Latest Records
Newest first across public DOJ and U.S. Attorney press releases.
18 May 2020
Attorney General William P. Barr on the Nomination of Justin E. Herdman to Serve as U.S. Attorney for the District of Columbia and the Designation of Timothy J. Shea to Serve as Acting Administrator for the DEARead the Press Release
The President today declared his intent to nominate Justin E. Herdman, who currently serves as the United States Attorney for the Northern District of Ohio, to become the next United States Attorney for the District of Columbia. Concurrent with that decision, Attorney General William P. Barr also announced a number of key leadership changes at the Department of Justice.
Timothy J. Shea, the current U.S. Attorney for the District of Columbia, will be designated Acting Administrator for the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA). After almost two years of heading the DEA, Uttam Dhillon will assume a senior leadership role within the Department. Effective May 19, Michael Sherwin, who is currently the Principal Assistant United States Attorney for the District of Columbia, will serve as Acting United States Attorney, pursuant to 5 U.S.C. § 3345(a)(1). While Mr. Sherwin is the Acting U.S Attorney, Kenneth Kohl will perform the functions and duties of the Principal Assistant United States Attorney.
“I am pleased that the President has chosen Justin Herdman as the nominee to be the next United States Attorney for the District of Columbia. Justin has taken an increasing role in the leadership of the Department, and this nomination is a reflection of his sharp intellect, sound judgment, and dedication to the mission of the Department of Justice,” said Attorney General William P. Barr. “Justin has proven himself to be a fair prosecutor, capable litigator, and excellent manager, and I look forward to his confirmation by the Senate for this important position. I would also like to express my gratitude to Tim Shea, who has served as the United States Attorney since February 2020. I look forward to working with him as he assumes the role of Acting Administrator of the Drug Enforcement Administration. I would also like to thank Uttam Dhillon for his service as the Acting Administrator. Throughout his tenure, Uttam has proven to be a great colleague and a dedicated and thoughtful leader. I look forward to working with him as he assumes a senior leadership role in the Department.”
Attorney General William P. Barr and FBI Director Christopher Wray Announce Significant Developments in the Investigation of the Naval Air Station Pensacola ShootingRead the Press Release
Today, Attorney General William P. Barr and FBI Director Christopher Wray announced significant developments in the FBI’s investigation of the December 6, 2019 shooting at Naval Air Station Pensacola that killed three U.S. sailors and severely wounded eight other Americans. On January 13, 2020, Attorney General Barr announced that the shooting was an act of terrorism and publicly asked Apple to help the FBI access the locked contents of two iPhones belonging to the deceased terrorist Mohammed Saeed Alshamrani. The company declined to do so.
Attorney General Barr announced that the FBI recently succeeded in unlocking the phones of Alshamrani, who had attempted to destroy them while launching his attack. The phones contained important, previously-unknown information that definitively established Alshamrani’s significant ties to Al Qaeda in the Arabian Peninsula (AQAP), not only before the attack, but before he even arrived in the United States. The FBI now has a clearer understanding of Alshamrani’s associations and activities in the years, months, and days leading up to the attack.
“Thanks to the great work of the FBI – and no thanks to Apple – we were able to unlock Alshamrani’s phones,” said Attorney General Barr. “The trove of information found on these phones has proven to be invaluable to this ongoing investigation and critical to the security of the American people. However, if not for our FBI’s ingenuity, some luck, and hours upon hours of time and resources, this information would have remained undiscovered. The bottom line: our national security cannot remain in the hands of big corporations who put dollars over lawful access and public safety. The time has come for a legislative solution.”
“I could not be prouder of the relentless dedication of the men and women at the FBI who worked for months under difficult conditions to access these devices,” said Director Wray. “Their skill and persistence, and the sustained investigative efforts by FBI Jacksonville, the FBI’s Counterterrorism Division, and our many other federal, state, and local partners, have been nothing short of extraordinary in this case. As we continue to seek answers around the December 6th terrorist attack that killed three American service members and wounded others, I want their families, and all Americans, to know that protecting the United States from those who seek to do us harm remains the FBI’s foremost priority. Our work against the threat of terrorism never rests.”
Investigators sought and received court authorization to search the contents of Alshamrani’s iPhones within one day of the December 6, 2019 terrorist attack. Unable to unlock the phones because of their security features, and having exhausted all readily available options, the FBI approached Apple for its assistance in early January 2020. The company declined to assist. FBI technical experts succeeded in accessing the phones’ contents over four months after the attack, revealing highly-significant evidence, including:
- Alshamrani and his AQAP associates communicated using end-to-end encrypted apps, with warrant-proof encryption, deliberately in order to evade law enforcement.
- Alshamrani’s preparations for terror began years ago. He had been radicalized by 2015, and having connected and associated with AQAP operatives, joined the Royal Saudi Air Force in order to carry out a “special operation.”
- In the months before the December 6, 2019 attack, while in the United States, Alshamrani had specific conversations with overseas AQAP associates about plans and tactics. In fact, he was communicating with AQAP right up until the attack, and conferred with his associates until the night before he undertook the murders.
The evidence derived from Alshamrani’s unlocked phones has already proven useful in protecting the American people. In particular, a counterterrorism operation targeting AQAP operative Abdullah al-Maliki, one of Alshamrani’s overseas associates, was recently conducted in Yemen.
Attorney General William P. Barr Will Appoint Jeffrey Ragsdale to Head Office of Professional ResponsibilityRead the Press Release
Attorney General William P. Barr will appoint Jeffrey Ragsdale as the head of the Office of Professional Responsibility (OPR). The appointment will be effective tomorrow. Mr. Ragsdale will replace Corey Amundson, who became Chief of the Public Integrity Section in September. Mr. Ragsdale has been serving as acting head of OPR since September.
As the head of the OPR, Mr. Ragsdale will lead a component of the U.S. Department of Justice that investigates misconduct allegations against Department attorneys, immigration judges, and law enforcement agents. He is the fifth permanent head since the office was founded.
“The Office of Professional Responsibilities is instrumental in ensuring that the Department of Justice conducts itself in accord with the highest professional standards,” said Attorney General William P. Barr. “I am pleased to announce that Jeffrey Ragsdale will be its new Director and Chief Counsel. Jeff has shown throughout his career at the Department that he is a dedicated public servant who knows the importance of the rule of law as well as our ethical responsibilities as the attorneys representing the United States.”
Mr. Ragsdale has served as the Principal Deputy Director and Deputy Counsel for the Office of Professional since September 2016. He is currently the Acting Director and Chief Counsel. Prior to joining OPR, he served as an assistant United States Attorney for the District of Columbia for 29 years, during which time he tried a large number of cases, including homicides and complex narcotics case.
Mr. Ragsdale also served as a manager and supervised numerous litigation sections in both the Superior Court and Criminal Divisions, including serving as the chief of the Homicide Section for eight years. Prior to joining the U.S. Attorney’s Office, he served as a state prosecutor in Virginia for five years.
Mr. Ragsdale has a B.A. from West Virginia Wesleyan College and a J.D. from the University of Cincinnati. He is a member of the Virginia and District of Columbia bars
15 May 2020
United States Attorney’s Office Honors Law Enforcement Personnel for Exceptional ServiceRead the Press Release
BOSTON – United States Attorney Andrew E. Lelling recognized National Police Week by announcing the recipients of the Annual 2020 Law Enforcement Awards. Over 130 federal, state and local law enforcement personnel who contributed to the success of federal cases during the 2019 calendar year are being recognized for their commitment to pursuing justice and public safety.
These awards recognize the outstanding collaboration, investigative achievement and excellence, victim assistance, community engagement and bravery of agents, troopers, officers, investigators and others who work every day to keep the District of Massachusetts safe. Each year the U.S. Attorney in Massachusetts holds a formal ceremony during National Police Week to honor award recipients; however, due to ongoing pandemic, this year’s event has been postponed.
“The Annual Law Enforcement Awards are an opportunity to recognize and thank the law enforcement professionals who make it possible for cases to be investigated and prosecuted each year,” said U.S. Attorney Lelling. “These awards acknowledge those who take on tough cases – tackle the hardest problems – and do so with professionalism and integrity. Due to COVID-19, our ceremony will look a little different this year, but the sentiment remains the same and is amplified by our gratitude to the law enforcement officers risking their lives to keep us safe during this pandemic.”
The category of Investigative Excellence Award recognizes individuals whose actions led to the arrest of a dangerous subject or the exposure of a significant criminal conspiracy. Recipients in two cases also received the Victim Service Award for extraordinary assistance to victims of a federal crime. The following cases and agencies were honored:
U.S. v. Jean Leonard Teganya
Recipient: Homeland Security Investigations
U.S. v. John Nardozzi
Recipients: Federal Bureau of Investigation, Internal Revenue Service’s Criminal Investigative Service
U.S. v. Michael Babich
*Victim Service Award
Recipients: Drug Enforcement Administration; Defense Criminal Investigative Service; U.S. Department of Labor, Employee Benefits Security Administration; Federal Bureau of Investigation; U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Office of Inspector General; U.S. Food and Drug Administration, Office of Criminal Investigations; Office of Personnel Management, Office of Inspector General; U.S. Postal Inspection Service; U.S. Postal Service, Office of Inspector General; U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, Office of Inspector General
U.S. v. Reginald Abraham
*Victim Service Award
Recipients: Federal Bureau of Investigation, Homeland Security Investigations
U.S. v. Addison Choi
Recipient: Federal Bureau of Investigation
The Investigative Achievement Award is reserved for those who substantially contributed to the mission of the U.S. Attorney’s Office and the Department of Justice. Recipients in one case also received the Victim Service Award. The following cases and agencies were honored:
Co-Pay Investigations
Recipients: Federal Bureau of Investigation; U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Office of Inspector General; U.S. Postal Inspection Service; U.S. Department of Veteran’s Affairs, Office of Inspector General
U.S. v. Vinh Q. Huynh, et al.
Recipients: Boston Police Department; Federal Bureau of Investigation; Massachusetts State Police; Quincy Police Department
U.S. v. Michael Lee & U.S. v. Richard Silvestri
Recipient: Federal Bureau of Investigation
U.S. v. Christopher Roeder
*Victim Service Award
Recipient: Federal Bureau of Investigation
U.S. v. Michael Chapman
Recipients: Federal Bureau of Investigation; Homeland Security Investigations; Worcester Police Department
The category of Exceptional Contributions to a Federal Investigation/Prosecution Award recognizes those whose actions significantly impacted law enforcement’s ability to arrest, apprehend and prosecute a subject of a federal investigation; rescue and respond to victims; develop cooperating witnesses; or identify critical intelligence. The following cases and agencies were honored:
U.S. v. Kenneth Brissette & U.S. v. Timothy Sullivan
Recipients: U.S. Department of Labor, Office of Inspector General, Federal Bureau of InvestigationU.S. v. Clarance Jones, et al.
Recipients: Internal Revenue Service, Criminal Investigations, Massachusetts State Police
U.S. v. Fathallah Mashali & U.S. v. Moustafa Aboshady
Recipients: Drug Enforcement Administration; Federal Bureau of Investigation; U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Office of Inspector General; Insurance Fraud Bureau of Massachusetts; Internal Revenue Service, Criminal Investigations; Marshfield Police Department; Massachusetts State Police
U.S. v. Daniel Gibson
Recipients: Internal Revenue Service, Criminal Investigations, Internal Revenue Service, Special Enforcement Programs
The Exceptional Bravery Award is reserved for those whose actions showed such concern for others that the recipient’s own safety was in jeopardy while assisting the victim of a federal crime or in the apprehension of a suspect of a federal investigation. The following case and agency was honored:
U.S. v. Dwayne Leaston-Brown
Recipient: Boston Police Department
The Outstanding Collaborative Award recognizes investigators from a multi-agency collaboration whose exceptional efforts to overcome significant challenges led to a successful conclusion. The following cases and agencies were honored:
Document Benefit Fraud Task Force’s Stolen Identity Initiative
Recipients: U.S. Department of Labor, Office of Inspector General; U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Office of Inspector General; Homeland Security Investigations; U.S. Department of State, Diplomatic Security Service
U.S. v. Erasmo Alexis De Garcia Catillo, et al.
Recipients: Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives; Drug Enforcement Administration; Framingham Police Department; Massachusetts State Police
U.S. v. Ludemis Bonculescu, et al.
Recipients: Braintree Police Department; U.S. Customs and Border Protection; Chatham County (N.C.) Sheriff’s Department; Chicago Police Department; Connecticut State Police; Federal Bureau of Investigation; Greenwich (Conn.) Police Department; Houston (Texas) Police Department; Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department; Massachusetts State Police; Norfolk County Sheriff’s Office; Financial Crimes Task Force, New York Police Department; Richland County (S.C.) Sheriff’s Department; South Carolina Law Enforcement Division; U.S. Secret Service; Waltham Police Department
The category of Excellence in Community Outreach and Prevention Award recognizes individuals, or a team of individuals, who have shown outstanding commitment and/or innovation in the area of law enforcement and community outreach to include training, relationship building, prevention programs and other similar activities. The following programs and agencies were honored:
Project Safe Childhood
Recipients: Federal Bureau of Investigation, Longmeadow Police Department
Project Safe Neighborhood – Western Massachusetts
Recipients: Greater Holyoke YMCA; Hampden County Sheriff’s Office; Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame; Westover Job Corps
Sexual Harassment in Housing Initiative
Recipient: LIFT – Living in Freedom Together
U.S. Attorney’s Office and FBI Partner with AARP to Protect Alaskans from COVID-19 FraudRead the Press Release
Anchorage, Alaska – On Monday, May 18, the U.S. Attorney’s Office and the FBI will participate in a statewide telephone town hall, hosted by AARP, to protect Alaskans from COVID-19 fraud. Together, the two offices will share resources and take questions to prevent Alaskans from falling victim to scams and other schemes attempting to exploit the COVID-19 pandemic.
The panelists in the telephone town hall include Bryan Schroder, the U.S. Attorney for the District of Alaska; Ryan Tansey, Assistant U.S. Attorney for the District of Alaska; and Chris Gonzalez, Special Agent with the FBI Anchorage Field Office. The discussion will focus on COVID-19 scams, fraud identification, and prevention. Event details:
- Date: Monday, May 18, 2020
- Time: 1:00 p.m. AKDT
- To participate:
- Register to be called at vekeo.com/aarpalaska, or
- Call (855) 286-0294.
- The event will also stream at facebook.com/aarpak.
- After the event, a recording will be available at vekeo.com/aarpalaska.
“The U.S. Attorney’s Office will not tolerate any shameful exploitation of the global health pandemic, and will take swift action to bring these fraudsters to justice,” said Bryan Schroder, U.S. Attorney for the District of Alaska. “This joint effort highlights the importance of collaboration with our law enforcement partners and public service organizations, as we continue to protect Alaskans from these schemes.”
“Despite the challenging times we are all navigating, certain things remain the same, scammers are still doing everything they can to defraud people of their hard-earned money and the FBI is doing everything we can to ensure they don’t succeed,” said Robert Britt, Special Agent in Charge of FBI’s Anchorage Field Office. “We are proud to partner with the U.S. Attorney’s Office and the AARP to bring important information to the public in our effort to prevent members of our community from falling victim to these schemes.”
