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Monday 9 March 2020
Orlando Man Indicted for False Statements During Purchase of FirearmRead the Press Release
Orlando, Florida – United States Attorney Maria Chapa Lopez announces the return of a four-count indictment charging Wilmer Eduardo Mejia-Palacios (36, Orlando) with fraudulently making a false statement to a licensed firearm dealer. If convicted, Mejia-Palacios faces up to 5 years in federal prison for each count.
According to court documents, Mejia-Palacios attempted to purchase firearms on four separate occasions in Orlando. In connection with those attempted purchases, Mejia-Palacios completed a firearms transaction record claiming that he was a United States citizen and that he was not illegally or unlawfully in the United States. Those claims were false.
This case was investigated by Homeland Security Investigations. It is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Terry B. Livanos.
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.
Nixa Man Pleads Guilty to Meth ConspiracyRead the Press Release
SPRINGFIELD, Mo. – A Nixa, Missouri, man pleaded guilty in federal court today for distributing methamphetamine he received in the mail from California.
Jerry D. Thornton, 46, pleaded guilty before U.S. Chief Magistrate Judge David P. Rush to his role in a conspiracy to distribute methamphetamine.
Thornton admitted that he received multiple pounds of methamphetamine through the mail from a source in California from Dec. 8, 2018, to Feb. 5, 2019. He then distributed the methamphetamine to others in southwest Missouri. Thornton received and distributed at least 11.34 kilograms of methamphetamine.
A confidential source told investigators that Thornton received approximately one shipment of methamphetamine each week, and each package contained about five pounds. On Feb. 5, 2019, postal inspectors intercepted a parcel being shipped to Thornton’s address, which contained 990.3 grams of methamphetamine. Inspectors conducted a controlled delivery of a duplicate package, which contained rock salt, to Thornton’s residence.
When the package was retrieved from his porch, officers executed a search warrant of the residence. During a search of Thornton’s residence, agents found a Ruger .22-caliber semi-automatic pistol in the drawer of a bedside table and a loaded Hi-Point 9mm semi-automatic rifle in the garage.
Under federal statutes, Thornton is subject to a mandatory minimum sentence of 10 years in federal prison without parole, up to a sentence of life in federal prison without parole. The maximum statutory sentence is prescribed by Congress and is provided here for informational purposes, as the sentencing of the defendant will be determined by the court based on the advisory sentencing guidelines and other statutory factors. A sentencing hearing will be scheduled after the completion of a presentence investigation by the United States Probation Office.
This case is being prosecuted by Special Assistant U.S. Attorney Jessica R. Keller. It was investigated by the Drug Enforcement Administration, the U.S. Postal Inspection Service, and the Nixa, Mo., Police Department.
Newark Man Sentenced to 20 Years in Prison for Union County CarjackingRead the Press Release
NEWARK, N.J. – A Newark man was sentenced today to 240 months in prison for committing a gunpoint carjacking in Union County, New Jersey, U.S. Attorney Craig Carpenito announced.
Hasson Thomas, 30, previously pleaded guilty before U.S. District Judge John Michael Vazquez to superseding information charging him with one count of carjacking, one count of possession of a firearm by a previously convicted felon, and one count of possession of a firearm in furtherance of a crime of violence. Judge Vazquez imposed the sentence today in Newark federal court.
According to documents filed in this case and statements made in court:
On the evening of Aug. 18, 2018, Thomas approached a parked vehicle occupied by two people on Chestnut Street in Roselle Park, New Jersey. Thomas entered the vehicle and pointed a firearm at the two occupants while ordering them to exit the vehicle. After ordering the victims out of the vehicle, Thomas drove from the scene. Roselle Park Police in the area attempted to pursue Thomas as he fled the scene at a high rate of speed shortly before crashing.
In addition to the prison term, Judge Vazquez sentenced Thomas to three years of supervised release.
U.S. Attorney Carpenito credited special agents of the ATF, under the direction of Special Agent in Charge Charlie J. Patterson in Newark; the Newark Police Department, under the direction of Public Safety Director Anthony F. Ambrose, the Union County Prosecutor’s Office, under the direction of Acting Prosecutor Lyndsay V. Ruotolo; the New Jersey State Police, under the direction of Col. Patrick J. Callahan; the Essex County Prosecutor’s Office, under the direction of Acting Prosecutor Theodore N. Stephens II; and the Roselle Park Police Department, under the direction of Chief Daniel J. McCaffery, with the investigation leading to today’s sentencing.
The government is represented by Assistant U.S. Attorney Desiree Grace Latzer of the Organized Crime and Gangs Unit and Jamel Semper, Chief of the U.S. Attorney’s Office’s Violent Crimes Unit.
Defense counsel: Chester Keller Esq., Assistant Federal Public Defender (Newark)
Mexican National Who Ran Stash House and Laundered Money for Group Linked to Sinaloa Cartel Sentenced to over 5 Years in PrisonRead the Press Release
LOS ANGELES – A Mexican National who was charged in the first major narcotics trafficking indictment resulting from an investigation by the Los Angeles Strike Force was sentenced today to 63 months in federal prison for his role in an international narcotics network that transported 21 pounds of pure methamphetamine across the United States-Mexico border on behalf of a drug trafficking organization linked to the Sinaloa Cartel.
Edgar Limon, 39, was sentenced by United States District Judge Dale S. Fischer, who also ordered Limon to pay a $17,500 fine.
Limon pleaded guilty on July 17, 2019, to participating in a drug trafficking conspiracy and money laundering. Limon was one of 22 defendants named in a 19-count grand jury indictment that was unsealed in 2017.
The indictment outlines a scheme to import hundreds of pounds of methamphetamine, cocaine and heroin from Mexico into the United States. The narcotics were distributed throughout the country via a network of cartel associates, and the proceeds from the domestic narcotics sales were then funneled back to Mexico, according to the indictment. The drug trafficking organization stored drugs in “stash houses” in the San Gabriel Valley, one of which Limon managed.
During the two-year wiretap investigation, members of the Strike Force seized narcotics with an approximate street value in Los Angeles of more than $6 million. The seizures included approximately 290 pounds of methamphetamine, 280 pounds of cocaine, 30 pounds of heroin, and 81 pounds of marijuana.
Limon is one of nine defendants who were taken into custody pursuant to the 2017 federal grand jury indictment, and he is the last of those to be sentenced. The other eight received prison terms of up to 135 months. Several defendants charged in the indictment remain fugitives and are believed to be in Mexico.
Between June 2014 and April 2016, there was an agreement between Limon and his codefendants to distribute, and to possess with the intent to distribute, methamphetamine in the Los Angeles area. In one instance, Limon transferred more than 3 kilograms of methamphetamine in El Monte, California. Limon also maintained a stash house in Azusa that served as a distribution point for methamphetamine, heroin and cocaine.
In relation to the money laundering offense, Limon and his codefendants conducted financial transactions in the Los Angeles area and elsewhere with the intent to conceal and disguise the nature of the drug trafficking proceeds. Limon received cash that he knew to be drug proceeds, and he conducted financial transactions designed to conceal the money’s illegal origins.
Limon is the brother of Jeuri Limon Elenes, the lead defendant in the indictment who is currently a fugitive and believed to be in Mexico. Limon’s mother and cousin were also charged in the indictment, and both were sentenced to 87 months in federal prison.
The Los Angeles Strike Force investigation was led by the Federal Bureau of Investigation, in partnership with the Drug Enforcement Administration, IRS Criminal Investigation, Homeland Security Investigations, the United States Marshals Service and the Azusa Police Department.
The Los Angeles Strike Force was formed in 2014 to target Mexican drug cartels that use the Los Angeles metropolitan region as a primary hub for the distribution of narcotics across the United States. The goals of the Strike Force are to target high-level narcotics traffickers, disrupt and dismantle the cartels’ narcotics trafficking and related money laundering activities, and arrest and prosecute the cartels’ leaders and operatives.
This case is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney A. Carley Palmer of the Criminal Appeals Section.
Mexican National Removed from U.S. 5 Times Sentenced for Illegal ReentryRead the Press Release
John H. Durham, United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut, announced that ARMANDO MACHORRO-ROJAS, 43, a citizen of Mexico last residing in Norwalk, was sentenced today by U.S. District Judge Stefan R. Underhill in Bridgeport to seven months of imprisonment, time already served, for illegally reentering the U.S. after being deported.
According to court documents and statements made in court, on two occasions in March 2007, Machorro-Rojas had encounters with U.S. Border Patrol that resulted in his voluntary to Mexico. On March 23, 2012, Machorro Rojas was arrested by Norwalk Police and charged with operating a vehicle without a license and other offenses. On April 26, 2012, he was deported from the U.S. to Mexico.
On March 29, 2015, Machorro-Rojas was encountered by U.S. Border Patrol near Bisbee, Arizona. On April 15, 2015, he was again removed to Mexico.
On June 6, 2015, Machorro-Rojas was encountered by U.S. Border Patrol near Santa Teresa, New Mexico. He was subsequently charged in the District of New Mexico with one count of reentry of a removed alien. He pleaded guilty to the offense, was sentenced to time served and, on July 10, 2015, was removed to Mexico.
On May 31, 2019, Machorro-Rojas was arrested by Norwalk Police and charged with burglary in the third degree, risk of injury, larceny in the third degree, breach of peace in the second degree, and interfering/resisting arrest. An immigration detainer that was lodged with the state authorities was not honored, and Machorro-Rojas was released on bond on July 5.
Machorro-Rojas has been detained since August 9, 2019, after he was arrested by Immigration and Customs Enforcement officers. On December 6, 2019, he pleaded guilty to illegal reentry of a removed alien.
Machorro-Rojas will again be removed to Mexico.
This matter was investigated by the U.S. Department of Homeland Security, Immigration and Customs Enforcement. The case was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Deborah Slater and Brendan Keefe.
Manhattan U.S. Attorney Charges 27 Defendants in Racehorse Doping RingsRead the Press Release
Geoffrey S. Berman, the United States Attorney for the Southern District of New York, and William F. Sweeney Jr., Assistant Director-in-Charge of the New York Office of the Federal Bureau of Investigation (“FBI”), Dermot Shea, Commissioner of the New York City Police Department (“NYPD”), Catherine A. Hermsen, U.S. Food and Drug Administration Assistant Commissioner for Criminal Investigations (“FDA-OCI”), and Troy Miller, Director of Field Operations for U.S. Customs and Border Protection in New York (“CBP”), announced the unsealing of four indictments charging 27 individuals with offenses relating to the systematic and covert administration of illegal performance-enhancing drugs (“PEDs”) to racehorses competing across the United States and abroad. The Indictments unsealed today each allege the shipment and administration of adulterated and misbranded drugs designed to secretly and dangerously enhance the racing performance of horses beyond their natural ability, a dishonest practice that places the lives of affected animals at risk.
Of the 27 defendants, 19 – including trainers JORGE NAVARRO and JASON SERVIS – are charged in an indictment detailing four conspiracies to manufacture, distribute, and administer adulterated or misbranded drugs as set forth in United States v. Jorge Navarro, et al., 20 Cr. 160 (the “Navarro Indictment”), which has been assigned to U.S. District Judge Mary Kay Vyskocil. Of those defendants, 13 were taken into federal custody and are expected to be presented in the Southern District of New York today before U.S. Magistrate Judge Ona T. Wang. Defendant SETH FISHMAN was previously charged by complaint in United States v. Seth Fishman, 19 Mag. 10120, and arrested on October 28, 2019, in Miami, Florida, and was presented in U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Florida. The remaining defendants were arrested today outside of the Southern District of New York and adjacent districts, and will be presented today before the appropriate District Courts.
Four additional defendants are charged in United States v. Louis Grasso, et al., 20 Cr. 163 (the “Grasso Indictment”), which has been assigned to U.S. District Judge P. Kevin Castel. Two defendants are charged in United States v. Scott Robinson and Scott Mangini, 20 Cr. 162 (the “Robinson Indictment”), assigned to U.S. District Judge J. Paul Oetken; and two defendants are charged in United States v. Sarah Izhaki and Ashley Lebowitz, 20 Cr. 161 (the “Izhaki Indictment”), assigned to U.S. District Judge Mary Kay Vyskocil.
Manhattan U.S. Attorney Geoffrey S. Berman said: “Today’s unsealing of four indictments for widespread doping of racehorses is the largest ever of its kind from the Department of Justice. These defendants engaged in this conduct not for the love of the sport, and certainly not out of concern for the horses, but for money. And it was the racehorses that paid the price for the defendants’ greed. The care and respect due to the animals competing, as well as the integrity of racing, are matters of deep concern to the people of this District and to this Office.”
FBI Assistant Director William F. Sweeney Jr. said: “These men allegedly saw the $100 billion dollar global horse racing industry as their way to get rich at the expense of the animals that were doing all the hard work. Our investigation reveals the cruelty and inhumane treatment these horses suffered all to win a race. The FBI New York Joint Eurasian Organized Crime Task Force worked along with our law enforcement partners at the New York State Police, FDA, and DEA to stop this ring of criminals from abusing helpless animals simply so they could cheat the odds and rake in millions of dollars.”
