Latest Records
Newest first across public DOJ and U.S. Attorney press releases.
27 March 2020
District Court Enters Injunctions Against U.S. Based Telecommunications Carriers Facilitating Hundreds of Millions of Fraudulent Robocalls to ConsumersRead the Press Release
WASHINGTON – The Department of Justice announced that the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of New York entered orders in two separate civil actions barring eight individuals and entities from continuing to facilitate the transmission of massive volumes of fraudulent robocalls to consumers in the United States. In one of the matters, United States v. Nicholas Palumbo, et al., the court entered a preliminary injunction that bars defendants Nicholas and Natasha Palumbo and two entities from operating as intermediate voice-over-internet-protocol (VoIP) carriers during the pendency of the civil action. In the other matter, United States v. Jon Kahen, et al., the court entered consent decrees that permanently bar defendants Jon Kahen and three entities from operating as intermediate VoIP carriers conveying fraudulent robocalls into the U.S. telephone system.
Richard P. Donoghue, United States Attorney for the Eastern District of New York, Jody H. Hunt, Assistant Attorney General of the Justice Department’s Civil Division, and Gail S. Ennis, Inspector General, Social Security Administration (SSA), made the announcement.
“This Office will take all appropriate measures to stop fraudulent robocalling schemes responsible for causing catastrophic losses to victims, including seeking to permanently shut down the U.S.-based enablers of such schemes,” stated United States Attorney Donoghue. “Protecting elderly and vulnerable individuals from being conned by foreign call center scammers remains a priority of this office and the Department of Justice.”
“These massive robocall fraud schemes target telephones of residents across our country, many of whom are elderly or are otherwise potentially vulnerable to such schemes,” stated Assistant Attorney General Hunt. “The Department is committed to stopping this unlawful conduct and pursuing those who knowingly facilitate these schemes for their own financial gain.”
“The Court’s decisions send a clear message to gateway carriers who knowingly do business with scammers targeting Americans from overseas,” stated SSA Inspector General Ennis. “We will continue to pursue those who facilitate these scam calls by allowing them into the U.S. telephone network. I want to thank the Department of Justice for its support throughout this investigation and its commitment to protecting Americans from this insidious form of fraud and theft.”
As alleged in the complaints, the defendants in both cases operated as intermediate VoIP carriers, receiving internet based calls from other entities, often located abroad, and transmitting those calls first to other carriers within the United States, and ultimately to the phones of individuals. Numerous foreign-based call centers are alleged to have used the defendants’ VoIP carrier services to pass fraudulent government and business imposter robocalls to victims in the United States. The defendants also sold U.S. phone numbers to foreign entities, which were used as victim call-back numbers as part of massive robocalling fraud schemes.
As also alleged, despite numerous warnings that they were carrying fraudulent robocalls—including calls impersonating government agencies such as the Social Security Administration, the Internal Revenue Service and businesses such as Microsoft—the defendants continued carrying those calls and facilitating fraud schemes targeting individuals in the United States. Many of the robocalls were made from foreign-based call centers by individuals impersonating government investigators and conveying alarming messages, such as: the recipient’s social security number or other personal information has been compromised or otherwise connected to criminal activity; the recipient faces imminent arrest; the recipient’s assets are being frozen; the recipient’s bank and credit accounts have suspect activity; the recipient’s benefits are being stopped; the recipient faces imminent deportation; or combinations of these threats. Each of these claims was false and designed to scare the call recipient into paying large sums of money. Many times the numbers that appeared as the originating or caller-ID numbers for these calls were “spoofed” to make it appear that they originated from legitimate government or business offices in the United States, when in reality the calls were made by overseas scammers, often located in India. The defendants also sold toll-free and other U.S. numbers to foreign call centers that were left in fraudulent robocall messages on victims’ phones to further deceive them into believing that the calls were legitimate and originated in the United States. These calls led to massive financial losses to elderly and other vulnerable victims throughout the United States.
United States v. Nicholas Palumbo, et al.