“For over 60 years, AARP has promoted the health and well-being of older Americans including their financial well-being. We’re pleased to be able to bring this empowering information to Alaskans so they can take steps to protect themselves and their loved ones,” said Teresa Holt, AARP Alaska State Director. “If you can spot a scam, you can stop a scam.”
From Jan. 1-April 15, the Federal Trade Commission received more than 18,000 COVID-19-related fraud reports, and people reported losing $13.44 million dollars.
Scammers have already devised numerous methods for defrauding people in connection with COVID-19. Scammers are setting up websites, contacting people by phone and email, and posting disinformation on social media platforms. In particular, U.S. Attorney Schroder and Special Agent in Charge Britt encourage Alaskans to be on the lookout for:
- Individuals and businesses selling fake cures for COVID-19 online and engaging in other forms of fraud.
- Phishing emails from entities posing as the World Health Organization or the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
- Malicious websites and apps that appear to share Coronavirus-related information to gain and lock access to your devices until payment is received.
- Seeking donations fraudulently for illegitimate or non-existent charitable organizations.
- Medical providers obtaining patient information for COVID-19 testing and then using that information to fraudulently bill for other tests and procedures.
If you or someone you know have been the victim of COVID-19 related fraud, please report it to the Department of Justice’s National Center for Disaster Fraud by calling the National Hotline at (866) 720-5721 or by via the NCDF Web Complaint Form. You can also report it to the FBI at tips.fbi.gov, or if it’s a cyber scam, you can submit your complaint to https://www.ic3.gov.
Unsure if something’s a scam? Alaskans can call AARP’s Fraud Watch Network toll-free, (877) 908-3360, to talk over questionable calls or emails. They can also find tip sheets and sign up for fraud alerts at the Fraud Watch Network site, aarp.org/fraud. The service is free and open to all; you don’t have to be an AARP member.
To find out more about Department of Justice resources and information, please visit: www.justice.gov/coronavirus. AARP has resources and information at aarp.org/coronavirus, including on caregiving, tax tips, resources specifically for veterans and military families, and Community Connections, where Alaskans can create mutual aid groups and sign up to receive a call from a friendly voice.
U.S. Attorney: Public Can Listen by Phone to Sentencing in Atchison Chlorine Gas CaseRead the Press Release
TOPEKA, KAN. – A phone line will be in operation for the public to listen to the federal sentencing scheduled for May 27 in the Atchison Clean Air Act case, U.S. Attorney Stephen McAllister said today.
During the hearing, a federal judge will sentence Harcros Chemicals, Inc., and MGP Ingredients Inc., both of which have pleaded guilty to violating the federal Clean Air Act when a cloud of toxic chlorine gas was released over Atchison, Kan., in 2016.
The hearing is set for 1:30 p.m. in room 401 of the Frank Carlson Federal Building at 444 S.E. Quincy St. in Topeka before U.S. District Judge Daniel D. Crabtree. Anyone affected by the gas release over Atchison, Kan., in 2016 who is planning to attend the sentencing in person should email [email protected] or call 913-551-6543 by 11:59 p.m., May 19, 2020.
To listen to the hearing by phone, call 1-888-363-4749 and enter access code 8354715#. The line will allow listening only and participants should mute their telephones. Rules of the court prohibit recording or rebroadcasting the proceedings.
More information about the case is available at https://www.justice.gov/usao-ks/victim-witness .
U.S. Attorney Trent Shores Announces $40,210 Award to Address COVID-19 Pandemic-Related Law Enforcement Needs in Broken ArrowRead the Press Release
U.S. Attorney Trent Shores of the Northern District of Oklahoma today announced that the Broken Arrow Police Department received $40,210 in Department of Justice grants to respond to the public safety challenges posed by the outbreak of COVID-19.
“The men and women of the Broken Arrow Police Department shoulder a great responsibility in carrying out their sworn duty to protect and serve. At no time has that been truer than during this public health crisis when BA police officers continue to answer the call whenever and wherever they are needed,” said U.S. Attorney Trent Shores. “I will do everything in my power as United States Attorney to protect and support America’s guardians of justice. I am hopeful this $40,000 from the Justice Department will help Broken Arrow police officers in their public safety duties while also ensuring their own health and safety. I also encourage all of our local law enforcement agencies to apply for these critical grants from the Department of Justice. I will support each and every application from a northeastern Oklahoma law enforcement agency.”
“This grant goes a long way to help protect our first responders. The support from the U.S. Attorney’s Office is greatly appreciated by the Broken Arrow Police Department,” said Broken Arrow Police Chief Brandon Berryhill. “This grant has made it possible for our department to purchase personal protective equipment to ensure the health and safety of those on the front lines. On behalf of the Broken Arrow Police Department and the citizens we serve, I thank you.”
The grant awarded to the Broken Arrow Police Department is available under the Coronavirus Emergency Supplemental Funding program, authorized by the recent stimulus legislation signed by President Donald Trump. In addition, $3,866,386 has been allocated for local jurisdictions in Oklahoma. Those jurisdictions can find out if they are eligible and apply immediately by visiting this website. The Justice Department is moving quickly, awarding grants on a rolling basis and aiming to have funds available for drawdown as soon as possible after receiving applications.
Also, in April 2020, the Oklahoma District Attorneys Council received a $7,752,847 grant from the Coronavirus Emergency Supplemental Funding program. The grant to the Oklahoma District Attorneys Council will provide funding to assist eligible public safety/criminal justice state, county, local and tribal units of government as well as victim-services non-profit agencies. For further information about the Oklahoma District Attorneys Council grant, please visit here.
“The outbreak of COVID-19 and the public health emergency it created are sobering reminders that even the most routine duties performed by our nation’s public safety officials carry potentially grave risks,” said Katharine T. Sullivan, Principal Deputy Assistant Attorney General for the Office of Justice Programs. “These funds will provide hard-hit communities with critical resources to help mitigate the impact of this crisis and give added protection to the brave professionals charged with keeping citizens safe.”
The law gives jurisdictions considerable latitude in the use of these funds for dealing with COVID-19. Potential uses include hiring personnel, paying overtime, purchasing protective equipment, distributing resources to hard-hit areas and addressing inmates’ medical needs.
Agencies that were eligible for the fiscal year 2019 State and Local Edward Byrne Memorial Justice Assistance Grant Program are candidates for the emergency funding. Local units of government and tribes will receive direct awards separately according to their jurisdictions’ allocations.
The Office of Justice Programs, directed by Principal Deputy Assistant Attorney General Katharine T. Sullivan, provides federal leadership, grants, training, technical assistance and other resources to improve the nation’s capacity to prevent and reduce crime, assist victims and enhance the rule of law by strengthening the criminal and juvenile justice systems. More information about OJP and its components can be found at www.ojp.gov.
U.S. Attorney Mike Hurst and Law Enforcement Partners Host 2020 Mississippi Peace Officer’s Memorial Ceremony in JacksonRead the Press Release
Jackson, Miss. – United States Attorney Mike Hurst of the Southern District of Mississippi, joined by a representative from the Mississippi Sheriffs Association, the Mississippi Association of Chiefs of Police, the Mississippi Prosecutors Association, and Federal Law Enforcement agencies, presented the 2020 Mississippi Peace Officers Memorial Ceremony this morning at the Mississippi Fallen Officers Memorial Wall in downtown Jackson.
The ceremony paid tribute to the sacrifice and service of all Mississippi law enforcement officers, while also honoring, remembering and revering those law enforcement officers who lost their lives in the line of duty in 2019.
“Even in the midst of the current crisis, while our law enforcement remain on the front lines, it is so important that we continue to thank and honor them publicly for their sacrifice and their service. This ceremony was just one small act to show our gratitude to and love for them and their families for all that they do for us. I especially want the families who have lost love ones to know, we in law enforcement will never forget your love one’s devotion to duty and their commitment to service. You have our eternal thanks, and we forever have your back,” said U.S. Attorney Hurst.
“I want to thank United States Attorney Mike Hurst for his leadership in deciding that, no matter what is going on, the people that we are here to commemorate their lives, it is worth the sacrifice," said Hinds County Sheriff Lee Vance.
“As we honor our Mississippi law enforcement officers who have lost their lives in the line of duty, we remember each of them and the sacrifices they made to serve their communities. They wanted to make their communities and this great state a better place. We are eternally grateful for the impact they made in the numerous lives that they touched,” said Chief John Neal, Ridgeland Police Department.
“These officers paid the ultimate price, serving and protecting us. Their families made the ultimate sacrifice. We pay tribute to those officers, we honor their families, and we salute all the law enforcement officers throughout the state of Mississippi who continue to serve and protect us on a daily basis. On behalf of all prosecutors across the state of Mississippi to our law enforcement family – we love you, we pray for you, we thank you, and God bless,” said John K. “Bubba” Bramlett, Jr., District Attorney for the Twentieth Circuit Court District.
Based on data collected and analyzed by the FBI’s Law Enforcement Officer Killed and Assaulted (LEOKA) Program, 89 law enforcement officers died nationwide in the line of duty in 2019, including the following Mississippi law enforcement officers:
- Biloxi Police Department Officer Robert McKeithen
- Panola County Constable E. Raye Hawkins
- Chickasaw County Deputy Sheriff Jeremy Allen Voyles
- Lowndes County Constable Willie Houston “Hoot” West
U.S. Attorney Hurst was joined by a representative from the Mississippi Association of Chiefs of Police, Mississippi Sheriffs Association, Mississippi Prosecutors Association, and Federal Law Enforcement Agencies including the Federal Bureau of Investigation, the Drug Enforcement Agency, the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, Homeland Security Investigations, and the U.S. Secret Service.
U.S. Attorney McAllister Announces Kansas Covid-19 Fraud Task ForceRead the Press Release
KANSAS CITY, KAN. – U.S. Attorney Stephen McAllister today announced the formation of the Kansas Covid Fraud Task Force.
Task force members from federal and state agencies will work together to investigate and prosecute scammers attempting to prey on Kansans during the COVID-19 outbreak.
“This pandemic is already a health crisis of staggering proportions – we will not let it become a field day for swindlers who seek to capitalize on confusion and fear,” McAllister said. “This task force brings together a team with broad resources to help keep the public safe.”
Members of the Kansas Covid-19 Fraud Task Force include:
Defense Criminal Investigative Service
Department of Labor – Office of Inspector General
Department of Education – Office of Inspector General
Environmental Protection Agency
FBI
Food and Drug Administration - Office of Criminal Investigation
Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation - Office of Inspector General
Federal Emergency Management Agency
General Services Administration - Office of Inspector General
Health and Human Services - Office of Inspector General
Housing and Urban Development - Office of Inspector General
Immigration and Customs Enforcement - Homeland Security Investigations
Internal Revenue Service - Criminal Investigation
Johnson County District Attorney’s Office
Kansas Attorney General’s Office
Postal Inspection Service
Small Business Administration - Office of Inspector General
U.S. Secret Service
Sedgwick County District Attorney’s Office
Treasury Inspector General for Tax Administration
Treasury – Office of Inspector General
U.S. Army - Criminal Investigation Division
Veteran’s Affairs - Office of Inspector General
Complaints can be submitted to the U.S. attorney’s office at [email protected], by calling the National Center for Disaster Fraud (NCDF) hotline (1-866-720-5721) or filing a complaint online at https://www.justice.gov/disaster-fraud/ncdf-disaster-complaint-form .
“I anticipate this task force will continue to exist as long as it is needed,” McAllister said.
U.S. Attorney Announces $250K in DOJ Grants to Virginia JurisdictionsRead the Press Release
ALEXANDRIA, Va. – United States Attorney G. Zachary Terwilliger today announced that various jurisdictions across the Eastern District of Virginia have been awarded over $250,000 in Department of Justice grants to respond to the public safety challenges posed by the outbreak of COVID-19.
The grants, to the City of Alexandria, County of Hanover, and City of Suffolk, are available under the Coronavirus Emergency Supplemental Funding program, authorized by the recent stimulus legislation signed by President Trump. The Justice Department is moving quickly, awarding grants on a rolling basis and aiming to have funds available for drawdown as soon as possible after receiving applications.
“Those on the front lines of the public safety response to the coronavirus have our support, gratitude, and utmost respect,” said Terwilliger. “The Department of Justice provides this funding with significant flexibility, so that state and local departments can use it in the ways that best benefit their officers and their community.”
The grants come on the heels of a separate DOJ grant of $10.8 million to the Virginia Department of Criminal Justice Services, and to the City of Petersburg, announced earlier this month.
“The outbreak of COVID-19 and the public health emergency it created are sobering reminders that even the most routine duties performed by our nation’s public safety officials carry potentially grave risks,” said Katharine T. Sullivan, Principal Deputy Assistant Attorney General for the Office of Justice Programs. “These funds will provide hard-hit communities with critical resources to help mitigate the impact of this crisis and give added protection to the brave professionals charged with keeping citizens safe.”
The Coronavirus Emergency Supplemental Funding (CESF) Program allows States, U.S. Territories, the District of Columbia, units of local government, and federally recognized tribal governments to support a broad range of activities to prevent, prepare for, and respond to the coronavirus. Funded projects or initiatives may include, but are not limited to, overtime, equipment (including law enforcement and medical personal protective equipment), hiring, supplies (such as gloves, masks, sanitizer), training, travel expenses (particularly related to the distribution of resources to the most impacted areas), and addressing the medical needs of inmates in state, local, and tribal prisons, jails, and detention centers.
The Office of Justice Programs, directed by Principal Deputy Assistant Attorney General Katharine T. Sullivan, provides federal leadership, grants, training, technical assistance and other resources to improve the nation’s capacity to prevent and reduce crime, assist victims and enhance the rule of law by strengthening the criminal and juvenile justice systems. More information about OJP and its components can be found at www.ojp.gov.
A copy of this press release is located on the website of the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of Virginia.
U.S. Attorney Andrew Murray Announces the Winners of the 4th Annual "Do the Write Thing" Essay Contest During Virtual Award CeremonyRead the Press Release
ASHEVILLE, N.C. – U.S. Attorney Andrew Murray announced the two winners of the 4th Annual “Do the Writing Thing” (DtWT) essay contest, during a virtual award ceremony livestreamed today via Facebook Live and Instagram.
The “Do the Write Thing” essay contest is a program of the National Campaign to Stop Violence. The core aim of the program is to empower middle school students to examine and write about the impact of violence in their lives, and to become catalysts for positive change.
A total of 1,567 essays written by middle school students attending Asheville City and Buncombe County Schools were submitted for consideration, and the essays of 12 students were selected as finalists. Of the 12 finalists, Caroline Burton, a 7th grader with Asheville Middle School, and Noah Graham, an 8th grader with North Buncombe Middle School, were announced as this year’s winners of the essay contest. Speaking at today’s virtual event, U.S. Attorney Murray congratulated the two winners and the 10 finalists for their accomplishment, and commended all the students who participated in the writing contest.
“Violence comes in many shapes and sizes,” said U.S. Attorney Murray, who chairs the DtWT committee in Asheville. “Violence can happen in schools, on social media, in homes, and in neighborhoods. Those of us in law enforcement know that prevention plays a crucial role in reducing violence. The Do the Write Thing essay challenge is an opportunity for students to use the written word to express the impact of any form of violence on their lives, to examine its causes and to offer solutions to help decrease violence in their communities. But, most importantly, it provides students with a voice and forum to be heard. The voices and ideas of our youth are critical in our preventive efforts and must be encouraged. The U.S. Attorney’s Office is proud to be a part of this valuable program,” U.S. Attorney Murray added.
