hold accountable those who seek to defraud FEMA by providing false information about their entitlement to assistance.”
Under the Robert T. Stafford Disaster Relief and Emergency Assistance Act and program rules, FEMA provided institutional applicants, such as schools and universities, with Public Assistance (PA) program funds for the repair or replacement of facilities damaged by Hurricane Katrina. Applicable rules, however, limit such funding to the amount required to restore damaged facilities to their pre-disaster condition, and the full cost of replacement is available only if repair estimates exceed a defined threshold.
AECOM received more than $300 million from FEMA between 2005 and 2019 as a technical assistance contractor in support of FEMA disaster response efforts on the Hurricane Katrina recovery. In this role, AECOM was responsible for conducting site evaluations and preparing and reviewing damage and repair estimates used to determine whether applicants were eligible for PA program funds. In particular, AECOM and the applicants were responsible for providing FEMA with truthful and accurate information regarding each facility’s pre-disaster design and all damage resulting from Hurricane Katrina.
The lawsuit alleges that, between 2007 through 2013, AECOM knowingly submitted false claims on behalf of applicants seeking PA program funds, including by using inflated repair estimates and other false information that improperly increased funding for applicants. In addition, the lawsuit alleges that certain applicants falsely certified the accuracy of the information and are thus jointly and severally liable for false claims prepared and submitted by AECOM on their behalf. The lawsuit further alleges that, by 2011, AECOM management was aware of systemic problems concerning the provision of false and inaccurate information to FEMA but failed to notify the government.
One of the recipients named in the lawsuit, Xavier University of Louisiana, has agreed to pay the United States $12 million to resolve its alleged role in the submission of false and misleading repair estimates prepared by AECOM on its behalf. According to the government’s allegations, Xavier improperly obtained PA program funds for its gymnasium, student center, and electrical grid that substantially exceeded the amounts it was entitled to receive under program rules. As part of the settlement, Xavier has agreed to cooperate with the department’s investigation of other parties and any related litigation.
“Federal disaster funds are an instrumental component in the effort to assist disaster victims with their recovery,” said the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of Louisiana. “The favorable resolution of this False Claims Act matter illustrates the collaborative efforts and firm commitment by our federal partners to use all available remedies to address signs of fraud, waste and abuse.”
“The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Office of Inspector General will continue to identify and investigate disaster fraud schemes to ensure that taxpayer funds are properly spent to help disaster victims and rebuild affected communities,” said DHS Inspector General Dr. Joseph V. Cuffari. “We remain committed to working with our partners in the Department of Justice to root out waste, fraud and abuse.”
The lawsuit was originally filed under the qui tam or whistleblower provisions of the False Claims Act (FCA) by Robert Romero, an AECOM Project Specialist. The FCA permits private parties to file suit on behalf of the United States for false claims and to share in any recovery. The FCA also permits the United States to intervene in such an action, as it has done, in part, in this case. The whistleblower lawsuit is captioned United States ex rel. Robert Romero v. AECOM, Inc., et al., No. 16-cv-15092 (E.D. La.). As part of the resolution with Xavier, Mr. Romero received approximately $2.3 million.
The lawsuit is being handled by the Civil Division’s Commercial Litigation Branch and the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of Louisiana, with assistance from FEMA’s Office of Chief Counsel. Investigative support is being provided by the Department of Homeland Security’s Office of Inspector General, through its Major Fraud and Corruption Unit and New Orleans Resident Office.
The claims alleged in the lawsuit, including those resolved by Xavier, are allegations only, and there has been no determination of liability.
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U.S. Attorney’s Office Prosecuting Armed Felon from Tennessee Arrested During Louisville Protest and RiotsRead the Press Release
LOUISVILLE, Ky. – United States Attorney Russell Coleman today announced the federal prosecution of Tevin R. Patton for being a prohibited person in possession of a firearm. The federal criminal complaint asserts that the Memphis, Tennessee, man drew a firearm after curfew earlier this week in downtown Louisville.