In the first case, the court issued a preliminary injunction against spouses Nicholas and Natasha Palumbo of Scottsdale, Arizona, and the Arizona companies they own and operate, Ecommerce National LLC d/b/a TollFreeDeals.com and SIP Retail d/b/a sipretail.com. The court held, in a written opinion, that the evidence presented by the United States demonstrated probable cause to conclude that the defendants were engaged in “widespread patterns of telecommunications fraud, intended to deprive call recipients in the Eastern District of New York and elsewhere of money and property.”
The preliminary injunction bars the defendants from carrying any VoIP calls destined for phones in the United States and providing any U.S. telephone numbers (often used as call-back numbers in the fraudulent robocalling schemes) to any individuals or entities during the pendency of this litigation. The court noted that, although the defendants had been warned more than 100 times of specific instances of fraudulent calls being transmitted through their network, they never severed their business relationship with any entity they learned was associated with fraudulent call traffic prior to the United States filing of its lawsuit. The court further noted that “the telecommunications ‘intermediary’ industry is set up perfectly to allow fraudulent operators to rotate telephone numbers endlessly and blame other parties for the fraudulent call traffic they carry,” that the United States “demonstrat[ed] probable cause to conclude that Defendants’ business is permeated with fraud,” that “multiple individual victims in the United States suffered significant fraud losses” and that “[e]very day that the Defendants’ actions in this vein continue, the public is at risk of harm in the form of additional high-dollar fraud losses.”
United States v. Jon Kahen, et al.
In the second case, the court entered consent decrees permanently resolving the matter against five individuals and entities who were also operating intermediary VoIP carriers. The consent decree entered on March 2, 2020 against Jon Kahen, a/k/a Jon Kaen of New York, and New York corporations Global Voicecom, Inc. and Global Telecommunication Services Inc., permanently barred those defendants from, among other things, using the U.S. telephone system to: deliver prerecorded messages through automatic means, carry calls to the United States from foreign locations, and provide calling and toll-free services for calls originating in the United States. In addition, the defendants are permanently barred from serving as employees, agents, or consultants to any person or entity engaged in these activities. In a second consent decree entered on March 24, 2020, the court barred KAT Telecom, Inc., a New York corporation, from conveying or causing any other person or entity from conveying fraudulent telephone calls, fraudulent recordings and unauthorized “spoofed” telephone calls. In the event that KAT Telecom, Inc. resumes operations, it must also implement strong anti-fraud measures, including anti-fraud monitoring, mitigation and know-your-customer measures.
The claims resolved by the settlement in United States v. Jon Kahen, et al. are allegations only, and there has not been any final determination of liability or wrongdoing. The claims in United States v. Nicholas Palumbo, et al. are allegations only, and there has not been any final determination of liability or wrongdoing.
The government is represented by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Bonni Perlin, Evan Lestelle and Dara Olds of the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of New York, and Trial Attorneys Ann Entwistle and Bart Dunn of the Civil Division’s Consumer Protection Branch. The SSA’s Office of Inspector General, the USPIS, the Office of Inspector General for Tax Administration and U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s Homeland Security Investigation’s El Dorado Task Force provided investigative support. The Federal Trade Commission and the Federal Communications Commission provided pertinent data.
Additional information about the Consumer Protection Branch and its enforcement efforts may be found at http://www.justice.gov/civil/consumer-protection-branch. For more information about the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of New York, visit its website at https://www.justice.gov/usao-edny.
The Defendants:
NICHOLAS PALUMBO et al.
Scottsdale, ArizonaE.D.N.Y. Docket No. 20-CV-473 (EK)
JON KAHEN et al.
Great Neck, New YorkE.D.N.Y. Docket No. 20-CV-474 (BMC)
Columbia Falls man sentenced to 15 years in sexual exploitation caseRead the Press Release
MISSOULA— A Columbia Falls man who admitted using his Facebook account and mobile phone to seek a sexually explicit image of a minor girl was sentenced today to 15 years in prison and 10 years of supervised release, U.S. Attorney Kurt Alme said.
Todd Louis Pajnich, 30, pleaded guilty in December to sexual exploitation of a child.
U.S. District Judge Dana L. Christensen presided.
