Latest Records
Newest first across public DOJ and U.S. Attorney press releases.
Thursday 19 March 2020
Pakistani Doctor Charged with Attempting to Provide Material Support to ISISRead the Press Release
Assistant Attorney General for National Security John C. Demers and U.S. Attorney Erica H. MacDonald for the District of Minnesota today announced a federal criminal complaint against Muhammad Masood, 28, charging him with attempting to provide material support to a designated foreign terrorist organization. Masood, who was arrested earlier today at Minneapolis-St. Paul International Airport, made his initial appearance before Magistrate Judge David T. Schultz in U.S. District Court in Minneapolis, Minnesota. Masood was ordered to remain in custody pending a formal detention hearing, which is scheduled for Tuesday, March 24, 2020.
According to the allegations in the complaint, Masood, a licensed medical doctor in Pakistan, was formerly employed as a Research Coordinator for a medical clinic in Rochester, Minnesota, under an H-1B Visa. Between January 2020 and March 2020, Masood made several statements to others, including pledging his allegiance to the Islamic State of Iraq and Al-Sham (ISIS) and its leader, and expressing his desire to travel to Syria to fight for ISIS. Masood also expressed his desire to conduct “lone wolf” terrorist attacks in the United States. On Feb. 21, 2020, Masood purchased a plane ticket from Chicago, Illinois to Amman, Jordan, and from there planned to travel to Syria. On March 16, 2020, Masood’s travel plans changed because Jordan closed its borders to incoming travel due to the Coronavirus pandemic. Masood made a new plan to fly from Minneapolis to Los Angeles to meet up with an individual who he believed would assist him with travel via cargo ship to deliver him to ISIS territory.
On March 19, 2020, Masood traveled from Rochester to Minneapolis-St. Paul International Airport (MSP) to board a flight bound for Los Angeles, California. Upon arrival at MSP, Masood checked in for his flight and was subsequently arrested by the FBI’s Joint Terrorism Task Force.
This case is the result of an investigation conducted by the FBI’s Joint Terrorism Task Force.
The charges contained in the complaint are merely accusations, and the defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.
This case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Andrew R. Winter and Timothy C. Rank, with assistance from Trial Attorney Katie Sweeten of the National Security Division’s Counterterrorism Section.
Pakistani Doctor Charged with Attempting to Provide Material Support to ISISRead the Press Release
WASHINGTON – Assistant Attorney General for National Security John C. Demers and U.S. Attorney Erica H. MacDonald for the District of Minnesota today announced a federal criminal complaint against MUHAMMAD MASOOD, 28, charging him with attempting to provide material support to a designated foreign terrorist organization. MASOOD, who was arrested earlier today at Minneapolis-St. Paul International Airport, made his initial appearance before Magistrate Judge David T. Schultz in U.S. District Court in Minneapolis, Minnesota. MASOOD was ordered to remain in custody pending a formal detention hearing, which is scheduled for Tuesday, March 24, 2020.
According to the allegations in the complaint, MASOOD, a licensed medical doctor in Pakistan, was formerly employed as a Research Coordinator at a medical clinic in Rochester, Minnesota, under an H-1B Visa. Between January 2020 and March 2020, MASOOD made several statements to others, including pledging his allegiance to the Islamic State of Iraq and Al-Sham (ISIS) and its leader, and expressing his desire to travel to Syria to fight for ISIS. MASOOD also expressed his desire to conduct “lone wolf” terrorist attacks in the United States. On Feb. 21, 2020, MASOOD purchased a plane ticket from Chicago, Illinois to Amman, Jordan, and from there planned to travel to Syria. On March 16, 2020, MASOOD’s travel plans changed because Jordan closed its borders to incoming travel due to the Coronavirus pandemic. MASOOD made a new plan to fly from Minneapolis to Los Angeles to meet up with an individual who he believed would assist him with travel via cargo ship to deliver him to ISIS territory.
On March 19, 2020, MASOOD traveled from Rochester to Minneapolis-St. Paul International Airport (MSP) to board a flight bound for Los Angeles, California. Upon arrival at MSP, MASOOD checked in for his flight and was subsequently arrested by the FBI’s Joint Terrorism Task Force.
This case is the result of an investigation conducted by the FBI’s Joint Terrorism Task Force.
This case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Andrew R. Winter and Timothy C. Rank, with assistance from Trial Attorney Katie Sweeten of the National Security Division’s Counterterrorism Section.
Defendant Information:
MUHAMMAD MASOOD, 28
Rochester, Minn.
Charges:
- Attempt to provide material support to a designated foreign terrorist organization (ISIS), 1 count
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United States Attorney’s Office, District of Minnesota: (612) 664-5600
The charges contained in the complaint are merely accusations, and the defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.
New York Man on Parole Sentenced to Prison for Possessing Credit Card Manufacturing EquipmentRead the Press Release
Jacksonville, Florida – U.S. District Judge Brian J. Davis has sentenced Changa Bush (41, New York) to 15 months in federal prison for possession of credit card manufacturing equipment. The court ordered that Bush serve his federal prison sentence prior to extradition to New York for a parole violation. Bush is currently on parole out of New York State for assault causing serious physical injury and served 10 years in state prison before being paroled. He remains detained following his arrest on September 6, 2019.
According to court records, on April 12, 2019, a Flagler County Sheriff’s Office (FCSO) deputy began following a stolen vehicle being driven by Bush, who eventually pulled the car into a gas station and parked, where FCSO deputies made contact with him. Bush refused to identify himself or provide any form of identification. Subsequent to his arrest, law enforcement located the names of various individuals, and counterfeit drivers licenses, matching those on the credit cards in Bush’s possession. A fingerprint check determined that Bush’s identity and that he was wanted out of New York on a parole violation. A search of Bush’s vehicle located a magnetic stripe card writer and reader, two laptops, three thumb drives, a long range wireless adapter, and nine cell phones. A forensic examination of the items seized from the stolen vehicle revealed 37 credit card account numbers, software used to encode and decode the magnetic stripe of a credit card, and evidence of the installation of printers designed for printing identification cards.
This case was investigated by the United States Secret Service (Jacksonville Field Office) and the Flagler County Sheriff’s Office. It was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Kevin C. Frein.
New Hampshire U.S. Attorney Announces Nearly $60 Million in Grants Available to Support Prisoners’ Successful Reentry into Their CommunitiesRead the Press Release
Concord – U.S. Attorney Scott W. Murray of New Hampshire today announced that nearly $60 million in Department of Justice grants is available to help communities address public safety by supporting successful reentry of adult and juvenile offenders into their communities.
“When prisoners are released from custody, we need to make sure that they can transition effectively back into society,” said U.S. Attorney Murray. “By assisting these individuals to become productive members of society, we reduce the risk of recidivism and improve public safety. These grants can assist our communities in accomplishing these important goals.”
“Our nation is facing difficult public safety challenges that demand strong and immediate action. The high rate of recidivism poses a dire threat to community safety and is being met with a robust response by this Administration,” said Katharine T. Sullivan, Principal Deputy Assistant Attorney General for the Office of Justice Programs. “The Department of Justice is front and center in the fight to meet this persistent challenge. OJP is making historic amounts of grant funding available to ensure that our communities have access to innovative and diverse solutions.”
The funding is available through OJP, the federal government’s leading source of public safety funding and crime victim assistance in state, local and tribal jurisdictions. OJP’s programs support a wide array of activities and services, including adult and juvenile reentry initiatives and research projects designed to improve our knowledge of what works in reentry programming.
A number of funding opportunities are currently open, with several more opening in the near future.
Correctional Adult Reentry Education, Employment, and Recidivism Reduction Strategies Program
https://bja.ojp.gov/funding/opportunities/bja-2020-17104
Total Available $7.2 million Deadline 4/27/2020
Improving Community Supervision Outcomes Through Swift, Certain, and Fair Responses
https://bja.ojp.gov/funding/opportunities/bja-2020-17096
Total Available $3 million Deadline 4/28/2020
Improving Reentry for People with Substance Use Disorders Program
https://bja.ojp.gov/SCASUD20
Total Available $13.2 million Deadline 4/27/2020
Innovations in Reentry Initiative: Building System Capacity & Testing Strategies to Reduce Recidivism
https://bja.ojp.gov/funding/opportunities/bja-2020-17281
Total Available $4 million Deadline 5/4/2020
Research and Evaluation on Promising Reentry Initiatives https://nij.ojp.gov/funding/opportunities/nij-2020-17295
Total Available $6 million Deadline 5/5/2020
Review and Validation of the First Step Act Risk Assessment Tool https://nij.ojp.gov/funding/opportunities/nij-2020-fsa
Total Available: Determined after selection Deadline 4/10/2020
Second Chance Act Community-Based Reentry Program
https://bja.ojp.gov/funding/opportunities/bja-2020-17110
Total Available $13.5 million Deadline 5/4/2020
Second Chance Act Evaluation Participation Support
https://bja.ojp.gov/funding/opportunities/bja-2020-17680
Total Available $4 million Deadline 4/28/2020
Second Chance Act Youth Offender Reentry Program
https://ojjdp.ojp.gov/sites/g/files/xyckuh176/files/media/document/ojjdp-2020-17350.pdf
Total Available $7 million Deadline 4/28/2020
For more information regarding all OJP funding opportunities, visit https://www.ojp.gov/funding/explore/current-funding-opportunities
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New Hampshire U.S. Attorney Announces More Than $83 Million Available to Support School SafetyRead the Press Release
Concord – U.S. Attorney Scott W. Murray of New Hampshire today announced that more than $83 million in Department of Justice grants is available to help communities improve school security and protect students, teachers and faculty from threats of violence.
“Children should be able to attend school in a safe environment where they focus on learning, not fear of tragic events,” said U.S. Attorney Murray. “These grants will assist communities in improving the security of children and school staff so that schools can focus on their education mission.”
“School violence is no longer an abstract threat but has become a tragic reality in too many of America’s communities. Moving to meet this challenge is among the Administration’s top domestic priorities,” said Katharine T. Sullivan, Principal Deputy Assistant Attorney General for the Office of Justice Programs. “The Department of Justice is front and center in the fight to meet this challenge. OJP is making historic amounts of grant funding available to ensure that our communities have access to innovative and diverse solutions.”
The funding is available through OJP, the federal government’s leading source of public safety funding and crime victim assistance in state, local and tribal jurisdictions. OJP’s programs support a wide array of activities and services, including programs designed to tighten school security and improve the reporting of threats.
A number of funding opportunities for school safety are currently open, with another opening in the near future:
Research and Evaluation on School Safety
https://nij.ojp.gov/funding/opportunities/nij-2020-17308
Total Available $5 million Deadline 4/13/2020
STOP Act School Violence Program (FY20)
https://nij.ojp.gov/funding/opportunities/nij-2020-17308
Total Available $71.4 million Deadline 4/13/2020
Strategies to Support Children Exposed to Violence
https://ojjdp.ojp.gov/funding/opportunities/ojjdp-2020-17926
Total Available $7 million Deadline 4/27/2020
For more information regarding all OJP funding opportunities, visit https://www.ojp.gov/funding/explore/current-funding-opportunities.
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New Hampshire U.S. Attorney Announces More Than $65 Million Available to Fight Human Trafficking and Help Trafficking VictimsRead the Press Release
Concord – U.S. Attorney Scott W. Murray of New Hampshire today announced that more than $65 million in Department of Justice grants is available to help communities combat human trafficking and serve adults and children who are victimized in trafficking operations.
“The crimes of sex trafficking and labor trafficking victimize some of the most vulnerable members of our communities, including minors and the economically disadvantaged,” said U.S. Attorney Murray. “Human trafficking is modern day slavery and it cannot be tolerated in a free society. Here in New Hampshire, the Human Trafficking Collaborative Task Force and other efforts have been vital in obtaining justice for victims of human trafficking. These new grant opportunities will provide additional financial support that will allow communities to expand their efforts to combat human trafficking, protect victims, and educate the public about the impact of this crime.”
“Our nation is facing difficult challenges, none more pressing than the scourge of human trafficking. Human traffickers pose a dire threat to public safety and countering this threat remains one of the Administration’s top domestic priorities,” said Katharine T. Sullivan, Principal Deputy Assistant Attorney General for the Office of Justice Programs. “The Department of Justice is front and center in the fight against this insidious crime. OJP is making historic amounts of grant funding available to ensure that our communities have access to innovative and diverse solutions.”
The funding is available through OJP, the federal government’s leading source of public safety funding and crime victim assistance in state, local and tribal jurisdictions. OJP’s programs support a wide array of activities and services, including programs that support human trafficking task forces and services for human trafficking survivors.
A number of funding opportunities are currently open, with several more opening in the near future.
Missing and Exploited Children Training and Technical Assistance Program
https://ojjdp.ojp.gov/funding/opportunities/ojjdp-2020-17351
Total Available $1.8 million Deadline 4/6/2020 (Extended)
Multidisciplinary Task Force Program to Combat Human Trafficking
Total Available $22 million Opens week of 3/16/2020
Preventing Trafficking of Girls
Total Available $1.7 million Opens week of 3/16/2020
Research and Evaluation on Trafficking in Persons https://nij.ojp.gov/funding/opportunities/nij-2020-17324
Total Available $2.5 million Deadline 4/20/2020
Services for Victims of Human Trafficking
Total Available $16.5 million Opens week of 3/16/2020
Specialized Training and Technical Assistance on Housing for Victims of Human Trafficking Total Available $2 million Opens week of 3/16/2020
Human Trafficking Training and Technical Assistance Program
Total Available $5 million Opens week of 3/16/2020
Improving Outcomes for Child and Youth Victims of Human Trafficking
Total Available $6 million Opens week of 3/16/2020
Integrated Services for Minor Victims of Labor Trafficking
Total Available $8 million Opens week of 3/16/2020
For more information regarding all OJP funding opportunities, visit https://www.ojp.gov/funding/explore/current-funding-opportunities
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New Hampshire U.S. Attorney Announces More Than $163 Million Available to Fight Addiction CrisisRead the Press Release
Concord – U.S. Attorney Scott W. Murray of New Hampshire today announced that more than $163 million in Department of Justice grants is available to help communities address America’s addiction crisis.
“New Hampshire has been hit hard by the opioid crisis and faces additional addiction-related threats, including a growing methamphetamine problem,” said U.S. Attorney Murray. “While the law enforcement community will continue to focus on targeting the drug traffickers who seek to profit from those who suffer from addiction, these grants can provide valuable resources to help our communities fight addiction and curtail the demand for these dangerous substances.”
“Our nation is facing the difficult challenge of curbing substance addiction, which threatens public safety and is among the Administration’s top domestic priorities,” said Katharine T. Sullivan, Principal Deputy Assistant Attorney General for the Office of Justice Programs. “The Department of Justice is front and center in the fight to meet this challenge. OJP is making historic amounts of grant funding available to ensure that our communities have access to innovative and diverse solutions.”
The funding is available through OJP, the federal government’s leading source of public safety funding and crime victim assistance in state, local and tribal jurisdictions. OJP’s programs support a wide array of activities and services, including programs designed to prevent overdose deaths and break the cycle of addiction and crime.