Police Commissioner Dermot Shea said: “I want to commend our NYPD investigators, working with our federal partners, for carrying out a meticulous and important investigation. Putting the lives of horses at the center of an alleged plot to cheat professional horseracing around the world can never be accepted.”
FDA Assistant Commissioner for Criminal Investigations Catherine A. Hermsen said: “The FDA is responsible for protecting not only the health of humans, but also of animals. The manufacturing and trafficking of misbranded and unapproved animal drugs, and the administering of such drugs to racehorses to enhance their performance at the track, seriously endangers the health of these animals in pursuit of financial gain. Today’s announcement should serve as a reminder of our continued focus on those individuals and companies that put profits ahead of the public health.”
CBP Director of Field Operations Troy Miller said: “U.S. Customs and Border Protection is proud to have collaborated with our fellow law enforcement partners during this investigation. We value our partnerships and the arrests today demonstrate that together, no matter how complex the case, we will do what it takes to bring those who violate the law to justice.”
According to the allegations contained in the Indictments,[1] other filings in this case, and statements during court proceedings:
The charges in these four Indictments arise from an investigation of widespread schemes by racehorse trainers, veterinarians, PED distributors, and others to manufacture, distribute, and receive adulterated and misbranded PEDs and to secretly administer those PEDs to racehorses competing at all levels of professional horseracing. By evading Food and Drug Administration (“FDA”) rules and regulations, as well as prohibitions against the use of PEDs, and by deceiving regulators and horse racing officials, participants in these schemes sought to improve race performance and obtain prize money from racetracks throughout the United States and other countries, including in New York, New Jersey, Florida, Ohio, Kentucky, and the United Arab Emirates (“UAE”), notwithstanding the detriment and risk of the health and well-being of the racehorses. Trainers who participated in the schemes stood to profit from the success of racehorses under their control by earning a share of their horses’ winnings, and by improving their horses’ racing records, thereby yielding higher trainer fees and increasing the number of racehorses under their control. Veterinarians and drug distributors simply profited from the callous sale and administration of these medically unnecessary substances.
The Navarro Indictment
The Navarro Indictment charges 19 individuals representing a cross-section of corruption throughout the Thoroughbred and Standardbred racing industries. As alleged, JORGE NAVARRO, a racehorse trainer, has participated in the doping of horses under his control using a variety of PEDs, including customized PEDs designed in part to evade normal anti-doping tests administered by racing regulators. NAVARRO operated his doping scheme covertly, using a straw man to receive certain products designed to mask the presence of PEDs, avoiding explicit discussion of PEDs during certain telephone calls, and working with others to coordinate the administration of PEDs at times that racing officials would not detect such cheating.
NAVARRO trained and doped XY Jet, a thoroughbred horse that won the 2019 Golden Shaheen race in Dubai. As alleged, NAVARRO was intercepted during telephone conversations discussing his doping practices, and administered PEDs to XY Jet. Among NAVARRO’s preferred PEDs were various “blood building” drugs, which, when administered before intense physical exertion, can lead to cardiac issues or death. NAVARRO announced XY Jet’s death, as the result of an apparent heart attack, in January of this year. Investigation of the circumstances of that death remains ongoing.
NAVARRO was assisted by many of the charged defendants in the Navarro Indictment, and also assisted others, including JASON SERVIS, in obtaining adulterated and misbranded drugs to dope racehorses.
As alleged, SERVIS doped virtually all horses under his control, including Maximum Security, the horse that crossed the finish line first in the 2019 Kentucky Derby before being disqualified for interference. Among the misbranded and adulterated PEDs used by SERVIS was the drug “SGF-1000,” marketed and sold by defendant MICHAEL KEGLEY JR., among others, and which is compounded and manufactured in unregistered facilities. SGF-1000, like many other customized PEDs, may cause racehorses to perform beyond their natural abilities, thereby increasing the risk of injuries. SERVIS and others working with him, including veterinarians KRISTIAN RHEIN and ALEXANDER CHAN, attempted to conceal SERVIS’s doping practices through the use of falsified veterinary bills and fake prescriptions. SERVIS also tipped off NAVARRO to the presence of racing officials searching for signs of illegal doping. NAVARRO expressed his relief regarding SERVIS’ “tip”: “[The track official] would’ve caught our asses fucking pumping and pumping and fuming every fucking horse [that] runs today.”
The Navarro Indictment also includes charges against veterinarian SETH FISHMAN who also created and shipped adulterated and misbranded drugs. As alleged, SETH FISHMAN, along with LISA GIANNELLI, JORDAN FISHMAN, and others, developed and distributed multiple illegal PEDs. Those included “blood building” drugs specifically designed to evade anti-doping testing regimes. On one occasion, SETH FISHMAN touted precisely this deceptive aspect of his illegal PEDs: “[D]on’t kid yourself: if you’re giving something to a horse to make it better, and you’re not supposed to do that. . . . That’s doping. You know, whether or not it’s testable, that’s a different story.”
Finally, the Navarro Indictment includes charges against trainer NICHOLAS SURICK who, among other things, distributed the adulterated and misbranded PED “red acid” (an anti-inflammatory drug) to NAVARRO. SURICK also obtained and administered other adulterated and misbranded PEDs to horses under his care, including administering the blood building drug Epogen to the racehorse Northern Virgin. SURICK and others then took extraordinary steps to physically conceal Northern Virgin from New Jersey state regulators seeking to test horses under SURICK’s control, for which SURICK is also charged with obstruction.
The Grasso Indictment
The Grasso Indictment charges four defendants, including veterinarian LOUIS GRASSO, with conspiring to violate the misbranding laws of the United States. As alleged, GRASSO manufactured, sold, and distributed adulterated and misbranded PEDs for use on racehorses. GRASSO also obtained and distributed other PEDs, including snake venom, a type of pain blocking substance. GRASSO worked with DONATO POLISENO, a Delaware-based distributor of PEDs manufactured by GRASSO and others. The Grasso Indictment also charges two horse trainers, THOMAS GUIDO III and CONOR FLYNN, with, among other things, causing the shipment of adulterated and misbranded PEDs prior to administering those drugs to horses under their control. The dangers of that practice are reflected in the death of a horse doped by GUIDO in or about October 2019, about which GRASSO commented: “I’ve seen that happen 20 times.”
The Robinson Indictment
SCOTT ROBINSON and SCOTT MANGINI are each charged with misbranding and adulteration conspiracies in the Robinson Indictment. As alleged, the two defendants previously collaborated in running online marketplaces selling adulterated and misbranded PEDs for racehorses. The drugs distributed through the defendants’ websites were manufactured in non-FDA registered facilities and carried significant risks to the animals affected through the administration of those illicit PEDs. In one instance, on January 2, 2016, ROBINSON forwarded a customer complaint to MANGINI: “I [i.e., a customer contacting ROBINSON] ordered some [PED-1] . . . starting bout 8 hours after I give the injection and for about 36 hours afterwards both my horses act like they are heavily sedated, can barely walk. Could I have a bad bottle of medicine, I’m afraid to give it anymore since this has happened three times.” Commenting on this complaint, ROBINSON wrote, “here is another one.”
The Izhaki Indictment
The fourth Indictment unsealed today, the Izhaki Indictment, charges SARAH IZKAHI and ASHLEY LEBOWITZ in connection with their distribution of an adulterated and misbranded blood builder sourced illegally from a Mexico-based pharmaceutical company. As alleged, IZHAKI has obtained this substance by smuggling the drug into the United States, where IZHAKI and LEBOWITZ distribute the drug to horse trainers in and around the New York City area.
* * *
A chart containing the names, charges, and maximum penalties for the defendants in each of the four Indictments is set forth below. The maximum potential sentences in this case are prescribed by Congress and are provided here for informational purposes only, as any sentencing of the defendants will be determined by the judge assigned to each case.
Mr. Berman praised the outstanding investigative work of the FBI and the FBI’s Integrity in Sports and Gaming Initiative. Mr. Berman also thanked the New Jersey Attorney General’s Office, the New York State Police, and the New York City Police Department for their support of this investigation, and Customs and Border Protection, the Food and Drug Administration and Drug Enforcement Administration for their assistance and expertise.
This case is being handled by the Office’s Money Laundering and Transnational Criminal Enterprises Unit. Assistant United States Attorneys Sarah Mortazavi, Benet J. Kearney, and Andrew C. Adams are in charge of the prosecution.
The charges contained in these Indictments are merely accusations and the defendants are presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.
The Indictments are posted on our website under the heading "Indictments in Horse Doping Case."
Navarro Indictment
Count
Charge
Defendants
Max. Penalty
Count One
Misbranding Conspiracy
18 U.S.C. § 371
JORGE NAVARRO
ERICA GARCIA
MARCOS ZULUETA
MICHAEL TANNUZZO
GREGORY SKELTON
ROSS COHEN
SETH FISHMAN
CHRISTOPHER OAKES
NICHOLAS SURICK
5 years’ imprisonment.
Count Two
Misbranding Conspiracy
18 U.S.C. § 371
SETH FISHMAN
LISA GIANNELLI
JORDAN FISHMAN
RICK DANE JR.
5 years’ imprisonment.
Count Three
Misbranding Conspiracy
18 U.S.C. § 371
JASON SERVIS
KRISTIAN RHEIN
MICHAEL KEGLEY JR.
ALEXANDER CHAN
HENRY ARGUETA
JORGE NAVARRO
5 years’ imprisonment.
Count Four
Misbranding Conspiracy
18 U.S.C. § 371
NICHOLAS SURICK
REBECCA LINKE
CHRISTOPHER MARINO
5 years’ imprisonment.
Count Five
Obstruction
18 U.S.C. §§ 1512(b)(3) & 2
NICHOLAS SURICK
20 years’ imprisonment.
Count Six
Obstruction
18 U.S.C. §§ 1512(c) & 2
NICHOLAS SURICK
20 years’ imprisonment.
Grasso Indictment
Count
Charge
Defendants
Max. Penalty
Count One
Misbranding Conspiracy
18 U.S.C. § 371
LOUIS GRASSO
DONATO POLISENO
CONOR FLYNN
THOMAS GUIDO III
5 years’ imprisonment.
Robinson Indictment
Count
Charge
Defendants
Max. Penalty
Count One
Misbranding Conspiracy
18 U.S.C. § 371
SCOTT ROBINSON
SCOTT MANGINI
5 years’ imprisonment.
Count Two
Misbranding Conspiracy
18 U.S.C. § 371
SCOTT ROBINSON
5 years’ imprisonment.
Count One
Misbranding Conspiracy
18 U.S.C. § 371
SCOTT MANGINI
5 years’ imprisonment.
Izhaki Indictment
Count
Charge
Defendants
Max. Penalty
Count One
Misbranding Conspiracy
18 U.S.C. § 371
SARAH IZHAKI
ASHLEY LEBOWITZ
5 years’ imprisonment.
Count Two
Smuggling
18 U.S.C. §§ 545 & 2
SARAH IZHAKI
20 years’ imprisonment.
[1] As the introductory phrase signifies, the entirety of the texts of the Indictments and the descriptions of the Indictments set forth herein constitute only allegations and every fact described should be treated as an allegation.
Man Pleads Guilty to Transporting an Illegal Alien in His Vehicle to the St. John Ferry TerminalRead the Press Release
St. Thomas, USVI – United States Attorney Gretchen C.F. Shappert for the District of the Virgin Islands announced today that Courtney Matthias pleaded guilty to transporting an illegal alien. Matthias will be sentenced at a later date.
According to court documents filed in the case, on October 1, 2019, Matthias transported an illegal alien in his vehicle to the ferry terminal in St. John. In addition, Matthias purchased a ferry ticket for the alien and traveled to St. Thomas with the alien.
This case is being investigated by Homeland Security Investigations, and is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Adam Sleeper.
Lee's Summit Man Sentenced for Meth ConspiracyRead the Press Release
KANSAS CITY, Mo. – A Lee’s Summit, Missouri, man was sentenced in federal court today for his role in a conspiracy to distribute methamphetamine.
Joshua Hardin, 29, was sentenced by U.S. District Judge Howard F. Sachs to 10 years in federal prison without parole.
On Nov. 25, 2019, Hardin pleaded guilty to participating in a conspiracy to distribute methamphetamine from Oct. 16, 2018, to June 3, 2019.
Hardin was the passenger in a vehicle that was stopped by Kansas City police officers on Oct. 30, 2018. Officers seized a bag that contained 371.38 grams of methamphetamine from the vehicle’s driver and a stolen Glock handgun from the floorboard directly behind the driver’s seat. Hardin had 6.8 grams of methamphetamine and 5.22 grams of marijuana in his pockets.
Officers had earlier seized a bag from Hardin that contained54.86 grams of methamphetamine. Officers were called by a homeowner on Oct. 16, 2018, who reported that he saw Hardin, whom he did not know, walk out from behind a shed on his property. The homeowner’s wife then found the bag of methamphetamine behind the shed, and the homeowner contacted the police. Hardin admitted the methamphetamine belonged to him.
This case is being prosecuted by Special Assistant U.S. Attorney Mary Kate Butterfield. It was investigated by the Kansas City, Mo., Police Department.