“We cherish First Amendment-protected speech in Kentucky but will not tolerate outsiders traveling to Louisville to do harm to our city and its people,” said U.S. Attorney Russell Coleman. “This type criminal conduct puts both protestors and police at risk. Today’s outcome makes Kentuckians safer and results from outstanding collaboration between the FBI, ATF, U.S. Secret Service, and LMPD. At the direction of Attorney General Barr, we will utilize the framework of the FBI Joint Terrorism Task Force to identify, apprehend, and federally prosecute anyone who exploits peaceful protest for violence or to violate federal law.”
According to the criminal complaint, on Monday, June 1, 2020, at approximately 10:20 pm Patton was viewed by law enforcement who were conducting surveillance near South Fourth Street in downtown Louisville. During the surveillance, a U.S. Secret Service special agent observed Patton pull out a gun.
Law enforcement at the scene then dispersed the crowd with tear gas and flash bang devices, striking Patton with pepper balls once he was observed pointing the gun in the air. Upon being struck by the pepper balls, Patton ran to his car and fled the scene. Police then stopped Patton’s vehicle and located a Springfield Armory USA, model XDs-45, .45 caliber pistol in his vehicle, partially loaded with four rounds remaining in a ten round magazine.
In 2013, Patton pleaded guilty to Aggravated Burglary, a felony, out of Tennessee. Additionally, in 2016 Patton pleaded guilty to aggravated assault, a felony, out of Tennessee. In 2016, Patton was charged with 4th Degree Domestic Violence and Fleeing or Evading Police, 1st Degree.
If convicted at trial, the maximum sentence for being a convicted felon unlawfully possessing a firearm is no more than ten years in federal prison, a $250,000 fine, and three years of supervised release. There is not parole in the federal system.
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 Josh Judd. The United States Secret Service, the Federal Bureau of Investigation, the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives, and the Louisville Metro Police Department are investigating the case.
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U.S. Attorney’s Office Announces South Carolina Law Enforcement Agencies Awarded More Than $8 Million for Hiring to Advance Community PolicingRead the Press Release
Columbia, South Carolina --- United States Attorney Peter M. McCoy, Jr., announced today that the Department of Justice awarded thirteen police departments throughout South Carolina more than $8 million through the Department’s Office of Community Oriented Policing Services (COPS) Hiring Program, which allows those agencies to hire 63 additional full-time law enforcement professionals.
“I am thrilled that so many of our deserving local South Carolina partners earned these sought-after funds to boost the most critical tool in any police department: its people,” said U.S. Attorney Peter M. McCoy, Jr. “This will allow our sheriffs and police chiefs more officers to develop community partnerships, engage community leaders, and put other community policing features into place.”
The COPS Hiring Program (CHP) is a competitive award program intended to reduce crime and advance public safety through community policing by providing direct funding for the hiring of career law enforcement officers. In addition to providing financial support for hiring, CHP provides funding to state, local, and tribal law enforcement to enhance local community policing strategies and tactics.
The following thirteen law enforcement agencies in South Carolina earned awards:
- Bluffton Police Department received $250,000, which includes the ability to hire 2 officers;
- Camden Police Department received $326,644, which includes the ability to hire 3 officers;
- Charleston County Sheriff’s Office received $1,250,000, which includes the ability to hire 10 officers;
- Chester County Sheriff's Office received $1,015,824, which includes the ability to hire 6 officers;
- Chester Police Department received $382,963, which includes the ability to hire 3 officers;
- Chesterfield County Sheriff's Office received $395,089, which includes the ability to hire 4 officers;
- Conway Police Department received, $250,000, which includes the ability to hire 2 officers;
- Greeleyville Police Department received $97,124, which includes the ability to hire 1 officer;
- Hampton County Sheriff's Office received $367,989, which includes the ability to hire 3 officers;
- Hardeeville Police Department received $250,000, which includes the ability to hire 2 officers;
- Horry County Police Department received $1,875,000, which includes the ability to hire 15 officers;
- Myrtle Beach Police Department received $1,250,000, which includes the ability to hire 10 officers; and
- Spartanburg Police Department received $351,762, which includes the ability to hire 2 officers.
As recently announced by the U.S. Attorney General, across the country the Department awarded 596 law enforcement agencies more than $400 million, which allows those agencies to hire 2,732 additional full-time law enforcement professionals.