In court records filed in the case, the prosecution said that beginning in January 2019, Pajnich started communicating on Facebook with a 10-year-old girl. In April, Facebook reported potential online sexual exploitation involving the girl’s and Pajnich’s accounts. A law enforcement investigation found records in which Pajnich asked the girl her age and that she told him she was 13. Pajnich then asked the girl to send him a sexually explicit image of herself, which she did. And Pajnich sent the victim a sexually explicit image of a male, purportedly of himself. Pajnich admitted to law enforcement that he knew the victim was a child and that he solicited a sexually explicit image of her.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Cyndee Peterson prosecuted the case, which was investigated by Homeland Security Investigations, the Flathead County Sheriff’s Office and the Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force.
This case was initiated under the Department of Justice’s Project Safe Childhood initiative, which was launched in 2006 to combat the proliferation of technology-facilitated crimes involving the sexual exploitation of children. Through a network of federal, state and local law enforcement agencies and advocacy organizations, Project Safe Childhood attempts to protect children by investigating and prosecuting offenders involved in child sexual exploitation. It is implemented through partnerships including the Montana Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force. The ICAC Task Force Program was created to assist state and local law enforcement agencies by enhancing their investigative response to technology facilitated crimes against children.
XXX
Brazilian Man Pleads Guilty to Conspiracy to Commit Bank FraudRead the Press Release
CONCORD - Estefano Dall Anese Borlotti, 35, of Brazil, pleaded guilty on Thursday in federal court to conspiracy to commit bank fraud, United States Attorney Scott W. Murray announced today.
According to court documents and statements made in court, beginning in May 2019, Borlotti and others made fraudulent cash withdrawals from multiple bank and credit union locations in New Hampshire. Borlotti and others used gift cards re-encoded with stolen bank account information in order to make withdrawals using ATM machines. Law enforcement officers viewed ATM video surveillance and other records in order to identify Borlotti and the other individuals making the withdrawals.
Borlotti has been in custody since his arrest re-entering the country at Miami International Airport in late October 2019. The Court released Borlotti to ICE custody and he is likely to be removed to Brazil. The Court will sentence him by video at a later date.
“Federal law will continue to be enforced despite the challenges associated with the COVID-19 virus,” said U.S. Attorney Murray. “Preventing the victimization of the public will remain a priority. Fraudsters who steal money from bank accounts deprive hard-working Americans of their savings. We will continue to work closely with our law enforcement partners to identify and prosecute the criminals who operate bank fraud schemes.”
“Protecting citizens and financial institutions from cyber-enabled fraud remains a priority for the U.S. Secret Service.” said Timothy Benitez, Resident Agent in Charge of the U.S. Secret Service, Manchester Resident Office.
This matter was investigated by the U.S. Secret Service, United States Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), the Dover Police Department, the Rochester Police Department, the Portsmouth Police Department, the Barrington Police Department, and the Durham Police Department. The Miami (Florida) and York (Maine) Police Departments also provided assistance. The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Charles L. Rombeau.
###
Attorney General Hunter, U.S. Attorney Downing Coordinate Efforts to Combat Coronavirus FraudRead the Press Release
OKLAHOMA CITY – Attorney General Mike Hunter and U.S. Attorney Tim Downing today announced a state-federal partnership that will combine resources and information to investigate and prosecute con artists attempting to defraud Oklahomans during the Coronavirus emergency.
Both the Attorney General and the U.S. Attorney for Oklahoma’s Western District agree that combining state and federal resources enables the two agencies to more quickly verify allegations, which will expedite the process of stopping and punishing criminals who are using the current crisis for personal profits.
They also believe the collaborative force of the state and federal government serves as a strong deterrent to those thinking of ways to defraud Oklahomans.
"During times of crisis, we should all be taking action to help those in need, not exploiting our neighbors for personal financial gain," Attorney General Hunter said. "However, it is an unfortunate reality that since the President’s Emergency Order, both of our offices have been inundated with calls about price gouging and scams related to the Coronavirus. We anticipate the situation worsening before it gets better. That is why U.S. Attorney Downing and I have decided to combine our efforts in order to expedite investigations that hold criminals accountable and keep Oklahomans safe. I appreciate his leadership and willingness to team up during this time."