Leader of Armed Home Invasion Robbery Crew Convicted of RICO Conspiracy and Other Violent CrimesRead the Press Release
A federal jury in Detroit, Michigan, found a Colombian man guilty of all charges in a nine-count indictment charging him with Racketeer Influenced and Corrupt Organizations Act (RICO) conspiracy and other violent crimes, announced Assistant Attorney General Brian A. Benczkowski of the Justice Department’s Criminal Division and Special Agent in Charge Steven M. D’Antuono of the FBI’s Detroit Field Office.
Juan Olaya, 39, of Buenaventura, Colombia, was a leader of an armed robbery crew that traveled the United States committing armed home invasions. Evidence at trial established that the defendant and his crew exclusively targeted families of Indian and Asian descent for their crimes.
Following a two-week trial, Olaya was convicted of one count of RICO conspiracy, four counts of assault with a dangerous weapon in aid of racketeering and four counts of use of a firearm during and in relation to a crime of violence. Sentencing is scheduled for July 23, 2020, before U.S. District Court Judge Laurie J. Michelson of the Eastern District of Michigan, who presided over the trial.
According to evidence presented at trial, Olaya and his robbery crew committed a string of home invasions in Georgia, New York, Michigan and Texas in 2014. The organizer of the crew, Chaka Castro, ran the enterprise from 2011 through 2014. Castro generated lists of robbery targets in various states around the county, specifically families of Asian and Indian ancestry, and assigned crews to carry out the armed robberies of these families within their homes. Olaya was the road boss of one such crew, who recruited other members and assigned roles to those members. Olaya and crew members traveled to certain locations, conducted surveillance and executed the robberies.
The crew utilized a particular modus operandi in each of the robberies. Members disguised their appearance with clothing and bandanas so that victims would have difficulty identifying them. They openly carried and brandished firearms to gain control of the victims and then immediately corralled the victims, including children, into one location in the home. At least one crew member then restrained the victims using duct tape and threats of violence, as another ransacked the home in search of cash, jewelry and electronics to steal. The crew organized their trips to involve multiple home invasion robberies over a series of days.
The FBI’s Ann Arbor Office investigated the case with the assistance of federal agencies including U.S. Immigrations and Customs Enforcement’s Homeland Security Investigations, U.S. Secret Service and local law enforcement agencies in Michigan, including Washtenaw County Sherriff’s Office, Ann Arbor Police Department and Canton Police Department; local law enforcement agencies in Ohio, including Beachwood Police Department; local law enforcement agencies in Georgia, including the Cobb County District Attorney’s Office, Cobb County Police Department, Gwinnett County Police Department, Duluth Police Department and Milton Police Department; local law enforcement agencies in New York, including Nassau County Police Department; the Tennessee Highway Patrol and local law enforcement agencies in Texas including Allen Police Department, Coppell Police Department, Flower Mound Police Department, Carrollton Police Department, Lewisville Police Department and Southlake Police Department.
Trial Attorneys Conor Mulroe and Beth Lipman of the Criminal Division’s Organized Crime and Gang Section prosecuted the case.
The year 2020 marks the 150th anniversary of the Department of Justice. Learn more about the history of our agency at www.Justice.gov/Celebrating150Years.
Justice Department Wins Historic Arbitration of a Merger DisputeRead the Press Release
The Department of Justice prevailed in a first-of-a-kind arbitration, which will resolve a civil antitrust lawsuit challenging Novelis’s proposed merger with Aleris Corporation. As a result, Novelis must divest Aleris’s entire aluminum auto body sheet operations in North America, which will fully preserve competition in this important industry. In addition, under the terms of the arbitration agreement between defendants and the Department, Novelis must reimburse the Department for its fees and costs incurred in connection with the arbitration.
“Today’s decision is a victory for automakers and American consumers and taxpayers and will preserve competition in the market for aluminum auto body sheet,” said Assistant Attorney General Makan Delrahim of the Justice Department’s Antitrust Division. “This first-of-its-kind arbitration proved to be an effective procedure for the streamlined adjudication of a dispositive issue in a merger challenge. As demonstrated in this case, arbitration has the potential to be a powerful dispute resolution tool in the right circumstances and I look forward to applying the learning from this case to future matters. I am very proud of the Division’s talented and dedicated team of lawyers, paralegals, and economists who pioneered this ground-breaking arbitration, representing the Division exceedingly well throughout these proceedings.”
On Sept. 4, 2019, the Justice Department’s Antitrust Division filed a civil antitrust lawsuit in the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Ohio seeking to block Novelis Inc.’s proposed acquisition of Aleris Corporation. Prior to filing the complaint, the Justice Department’s Antitrust Division reached an agreement with defendants to refer the matter to binding arbitration if the parties were unable to resolve the United States’ competitive concerns with the defendants’ transaction within a certain period of time. Fact discovery proceeded under the supervision of the district court. Pursuant to the arbitration agreement, following the close of fact discovery, the matter was referred to binding arbitration to resolve the issue of product market definition. A ten-day arbitration hearing concluded last week, marking the first time the Antitrust Division has used its authority under the Administrative Dispute Resolution Act of 1996 (5 U.S.C. § 571 et seq.) to resolve a matter.
Today, the arbitrator ruled for the United States, holding that aluminum auto body sheet constitutes a relevant product market, as the United States had alleged. Because the Department prevailed, the United States will file a proposed final judgment with the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Ohio that requires Novelis to divest Aleris’s entire aluminum ABS operations in North America to preserve competition in the relevant market. This arbitration procedure provided certainty and allowed the defendants to close their transaction subject to foreign regulatory review.
The Department thanks Kevin Arquit, a highly-respected and experienced antitrust lawyer and former Director of the Federal Trade Commission’s Bureau of Competition, for serving as the arbitrator in this matter. The Department also thanks defendants’ legal team from Latham & Watkins, LLP and Fried Frank, and in particular, Dan Wall and the litigating team from Latham & Watkins, for their highly-skilled advocacy and professionalism.
Novelis is a Canadian corporation headquartered in Atlanta, Georgia. It offers flat-rolled aluminum products in three segments: automotive, beverage can, and specialty products. In the fiscal year ending March 31, 2019, Novelis’s revenues were approximately $12.3 billion. Novelis is a wholly-owned subsidiary of Hindalco Industries Ltd., an Indian company headquartered in Mumbai, India.
Aleris is a Delaware corporation headquartered in Cleveland, Ohio. It offers flat-rolled aluminum products to the automotive, aerospace, and building and construction industries, among others. In 2018, Aleris’s revenues were approximately $3.4 billion.
Justice Department Cautions Business Community Against Violating Antitrust Laws in the Manufacturing, Distribution, and Sale of Public Health ProductsRead the Press Release
The Department of Justice today announced its intention to hold accountable anyone who violates the antitrust laws of the United States in connection with the manufacturing, distribution, or sale of public health products such as face masks, respirators, and diagnostics. The department’s announcement is part of a broader administration effort to ensure that federal, state, and local health authorities, the private healthcare sector, and the public at large are in the strongest possible position to respond to the outbreak of the respiratory disease named coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19).
“The Department of Justice stands ready to make sure that bad actors do not take advantage of emergency response efforts, healthcare providers, or the American people during this crucial time,” said Attorney General William P. Barr. “I am committed to ensuring that the department’s resources are available to combat any wrongdoing and protect the public.”
Individuals or companies that fix prices or rig bids for personal health protection equipment such as sterile gloves and face masks could face criminal prosecution. Competitors who agree to allocate among themselves consumers of public health products could also be prosecuted. The department’s recently announced Procurement Collusion Strike Force will also be on high alert for collusive practices in the sale of such products to federal, state, and local agencies.
Anyone with information on price fixing, bid-rigging, market allocation schemes, or other anticompetitive conduct should call the Antitrust Division’s Citizen Complaint Center at 888-647-3258, or visit http://www.justice.gov/atr/report-violations.
Jury Convicts Belleville Woman for Mail Fraud in Worker's Compensation SchemeRead the Press Release
SPRINGFIELD, Ill. – A jury deliberated for approximately one hour on Friday, March 6, 2020, before returning guilty verdicts against a Belleville, Ill. woman, Paula Klaustermeier, 53, charged with three counts of mail fraud. U.S. District Judge Sue E. Myerscough presided over the trial which began March 3. Sentencing is scheduled on July 10, 2020.
After sustaining a workplace injury in 1998 as a seasonal federal employee, Klaustermeier collected wage replacement benefits and medical benefits through the Department of Labor, Officer of Worker’s Compensation Program. At trial, the government presented evidence to show that, starting in approximately 2005, Klaustermeier began fraudulently altering medical documentation, or wholly creating fraudulent medical documents, in an effort to support her claim of ongoing disability. Starting in at least 2008 and continuing into 2013, she submitted travel reimbursement requests, claiming she traveled between 30 and 80 miles, almost daily, in order to engage in a therapy treatment at a variety of health club facilities. The evidence showed that Klaustermeier did not, in fact, have valid health club memberships during the time frame in question; it also showed that one of the health club facilities she claimed to travel to for therapy treatments was actually the private residence of her parents. Through these fraudulent travel reimbursements, Klaustermeier received more than $53,000 in benefits.
The Department of Labor, Office of Inspector General, and the U.S. Postal Inspection Service conducted the investigation. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Victor B. Yanz and Tanner K. Jacobs represented the government at trial.
At sentencing, the offense of mail fraud carries a maximum statutory penalty of 20 years in prison.
Inland Empire Man Who Stole Doctors’ Identities to Obtain Medication Later Sold on Dark-net Sentenced to 10 Years in Federal PrisonRead the Press Release
LOS ANGELES – A Riverside County man was sentenced today to 120 months in federal prison for running a narcotics distribution outfit that, in part, stole at least nine doctors’ DEA numbers and dates of birth that he used to obtain oxycodone and other prescription medications that he later sold on the dark-net.
Christopher Lazenby, 29, of Homeland, was sentenced by United States District Judge Stephen V. Wilson.
Lazenby pleaded guilty in September 2019 to a two-count criminal information charging him with possessing with intent to distribute methamphetamine and oxycodone.
Lazenby perpetrated his scheme by stealing the identities of at least nine doctors and one physician’s assistant. He then used the Drug Enforcement Administration’s online registration system to change the addresses of eight doctors to mailboxes he had rented in South Los Angeles and Carson. Lazenby changed the address of a ninth doctor to show his medical office was a room at a Motel 6 in Inglewood, according to court documents.
With official records showing new addresses for the doctors, Lazenby forged the doctors’ signatures on counterfeit prescriptions and ordered oxycodone, hydrocodone and Adderall to be sent to the addresses he controlled, he admitted in a plea agreement. After he received the narcotics, Lazenby used the dark web and Craigslist to advertise the drugs for sale.
Lazenby was arrested on October 3, 2018 at his hotel room in Torrance, which he had rented using an alias. During searches of his hotel room and car, law enforcement seized narcotics, including 196 grams of methamphetamine, oxycodone pills, prescription pads in the names of the identity theft victims, and rubber stamps in the names of the victim doctors.
The Drug Enforcement Administration investigated this case.
This case was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Benjamin R. Barron, Chief of the Santa Ana Branch Office.
- Indictments in Horse Doping Case
Huntington Woman Sentenced for Federal Heroin ConvictionRead the Press Release
HUNTINGTON W.Va. – A Huntington woman caught selling heroin in Huntington in 2018 was sentenced to 36 months in federal prison, announced United States Attorney Mike Stuart. Tonya Lynn Thompson, 37, previously entered a guilty plea to distributing heroin.
“Thompson was selling a number of deadly drugs from her Huntington residence,” said United States Attorney Mike Stuart. “As a result of the good work of the Cabell County Sheriff’s Department, she will now reside in a federal prison.”
On July 11, 2018, an informant working at the direction of the Cabell County Sheriff’s Department went to Thompson’s residence located at 831 15th Street in Huntington to purchase heroin. Inside the residence, Thompson sold the informant heroin in exchange for $140. Thompson also admitted as part of her plea agreement that she assisted in the sale of fentanyl to an informant the prior day at her residence.
On July 16, 2018, deputies executed a search warrant at Thompson’s residence. During the search, deputies recovered approximately 12 grams of fentanyl and approximately 48 grams of methamphetamine. Also as part of her plea agreement, Thompson admitted that she distributed fentanyl, heroin, and methamphetamine in Huntington between July of 2017 and July of 2018. Thompson further admitted that she allowed others to stay in her residence for the purpose of storing and selling drugs.
The Cabell County Sheriff’s Department conducted the investigation. Assistant United States Attorney Joseph F. Adams handled the prosecution. The sentence was imposed by United States District Judge Robert C. Chambers.
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Huntington Man on Supervised Release Sentenced to Prison for Selling HeroinRead the Press Release
HUNTINGTON, W.Va. - A Huntington man, Andre Womble, 30, was sentenced to 21 months for selling heroin, announced United States Attorney Mike Stuart. In a separate proceeding, Womble was sentenced to 24 months in prison for violating the terms of his supervised release by selling heroin. The sentences will run consecutive to one another for a 45 month prison sentence.
“Womble was selling drugs before even completing his term of supervised release from a previous federal drug conviction,” said United States Attorney Mike Stuart. “His return to criminal activity gets him more time in prison.”
Womble previously admitted that on June 18, July 12, and July 19, 2019 he sold heroin to an informant in Huntington, West Virginia.