“The Department of Justice is committed to providing the police chiefs and sheriffs of our great nation with needed resources, tools, and support. The funding announced today will bolster their ranks and contribute to expanding community policing efforts nationwide,” said U.S. Attorney General William P. Barr. “A law enforcement agency’s most valuable assets are the men and women who put their lives on the line every day in the name of protecting and serving their communities.”
In a changing economic climate, CHP funding helps law enforcement agencies maintain sufficient sworn personnel levels to promote safe communities. Funding through this program had been on hold since the spring of 2018 due to a nationwide injunction that was lifted earlier this year.
CHP applicants were required to identify a specific crime and disorder problem focus area and explain how the funding will be used to implement community policing approaches to that problem focus area. 43 percent of the awards announced today will focus on violent crime, while the remainder of the awards will focus on a variety of issues including school-based policing to fund school resource officer positions, building trust and respect, and opioid education, prevention, and intervention. The COPS Office received nearly 1,100 applications requesting more than 4,000 law enforcement positions.
To learn more about CHP, please visit https://cops.usdoj.gov/chp. For additional information about the COPS Office, please visit www.cops.usdoj.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.
- Bluffton Police Department received $250,000, which includes the ability to hire 2 officers;
U.S. Attorneys and FBI in Mississippi Are Partnering with Federal, State, and Local Law Enforcement to Ensure Peaceful Protests and Protection of Life and PropertyRead the Press Release
Mike Hurst and Chad Lamar, United States Attorneys for the Southern and Northern Districts of Mississippi, respectively, and Michelle Sutphin, Special Agent in Charge of the Federal Bureau of Investigation, Jackson Field Office, announced today that their offices have been working with other federal, state, and local law enforcement agencies throughout Mississippi to protect our communities from violence and destruction while preserving the rights of citizens to freely speak and assemble per the First Amendment to the U.S. Constitution during this time.
In a statement on Sunday, May 31, 2020, U.S. Attorney General William P. Barr noted that federal law enforcement resources would be available to assist state and local leaders in their efforts to ensure peaceful protests and to reestablish law and order. Attorney General Barr said that federal resources will be directed at apprehending and charging the violent radical agitators who have taken over peaceful protests and are engaging in violations of federal law.
“What happened to George Floyd in Minnesota was heartbreaking and a travesty, but I am proud of the way Mississippians have responded by exercising their First Amendment rights peacefully. We will continue to protect people’s constitutional rights to speak and assemble. But I want to be very clear – we will not hesitate to prosecute those who break our laws and cause harm and destruction. Law and order will be maintained coequally with the lawful exercise of individual liberties. We took an oath to support and defend the American people and the Constitution, and we will continue to do just that,” said U.S. Attorney Hurst.
“Recent events have hurt and scarred our nation and people have every right to be angry,” remarked U.S. Attorney Chad Lamar. “We share the anger and disgust felt across our Country and the World. People understandably want their voices to be heard in the continued fight for justice and we support that right. We are thankful that so many Mississippians have come together to seek and promote justice in peaceful and productive ways. But, please continue to do so peacefully. As we scratch and claw our way out of the COVID-19 pandemic, the last thing we need is more violence and further loss.”
"The FBI will continue to utilize all of our resources and partnerships, both law enforcement and community, to ensure protection of First Amendment rights and the protection of our communities," said SAC Sutphin.
U.S. Attorney General Barr stated on Saturday, May 30, 2020, that the tragic events surrounding George Floyd’s death in Minnesota were being addressed swiftly through the regular process of the criminal justice system, both at the state and federal levels. Local charges have already been brought against a former Minneapolis police officer, and the U.S. Department of Justice and the FBI are also conducting an independent investigation.
The year 2020 marks the 150th anniversary of the Department of Justice. Learn more about the history of our agency at www.Justice.gov/Celebrating150Years
U.S. Attorneys and FBI in Mississippi Are Partnering with Federal, State, and Local Law Enforcement to Ensure Peaceful Protests and Protection of Life and PropertyRead the Press Release
Mike Hurst and Chad Lamar, United States Attorneys for the Southern and Northern Districts of Mississippi, respectively, and Michelle Sutphin, Special Agent in Charge of the Federal Bureau of Investigation, Jackson Field Office, announced today that their offices have been working with other federal, state, and local law enforcement agencies throughout Mississippi to protect our communities from violence and destruction while preserving the rights of citizens to freely speak and assemble per the First Amendment to the U.S. Constitution during this time.