A number of funding opportunities that address the addiction crisis are currently open:
https://bja.ojp.gov/funding/opportunities/bja-2020-17098
Total Available $1.75 million Deadline 5/14/2020
Comprehensive Opioid, Stimulant, and Substance Abuse Site-based Program
https://bja.ojp.gov/COSSAP20
Total Available $27 million Deadline 5/21/2020
Enhancing Community Responses to America's Addiction Crisis: Serving Our Youngest Crime Victims
https://www.ovc.gov/grants/pdftxt/fy-2020-enhancing-community-responses-to-drug-crisis.pdf
Total Available: $19 million Deadline: 5/4/2020
Family Drug Court Program
https://ojjdp.ojp.gov/funding/opportunities/ojjdp-2020-17090
Total Available $18.2 million Deadline 4/8/2020 (Extended)
Harold Rogers Prescription Drug Monitoring Program
https://bja.ojp.gov/funding/opportunities/bja-2020-17754
Total Available $28.1 Deadline 5/5/2020
Juvenile Drug Treatment Court Program
https://ojjdp.ojp.gov/funding/opportunities/ojjdp-2020-17051
Total Available $7.2 million Deadline 4/13/2020 (Extended)
Mentoring Opportunities for Youth Initiative
https://ojjdp.ojp.gov/funding/opportunities/ojjdp-2020-16930
Total Available $48 million Deadline 4/13/2020
Opioid Affected Youth Initiative
https://ojjdp.ojp.gov/funding/opportunities/ojjdp-2020-17352
Total Available $9 million Deadline 4/20/2020
Research and Evaluation on Drugs and Crime https://nij.ojp.gov/funding/opportunities/nij-2020-17275
Total Available $1 million Deadline 4/20/2020
Residential Substance Abuse Treatment for State Prisoners
https://bja.ojp.gov/RSAT20
Total Available $4.5 million Deadline 4/6/2020
For more information regarding all OJP funding opportunities, visit https://www.ojp.gov/funding/explore/current-funding-opportunities
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Nevada U.S. Attorney Announces More Than $65 Million Available to Fight Human Trafficking and Help Trafficking VictimsRead the Press Release
LAS VEGAS, Nev. – U.S. Attorney Nicholas A. Trutanich for the District of Nevada today announced that more than $65 million in Department of Justice grants is available to help communities combat human trafficking and serve victims of trafficking operations.
“Our nation is facing difficult challenges, none more pressing than the scourge of human trafficking. Human traffickers pose a dire threat to public safety and countering this threat remains one of the Administration’s top domestic priorities,” said Katharine T. Sullivan, Principal Deputy Assistant Attorney General for the Office of Justice Programs. “The Department of Justice is front and center in the fight against this insidious crime. OJP is making historic amounts of grant funding available to ensure that our communities have access to innovative and diverse solutions.”
“On behalf of the District of Nevada, we are grateful for the Department of Justice’s support in bringing human traffickers to justice and helping victims in our communities,” said U.S. Attorney Trutanich. “Together with our law enforcement partners, the U.S. Attorney’s Office looks forward to effectively and creatively deploying the resources possible through this new grant funding.”
The funding is available through OJP, the federal government’s leading source of public safety funding and crime victim assistance in state, local and tribal jurisdictions. OJP’s programs support a wide array of activities and services, including programs that support human trafficking task forces and services for human trafficking survivors.
A number of funding opportunities are currently open, with several more opportunities opening this week.
- Missing and Exploited Children Training and Technical Assistance Program
https://ojjdp.ojp.gov/funding/opportunities/ojjdp-2020-17351
Total Available: $1.8 million Deadline: 4/6/2020
- Multidisciplinary Task Force Program to Combat Human Trafficking
Total Available: $22 million Opens week of 3/16/2020
- Preventing Trafficking of Girls
Total Available: $1.7 million Opens week of 3/16/2020
- Research and Evaluation on Trafficking in Persons
https://nij.ojp.gov/funding/opportunities/nij-2020-17324
Total Available: $2.5 million Deadline: 4/20/2020
- Services for Victims of Human Trafficking
Total Available: $16.5 million Opens week of 3/16/2020
- Specialized Training and Technical Assistance on Housing for Victims of Human Trafficking
Total Available: $2 million Opens week of 3/16/2020
- Human Trafficking Training and Technical Assistance Program
Total Available: $5 million Opens week of 3/16/2020
- Improving Outcomes for Child and Youth Victims of Human Trafficking
Total Available: $6 million Opens week of 3/16/2020
- Integrated Services for Minor Victims of Labor Trafficking
Total Available: $8 million Opens week of 3/16/2020
For more information regarding all OJP funding opportunities, please visit https://www.ojp.gov/funding/explore/current-funding-opportunities
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Nearly $60 Million in Grants Available to Support Prisoners’ Successful Reentry into Their CommunitiesRead the Press Release
United States Attorney Matthew D. Krueger of the Eastern District of Wisconsin today announced nearly $60 million in Department of Justice grants is available to help communities address public safety by supporting successful reentry of adult and juvenile offenders into their communities.
“Our nation is facing difficult public safety challenges that demand strong and immediate action. The high rate of recidivism poses a dire threat to community safety and is being met with a robust response by this Administration,” said Katharine T. Sullivan, Principal Deputy Assistant Attorney General for the Office of Justice Programs. “The Department of Justice is front and center in the fight to meet this persistent challenge. OJP is making historic amounts of grant funding available to ensure that our communities have access to innovative and diverse solutions.”
The funding is available through OJP, the federal government’s leading source of public safety funding and crime victim assistance in state, local and tribal jurisdictions. OJP’s programs support a wide array of activities and services, including adult and juvenile reentry initiatives and research projects designed to improve our knowledge of what works in reentry programming.
A number of funding opportunities are currently open, with several more opening in the near future.
Correctional Adult Reentry Education, Employment, and Recidivism Reduction Strategies Program https://bja.ojp.gov/funding/opportunities/bja-2020-17104
Deadline 4/27/2020
Improving Community Supervision Outcomes Through Swift, Certain, and Fair Responses https://bja.ojp.gov/funding/opportunities/bja-2020-17096
Deadline 4/28/2020
Improving Reentry for People with Substance Use Disorders Program
https://bja.ojp.gov/SCASUD20
Deadline 4/27/2020
Innovations in Reentry Initiative: Building System Capacity & Testing Strategies to Reduce Recidivism
https://bja.ojp.gov/funding/opportunities/bja-2020-17281
Deadline 5/4/2020
Research and Evaluation on Promising Reentry Initiatives https://nij.ojp.gov/funding/opportunities/nij-2020-17295
Deadline 5/5/2020
Review and Validation of the First Step Act Risk Assessment Tool https://nij.ojp.gov/funding/opportunities/nij-2020-fsa
Deadline 4/10/2020
Second Chance Act Community-Based Reentry Program
https://bja.ojp.gov/funding/opportunities/bja-2020-17110
Deadline 5/4/2020
Second Chance Act Evaluation Participation Support
https://bja.ojp.gov/funding/opportunities/bja-2020-17680
Deadline 4/28/2020
Second Chance Act Youth Offender Reentry Program
https://ojjdp.ojp.gov/sites/g/files/xyckuh176/files/media/document/ojjdp-2020-17350.pdf
Deadline 4/28/2020
For more information regarding all OJP funding opportunities, visit https://www.ojp.gov/funding/explore/current-funding-opportunities
For Additional Information Contact:
Public Information Officer Kenneth Gales 414-297-1700
Maryland U.S. Attorney Encourages Marylanders to be Alert to Scammers Exploiting the Coronavirus Health EmergencyRead the Press Release
Baltimore, Maryland – Maryland U.S. Attorney Robert K. Hur is encouraging all Marylanders to be aware of individuals attempting to profit from the coronavirus pandemic. Coronavirus scams are being perpetrated around the country, including in Maryland. Recently, scammers sent e-mails to people in Maryland, purporting to be from a local hospital and offering coronavirus vaccines for a fee. In fact, no vaccine is currently available for the coronavirus. Other fraudsters are offering fake cures for the virus or posing as public health officials. Still other scams use websites that appear to be legitimate, but are actually fake websites that infect the users’ computers with harmful malware or seek personal information that can be later used to commit fraud. Many of these scams target the most vulnerable, especially the elderly.
U.S. Attorney Robert K. Hur stated, “Fraudsters who are preying on citizens during this unprecedented public health crisis are reprehensible. My office and the entire law enforcement community are committed to bringing fraudsters who prey upon our most vulnerable citizens to justice. We will continue our outreach efforts to make the public aware of scams and frauds. I urge citizens to remain vigilant and to be skeptical of any telephone calls, e-mails, or websites that request personal information or banking information, while promising money or services that seem too good to be true.”
U.S. Attorney General William P. Barr sent a memo to all U.S. Attorneys making the investigation of these scams and the individuals perpetrating them a priority. Federal, state, and local law enforcement agencies are open and ready to investigate these frauds. While employees of the Maryland U.S. Attorney’s Office are responsibly practicing social distancing, the Office’s dedication to the safety of all Maryland citizens continues.
Don’t be taken in by a scam. There are resources available to learn the facts about the coronavirus and how to protect yourself from scammers. The Center for Disease Control (CDC) has guidelines on how to keep from becoming ill, and other information about the disease, on its website. The Federal Trade Commission has consumer information about coronavirus scams on its website, including a complaint form to report scammers. Elderly victims may also call the newly launched Elder Fraud Hotline at 833-FRAUD-11 (833-372-8311), if they believe they are victims of a coronavirus scam—or any other type of fraud.
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More Than $83 Million Available to Support School SafetyRead the Press Release
United States Attorney Matthew D. Krueger of the Eastern District of Wisconsin today announced that more than $83 million in Department of Justice grants is available to help communities improve school security and protect students, teachers and faculty from threats of violence.
“School violence is no longer an abstract threat but has become a tragic reality in too many of America’s communities. Moving to meet this challenge is among the Administration’s top domestic priorities,” said Katharine T. Sullivan, Principal Deputy Assistant Attorney General for the Office of Justice Programs. “The Department of Justice is front and center in the fight to meet this challenge. OJP is making historic amounts of grant funding available to ensure that our communities have access to innovative and diverse solutions.”
The funding is available through OJP, the federal government’s leading source of public safety funding and crime victim assistance in state, local and tribal jurisdictions. OJP’s programs support a wide array of activities and services, including programs designed to tighten school security and improve the reporting of threats.
A number of funding opportunities for school safety are currently open, with another opening in the near future:
Research and Evaluation on School Safety
https://nij.ojp.gov/funding/opportunities/nij-2020-17308
Deadline 4/13/2020
STOP Act School Violence Program (FY20)
https://nij.ojp.gov/funding/opportunities/nij-2020-17308
Deadline 4/13/2020
Strategies to Support Children Exposed to Violence
https://ojjdp.ojp.gov/funding/opportunities/ojjdp-2020-17926
Deadline 4/27/2020
For more information regarding all OJP funding opportunities, visit https://www.ojp.gov/funding/explore/current-funding-opportunities.
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For Additional Information Contact:
Public Information Officer Kenneth Gales 414-297-1700
More Than $65 Million Available to Fight Human Trafficking and Help Trafficking VictimsRead the Press Release
United States Attorney Matthew D. Krueger of the Eastern District of Wisconsin today announced that more than $65 million in Department of Justice grants is available to help communities combat human trafficking and serve adults and children who are victimized in trafficking operations.
“Our nation is facing difficult challenges, none more pressing than the scourge of human trafficking. Human traffickers pose a dire threat to public safety and countering this threat remains one of the Administration’s top domestic priorities,” said Katharine T. Sullivan, Principal Deputy Assistant Attorney General for the Office of Justice Programs. “The Department of Justice is front and center in the fight against this insidious crime. OJP is making historic amounts of grant funding available to ensure that our communities have access to innovative and diverse solutions.”
The funding is available through OJP, the federal government’s leading source of public safety funding and crime victim assistance in state, local and tribal jurisdictions. OJP’s programs support a wide array of activities and services, including programs that support human trafficking task forces and services for human trafficking survivors.
A number of funding opportunities are currently open, with several more opening in the near future.
Missing and Exploited Children Training and Technical Assistance Program
https://ojjdp.ojp.gov/funding/opportunities/ojjdp-2020-17351
Deadline 4/6/2020 (Extended)
Multidisciplinary Task Force Program to Combat Human Trafficking
Opened 3/16/2020
Preventing Trafficking of Girls
Opened 3/16/2020
Research and Evaluation on Trafficking in Persons https://nij.ojp.gov/funding/opportunities/nij-2020-17324
Deadline 4/20/2020
Services for Victims of Human Trafficking
Opened 3/16/2020
Specialized Training and Technical Assistance on Housing for Victims of Human Trafficking Opened 3/16/2020
Human Trafficking Training and Technical Assistance Program
Opened 3/16/2020
Improving Outcomes for Child and Youth Victims of Human Trafficking
Opened 3/16/2020
Integrated Services for Minor Victims of Labor Trafficking
Opened 3/16/2020
For more information regarding all OJP funding opportunities, visit https://www.ojp.gov/funding/explore/current-funding-opportunities
# # #
For Additional Information Contact:
Public Information Officer Kenneth Gales 414-297-1700
Justice Department Settles Claim Against Maryland Construction Firm for Discriminating Against U.S. WorkersRead the Press Release
The Department of Justice today announced that it has reached a settlement agreement resolving the Department’s claims that a Baltimore County, Maryland construction firm, Hallaton Inc., which installs geosynthetic liners, violated the anti-discrimination provision of the Immigration and Nationality Act (INA) by preferring H-2B visa workers over qualified U.S. workers. This is the eighth settlement under the Civil Rights Division’s Protecting U.S. Workers Initiative, which is aimed at targeting, investigating, and taking enforcement actions against companies that discriminate against U.S. workers in favor of temporary visa workers. Since the Initiative’s inception, employers have agreed to pay or have distributed a combined total of more than $1.2 million in back pay to affected U.S. workers and civil penalties to the United States.
“Employers who abuse temporary visa programs deny U.S. workers job opportunities. This settlement provides up to $80,000 in backpay to compensate those U.S. workers who were unlawfully discriminated against in favor of visa workers,” said Assistant Attorney General Eric Dreiband of the Civil Rights Division. “This is the eighth settlement in this Administration’s effort to combat discrimination against U.S. workers for job opportunities and we will continue to hold violators accountable.”
The Department’s investigation determined that from at least Dec. 1, 2017, until at least June 1, 2018, Hallaton routinely discriminated against U.S. workers by failing to consider them for construction laborer positions. Despite receiving over two dozen applications from available and qualified U.S. workers through the Maryland Workforce Exchange, Hallaton hired none of them. The company then sought and received permission to hire 63 H-2B visa workers for these jobs by claiming that it could not find qualified and available U.S. workers. Refusing to recruit or hire U.S. workers because of their citizenship status violates the INA.
Under the settlement, Hallaton will pay $43,143 in civil penalties to the United States, pay up to $80,000 in back pay to affected U.S. workers, and conduct enhanced U.S. worker recruitment and advertising for future positions. The settlement also requires Hallaton to train employees on the requirements of the INA’s anti-discrimination provision and be subject to departmental monitoring and reporting requirements.
The Division’s Immigrant and Employee Rights Section (IER) is responsible for enforcing the anti-discrimination provision of the INA. Among other things, the statute prohibits discrimination based on citizenship status and national origin in hiring, firing, or recruitment or referral for a fee; unfair documentary practices; retaliation; and intimidation.