During today’s virtual ceremony, U.S. Attorney Murray thanked the Asheville City Schools, the Buncombe County Schools, the Asheville Police Department, the Buncombe County Sheriff’s Office, the Asheville Housing Authority and Western North Carolina Rescue Mission for partnering with the U.S. Attorney’s Office to form the DtWT committee and to implement the program in both school systems.
U.S. Attorney Murray also recognized the teachers, school administrators, counselors, parents, guardians, and caregivers for their dedication in this important endeavor, and thanked them for supporting the students’ efforts and for ensuring that, under these unprecedented circumstances, students continue to reach their full potential.
For more information on the national “Do the Write Thing” program please visit http://www.dtwt.org.
Tyndall Man and Rapid City Woman Indicted for Firearm ChargesRead the Press Release
United States Attorney Ron Parsons announced that a Tyndall, South Dakota, man and a Rapid City, South Dakota, woman have been indicted by a federal grand jury for Possession of an Unregistered Firearm. The man has further been indicted for Felon in Possession of a Firearm.
Jose Eduardo Rodriguez, age 44, and Bonnie Jean Estes, age 24, were indicted on February 11, 2020. Rodriguez appeared before U.S. Magistrate Judge Mark A. Moreno on February 14, 2020, and Estes appeared before U.S. Magistrate Judge Mark A. Moreno on May 13, 2020. Both pled not guilty to the Indictment.
The maximum penalty upon conviction is up to 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 or about December 26, 2019, Rodriguez and Estes knowingly possessed a weapon made from a rifle, with a barrel of less than sixteen inches in length, which was not registered to them in the National Firearms Registration and Transfer Record. The Indictment further alleges that on or about December 26, 2019, Rodriguez, having previously been convicted of a felony, did knowingly possess a firearm.
The charges are merely accusations and Rodriguez and Estes are presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty.
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 is being conducted by the Murdo Police Department, the Lyman County Sheriff’s Office, and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives. Assistant U.S. Attorney Kirk Albertson is prosecuting the case.
Rodriguez and Estes were remanded to the custody of the U.S. Marshals Service pending trial. A trial date has been set for July 21, 2020.
Two Rochester Residents Charged with Cocaine ConspiracyRead the Press Release
CONTACT: Barbara Burns
PHONE: (716) 843-5817
FAX #: (716) 551-3051ROCHESTER, N.Y. - U.S. Attorney James P. Kennedy, Jr. announced today that Cesar Martinez, Jr., 30, and Milton Miranda, Jr., 30, both of Rochester, NY, were arrested and charged by criminal complaint with conspiring to possess with intent to distribute, and possessing with intent to distribute, 500 grams or more of cocaine. The charges carry a minimum penalty of five years in prison, a maximum of 40 years, and a $5,000,000 fine.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Cassie M. Kocher, who is handling the case, stated that according to the complaint, on May 12, 2020, postal inspectors intercepted a suspicious package mailed from Puerto Rico to a Rochester address. After obtaining a warrant to search the parcel, investigators discovered 1,055 grams of cocaine secreted in the package. On May 14, 2020, Martinez and Miranda arrived at the Lexington Station Post Office to pick up the package. Postal employees gave the package to Miranda, and as Miranda and Martinez were exiting the post office, they were arrested by police.
The defendants made an initial appearance today before U.S. Magistrate Judge Marian W. Payson and were detained.
The criminal complaint is the result of an investigation by the United States Postal Inspection Service, Boston Division, under the direction of Inspector-in-Charge Joseph W. Cronin, Boston Division; the Drug Enforcement Administration, under the direction of Special Agent-in-Charge Ray Donovan, New York Field Division; and the Rochester Police Department, under the direction of Chief La’Ron Singletary.
The fact that a defendant has been charged with a crime is merely an accusation and the defendant is presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty.
# # # #
Top Officers of Subprime Auto Lender Indicted on Fraud Charges for Allegedly Misappropriating More Than $5 Million in Company FundsRead the Press Release
CHICAGO — Two top officers of a north suburban subprime auto lending company have been indicted on federal fraud charges for allegedly misappropriating at least $5.3 million in company funds.
JAMES COLLINS was the Chief Executive Officer of Evanston-based Honor Finance LLC, and ROBERT DIMEO was its Chief Operating Officer. From 2011 to 2018, Collins and DiMeo schemed with an accountant, MICHAEL WALSH, to divert money owed to Honor Finance to an outside entity the trio created and controlled, according to an indictment returned Wednesday in U.S. District Court in Chicago. The defendants used the outside entity, Skokie-based LHS Solutions Ltd., to purchase GPS devices and then resell them to Honor Finance at a significant markup, the indictment alleges. Honor Finance required that GPS devices be installed in certain vehicles purchased with loans it financed, so that the vehicles could be located and repossessed if the borrowers defaulted.
The indictment alleges that the defendants fraudulently misappropriated approximately $5.3 million from Honor Finance. The trio transferred some of the misappropriated funds to themselves and their family members, the indictment states. They also used some of the fraud proceeds to pay for a down payment on a lake house in Dowagiac, Michigan, according to the indictment.
The indictment charges Collins, 50, of Evanston, DiMeo, 49, of Park Ridge, and Walsh, 62, of Evanston, with ten counts each of mail fraud. Arraignments via videoconference are set for May 20, 2020, at 10:00 a.m., before U.S. District Judge Robert M. Dow, Jr.
The indictment was announced by John R. Lausch, Jr., United States Attorney for the Northern District of Illinois; and Emmerson Buie, Jr., Special Agent-in-Charge of the Chicago office of the FBI. The government is represented by Assistant U.S. Attorney Matthew Getter.
The public is reminded that an indictment is not evidence of guilt. The defendants are presumed innocent and entitled to a fair trial at which the government has the burden of proving guilt beyond a reasonable doubt.
Each count of mail fraud is punishable by up to 20 years in prison. If convicted, the Court must impose a reasonable sentence under federal statutes and the advisory U.S. Sentencing Guidelines.
Three Members of Burlington County Drug Trafficking Organization, Including Leader, Admit Roles in Drug ConspiracyRead the Press Release
TRENTON, N.J. – Three members of a Burlington County drug-trafficking organization have admitted their roles in a conspiracy to distribute a variety of illegal substances, U.S. Attorney Craig Carpenito announced today.
Jerrod Epps, 35, of Medford, New Jersey, pleaded guilty today before U.S. Senior District Judge Anne E. Thompson to an information charging him with one count of conspiracy to distribute and possess with intent to distribute crack cocaine. Teron Huggins, 42, of Mount Laurel, New Jersey, pleaded guilty on May 14, 2020, to an information charging him with two counts of conspiracy to distribute and possess with intent to distribute cocaine. Talib Conway, 39, of Philadelphia, pleaded guilty on May 8, 2020, to an information charging him with conspiracy to distribute and possess with intent to distribute cocaine, conspiracy to distribute and possess with intent to distribute more than 28 grams of crack cocaine, and conspiracy to distribute and possess with intent to distribute more than 100 grams of heroin.
According to documents filed in the case and statements made in court:
Between July 2019 and September 2019, the defendants engaged in a narcotics conspiracy that operated primarily in municipalities throughout Burlington County – including Willingboro, Burlington City, Burlington Township, Bordentown Township, Edgewater Park, Pemberton and Mount Laurel – and which sought to profit from the distribution of cocaine, crack cocaine, and heroin. Through the interception of telephone calls and text messages pursuant to court-authorized wiretap orders, and other investigative techniques, law enforcement learned that defendants obtained regular supplies of cocaine and other substances from conspirators in the Burlington County and Philadelphia areas and then redistributed cocaine, crack cocaine, and heroin, to other conspirators, distributors, sub-dealers, and end users. Law enforcement officers intercepted numerous communications by and between the conspirators regarding such issues as cocaine, crack cocaine, and heroin quality and availability, pricing, packaging, quantity, and customer satisfaction.
The counts of conspiracy to distribute at least 28 grams of crack cocaine and conspiracy to distribute more than 100 grams of heroin to which Conway pleaded guilty each carry a statutory mandatory minimum sentence of five years in prison, a maximum penalty of 40 years in prison, and a maximum fine of $5 million. The count of distribution and possession with intent to distribute cocaine to which Conway pleaded guilty carries a maximum penalty of 20 years in prison and a fine of $1 million. The counts of conspiracy to distribute cocaine to which Huggins pleaded guilty each carry a maximum penalty of 20 years in prison and a fine of $1 million. The count of conspiracy to distribute crack cocaine to which Epps pleaded guilty carries a maximum penalty of 20 years in prison and a fine of $1 million. Sentencing for all three defendants is scheduled for Sept. 30, 2020.
U.S. Attorney Carpenito credited special agents of the FBI, Newark Division, Trenton Resident Agency, under the direction of Special Agent in Charge Gregory W. Ehrie; special agents of ATF Newark Field Division, Trenton Field Office, under the direction of Special Agent in Charge Charlie J. Patterson; detectives of the Burlington County Prosecutor’s Office, under the direction of Prosecutor Scott Coffina; officers of the Burlington Township Police Department, under the direction of Director of Public Safety Bruce Painter; officers of the Willingboro Police Department, under the direction of Director of Public Safety Kinamo Lomon; officers of the Burlington City Police Department, under the direction of Chief of Police John Fine; officers of the Florence Police Department, under the direction of Chief of Police Brian Boldizar; officers of the Bordentown Township Police Department, under the direction of Chief of Police Brian Pesche; officers of the Edgewater Park Police Department, under the direction of Chief of Police Robert Hess; officers of the Mount Laurel Police Department, under the direction of Chief of Police Stephen Reidener; officers of the Ewing Police Department, under the direction of Chief of Police John Stemler; officers of the Westampton Police Department, under the direction of Chief of Police Stephen Ent; and officers of the Trenton Police Department, under the direction of Director Sheilah Coley with the investigation leading to the guilty pleas.
The government is represented by Assistant U.S. Attorney Martha K. Nye of the U.S. Attorney’s Office Criminal Division in Trenton, and Assistant U.S. Attorney Andrew B. Johns of the U.S. Attorney’s Office Criminal Division in Camden.
Shoreview Man Charged in 110 Pound Methamphetamine BustRead the Press Release
United States Attorney Erica H. MacDonald today announced a federal criminal complaint charging OMAR DAMACIO RUIZ-PENALOZA, 30, with possession with intent to distribute more than 110 pounds of methamphetamine. RUIZ-PENALOZA made his initial appearance today, before Magistrate Judge David T. Schultz, in U.S. District Court in Minneapolis, Minnesota. RUIZ-PENALOZA was ordered detained pending further proceedings.
According to the allegations in the criminal complaint, on May 8, 2020, law enforcement officers executed a search warrant at an apartment in Shoreview, Minnesota. Upon entry, the officers discovered RUIZ-PENALOZA in a bedroom wearing rubber gloves and appeared to be weighing and packaging suspected methamphetamine. Additionally, officers observed an open suitcase containing numerous bags of suspected methamphetamine lying on the floor and a digital scale. Officers discovered a second suitcase in the living room of the apartment which also contained suspected methamphetamine. In total, approximately 110 pounds of methamphetamine and more than three pounds of cocaine was seized.
This case is the result of an investigation conducted by the Anoka-Hennepin Narcotics and Violent Crime Task Force and the Drug Enforcement Administration.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Thomas M. Hollenhorst is prosecuting the case.
Defendant Information:
OMAR DAMACIO RUIZ-PENALOZA, 30
Shoreview, Minn.
Charges:
- Possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine, 1 count
###
Additional news available on our website.
Follow us on Twitter and Facebook.
United States Attorney’s Office, District of Minnesota: (612) 664-5600
The charges contained in the complaint are merely accusations, and the defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.
Sherburne County Jail Federal Inmate Charged with AssaultRead the Press Release
United States Attorney Erica H. MacDonald today announced a federal indictment charging HAKEEM ALEXANDER COLES, 25, with assault of a person assisting federal law enforcement officers.1] COLES, who remains in custody, will make his initial appearance and be arraigned before a Magistrate Judge in U.S. District Court in Minneapolis, Minnesota at a later date.
According to the allegations in the indictment, on January 27, 2020, COLES physically assaulted a Sherburne County Sheriff’s Office Corrections Officer at the jail. At the time of the assault, COLES was in the United States Marshal’s custody at the Sherburne County Jail awaiting trial on charges stemming from an armed robbery of the Cowboy Jacks Bar and Grill in Minneapolis, Minnesota, on August 17, 2019.
This case is the result of an investigation conducted by the FBI, the Sherburne County Sheriff’s Office, and the United States Marshal’s Service.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Benjamin Bejar is prosecuting the case.
Defendant Information:
HAKEEM ALEXANDER COLES, 25
Charges:
- Assault of a person assisting federal law enforcement officers, 1 count
###
Additional news available on our website.
Follow us on Twitter and Facebook.
United States Attorney’s Office, District of Minnesota: (612) 664-5600
[1] The charges contained in the indictment are merely accusations, and the defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.
Search of Concord Warehouse Leads to Re-Arrest of Dark Web VendorRead the Press Release
OAKLAND – Jeremy Donagal was charged in a criminal complaint filed this morning with possession of equipment for producing counterfeit drugs as well as the manufacture and sale of counterfeit drugs in a scheme to distribute counterfeit generic alprazolam (the active ingredient in the brand-name anti-anxiety medication Xanax), announced United States Attorney David L. Anderson, Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) Special Agent in Charge Daniel C. Comeaux; Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) Special Agent in Charge Tatum King; and IRS Criminal Investigation Special Agent in Charge Kareem Carter. In a separate filing, Donagal also is alleged to have violated the conditions of his supervised release from his 2015 conviction, where he was originally charged in the 2014 indictment as “Jeremy Donagal, a/k/a/ “Xanax King”, a/k/a “XK”.
According to the criminal complaint, Donagal, 41, of Martinez, Calif., signed a lease in December of 2018, for a warehouse in Concord, Calif. Donagal allegedly visited the warehouse on May 14, 2020, let himself into the building, and was detained shortly after stepping outside. As explained in the motion to revoke his supervised release, inside the building, were multiple pill presses, plastic trays with punches and dies in them, thousands of pressed tablets, packaging and shipping materials, and other equipment consistent with a mail-order business. The tablets had the same markings as are used by Sandoz Inc., a company that the U.S. Food and Drug Administration has authorized to manufacture and distribute generic alprazolam. Donagal is charged with possession of equipment to produce counterfeit drugs, in violation of 21 U.S.C. § 843(a)(5), and the manufactured and sale of counterfeit drugs, in violation of 21 U.S.C. § 331(i)(3).