In a statement on Sunday, May 31, 2020, U.S. Attorney General William P. Barr noted that federal law enforcement resources would be available to assist state and local leaders in their efforts to ensure peaceful protests and to reestablish law and order. Attorney General Barr said that federal resources will be directed at apprehending and charging the violent radical agitators who have taken over peaceful protests and are engaging in violations of federal law.
“What happened to George Floyd in Minnesota was heartbreaking and a travesty, but I am proud of the way Mississippians have responded by exercising their First Amendment rights peacefully. We will continue to protect people’s constitutional rights to speak and assemble. But I want to be very clear – we will not hesitate to prosecute those who break our laws and cause harm and destruction. Law and order will be maintained coequally with the lawful exercise of individual liberties. We took an oath to support and defend the American people and the Constitution, and we will continue to do just that,” said U.S. Attorney Hurst.
“Recent events have hurt and scarred our nation and people have every right to be angry,” remarked U.S. Attorney Chad Lamar. “We share the anger and disgust felt across our Country and the World. People understandably want their voices to be heard in the continued fight for justice and we support that right. We are thankful that so many Mississippians have come together to seek and promote justice in peaceful and productive ways. But, please continue to do so peacefully. As we scratch and claw our way out of the COVID-19 pandemic, the last thing we need is more violence and further loss.”
"The FBI will continue to utilize all of our resources and partnerships, both law enforcement and community, to ensure protection of First Amendment rights and the protection of our communities," said SAC Sutphin.
U.S. Attorney General Barr stated on Saturday, May 30, 2020, that the tragic events surrounding George Floyd’s death in Minnesota were being addressed swiftly through the regular process of the criminal justice system, both at the state and federal levels. Local charges have already been brought against a former Minneapolis police officer, and the U.S. Department of Justice and the FBI are also conducting an independent investigation.
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
Two Convicted Felons Charged in Federal Court with Illegally Possessing Loaded Handguns in ChicagoRead the Press Release
CHICAGO — Two convicted felons have been charged with federal firearm offenses for allegedly illegally possessing loaded handguns in Chicago this past weekend.
KEVIN D. TUNSTALL, 29, of Oak Forest, and JOHNNIE L. LEE, 32, of Chicago, are each charged with one count of illegal possession of a firearm by a convicted felon. Tunstall and Lee were previously convicted of criminal felonies and were not lawfully allowed to possess a firearm. Initial court appearances in U.S. District Court in Chicago have not yet been scheduled.
The federal charges were announced by John R. Lausch, Jr., United States Attorney for the Northern District of Illinois; Emmerson Buie, Jr., Special Agent-in-Charge of the Chicago office of the FBI; Kristen deTineo, Special Agent-in-Charge of the Chicago Field Division of the U.S. Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives; and David Brown, Superintendent of the Chicago Police Department. Valuable assistance was provided by the Cook County State’s Attorney’s Office in bringing these charges. The government is represented in the Tunstall case by Assistant U.S. Attorney Shy Jackson, and in the Lee case by Assistant U.S. Attorney Shawn McCarthy.
Holding gun offenders accountable through federal prosecution is a centerpiece of Project Guardian and Project Safe Neighborhoods – the Department of Justice’s violent crime reduction strategies. Project Guardian focuses specifically on investigating, prosecuting, and preventing gun crimes, and it emphasizes the importance of using modern technologies to promote gun crime intelligence. In the Northern District of Illinois, U.S. Attorney Lausch and law enforcement partners have deployed the Guardian and PSN programs to attack a broad range of violent crime issues facing the district, including by prosecuting individuals who illegally possess firearms.
Tunstall and Lee were arrested separately this past weekend by Chicago Police officers.
Tunstall was arrested early Saturday morning near the 600 block of South State Street after officers observed him in possession of a loaded semiautomatic handgun while seated in a vehicle, according to the charges.
Lee was arrested late Sunday night after a vehicle he was driving crashed into a Chicago Police car near the 3200 block of North Southport Avenue, the charges allege. He was taken into custody while in possession of a loaded handgun. A city of Chicago curfew took effect at 9:00 p.m. Sunday, and Lee was arrested nearly two hours later.