More information on how employers can avoid citizenship status discrimination is available here. More information about protections against unlawful citizenship status discrimination is available here. For more information about protections against employment discrimination under immigration laws, call IER’s worker hotline at 1-800-255-7688 (1-800-237-2515, TTY for hearing impaired); call IER’s employer hotline at 1-800-255-8155 (1-800-237-2515, TTY for hearing impaired); sign up for a free webinar; email [email protected]; or visit IER’s English and Spanish websites. Subscribe to GovDelivery to receive updates from IER.
Applicants or employees who believe they were subjected to discrimination based on their citizenship, immigration status, or national origin in hiring, firing, or recruitment or referral for a fee; or discrimination in the employment eligibility verification process (Form I-9 and E-Verify) based on their citizenship, immigration status, or national origin; or retaliation can file a charge or contact IER’s worker hotline for assistance.
Jury finds local used car salesman guilty of tax crimes, structuring, making false statementsRead the Press Release
CINCINNATI – A federal jury, spread across the courtroom to practice social distancing, returned a guilty verdict Wednesday evening on all counts charged, finding a Cincinnati businessman guilty of six charges related to tax fraud.
Gregory VanDemark, 64, was convicted of four counts of aiding and assisting in the preparation and filing of false income tax returns with the Internal Revenue Service (IRS), one count of structuring transactions to evade the reporting requirements, and one count of making a false statement.
The verdict was announced following a trial that began on March 11 before U.S. District Judge Michael R. Barrett.
According to court documents and trial testimony, VanDemark’s IRS returns claimed he owed no taxes for 2013 and 2014, even though he earned $1 million per year from his used car business, Used Car Supermarket, Inc.
At the same time, VanDemark owned homes in Cincinnati and Florida and a summer home on the Ohio River designed as a paddleboat replica (that he falsely deducted on his taxes as a bed and breakfast).
Also in 2013 and 2014, VanDemark structured more than $157,000 in cash payments made on a home mortgage at a bank in Bethel, Ohio for the purpose of evading the currency transaction reporting requirements.
VanDemark skimmed 25 percent of his business earnings in order to alter his taxes owed. He also claimed numerous improper deductions.
When he was interviewed by IRS special agents in 2016, VanDemark made a false statement by stating all of the money he made from his business was deposited in the bank and he never skimmed cash from his businesses.
“I want to commend the government’s prosecution team on presenting a flawless case to the jury,” said Bryant Jackson, Special Agent in Charge, IRS, Criminal Investigation. “The jury has sent a very strong message to business owners and taxpayers that if you skirt your income tax liabilities, try to avoid the currency reporting requirement and then lie about it, you will be judged guilty for such conduct by a jury of your peers.”
Aiding and assisting in the preparation and filing of false income tax returns with the IRS carries a maximum penalty of three years in prison and a fine of up to $250,000. Structuring financial transactions and making false statements carries a maximum penalty of five years in prison and a fine of up to $250,000. Congress sets the maximum statutory sentence. Sentencing of the defendant will be determined by the Court based on the advisory sentencing guidelines and other statutory factors.
David M. DeVillers, United States Attorney for the Southern District of Ohio; and Bryant Jackson, Special Agent in Charge, Internal Revenue Service Criminal Investigation, Cincinnati Field Office announced the verdict. Assistant United States Attorney Megan Gaffney Painter and Special Assistant United States Attorney Kelly K. Rossi are representing the United States in this case.
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Indictment Charges Milford Man with Receiving Child Sex Abuse ImagesRead the Press Release
John H. Durham, United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut, and Jason J. Molina, Acting Special Agent in Charge of U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s Homeland Security Investigations (HSI), today announced that a federal grand jury in New Haven returned an indictment yesterday charging ROBERT C. HARRINGTON, 53, of Milford, with receipt of child pornography.
As alleged in court documents, in January 2019, HSI received information from Australian and Canadian law enforcement authorities that two usernames associated with an Internet Protocol (IP) address at Harrington’s Milford residence were sending and receiving images depicting the sexual abuse of girls through a web-based application. On May 15, 2019, investigators searched Harrington’s residence and seized his tablet computer. The tablet contained images and videos depicting child sex abuse.
Harrington has been detained since his arrest on May 15, 2019.
The indictment charges Harrington with one count of receipt of child pornography, an offense that carries a mandatory minimum term of imprisonment of five years and a maximum term of imprisonment of 20 years.
U.S. Attorney Durham stressed that an indictment is not evidence of guilt. Charges are only allegations and the defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt.
This investigation is being conducted by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s Homeland Security Investigations (HSI), with the assistance of the Joint Anti-Child Exploitation Team (JACET), South Australia Police, Australian Federal Police and the Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP). The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Maria del Pilar Gonzalez.
This prosecution is part of the U.S. Department of Justice’s Project Safe Childhood Initiative, which is aimed at protecting children from sexual abuse and exploitation. For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit www.justice.gov/psc.
To report cases of child exploitation, please visit www.cybertipline.com.
Indianapolis area methamphetamine and heroin trafficking organizations dismantledRead the Press Release
Indianapolis – United States Attorney Josh J. Minkler announced today, federal criminal charges against 35 individuals for their role in two separate drug trafficking rings.
“These methamphetamine trafficking organizations were fueling some of the violence that the citizens of central Indiana have been experiencing.” said Minkler. “Thirty illegally possessed guns, twenty-two pounds of methamphetamine, heroin, fentanyl, and approximately $70,000 in drug money support the decision to make custodial arrests today. Violent drug trafficking organizations should know that this national health crisis offers no safe harbor for them. Federal, state and local law enforcement will continue to work together to keep the public safe from violent drug traffickers.”
Those charged include:
Danielle Dowling, 43, Indianapolis
Linda Bow, 56, Indianapolis
Josh Stoops, 41, Indianapolis
James Bacon, 51, Indianapolis
Micheal Fisher, 27, Indianapolis
Steve Anderson, 46, Indianapolis
James Swartz, 41, Indianapolis
Eric Poore, 42, Indianapolis
Janna Broaddus, 33, Indianapolis
Josh Unger, 36, Indianapolis
Ryan Sawyers, 37, Indianapolis
Troy Thornton, 47, Indianapolis
Darius Anthony Garcia, 33, Indianapolis
Amber Seats, 31, Indianapolis
Jeremy Osmon, 40, Indianapolis
Tyler Greenwalt , 35, Indianapolis
Guy Karnes, 28, Indianapolis
Clifford King, Jr., 27, Indianapolis
Lisa Roth, 25, Indianapolis (Fugitive)
Dylan Williams, 41, Indianapolis
Eric Walker, 30, Indianapolis
Jeffrey Sacks, 63, Indianapolis
Paula Adams, 33, Lafayette
Christopher Tate, 29, Indianapolis
Jovan Stewart, 31, Indianapolis
Robert Hinton, 33, Indianapolis (Fugitive)
Tia Dimmett, 29, Indianapolis
Lacey Guzman, 35, Indianapolis
Sandra Kellogg, 38, Silver Lake, Indiana
Desirae Evans, 40, Indianapolis
Jose Rodriguez-Chavez, 42, Indianapolis
Jason Lewis, 28, Indianapolis
Dwyatt Harris, 40, Indianapolis
Dorothy Knight, 43, Indianapolis (Fugitive)
Chaylon Rush, 52, Indianapolis (Fugitive)
Federal agents along with local officers from different agencies, served arrest warrants and search warrants at 19 locations in the Indianapolis area today. Thirty one persons were arrested and are in federal custody. Four persons remain as fugitives.
During this six month investigation, approximately 30 firearms, $70,000 in US currency, and 22 pounds of methamphetamine, heroin, and fentanyl were seized.
According to the two indictments, Danielle Dowling and Christopher Tate led separate drug trafficking organizations that operated in Indianapolis. Dowling, Tate, and their associates distributed large amounts of methamphetamine as well as heroin and fentanyl in the Indianapolis area.
This case was investigated by the Drug Enforcement Administration, Internal Revenue Service, Indianapolis Metropolitan Drug Task Force, and Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives.
The Lawrence Police Department and the Federal Bureau of Investigations also assisted in today’s operation.
“The individuals arrested today, utilized violence, fear and intimidation as a platform to terrorize fellow Hoosier’s while they made a living peddling poison into our communities,” said Michael Gannon, Assistant Special Agent in Charge of DEA Indianapolis District Office. “This high-level drug trafficking organization was responsible for distributing multi-pound quantities of methamphetamine, heroin and fentanyl in various cities within Indiana. Today’s takedown was a big win for the Indianapolis Metropolitan area, 31 drug dealers are now in jail where they belong.”
“Today’s search and arrest warrants signal an important victory for the American public. The role of IRS Criminal Investigation in narcotics investigations is to follow the money so we can financially disrupt and dismantle major drug trafficking organizations,” said Kathy A. Enstrom, IRS Criminal Investigation, Special Agent in Charge, Chicago Field Office. “We are proud to work hand-in-hand with our law enforcement partners to bring these criminals to justice.”
“In addition to fueling the opioid epidemic, these bad actors spurred violence in our city. These acts cannot and will not be tolerated,” said IMPD Chief Randal Taylor. “Working together, law enforcement partners are continuing to address violence and protect the safety of our neighborhoods – and we will remain dedicated to this effort throughout the difficult days and weeks ahead.”
“Central Indiana has no room for those who use firearms to further their criminal enterprise,” said Jonathan McPherson, Special Agent in Charge of ATF’s Columbus Field Division. “ATF will continue to work with our law enforcement partners at the federal, state, and local levels to bring those individuals to justice.”
“When federal, state, and local law enforcement agencies partner for comprehensive investigations, the resulting arrests, along with the firearms & drugs removed from the streets, inevitably result in reduced opportunity for violent crime to occur,” said Gary Woodruff, Deputy Chief with Lawrence Police.
“The message here is clear, the FBI will continue to stand shoulder to shoulder with our law enforcement partners and utilize all available resources to target those who are responsible for trafficking and distributing drugs poisoning our citizens,” said Acting Special Agent in Charge Robert Middleton, FBI Indianapolis. “The distribution of illicit drugs impacts families and communities, and by disrupting and dismantling these organizations we can continue our focus on eliminating a major cause of violent crime in our communities.”
An indictment is merely a charge and not evidence of guilt. All defendants are considered innocent until proven guilty in federal court.
According to Assistant United States Attorney Brad Blackington who is prosecuting this case for the government, most of the defendants face sentences of up to life imprisonment if convicted.
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 utilizing OCDETF to target, investigate, and prosecute more organizations that supply and distribute methamphetamine and or heroin in the District. See United States Attorney’s Office, Southern District of Indiana Strategic Plan Section 3.1-3.5.
Huntersville, N.C. Man Faces Federal "Dark Net” Drug ChargesRead the Press Release
CHARLOTTE, N.C. – A federal grand jury sitting in Charlotte has returned an indictment against Anthony Blane Byrnes, 19, of Huntersville, N.C., charging him with drug conspiracy and related drug charges for trafficking narcotics he purchased on the dark web, with coordination through Bitcoin ATMs, announced Andrew Murray, U.S. Attorney for the Western District of North Carolina.
According to allegations contained in the indictment and a previously-filed criminal complaint, in August 2019, law enforcement intercepted a mail parcel containing suspected narcotics. The parcel was allegedly mailed from Slovenia and addressed to Byrnes. On or about August 7, 2019, law enforcement conducted a controlled delivery of the suspected parcel at Byrnes’ residence. As alleged in court documents, law enforcement observed Byrnes picking up the parcel and retreating to his residence. Subsequently, law enforcement executed a search warrant at Byrnes’ residence and seized numerous narcotics and contraband, including LSD, MDMA/Ecstasy, marijuana, other narcotics and drug paraphernalia. Law enforcement also recovered two firearms from his residence. The indictment also alleges a previous infraction in April 2019, wherein law enforcement recovered additional narcotics and a firearm. In total, three firearms and approximately $13,800 in cash were recovered from Byrnes’ residence in this investigation.
According to allegations contained in court documents, Byrnes bought the narcotics via the Dark Net Marketplace (DNM) “Empire Market,” and used Bitcoin to pay for the drugs. Court documents further allege that Byrnes used multiple Bitcoin ATM machines in Charlotte to make numerous drug transactions.
Byrnes is currently in federal custody. He is charged with drug trafficking conspiracy, which carries a mandatory minimum sentence of 10 years to life in prison; possession with intent to distribute LSD, which carries a mandatory minimum sentence of 10 years to life in prison; possession with intent to distribute Psilocin, which carries a maximum prison sentence of 20 years; possession with intent to distribute DMT, which carries a maximum prison sentence of 20 years; possession with intent to distribute marijuana, which carries a maximum prison sentence of five years; and two counts of possession of a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime, which carries a mandatory minimum prison sentence of five years to life, to be served consecutive to other imposed charges, per count.
The charges in the indictment are allegations. The defendant is presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond reasonable doubt in a court of law.
In making today’s announcement, U.S. Attorney Murray commended the U.S. Postal Inspection Service for leading the investigation, and thanked the Drug Enforcement Administration, ICE’s Homeland Security Investigations, the U.S.Customs and Border Protection, and the Huntersville Police Department for their invaluable assistance.
Assistant United States Attorney Sanjeev Bhasker, of the U.S. Attorney’s Office in Charlotte, is prosecuting the case.
Hayesville, N.C. Man Is Sentenced to More Than 11 Years in Federal Prison for Drug TraffickingRead the Press Release
ASHEVILLE, N.C. – U.S. District Judge Martin Reidinger sentenced Eugene “Bo” Mashburn, 58, of Hayesville, N.C. today to 135 months in prison, announced Andrew Murray, U.S. Attorney for the Western District of North Carolina. Judge Reidinger also ordered Mashburn to serve five years under court supervision upon completion of his prison sentence.
According to filed court documents and today’s sentencing hearing, Mashburn conspired with other drug traffickers in North Carolina and Georgia to distribute significant quantities of methamphetamine. According to court records, over the course of the investigation, law enforcement conducted two controlled buys of methamphetamine from Mashburn and seized methamphetamine, 24 firearms and two silencers from Mashburn’s residence.
In making the announcement, U.S. Attorney Murray thanked the DEA’s Asheville Post of Duty; the Clay County Sheriff’s Office; the Georgia Bureau of Investigation; the Swain County Sheriff’s Office; the Macon County Sheriff’s Office; the Highlands Police Department; and the North Carolina State Bureau of Investigation for handling the investigation.
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In a separate case, Judge Reidinger also sentenced today Jeremy Daniel Bowen, 44, of Maggie Valley, N.C. to 210 months in prison followed by five years of supervised release. According to court documents and today’s sentencing hearing, law enforcement became aware that Bowen, who has a prior murder conviction, was operating a methamphetamine lab out of his residence in Maggie Valley. Court records show that law enforcement seized processed methamphetamine from the residence as well as a loaded firearm.
Bowen’s investigation was handled by the DEA’s Asheville Post of Duty and the Maggie Valley Police Department.
Both defendants are in custody, and upon designation of a federal facility they will be transferred to the custody of the Federal Bureau of Prisons. All federal sentences are served without the possibility of parole.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Thomas Kent, of the U.S. Attorney’s Office in Asheville, prosecuted both cases.