Donagal already was on supervised release from a previous conviction. Donagal’s previous sentence included a three-year term of supervised release. Donagal was released on June 27, 2018, subject to the terms of a supervised release order that required Donagal to refrain from committing additional federal crimes and work regularly at a lawful occupation. In papers filed this morning, the government seeks to revoke Donagal’s release for violating these terms of his supervised release. The motion to revoke supervised release states as follows:
[A]lmost immediately after being released from prison to supervised release, DONAGAL began work setting up a new counterfeit drug operation. He set up a laboratory and pill press operation to manufacture the counterfeit pills, and he established a dark web vendor site to sell the pills nationwide. He also established vendor pages on dark web criminal marketplaces like Samsara and Empire. On May 14, 2020, agents executed search warrants at DONAGAL’s residence and warehouse and seized pill presses, punch-dies designed to produce counterfeit drugs, and that packaging materials in the same brand name he used on the dark web marketplaces. That same day, agents arrested him.
Donagal was made his initial federal court appearance on May 15, 2020, before U.S. Magistrate Judge Donna M. Ryu. Donagal is next scheduled to appear before Magistrate Judge Alex G. Tse on May 18, 2020, at 10:30 AM for an attorney appointment hearing.
A complaint merely alleges that crimes have been committed, and all defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt. If convicted of possessing equipment to produce counterfeit drugs, Donagal faces a maximum statutory penalty of four years in prison and one year of supervised release. If convicted of the counterfeit drug manufacturing and sale charge, Donagal faces a maximum statutory penalty of three years in prison and one year of supervised release. However, any sentence following conviction would be imposed by the court after consideration of the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and the federal statute governing the imposition of a sentence, 18 U.S.C. § 3553.
The prosecution is the result of an investigation by the DEA, HSI, and IRS. The U.S. Department of the Treasury and U.S. Customs and Border Patrol is assisting with the investigation.
Roanoke Man Arrested on Federal Drug Distribution ChargeRead the Press Release
ROANOKE, Va. – A Roanoke man, whom law enforcement accuses of distributing methamphetamine and heroin in Roanoke City, was arrested May 14, 2020, and has been charged via federal criminal complaint with drug distribution. United States Attorney Thomas T. Cullen and Special Agent in Charge of the FBI’s Richmond Division, David W. Archey announced the arrest today. The investigation is being handled by the member agencies of the Roanoke Area High Intensity Drug Trafficking Area Task Force [HIDTA], as well as by the Federal Bureau of Investigation.
Tyshea Anthony Cunningham, 20, is currently charged with one count of manufacturing, distributing, dispensing, or possessing with the intent to manufacture, distribute, or dispense a controlled substance.
According to court documents, investigators with HIDTA have identified multiple occasions in which Cunningham sold heroin or methamphetamine.
The investigation of this case is ongoing and being conducted by the Federal Bureau of Investigation, the City of Roanoke Police Department, and the members of the region’s High Intensity Drug Task Force (HIDTA) program. Assistant United States Attorney Andrew Bassford is prosecuting the case for the United States.
This case was brought as part of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), the centerpiece of the Department of Justice’s violent crime reduction efforts. PSN is an evidence-based program proven to be effective at reducing violent crime. Through PSN, various stakeholders work together to identify the most pressing 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.
A criminal complaint is only a charge and not evidence of guilt. All defendants are considered innocent until proven guilty.
President’s Commission on Law Enforcement and the Administration of Justice Holds Hearing on Law Enforcement Recruitment, Training, and RetentionRead the Press Release
This week, the President’s Commission on Law Enforcement and the Administration of Justice held a hearing on law enforcement recruitment, training, and retention over three days via teleconference. Each teleconference featured expert witnesses who provided testimony and, subsequently, answered questions from the Commissioners.
On Tuesday, May 12, the Commission received testimony from Dr. Charlie Scheer, Assistant professor at the University of Southern Mississippi; Arlington (Texas) Police Chief Will Johnson; Valerie Cunningham, Deputy Chief of the Indianapolis Metropolitan Police Department, and; Mike Yankowski, Assistant Director of Institutional Ethics and Compliance at Michigan State University and the retired chief of Lansing Police Department.
Testimony and discussions focused on recruitment. Dr. Scheer provided the results of a comprehensive survey on police recruitment, and Chief Johnson recommended grant funding for police cadet programs to encourage young people to commit to the profession. Deputy Chief Cunningham recommended “focusing on marketing campaigns that are inclusive of females, tailoring all contact the agency has with its applicants so that it’s mutually beneficial to both, focusing on the preview of what the career will look like to that applicant, and developing a meaningful professional relationship with the applicants.” Chief Yankowski provided the final testimony, addressing the need to hire people who fit the community policing mindset – individuals who are highly ethical, of good moral character, and good communicators. “We can't make the mistake of just hiring a warm body to fill that vacancy,” he said.
On Wednesday, May 13, the Commission heard testimony from Erik Bourgerie, Director, Colorado Peace Officer Standards and Training (POST); Palm Beach County (Fla.) Sheriff Ric Bradshaw, and; Cass County (Nebraska) Sheriff William (Bill) Brueggemann.
Testimony and discussion focused on training. POST Director Bourgerie testified about the need for experiential based training. “As the academy progresses, training scenarios should become more complex, such as domestic violence calls. Our current training method fails both our peace officers and our domestic violence victims. The first time new peace officers encounter the complexity, emotions and dangers inherent in a DV call is when they’re in the field and lives are truly on the line.” Sheriff Bradshaw testified about the lack of management training, stating, “As older, experienced officers retire, they leave upper level vacancies that will often be filled with officers with little or no formal leadership or management training.” He advocates for an investment in future leaders. Sheriff Brueggemann recommended regional training centers and reforms to training academies in order to provide more seats for small and rural departments.
On Thursday, May 14, the Commission completed its hearing with testimony from William “Bill” Johnson, Executive Director, National Association of Police Organizations Inc. (NAPO); Pima County (Ariz.) Sheriff Mark Napier; Baltimore (Md.) Police Commissioner Michael Harrison, and; Tempe (Ariz.) Police Chief Sylvia Moir
Testimony and discussion focused on retention. Executive Director Johnson recommended that “every officer in this nation have access to a peer mentoring program. One cannot overstate the importance of confidential, peer mentoring services to supporting officers’ mental health and wellness.” Chief Moir shared a similar sentiment, saying that there is a recognition that officer wellness encompasses more than physical health. It includes the mental and emotional well-being, as well -- healthier officers are more productive officers, so successful agencies are starting wellness programming in the Academy and continuing it throughout an officer’s career. Sheriff Napier testified that “there is inadequate funding for substantive research into the development of best practices for law enforcement leaders confronting modern policing challenges. In addition, there’s very limited research into officer wellness, causes of officer suicide and suicide prevention.” He recommends “the Law Enforcement Assistance Administration (LEAA) make available substantive funding over 10 years for meaningful law enforcement research." Commissioner Harrison shared: “The most common issues I hear about when I speak with officers are the state of the facilities they work in, the conditions of vehicles the drive, and the age of the technology and equipment that they use every day. Improving these conditions is a cornerstone of my five-year Departmental Transformation and Improvement Plan because it speaks to the culture of the department and whether the officers feel the department is making the right investments in their well-being.”
For more information on the Commission, please visit: https://www.justice.gov/ag/presidential-commission-law-enforcement-and-administration-justice
Audio recordings and transcripts of the hearings will be posted online once available.
Police Week and Legislative DoublespeakRead the Press Release
CONTACT: Barbara Burns
PHONE: (716) 843-5817
FAX #: (716) 551-3051This week marks National Police Week, a time to honor the call to duty and those who so selflessly answer that call in more than 18,000 law enforcement agencies nationwide. It is also a time to pay tribute to the 89 officers who lost their lives in 2019 in the line of duty.
On any given day, officers, deputies, and agents face the worst-of-the-worst in our society. Drug dealers filling our streets with deadly poisons, violent gang members holding neighborhoods hostage, predators stealing the innocence of our youth, and human traffickers dehumanizing vulnerable females and robbing them of their dignity. Each day, members of law enforcement deal in danger and risk their lives to safeguard and protect our community. However, this year, the risks faced by law enforcement are even greater, as they have remained vigilant in their effort to protect us from criminals while also battling the new and invisible enemy. Sadly, as of May 7, 2020, 92 law enforcement officers have died from COVID-19 nationwide, including 29 officers right here in New York State. “Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends.”
As U.S. Attorney, I feel fortunate to interact on a daily basis with all levels of law enforcement whose members prove to me, day-in and day-out, that most risk their lives each day with one primary motivation—and that motive is their love and concern for their fellow man. This year, however, COVID-19 represents but one silent threat they face. The other silent threat came from legislation that was quietly enacted as part of the New York State 2020 budget.
Shockingly and sadly, the recently enacted legislation, threatens to hold the brave men and women of law enforcement criminally liable simply for choosing to assist certain other members of law enforcement. Indeed, while our law enforcers were busy risking their lives responding to those engaging in criminal conduct—and the attention of others was directed toward the silent killer—the New York State legislature in April silently passed legislation which criminalizes the sharing of certain information between law enforcers.
Specifically, the newly enacted law makes it a felony for any law enforcer to share New York State DMV information with any fellow law enforcer whose duties include the enforcement of immigration laws. While January’s Green Light Law prohibited the sharing of such information, the April amendment takes the prohibition to a whole new level by making it an E Felony for any law enforcer to do so.
That any elected official would see wisdom in criminalizing an effort by one member of law enforcement to share information with another law enforcer—essentially legislating obstruction of law enforcement—is antithetical to the rule of law and our system of justice. The new law impedes the ability of a number of my federal law enforcement partners— including Homeland Securities Investigation (HSI), Immigration and Customs Enforcement
# # # #
Pittsburgh Man Pleads Guilty to Conspiring to Distribute Crack CocaineRead the Press Release
PITTSBURGH - A resident of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, pleaded guilty in federal court to a charge of violating federal narcotics laws, United States Attorney Scott W. Brady announced today.
David Loveings, age 66, pleaded guilty to one count before United States District Judge Marilyn J. Horan.
In connection with the guilty plea, the court was advised that from September 2017 until November 2019, Loveings participated in a conspiracy to possess with the intent to distribute and did distribute a quantity of cocaine base.
Judge Horan scheduled sentencing for September 3, 2020 at 9:30 a.m. The law provides for a total sentence of not more than 20 years in prison, a fine of $1,000,000, or both. Under the Federal Sentencing Guidelines, the actual sentence imposed is based upon the seriousness of the offense and the prior criminal history, if any, of the defendant.
Assistant United States Attorneys Brendan T. Conway and Brian M. Czarnecki are prosecuting this case on behalf of the government.
The Federal Bureau of Investigation, Monroeville Police Department, the Attorney General’s Office, the Drug Enforcement Agency’s Maryland Office, and the Allegheny County Police Department conducted the investigation that led to the prosecution of Harper.
The investigation was funded by the federal Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Force Program (OCDETF). The OCDETF program supplies critical federal funding and coordination that allows federal and state agencies to work together to successfully identify, investigate, and prosecute major interstate and international drug trafficking organizations and other criminal enterprises.
Pennsylvania Man Arrested for Attempted Enticement and Coercion of a MinorRead the Press Release
SYRACUSE, NEW YORK – Peter N. Allen, age 32, of East Stroudsburg, Pennsylvania, appeared today on a criminal complaint charging him with attempted enticement and coercion of a minor into a sexual act, announced United States Attorney Grant C. Jaquith and Thomas F. Relford, Special Agent in Charge of the Albany Field Office of the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI).
The complaint charges that Allen attempted to entice and coerce a person he believed to be an 11-year-old girl to engage in sexual acts with him. In fact, the girl was portrayed by an undercover police officer, and Allen was arrested in Broome County after he drove there from Pennsylvania, expecting to meet the purported child at her home.
The charge filed against Allen carries a maximum sentence of life in prison, with a mandatory minimum sentence of 10 years, a fine of up to $250,000, and a post-imprisonment term of supervised release of at least 5 years, and up to life. If convicted, Allen will also be required to register as a sex offender. A defendant’s sentence is imposed by a judge based on the particular statute the defendant is charged with violating, the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other factors. The charge in the complaint is merely an accusation and the defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty
Allen appeared today in Binghamton, New York, before United States Magistrate Judge Miroslav Lovric and was ordered detained pending further proceedings.
This case is being investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), and is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Sahar L. Amandolare.
New Bern Man Sentenced to Eight Years for Convenience Store RobberiesRead the Press Release
RALEIGH, N.C. – A New Bern man was sentenced today to 96 months in prison and 3 years supervised release for two armed robberies of New Bern convenience stores.
According to court documents, Kenneth Earl Moore, 49, first robbed the Five Points Mini Mart convenience store during the early morning hours of December 4, 2018. Moore wore a black mask and gloves, and carried a black bag with distinctive markings. Moore pulled a gun on the clerk and, after taking approximately $500, fled on foot.
A few weeks later, Moore convinced a female co-defendant to help him commit another robbery, in exchange for drugs. Early on December 23, 2018, the co-defendant drove Moore to a Speedway convenience store in New Bern. Moore again wore the black mask and gloves, and carried the same black bag – all of which were found in his residence. Moore entered, pointed a gun at the clerk, took $622, and fled in the co-defendant’s car.
At his arraignment on September 19, 2019, Moore plead guilty but was allowed to remain in a substance abuse treatment program after claiming he had been a Navy Seal. Investigators later discovered that while Moore did serve in the Navy as a machinist, he was never a Navy Seal. At sentencing, Moore was forced to admit he had not been honest with the Court about his service record.
Robert J. Higdon, Jr., U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of North Carolina made the announcement after sentencing by Chief U.S. District Judge Terrence W. Boyle. The Federal Bureau of Investigation and the New Bern Police Department investigated the case and Assistant U.S. Attorney Bryan Stephany prosecuted the case.
A copy of this press release is located on our website. Related court documents and information are located on the website of the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of North Carolina or on PACER by searching for Case No. 4:19-cr-00033-BO.
###
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.
Murray, West Jordan Get Emergency Supplemental Funding to Support Efforts to Respond to CoronavirusRead the Press Release
SALT LAKE CITY – Two Utah cities are receiving U.S. Department of Justice funding to support a broad range of activities as they respond to the coronavirus. The funding is coming from DOJ’s Bureau of Justice Assistance through the Coronavirus Emergency Funding Program.
Murray will receive $112,282 and West Jordan is getting $127,429.
“The Department of Justice provides communities with funding to use for critical public safety needs. Police officers and other front line responders will have access to this assistance as they keep residents and themselves safe through this challenging crisis,” U.S. Attorney John W. Huber said today. “These cities know best how to use the supplemental funds, and they are afforded considerable flexibility to use these dollars to protect and serve their neighborhoods.”
The Emergency Supplemental Funding Program allows states, local governments, and federally recognized tribal governments to apply for critical funds to use as they respond to the coronavirus. Those receiving grants have considerable latitude in the use of the funds. The grant funding can support things like law enforcement overtime, equipment, hiring, supplies such as gloves, masks, and sanitizer for police officers and medical personnel, training, travel expenses, and addressing the needs of inmates in state, local, and tribal prisons, jails, and detention centers.
Funding for other Utah cities and counties is pending. Agencies that were eligible for the fiscal year 2019 State and Local Edward Byrne Memorial Justice Assistance Grant Program are candidates for this emergency supplemental funding.