The Attorney General’s Consumer Protection Unit will work closely with U.S. Attorney Downing’s recently appointed Coronavirus Fraud Coordinator Brandon Hale. In this capacity, Hale serves as legal counsel for the Western District on matters relating to the Coronavirus.
"We will work with Attorney General Mike Hunter to vigorously pursue anyone trying to capitalize on the coronavirus pandemic by cheating Oklahoma consumers, especially the State’s most vulnerable," said U.S. Attorney Downing. "Our federal law enforcement team is actively collaborating and cooperating with the state’s top prosecution team in a concerted effort to stop the scams relating to coronavirus. We will use both our criminal statutes and resources to hold accountable to the fullest extent possible any fraudsters who engage in the commission of criminal activity during this time of crisis," said U.S. Attorney Downing. "I am thankful to Attorney General Mike Hunter’s office for its critical efforts to inform the public and hold criminals accountable."
Reports of fraud or price gouging can still be made to either the Attorney General’s Office or the federal government via the National Center for Disaster Fraud hotline.
Contact OAG’s Consumer Protection Unit by calling (405) 521-2029, or by email at [email protected].
Reports can also be reported to the federal government by calling the National Center for Disaster Fraud hotline 1-866-720-5721, or by email at [email protected].
To find more about Department of Justice resources and information, please visit justice.gov/coronavirus.
26 March 2020
Wichita Falls Man Charged for Threatening to Shoot U.S. Speaker, Government OfficialsRead the Press Release
A Wichita Falls man who posted threats about killing Speaker of the U.S. House of Representatives and other government leaders has been charged following an investigation by the FBI’s Dallas Field Office, announced U.S. Attorney for the Northern District of Texas Erin Nealy Cox.
Gavin Weslee Blake Perry, 27, was charged via criminal complaint with transmitting a threatening communication in interstate commerce. He made his initial appearance before Magistrate Judge Hal R. Ray on Thursday.
According to the complaint, a concerned citizen notified the Wichita Falls Police Department that Mr. Perry allegedly posted threats on a Facebook account named “Gavinwbperry.”
“If youre a dem or apart of the establishment in the democrats side I view you as a criminal and a terrorist and I advise everyone to Go SOS [shoot on sight] and use live rounds,” he allegedly posted on March 23. “This is not gonna change until we attact NSA the DOJ the FBI and Any other agencies who want to get involved. Shoot to kill. This is a revolution.”
The Speaker “is apart of a satanic cult and so are the people who work closly with her. Dems of the establishment will be removed at any cost necessary and yes that means by death,” he allegedly posted later that same day.
When confronted by law enforcement at the time of his arrest, Mr. Perry admitted that the account belonged to him, and said he wanted to warn Americans to beware of the government, which he stated he believes to be “tyrannical.”
He then stated that the officers were violating his First Amendment right to free speech, a violation he felt was punishable by death. He also stated he intended to bond out of jail and planned to refuse to comply with any order to come to court. He said he does not recognize the authority of the federal government.
“The Department of Justice takes the security of our public servants seriously. Americans are entitled to voice their opinions – but we will not allow them to threaten our officials’ physical safety,” said U.S. Attorney Erin Nealy Cox. “This defendant’s threats against the Speaker and law enforcement agents are wholly inexcusable, and we look forward to bringing him to justice.”
“The defendant threatened the life of an elected official and that will not be tolerated. The FBI and our law enforcement partners work hard every day to protect our citizens from harm,” said FBI Dallas Special Agent in Charge Matthew J. DeSarno. “Thank you to our partners at the Wichita Falls Police Department for assisting in this investigation. Thank you as well to the concerned citizen who reported the online threat. We ask that everyone continue to report suspicious activity to law enforcement.”
A criminal complaint is merely an allegation of wrongdoing, not evidence. Like all defendants, Mr. Perry is presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.
If convicted, he faces up to five years in federal prison.