Guatemalan extradited to Ohio to face charges in conspiracy allegedly responsible for transporting tens of millions of dollars’ worth of cocaine to AmericaRead the Press Release
COLUMBUS, Ohio – A Guatemalan man was transported from Colombia to Columbus yesterday and appeared in federal court this afternoon on charges related to a Colombia-to-America cocaine conspiracy.
Jose Luis DeLeon-Baltazar, 38, is the second defendant in this alleged conspiracy to be extradited to the Southern District of Ohio. In October 2019, Francisco Golon-Valenzuela was extradited to Columbus from Panama.
According to the indictment, DeLeon-Baltazar and Golon-Valenzuela conspired with others to ship thousands of kilograms of cocaine from Colombia, via sea and land, through Central America and Mexico to the United States.
The indictment details that as part of the conspiracy individuals would use “load” coordinators to assist with logistics of cocaine shipments, locate drivers and boat operators for narcotic-laden vehicles and vessels, and secure shared investments from multiple co-conspirators in specific cocaine shipments.
Fishermen and other commercial maritime laborers were allegedly recruited by conspirators to transport cocaine and refueling vessels.
Conspirators allegedly paid a “tax” or “fee” to send cocaine through areas controlled by a different drug trafficking organization or cartel.
Members of the conspiracy allegedly shared information on the activities and locations of law enforcement and military personnel assigned to interdict narcotics shipments. It is alleged co-conspirators also sheltered individuals who were at risk of extradition to other countries.
Low-level co-conspirators would allegedly take responsibility for an entire load of seized cocaine in order to free higher-level members.
Cocaine shipments seized in this case thus far include:
- 880 kilograms of cocaine seized by the United States Coast Guard near the Guatemalan/Mexico border on May 19, 2016;
- 720 kilograms of cocaine seized by the United States Coast Guard northwest of the Galapagos Islands on Aug. 18, 2017; and
- 34 kilograms of cocaine seized by the Guatemalan Policia National Civil in San Marcos, Guatemala on or about Nov. 26, 2017.
Four defendants were transported to Ohio for prosecution in September 2017, following the 720 kilogram seizure near the Galapagos Islands. That seizure alone included more than 1,584 pounds of cocaine, equaling an approximate street value of $25 million.
“When we say we are going after the cartels, we mean it,” U.S. Attorney David M. DeVillers said. “This investigation remains ongoing.”
The narcotics conspiracy in this case is punishable by 10 years up to life in prison. Congress sets the minimum and maximum statutory sentence. Sentencing of the defendant will be determined by the Court based on the advisory sentencing guidelines and other statutory factors.
David M. DeVillers, United States Attorney for the Southern District of Ohio; Keith Martin, Special Agent in Charge, Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA); and Ohio State Highway Patrol Superintendent Col. Richard S. Fambro announced the charges. Assistant United States Attorneys Jonathan J.C. Grey and Elizabeth Rabe are representing the United States in this case.
An indictment merely contains allegations, and the defendant is presumed innocent unless proven guilty in a court of law.
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Great Falls father, son sentenced for meth trafficking, firearms crimesRead the Press Release
GREAT FALLS—A Great Falls father and son who admitted to trafficking methamphetamine in the community and to illegally possessing firearms were sentenced today to prison terms, U.S. Attorney Kurt Alme said.
Gary Girard Sheehan, 68, was sentenced to seven years and six months in prison and five years of supervised release. He pleaded guilty in November to possession with intent to distribute meth and to prohibited person in possession of a firearm.
Justin Leonard Sheehan, 44, the son of Gary Sheehan, was sentenced to eight years and 10 months in prison and five years of supervised release. He pleaded guilty in November to possession with intent to distribute meth and to possession of a firearm in furtherance of drug trafficking.
U.S. District Judge Brian M. Morris presided.
In court records filed in the case, the prosecution said law enforcement received information that the Sheehans had been distributing meth in the Great Falls community since at least 2016. The father and son would routinely travel to Salt Lake City to pick up large quantities of meth from a supplier for redistribution in Great Falls.
In November 2018, law enforcement received information that the Sheehans were planning a trip to Salt Lake City to buy meth and officers monitored the trip. On Nov. 19, 2018, agents stopped Gary Sheehan’s vehicle on Interstate 15 south of Butte. Gary Sheehan was the driver and Justin Sheehan was in the rear passenger seat. In a search of the vehicle, agents found in the trunk a backpack with two bundles of meth, $9,050 cash and a loaded .45-caliber handgun. Each bundle had about a pound of meth. A second backpack found in the backseat of the car contained a loaded .22-caliber handgun and a plastic bag with white residue. A pound of meth is the equivalent of about 3,634 doses.
Gary Sheehan was prohibited from possessing firearms because of a prior felony conviction in Utah. Agents interviewed individuals who acknowledged getting meth from Justin Sheehan and that he typically carried firearms for his protection in the drug trade.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Jessica Betley prosecuted the case, which was investigated by the Drug Enforcement Administration.
This case is part of Project Guardian, the U.S. Department of Justice’s recent initiative to reduce gun violence and enforce federal firearms laws, and Project Safe Neighborhoods, the USDOJ’s initiative to reduce violent crime. According to the FBI’s Uniform Crime Reports, violent crime in Montana increased by 36% from 2013 through 2018. Through these initiatives, 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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Gadsden County Tax Preparer Sentenced for Preparing False Tax ReturnsRead the Press Release
TALLAHASSEE, FLORIDA – John Jean-Gilles, 34, of Midway, Florida, was sentenced to 52 months in federal prison after pleading guilty to charges of aiding in preparing false tax returns, wire fraud, and aggravated identity theft. Jean-Gilles was also ordered to pay $1,984,357 in restitution. The sentence was announced today by Lawrence Keefe, United States Attorney for the Northern District of Florida.
Between 2012 and 2016, Jean-Gilles, the sole managing member and owner of USA Tax and Multi-Services, LLC, a tax preparation business in Tallahassee, prepared and filed false tax returns with the Internal Revenue Service for various individuals. Jean-Gilles falsely represented the taxpayers’ income, withholdings, credits, and the refund due.
"The integrity of our system of taxation lies at the heart of what we do as a nation, and those who try to defraud the system will pay the price," Keefe said. "The trust of the American people relies on fair administration of our tax laws, and this defendant violated that trust and will now face the consequences."
Assistant United States Attorney Gary Milligan is prosecuting the case following an investigation by the Internal Revenue Service-Criminal Investigation with the assistance of the Gadsden County Sheriff’s Office.
"Tax return preparers are trusted by their clients to accurately and correctly file tax returns to the IRS each year – part of every American’s responsibility. However, the filing of false claims with the government, claiming more than $2 million in false tax refunds, makes every taxpaying citizen a victim," stated Mary Hammond, Special Agent in Charge for IRS Criminal Investigation’s Tampa Field Office. "IRS and its Special Agents will work diligently with the U.S. Attorney’s Office to insure that, as we come upon tax filing season, the public can rest assured fraudulent tax filings will not go unpunished in the Northern District of Florida."
The United States Attorney's Office for the Northern District of Florida is one of 94 offices that serve as the nation’s principal litigators under the direction of the Attorney General. To access public court documents online, please visit the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Florida website. For more information about the United States Attorney’s Office, Northern District of Florida, visit http://www.justice.gov/usao/fln/index.html.
The year 2020 marks the 150th anniversary of the Department of Justice. Learn more about the history of our agency at www.Justice.gov/Celebrating150Years.
Fundraiser Agrees to Plead Guilty to Federal Corruption Charge for Delivering Hundreds of Thousands of Dollars to Bribe Member of Los Angeles City CouncilRead the Press Release
LOS ANGELES – A political fundraiser has agreed to plead guilty to a federal bribery offense for coordinating a $500,000 cash payment that was intended to secure the help of an elected member of the Los Angeles City Council in resolving a labor organization’s appeal of a major real estate development project in the councilmember’s district.
In a plea agreement filed this morning in federal court, Justin Jangwoo Kim, 53, a longtime resident of Hancock Park who recently relocated to Mar Vista, agreed to plead guilty to one count of federal program bribery. In addition to pleading guilty, Kim has agreed to cooperate with an ongoing public corruption investigation being conducted by federal authorities.
According to his plea agreement, Kim is a real estate appraiser and consultant who was one of the top fundraisers for a member of the Los Angeles City Council – “Councilmember A” – who was member of the City’s Planning and Land Use Management Committee (PLUM). Beginning in early 2017, Kim was also a close political ally of Councilmember A’s staff member, who is identified in court documents as “City Staffer A-1.” Kim admitted that he supported Councilmember A’s and City Staffer A-1’s succession plan, including the need to ensure the election of Councilmember A’s relative to the Los Angeles City Council once Councilmember A’s term expired. Kim was motivated to help Councilmember A maintain power because Kim would be poised to financially benefit from potential illicit schemes in Councilmember A’s district.
The bribery scheme was triggered in the summer of 2016, when a labor organization filed an appeal claiming a real estate project violated requirements of the California Environmental Quality Act. The appeal prevented the project from progressing through the city’s approval processes, including approvals by the PLUM Committee and City Council. After the appeal was filed, a person identified as Developer C called Kim and asked him to obtain Councilmember A’s assistance with the appeal on Developer C’s project.
On September 1, 2016, Kim met with Councilmember A, City Staffer A-1, and Developer C at a Korean karaoke establishment in Los Angeles. At this meeting, Councilmember A agreed to help Developer C with resolving the issues related to the project. At a lunch meeting the following day, City Staffer A-1 told Kim that Councilmember A would not help the project for free and that Councilmember A would require a financial benefit in exchange for help ensuring the project moved forward through the city approval process.
During a series of meetings and communications in late 2016 and early 2017, Developer C and Councilmember A – through Kim and City Staffer A-1 – negotiated a $500,000 bribe payment.
In February or March 2017, Developer C met Kim at a commercial building in Los Angeles and gave Kim $400,000 in cash in a paper bag that was intended for Councilmember A, according to the plea agreement. Kim admitted he later gave City Staffer A-1 hundreds of thousands of dollars in cash to deliver to Councilmember A, but kept some cash for himself for facilitating the bribe payment. Around the same time, City Staffer A-1 informed Kim that Councilmember A held up is end of the deal and helped resolve the appeal.
In July 2017, Developer C provided the remaining $100,000 of the agreed-upon $500,000 bribe to be paid to Councilmember A for successfully resolving the appeal. Kim admitted he met with Developer C at an office in Los Angeles and received an additional $100,000 in cash from Developer C, but Kim kept this money for himself.
Kim also admitted in his plea agreement that he made a series of false statements in recorded interviews in May and July of 2017 to FBI agents who were investigating corruption in the City of Los Angeles.
Finally, in his plea agreement, Kim admitted he failed to declare any of the cash he received from Developer C for his role in facilitating the bribery scheme on his federal income tax return for 2017.
Kim has been directed to make his initial appearance in this case on March 31 at 2:00 p.m. in United States District Court in downtown Los Angeles.
Once he enters the guilty plea to the bribery charge, Kim will face a statutory maximum sentence of 10 years in federal prison.
While Kim has agreed to plead guilty to the bribery offense alleged in the criminal information, he does not admit all of the factual allegations contained in that charging document.
The case against Kim is part of an ongoing public corruption investigation being conducted by the FBI and the U.S. Attorney’s Office. Any member of the public who has information related to this or any other public corruption matter related the City of Los Angeles is encouraged to send information to the FBI’s tip line at tips.fbi.gov or to contact their local FBI Field Office. In Los Angeles, the FBI can be reached 24 hours a day at (310) 477-6565.
This case is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Mack E. Jenkins, Chief of the Public Corruption and Civil Rights Section, and Assistant United States Attorney Veronica Dragalin, also of the Public Corruption and Civil Rights Section.
Fort Belknap Agency man sentenced for domestic abuseRead the Press Release
GREAT FALLS—A Fort Belknap Agency man who admitted to being an habitual domestic abuse offender after beating his partner was sentenced on Wednesday to three years in prison and two years of supervised release, U.S. Attorney Kurt Alme said.
Zachary Shawn Kendall, 27, pleaded guilty in November to domestic abuse by habitual offender.
U.S. District Judge Brian M. Morris presided.
The prosecution said in court documents filed in the case that Kendall assaulted his intimate and dating partner in March 2019 on the Fort Belknap Indian Reservation. Kendall had a prior domestic violence conviction involving the same victim from an assault in January 2019 and a previous domestic violence conviction involving a different victim in 2012.
On March 31, 2019, tribal officers were dispatched to the couple’s residence, where Kendall was fighting with another man, whom he accused of having a relationship with the victim. Kendall also struck the victim multiple times in the face and body with his fists.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Jared Cobell prosecuted the case, which was investigated by the FBI and Fort Belknap Law Enforcement Services.
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Former Uber Self-Driving Car Executive Signs Agreement to Plead Guilty to Theft of Trade Secrets from GoogleRead the Press Release
SAN JOSE - Anthony Scott Levandowski submitted documents today requesting that the court accept his plea of guilty to theft of trade secrets charges, announced United States Attorney David L. Anderson and Federal Bureau of Investigation Special Agent in Charge John F. Bennett. The documents include a request to William H. Alsup, United States District Judge, to accept a proposed plea agreement and a request to schedule a date for a sentencing hearing.
Levandowski, 40, of Marin County, worked in Google’s self-driving car program for approximately seven years. According to the proposed plea agreement, Levandowski acknowledged that during this time, he was aware his employment agreement required that he keep Google’s valuable non-public information confidential. He also knew that the non-public information related to Project Chauffeur was sensitive and subject to the confidentiality requirement. Nevertheless, while Levandowski was considering leaving Google, and prior to his departure in 2016, he obtained and stored thousands of files. Specifically, on December 11, 2015, Levandowski downloaded approximately 14,000 files from an internal, password-protected Google server known as “SVN,” which was hosted on Google’s network. Then, on or about December 14, 2015, he transferred those SVN files from his Google-issued laptop to his personal laptop. In addition, prior to his departure from Google, he downloaded a variety of files from a corporate Google Drive repository to his personal laptop. Levandowski has admitted that he intended to use the Google Drive files for his personal benefit.
Within months after Levandowski’s departure from Google, he created a new company that was then purchased by Uber. Levandowski admitted that while he was working for Google, he downloaded at least 20 files from Google Drive. Among the files downloaded between October 2015 and January 2016, was an internal tracking document entitled “Chauffeur TL weekly updates – Q4 2015.” The update contained a variety of details regarding the status of Google’s self-driving car program. Levandowski admitted he downloaded the file with the intent to use it for the benefit of himself and Uber and that he accessed the document after his resignation from Google. Levandowski acknowledged that the document qualified as a trade secret. In sum, Levandowski admitted a reasonable estimate of the loss attributed to his conduct is up to $1,500,000.
A federal grand jury indicted Lewandowski on August 15, 2019, charging him with 33 counts of theft and attempted theft of trade secrets, in violation of 18 U.S.C. § 1832. If the court accepts the plea agreement, Levandowski will plead guilty to one count and the Court will dismiss the remaining counts at sentencing.