The Huntington Police Department conducted the investigation. United States District Judge Robert C. Chambers imposed the sentence. Assistant United States Attorney Stephanie S. Taylor handled the prosecution.
This case is being prosecuted as part of Operation Synthetic Opioid Surge (S.O.S.), an enforcement surge that seeks to reduce the supply of deadly synthetic opioids in high impact areas.
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Huntington Man Pleads Guilty to Federal Methamphetamine ChargeRead the Press Release
HUNTINGTON, W.Va. – A Huntington man who was arrested after postal inspectors seized a large quantity of methamphetamine in the mail, pled guilty today, announced United States Attorney Mike Stuart. Stewart Longworth Jordan III, 27, pled guilty to attempted possession with intent to distribute 50 grams or more of methamphetamine.
“Postal Inspectors play a critical role in our drug enforcement efforts,” said United States Attorney Mike Stuart. “In this one instance, USPS intercepted more than two pounds of meth on its way to Jordan, which he intended to sell. Just because it fits doesn’t mean it’s legal to ship.”
On November 9, 2018, an inspector with the United States Postal Inspection Service located a package in the Huntington post office which had been mailed from Nevada and which was found to contain over 2 pounds of methamphetamine. Inspectors subsequently delivered the package to a residence in Huntington and Jordan arrived at the residence to collect the package. Jordan was arrested and admitted in court that he intended to sell the methamphetamine.
Jordan faces 5 to 40 years in prison when sentenced on June 16, 2020.
The United States Postal Inspection Service and the West Virginia State Police – Violent Crime and Drug Task Force West conducted the investigation. United States District Judge Robert C. Chambers presided over the hearing. Assistant United States Attorney Joseph F. Adams is handling the prosecution.
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Holyoke Resident Pleads Guilty to Heroin DistributionRead the Press Release
BOSTON – A Holyoke man pleaded guilty today in federal court in Springfield to distributing heroin.
Alexis Santana, 18, pleaded guilty to an Indictment charging him with distributing and possessing with intent to distribute heroin. Judge Mark G. Mastroianni scheduled sentencing for June 30, 2020.
According to court records, Santana sold heroin on Oct. 7, 2019 in Holyoke.
The charge of distributing and possessing with intent to distribute heroin provides for a sentence of up to 20 years in prison, to be followed by at least three years of supervised release and a $1 million dollar fine.
United States Attorney Andrew E. Lelling; Joseph R. Bonavolonta, Special Agent in Charge of the Federal Bureau of Investigation, Boston Field Division; Colonel Christopher Mason, Superintendent of the Massachusetts State Police and Holyoke Police Chief Manny Febo made the announcement today. The case is being prosecuted by Todd E. Newhouse of Lelling’s Springfield Branch Office.
Georgia Man Pleads Guilty to Failure to Register as a Sex OffenderRead the Press Release
NEW ORLEANS - U.S. Attorney Peter Strasser announced that JAMES A. MOORE, age 32, of Atlanta, Georgia pleaded guilty on March 5, 2020 before U.S. District Court Judge Carl Barbier to one count of failure to register as a sex offender under the federal Sex Offender Registration and Notification Act (SORNA).
MOORE faces a maximum term of 10 years in prison and a $250,000.00 fine. He also faces a term of supervised release of between 5 years and life. Judge Barbier set sentencing for June 25, 2020.
U.S. Attorney Strasser praised the work of the United States Marshals Service, the New Orleans Police Department, the Orleans Parish Sheriff’s Office, the Louisiana State Police, and the Fulton County Sheriff’s Office of Atlanta, Georgia in this matter. He also extended his thanks to the Orleans Parish District Attorney’s Office for their assistance. Assistant United States Attorney Spiro G. Latsis is in charge of the prosecution.
Gang member indicted for methamphetamine possession while on probation from previous chargeRead the Press Release
WAYCROSS, GA: A Blackshear man who claims membership in a notorious white supremacist street gang has been indicted on federal drug charges, while a Bloomingdale, Ga., gang member faces a firearms charge.
Danny Lamar Chancey, a/k/a “Toby,” 47, was indicted by a federal grand jury in U.S. District Court on one count of Possession with Intent to Distribute Controlled Substances, said Bobby L. Christine, U.S. Attorney for the Southern District of Georgia. The charge carries a prison term of up to 20 years, followed by up to three years of supervised release. There is no parole in the federal system.
“Methamphetamine’s resurgence, driven by supplies pouring in from Mexican cartels, is raising alarm across the country,” said U.S. Attorney Christine. “Our office, in concert with our federal, state and local law enforcement partners, continue to take down those who would spread this poison in our communities.”
According to court documents, a Pierce County Sheriff’s Office investigator and an officer from the Georgia Department of Community Supervision visited Chancey’s residence as part of a routine check on Chancey, who was on probation from a state conviction for possession of methamphetamine.
Inside the residence, officers found multiple small and large bags containing methamphetamine, along with materials used for distribution. Chancey admitted membership in the Ghost Face Gangsters, a violent white supremacist street gang.
A separate indictment in Southern District U.S. Court charges Bryan Howard Bignault, 29, of Bloomingdale, Ga., with Possession of a Firearm by a Convicted Felon. Bignault, an officer of the Ghost Face Gangsters, was charged after Pooler Police found a pistol in his vehicle during a traffic stop. As a convicted felon, Bignault is prohibited from possessing a firearm. The charge carries a sentence of up to 10 years in federal prison.
The Ghost Face Gangsters, a violent, white-supremacist criminal street gang, started inside Georgia’s prison system and spread into communities primarily in Georgia and the Southeast. Operation Vanilla Gorilla, the largest-ever takedown of the Ghost Face Gangsters, resulted in indictments in November and December 2018 and subsequent convictions in the Southern District of Georgia of 46 defendants affiliated with the gang.
“DCS places great value on working with our law enforcement partners,” said Department of Community Supervision Deputy Director James Bergman. “We recognize that we are stronger when we work together to disrupt gangs and protect our communities.”
“I am thankful for the great work from Pierce County investigators and the Department of Community Supervision,” said Pierce County Sheriff Ramsey Bennett. “Their hard work in investigating and prosecuting those who commit crimes is great for our community.”
Criminal indictments contain only charges; defendants are presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.
The cases were investigated by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF), the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA), the Georgia Department of Supervision, the Pierce County Sheriff’s Office and the Blackshear Police Department, and are being prosecuted for the United States by Assistant U.S. Attorney Jennifer Kirkland.
Former Vice President Sentenced for Embezzling $100,000+ from BankRead the Press Release
TOPEKA, KAN. - A former vice president of the First National Bank of Harveyville, Kan., was sentenced today to four months home confinement, U.S. Attorney Stephen McAllister said today. In addition, she was ordered to pay restitution of approximately $107,175.
Debra Kay Converse, 60, Harveyville, Kan., pleaded guilty to one count of embezzlement. In her plea agreement, Converse admitted that in April 2019 the president of First National Bank reported to the Wabaunsee County Sheriff that he believed Converse had embezzled from the bank while she was vice president. The bank’s investigation focused on what Converse claimed were glitches in software. On March 29, 2019, Converse resigned from the bank and the bank initiated an audit. The bank also learned that Converse, while serving as City Treasurer for Harveyville wrote $5,700 in checks payable to First National Bank for processing residents’ utility payments. Rather than crediting the revenue to the bank, she cashed the checks.
McAllister commended the FBI and Assistant U.S. Attorney Richard Hathaway for their work on the case.
Former Baltimore County Correctional Officer Pleads Guilty in Federal Court to Two Counts of Production of Child PornographyRead the Press Release
Baltimore, Maryland – Thomas Michael Mannion, Jr., age 46, of Parkville, Maryland, pleaded guilty today in federal court to two counts of production of child pornography, and admitted to engaging in sexually explicit conduct with two minor victims.
The guilty plea was announced by United States Attorney for the District of Maryland Robert K. Hur; Special Agent in Charge Jennifer C. Boone of the Federal Bureau of Investigation, Baltimore Field Office; Special Agent in Charge John Eisert of Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) Baltimore; Chief Melissa R. Hyatt of the Baltimore County Police Department; and Baltimore County State’s Attorney Scott Shellenberger.
According to his guilty plea, Mannion rented the basement apartment of a townhome in Parkville, Maryland, where he lived alone. On May 6, 2019, Baltimore County Police were called to a residence after a neighbor had seen Mannion in bed naked with Minor Victim 1, who was also unclothed. When police arrived, they located the minor victim, who was 13 years old at the time, in the basement bedroom area. Investigation revealed that Mannion had met the victim a few months before on a social networking application. Mannion had initially met the Minor Victim 1 on March 9, 2019, and brought him to his apartment, where they engaged in sexually explicit conduct. Mannion took photos and videos of Minor Victim 1 during the sexual encounter. Mannion admitted that on March 12, 2019 and March 17, 2019, as well as on additional occasions, he distributed the sexually explicit images of Minor Victim 1 to others. Mannion took additional sexually explicit photographs of Minor Victim 1 on May 6, 2019. A forensic analysis of Mannion’s cellphone revealed 21 images and two videos depicting the minor victim engaged in sexually explicit activity on March 9, 2019, and an additional eight images of Minor Victim 1 documenting the sexual activity on May 6, 2019.
As detailed in the plea agreement, Mannion also communicated with Minor Victim 2, a 14-year-old male, through the social networking application. Mannion admitted that on April 17, 2019, Mannion went to the home of Minor Victim 2, where he engaged in sexual activity with the victim and took photographs and videos documenting the sexual contact. Mannion distributed the child pornography images of Minor Victim 2 to multiple other users of the social networking application. The forensic analysis of Mannion’s cellphone recovered 18 images and two videos documenting the sexual activity with Minor Victim 2.
According to the plea agreement, Mannion attempted to meet with several other minors with whom he communicated on the social networking application, even after the minors advised Mannion of their ages. Mannion also discussed his sexual interest in other children that he knew or had contact with during sexually explicit chats with users of the application. In addition, a review of Mannion’s laptop computer revealed multiple images of child pornography.
Mannion faces a mandatory minimum sentence of 15 years in federal prison and a maximum of 30 years in federal prison for each of the two counts of production of child pornography, followed by up to lifetime supervised release. U.S. District Judge Stephanie A. Gallagher has scheduled sentencing for June 16, 2020 at 10:00 a.m.
This case was brought as part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative launched in May 2006 by the Department of Justice to combat the growing epidemic of child sexual exploitation and abuse. Led by the United States Attorney’s Offices and the Criminal Division's Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section, Project Safe Childhood marshals federal, state, and local resources to locate, apprehend, and prosecute individuals who sexually exploit children, and to identify and rescue victims. For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit www.justice.gov/psc. For more information about Internet safety education, please visit www.justice.gov/psc and click on the "Resources" tab on the left of the page.
United States Attorney Robert K. Hur commended the FBI, HSI, the Baltimore County Police Department, and the Baltimore County State’s Attorney’s Office for their work in the investigation. Mr. Hur thanked Assistant U.S. Attorney Mary W. Setzer, who is prosecuting the federal case.
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Florida Man Charged in Connection with Skimming Devices Installed at New England Gas StationsRead the Press Release
BOSTON – A Florida man was arrested today on federal charges arising from his alleged participation in a scheme to install electronic skimming equipment at gas stations across New England, stealing thousands of customers’ debit and credit card account numbers.
Luis Angel Naranjo Rodriguez, 29, of Hialeah, Florida, was charged with one count of possessing 15or more counterfeit access devices (debit and credit card account numbers) and one count of possession of device-making equipment (skimming devices).
Naranjo Rodriguez was arrested in Concord, Mass. on Nov. 17, 2019 after Concord Police found him at a closed gas station standing next to an unlocked gas pump with keys in the lock. According to court documents, officers searched Naranjo Rodriguez and the vehicle next to which he was found, and discovered multiple skimming devices and additional gas pump keys. Officers also searched Naranjo Rodriguez’s hotel room. A review of the devices seized from the vehicle and hotel room resulted in the discovery of more than 5,600 account numbers that appeared to have been stolen via skimming devices. It is alleged that this scheme involved the theft of account information via skimming devices installed at gas stations in Lynnfield, Concord, Malden, Taunton, Randolph and Raynham, Mass., Portland, Maine, Nashua, N.H. and Willington, Conn.
The charging statute for using a counterfeit access device provides for a sentence of up to 10 years in prison, three years of supervised release and a fine of up to $250,000. The charge of possessing device-making equipment provides for a sentence of up to 15 years in prison, three years of supervised release and a fine of $250,000. Sentences are imposed by a federal district court judge based on the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors.
United States Attorney Andrew E. Lelling and Thomas P. Baker, Acting Special Agent in Charge of the United States Secret Service, Boston Field Office made the announcement. Special assistance was provided by the Concord, Lunenburg and Raynham Police Departments in Massachusetts, the Nashua Police Department (New Hampshire) and the Portland Police Department (Maine). Assistant U.S. Attorneys Bill Abely and Fred Wyshak, III are prosecuting the case.