The public is reminded that a complaint is not evidence of guilt. The defendants are presumed innocent and entitled to a fair trial at which the government has the burden of proving guilt beyond a reasonable doubt. Illegal possession of a firearm by a convicted felon is punishable by up to ten years in federal prison. If convicted, the Court must impose a reasonable sentence under federal statutes and the advisory U.S. Sentencing Guidelines.
Tennessee Man Faces Federal Arson Charges in Connection to Metro Courthouse Fire During ProtestRead the Press Release
A criminal complaint issued today charged Wesley Somers, 25, of Hendersonville, Tennessee, with malicious destruction of property using fire or explosives.
“The Department of Justice will vindicate the First Amendment rights of all Americans to speak, assemble and seek a redress of grievances from their government,” said Assistant Attorney General for National Security John C. Demers. “We cannot tolerate, however, those who would take advantage of moments of real anguish to endanger the innocent and destroy their property.”
“We will always vigorously defend the right of every individual to assemble and protest,” said U.S. Attorney Don Cochran for the Middle District of Tennessee. “This is one of our most sacred liberties guaranteed by the First Amendment of our Constitution. We will also vigorously pursue those who choose to exploit such assemblies and use violence and intimidation in order to change the dynamics of an otherwise peaceful protest.”
The criminal complaint alleges that on the afternoon of May 30, 2020, protesters gathered in downtown Nashville following the death of George Floyd in Minneapolis, Minnesota. Later in the evening, a number of persons gathered in front of Nashville City Hall, also known as the Metro Courthouse, and using various tools, including crowbars and other objects, began smashing the windows of the premises and spraying graffiti on the Courthouse facade. One or more fires were also set inside of the Courthouse at this time.
Numerous video clips and photographs of the destruction at the Courthouse were posted on social media websites, on the websites for news outlets, and on other Internet sites. Somers is depicted in video clips and photographs from that evening, shirtless and wearing beige cargo shorts. In those clips and photographs, Somers—whose distinctive chest tattoos portraying the words “WILD CHILD” and “HARD 2 Love,” among others, are occasionally visible — is depicted attempting to smash windows of the Courthouse with a long object. One photograph in particular, depicted Somers holding an unknown accelerant, which had been set on fire, and placing the accelerant through the window of the Courthouse. Somers is also depicted in a video clip setting fire to an accelerant and placing it inside a window located on the exterior of the Courthouse.
Somers was identified by the Metropolitan Nashville Police Department – Specialized Investigation Division, after receiving numerous tips from citizens, and was arrested on state arson charges on May 31.
If convicted, Somers faces a mandatory minimum of five years and up to 20 years in prison.
Assistant Attorney General Demers and U.S. Attorney Cochran commended the actions of concerned citizens and the efforts of the law enforcement agencies and prosecutors who worked to quickly identify and bring these charges, including the Metropolitan Nashville Police Department; the FBI; the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms & Explosives; Assistant U.S. Attorney Ben Schrader; and Trial Attorney Justin Sher of the Department’s Counterterrorism Section.
A criminal complaint is merely an accusation. The defendant is presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.
Swiss Attorney Sentenced for Participating in Global Pump-and-Dump SchemeRead the Press Release
BOSTON – A Swiss lawyer was sentenced today in federal court in Boston in connection with participating in an international pump-and-dump scheme.
Matthew Ledvina, 46, was sentenced by U.S. District Court Judge William G. Young to 30 months of probation and ordered to pay a fine of $50,000. In February 2019, Ledvina pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy to commit securities fraud.
In or about June 2017, Ledvina assisted his co-conspirators by creating nominee entities that were used to hold shares in Environmental Packaging Technologies Inc. (EPTI), a publicly-traded company. The nominee entities allowed the true owners of the shares to mask their identities and to secretly sell large quantities of EPTI shares, even as they and others simultaneously orchestrated promotional campaigns and other manipulative efforts to artificially inflate the price and trading volume of those shares.
Roger Knox, the operator of Silverton, a Switzerland-based asset management firm, was charged with helping to facilitate the EPTI pump-and-dump and other market manipulation schemes. During the pump-and-dump, Silverton sold approximately $1.5 million worth of EPTI stock before trading was halted by the Securities and Exchange Commission.