Should the court accept his plea, Levandowski will face a maximum sentence of 10 years in prison and a fine of $250,000, plus restitution. However, any sentence following conviction would be imposed by the court after consideration of the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and the federal statute governing the imposition of a sentence, 18 U.S.C. § 3553.
The prosecution is being handled by the Office of the U.S. Attorney, Northern District of California’s Corporate Fraud Strike Force and is the result of an investigation by the FBI.
Federal Prosecutors Ready for COVID-19 ScamsRead the Press Release
NEWS RELEASE SUMMARY – March 19, 2020
SAN DIEGO – The U.S. Attorney’s Office will remain vigilant in detecting, investigating and prosecuting fraud schemes related to the COVID-19 crisis.
There have been reports of individuals and businesses selling fake cures for COVID-19 online and engaging in other forms of fraud; reports of phishing emails from entities posing as the World Health Organization or the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention; and reports of malware being inserted onto mobile apps designed to track the spread of the virus.
“The pandemic is dangerous enough without greedy lawbreakers seeking to profit from public panic,” said U.S. Attorney Robert Brewer. “This office will make the investigation and prosecution of all criminal conduct related to the current pandemic a top priority. It is important that criminals know that this national crisis offers no safe harbor for them. We will work together to ensure that those who violate federal law will be brought to justice.”
The U.S. Attorney’s Office will work closely with the Department of Justice as well state and local authorities to both ensure that we hear about misconduct as quickly as possible and that all appropriate enforcement tools are available to punish it.
Federal Judge Sentences Whittier, N.C. Man to 46 Months for Assaulting Tribal ElderRead the Press Release
ASHEVILLE, N.C. – U.S. District Judge Martin Reidinger sentenced Jonathan David Taylor today to 46 months in prison and three years of supervised release, for the May 2019 assault of a tribal elder, announced Andrew Murray, U.S. Attorney for the Western District of North Carolina. Taylor, 33, of Whittier, N.C., pleaded guilty on October 23, 2019, to assault with a dangerous weapon with intent to do bodily harm.
Chief Doug Pheasant of the Cherokee Indian Police Department joins U.S. Attorney Murray in making todays’ announcement.
According to filed court documents and today’s sentencing hearing, on May 8, 2019, Taylor used a metal pipe to strike a 71-year-old male victim in the forehead, inflicting serious injury. Court records show that Taylor assaulted the victim when the victim attempted to prevent Taylor from physically assaulting Taylor’s then-girlfriend. Court records also show that Taylor caused the victim to sustain a large jagged laceration on the top of his head that required medical attention. Both Taylor and the victim are enrolled members of the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians.
Taylor is currently in federal custody and will be transferred to the custody of the federal Bureau of Prisons. All federal sentences are served without the possibility of parole.
U.S. Attorney Andrew Murray thanked CIPD for their investigation of the case. Assistant United States Attorney John Pritchard, of the U.S. Attorney’s Office in Asheville, prosecuted the case.
Federal Inmate Charged with Making ThreatsRead the Press Release
BOSTON – An inmate at the Federal Medical Center (FMC) Devens was charged today with making threats to murder a federal law enforcement officer and threats to kill an individual or damage or destroy a building using fire or explosive.
Nathan Danforth, 34, will appear in federal court in Worcester on March 26, 2020.
According to the charging documents, in July of 2019, Danforth allegedly attempted to mail a letter from FMC Devens to a federal court in Florida, threatening to kill the agents who previously investigated him and to cause an explosion at the courthouse. In February 2020, Danforth allegedly sent an email to the Department of Justice Office of Inspector General threatening that the President of the United States would die and federal buildings would be “blown up.”
Each charge provides for a sentence of up to 10 years in prison, up to 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 and Joseph Bonavolonta, Special Agent in Charge of the Federal Bureau of Investigation, Boston Field Division made the announcement today. FMC Devens Special Investigation Section provided valuable assistance to the investigation. Assistant U.S. Attorney Kristen Noto of Lelling’s Worcester Branch Office is prosecuting the case.
The details contained in the complaint are allegations. The defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.
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Federal Charges Filed in the Death of Illinois State Trooper Nicholas HopkinsRead the Press Release
On the morning of Aug. 23, 2019, Illinois State Trooper Nicholas Hopkins, 33, was killed in the line of duty while attempting to execute a state search warrant in East St. Louis, Illinois. On Wednesday, a federal grand jury in East St. Louis returned an eight-count indictment charging Christopher R. Grant, 46, with several federal crimes, including using a firearm to murder Trooper Hopkins in furtherance of a drug trafficking offense.
"On that devastating day in August, the U.S. Attorney’s Office pledged every available resource to support this investigation and to support the men and women of law enforcement - today’s indictment keeps that promise," said U.S. Attorney Steven D. Weinhoeft. "We continue to mourn for Nick and his family and we will continue our work to honor his sacrifice."
According to the federal indictment, Grant was using the house where the warrant was executed to distribute controlled substances. The indictment charges that Grant knowingly fired a Glock, Model 19, 9mm caliber pistol, causing Trooper Hopkins’ death with "malice aforethought," the state of mind needed to prove it was murder and not an accident.
Grant is also charged with distribution of crack cocaine (three counts), maintaining a drug house, possession of a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime, use of a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime, use of a firearm to commit murder in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime, and possession of a firearm by a felon. Grant has been held in state custody on first-degree murder charges since the shooting occurred. His initial appearance and arraignment on the federal charges has not yet been scheduled.
Illinois State Police Director Brendan Kelly said, "The Illinois State Police appreciate the steps taken by the Department of Justice and the U.S. Attorney, who are working in partnership with the St. Clair County State’s Attorney to ensure that justice is done. The joint state and federal prosecutions recognize the very real dangers the men and women of law enforcement face every day – perhaps now more than ever."
St. Clair County State’s Attorney Jim Gomric said, "In August of 2019, Mr. Weinhoeft and I stood shoulder to shoulder and pledged that the investigation and prosecution of those responsible for the death of Trooper Nick Hopkins would constitute a consolidated effort involving both the United States federal government and the State of Illinois. The federal indictment of Christopher Grant by the grand jury for the Southern District of Illinois places us one step further toward the fulfillment of that pledge. My office is thankful to all assets of every agency involved in this investigation. My office more than appreciates all of the diligent effort put forward by Mr. Weinhoeft and Criminal Chief Ali Summers who have worked so hard on this matter."
An indictment is a formal charge against a defendant. Under the law, a defendant is presumed to be innocent of a charge until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt to the satisfaction of a jury.
This case is being investigated by the Illinois State Police and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms & Explosives. Assistant U.S. Attorney Ali M. Summers is prosecuting the case.
Eastern District of Louisiana U.S. Attorney Announces Nearly $60 Million in Grants Available to Support Prisoners’ Successful Reentry into their CommunitiesRead the Press Release
NEW ORLEANS – U.S. Attorney Peter G. Strasser of the Eastern District of Louisiana today announced that nearly $60 million in Department of Justice grants is available to help communities address public safety by supporting successful reentry of adult and juvenile offenders into their communities.
“Our nation is facing difficult public safety challenges that demand strong and immediate action. The high rate of recidivism poses a dire threat to community safety and is being met with a robust response by this Administration,” said Katharine T. Sullivan, Principal Deputy Assistant Attorney General for the Office of Justice Programs. “The Department of Justice is front and center in the fight to meet this persistent challenge. OJP is making historic amounts of grant funding available to ensure that our communities have access to innovative and diverse solutions.”
The funding is available through OJP, the federal government’s leading source of public safety funding and crime victim assistance in state, local and tribal jurisdictions. OJP’s programs support a wide array of activities and services, including adult and juvenile reentry initiatives and research projects designed to improve our knowledge of what works in reentry programming.
A number of funding opportunities are currently open, with several more opening in the near future.
Correctional Adult Reentry Education, Employment, and Recidivism Reduction Strategies Program
https://bja.ojp.gov/funding/opportunities/bja-2020-17104
Total Available $7.2 million Deadline 4/27/2020
Improving Community Supervision Outcomes Through Swift, Certain, and Fair Responses
https://bja.ojp.gov/funding/opportunities/bja-2020-17096
Total Available $3 million Deadline 4/28/2020
Improving Reentry for People with Substance Use Disorders Program
https://bja.ojp.gov/SCASUD20
Total Available $13.2 million Deadline 4/27/2020
Innovations in Reentry Initiative: Building System Capacity & Testing Strategies to Reduce Recidivism
https://bja.ojp.gov/funding/opportunities/bja-2020-17281
Total Available $4 million Deadline 5/4/2020
Research and Evaluation on Promising Reentry Initiatives
https://nij.ojp.gov/funding/opportunities/nij-2020-17295
Total Available $6 million Deadline 5/5/2020
Review and Validation of the First Step Act Risk Assessment Tool
https://nij.ojp.gov/funding/opportunities/nij-2020-fsa
Total Available: Determined after selection Deadline 4/10/2020
Second Chance Act Community-Based Reentry Program
https://bja.ojp.gov/funding/opportunities/bja-2020-17110
Total Available $13.5 million Deadline 5/4/2020
Second Chance Act Evaluation Participation Support
https://bja.ojp.gov/funding/opportunities/bja-2020-17680
Total Available $4 million Deadline 4/28/2020
Second Chance Act Youth Offender Reentry Program
https://ojjdp.ojp.gov/sites/g/files/xyckuh176/files/media/document/ojjdp-2020-17350.pdf
Total Available $7 million Deadline 4/28/2020
For more information regarding all OJP funding opportunities, visit https://www.ojp.gov/funding/explore/current-funding-opportunities
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Eastern District of Louisiana U.S. Attorney Announces More Than $83 Million Available to Support School SafetyRead the Press Release
NEW ORLEANS – U.S. Attorney Peter G. Strasser of the Eastern District of Louisiana today announced that more than $83 million in Department of Justice grants is available to help communities improve school security and protect students, teachers and faculty from threats of violence.
“School violence is no longer an abstract threat but has become a tragic reality in too many of America’s communities. Moving to meet this challenge is among the Administration’s top domestic priorities,” said Katharine T. Sullivan, Principal Deputy Assistant Attorney General for the Office of Justice Programs. “The Department of Justice is front and center in the fight to meet this challenge. OJP is making historic amounts of grant funding available to ensure that our communities have access to innovative and diverse solutions.”
The funding is available through OJP, the federal government’s leading source of public safety funding and crime victim assistance in state, local and tribal jurisdictions. OJP’s programs support a wide array of activities and services, including programs designed to tighten school security and improve the reporting of threats.
A number of funding opportunities for school safety are currently open, with another opening in the near future:
Research and Evaluation on School Safety
https://nij.ojp.gov/funding/opportunities/nij-2020-17308
Total Available $5 million Deadline 4/13/2020
STOP Act School Violence Program (FY20)
https://nij.ojp.gov/funding/opportunities/nij-2020-17308
Total Available $71.4 million Deadline 4/13/2020
Strategies to Support Children Exposed to Violence
https://ojjdp.ojp.gov/funding/opportunities/ojjdp-2020-17926
Total Available $7 million Deadline 4/27/2020
For more information regarding all OJP funding opportunities, visit https://www.ojp.gov/funding/explore/current-funding-opportunities.
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Eastern District of Louisiana U.S. Attorney Announces More Than $65 Million Available to Fight Human Trafficking and Help Trafficking VictimsRead the Press Release
NEW ORLEANS – U.S. Attorney Peter G. Strasser of the Eastern District of Louisiana today announced that more than $65 million in Department of Justice grants is available to help communities combat human trafficking and serve adults and children who are victimized in trafficking operations.
“Our nation is facing difficult challenges, none more pressing than the scourge of human trafficking. Human traffickers pose a dire threat to public safety and countering this threat remains one of the Administration’s top domestic priorities,” said Katharine T. Sullivan, Principal Deputy Assistant Attorney General for the Office of Justice Programs. “The Department of Justice is front and center in the fight against this insidious crime. OJP is making historic amounts of grant funding available to ensure that our communities have access to innovative and diverse solutions.”
The funding is available through OJP, the federal government’s leading source of public safety funding and crime victim assistance in state, local and tribal jurisdictions. OJP’s programs support a wide array of activities and services, including programs that support human trafficking task forces and services for human trafficking survivors.
A number of funding opportunities are currently open, with several more opening in the near future.
Missing and Exploited Children Training and Technical Assistance Program
https://ojjdp.ojp.gov/funding/opportunities/ojjdp-2020-17351
Total Available $1.8 million Deadline 4/6/2020 (Extended)
Multidisciplinary Task Force Program to Combat Human Trafficking
Total Available $22 million Opens week of 3/16/2020
Preventing Trafficking of Girls
Total Available $1.7 million Opens week of 3/16/2020
Research and Evaluation on Trafficking in Persons
https://nij.ojp.gov/funding/opportunities/nij-2020-17324
Total Available $2.5 million Deadline 4/20/2020
Services for Victims of Human Trafficking
Total Available $16.5 million Opens week of 3/16/2020
Specialized Training and Technical Assistance on Housing for Victims of Human Trafficking
Total Available $2 million Opens week of 3/16/2020
Human Trafficking Training and Technical Assistance Program
Total Available $5 million Opens week of 3/16/2020
Improving Outcomes for Child and Youth Victims of Human Trafficking
Total Available $6 million Opens week of 3/16/2020
Integrated Services for Minor Victims of Labor Trafficking
Total Available $8 million Opens week of 3/16/2020
For more information regarding all OJP funding opportunities, visit https://www.ojp.gov/funding/explore/current-funding-opportunities
Eastern District of Louisiana U.S. Attorney Announces More Than $163 Million Available to Fight Addiction CrisisRead the Press Release
NEW ORLEANS – U.S. Attorney Peter G. Strasser of the Eastern District of Louisiana today announced that more than $163 million in Department of Justice grants is available to help communities address America’s addiction crisis.
“Our nation is facing the difficult challenge of curbing substance addiction, which threatens public safety and is among the Administration’s top domestic priorities,” said Katharine T. Sullivan, Principal Deputy Assistant Attorney General for the Office of Justice Programs. “The Department of Justice is front and center in the fight to meet this challenge. OJP is making historic amounts of grant funding available to ensure that our communities have access to innovative and diverse solutions.”
The funding is available through OJP, the federal government’s leading source of public safety funding and crime victim assistance in state, local and tribal jurisdictions. OJP’s programs support a wide array of activities and services, including programs designed to prevent overdose deaths and break the cycle of addiction and crime.