The details contained in the charging document 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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Five Aliens Indicted on Illegal Reentry Charges and False Representation of a Social Security NumberRead the Press Release
RALEIGH – Robert J. Higdon, Jr., United States Attorney for the Eastern District of North Carolina, announces that a federal grand jury in Raleigh has returned indictments charging VICTOR CHAPOL-AMBROS, age 27, of Mexico, JORGE VALENCIA-ROMERO, age 30, of Mexico JOSE ISAIAS MONTIEL-MARTINEZ, age 33, of El Salvador and FRANCISCO JAVIER CONTRERAS-VILLAVERDE, age 40, of Mexico with Illegal Reentry of a Deported Alien.
Additionally, the grand jury returned a superseding indictment charging GERARDO LOPEZ-MARCIAL, age 38, of Mexico, with illegal reentry and false representation of a social security number.
If convicted of illegal reentry, CHAPOL-AMBROS, previously deported twice and found in Wake County and VALENCIA-ROMERO, previously deported and found in Wake County, would face maximum penalties of two years’ imprisonment, a $250,000 fine, and a term of supervised release following any term of imprisonment.
If convicted of illegal reentry subsequent to a felony conviction (attempted breaking and entering of a building), MONTIEL-MARTINEZ, previously deported and found in Wake County, would face maximum penalties of ten years’ imprisonment, a $250,000 fine, and a term of supervised release following any term of imprisonment.
CONTRERAS-VILLAVERDE, previously deported and found in Wake County, is alleged to have been previously removed subsequent to an aggravated felony conviction (robbery). Therefore, if convicted, he would face a maximum imprisonment term of 20 years, a $250,000 fine, and a term of supervised release following any term of imprisonment.
If convicted of illegal reentry and false representation of a social security number, LOPEZ-MARCIAL, previously deported twice and found in Wake County, would face maximum penalties of 7 years imprisonment, a $500,000 fine, and a term of supervised release following any term of imprisonment.
The charges and allegations contained in the indictments are merely accusations. The defendants are presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty in a court of law.
ICE’s Enforcement and Removal Operations and Homeland Security Investigations are investigating the cases.
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The year 2020 marks the 150th anniversary of the Department of Justice. Learn more about the history of our agency at www.Justice.gov/Celebrating150Years.
Federal Judge Sentences Defendant in Fraudulent "Sweepstakes" SchemeRead the Press Release
In Austin today, a federal judge sentenced 55-year-old Akintola Akinmadeyemi to 120 months imprisonment for his role in an estimated $340 million intended-loss fraudulent “sweepstakes” scheme, announced U.S. Attorney John F. Bash; Special Agent in Charge Richard D. Goss, Internal Revenue Service-Criminal Investigation (IRS-CI), Houston Field Office; Special Agent in Charge Shane Folden, Homeland Security Investigations (HSI), San Antonio; and, Inspector in Charge Adrian Gonzalez, U.S. Postal Inspection Service (USPIS), Houston Division.
In addition to the prison term, U.S. District Judge Lee Yeakel ordered that Akinmadeyemi pay $111,870.25 in restitution and be placed on supervised release for a period of three years after completing his prison term.
On May 17, 2019, Akinmadeyemi pleaded guilty to one count of attempt and conspiracy to commit mail fraud. In addition to Akinmadeyemi, seven other defendants were charged in the scheme: Austin residents Joel Calvin, age 32, and Clarence Barefield (aka CJ), age 41, Mesquite, TX, resident Donna Lundy, age 55; Nigerian citizens and Canadian residents Harry Cole (aka Akintomide Ayoola Bolu, aka John King, aka Big Bro, aka Egbon), age 49; Emmanuel Olawle Ajayi (aka Wale, aka Walata), age 42; Tony Dada Akinbobola (aka Lawrence D Awoniyi, aka Boss Tony, aka Toyin), age 48; and Bolaji Akinwunmi Oyewole (aka BJ, aka Beejay), age 32. Calvin and Barefield previously pleaded guilty to conspiracy to commit money laundering; Lundy pleaded guilty to wire fraud. All three remain pending sentencing.
The remaining defendants are charged with one count of conspiracy to commit wire fraud (Sweepstakes) and one count of conspiracy to commit money laundering. Emmanuel Ajayi also faces a second conspiracy-to-commit-wire-fraud charge (Stolen Identity Refund Fraud or SIRF) and an aggravated identity theft charge. Lundy also faces one substantive count of wire fraud.
According to the indictment, the defendants carried out their sweepstakes scheme from 2012 to 2016. Charging $1 per name, Lundy collected over $700,000 by selling lists of elderly potential victims and their addresses to Cole in Canada. Cole and other conspirators based in the Toronto, Ontario Canada metropolitan area sent packages containing fraudulent sweepstakes information to conspirators residing in the U.S. The packages contained thousands of mailers, which U.S.-based conspirators sent to victims notifying them that they had won a sweepstakes. Each mailer included a fraudulent check issued in the name of the victim, usually in the amount of $8,000, and a pre-addressed envelope. Victims were instructed to deposit the check into their bank account, immediately withdraw between $5,000 and $7,000 dollars in cash or money orders and send the money to a “sweepstakes representative” to facilitate the victim collecting his or her prize. By the time the victim was notified by the bank that the deposited check was fraudulent, the cash or money order had been sent by the victim and received by the defendants or conspirators. The intended loss from this scheme was in excess of $250 million, with an actual loss of more than $900,000.
The indictment also alleges that from June 2015 through June 2016, Emmanuel Ajayi led a SIRF scheme in which over 1,200 fraudulent Income Tax Returns were filed using stolen Personal Identifying Information (PII) requesting $25 million in tax refunds. Ajayi used bank accounts involved in the sweepstakes scheme to receive refunds and funnel the money to conspirators in the U.S. An IRS analysis determined that this scheme resulted in the actual loss of approximately $3.4 million paid from the U.S. Treasury.
In order to acquire the money generated by the Sweepstakes and SIRF schemes, the conspirators operated a money laundering conspiracy in the U.S. That conspiracy employed knowing and unknowing participants to conduct financial transactions with the goals of moving the proceeds from both fraudulent schemes outside of the U.S. without detection by law enforcement.
Aggravated identity theft calls for a mandatory two years imprisonment upon conviction. Each of the remaining charges call for up to 20 years in federal prison upon conviction.
Defendants Cole and Akinbobola were arrested on September 25, 2018, in Canada and are awaiting extradition to the U.S. The whereabouts of Defendants Ajayi and Oyewole are unknown and they are considered fugitives. Barefield is scheduled for sentencing May 5, 2020. Defendants Calvin and Lundy are scheduled for sentencing on September 9, 2020.
Akinmadeyemi has remained in federal custody since his arrest on September 26, 2018. Today he was remanded into U. S. Marshal custody to begin serving his sentence.
This case is being investigated by IRS-CI, HSI, and USPIS. Assistant United States Attorneys Michael C. Galdo and Neeraj Gupta are prosecuting this case on behalf of the Government.
It is important to note that an indictment is merely a charge and should not be considered as evidence of guilt. The defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.
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Federal Attorney Celebrates 50 Years at U.S. Attorney's OfficeRead the Press Release
LITTLE ROCK– Richard Pence, an Assistant United States Attorney in Little Rock, celebrated his 50th year with the United States Attorney’s Office on Monday. Pence’s lifetime career as an AUSA makes him the longest serving employee of all 94 United States Attorney’s Offices across the nation.
Pence, known by some as “Scout,” began his career as an AUSA for the Eastern District of Arkansas on March 9, 1970. He joined the office under President Richard Nixon and has worked under eight other Presidents in his tenure. When he started as an AUSA, Pence worked on both criminal and civil cases. The Civil Division was created in 1980, and Pence became the District’s first Civil Chief—a position he held for 38 years. Pence served as Acting United States Attorney after President George H.W. Bush’s term and before President Bill Clinton appointed Paula Casey as United States Attorney.
“Richard’s lifetime of service to the U.S. Attorney’s Office has made a lasting impact on the Eastern District of Arkansas,” said U.S. Attorney Cody Hiland. “In a world where lasting commitment can be hard to find, Richard’s 50 years of tireless dedication are a shining example of what can be accomplished through devotion to a cause.”
The United States Attorney’s Office celebrated Pence’s commitment to public service with a celebration on Monday, where Pence received a letter from United States Attorney General William Barr in recognition of his outstanding dedication. In Pence’s honor, the main conference room at the U.S. Attorney’s Office will be renamed the Richard M. Pence Jr. Conference Room.
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This news release, as well as additional information about the office of the
United States Attorney for the Eastern District of Arkansas, is available online at
https://www.justice.gov/edar
Twitter:
@EDARNEWS
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.
Ex-Los Angeles City Councilman Surrenders to Face Federal Charges of Obstructing Public Corruption Probe, Making False StatementsRead the Press Release
LOS ANGELES – A former Los Angeles city councilman surrendered to FBI agents this morning to face criminal charges that he obstructed an investigation into him accepting cash, female escort services, hotel rooms and expensive meals from a businessman during trips to Las Vegas and Palm Springs, and later lied to the FBI about his conduct.
Mitchell Englander, 49, of Santa Monica, was taken into custody after being named in a seven-count indictment returned by a federal grand jury on January 16. Englander is expected to be arraigned this afternoon at 2:00 in the Roybal Federal Building and Courthouse.
The indictment charges Englander with one count of participating in a scheme to falsify material facts, three counts of making false statements, and three counts of witness tampering.
Englander represented Los Angeles Council District 12 in the San Fernando Valley from July 2011 until he abruptly resigned on December 31, 2018, when he had almost two years left on his term. Among his other duties, Englander served as the Council President Pro-Tempore and was on the Planning and Land Use Management (PLUM) Committee, which oversees many of the most significant commercial and residential development projects in the City of Los Angeles.
The indictment alleges that he schemed to cover up his acceptance of cash payments, expensive meals and escort services from a businessman – identified in the indictment as Businessperson A – who operated companies in Los Angeles relating to major development projects and sought to increase his business opportunities in the city. Two months after the Las Vegas trip, Businessperson A began cooperating with the FBI in a public corruption investigation focused on suspected “pay-to-play” schemes involving Los Angeles public officials.
According to the indictment, from August 2017 through December 2018, Englander knowingly and willfully falsified and concealed material facts pertaining to this federal public corruption investigation. Specifically, Englander covered up facts that he had accepted items of value during June 2017 trips to Las Vegas and Palm Springs, the indictment alleges.
On that trip, when he was accompanied by two city staffers, a lobbyist and a real estate developer, Englander accepted from Businessperson A an envelope with $10,000 in cash, services from a female escort, hotel rooms, $1,000 in casino gambling chips, $34,000 in bottle service at a nightclub, and a $2,481 dinner at a restaurant, according to the indictment. Later, at a golf tournament in Palm Springs on June 12, 2017, Businessperson A allegedly gave Englander an envelope containing $5,000 in cash. Shortly after the trips, Englander arranged for Businessperson A to pitch his business to a friend of Englander’s who was a developer.
In August 2017, after he learned about the FBI’s public corruption investigation, Englander privately sent an encrypted message to Businessperson A via the online messaging service Confide, indicating that he now wanted to reimburse him for portions of the June 2017 Las Vegas trip, the indictment alleges.
The indictment alleges that, on at least three occasions, Englander attempted to corruptly persuade Businessperson A to provide false and misleading information, and omit relevant information from the FBI and federal prosecutors conducting the public corruption investigation. On February 6, 2018, Englander allegedly instructed Businessperson A to lie to the FBI, withhold material information from the FBI, and how to answer certain questions from the FBI, including questions about escort services provided by Businessperson A and Englander’s purported attempts to reimburse Businessperson A. On February 12, 2018, Englander allegedly met Businessperson A in Englander’s car and, after Englander turned up the car stereo music to a loud volume to obstruct possible listening devices, Englander again repeatedly instructed Businessperson A to lie to the FBI while driving in a circle around the block to conceal their meeting.
The indictment further alleges that Englander made false statements to the FBI and federal prosecutors on three separate occasions in 2017 and 2018. For example, on February 7, 2018, Englander falsely stated that he and Businessperson A had not discussed the FBI or its investigation, and that he did not instruct anyone on what to say to the FBI. On December 31, 2018, the day he resigned from the Los Angeles City Council, Englander again met with the FBI and federal prosecutors, and made additional false statements about receiving personal benefits from Businessperson A, and also falsely stated that he encouraged Businessperson A to “be transparent, and share everything” with the FBI, the indictment alleges.
If convicted of the seven charges in the indictment, Englander would face a statutory maximum penalty of 50 years in federal prison.
An indictment contains allegations that a defendant has committed a crime. Every defendant is presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt.
The case against Englander 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 in 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 Attorneys Veronica Dragalin and Melissa E. Mills of the Public Corruption and Civil Rights Section.
Elkhart, Indiana Man Sentenced for Making Pipe BombsRead the Press Release
SOUTH BEND - Lee Underwood, age 28, of Elkhart, Indiana, was sentenced in South Bend before United States District Court Judge Damon R. Leichty for making destructive devices, announced U.S. Attorney Thomas L. Kirsch II.
Underwood was sentenced to 51 months in prison followed by 3 years of supervised release.
According to documents in this case, in late 2017 to early 2018, Underwood made at least five to six pipe bombs while he was a user of methamphetamine and other controlled substances. Someone threw the pipe bombs out of a car and they remained near a busy intersection for several weeks. On several occasions, Underwood fled police, including once when a passenger in the vehicle he was driving shot at a police car that was chasing him.