Monroeville Man Pleads Guilty in Fentanyl Trafficking SchemeRead the Press Release
PITTSBURGH - A resident of Monroeville, Pennsylvania, pleaded guilty in federal court to a charge of violating federal narcotics laws, United States Attorney Scott W. Brady announced today.
Timothy Harper, age 37, pleaded guilty to one count before United States District Judge Marilyn J. Horan.
In connection with the guilty plea, the court was advised that from September 2017 until November 2019, Harper participated in a conspiracy to possess with the intent to distribute and did distribute 40 grams or more of fentanyl.
Judge Harper scheduled sentencing for July 27, 2020 at 9:30AM. The law provides for a total sentence of not less than five years and not more than 40 years in prison, a fine of $5,000,000, or both. Under the Federal Sentencing Guidelines, the actual sentence imposed is based upon the seriousness of the offense and the prior criminal history, if any, of the defendant.
Assistant United States Attorneys Brendan T. Conway and Brian M. Czarnecki are prosecuting this case on behalf of the government.
The Federal Bureau of Investigation, Monroeville Police Department, the Attorney General’s Office, the Drug Enforcement Agency’s Maryland Office, and the Allegheny County Police Department conducted the investigation that led to the prosecution of Harper.
The investigation was funded by the federal Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Force Program (OCDETF). The OCDETF program supplies critical federal funding and coordination that allows federal and state agencies to work together to successfully identify, investigate, and prosecute major interstate and international drug trafficking organizations and other criminal enterprises.
Missoula meth dealer sentenced to prisonRead the Press Release
MISSOULA — A Missoula man who admitted trafficking methamphetamine in the community for several years was sentenced today to 12 years in prison and five years of supervised release, U.S. Attorney Kurt Alme said.
Dustin Lee McGough, 41, pleaded guilty in January to conspiracy to distribute meth.
U.S. District Judge Donald W. Molloy presided.
The prosecution said in court documents that evidence from at least 13 confidential informants would show that McGough was a prolific meth dealer in the Missoula from the spring of 2015 through June 2019 and that he obtained meth mostly from California and brought it back to Missoula. When the Missoula County Sheriff's Office executed a search warrant at McGough's residence and vehicle in March 2018, officers found meth, heroin and drug paraphernalia.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Tara Elliott prosecuted the case, which was investigated by the FBI and Montana Regional Violent Crime Task Force.
This case is part of Project Safe Neighborhoods, a U.S. Department of Justice initiative to reduce violent crime. According to the FBI’s Uniform Crime Reports, violent crime in Montana increased by 36% from 2013 to 2018. Through PSN, federal, tribal, state and local law enforcement partners in Montana focus on violent crime driven by methamphetamine trafficking, armed robbers, firearms offenses and violent offenders with outstanding warrants.
XXX
Minneapolis Man Indicted for Cyberstalking, Making Threats Through University’s Incident Reporting SystemRead the Press Release
United States Attorney Erica H. MacDonald today announced a federal indictment charging JEFFREY COLIN PURDY, 28, with cyberstalking and making interstate threats to injure and kidnap another person. PURDY was initially charged in a criminal complaint on March 2, 2020, and is currently in custody in the Sherburne County jail pending further court proceedings.
According to the indictment, between August 30, 2017, and February 29, 2020, PURDY used various means of interstate commerce to communicate threats to injure and kidnap. Specifically, on September 15, 2017, the Mankato Department of Public Safety received a complaint from an individual stating that she had been receiving harassing emails from PURDY, a former classmate from Minnesota State University, Mankato (“Mankato State”). While attending Mankato State, the victim declined repeated romantic advances from PURDY and eventually blocked PURDY from her cellular telephone and social media accounts. From August 30, 2017, through February 21, 2020, PURDY used Mankato State’s Silent Witness Report, an anonymous incident reporting tool, to make frequent, violent threats against the victim. An IP address used to make one of the Silent Witness Reports was traced back to PURDY. On February 29, 2020, during an interview at the Mankato Department of Public Safety, PURDY admitted to sending all the Silent Witness Reports.
This case is the result of an investigation conducted by the FBI and the Mankato Department of Public Safety, with assistance from the Blue Earth County Attorney’s Office.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Emily A. Polachek is prosecuting the case.
Defendant Information:
JEFFREY COLIN PURDY, 28
Minneapolis, Minn.
Charges:
- Cyberstalking, 1 count
- Interstate transmission of a threat to injure the person of another, 5 counts
- Interstate transmission of a threat to kidnap the person of another, 1 count
###
Additional news available on our website.
Follow us on Twitter and Facebook.
United States Attorney’s Office, District of Minnesota: (612) 664-5600
The charges contained in the indictment are merely accusations, and the defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.
Member of Newark Drug Trafficking Organization Sentenced to 10 Years in Prison for Conspiracy to Distribute Heroin and Crack CocaineRead the Press Release
NEWARK, N.J. – A Newark man was sentenced today to 120 months in prison for his role in a conspiracy to distribute over a kilogram of heroin and 240 grams of crack cocaine, U.S. Attorney Craig Carpenito announced.
Maurice McPhatter, a/k/a “Ree,” 47, previously pleaded guilty before U.S. District Judge Kevin McNulty to a superseding information charging him with one count of conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute more than one kilogram of heroin and more than 28 grams of cocaine base. Judge McNulty imposed the sentence today.
Today’s sentence follows a coordinated takedown in September 2017 of seven members of a drug trafficking organization led by Ahmad Johnson, a/k/a “OC,” 38. Also charged were Cory Canzater, a/k/a “Big C;” Willie McPhatter, a/k/a “Roc;” Keith Henderson, and Sacha Negron, all of Newark.
According to documents filed in this case and statements made in court:
From September 2016 through June 2017, Maurice McPhatter, Johnson, and other members of their drug trafficking organization engaged in a drug distribution conspiracy that operated in and around Newark. Maurice McPhatter was a runner, who distributed narcotics for the organization.
Through the authorized interception of telephone calls and text messages, controlled purchases of heroin, the use of confidential sources of information, and other investigative means, law enforcement learned that Johnson was a leader of the conspiracy and was responsible for obtaining wholesale amounts of narcotics, including heroin and cocaine, and processing and packaging the narcotics for sale. Johnson found users to “test” the narcotics to evaluate the quality, potency, and danger for broader distribution. After the narcotics were tested, runners, including Maurice McPhatter, sold the narcotics to other distributors and users. At the time of the arrests, law enforcement found over a kilogram of heroin, over 200 grams of crack cocaine, and over 150 grams of fentanyl.
Johnson pleaded guilty to a drug conspiracy and was sentenced on April 15, 2019, to 180 months in prison. Willie McPhatter, Henderson, and Negron have all pleaded guilty to drug conspiracy charges and are awaiting sentencing. Canzater was convicted in March 2020 of one count of conspiracy to distribute and possess with intent to distribute controlled dangerous substances, one count of distribution and possession with intent to distribute heroin and one count of distribution and possession with intent to distribute crack cocaine, following a one-week trial before Judge Kevin McNulty in Newark federal court. Canzater is awaiting sentencing
In addition to the prison term, Judge McNulty sentenced Maurice McPhatter to five years of supervised release.
U.S. Attorney Carpenito credited special agents and officers with DEA’s High-Intensity Drug Trafficking Area (HIDTA) Group 1, under the direction of Special Agent in Charge Susan A. Gibson in Newark, with the investigation leading to today’s sentencing.
This case is being conducted under the auspices of the Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Force (OCDETF). The principal mission of the OCDETF program is to identify, disrupt and dismantle the most serious drug trafficking, weapons trafficking and money laundering organizations, and those primarily responsible for the nation’s illegal drug supply.
The government is represented by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Patricia Astorga and Ari B. Fontecchio of the U.S. Attorney’s Office in Newark.
Marrero Man Sentenced After Pleading Guilty to Cocaine ConspiracyRead the Press Release
NEW ORLEANS –U.S. Attorney Peter G. Strasser announced that U.S. District Judge Mary Ann Vial Lemmon sentenced, on May 14, 2020, ROBERT GAINES, age 37, of Marrero, Louisiana, to sixty (60) months’ imprisonment and four years’ supervised release after pleading guilty to a one-count superseding bill of information charging him with conspiracy to distribute and possess with intent to distribute five hundred grams or more of cocaine hydrochloride and twenty-eight grams or more of cocaine base.
According to court documents, in 2017, agents of the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) New Orleans identified Derris Helton as a cocaine trafficker in the New Orleans area, by using telephone wiretaps. Through continued monitoring of telephone calls, agents identified GAINES as one of Helton’s drug trafficking associates. During a monitored telephone call in July 2017, Helton and his brother Phillip discussed having GAINES supply an individual with a quantity of drugs.
On August 1, 2017, agents learned through monitored telephone calls between Helton and GAINES that Helton was travelling from Houston, Texas to New Orleans via bus with a large quantity of cocaine and GAINES was to pick him up from the bus terminal. DEA agents and Louisiana State Police troopers stationed themselves at the Greyhound terminal in New Orleans awaiting Helton’s arrival. When Helton arrived at the terminal and exited the bus, agents and troopers approached Helton. After Helton consented to a search of his bag, agents found approximately 500 grams of cocaine hydrochloride in his bag. Agents also located GAINES at the terminal. When questioned by agents, GAINES told the agents that he dropped someone off at the terminal.
Derris Helton and Phillip Helton pleaded guilty on January 9, 2020. Sentencing for both have been set for August 20, 2020.
U.S. Attorney Strasser praised the work of the Drug Enforcement Administration, the Jefferson Parish Sheriff’s Office, and the Louisiana State Police in investigating this matter. Assistant United States Attorney André Jones is in charge of the prosecution
* * *
Man from Ascensión, Mexico faces federal marijuana smuggling chargesRead the Press Release
ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. – Inocente Rivera, 20, of Ascensión, Chihuahua, Mexico appeared in federal court in Las Cruces, New Mexico on May 15 for an initial appearance on a criminal complaint charging him with possession with intent to distribute 164.4 kilograms of marijuana.
According to the criminal complaint, Rivera allegedly committed the offense in Luna County, New Mexico on May 12. He tried to enter the United States at the port of entry in Columbus, New Mexico allegedly with 305 wrapped bundles of marijuana hidden in the cargo bed of the vehicle he was driving. Rivera allegedly intended to distribute the smuggled marijuana in the United States. U.S. Customs and Border Protection officers inspected the vehicle and located the hidden contraband, according to the complaint.
Rivera is currently in custody pending a detention hearing on May 19. He faces up to 40 years in prison. A criminal complaint is only an accusation. A defendant is presumed innocent until proven guilty.
Homeland Security Investigations and U.S. Customs and Border Protection Office of Field Operations investigated this case. Assistant U.S. Attorney Bradley Bartlett is prosecuting the case.
Local man sentenced to prison for distributing opioids on behalf of interstate drug ringRead the Press Release
DAYTON – Another member of the Atlanta-to-Dayton drug trafficking organization known as
“Diamond Cut” that is responsible for distributing large quantities of fentanyl and heroin in the Dayton area was sentenced in U.S. District Court today for selling opioids.Levy Smith IV, 36, of Dayton, was sentenced to 72 months in prison. He is currently in custody and was sentenced via video conference from prison.
According to his plea agreement, on May 28, 2019, Smith sold 83 grams of fentanyl for $6,000 in cash.
In February 2019, investigators received information about the Diamond Cut drug organization distributing drugs from the Saint Clair Lofts located on South Saint Clair Street in Dayton. The co-conspirators were allegedly keeping large amounts of fentanyl, heroin and several firearms in an abandoned green Ford sedan in the parking lot behind the Lofts.
The co-conspirators allegedly moved their drug operations from the Saint Clair Lofts to North Upland Avenue in March 2019.
Drug stash houses were also maintained on Homesite Drive in Harrison Township and Kipling Drive and Belmont Park North in Dayton.
Others charged in this case include: James Easterling and Benjamin G. Vaughn. Easterling, who admitted to selling 112 grams of fentanyl and heroin in Montgomery County in exchange for several thousand dollars in cash, was sentenced last month to 60 months in prison.
Vaughn was sentenced in March 2020 to 60 months in prison.
Vaughn was a defendant in a 2008 drug trafficking case prosecuted by this office and involving several other individuals. In that case, Vaughn was sentenced to 151 months in federal prison.
In 2018, three other Diamond Cut associates were sentenced in federal court in Dayton for drug and gun crimes. Clarence Winn, Jr. – a Dayton rap artist known as “Chaos” – was sentenced to 108 months in prison. His relative, Larry Winn, was sentenced to 60 months in prison. Darrius J. Reynolds was sentenced to 18 months in prison.
Another five alleged Diamond Cut members were prosecuted federally after a 2012 arrest. They included: Brandon Lee “Ace” Smith, Quinton “Big Mike” Clemons, Leo “Butter” Boykins, Quinten “Q” Robinson and Marcus “Roscoe” Ross.
David M. DeVillers, United States Attorney for the Southern District of Ohio, Chris Hoffman, Special Agent in Charge, Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), Cincinnati Division; Vance Callender, Special Agent in Charge, Homeland Security Investigations (HSI); Montgomery County Sheriff Rob Streck and officials with the FBI’s Southern Ohio Safe Streets Task Force and Montgomery County Sheriff’s Office RANGE Task Force announced the sentence imposed by Senior U.S. District Court Judge Thomas M. Rose. Assistant United States Attorneys Brent G. Tabacchi and Elizabeth Rabe are representing the United States in this case.
# # #
Laurel County Man Sentenced to 300 Months for Possession with Intent to Distribute MethamphetamineRead the Press Release
LONDON, Ky. - A Laurel County man, Timmy L. Fields, 58, was sentenced to 300 months in federal prison on Friday, by U.S. District Judge Robert Wier, after previously being convicted of possession with intent to distribute over 500 grams of methamphetamine.
According to evidence at trial, on April 21, 2019, a Kentucky State Police Trooper stopped Fields’ vehicle and found Fields in possession of more than 985 grams of methamphetamine. Fields traveled to Lexington to purchase the methamphetamine from a source of supply before transporting it into Laurel County for distribution. Fields has prior felony drug convictions for unlawful possession of a methamphetamine precursor and trafficking in a controlled substance.
Fields was convicted in January 2020.
Robert M. Duncan, Jr., United States Attorney for the Eastern District of Kentucky; Jeffrey Todd Scott, Special Agent in Charge, DEA Louisville Field Division; and Rodney Brewer, Commissioner of the Kentucky State Police, jointly announced the sentence.
The investigation was conducted by DEA and Kentucky State PoliceThe United States was represented by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Jenna E. Reed and R. Nicholas Rabold.
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.
— END —
Keshena Man Charged with Domestic Violence on the Menominee Indian ReservationRead the Press Release
Matthew D. Krueger, U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of Wisconsin, announced that on May 12, 2020, his office filed a one-count federal criminal complaint against a man allegedly involved in domestic violence against a woman on the Menominee Indian Reservation. The complaint named Justin M. Moore (age: 34) of Keshena.
The complaint charged Moore with Domestic Assault by Strangulation in violation of 18 U.S.C. § 113(a)(8). If convicted of this offense, Moore faces a maximum of ten years in prison, up to a $250,000 fine, and up to three years of supervised release.