A number of funding opportunities that address the addiction crisis are currently open:
Adult Drug Court and Veterans Treatment Court Discretionary Grant Program
https://bja.ojp.gov/funding/opportunities/bja-2020-17098
Total Available $1.75 million Deadline 5/14/2020
Comprehensive Opioid, Stimulant, and Substance Abuse Site-based Program
https://bja.ojp.gov/COSSAP20
Total Available $27 million Deadline 5/21/2020
Enhancing Community Responses to America's Addiction Crisis: Serving Our Youngest Crime Victims
https://www.ovc.gov/grants/pdftxt/fy-2020-enhancing-community-responses-to-drug-crisis.pdf
Total Available: $19 million Deadline: 5/4/2020
Family Drug Court Program
https://ojjdp.ojp.gov/funding/opportunities/ojjdp-2020-17090
Total Available $18.2 million Deadline 4/8/2020 (Extended)
Harold Rogers Prescription Drug Monitoring Program
https://bja.ojp.gov/funding/opportunities/bja-2020-17754
Total Available $28.1 Deadline 5/5/2020
Juvenile Drug Treatment Court Program
https://ojjdp.ojp.gov/funding/opportunities/ojjdp-2020-17051
Total Available $7.2 million Deadline 4/13/2020 (Extended)
Mentoring Opportunities for Youth Initiative
https://ojjdp.ojp.gov/funding/opportunities/ojjdp-2020-16930
Total Available $48 million Deadline 4/13/2020
Opioid Affected Youth Initiative
https://ojjdp.ojp.gov/funding/opportunities/ojjdp-2020-17352
Total Available $9 million Deadline 4/20/2020
Research and Evaluation on Drugs and Crime https://nij.ojp.gov/funding/opportunities/nij-2020-17275
Total Available $1 million Deadline 4/20/2020
Residential Substance Abuse Treatment for State Prisoners
https://bja.ojp.gov/RSAT20
Total Available $4.5 million Deadline 4/6/2020
For more information regarding all OJP funding opportunities, visit https://www.ojp.gov/funding/explore/current-funding-opportunities
Dominican National Pleads Guilty to Aggravated Identity TheftRead the Press Release
BOSTON – A Dominican national pleaded guilty today in federal court in Boston to aggravated identify theft and to falsely using the Social Security Number of another.
Moices Santilit, 63, of Lawrence, pleaded guilty to one count of aggravated identity theft and one count of using a Social Security number that is not assigned to him. U.S. District Court Judge Indira Talwani scheduled sentencing for April 8, 2020 at 11:00.am.
In February 2016, Santilit used the Social Security number of a U.S. citizen in order to fraudulently obtain a valid Massachusetts Asbestos Worker Identification card under the victim’s name.
The statute for falsely representing the Social Security number of another provides for a maximum five years incarceration and three years supervised release. The charging statute for aggravated identity theft provides for a mandatory sentence of two years in prison to be served consecutive to any other sentence imposed, up to one year of supervised release. Both statutes provide for 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 Jason Molina, Acting Special Agent in Charge of Homeland Security Investigations in Boston made the announcement today. Assistant U.S. Attorney Eugenia M. Carris of Lelling’s Public Corruption & Special Prosecutions Unit is prosecuting the case.
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Career Offender Sentenced to over Eighteen Years in Federal Prison for Bank RobberyRead the Press Release
Tampa, Florida – U.S. District Judge James S. Moody has sentenced Derrick Coleman (41, New Port Richey) to 18 years and 4 months in federal prison for bank robbery. As part of his sentence, the court also entered a money judgment in the amount of $5,000, the proceeds of the bank robbery.
A jury found Coleman guilty on November 19, 2019.
Evidence presented at trial showed that, on June 30, 2018, Coleman visited a Chase Bank in Tarpon Springs and spoke to a teller about opening a new account. As the teller explained the process, Coleman placed a bag on the counter, told the teller that he had a gun, and demanded money from the teller. The teller complied and Coleman fled the bank with $5,000.
The Tarpon Springs Chase bank robbery was Coleman’s thirteenth bank robbery. From February 2007 through December 2007, Coleman engaged in a bank robbery spree, where he robbed or attempted to rob twelve banks in Illinois.
This case was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation and the Tarpon Springs Police Department. It was 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.
Billings man charged with drug distribution, gun crimes in sex trafficking investigationRead the Press Release
BILLINGS—A Billings man accused of crimes in an investigation into sex trafficking was arraigned today on drug distribution and firearms charges, U.S. Attorney Kurt Alme said.
Dejon Anthony Duncan, 21, pleaded not guilty to four counts in a 25-count indictment charging multiple defendants. The four counts include distribution of ecstasy, possession with intent to distribute cocaine, conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute cocaine, and possession of a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime.
If convicted of the most serious crime, Duncan faces a minimum mandatory five years to 40 years in prison, a $5 million fine and at least four years of supervised release.
The indictment is merely an accusation and defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty.
U.S. Magistrate Judge Timothy J. Cavan presided. Duncan was detained pending further proceedings.
Co-defendants William Maurice Newkirk, 39, and Djavon Lamont King, 29, both of Billings, have pleaded not guilty to multiple sex trafficking and drug counts. Newkirk also pleaded not guilty to firearms counts.
The FBI investigated the case.
Pacer case reference. 20-25.
If the above case is of interest to your media organization and the community it serves, we encourage you to monitor its progress through the U.S. District Court calendar and the PACER system.
To establish a PACER account, which will allow you to review documents filed in the case, please go to, http://www.pacer.gov/register.html. To access the district court’s calendar, please go to https://ecf.mtd.uscourts.gov/cgi-bin/PublicCalendar.pl.
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Armored Truck Guard Is Charged for Stealing $325,000Read the Press Release
CHARLOTTE, N.C. – A federal grand jury has returned a criminal indictment charging Shomarley Lockhard Hodge, 33, of Charlotte, with embezzlement, bank larceny, and transactional money laundering for stealing $325,000 in cash intended to restock bank ATMs, announced Andrew Murray, U.S. Attorney for the Western District of North Carolina. Hodge turned himself in to FBI agents this morning.
John A. Strong, Special Agent in Charge of the Federal Bureau of Investigation, Charlotte Division, joins U.S. Attorney Murray in making today’s announcement.
According to allegations contained in the indictment, in December 2019, Hodge began working as an armed guard for an armored truck company identified in the indictment as “Company L.” In that capacity, the indictment alleges, Hodge was responsible for the safe delivery of cash entrusted to Company L’s custody on behalf of a bank, to the bank’s branches and ATMs in the Charlotte area.
According to allegations in the indictment, on or about January 30, 2020, Hodge abused his position of trust and stole approximately $325,000 from the armored truck, which was supposed to be delivered to several bank ATMs. As alleged in the indictment, the following day, on January 31, 2020, and continuing through on or about February 6, 2020, Hodge began making large cash deposits into the bank account of an acquaintance. During the relevant time period, Hodge made more than 95 such cash deposits, totaling at least $139,000. Hodge also used some of the money to pay for personal expenses, and to make a $40,000 down payment on a 2020 BMW x7 vehicle, with a purchase price of more than $118,000.
Hodge had his initial appearance this morning before U. S. Magistrate Judge David C. Keesler. The embezzlement charge carries a maximum penalty of 30 years in prison and a $1 million fine. The bank larceny charge carries a maximum penalty of 10 years in prison and a $250,000 fine. The maximum penalty for transactional money laundering is 10 years in prison and a $250,000 fine.
The charges in the indictment are allegations. The defendant is presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond reasonable doubt in a court of law.
The FBI in Charlotte investigated the case. Assistant United States Attorney Daniel Ryan, of the U.S. Attorney’s Office in Charlotte, is prosecuting the case.
Alaska U.S. Attorney Announces More Than $65 Million Available to Fight Human Trafficking and Help Trafficking VictimsRead the Press Release
ANCHORAGE, Alaska – U.S. Attorney Bryan Schroder for the District of Alaska announced that more than $65 million in Department of Justice grants is available to help communities combat human trafficking and serve adults and children who are victimized in trafficking operations.
“Our nation is facing difficult challenges, none more pressing than the scourge of human trafficking. Human traffickers pose a dire threat to public safety and countering this threat remains one of the Administration’s top domestic priorities,” said Katharine T. Sullivan, Principal Deputy Assistant Attorney General for the Office of Justice Programs. “The Department of Justice is front and center in the fight against this insidious crime. OJP is making historic amounts of grant funding available to ensure that our communities have access to innovative and diverse solutions.”
The funding is available through OJP, the federal government’s leading source of public safety funding and crime victim assistance in state, local and tribal jurisdictions. OJP’s programs support a wide array of activities and services, including programs that support human trafficking task forces and services for human trafficking survivors.
A number of funding opportunities are currently open, with several more opening in the near future.
Missing and Exploited Children Training and Technical Assistance Program
https://ojjdp.ojp.gov/funding/opportunities/ojjdp-2020-17351
Total Available $1.8 million
Deadline 4/6/2020 (Extended)
Multidisciplinary Task Force Program to Combat Human Trafficking
Total Available $22 million
Opens week of 3/16/2020
Preventing Trafficking of Girls
Total Available $1.7 million
Opens week of 3/16/2020
Research and Evaluation on Trafficking in Persons
https://nij.ojp.gov/funding/opportunities/nij-2020-17324
Total Available $2.5 million
Deadline 4/20/2020
Services for Victims of Human Trafficking
Total Available $16.5 million
Opens week of 3/16/2020
Specialized Training and Technical Assistance on Housing for Victims of Human Trafficking
Total Available $2 million
Opens week of 3/16/2020
Human Trafficking Training and Technical Assistance Program
Total Available $5 million
Opens week of 3/16/2020
Improving Outcomes for Child and Youth Victims of Human Trafficking
Total Available $6 million
Opens week of 3/16/2020
Integrated Services for Minor Victims of Labor Trafficking
Total Available $8 million
Opens week of 3/16/2020
For more information regarding all OJP funding opportunities, visit https://www.ojp.gov/funding/explore/current-funding-opportunities
Alaska U.S. Attorney Announces More Than $163 Million Available to Fight Addiction CrisisRead the Press Release
ANCHORAGE, Alaska – U.S. Attorney Bryan Schroder for the District of Alaska announced that more than $163 million in Department of Justice grants is available nationwide to help communities address America’s addiction crisis.
“Our nation is facing the difficult challenge of curbing substance addiction, which threatens public safety and is among the Administration’s top domestic priorities,” said Katharine T. Sullivan, Principal Deputy Assistant Attorney General for the Office of Justice Programs. “The Department of Justice is front and center in the fight to meet this challenge. OJP is making historic amounts of grant funding available to ensure that our communities have access to innovative and diverse solutions.”
The funding is available through OJP, the federal government’s leading source of public safety funding and crime victim assistance in state, local and tribal jurisdictions. OJP’s programs support a wide array of activities and services, including programs designed to prevent overdose deaths and break the cycle of addiction and crime.
A number of funding opportunities that address the addiction crisis are currently open:
Adult Drug Court and Veterans Treatment Court Discretionary Grant Program
https://bja.ojp.gov/funding/opportunities/bja-2020-17098
Total Available $1.75 million
Deadline 5/14/2020
Comprehensive Opioid, Stimulant, and Substance Abuse Site-based Program
https://bja.ojp.gov/COSSAP20
Total Available $27 million
Deadline 5/21/2020
Enhancing Community Responses to America's Addiction Crisis: Serving Our Youngest Crime Victims
https://www.ovc.gov/grants/pdftxt/fy-2020-enhancing-community-responses-to-drug-crisis.pdf
Total Available: $19 million
Deadline: 5/4/2020
Family Drug Court Program
https://ojjdp.ojp.gov/funding/opportunities/ojjdp-2020-17090
Total Available $18.2 million
Deadline 4/8/2020 (Extended)
Harold Rogers Prescription Drug Monitoring Program
https://bja.ojp.gov/funding/opportunities/bja-2020-17754
Total Available $28.1 million
Deadline 5/5/2020
Juvenile Drug Treatment Court Program
https://ojjdp.ojp.gov/funding/opportunities/ojjdp-2020-17051
Total Available $7.2 million
Deadline 4/13/2020 (Extended)
Mentoring Opportunities for Youth Initiative
https://ojjdp.ojp.gov/funding/opportunities/ojjdp-2020-16930
Total Available $48 million
Deadline 4/13/2020
Opioid Affected Youth Initiative
https://ojjdp.ojp.gov/funding/opportunities/ojjdp-2020-17352
Total Available $9 million
Deadline 4/20/2020
Research and Evaluation on Drugs and Crime
https://nij.ojp.gov/funding/opportunities/nij-2020-17275
Total Available $1 million
Deadline 4/20/2020
Residential Substance Abuse Treatment for State Prisoners
https://bja.ojp.gov/RSAT20
Total Available $4.5 million
Deadline 4/6/2020
For more information regarding all OJP funding opportunities, visit https://www.ojp.gov/funding/explore/current-funding-opportunities
Akron man charged with possession of 16 kilograms of cocaineRead the Press Release
A federal grand jury in Cleveland, Ohio returned a one-count indictment today charging Warren D. Morrow, age 49, of Akron, Ohio with attempted possession with intent to distribute 16 kilograms, approximately 35 pounds, of cocaine.
The indictment alleges that on February 26, the defendant did knowingly and intentionally possess and attempt to distribute 16 kilograms, or 35 pounds, of a substance containing cocaine.
An indictment is only a charge and is not evidence of guilt. A defendant is entitled to a fair trial in which it will be the government’s burden to prove guilt beyond a reasonable doubt.
If convicted, the defendant’s sentence will be determined by the Court after review of factors unique to this case, including the defendant’s prior criminal records, if any, the defendant’s role in the offense and the characteristics of the violation. In all cases, the sentence will not exceed the statutory maximum and in most cases, it will be less than the maximum.
This case was investigated by Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) and the Ohio-Northeast Smuggling Enforcement Team (ONSET) task force. The ONSET Task Force is a task force through Ohio Attorney General Dave Yost’s Organized Crime Commission. The task force is comprised of investigators from the Medina County Sheriff’s Office, the Summit County Sheriff’s Office, HSI, Copley Township Police and the Ohio State Highway Patrol. The case is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Peter E. Daly.
Akron man charged as part of Project Guardian initiative to reduce gun violenceRead the Press Release
A federal grand jury in Cleveland, Ohio returned a one-count indictment today charging Michael W. Humphries, age 28, of Akron, Ohio with being a felon in possession of a firearm and ammunition.
The indictment alleges that the defendant, after having been previously convicted of aggravated robbery in 2008 and two counts of aggravated assault in 2015, knowingly possessed four rounds of Winchester 12-gauge shotgun ammunition, which was found during a lawful search of the defendant’s residence.
An indictment is only a charge and is not evidence of guilt. A defendant is entitled to a fair trial in which it will be the government’s burden to prove guilt beyond a reasonable doubt.
If convicted, the defendant’s sentence will be determined by the Court after review of factors unique to this case, including the defendant’s prior criminal records, if any, the defendant’s role in the offense and the characteristics of the violation. In all cases, the sentence will not exceed the statutory maximum and in most cases, it will be less than the maximum.
This prosecution is part of Project Guardian, the Justice Department’s signature initiative to reduce gun violence and enforce federal firearms laws.
This case is also part of Project Safe Neighborhoods, a program that surges federal and local law enforcement resources to communities’ most violent neighborhoods in order to root out offenders and build positive relationships with victims, witnesses and community members.
This case was investigated by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF). The case is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Peter E. Daly.
Addiction CrisisRead the Press Release
United States Attorney Matthew D. Krueger of the Eastern District of Wisconsin, announced that more than $163 million in Department of Justice grants is available to help communities address America’s addiction crisis.
“Our nation is facing the difficult challenge of curbing substance addiction, which threatens public safety and is among the Administration’s top domestic priorities,” said Katharine T. Sullivan, Principal Deputy Assistant Attorney General for the Office of Justice Programs. “The Department of Justice is front and center in the fight to meet this challenge. OJP is making historic amounts of grant funding available to ensure that our communities have access to innovative and diverse solutions.”