This case is being investigated by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, with the assistance from the Indiana State Police, Elkhart County Sheriff’s Department, South Bend Police Department, Elkhart County Interdiction and Covert Enforcement Unit, Mishawaka Police Department, and the St. Joseph County Police Department. Assistant U.S. Attorney Molly Donnelly handled the case.
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Dixon, Missouri Man Sentenced for Distributing Heroin Which Resulted in DeathRead the Press Release
St. Louis –Michael Charles Natoli, 58, Dixon, Missouri, was sentenced to 96 months in prison for distribution of heroin which resulted in death and serious bodily injury. Natoli appeared today in front of U.S. District Judge Audrey G. Fleissig.
According to court documents, on August 3, 2016, Natoli drove co-defendant Heather Miller to the Economy Inn in St. James, Missouri where they distributed heroin to R.K. and received cash. R.K. was later found unresponsive in the hotel room and was pronounced dead at the hospital. Investigators examined R.K.’s cell phone and noticed a thread of text messages from August 3, 2016 wherein R.K. and “Heather” discussed “Heather” bringing R.K. what appeared to be controlled substances. Thereafter, investigators began using R.K.’s phone to communicate with “Heather.” “Heather agreed to supply R.K. with additional drugs.
On August 4, 2016, Miller and Natoli responded to the hotel and were taken into custody. Officers seized two small bags of heroin from Miller. Natoli admitted he would accompany Miller to St. Louis so she could obtain heroin. Natoli stated that he provided the money up front to buy the heroin and then drove Miller around to sell it.
While officers were interviewing Natoli at the hotel room, an investigator observed B.A. passed out in a vehicle that Miller and Natoli had driven in. B.A. displayed labored breathing, rapid heartbeat, and recent puncture marks on his arms. Officers noted that his pulse was becoming harder and harder to detect. B.A. then stopped breathing and officers had to resuscitate him. Officers recovered a white powder-like substance on his body which was later tested by a laboratory and found to contain heroin. Officers later learned that B.A. had purchased the heroin that he had overdosed on from Miller for $120. Miller gave B.A. the heroin and Natoli took the payment.
Co-defendant Heather Miller is awaiting trial.
These charges are a result of a joint investigation between the St. James Police Department, Missouri State Highway Patrol- South Central Drug Task Force, and the Drug Enforcement Administration.
DeCavalcante Associate Admits Cocaine Distribution and Gun PossessionRead the Press Release
TRENTON, N.J. – An associate of the DeCavalcante crime family today admitted possessing cocaine with the intent to distribute and possessing a firearm during the course of a drug crime, U.S. Attorney Craig Carpenito announced.
Mario Galli III, 28, of Toms River, New Jersey, pleaded guilty before Judge Anne E. Thompson in Trenton federal court to an information charging him with one count of possession with intent to distribute cocaine and one count of possession of a FEG 9mm Model PGK-9HP gun, loaded with 12 rounds of ammunition, by a convicted felon in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime.
According to documents filed in this case and statements made in court:
Between Sept. 19 and Sept. 20, 2019, investigators from the Ocean County Prosecutor’s Office executed search warrants on Galli’s residence and the residence of a conspirator. They recovered between400 and 500 grams of cocaine. The search of Galli’s residence also recovered a FEG 9mm Model PGK-9HP gun loaded with 12 rounds of ammunition. At the time, Galli was on supervised release from a 2016 federal conviction for conspiracy to distribute in excess of 500 grams of cocaine. He served 30 months in federal prison on that charge.
The charge of possession of cocaine with intent to distribute carries a maximum penalty of 20 years in prison and a $1 million fine. The count of being a felon being in possession of a firearm during a drug crime carries a penalty of five years in prison which must be served consecutively to the penalty for the drug crime, and a $250,000 fine. Sentencing is scheduled for July 7, 2020.
U.S. Attorney Carpenito credited the members of the FBI’s Organized Crime Task Force under the direction of Special Agent in Charge Gregory W. Ehrie in Newark; and investigators from the Ocean County Prosecutor’s Office, under the direction of Prosecutor Bradley D. Billhimer, with the investigation leading to today’s guilty plea.
The government is represented by Senior Litigation Counsel V. Grady O’Malley of the U.S. Attorney's Office’s Organized Crime/Gangs Unit in Newark.
Defense counsel: James Butler Esq.
Convicted Felon Indicted for Attempting to Purchase A FirearmRead the Press Release
Jacksonville, FL – United States Attorney Maria Chapa Lopez announces the return of an indictment charging Kelly Villalobos (49, Ponte Vedra) with making a false statement to a federally licensed firearms dealer. If convicted, Villalobos faces a maximum penalty of five years in federal prison.
According to the indictment, on January 26, 2010, Villalobos was convicted of two counts of stealing mail matter by a postal employee, a felony. She was sentenced to 3 years’ probation. On November 26, 2019, Villalobos entered Shooters of Jacksonville, a federally licensed firearms dealer, and attempted to purchase a firearm. Villalobos falsely stated on the ATF paperwork that she had never been convicted of a felony offense.
An indictment is merely a formal charge that a defendant has committed one or more violations of federal criminal law, and every defendant is presumed innocent unless, and until, proven guilty.
This case was investigated by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives. It will be prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Frank Talbot.
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.
This case is also part of Project Guardian, the Department of Justice’s signature initiative to reduce gun violence and enforce federal firearms laws. Initiated by the Attorney General in the fall of 2019, Project Guardian draws upon the Department’s past successful programs to reduce gun violence and enhances coordination of federal, state, local, and tribal authorities in investigating and prosecuting gun crimes. For more information on Project Guardian visit www.justice.gov/projectguardian.
Collin County Man Sentenced for Sending Threatening Social Media TextsRead the Press Release
PLANO, Texas – A 23-year-old Richardson, Texas man has been sentenced to prison for federal violations in the Eastern District of Texas announced U.S. Attorney Joseph D. Brown and FBI Special Agent in Charge Matthew J. DeSarno.
Rahul Ramesh Joshi pleaded guilty on Oct. 3, 2019 to sending threatening communications to injure another, in interstate commerce, and was sentenced to 48 months in federal prison by U.S. District Judge Amos Mazzant on March 6, 2020.
According to information presented in court, in December 2018, a federal law enforcement agent began investigating a complaint from a female Snapchat user. She allegedly received threatening messages on different messaging apps from several different users that all seemed to be connected. Further investigation revealed at least four confirmed victims in different states all receiving similar threatening messages. Joshi had lived in Michigan before attending the University of Texas and eventually moving to Richardson, Texas.
This case was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation’s Dallas Field Office, University of Pittsburgh Police Department, University of Texas Police Department, and Wellesley Police Department in Massachusetts.
Cleveland man admits to drug chargeRead the Press Release
WHEELING, WEST VIRGINIA – Anthony L. Jackson, of Cleveland, Ohio, has admitted to a drug charge, U.S. Attorney Bill Powell announced.
Jackson, also known as “Rob,” age 32, pled guilty to one count of “Possession with Intent to Distribute Heroin and Fentanyl.” Jackson admitted to having heroin and fentanyl in August 2017 in Hancock County.
Jackson faces up to 20 years incarceration and a fine of up to $1,000,000. Under the Federal Sentencing Guidelines, the actual sentence imposed will be based upon the seriousness of the offenses and the prior criminal history, if any, of the defendant.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Shawn M. Adkins is prosecuting the case on behalf of the government. The Hancock-Brooke-Weirton Drug & Violent Crimes Task Force, a HIDTA-funded initiative, investigated.
U.S. Magistrate Judge James P. Mazzone presided.
Cincinnati man convicted at trial of 8 drug, firearm charges sentenced to 35 years in prisonRead the Press Release
CINCINNATI – A Cincinnati man was sentenced in U.S. District Court today to 420 months in prison for distributing heroin and cocaine from a house in northeast Cincinnati, and for possessing firearms in furtherance of drug crimes.
Qian “Will” Williams, 39, was convicted by a jury following a weeklong trial in September 2019.
Testimony by witnesses and evidence presented during the trial showed that for approximately 15 months Williams distributed heroin and cocaine he obtained from sources in Indiana and elsewhere.
Task force officers executed search warrants at Williams’ property on Randomhill Drive in August 2017. They seized more than a kilogram of heroin, more than 100 grams of cocaine, drug paraphernalia including a kilogram press, six firearms including two handguns, large-capacity magazines, and ammunition. Agents also seized more than $80,000 in cash and jewelry while executing the search warrants.
A federal grand jury indicted and agents arrested Williams in October 2017. He has been in custody since his arrest.
David M. DeVillers, United States Attorney for the Southern District of Ohio; Keith Martin, Special Agent in Charge, Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA); Cincinnati Police Chief Eliot K. Isaac; and Boone County Sheriff Michael A. Helmig announced the sentence imposed by U.S. District Court Judge Michael R. Barrett. Criminal Chief Karl P. Kadon and Assistant United States Attorney Ebunoluwa Taiwo represented the United States in this case.
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Charleston Man Pleads Guilty to Federal Gun CrimesRead the Press Release
CHARLESTON, W.Va. – A Charleston man pled guilty to federal gun crimes today, announced United States Attorney Mike Stuart. John Miller, 23, pled guilty making a false statement during the purchase of a firearm, possession of a firearm by a prohibited person, possession of a firearm in a school zone, and discharge of a firearm in a school zone.
“Miller, a prohibited person, lied to get a gun. He then shot it near an elementary school during a drug deal,” said United States Attorney Mike Stuart. “We are working closely with ATF and state and local law enforcement to get those who pose a threat of violence to our communities off of our streets.”
On April 7, 2019, Miller went to Cabela’s near Corridor G in Charleston, which is a licensed firearm dealer, and purchased a Taurus G2C 9 mm pistol. Prior to purchasing the firearm, he checked “no” in response to a question on the DOJ ATF Firearms Transaction Record Form 4473 indicating he was not an unlawful user of and addicted to a controlled substance, but he knew that to be a false statement as he was an unlawful user of and addicted to marijuana. Shortly after purchasing the firearm, he took it within a distance of 1,000 feet of Mary C. Snow West Side Elementary School and discharged it during a drug deal.
Miller faces up to 20 years imprisonment on the false statement and felon in possession charges, and up to five years, to run consecutively, on the charges relating to possession and discharge of a firearm in a school zone. Miller is scheduled to be sentenced on June 1, 2020.
The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) and the Charleston Police Department conducted the investigation. United States District Judge Joseph R. Goodwin presided over the hearing. Assistant United States Attorneys Ryan A. Saunders and Negar M. Kordestani are handling the prosecution.
This case is being prosecuted as part of the Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN) program, the centerpiece of the Department of Justice’s violent crime reduction efforts. PSN is an evidence-based program proven to be effective at reducing violent crime. Through PSN, a broad spectrum of stakeholders work together to identify the most pressing violent crime problems in the community and develop comprehensive solutions to address them. As part of this strategy, PSN focuses enforcement efforts on the most violent offenders and partners with locally based prevention and reentry programs for lasting reductions in crime.
This case is also part of Project Guardian, the Department of Justice’s signature initiative to reduce gun violence and enforce federal firearms laws. Initiated by the Attorney General in the fall of 2019, Project Guardian draws upon the Department’s past successful programs to reduce gun violence; enhances coordination of federal, state, local, and tribal authorities in investigating and prosecuting gun crimes; improves information-sharing by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives when a prohibited individual attempts to purchase a firearm and is denied by the National Instant Criminal Background Check System (NICS), to include taking appropriate actions when a prospective purchaser is denied by the NICS for mental health reasons; and ensures that federal resources are directed at the criminals posing the greatest threat to our communities. The United States Attorney’s Office has prosecuted this case with support from the Project Guardian partners listed above. For more information about Project Guardian, please see: https://www.justice.gov/projectguardian.
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Canadian National Who Conned U.S. Senior Citizens out of Money via ‘Grandparent Scam’ Sentenced to 41 months in Federal PrisonRead the Press Release
LOS ANGELES – A Canadian telemarketer was sentenced this morning to 41 months in federal prison for conning American senior citizens by impersonating their grandchildren over the telephone and asking for financial help to get the purportedly distressed relatives out of trouble in a foreign country.
Clifford Kirstein, 29, of Montreal, was sentenced by United States District Judge Cormac J. Carney, who also ordered Kirstein to pay $56,258 in restitution to eight victims.
Kirstein pleaded guilty in November to one count of wire fraud after being extradited from Canada in January 2019. Kirstein admitted in court that he and his co-conspirators contacted their elderly U.S. victims by telephone and fraudulently induced victims to send money by pretending to be a grandchild or some other relative who was in distress in a foreign nation.
As a result, frightened victims wired money as instructed to help their loved ones. The victims were directed to wire money via Western Union or MoneyGram, listing the grandchild, other relative or the name of the purported lawyer as the intended recipient.
When the victims wired the money, Kirstein and his co-conspirators converted the funds to cash as quickly as possible before the victims could discover that they had been fooled. On some occasions, Kirstein or his co-schemers called the victims again to solicit more money, falsely claiming that additional funds were needed by the grandchild or other relative to fully resolve the problem.