According to the complaint filed in United States District Court in Green Bay, on or about December 1, 2019, Moore strangled a woman with whom he had a dating relationship on the Menominee Indian Reservation. The offense allegedly occurred inside the woman’s house, and was witnessed by the woman’s child.
The Menominee Tribal Police Department and Federal Bureau of Investigation investigated the case, which will be prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Andrew J. Maier.
A criminal complaint is only a charge and not evidence of guilt. The defendant is presumed innocent and is entitled to a fair trial at which the government must prove his guilt beyond a reasonable doubt.
###
For additional information contact:
Public Information Officer Kenneth Gales at 414 297-1700
Jackson Man Sentenced under Project EJECT to Illegally Possessing a GunRead the Press Release
Jackson, Miss. – Clifton Summers, a/k/a Clifton Horton, 34, of Jackson, was sentenced today by U.S. District Carlton W. Reeves to 34 months in prison, followed by three years of supervised release, for being a felon in possession of a firearm, announced U.S. Attorney Mike Hurst and Michele Sutphin, Special Agent in Charge of the Federal Bureau of Investigation in Mississippi. Summers was also ordered to pay a $1,000.00 fine.
On June 1, 2018, officers with the Jackson Police Department arrested Summers when he was found in possession of a firearm during a traffic stop. Upon questioning, Summers admitted to purchasing the firearm and to being a convicted felon. Summers has previous convictions in Hinds County in 2003 for receiving stolen goods and in 2006 for armed carjacking. As a convicted felon, it is illegal for him to possess a firearm. He pleaded guilty before Judge Reeves on January 16, 2020.
This case was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation. It was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Lynn Murray.
This case is part of Project EJECT, an initiative by the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of Mississippi under the U.S. Department of Justice’s Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN) and Project Guardian. EJECT is a holistic, multi-disciplinary approach to fighting and reducing violent crime through prosecution, prevention, re-entry and awareness. EJECT stands for “Empower Justice Expel Crime Together.” PSN is bringing together all levels of law enforcement and the communities they serve to reduce violent crime and make our neighborhoods safer for everyone. 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.
Informational: Federal Court arraignmentsRead the Press Release
The U.S. Attorney’s Office announced that the following persons were arraigned or appeared this week before U.S. Magistrate judges on indictments handed down by the Grand Jury or on criminal complaints. The charging documents are merely accusations and defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty:
Appearing in Billings before U.S. Magistrate Judge Timothy J. Cavan and pleading not guilty on May 12 was:
Maliyah Jae Chavez, 18, of Billings, and Rodrigo Gomez, 19, of Billings, on charges of possession of stolen firearms. If convicted of the most serious crime, Chavez and Gomez face a maximum 10 years in prison, a $250,000 fine and three years of supervised release. Both defendants were detained pending further proceedings. The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives investigated the case. Pacer case reference. 20-28.
Bo Bryan Fish, 40, of Worden, on charges of conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute methamphetamine, possession with intent to distribute meth and possession of a firearm in furtherance of drug trafficking. If convicted of the most serious crime, Fish faces a minimum mandatory 10 years to life in prison, a $10 million fine and at least five years of supervised release. In addition, Fish faces a minimum mandatory five years to life consecutive to any other crime on the firearms count. Fish was detained pending further proceedings. The FBI Western Transnational Organized Crime Task Force investigated the case. Pacer case reference. 20-30.
Trevion Maurice Jones, 44, of Billings, on charges of conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute meth and possession with intent to distribute meth. If convicted of the most serious crime, Jones faces a minimum mandatory 10 years to life in prison, a $10 million fine and at least five years of supervised release. Jones was detained pending further proceedings. The Eastern Montana High Intensity Drug Trafficking Area Task Force and FBI Western Transnational Organized Crime Task Force investigated the case. Pacer case reference. 20-32.
Gaspar Feliciano Salas, 43, of Gilbert, AZ, on charges of conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute meth, possession with intent to distribute meth and possession of a firearm in furtherance of drug trafficking. If convicted of the most serious crime, Salas faces a minimum mandatory 10 years to life in prison, a $10 million fine and at least five years of supervised release. In addition, Salas faces a minimum mandatory five years to life consecutive to any other crime on the firearms count. Salas was detained pending further proceedings. The Eastern Montana High Intensity Drug Trafficking Area Task Force and FBI Western Transnational Organized Crime Task Force investigated the case. Pacer case reference. 20-33.
Appearing in Great Falls before U.S. Magistrate Judge John Johnston and pleading not guilty on May 14 was:
Russell Robert Moddison, 48, of Great Falls, on charges of conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute controlled substances and possession with intent to distribute controlled substances. If convicted of the most serious crime, Moddison faces a minimum mandatory five years to 40 years in prison, a $5 million fine and four years of supervised release. Moddison was detained pending further proceedings. The Drug Enforcement Administration, Great Falls Police Department and Russell Country Drug Task Force investigated the case. Pacer case reference. 20-27.
If any of the above cases are of interest to your media organization and the community it serves, we encourage you to monitor the progress of the case regularly through the U.S. District Court calendar and the PACER system.
To establish a PACER account, which will allow you to review documents filed in the case, please go to, http://www.pacer.gov/register.html. To access the district court’s calendar, please go to https://ecf.mtd.uscourts.gov/cgi-bin/PublicCalendar.pl.
XXX
Horn Lake Man Sentenced to 21 Years in Prison for Federal Gun and Drug CrimesRead the Press Release
OXFORD, Miss. - A Horn Lake man has been sentenced to serve 21 years in federal prison following his convictions for multiple gun and drug crimes. A jury convicted Dan V. Sharp, 39, formerly of Memphis, Tennessee and Horn Lake, Mississippi, of 15 counts of federal gun and drug charges following a four-day trial in Oxford in November of 2019. The charges and resulting convictions stemmed from three separate instances of criminal conduct by Sharp involving drug trafficking and illegal possession of firearms committed between September of 2017 and April of 2018. Senior U.S. District Judge Glen Davidson presided over the trial and imposed the sentence of 255 months imprisonment on Friday morning.
During the trial, the jury heard evidence of the three separate criminal investigations involving Sharp. Evidence showed that on September 27, 2017, Horn Lake Police Officers responded to 911 emergency call in Horn Lake at a residence where an individual had allegedly shot herself. When the officers entered the house, they found Dan Sharp in a bedroom with his deceased wife. After the officers secured the scene, they found several controlled substances, including methamphetamine and cocaine, in the bedroom as well as multiple semi-automatic Draco-style firearms in a nearby bedroom closet. They later searched the house and found additional firearms, including a tactical shotgun with a large magazine drum, in the truck of Sharp’s vehicle. The jury concluded that Sharp possessed the drugs found in the bedroom with the intent to distribute them. They also determined that Sharp possessed the firearms located in the closet and vehicle in furtherance of drug trafficking activities. The jury convicted Sharp of six criminal counts stemming from this incident including four convictions for drug trafficking offenses, one conviction for possessing a firearm as a convicted felon, and one count of possessing a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime.
The jury also heard evidence concerning a February 24, 2018, traffic stop in which a Desoto County Deputy pulled Dan Sharp over at approximately 2:00 a.m. for reckless driving. During the stop, the deputy determined that Sharp was under the influence of alcohol or drugs. The deputy questioned Sharp, who admitted that he had a firearm in his vehicle. During a subsequent search of the vehicle, investigating deputies found methamphetamine, cocaine, and three firearms, one of which was stolen. The jury determined that Sharp possessed the drugs found in the vehicle with the intent to distribute them and that he possessed the firearms in furtherance drug trafficking. The jury convicted Sharp of six criminal counts stemming from this incident, including four counts of drug trafficking, one count of possessing a firearm as a convicted felon, and one count of possessing a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime.
Finally, the jury heard evidence about a narcotics investigation involving Dan Sharp in April of 2018. A Desoto County Investigator received information that Sharp was in Hernando, Mississippi and that he was in possession of drugs that he intended to sell. Based on this information, Desoto County narcotics agents located Sharp near the courthouse in Hernando, where they began conducting surveillance and ultimately followed his vehicle to a tattoo parlor. After one agent witnessed an individual exit the tattoo parlor and reach into Sharp’s vehicle to receive an item that appeared to be narcotics, Sharp was arrested and his vehicle was searched. Agents recovered cocaine and methamphetamine from Sharp’s vehicle, and the jury convicted him of three counts of possession with intent to distribute narcotics.
U.S. Attorney Chad Lamar praised the work of officers, agents and prosecutors who assisted in this investigation. “The sentence imposed today is a direct result of effective, coordinated efforts by multiple law enforcement agencies to remove from the streets a dangerous individual who persisted in dealing in illicit drugs and using firearms that he illegally possessed in order to do so,” remarked Lamar. “This is a key example of our Project Safe Neighborhoods program at work, and our communities in North Mississippi are safer as a result.”
The case was investigated by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF), the Horn Lake Police Department, and the Desoto County Sheriff’s Office. The case was prosecuted by AUSA Phillip Levy, and AUSA Clay Dabbs of the U.S. Attorney’s Office in the Northern District of Mississippi.
Head of Investment Management Firm Pleads Guilty in Connection with $18 Million Pre-IPO Securities Fraud SchemeRead the Press Release
Geoffrey S. Berman, the United States Attorney for the Southern District of New York, announced today that FRED ELM, a/k/a “Frederic Elmaleh,” the founder and manager of Elm Tree Investment Advisors LLC (“ETIA”), pled guilty before U.S. District Judge Edgardo Ramos to securities fraud charges stemming from his role in a scheme to defraud investors in multiple investment funds created and controlled by ELM and Ahmad Naqvi, ETIA’s chief operating officer. Among other illicit activity, ELM and Naqvi fraudulently induced more than 50 investors to invest over $18 million based on the false representation that ELM and Naqvi would invest that money, through the funds, in the shares of privately held technology companies, like Twitter, Alibaba, Uber, and Square, before their initial public offerings (“IPOs”). Naqvi pled guilty to his role in the scheme before Judge Ramos on May 4, 2020.
U.S. Attorney Geoffrey S. Berman said: “Fred Elm, founder and head of Elm Tree Investment Advisors, admitted today to defrauding investors out of more than $18 million by promising big returns from investments in hot tech companies, like Twitter and Uber, before their initial public offerings. In reality, Elm and his co-defendant Ahmed Naqvi lied about their access to pre-IPO investments, and they invested only a portion of the funds in money-losing trades and spent the rest on their own extravagant lifestyles, including a Bentley, a Maserati, and a Range Rover. After fleeing to Canada, Elm has now been brought to justice. He faces serious prison time for his high-flying scheme, which never earned a profit and left his investors high and dry. ”
According to the Superseding Indictment charging ELM and Naqvi, and other filings in the case:
From at least June 2013 through December 2014, ELM and Naqvi engaged in a scheme to defraud investors in funds that ELM and Naqvi created and controlled at ETIA, where ELM was the founder and manager, and Naqvi was the chief operating officer. ELM and Naqvi raised more than $18 million from over 50 investors in four limited partnerships for which ETIA acted as the fund manager: Elm Tree Investment Fund, LP; Elm Tree Emerging Growth Fund, LP; Elm Tree ‘e’Conomy Fund, LP; and Elm Tree Motion Opportunity, LP (collectively the “Elm Tree Funds”).
ELM and Naqvi falsely represented that the Elm Tree Funds used investor capital to purchase shares in privately held technology companies before their IPOs. These companies included Twitter, Inc., Alibaba Group Holding Limited, Uber Technologies, Inc., Square, Inc., Pinterest, Inc., and GoDaddy Group, Inc. Moreover, ELM and Naqvi falsely represented that they had access to these pre-IPO shares because of their relationships with leading venture capital firms, such as Kleiner Perkins Caufield & Byers, Benchmark Capital, and Silver Lake Management, L.L.C. In truth and in fact, ELM and Naqvi did not invest in the pre-IPO shares of these companies and did not have relationships with these venture capital firms.
ELM and Naqvi comingled the approximately $18 million that was invested in the Elm Tree Funds in a single investment account and then invested only a portion of the money, approximately $7.1 million. At no point did any of the Elm Tree Funds return a profit. Instead, for example, between January 2014 and November 2014, the Elm Tree Funds lost approximately $3.9 million in trading.
Moreover, of the investor funds that ELM and Naqvi did not lose in securities trading, ELM routinely converted investor funds to his own use in the form of cash withdrawals and to pay personal expenses, including to purchase a multimillion-dollar home, high-end furnishings, and other personal items, such as jewelry, daily living expenses, and luxury automobiles, including a Bentley, a Maserati, and a Range Rover.
The conversion of investors’ funds was contrary to the representations that ELM and Naqvi made to investors concerning their and ETIA’s fees. ELM and Naqvi falsely represented that they and ETIA would take a two percent annual management fee plus a performance fee of 20 percent of any profits that the Elm Tree Funds earned. In truth and in fact, ELM converted investor money that far exceeded the two percent management fee. Moreover, because the Elm Tree Funds never returned a profit, ELM, Naqvi, and ETIA were not entitled to a percentage of any profits.
ELM and Naqvi also used approximately $5.2 million of new investor funds to make payments to earlier investors in a Ponzi-like fashion. To prevent or forestall redemptions, and continue to raise money to fund their scheme, ELM and Naqvi also generated fictitious account statements and made oral and written misrepresentations that their trading strategies were generating consistently positive returns.
For example, beginning in mid-2013, ELM and Naqvi began to solicit Victim-1 to invest with ETIA in the Elm Tree Funds. On June 11, 2013, Naqvi sent Victim-1 a series of emails regarding the Elm Tree Emerging Growth Fund, in which he falsely represented, among other things, that the fund would invest in pre-IPO Twitter shares, and that ELM, Naqvi, and ETIA had “key contacts” with venture capital firms like Kleiner Perkins Caufield & Byers and Benchmark Capital. ELM and Naqvi subsequently had in-person meetings and telephone calls with Victim-1 about this investment. On October 9, 2013, Victim-1 invested approximately $52,500 in the Elm Tree Emerging Growth Fund. Following Twitter’s IPO on November 6, 2013, Twitter’s stock price rose, and Naqvi subsequently told Victim-1 that ELM, Naqvi, and ETIA had used an options strategy to lock in Victim-1’s profits in Twitter. Because the fund had not invested in pre-IPO Twitter shares, there were no profits to lock in. Thereafter, ELM and Naqvi sent fraudulent account statements to Victim-1, including one sent on March 7, 2014. The statement falsely indicated that Victim-1’s investment in the fund was valued at $274,550 (up from $52,500), and that the Elm Tree Emerging Growth Fund was valued at $68,115,855.
ELM and Naqvi made similar misrepresentations with respect to Victim-1’s subsequent investments in the Elm Tree ‘e’Conomy Fund and Elm Tree Motion Opportunity, falsely indicating that those funds invested in Alibaba, Uber, Square, Pinterest, and GoDaddy, and that Victim-1’s investments were growing. ELM and Naqvi also falsely represented that the value of the Elm Tree ‘e’Conomy Fund as of December 12, 2014, was $125,484,750 and that the value of Elm Tree Motion Opportunity as of December 18, 2014, was $77,286,220 – falsely claiming that the total value of the Elm Tree Funds was more than $270 million.