The funding is available through OJP, the federal government’s leading source of public safety funding and crime victim assistance in state, local and tribal jurisdictions. OJP’s programs support a wide array of activities and services, including programs designed to prevent overdose deaths and break the cycle of addiction and crime.
A number of funding opportunities that address the addiction crisis are currently open:
Adult Drug Court and Veterans Treatment Court Discretionary Grant Program
https://bja.ojp.gov/funding/opportunities/bja-2020-17098
Deadline 5/14/2020
Comprehensive Opioid, Stimulant, and Substance Abuse Site-based Program
https://bja.ojp.gov/COSSAP20
Deadline 5/21/2020
Enhancing Community Responses to America's Addiction Crisis: Serving Our Youngest Crime Victims
https://www.ovc.gov/grants/pdftxt/fy-2020-enhancing-community-responses-to-drug-crisis.pdf Deadline: 5/4/2020
Family Drug Court Program
https://ojjdp.ojp.gov/funding/opportunities/ojjdp-2020-17090
Deadline 4/8/2020 (Extended)
Harold Rogers Prescription Drug Monitoring Program
https://bja.ojp.gov/funding/opportunities/bja-2020-17754
Deadline 5/5/2020
Juvenile Drug Treatment Court Program
https://ojjdp.ojp.gov/funding/opportunities/ojjdp-2020-17051
Deadline 4/13/2020 (Extended)
Mentoring Opportunities for Youth Initiative
https://ojjdp.ojp.gov/funding/opportunities/ojjdp-2020-16930
Deadline 4/13/2020
Opioid Affected Youth Initiative
https://ojjdp.ojp.gov/funding/opportunities/ojjdp-2020-17352
Deadline 4/20/2020
Research and Evaluation on Drugs and Crime https://nij.ojp.gov/funding/opportunities/nij-2020-17275
Deadline 4/20/2020
Residential Substance Abuse Treatment for State Prisoners
https://bja.ojp.gov/RSAT20
Deadline 4/6/2020
For more information regarding all OJP funding opportunities, visit https://www.ojp.gov/funding/explore/current-funding-opportunities
# # #
For Additional Information Contact:
Public Information Officer Kenneth Gales 414-297-1700
Wednesday 18 March 2020
U.S. Attorney’s Office on alert for fraud allegations regarding COVID-19Read the Press Release
Seattle – U.S. Attorney Brian T. Moran is asking our federal, state, and local law enforcement partners to be alert to frauds preying on those concerned about COVID-19.
“In a time of high stress and fear it is critical that for the public to know that law enforcement at all levels remains dedicated to protecting them from harm – whether it is from scams, frauds or violent crime,” said U.S. Attorney Moran. “As Attorney General Barr has directed, we will remain vigilant in detecting, investigating and prosecuting wrongdoing related to the crisis. To those who are engaged in perpetrating these schemes, you are on notice that my office will aggressively pursue you and hold you to answer for preying on our communities.”
The Western District of Washington has extensive expertise in cybercrime and is already monitoring issues related to phishing attempts and efforts to infect emails, links and postings with malware. Members of the public need to be wary of emails or online posts that could be infected with malware that could then infect their electronic devices and steal personal and financial information.
“The pandemic is dangerous enough without wrongdoers seeking to profit from public panic and this sort of conduct cannot be tolerated,” Attorney General William Barr said in his communication to the U.S. Attorneys.
If you or someone you know believe you’ve been the target or victim of an outbreak-related fraud scheme, please contact the FBI’s Internet Crime Complaint Center (IC3) by visiting www.IC3.gov.
U.S. Attorney's Office Takes Steps to Maintain Mission Amidst Covid-19 Public Health EmergencyRead the Press Release
PORTLAND—Today, U.S. Attorney Billy J. Williams announced a series of steps aimed at protecting consumer financial safety and preventing civil rights violations amidst the coronavirus outbreak.
U.S. Attorney Williams has appointed COVID-19 fraud and civil rights coordinators to lead investigations into known and suspected occurrences of consumer financial fraud and civil rights violations resulting from the nation’s ongoing public health emergency.
“We are aware of instances of consumer fraud and civil rights violations stemming from the COVID-19 public health emergency,” said U.S. Attorney Williams. “While Americans work to protect themselves and their loved ones from the threat of COVID-19, some individuals are actively trying to profit off of this emergency. Equally concerning,” Williams continued, “we have received reports of alleged civil rights violations stemming from the false belief that certain groups of people are more susceptible to carrying or contracting the virus based on their real or perceived race, ethnicity, employment or other demographic characteristics.”
If you or someone you know believe you’ve been the target or victim of an outbreak-related fraud scheme, please contact the FBI’s Internet Crime Complaint Center (IC3) by visiting www.IC3.gov. Crime tips of any kind, including alleged civil rights violations, can be submitted by visiting tips.fbi.gov or calling the FBI Portland Field Office at (503) 224-4181. If you or someone you know are in immediate danger, please call 911.
The U.S. Attorney’s Office COVD-19 fraud and civil rights coordinators will be notified of tips submitted via any of the above reporting methods.
On March 13, 2020, Chief U.S. District Court Judge Marco A. Hernandez issued Standing Order 2020-4, Court Operations in Response to COVID-19. Under the order, most district court proceedings are continued or will be resolved via telephone or video conference. Case-by-case exceptions to this guidance will be considered by the applicable presiding judge after consultation with counsel. The court’s standing order will remain in effect until vacated or amended.
The U.S. Attorney’s Office has taken necessary precautions to protect the health and safety of its staff during this health emergency while continuing to fulfill its public safety mission. Essential law enforcement functions including investigations, the signing and execution of warrants, filing of charges, and case litigation will continue. District of Oregon prosecutors and support staff will continuing working with federal, state, local and tribal law enforcement partners to safeguard our justice system and protect the safety and security of our nation during this difficult time.
“We are immensely grateful for the many public health and medical professionals and first responders on the front lines of protecting our communities from the novel coronavirus,” said U.S. Attorney Williams, “During this time of uncertainty and fear, it is more important than ever that all Americans look out for one another, act out of compassion and generosity, and look for opportunities to help their neighbors. Likewise, federal law enforcement will continue doing our part to keep our communities safe.”
U.S. Attorney and Attorney General for the District of Columbia Announce COVID-19 Scam Prevention MeasuresRead the Press Release
WASHINGTON — As the District of Columbia and this nation face the unprecedented public health emergency posed by the pandemic outbreak of the novel coronavirus, COVID-19, the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Columbia is partnering with the District of Columbia’s Office of the Attorney General to detect COVID-19 scams, prevent citizens from falling prey to them, and hold fraudsters accountable.
U.S. Attorney Timothy J. Shea stated: “The challenges posed by the spread of COVID-19 threaten the safety and security of the District of Columbia and our nation. My Office will not allow this crisis to be exploited by criminals who look to profit during this public health emergency. We are committed to detecting, investigating, and prosecuting these fraudsters and will devote whatever time, energy, and resources are necessary to do so.”
District of Columbia Attorney General Karl A. Racine stated: “The Office of Attorney General and the U.S. Attorney’s Office have joined forces to deploy our vast criminal and civil tools to protect District residents from fraudulent, predatory, and illegal conduct by schemers and fraudsters.”
Among the threats posed by the COVID-19 outbreak are scams aimed at exploiting fears and spreading disinformation about the pandemic. For example, individuals and businesses using the internet to sell fake cures for COVID-19, market products falsely claiming to mitigate COVID‑19, and fraudulently retail COVID-19 supplies, such as face masks and hand sanitizer. In addition there are reports of phishing emails from entities posing as the World Health Organization or the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) and reports of malware being inserted onto mobile apps designed to track the spread of the virus.
Today, in light of these reports, District of Columbia’s U.S. Attorney’s Office and Office of Attorney General are launching a COVID-19 Pandemic Fraud Hotline, 202-252-7022 and [email protected] through which citizens can report suspected scams related to the pandemic. The Hotline will prompt callers to leave a message reporting suspected scams, including whatever detailed information they can provide that might aid law enforcement in identifying and stopping fraudsters. The Hotline’s voicemail and email accounts will be monitored and appropriate leads will be provided to law enforcement partners, such as the FBI, U.S. Postal Inspector, Metropolitan Police Department, and other local and federal authorities.
District of Columbia residents can also submit complaints of suspected scams, fraud, or other consumer complaints to the Office of the Attorney General for the District of Columbia by calling its Consumer Protection Hotline at 202-442-9828 or by emailing [email protected] and can access helpful resources at www.oag.dc.gov/coronavirus.
U.S. Attorney Warns of Coronavirus Scams Targeting Vulnerable VictimsRead the Press Release
ALEXANDRIA, Va. – United States Attorney G. Zachary Terwilliger warned today of several fraud schemes seeking to exploit the evolving COVID-19 public health crisis by targeting populations most at risk of severe illness.
“Fraudsters frequently prey upon vulnerable individuals during difficult times,” said Terwilliger. “The COVID-19 pandemic is a public health emergency here in the United States and around the world. Although the severity of reported illnesses is wide ranging, it is clear that older adults and those with severe chronic medical conditions are at higher risk of severe illness. The Eastern District of Virginia has been on the frontlines of combatting fraud and abuse targeting these vulnerable populations pre-COVID-19. Based upon Attorney General Barr’s call to action 48 hours ago, we remain committed to protecting all community members, but especially so for the particularly vulnerable during this crisis. Today, as our communities take important steps to limit the spread of COVID-19, we are working closely with our law enforcement partners to guard against fraudulent pandemic profiteers, as well as to ensure the rule of law and public safety is not eroded during this critical time. For anyone victimized by a COVID-19 scam, our office remains steadfastly committed to pursuing justice on your behalf.”
Scammers have already devised numerous methods for defrauding people in connection with COVID-19. They are setting up websites, contacting people by phone and email, and posting disinformation on social media platforms. Some examples of scams linked to COVID-19 include:
- Treatment scams: Scammers are offering to sell fake cures, vaccines, and advice on unproven treatments for COVID-19.
- Supply scams: Scammers are creating fake shops, websites, social media accounts, and email addresses claiming to sell medical supplies currently in high demand, such as surgical masks. When consumers attempt to purchase supplies through these channels, fraudsters pocket the money and never provide the promised supplies.
- Provider scams: Scammers are also contacting people by phone and email, pretending to be doctors and hospitals that have treated a friend or relative for COVID-19, and demanding payment for that treatment.
- Charity scams: Scammers are soliciting donations for individuals, groups, and areas affected by COVID-19.
- Phishing scams: Scammers posing as national and global health authorities, including the World Health Organization (WHO) and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), are sending phishing emails designed to trick recipients into downloading malware or providing personal identifying and financial information.
- App scams: Scammers are also creating and manipulating mobile apps designed to track the spread of COVID-19 to insert malware that will compromise users’ devices and personal information.
- Investment scams: Scammers are offering online promotions on various platforms, including social media, claiming that the products or services of publicly traded companies can prevent, detect, or cure COVID-19, and that the stock of these companies will dramatically increase in value as a result. These promotions are often styled as “research reports,” make predictions of a specific “target price,” and relate to microcap stocks, or low-priced stocks issued by the smallest of companies with limited publicly available information.
Terwilliger urges everyone, especially those most at risk of serious illness, to avoid these and similar scams by taking the following steps:
- Independently verify the identity of any company, charity, or individual that contacts you regarding COVID-19.
- Check the websites and email addresses offering information, products, or services related to COVID-19. Be aware that scammers often employ addresses that differ only slightly from those belonging to the entities they are impersonating. For example, they might use “cdc.com” or “cdc.org” instead of “cdc.gov.”
- Be wary of unsolicited emails offering information, supplies, or treatment for COVID-19 or requesting your personal information for medical purposes. Legitimate health authorities will not contact the general public this way.
- Do not click on links or open email attachments from unknown or unverified sources. Doing so could download a virus onto your computer or device.
- Make sure the anti-malware and anti-virus software on your computer is operating and up to date.
- Ignore offers for a COVID-19 vaccine, cure, or treatment. Remember, if there is a medical breakthrough, you won’t hear about it for the first time through an email, online ad, or unsolicited sales pitch.
- Check online reviews of any company offering COVID-19 products or supplies. Avoid companies whose customers have complained about not receiving items.
- Research any charities or crowdfunding sites soliciting donations in connection with COVID-19 before giving. Remember, an organization may not be legitimate even if it uses words like “CDC” or “government” in its name or has reputable looking seals or logos on its materials. For online resources on donating wisely, visit the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) website.
- Be wary of any business, charity, or individual requesting payments or donations in cash, by wire transfer, gift card, or through the mail. Don’t send money through any of these channels.
- Be cautious of “investment opportunities” tied to COVID-19, especially those based on claims that a small company’s products or services can help stop the virus. If you decide to invest, carefully research the investment beforehand. For information on how to avoid investment fraud, visit the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) website.
- For the most up-to-date information on COVID-19, visit the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and World Health Organization (WHO) websites.
If anyone believes they have been the victim of a COVID-19 fraud scheme, they are encouraged to contact federal, state, and local authorities.
A copy of this press release is located on the website of the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of Virginia.
U.S. Attorney Gives Status Update on Continuity of Operations and Warns Against Fraud and Scams Related to CoronavirusRead the Press Release
Memphis, TN –In response to the rapidly changing situation surrounding the coronavirus disease of 2019 (COVID-19), the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Western District of Tennessee is implementing the Contingency Plan and Guidance of the Department of Justice, White House Task Force, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), Office of Management and Budget, and Office of Personnel Management to mitigate risks to individual employees and the general public.
U.S. Attorney D. Michael Dunavant said, "In uncertain times, the rule of law is more important than ever. The U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Western District of Tennessee is committed to the continuity of operations and the critical mission of the Department of Justice."
Specifically, the U.S. Attorney provides the following update regarding the operational status of the Department of Justice and other agencies and components:
1. Our mission to protect the citizens of West Tennessee and the United States is not changed by the COVID-19 outbreak. While we have adapted operations to optimize the health and safety of our employees, we have ensured that those employees have the resources and flexibility to continue to safeguard the District and the American people from violent crime, opioids and other dangerous drugs, financial and sexual exploitation, threats against our national security, and other criminal activity.
Our offices in Memphis and Jackson remain open, and we are working closely with our federal, state, and local partners to protect the public and ensure that mission-critical law enforcement operations continue uninterrupted. Based upon guidance issued by the Office of Management and Budget and the Department of Justice in Washington, D.C., we are maximizing the telework program and options for our employees. Non-high risk employees will continue to cover office and court responsibilities as needed and on a rotating basis. All non-mission critical travel by employees has been suspended.
2. Yesterday, the United States District Court for the Western District of Tennessee issued the following notice and Administrative Order:
Due to exigent circumstances resulting from the COVID-19 pandemic, all civil proceedings in the U.S. District Court for the Western District of Tennessee are continued until after April 17. All criminal proceedings other than initial appearances, arraignments, bond and detention hearings, and other in-person criminal proceedings presided over by magistrate judges, are continued until after April 17. All civil and criminal jury trials scheduled to commence now through April 17 are continued until further notice. Courthouses otherwise remain open for business. Please see Administrative Order 20-12 for further details: https://www.tnwd.uscourts.gov/pdf/adminorders/20-12.pdf
3. For the next 30 days, the Bureau of Prisons (BOP) will implement nationwide modified operations to maximize social distancing and limit group gatherings in their facilities. Other issues, including social, legal, and volunteer visits, inmate movement, tours, and staff training and travel has been suspended. Enhanced health screening of staff, contractors, and inmates has been implemented, and facilities are well prepared with on-site medical professionals to test, treat, and isolate symptomatic inmates with exposure risk factors.