Canadian law enforcement executed a search warrant in 2012 at a Montreal apartment, where they found a fully operating telemarketing boiler room, a large amount of cash and a money counting machine. The individual rooms of the apartment were strewn with lead sheets, burner phones and calling cards, and the bathroom had been set up as an office with a chair in front of the sink.
“This scam was a heinous and cruel hoax, which involved threats of violence when victims did not cooperate,” prosecutors wrote in their sentencing memorandum. “[Kirstein] and his co-schemers stole not only the victims’ money, but terrified them and damaged their self-confidence.”
Kirstein admitted in his plea agreement that in February 2012 one of the scheme’s targeted victims was a Camarillo resident.
A federal grand jury charged Kirstein and four other Canadian nationals in July 2013 in a 25-count indictment alleging wire fraud. Co-conspirators Agiyl Kamaldin, 32, Mark El Bernachawy, 34, and Kelen Magael Buchan, 27, all of the Montreal area, pleaded guilty to criminal charges and received prison sentences after being extradited along with Kirstein in January 2019
The fifth defendant in this case – Peter Iacino, 31, also a Canadian national – is currently a fugitive.
The FBI, the United States Secret Service and the Royal Canadian Mounted Police investigated this matter. The Federal Trade Commission’s East Central Regional Office in Cleveland provided substantial assistance.
This case was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorneys Monica E. Tait and Kimberly D. Jaimez of the Major Frauds Section.
The U.S. Attorney’s Office in Los Angeles is one of six offices participating in the Transnational Elder Fraud Strike Force, a joint law enforcement effort that brings together the resources and expertise of federal law enforcement and non-governmental organizations to combat international fraud schemes that disproportionately affect American seniors. Last week, the Department of Justice announced that a coordinated elder fraud sweep resulted in charges against more than 400 defendants over the past year.
Baltimore Businessman Lance Lucas Pleads Guilty to Federal Honest Services Wire Fraud and Related ChargesRead the Press Release
Baltimore Maryland – United States Attorney for the District of Maryland Robert K. Hur announced today that Lance Andre Lucas, age 44, of Baltimore, Maryland, has pleaded guilty to federal honest services wire fraud and use of an interstate facility to carry on unlawful activity, also known as the Travel Act.
“Lance Lucas paid $42,500 to former Maryland Delegate Cheryl Glenn in exchange for official actions, to give his businesses an advantage,” said U.S. Attorney Robert K. Hur. “Legislative decisions should be made in the best interests of the public, not in exchange for bribes. The U.S. Attorney’s Office and the FBI will continue to hold accountable those who betray the public trust for their own greed.”
“As evident in today's plea, public corruption is not merely focused on persons holding public office, but extends to anyone attempting to leverage access to those with influence for personal benefit,” said Alfred Watson, Assistant Special Agent in Charge of the Baltimore Division of the FBI. “The FBI's pledge to the public is that we will seek to root out public corruption wherever it may be, no matter the person, position, or purpose.”
According to his plea agreement, Lance Lucas was an entrepreneur and businessman. He was employed by Company 1, which developed the Cyber Warrior Diversity Program curriculum to sell to institutions offering education and training to persons interested in cybersecurity professions. In addition, Lucas formed Non-Profit 1, to provide community Internet networks and computer instruction for children and adults. Lucas partnered with other individuals who were involved in businesses engaged in distributing or growing medical marijuana, including Company 2 and Company 3. Company 2 was awarded a Stage One license pre-approval for a medical marijuana dispensary license by the Natalie M. LaPrade Maryland Medical Cannabis Commission, and sought final approval from the Cannabis Commission. Company 3 applied for a medical marijuana growing license in May 2019.
Until her resignation on December 18, 2019, Cheryl Glenn was a Maryland State Delegate representing District 45, which covered portions of Baltimore.
As detailed in the plea agreement, from May 22, 2018 through July 30, 2019, Lucas paid Glenn $42,500, defrauding the citizens of Maryland of the right to her honest services by providing bribes in exchange for Glenn’s official actions. Specifically, Lucas paid bribes for Glenn to introduce legislation that included a provision requiring the award of contracts under the Cyber Warrior Diversity program to certain businesses that met specified criteria. Company 1 met the criteria specified in the initial draft of the bill, although that provision was removed in the final bill. Lucas also paid bribes to Glenn to help Company 2 to obtain final approval from the Cannabis Commission for a medical marijuana dispensary license. Finally, Lucas paid bribes to Glenn to assist him with the Cannabis Commission to ensure that Company 3’s application for a medical marijuana growing license was selected during the “double-blind” review process.
Lucas admitted that he wrote checks made out to Glenn personally, not to her campaign committee, and that he provided her with cash payments. Lucas made several statements that money was not an issue and that he would not leave anything to chance. Lucas also assured Glenn that they would not be caught and stated “I’m from Baltimore for real, for real Baltimore . . . This is the least illegal thing I’ve ever done. This is like patty-cake compared to the [expletive] in Baltimore City.”
Lucas faces a maximum sentence of 20 years in federal prison for honest services wire fraud and five years in federal prison for the Travel Act charge. Actual sentences for federal crimes are typically less than the maximum penalties. A federal district court judge will determine any sentence after taking into account the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors. U.S. District Judge Catherine C. Blake has scheduled sentencing for June 10, 2020, at 9:30 a.m.
United States Attorney Robert K. Hur commended the FBI for its work in the investigation. Mr. Hur thanked Assistant U.S. Attorneys Derek E. Hines and Leo J. Wise, who are prosecuting the case.
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Assistant U.S. Attorney Darcie N. McElwee Inducted into American College of Trial LawyersRead the Press Release
Portland, Maine: Assistant U.S. Attorney Darcie N. McElwee was inducted as a Fellow of the American College of Trial Lawyers, one of the premier legal associations in the country, U.S. Attorney Halsey B. Frank announced.
The induction ceremony at which McElwee became a Fellow took place on March 7 in Tucson, Arizona.
McElwee’s induction with three other new inductees from Maine brings the total membership of Maine lawyers in the College to just 27. She is the fourth female attorney in Maine to be selected for membership in the College, and she is the first Maine prosecutor to be selected.
Founded in 1950, the College is composed of the best of the trial bar from the U.S. and Canada. Fellowship in the College is extended by invitation only, and only after careful investigation, to those experienced trial lawyers who have mastered the art of advocacy and whose professional careers have been marked by the highest standards of ethical conduct, professionalism, civility and collegiality. Lawyers must have a minimum of 15 years trial experience before they can be considered for Fellowship. Membership in the College is limited to one percent of the lawyers in an individual state.
McElwee has been an Assistant U.S. Attorney since 2002. She is a member of the Maine Trial Lawyers Association and a past president of the Cumberland Bar Association. She has served on the adjunct faculty of the University of Maine School of Law and at the Maine Trial Lawyers College of Advocacy. She primarily prosecutes violent crime cases such as sex trafficking, interstate domestic violence and child sexual exploitation, as well as firearms and arson cases.
McElwee is a native of Caribou and a graduate of Bowdoin College and the University of Maine School of Law.
Alabama Salesman Pleads Guilty to Tax EvasionRead the Press Release
BIRMINGHAM, Ala. – A Hoover, Alabama, salesman and tax defier pleaded guilty on Friday to tax evasion, announced Principal Deputy Assistant Attorney General Richard E. Zuckerman of the Justice Department’s Tax Division, U.S. Attorney Jay E. Town and Acting Special Agent in Charge, IRS Criminal Investigation, Atlanta Field Office, Andrew Thornton, Jr.
According to court documents and statements made in court, Ivan Scott “Scott” Butler was an automobile industry consultant and sold automobile warranties as an independent salesman. In 1993, Butler stopped filing tax returns and attended tax defier meetings and purchased tax defier materials. Starting in 1998, Butler used several Nevada nominee corporations to receive his income. In around 1999, Butler moved hundreds of thousands of dollars, some in precious metals, to bank accounts in Switzerland and concealed his assets in offshore insurance policies held in the name of non-U.S. insurance providers, disguising his ownership of the funds. Such accounts, which generally are used as investment vehicles, are commonly known as “insurance wrappers.”
In 2014, Butler converted some of his insurance annuities into precious metals, which were shipped to Butler and another individual in the United States. Some of those precious metals were given to friends and family for safekeeping. In total, Butler caused a tax loss to the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) of $1,093,400.
“Those who attempt to defy the laws of the United States, and believe themselves to be above complying with their duties as tax payers, will quickly find that no one is above the law,” Town said. “The Department of Justice will continue to federally charge those who continue to do so.”
“At IRS Criminal Investigation, our top priority is protecting the integrity of our nation’s tax system,” Thornton said. “Today’s guilty plea should send a clear message that orchestrating a scheme to not file tax returns and conceal assets will result in your prosecution.”
U.S. District Judge Annemarie Carney Axon scheduled sentencing for June 24, 2020. At sentencing, Butler faces a maximum sentence of five years. Butler also faces a period of supervised release, restitution, and monetary penalties.
Principal Deputy Assistant Attorney General Zuckerman and U.S. Attorney Town commended special agents of IRS-Criminal Investigation, who conducted the investigation, and Senior Litigation Counsel Nanette Davis of the Tax Division and Assistant U.S. Attorneys Allison Garnett and Robin Mark, who are prosecuting the case.
Additional information about the Tax Division and its enforcement efforts may be found on the Division’s website.
Alabama Salesman Pleads Guilty to Tax EvasionRead the Press Release
A Hoover, Alabama, salesman and tax defier pleaded guilty Friday to tax evasion, announced Principal Deputy Assistant Attorney General Richard E. Zuckerman of the Justice Department’s Tax Division and U.S. Attorney Jay E. Town for the Northern District of Alabama.
According to court documents and statements made in court, Ivan Scott “Scott” Butler was an automobile industry consultant and sold automobile warranties as an independent salesman. In 1993, Butler stopped filing tax returns and attended tax defier meetings and purchased tax defier materials. Starting in 1998, Butler used several Nevada nominee corporations to receive his income. In or around 1999, Butler moved hundreds of thousands of dollars, some in precious metals, to bank accounts in Switzerland and concealed his assets in offshore insurance policies held in the name of non-U.S. insurance providers, disguising his ownership of the funds. Such accounts, which generally are used as investment vehicles, are commonly known as “insurance wrappers.”
In 2014, Butler converted some of his insurance annuities into precious metals, which were shipped to Butler and another individual in the United States. Some of those precious metals were given to friends and family for safekeeping. In total, Butler caused a tax loss to the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) of $1,093,400.
U.S. District Judge Annemarie Carney Axon scheduled sentencing for June 24, 2020. At sentencing, Butler faces a maximum sentence of five years. Butler also faces a period of supervised release, restitution, and monetary penalties.
Principal Deputy Assistant Attorney General Zuckerman and U.S. Attorney Town commended special agents of IRS-Criminal Investigation, who conducted the investigation, and Senior Litigation Counsel Nanette Davis of the Tax Division and Assistant U.S. Attorneys Allison Garnett and Robin Mark, who are prosecuting the case.
Additional information about the Tax Division and its enforcement efforts may be found on the Division’s website.
Afghani Woman Convicted of Lying to Obtain U.S. Citizenship, U.S. PassportRead the Press Release
An Afghani woman has been found guilty of repeatedly lying to immigration officials in order to obtain U.S. citizenship, announced U.S. Attorney for the Northern District of Texas Erin Nealy Cox.
Following a four day trial, a federal jury convicted Lilla Haiddar, 57, of two counts of false statement in applications for a passport and one count of unlawful procurement of naturalization.
According to evidence presented at trial, in May 2001, Ms. Haiddar – who was then using the name “Marufa Khashim Surgul” and a different date of birth – visited the U.S. Embassy in Tashkent, Uzbekistan and obtained a transit visa for herself and her two minor children that allowed them travel through New York City en route to Canada.
However, on June 3, 2001, Ms. Haiddar, still using the Surgul identity, landed in New York and stayed, never boarding the outbound flight to Canada as scheduled.
Two months later, in August 2001, Ms. Haiddar applied for asylum at the then Immigration and Naturalization Services (“INS”) asylum office in New York City.
From that day forward, Ms. Haiddar used the Haiddar identity and date of birth to obtain asylum from an Immigration Judge, to obtain lawful permanent resident status from United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (“USCIS”), and then ultimately United States citizenship from USCIS in October 2011.
During this ten year process, Ms. Haiddar, who would go on to become an employee of Prospect Airport Services at DFW International, never disclosed her Surgul identity, never disclosed she had received a transit visa to enter the U.S., and instead claimed she entered the U.S. by walking across the Texas/Mexico border.
Five days after being naturalized as a U.S. citizen, Ms. Haiddar, still using the Haiddar identity and date of birth, applied for and obtained a U.S. passport. In the passport application, Ms. Haiddar failed to disclose her Surgul identity.
The U.S. Department of State’s Diplomatic Security Service (DSS) uncovered the Surgul identity when the defendant sought to renew her passport three years early. (It was full due to her numerous trips to the Middle East and surrounding countries.) They also uncovered the fact that she’d originally traveled into the United States on the transit visa, but never left.
Ms. Haddair faces up to 30 years in prison and a fine of up to $750,000. Sentencing is set for July 6, 2020 before U.S. District Judge Barbara M.G. Lynn. Ms. Haiddar has been ordered detained pending sentencing.