ELM was initially arrested in April 2016 and released on bail. In June 2017, approximately one week before his then-scheduled guilty plea, ELM fled to Canada. ELM was subsequently arrested in Canada and extradited to the United States in January 2020. Naqvi, who had been a fugitive since his indictment in 2016, was arrested in Canada and extradited to the United States in November 2019.
* * *
ELM, 51, pled guilty to one count of securities fraud conspiracy and one count of securities fraud, which carry a maximum sentence of five years and twenty years in prison, respectively. The charges also carry a maximum fine of $5,000,000, or twice the gross gain or loss from the offenses. The maximum potential sentence in this case is prescribed by Congress and is provided here for informational purposes only, as any sentencing of the defendant will be determined by the judge. ELM also agreed to forfeit $8,318,840.07. ELM is scheduled to be sentenced by Judge Ramos on August 7, 2020, at 11:00 a.m.
Mr. Berman praised the work of Homeland Security Investigations and the U.S. Department of Justice’s Office of International Affairs, and thanked the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission for its assistance. Mr. Berman also thanked Canadian law enforcement for its support and assistance.
This case is being handled by the Office’s Securities and Commodities Fraud Task Force. Assistant U.S. Attorney Joshua A. Naftalis is in charge of the prosecution.
Gretna Woman is Sentenced for Filing False Tax ReturnRead the Press Release
NEW ORLEANS - U.S. Attorney Peter G. Strasser announces the sentencing on May 14, 2020 of PATRICIA HARGIS, age 71, of Gretna, for charges stemming from filing a false federal income tax return. U.S. District Judge Mary Ann Vial Lemmon sentenced HARGIS to 21 months of home confinement as part of a three-year probation term, a $7,500 fine, and restitution to the Internal Revenue Service in the amount of $110,810.
HARGIS admitted to intentionally understating her income in each tax return for the years 2011 through 2015, causing her taxes to be understated by a total of approximately $110,810.
U.S. Attorney Strasser praised the work of the Internal Revenue Service - Criminal Investigation Division and the Federal Bureau of Investigation in investigating this matter. Assistant United States Attorneys Chandra Menon and Andre J. Lagarde are in charge of the prosecution.
Georgia Woman Arrested for Role in Scheme to Defraud Health Care Benefit Programs Related to Cancer Genetic Testing and COVID-19 TestingRead the Press Release
A Georgia woman was arrested today for her alleged role in a conspiracy to defraud Medicare, a federally funded health care benefit program, by submitting false and fraudulent claims for cancer genetic (CGX) testing, as well as her role in conspiring to submit fraudulent claims related to COVID-19 and other tests.
Ashley Hoobler Parris, aka Ashley Hoobler and Ashley Parris, 32, of Lawrenceville, Georgia, is charged by complaint with conspiring to violate the Anti-Kickback Statute and conspiring to commit health care fraud. Hoobler was arrested this morning and is scheduled to have her initial court appearance this afternoon before U.S. Magistrate Judge Justin S. Anand of the Northern District of Georgia.
“The defendant allegedly sought to pay and receive illegal kickbacks in exchange for referring Medicare beneficiaries for expensive genetic screening tests and COVID-19 tests,” said Assistant Attorney General Brian A. Benczkowski of the Justice Department’s Criminal Division. “The department will continue to work with our law enforcement partners to protect the public from those who defraud our government health care programs, especially those who exploit the COVID-19 pandemic for personal gain.”
“Fraud related to COVID-19 is particularly disturbing as it exploits a national crisis for personal gain,” said U.S. Attorney Maria Chapa Lopez of the Middle District of Florida. “The U.S. Attorney’s Office and our law enforcement partners remain focused on investigating and prosecuting individuals seeking to defraud federal government programs for personal profit, especially during this pandemic.”
“Let this arrest be a warning that our agents remain vigilant in our fight against healthcare fraud and improper billing of federal healthcare programs,” said Omar Pérez Aybar, Special Agent in Charge for the Office of Inspector General of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. “With our law enforcement partners, we will continue to hold accountable those who attempt to enrich themselves at the government’s expense.”
The complaint alleges that, starting in or around October of 2018, and continuing through the present, Hoobler solicited and received illegal kickback payments from the owners and operators of a diagnostic testing laboratory in exchange for referring Medicare beneficiaries to this laboratory. The complaint further alleges that the owners and operators of the laboratory then submitted claims to Medicare for cancer genetic testing for the beneficiaries referred by Hoobler that were not eligible for reimbursement. The laboratory paid Hoobler a percentage of the paid claims as kickbacks.
Initially, the scheme related to Hoobler’s receipt of kickbacks for submitting CGX tests to diagnostic testing facilities. CGX testing is a type of test that uses DNA sequencing to detect mutations in genes that could indicate a higher risk of developing certain types of cancers in the future. CGX testing is not a method of diagnosing whether an individual presently has cancer. Generally, in order to have CGX tests conducted, an individual must complete a buccal or nasopharyngeal swab, or a respiratory sample, to collect a specimen, which specimen can then be transmitted to a laboratory for testing. Medicare rules and regulations provide that CGX testing is only reimbursable under certain specific circumstances, and tests not ordered by the physician who is treating the Medicare beneficiary are not considered reasonable and necessary.
The complaint alleges that Hoobler and her co-conspirators would obtain Medicare patient information and swabs by having Medicare beneficiaries complete genetic test kits, without regard to their medical necessity. Hoobler and her co-conspirators would obtain doctors’ orders for CGX testing for those beneficiaries by paying illegal kickbacks to co-conspirators at telemedicine companies. Hoobler also received illegal kickbacks in exchange for sending the completed CGX swabs and doctors’ orders to a laboratory. The laboratory would then submit false and fraudulent claims to Medicare.
Starting in or around February 2020, the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic began to be felt in the United States. According to the allegations in the complaint, as the COVID-19 crisis began to escalate, certain laboratory owners and operators have been willing to pay illegal kickbacks in exchange for completed COVID-19 and Respiratory Pathogen Panel (RPP) tests, which reimburse at a much higher rate than the COVID-19 tests.
The complaint further alleges that Hoobler agreed with others to be paid kickbacks on a per-test basis for COVID-19 tests, provided that those tests were bundled with more expensive RPP tests. Medicare’s reimbursement rates for the RPP tests are approximately four times higher than the reimbursement rates for the COVID-19 test.
HHS-OIG’s Miami Regional Office investigated the case with assistance from the Atlanta Regional Office and was brought as part of the Medicare Fraud Strike Force, under the supervision of the Criminal Division’s Fraud Section and the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Middle District of Florida. Trial Attorney Alejandro J. Salicrup is prosecuting the case.
A complaint is merely an allegation, and the defendant is presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.
The Fraud Section leads the Medicare Fraud Strike Force. Since its inception in March 2007, the Medicare Fraud Strike Force, which maintains 15 strike forces operating in 24 districts, has charged more than 4,200 defendants who have collectively billed the Medicare program for nearly $19 billion. In addition, the HHS Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services, working in conjunction with the HHS-OIG, are taking steps to increase accountability and decrease the presence of fraudulent providers.
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.
Georgia Woman Arrested for Role in Scheme to Defraud Health Care Benefit Programs Related to Cancer Genetic Testing and COVID-19 TestingRead the Press Release
Tampa, FL – A Georgia woman was arrested today for her alleged role in a conspiracy to defraud Medicare, a federally funded health care benefit program, by submitting false and fraudulent claims for cancer genetic (CGX) testing, as well as her role in conspiring to submit fraudulent claims related to COVID-19 and other tests.
Ashley Hoobler Parris, aka Ashley Hoobler and Ashley Parris, 32, of Lawrenceville, Georgia, is charged by
complaint with conspiring to violate the Anti-Kickback Statute and conspiring to commit health care fraud. Hoobler was arrested this morning and is scheduled to have her initial court appearance this afternoon before U.S. Magistrate Judge Justin S. Anand of the Northern District of Georgia.“The defendant allegedly sought to pay and receive illegal kickbacks in exchange for referring Medicare beneficiaries for expensive genetic screening tests and COVID-19 tests,” said Assistant Attorney General Brian A. Benczkowski of the Justice Department’s Criminal Division. “The department will continue to work with our law enforcement partners to protect the public from those who defraud our government health care programs, especially those who exploit the COVID-19 pandemic for personal gain.”
“Fraud related to COVID-19 is particularly disturbing as it exploits a national crisis for personal gain,” said U.S. Attorney Maria Chapa Lopez of the Middle District of Florida. “The U.S. Attorney’s Office and our law enforcement partners remain focused on investigating and prosecuting individuals seeking to defraud federal government programs for personal profit, especially during this pandemic.”
“Let this arrest be a warning that our agents remain vigilant in our fight against healthcare fraud and improper billing of federal healthcare programs,” said Omar Pérez Aybar, Special Agent in Charge for the Office of Inspector General of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. “With our law enforcement partners, we will continue to hold accountable those who attempt to enrich themselves at the government’s expense.”
The complaint alleges that, starting in or around October of 2018, and continuing through the present, Hoobler solicited and received illegal kickback payments from the owners and operators of a diagnostic testing laboratory in exchange for referring Medicare beneficiaries to this
laboratory. The complaint further alleges that the owners and operators of the laboratory then submitted claims to Medicare for cancer genetic testing for the beneficiaries referred by Hoobler that were not eligible for reimbursement. The laboratory paid Hoobler a percentage of of the paid claims as kickbacks.
Initially, the scheme related to Hoobler’s receipt of kickbacks for submitting CGX tests to diagnostic testing facilities. CGX testing is a type of test that uses DNA sequencing to detect mutations in genes that could indicate a higher risk of developing certain types of cancers in the future. CGX testing is not a method of diagnosing whether an individual presently has cancer. Generally, in order to have CGX tests conducted, an individual must complete a buccal or nasopharyngeal swab, or a respiratory sample, to collect a specimen, which specimen can then be transmitted to a laboratory for testing. Medicare rules and regulations provide that CGX testing is only reimbursable under certain specific circumstances, and tests not ordered by the physician who is treating the Medicare beneficiary are not considered reasonable and necessary.
The complaint alleges that Hoobler and her co-conspirators would obtain Medicare patient information and swabs by having Medicare beneficiaries complete genetic test kits, without regard to their medical necessity. Hoobler and her co-conspirators would obtain doctors’ orders for CGX testing for those beneficiaries by paying illegal kickbacks to co-conspirators at telemedicine companies. Hoobler also received illegal kickbacks in exchange for sending the completed CGX swabs and doctors’ orders to a laboratory. The laboratory would then submit false and fraudulent claims to Medicare.
Starting in or around February 2020, the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic began to be felt in the United States. According to the allegations in the complaint, as the COVID-19 crisis began to escalate, certain laboratory owners and operators have been willing to pay illegal kickbacks in exchange for completed COVID-19 and Respiratory Pathogen Panel (RPP) tests, which reimburse at a much higher rate than the COVID-19 tests.
The complaint further alleges that Hoobler agreed with others to be paid kickbacks on a per-test basis for COVID-19 tests, provided that those tests were bundled with more expensive RPP tests. Medicare’s reimbursement rates for the RPP tests are approximately four times higher than the reimbursement rates for the COVID-19 test.
HHS-OIG’s Miami Regional Office investigated the case with assistance from the Atlanta Regional Office and was brought as part of the Medicare Fraud Strike Force, under the supervision of the Criminal Division’s Fraud Section and the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Middle District of Florida. Trial Attorney Alejandro J. Salicrup is prosecuting the case.
A complaint is merely an allegation, and the defendant is presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.
The Fraud Section leads the Medicare Fraud Strike Force. Since its inception in March 2007, the Medicare Fraud Strike Force, which maintains 15 strike forces operating in 24 districts, has charged more than 4,200 defendants who have collectively billed the Medicare program for nearly $19 billion. In addition, the HHS Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services, working in conjunction with the HHS-OIG, are taking steps to increase accountability and decrease the presence of fraudulent providers.
Fresno Man Admits Sexual Exploitation of at Least 50 Children Through Multiple Social Media AppsRead the Press Release
FRESNO, Calif. — Jacob Blanco, 28, of Fresno, pleaded guilty today to five counts of sexual exploitation of a minor, as well as one count of receipt and distribution of child pornography, U.S. Attorney McGregor W. Scott announced.
According to the plea agreement, Blanco’s activities were discovered in March 2017 when the parents of a then six-year-old discovered that the minor had communicated with and created sexually explicit images at the request of another user on the social media application Musical.ly (now TikTok). Law enforcement investigators subsequently identified the offender as Blanco. Investigators searched Blanco’s residence and digital devices and discovered that he had successfully persuaded and coerced multiple minors to produce sexually explicit material. Blanco used various methods of deception and enticement, including by pretending to be a modeling agent or to be a minor himself. Blanco used Snapchat, Kik, Musical.ly (TikTok), and other applications to communicate with minor females for the purpose of having those minors create and transmit to him images of themselves engaged in sexually explicit conduct. Blanco admitted to law enforcement investigators, and as part of his plea agreement, that he communicated with at least 50 minors.
This investigation is the product of an investigation by Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) with assistance from the Fresno County Sheriff’s Office and the Fresno County Police Department along with numerous law enforcement agencies in various states. Assistant U.S. Attorney David L. Gappa and Trial Attorney Nadia C. Prinz of the Criminal Division’s Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section (CEOS) are prosecuting the case.
Sentencing is set for Oct. 9 before U.S. District Judge Dale A. Drozd. Blanco faces a mandatory minimum of 15 years in prison and a maximum of 30 years in prison for each sexual exploitation count and 5–20 years in prison for the distribution of child pornography count. For all counts there is a potential $250,000 fine and lifetime supervised release. The actual sentence, however, will be determined at the discretion of the court after consideration of any applicable statutory factors and the Federal Sentencing Guidelines, which take into account a number of variables.
This case was brought as part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative launched in May 2006 by the Department of Justice to combat the growing epidemic of child sexual exploitation and abuse. Led by the United States Attorneys’ Offices and the Criminal Division’s Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section, Project Safe Childhood marshals federal, state, and local resources to locate, apprehend, and prosecute those who sexually exploit children, and to identify and rescue victims. For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit www.usdoj.gov/psc. Click on the “resources” tab for information about internet-safety education.
Former Fulton County Tannery Owner Ordered to Pay Restitution for Clean-up of Hazardous WasteRead the Press Release
SYRACUSE, NEW YORK – Robert Carville, age 57, formerly of Johnstown, New York, was ordered today to pay $369,693.58 in restitution to the United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to reimburse it for its expenses incurred in removing hazardous waste that Carville stored without a permit at the former Carville National Leather Corporation building in Johnstown.
The announcement was made by United States Attorney Grant C. Jaquith and Tyler Amon, Special Agent in Charge of the EPA’s Criminal Investigation Division (EPA-CID) in New York.
Carville National Leather Corporation was a family owned tannery business that operated in Johnstown, New York, from 1976 until it closed in September 2013. Robert Carville owned and operated the business for approximately 10 years prior to its closure.