The BOP is coordinating with the U.S. Marshals Service and Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) on these initiatives to ensure that those agencies can adjust for impact to their operations. BOP will also be sharing this guidance with its private prison contractors.
For more information regarding COVID-19, and the BOP's Modified Operations, see the following link: https://www.bop.gov/coronavirus/covid19_status.jsp
4. Unfortunately, because criminal activity does not engage in social distancing or voluntary quarantine, federal law enforcement agencies and components must continue their duties in criminal investigations, enforcement operations, and response to critical public safety incidents during this challenging time. The U.S. Attorney’s Office is continuing to closely coordinate with all federal law enforcement agencies, including the U.S. Marshals Service, FBI, ATF, DEA, HSI, ICE, CBP, USPIS, and U.S. Secret Service to safely and effectively execute our mission and uphold the rule of law. Additionally, during this national emergency, DEA Diversion Control Division is working with registrants to ensure the nation’s drug supply is adequate and uninterrupted. See this link for more information: https://deadiversion.usdoj.gov/coronavirus.html
5. Attorney General William Barr has directed U.S. Attorneys to make it an absolute priority to detect, deter, investigate, prosecute, and punish all criminal conduct related to the coronavirus crisis. In particular, there have been reports of individuals and businesses selling fake cures for COVID-19 online and engaging in other forms of fraud, reports of phishing emails from entities posing as the World Health Organization or the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, and reports of malware being inserted onto mobile apps designed to track the spread of the virus. Other scams and exploitation schemes include price gouging and price fixing, as well as antitrust violations involving the manufacture, distribution, and sale of public health products. The Department of Justice’s Antitrust Division remains open for business, and will continue to carry out its mission to protect competition and the American consumer.
https://www.justice.gov/opa/pr/justice-department-announces-antitrust-civil-process-changes-pendency-covid-19-event
Citizens should remain vigilant and discerning-- scammers and fraudsters never let an opportunity to scam and defraud go to waste. When it comes to the COVID-19 situation, whether it’s a fake "charitable" cause or a fake "cure," don’t be duped. Use common sense, never give out your personal or banking information or Social Security number, and never buy a gift card because someone wants to be paid "right now." Protect yourself and do your research before donating or contributing to a crowdfunding campaign.
If you suspect a coronavirus treatment of cure scam, please report it to the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) at: https://www.ftccomplaintassistant.gov You can also learn more about the signs of a scam here:
https://www.consumer.ftc.gov/features/coronavirus-scams-what-ftc-doing
Report any suspicious activity, fraud, and attempted fraud at FBI’s Internet Crime Complaint Center at: https://www.ic3.gov
The pandemic is dangerous enough without wrongdoers seeking to profit from public fear and panic, and this conduct will not be tolerated. This office will be working with our federal, state and local law enforcement partners to ensure that all appropriate enforcement tools are made available to stop and punish wrongdoers.
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U.S. Attorney Frank Appoints Experienced Prosecutor as COVID-19 Fraud CoordinatorRead the Press Release
PORTLAND, Maine: U.S. Attorney Halsey B. Frank today announced that he has appointed an experienced Assistant U.S. Attorney to coordinate investigations and prosecutions of crimes related to the ongoing coronavirus pandemic.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Daniel J. Perry, a senior prosecutor in the Portland office, will serve as the COVID-19 Fraud Coordinator, overseeing federal prosecutions of virus scammers.
Attorney General William Barr has directed all U.S. Attorneys to prioritize the detection, investigation and prosecution of criminal conduct related to the current pandemic. “The pandemic is dangerous enough,” the Attorney General said, “without wrongdoers seeking to profit from public panic and this sort of conduct cannot be tolerated.”
“Criminals are already taking advantage of the anxiety caused by the coronavirus outbreak to peddle fake cures, send phishing emails from entities posing as the World Health Organization or the Centers for Disease Control and install malware on apps designed to track the virus,” said U.S. Attorney Frank. “This type of fraudulent activity is appalling. AUSA Perry, one of the most talented and experienced prosecutors in my office, will lead our efforts to stop these fraudsters.”
Individuals who believe they may have been the target of a coronavirus-related fraud scheme can file a complaint with the FBI’s Internet Crime Complaint Center at www.ic3.gov. More information about coronavirus scams is also available from the Federal Trade Commission at www.ftc.gov/coronavirus.
Two Passaic County Men Charged with Conspiracy and Bank RobberyRead the Press Release
NEWARK, N.J. – Two Passaic County men are scheduled to appear today in connection with the robbery of the Valley National Bank in Little Falls, New Jersey, on Feb. 27, 2020, U.S. Attorney Craig Carpenito announced.
Nicholas Ortiz, 37, of Paterson, New Jersey, and Jose Soto, 49, of Passaic, New Jersey, are each charged by complaint with one count of bank robbery and one count of conspiracy to commit bank robbery. Soto is also charged with an additional count of bank robbery in connection with the robbery of a PNC Bank branch in Passaic on Feb. 6, 2020. Both defendants were arrested today and are scheduled to have their initial appearances this afternoon with U.S. Magistrate Judge Cathy Waldor in Newark federal court by telephonic conference.
According to documents filed in this case and statements made in court:
On Feb. 6, 2020, two suspects wearing ski masks and holding umbrellas entered the PNC Bank in Passaic, New Jersey, and allegedly began ordering everyone to get down on the floor. One of the suspects pointed a silver and black handgun customers and employees. The other suspect entered the bank and jumped over the teller counter, demanding that the teller turn over all cash in the drawers.
On Feb. 27, 2020, two suspects allegedly entered the Valley National Bank in Little Falls, New Jersey. One of the suspects pointed a silver and black gun at customers and employees. The second suspect jumped over a teller counter and began rifling through various drawers. The suspects then forced the bank employees at gunpoint to open the vault, and began retrieving cash from the bank vault. The suspects forced all employees into the bank vault and then fled through the rear door.
Law enforcement officers were subsequently able to identify Soto as the owner of the getaway car from the PNC Bank robbery. They were also able to place Soto’s phone in the vicinity of the PNC Bank on the day of the robbery.
Law enforcement were able to identify Ortiz as the owner of the getaway car from the Valley National Bank Robbery. They were also able to place both Soto’s and Ortiz’s phone in the vicinity of the Valley National Bank on the day of the robbery.
Each bank robbery charge carries a maximum potential penalty of 20 years in prison and a $250,000 fine, or twice the gross gain or loss from the offense. The conspiracy charge carries a maximum potential penalty of five years in prison and a $250,000 fine, or twice the gross gain or loss from the offense.
U.S. Attorney Carpenito credited special agents of the FBI, under the direction of Special Agent in Charge Gregory W. Ehrie in Newark; the Passaic Police Department, under the direction of Chief Luis A. Guzman; the Little Falls Police Department, under the direction of Chief Steven Post; the Passaic County Prosecutor’s Office, under the direction of Prosecutor Camelia M. Valdes; the Passaic County Sheriff’s Department, under the direction of Sheriff Richard Berdnik; and the Paterson Police Department, under the direction of Police Director Jerry Speziale, with the investigation leading to today’s charges.
The government is represented by Assistant U.S. Attorney Emma Spiro of the U.S. Attorney’s Office in Newark.
The charge and allegations in the complaint are merely accusations, and the defendants are presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.
Supplier to Trenton Drug Trafficking Conspiracy Admits Heroin Distribution and Firearms OffensesRead the Press Release
TRENTON, N.J. – A Trenton man today admitted his role as a supplier to a significant drug trafficking conspiracy that distributed more than one kilogram of heroin in Trenton and the surrounding area, U.S. Attorney Craig Carpenito announced today.
David Antonio, a/k/a “Pop,” a/k/a “Papi,” a/k/a “Santiago Ramirez,” 32, pleaded guilty today before Chief U.S. District Judge Freda L. Wolfson in Trenton federal court to Count One of a third superseding indictment charging him with conspiracy to distribute and possess with intent to distribute one kilogram or more of heroin. Another Trenton resident, Wayne K. Bush, 42, pleaded guilty today before Judge Wolfson to Count Ten of the third superseding indictment charging him with using a telephone to facilitate a drug trafficking crime.
In October 2018, Antonio, Bush, and 24 other individuals were charged by criminal complaint with conspiracy to distribute heroin. On Feb. 27, 2020, a grand jury returned a 10-count third superseding indictment charging Antonio, Bush, and five other defendants with conspiracy to distribute one kilogram or more of heroin and various other drug and firearm offenses. Of the 26 defendants originally charged in the criminal complaint, Antonio and Bush are the 20th and 21st defendants to plead guilty. The charges remain pending against five defendants.
According to documents filed in this case and statements made in court:
From October 2017 to October 2018, the defendants and others engaged in a large drug trafficking conspiracy that operated in the areas of Martin Luther King Boulevard, Sanford Street, Middle Rose Street, Southard Street, Hoffman Avenue, Chambers Street, and Coolidge Avenue in Trenton, and which sought to profit from the distribution of heroin and numerous other controlled substances. Through the interception of telephone calls and text messages pursuant to court-authorized wiretap orders, controlled purchases of heroin, the use of confidential sources of information, and other investigative techniques, law enforcement learned that conspirators Jakir Taylor and Jerome Roberts obtained regular supplies of hundreds of “bricks” of heroin from Antonio. Intercepted communications among Taylor, Roberts, Antonio, and other conspirators revealed that Taylor and Roberts agreed to obtain from Antonio, and that Antonio agreed to supply, a “motherlode” of as many as 1,400 bricks of heroin in a single delivery – equating to approximately 1.5 kilograms of heroin. Taylor told Antonio that he intended to “flood the streets” of Trenton with this large supply, and Antonio agreed to supply a sufficient amount of heroin to Taylor that would allow him to do so. In communications with Taylor, Antonio indicated that he was “filling the bags” up with heroin and fentanyl. During coordinated arrests on Oct. 25, 2018, law enforcement arrested Antonio at a residence in Trenton, and recovered more than 1.4 kilograms of heroin, in addition to a significant amount of paraphernalia used to package heroin for distribution.
Telephonic communications intercepted pursuant to the wiretap order also revealed that Bush, who was incarcerated during the conspiracy on a related conviction, facilitated Taylor’s plan by providing specific advice and recommendations to Taylor on pricing and quantity, ensuring loyalty from his subordinates, and maintaining relationships with heroin suppliers.
The drug conspiracy count to which Antonio pleaded guilty carries a statutory mandatory minimum term of 10 years in prison, a maximum potential penalty of life years in prison, and a maximum fine of $10 million. Because Antonio admitted during his plea to having previously been convicted of a federal drug trafficking offense for which he served more than a year in prison, he may be eligible for a statutory enhanced penalty, which would increase the statutory mandatory minimum term of imprisonment to 15 years, and a maximum fine of $20 million. The facilitation charge to which Bush pleaded guilty carries a statutory maximum term of imprisonment of four years, and a maximum fine of $250,000. Antonio’s sentencing is scheduled for June 30, 2020, and Bush’s sentencing is scheduled for June 29, 2020.
U.S. Attorney Carpenito credited special agents of the FBI, Newark Division, Trenton Resident Agency, under the direction of Special Agent in Charge Gregory W. Ehrie; special agents of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives, Newark Division, Trenton Field Office, under the direction of Special Agent in Charge Charlie J. Patterson; officers of the Trenton Police Department, under the direction of Police Director Sheilah Coley; officers of the Princeton Police Department, under the direction of Chief of Police Nicholas Sutter; officers of the Ewing Police Department, under the direction of Chief of Police John P. Stemler III; officers of the Burlington Township Police Department, under the direction of Police Director Bruce Painter; and detectives of the Burlington County Prosecutor’s Office, under the direction of Prosecutor Scott A. Coffina, with the investigation leading to today’s guilty pleas. He also thanked officers of the New Jersey State Police, under the direction of Superintendent Col. Patrick J. Callahan; detectives of the Mercer County Prosecutor’s Office, under the direction of Prosecutor Angelo Onofri; officers of the Mercer County Sheriff’s Office, under the direction of
Sheriff John A. Kemler; and members of the New Jersey State Board of Parole for their assistance in the investigation and prosecution of the case.
The government is represented by Attorney-in-Charge J. Brendan Day and Assistant U.S. Attorney Alexander Ramey of the U.S. Attorney’s Office’s Criminal Division in Trenton.
This case was conducted under the auspices of the Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Force (OCDETF) and the FBI’s Greater Trenton Safe Streets Task Force, a partnership between federal, state and local law enforcement agencies to enhance the identification, apprehension, and prosecution of individuals involved in gang-related activities, violent crime, and drug distribution in and around the greater Trenton area. The principal mission of the OCDETF program is to identify, disrupt and dismantle the most serious drug trafficking, weapons trafficking, and money laundering organizations and those primarily responsible for the nation’s illegal drug supply.
The charges and allegations pending against the remaining five defendants are merely accusations, and they are presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.
Statement of United States Attorney Robert M. Duncan, Jr. on COVID-19Read the Press Release
Because of the impact of COVID-19, we are facing a time of uncertainty and change. Frequently, we fear these uncertainties and the anxiety they create. But ultimately, we face these challenges together. We persevere, joining together and uniting our resources to combat these fears. Our country has faced emergencies before, and we will in the future. Regardless of the challenges we face, we are always stronger together. In these situations, we must remain cognizant that our collective choices can have a long-term impact.
I want to reassure Kentuckians that, despite the many uncertainties they see, those of us employed in the criminal justice system are committed to ensuring that our system of justice continues – even in this time of national outbreak. I am grateful for the work performed by committed public servants, like our law enforcement partners at the federal, state, and local level, at this trying time.
Following the guidance of the Attorney General of the United States, the dedicated men and women who serve in my Office will continue to carry out the critical mission of the Department of Justice, while responsibly addressing the current public health concerns raised by the COVID-19 outbreak. Our obligation to protect the citizens of the Eastern District of Kentucky is not changed by the COVID-19 outbreak.
Although we are not immune from the need to adjust our own routines –and we have temporarily adapted our operations to ensure the health and safety of our employees and the public we come into contact with – our offices in Lexington, London, and Ft. Mitchell remain open, and we continue to perform our core law enforcement function. We continue working in partnership with our federal, state, and local law enforcement colleagues to protect the public and enforce the law, including prosecuting violent crimes, serious drug trafficking offenses, and other matters.
Attorney General Barr has directed all U.S. Attorneys to make it a priority to investigate and prosecute criminal conduct related to the coronavirus. There have been reports across the country of fraudulent activity surrounding COVID-19, including phishing emails from fraudsters posing as official health organizations. This conduct highlights the need for our steadfast focus on our mission and the drive to aggressively combat these incidents and prosecute the wrongdoers who are preying on us in our time of uncertainty and anxiety, purely seeking to profit from the dangers of the virus.
Through cooperation and determination, we will make it through this crisis and emerge stronger and more resilient. We are all in this together. We will make it through.