DSS conducted the criminal investigation. United States Citizenship and Immigration Service and Immigration and Customs Enforcement with the U.S. Department of Homeland Security assisted. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Tiffany H. Eggers and Erica Hilliard are prosecuting the case.
Sunday 8 March 2020
Renner Woman Sentenced for Bank FraudRead the Press Release
United States Attorney Ron Parsons announced that a Renner, South Dakota, woman convicted of Bank Fraud was sentenced on March 2, 2020, by U.S. District Judge Karen E. Schreier.
Tessa Crawford, age 24, was sentenced to 2 months in federal prison, followed by 4 years of supervised release, restitution in the amount of $3,877.92, and a special assessment to the Federal Crime Victims Fund in the amount of $100.
Crawford was indicted by a federal grand jury on October 8, 2019. She pled guilty on December 2, 2019.
The conviction stemmed from incidents beginning on or about November 8, 2017, and continuing through on or about February 14, 2018, when Crawford, along with others, knowingly executed and attempted to execute a scheme and artifice to defraud financial institutions by obtaining money, funds, credits, assets, securities, and other property owned by, and under the custody and control of, the financial institutions, by means of false or fraudulent pretenses, representations, and promises.
Crawford stole several legitimate checks from the unsecured mailboxes of various individuals in the Sioux Falls area. Crawford then “washed” the checks by using chemicals to remove some of the original handwritten ink and altered the payee and the amount sections of the checks. She then negotiated the checks and attempted to negotiate the checks for her own purpose and benefit, and recruited others to negotiate the checks and attempt to negotiate the checks on her behalf.
This case was investigated by the U.S. Postal Inspection Service. Assistant U.S. Attorney Ann M. Hoffman prosecuted the case.
Crawford was immediately turned over to the custody of the U.S. Marshals Service.
Rapid City Man Sentenced to Two Years in Prison for Abusive Sexual ContactRead the Press Release
United States Attorney Ron Parsons announced that a Rapid City, South Dakota, man convicted of Abusive Sexual Contact was sentenced by Jeffrey L. Viken, U.S. District Judge.
Ira Little Bear, age 29, was sentenced on February 24, 2020, to 2 years in federal prison, followed by 5 years of supervised release, and ordered to pay a $100 special assessment to the Federal Crime Victims Fund.
Little Bear was indicted by a federal grand jury in July 2019.
This case was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation. Assistant U.S. Attorney Megan Poppen prosecuted the case.
Little Bear was immediately turned over to the custody of the U.S. Marshals Service.
Rapid City Man Sentenced for Illegal Possession of FirearmRead the Press Release
United States Attorney Ron Parsons announced that a Rapid City, South Dakota, man convicted of Possession of a Firearm by a Prohibited Person was sentenced by Jeffrey L. Viken, U.S. District Judge.
Wanbli Morris, age 34, was sentenced on February 28, 2020, to 6 years in federal prison, followed by 3 years of supervised release, and was ordered to pay a $100 special assessment to the Federal Crime Victims Fund.
The conviction stems from Morris, a previously convicted felon who is prohibited from possessing firearms, unlawfully being in possession of a stolen Hi-Point 9mm semi-automatic pistol, which he forcibly took from a sales clerk while robbing a Rapid City Fresh Start convenience store in April 2019.
This case is part of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), a program bringing together all levels of law enforcement and the communities they serve to reduce violent crime and make our neighborhoods safer for everyone. The Department of Justice reinvigorated PSN in 2017 as part of its renewed focus on targeting violent criminals, directing all U.S. Attorney’s Offices to work in partnership with federal, state, local, and tribal law enforcement and local communities to develop effective, locally-based strategies to reduce violent crime.
This case is also part of Project Guardian, the Department of Justice’s signature initiative to reduce gun violence and enforce federal firearms laws. Initiated by the Attorney General in the fall of 2019, Project Guardian draws upon the Department’s past successful programs to reduce gun violence; enhances coordination of federal, state, local, and tribal authorities in investigating and prosecuting gun crimes; improves information-sharing by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives when a prohibited individual attempts to purchase a firearm and is denied by the National Instant Criminal Background Check System (NICS), to include taking appropriate actions when a prospective purchaser is denied by the NICS for mental health reasons; and ensures that federal resources are directed at the criminals posing the greatest threat to our communities. For more information about Project Guardian, please see: https://www.justice.gov/projectguardian.
The investigation was conducted by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives and the Rapid City Police Department. Assistant U.S. Attorney Benjamin Patterson prosecuted the case.
Morris was immediately remanded to the custody of the U.S. Marshals Service.
Rapid City Man Sentenced for Illegal Possession of FirearmRead the Press Release
United States Attorney Ron Parsons announced that a Rapid City, South Dakota, man convicted of Possession of a Firearm by a Prohibited Person was sentenced by Jeffrey L. Viken, U.S. District Judge.
Joseph Marr, age 26, was sentenced on February 28, 2020, to 4 years in federal prison, followed by 3 years of supervised release, and was ordered to pay a $100 special assessment to the Federal Crime Victims Fund.
The conviction stems from Marr, a previously convicted felon who is prohibited from possessing firearms, being in possession of a loaded Smith & Wesson 9 mm pistol after taking law enforcement on a high speed chase reaching 100 miles per hour.
This case is part of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), a program bringing together all levels of law enforcement and the communities they serve to reduce violent crime and make our neighborhoods safer for everyone. The Department of Justice reinvigorated PSN in 2017 as part of its renewed focus on targeting violent criminals, directing all U.S. Attorney’s Offices to work in partnership with federal, state, local, and tribal law enforcement and local communities to develop effective, locally-based strategies to reduce violent crime.
This case is also part of Project Guardian, the Department of Justice’s signature initiative to reduce gun violence and enforce federal firearms laws. Initiated by the Attorney General in the fall of 2019, Project Guardian draws upon the Department’s past successful programs to reduce gun violence; enhances coordination of federal, state, local, and tribal authorities in investigating and prosecuting gun crimes; improves information-sharing by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives when a prohibited individual attempts to purchase a firearm and is denied by the National Instant Criminal Background Check System (NICS), to include taking appropriate actions when a prospective purchaser is denied by the NICS for mental health reasons; and ensures that federal resources are directed at the criminals posing the greatest threat to our communities. For more information about Project Guardian, please see: https://www.justice.gov/projectguardian.
The investigation was conducted by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives and the Rapid City Police Department. Assistant U.S. Attorney Benjamin Patterson prosecuted the case.
Marr was immediately remanded to the custody of the U.S. Marshals Service.
Rapid City Man Sentenced for Illegal Possession of AmmunitionRead the Press Release
United States Attorney Ron Parsons announced that a Rapid City, South Dakota, man convicted of Possession of Ammunition by a Prohibited Person was sentenced by Jeffrey L. Viken, U.S. District Judge.
John Dethlefs, age 52, was sentenced on February 28, 2020, to time served, 2 years of supervised release, and was ordered to pay a $100 special assessment to the Federal Crime Victims Fund.
The conviction stems from Dethlefs, a previously convicted felon who is prohibited from possessing ammunition, unlawfully possessing multiple types of ammunition in September 2016 at Rapid City, which was found after law enforcement executed a search warrant on Dethlefs’ residence.
This case is part of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), a program bringing together all levels of law enforcement and the communities they serve to reduce violent crime and make our neighborhoods safer for everyone. The Department of Justice reinvigorated PSN in 2017 as part of its renewed focus on targeting violent criminals, directing all U.S. Attorney’s Offices to work in partnership with federal, state, local, and tribal law enforcement and local communities to develop effective, locally-based strategies to reduce violent crime.
This case is also part of Project Guardian, the Department of Justice’s signature initiative to reduce gun violence and enforce federal firearms laws. Initiated by the Attorney General in the fall of 2019, Project Guardian draws upon the Department’s past successful programs to reduce gun violence; enhances coordination of federal, state, local, and tribal authorities in investigating and prosecuting gun crimes; improves information-sharing by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives when a prohibited individual attempts to purchase a firearm and is denied by the National Instant Criminal Background Check System (NICS), to include taking appropriate actions when a prospective purchaser is denied by the NICS for mental health reasons; and ensures that federal resources are directed at the criminals posing the greatest threat to our communities. For more information about Project Guardian, please see: https://www.justice.gov/projectguardian.
The investigation was conducted by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives and the Rapid City Police Department. Assistant U.S. Attorney Benjamin Patterson prosecuted the case.
Pierre Man Charged with Assaulting Federal OfficersRead the Press Release
United States Attorney Ron Parsons announced that a Pierre, South Dakota, man has been indicted by a federal grand jury for Assaulting, Resisting, and Impeding a Federal Officer and Influencing a Federal Officer by Threat.
Richard Barela, age 28, was indicted on February 11, 2020. He appeared before U.S. Magistrate Judge Mark A. Moreno on March 4, 2020, and pled not guilty to the Indictment.
The maximum penalty upon conviction is up to 20 years in federal prison and/or a $250,000 fine, 3 years of supervised release, and $100 to the Federal Crime Victims Fund. Restitution may also be ordered.
The Indictment alleges that on January 14, 2020, Barela did forcibly assault, resist, oppose, impede, intimidate, and interfere with U.S. Marshals by using a knife, while the U.S. Marshals were engaged in the performance of their official duties. The Indictment further alleges that during the incident, Barela threatened to murder the U.S. Marshals.
The charges are merely accusations and Barela is presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty.
The investigation is being conducted by the Federal Bureau of Investigation and the Pierre Police Department. Assistant U.S. Attorney Kirsten Jasper is prosecuting the case.
Barela was remanded to the custody of the U.S. Marshals Service pending trial. A trial date has not been set.
Parker Man Indicted on Firearm ChargeRead the Press Release
United States Attorney Ron Parsons announced that a Parker, South Dakota, man has been indicted by a federal grand jury for Possession of a Firearm by a Prohibited Person.
Rollin Lee Dollens, age 52, was indicted on February 11, 2020. He appeared before U.S. Magistrate Judge William D. Gerdes on March 2, 2020, and pled not guilty to the Indictment.
The maximum penalty upon conviction is 10 years in federal prison and/or a $250,000 fine, 3 years of supervised release, and $100 to the Federal Crime Victims Fund. Restitution may also be ordered.
The Indictment alleges that on September 16, 2019, Dollens, knowingly being an unlawful user of and addicted to a controlled substance, knowingly possessed a firearm in Corson County, South Dakota.
The charge is merely an accusation and Dollens is presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty.
The investigation is being conducted by the Northern Plains Safe Trails Drug Enforcement Task Force and the Corson County Sheriff’s Office. Assistant U.S. Attorney Cameron J. Cook is prosecuting the case.
Dollens was released on bond pending trial. A trial date has not been set.
California Man Sentenced to 14 Years for Conspiracy to Distribute MethamphetamineRead the Press Release
United States Attorney Ron Parsons announced that a Yuba City, California, man who was convicted at a federal jury trial in October 2019 of Conspiracy to Distribute a Controlled Substance was sentenced on February 28, 2020, by U.S. District Court Judge Jeffrey L. Viken.
Juan Porcayo, age 49, was sentenced to a total of 14 years in federal prison, followed by 5 years of supervised release, and a $100 special assessment to the Federal Crime Victims Fund.
From approximately January 2016 to September 2017, while living in California, Porcayo supplied approximately 10 kilograms of methamphetamine to persons in Rapid City, South Dakota, for distribution.
This case was investigated by the Department of Homeland Security and the Unified Narcotics Enforcement Team, which is comprised of investigators from the South Dakota Division of Criminal Investigation, Pennington County Sheriff’s Office, Rapid City Police Department, and the South Dakota Highway Patrol. Assistant U.S. Attorney Kathryn N. Rich prosecuted the case.
Porcayo was immediately returned to the custody of the U.S. Marshals Service.
California Man Facing Charges of Conspiracy to Distribute Meth in South DakotaRead the Press Release
United States Attorney Ron Parsons announced that a San Jose, California, man has been indicted by a federal grand jury for Conspiracy to Distribute a Controlled Substance.
Michael George Sequeira, age 35, was indicted on December 17, 2019. He appeared before U.S. Magistrate Judge Veronica L. Duffy on March 2, 2020, and pled not guilty to the Indictment.
The maximum penalty upon conviction is up to life in federal prison and/or a $10 million fine, life of supervised release, and $100 to the Federal Crime Victims Fund. Restitution may also be ordered.
Beginning on an unknown date and continuing until on or about the date of this Indictment, in the District of South Dakota and elsewhere, Michael George Sequeira, did knowingly and intentionally combine, conspire, confederate, and agree together, with others known and unknown, to knowingly and intentionally distribute a mixture and substance containing 500 grams or more of methamphetamine, a Schedule II controlled substance, in violation of 21 U.S.C. §§ 841(a)(1) and 846.
The charge is merely an accusation and Sequeira is presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty.
The investigation is being conducted by the United States Postal Inspection Service and the Sioux Falls Area Drug Task Force. Assistant U.S. Attorney Jennifer D. Mammenga is prosecuting the case.
Sequeira was remanded to the custody of the U.S. Marshals Service pending trial. A trial date has not been set.