Knox previously pleaded guilty and is currently scheduled to be sentenced on Sept. 30, 2020.
United States Attorney Andrew E. Lelling and Joseph R. Bonavolonta, Special Agent in Charge of the Federal Bureau of Investigation, Boston Field Division, made the announcement. Assistant U.S. Attorney Eric Rosen of Lelling’s Securities and Financial Fraud Unit prosecuted the case.
Stockton Man Charged with Sexual Exploitation of a MinorRead the Press Release
SACRAMENTO, Calif. — A Stockton man was arrested on Tuesday and charged with production and distribution of child pornography, U.S. Attorney McGregor W. Scott announced.
According to court documents, from April to June 2020, Jonathan Thornton, 36, produced images depicting a seven-year-old engaged in sexually explicit conduct. He then distributed the images on a darknet website. Thornton operates a photography business called Thornton Photography.
This case is the product of an investigation by the Federal Bureau of Investigation. Assistant U.S. Attorney Mira Chernick is prosecuting the case.
If convicted, Thornton faces a mandatory minimum of 15 years in prison, a maximum statutory penalty of 30 years in prison, and a $250,000 fine. Any sentence, however, would be determined at the discretion of the court after consideration of any applicable statutory factors and the Federal Sentencing Guidelines, which take into account a number of variables. The charges are only allegations; the defendant is presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt.
This case was brought as part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative launched in May 2006 by the Department of Justice to combat the growing epidemic of child sexual exploitation and abuse. Led by the United States Attorneys’ Offices and the Criminal Division’s Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section, Project Safe Childhood marshals federal, state, and local resources to locate, apprehend, and prosecute those who sexually exploit children, and to identify and rescue victims. For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit www.usdoj.gov/psc. Click on the “resources” tab for information about internet-safety education.
Statement of U.S. Attorney Ron Parsons on Retirement of Rapid City Police Chief Karl JegerisRead the Press Release
Chief Jegeris represents the ideal of law enforcement excellence. Always professional, ever vigilant, always looking out for the safety, security, and best interests of the community and everyone in it. Rapid City will be benefiting from his positive vision and forward-thinking initiatives for years to come. It has been a true pleasure to work with him and to call him my friend. He will be greatly missed.
Statement from United States Attorney Jay E. Town on the Death of Moody Police Sergeant Stephen WilliamsRead the Press Release
BIRMINGHAM, Ala. – “Moody Police Sergeant Stephen Williams’ end of watch has come much too soon. Our condolences and prayers are with his family, friends, and fellow officers. His loss is a loss for all of Alabama. This serves as yet another heartbreaking and stark reminder of the perils encountered by law enforcement each day.”
St. Louis County Man Faces a Federal Firearms Charges in Connection to the Burglary of the Southside Pawn ShopRead the Press Release
St. Louis – Devante Coffie, 19, of Valley Park, Missouri, was charged by a federal complaint with stealing 32 handguns and two long guns at the Southside Pawn Shop. Coffie will appear in court on June 4, 2020, for his initial appearance in front of U.S. Magistrate Patricia Cohen.
According to the criminal complaint, on May 31, 2020, Coffie and another individual entered the Southside Pawn Shop via second story window after climbing onto the roof of a parked minivan. The two individuals broke the glass of an elevated window in order to gain entry into the pawnshop. While inside the shop, Coffie and the other individual fired their guns into multiple glass enclosures in order to get access to the firearms inside and removed them.
Coffie cut himself on the broken glass of the window that had been used to enter the building. Investigators identified Coffie after monitoring social media in attempt to find information about the burglary. Not only was he trying to sell the firearms on social media, but also a video showed Coffie’s hands had multiple bandages on them. At the time of his arrest, Coffie had in his possession one of the stolen firearms from the burglary.
If convicted of the theft of firearms from a federal firearms licensee, Coffie faces a maximum of 10 years in prison and a fine of $250,000.
These charges are the result of an investigation by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms & Explosives and the St. Louis County Police Department. Assistant United States Attorney Donald S. Boyce is handling this case.
A criminal complaint is merely an accusation. The defendant is presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.