Carville pled guilty in December 2018 to one felony count of illegally storing hazardous waste without a permit. As part of his guilty plea, Carville admitted that as the owner and manager of the tannery, he was responsible for the materials stored there when it ceased operations. Following the closure of the business, Carville moved out of state, leaving hundreds of containers of hazardous chemicals inside the abandoned tannery building. Some of these were labeled as “corrosive,” “acidic,” and “hazardous.” Carville did not have a permit to store hazardous materials. Chemicals began leaking from the tannery building approximately two years after Carville abandoned it. In light of the tannery’s proximity to multiple residences and to a local creek, EPA deemed it a Superfund site and incurred substantial expenses in cleaning up and removing the chemicals over a several-month period.
On July 22, 2019, Senior United States District Judge Frederick J. Scullin, Jr. sentenced Carville to serve a 2-year term of probation. However, the Court deferred until today a determination on any restitution Carville owed EPA as part of the sentence. The parties presented evidence and testimony regarding restitution at an evidentiary hearing in December 2019. After reviewing that evidence and considering legal briefs filed by the parties, Senior District Judge Scullin today issued an order directing Carville, as part of his sentence, to pay $369,693.58 in restitution to EPA.
This case was investigated by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s Criminal Investigation Division (EPA-CID), and it was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Michael F. Perry.
Former Elementary School Principal Sentenced to 97 Months in Prison for Possessing Child PornographyRead the Press Release
Fort Lauderdale, Florida – A federal judge today sentenced Frank Richard Beyer (a/k/a “Rick Beyer”), 75, of Fort Lauderdale, Florida, to 97 months in prison for possessing child pornography that included images of boys under age 12 engaged in sex acts and exposing their genitals. Prior to living in Florida, Beyer lived in New York, where he taught sixth grade and was an elementary school principal.
Ariana Fajardo Orshan, U.S. Attorney for the Southern District of Florida, and George L. Piro, Special Agent in Charge, Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), Miami Field Office, made the announcement.
According to court records, law enforcement received multiple cyber tips that an on-line user had uploaded child pornography to internet platforms. The cybertips included an email address that led law enforcement officers to Beyer. On November 20, 2019, officers executed a search warrant at Beyer’s home. They found external digital storage devices that contained multiple pictures and videos of children (some under age 12) engaging in explicit sexual conduct with other children or adults. Law enforcement later forensically examined Beyer’s devices, finding almost 4,000 pictures and over 1,200 videos of child pornography. They also discovered that Beyer communicated with at least one person on an encrypted chat program and distributed child pornography to that person.
On March 5, 2020, Beyer pled guilty to possessing child pornography.
U.S. Attorney Fajardo Orshan commended the investigative efforts of FBI, Broward County Sheriff’s Office, and Homeland Security Investigations. Assistant U.S. Attorney Ajay Alexander prosecuted this case.
This case was brought as part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative to combat the growing epidemic of child sexual exploitation and abuse, launched in May 2006 by the Department of Justice. Led by U.S. Attorneys’ Offices and the Criminal Division’s Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section (CEOS), Project Safe Childhood marshals federal, state and local resources to better locate, apprehend and prosecute individuals who exploit children via the Internet, as well as to identify and rescue victims. For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit www.projectsafechildhood.gov.
Related court documents and information may be found on the website of the District Court for the Southern District of Florida at www.flsd.uscourts.gov or at http://pacer.flsd.uscourts.gov.
For more information on the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of Florida, visit https://www.justice.gov/usao-sdfl.
Federal Grand Jury Returns Indictment Charging Pakistani Doctor with Attempting to Provide Material Support to ISISRead the Press Release
Assistant Attorney General for National Security John C. Demers and U.S. Attorney for the District of Minnesota Erica H. MacDonald today announced that a federal grand jury sitting in Minneapolis, Minnesota, returned a single-count indictment against Muhammad Masood, 28, charging him with attempting to provide material support to a designated foreign terrorist organization. Masood, who was initially charged in a criminal complaint on March 19, 2020, is currently in custody pending further court proceedings.
According to the indictment and documents filed in court, Masood, a licensed medical doctor in Pakistan, was formerly employed as a Research Coordinator at a medical clinic in Rochester, Minnesota, under an H-1B Visa. Between January 2020 and March 2020, Masood made several statements to others, including pledging his allegiance to the Islamic State of Iraq and Al-Sham (ISIS) and its leader, and expressing his desire to travel to Syria to fight for ISIS. Masood also expressed his desire to conduct “lone wolf” terrorist attacks in the United States. On Feb. 21, 2020, Masood purchased a plane ticket from Chicago, Illinois to Amman, Jordan, and from there planned to travel to Syria. On March 16, 2020, Masood’s travel plans changed because Jordan closed its borders to incoming travel due to the Coronavirus pandemic. Masood made a new plan to fly from Minneapolis to Los Angeles to meet up with an individual who he believed would assist him with travel via cargo ship to deliver him to ISIS territory.
On March 19, 2020, Masood traveled from Rochester to Minneapolis-St. Paul International Airport (MSP) to board a flight bound for Los Angeles, California. Upon arrival at MSP, Masood checked in for his flight and was subsequently arrested by the FBI’s Joint Terrorism Task Force.
This case is the result of an investigation conducted by the FBI’s Joint Terrorism Task Force.
This case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Andrew R. Winter and Timothy C. Rank, with assistance from Trial Attorney Katie Sweeten of the National Security Division’s Counterterrorism Section.
The charges contained in the complaint are merely accusations, and the defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.
Federal Grand Jury Returns Indictment Charging Pakistani Doctor with Attempting to Provide Material Support to ISISRead the Press Release
United States Attorney Erica H. MacDonald today announced that a federal grand jury sitting in Minneapolis, Minnesota, returned a single-count indictment against MUHAMMAD MASOOD, 28, charging him with attempting to provide material support to a designated foreign terrorist organization. MASOOD, who was initially charged in a criminal complaint on March 19, 2020, is currently in custody in the Sherburne County Jail pending further court proceedings.
According to the indictment and documents filed in court, MASOOD, a licensed medical doctor in Pakistan, was formerly employed as a Research Coordinator at a medical clinic in Rochester, Minnesota, under an H-1B Visa. Between January 2020 and March 2020, MASOOD made several statements to others, including pledging his allegiance to the Islamic State of Iraq and Al-Sham (“ISIS”) and its leader, and expressing his desire to travel to Syria to fight for ISIS. MASOOD also expressed his desire to conduct “lone wolf” terrorist attacks in the United States. On Feb. 21, 2020, MASOOD purchased a plane ticket from Chicago, Illinois to Amman, Jordan, and from there planned to travel to Syria. On March 16, 2020, MASOOD’s travel plans changed because Jordan closed its borders to incoming travel due to the Coronavirus pandemic. MASOOD made a new plan to fly from Minneapolis to Los Angeles to meet up with an individual who he believed would assist him with travel via cargo ship to deliver him to ISIS territory.
On March 19, 2020, MASOOD traveled from Rochester to Minneapolis-St. Paul International Airport (MSP) to board a flight bound for Los Angeles, California. Upon arrival at MSP, MASOOD checked in for his flight and was subsequently arrested by the FBI’s Joint Terrorism Task Force.
This case is the result of an investigation conducted by the FBI’s Joint Terrorism Task Force.
This case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Andrew R. Winter and Timothy C. Rank, with assistance from Trial Attorney Katie Sweeten of the National Security Division’s Counterterrorism Section.
The charges contained in the complaint are merely accusations, and the defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.
Defendant Information:
MUHAMMAD MASOOD, 28
Rochester, Minn.
Charges:
- Attempt to provide material support to a designated foreign terrorist organization (ISIS), 1 count
###
Additional news available on our website.
Follow us on Twitter and Facebook.
United States Attorney’s Office, District of Minnesota: (612) 664-5600
Fayetteville Drug Trafficker Sentenced to 48 Months ImprisonmentRead the Press Release
RALEIGH, N.C. – A Fayetteville man was sentenced today to 48 months in prison for Conspiracy to Distribute and Possess with Intent to Distribute a Quantity of Heroin, a Quantity of Cocaine, and 28 Grams of More of Cocaine Base (Crack); and Possession with Intent to Distribute a Quantity of Heroin, a Quantity of Cocaine, and a Quantity of Cocaine Base (Crack), and Aiding and Abetting.
According to court documents, in July 2018, investigators learned that Rashaan Lakim Williams, 42, was distributing controlled substances in the area of Fayetteville. From July 2018 until January 2019, agents conducted controlled purchases of 69.57 grams of cocaine and 41.07 grams of cocaine base (crack) from Williams. Investigators obtained a warrant to search two residences associated with Williams. From those two residences, agents seized approximately $30,000 in United States currency, 522.74 grams of cocaine, 25.6 grams of cocaine base (crack), 13.62 grams of heroin, and 74.4 grams of marijuana.
Robert J. Higdon, Jr., U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of North Carolina, made the announcement after sentencing by Chief U.S. District Judge Terrence W. Boyle. The Federal Bureau of Investigation and the Fayetteville Police Department conducted the investigation and Assistant U.S. Attorney Scott A. Lemmon prosecuted the case.
A copy of this press release is located on our website. Related court documents and information are located on the website of the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of North Carolina or on PACER by searching for Case No. 5:19-cr-00190-BO.
###
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.
Fayette County Man Pleads Guilty to Two Armed Robberies of Lexington PharmacyRead the Press Release
LEXINGTON, Ky. – A Lexington man, Michael R. McReynolds Jr., 32, pleaded guilty on Friday, before Chief United States District Judge Danny Reeves, to Hobbs Act robbery and carrying and using a firearm during a crime of violence.
According to McReynolds’ plea agreement, on September 27, 2019, he robbed the Hubbard & Curry Pharmacy located in Lexington. McReynolds, who was armed with an AK-style firearm, took oxycodone pills, other drugs, and approximately $300. On October 21, 2019, McReynolds again robbed the pharmacy. During the second robbery, McReynolds was again armed with an AK-style firearm, and he stole approximately 500 oxycodone pills.
Based on evidence collected, law enforcement officers identified McReynolds as the perpetrator of both robberies. Officers arrested McReynolds at his fiancée’s home on October 21, 2019, and located several of the prescription pills that were stolen during the pharmacy robberies.
As part of his plea agreement, McReynolds admitted to possessing and brandishing a firearm to help facilitate his robberies of the pharmacy.
Robert M. Duncan, Jr., United States Attorney for the Eastern District of Kentucky; J. Todd Scott, Special Agent in Charge, DEA, Louisville Field Division; and Lawrence Weathers, Chief of Police, Lexington Police Department jointly made the announcement.
McReynolds Jr. is scheduled to be sentenced on August 21, 2020. He faces up to 20 years in prison on the robbery convictions and a minimum of 10 years in prison, to run consecutively, for the firearm convictions. However, any sentence will be imposed by the Court after its consideration of the United States Sentencing Guidelines and applicable federal sentencing statutes.
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 PSN program was reinvigorated as part of the Department’s renewed focus on targeting violent criminals, directing all U.S. Attorney’s Offices to work in partnership with federal, state, local, and tribal law enforcement and the local community to develop effective, locally-based strategies to reduce violent crime.
This case is also part of Project Guardian, the Department of Justice’s signature initiative to reduce gun violence and enforce federal firearms laws. Initiated by the Attorney General in the fall of 2019, Project Guardian draws upon the Department’s past successful programs to reduce gun violence; enhances coordination of federal, state, local, and tribal authorities in investigating and prosecuting gun crimes; improves information-sharing by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives when a prohibited individual attempts to purchase a firearm and is denied by the National Instant Criminal Background Check System (NICS), to include taking appropriate actions when a prospective purchaser is denied by the NICS for mental health reasons; and ensures that federal resources are directed at the criminals posing the greatest threat to our communities. Click here for more information about Project Guardian.
The year 2020 marks the 150th anniversary of the Department of Justice. Learn more about the history of our agency at www.Justice.gov/Celebrating150Years.
– END –
Faulkton Man Charged and Sentenced for Wildlife Violations Involving Bald Eagle DeathsRead the Press Release
United States Attorney Ron Parsons announced that a Faulkton, South Dakota, man convicted of Unlawful Taking of Bald Eagles, Unlawful Taking of Migratory Birds, and Unlawful Use of Restricted Use Pesticide was charged by information on May 7, 2020, and was sentenced on May 13, 2020, by U.S. Magistrate Judge Mark A. Moreno.
Kevin Deiter, age 43, appeared on May 13, 2020, pled guilty to the Information, and was ordered to pay a total of $29,400 in restitution, $9,800 per eagle, a $5,000 fine, and a special assessment to the Federal Crime Victims Fund in the amount of $40.
On March 21, 2017, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service received notification from the South Dakota Game, Fish and Parks Department that three dead bald eagles were recovered in Faulk County. In the area where the bald eagles were recovered, law enforcement noted impression marks from silage bags that had been removed, a dead skunk, a dead mink, two partially intact chicken eggs, and a collection of chicken egg shell fragments. During the investigation Dieter admitted to injecting the chicken eggs with carbamate carbofuran and placing them near the silage bags in order to keep skunks and mink from destroying the silage bags. It was determined that the three bald eagles and the skunk and mink that were recovered had each died of carbamate carbofuran poisoning.
This case was investigated by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and the South Dakota Game, Fish and Parks Department. Assistant U.S. Attorney Meghan N. Dilges prosecuted the case.
El Paso Woman Charged by Federal Complaint with Posting Threatening Communications OnlineRead the Press Release
In El Paso today, federal authorities filed a criminal complaint against 25–year-old Vanessa Tarrango for communicating a threat online, announced U.S. Attorney John F. Bash and FBI Special Agent in Charge Luis M. Quesada, El Paso Division.
The criminal complaint alleges that on May 13, 2020, Tarrango posted the following on Facebook:
“For the past years or so theres been Walmart shootin that jst keep getting funnuer n funnier immab the nxt one to shoot up Walmart n hopefully one of these x or even my bd will be there Cruel yes but idc more”.
The complaint further alleges that Tarrango responded to posted comments by stating:
“lmao bitch they act like imam take time out of my day too shoot these dumb ppl idc or heard of im not gunna get a charge for ppl idk”. “Or maybe only time will tell fukk it”.
According to the complaint, Tarrango then followed up by tagging a Facebook user in a post stating:
“Hoe got scared n reported it shell be the first one I shoot.”
She also responded to another Facebook user’s response with:
“Idc dude fr they can kiss my ass in jail n ill send them letters sayin there nxt”.
The complaint also alleges that Tarrango posted the threats in response to the arrest this week of a friend. On Monday, Alex Barron was arrested on federal firearms charges in connection with an investigation into the alleged posting on a social media application of a photograph of an AR-15 style rifle with a caption stating “…#watchoutwalmartimcoming #droplikeflys…”.
Upon conviction, Tarrango faces up to five years in federal prison. She remains in custody at this time. Her initial appearance before a federal magistrate judge is expected to occur next week.
“Once again our community stepped up in order to protect itself. It takes the help of the entire community and the resources from law enforcement to keep our fellow citizens safe from harm. We thank you,” stated FBI Special Agent in Charge Luis Quesada. “A threat will be taken seriously. It is not a joke; it is a federal crime. Think before you post on social media.”
The FBI, El Paso Police Department and the Socorro Police Department are investigating this case. Assistant U.S. Attorney Ian Hanna is prosecuting this case on behalf of the government.
A criminal complaint is merely a charge and should not be considered as evidence of guilt. The defendant is presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.
#####
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.