The FBI Wichita Falls Resident Agency’s Safe Streets Taskforce and the Wichita Falls Police Department conducted the investigation with the assistance of the U.S. Capitol Police. Assistant U.S. Attorney Rob Boudreau is prosecuting the case.
U.S. Attorney’s Office joins national COVID-19 Task ForceRead the Press Release
WHEELING, WEST VIRGINIA – U.S. Attorney Bill Powell, under the guidance of Attorney General William Barr, has committed an attorney to serve on the national COVID-19 Hoarding and Price Gouging Task Force.
The COVID-19 Hoarding and Price Gouging Task Force, led by U.S. Attorney Craig Carpenito, District of New Jersey, with assistance as needed from the Antitrust Division's Criminal Program, will address COVID-19-related market manipulation, hoarding, and price gouging. The task force will develop effective enforcement measures, best practices, work closely with HHS as they designate particular items and equipment, and coordinate nationwide investigation and prosecution of these illicit activities.
“With the medical community on the front lines to battle this silent but deadly enemy, we must do everything we can to protect our medical providers, and ensure that they have reasonable access to all of the supplies they need to battle this pandemic. Anyone who is considering profiting off of those needs will be prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law,” said Powell.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Andrew R. Cogar is assigned from the Northern District of West Virginia to this national task force.
Powell is also encouraging residents and medical professionals to be vigilant in reporting any COVID-19 related fraud activities. Some examples of COVID-19 scams include: • Treatment scams: Scammers are offering to sell fake cures, vaccines, and advice on unproven treatments for COVID-19.
• Supply scams: Scammers are creating fake shops, websites, social media accounts, and email addresses claiming to sell medical supplies currently in high demand, such as surgical masks. When consumers attempt to purchase supplies through these channels, fraudsters pocket the money and never provide the promised supplies.
• Provider scams: Scammers are also contacting people by phone and email, pretending to be doctors and hospitals that have treated a friend or relative for COVID-19, and demanding payment for that treatment.
• Charity scams: Scammers are soliciting donations for individuals, groups, and areas affected by COVID-19.
• Phishing scams: Scammers posing as national and global health authorities, including the World Health Organization (WHO) and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), are sending phishing emails designed to trick recipients into downloading malware or providing personal identifying and financial information.
• App scams: Scammers are also creating and manipulating mobile apps designed to track the spread of COVID-19 to insert malware that will compromise users’ devices and personal information.
• Investment scams: Scammers are offering online promotions on various platforms, including social media, claiming that the products or services of publicly traded companies can prevent, detect, or cure COVID-19, and that the stock of these companies will dramatically increase in value as a result. These promotions are often styled as “research reports,” make predictions of a specific “target price,” and relate to microcap stocks, or low-priced stocks issued by the smallest of companies with limited publicly available information.
• Price Gouging scams: When sellers and/or retailers sell or rent an item for a price “which is grossly in excess of the price prior to the declaration” per KRS 367.374. Goods and services included in this prohibition include consumer food items; goods or services used for emergency cleanup; emergency supplies; medical supplies; home heating oil; building materials; housing; transportation, freight, and storage services; and gasoline or other motor fuels.
• Other scams include fraudsters claiming to work for the government or banks/credit cards and offering assistance for student loan relief, foreclosure or eviction relief, unemployment assistance, debt relief, and direct financial assistance, like government checks
To report fraud, please call the National Disaster Fraud hotline at 866-720-5721or go to https://www.justice.gov/coronavirus.
U.S. Attorney’s Office Invites Local Nominations for Fourth Annual Attorney General’s Award for Distinguished Service in PolicingRead the Press Release
COLUMBIA, South Carolina --- Acting U.S. Attorney A. Lance Crick of the District of South Carolina today invited members of the local community to nominate any outstanding South Carolina law enforcement officers for the fourth annual Attorney General’s Award for Distinguished Service in Policing.
Attorney General William P. Barr recently launched the nomination period for this Award. Awardees selected from nominations received during this period will be announced at a ceremony to be held later this year.
“Our success at the federal level would not be possible without the support of the fantastic local law enforcement here in South Carolina,” said Acting U.S. Attorney Crick. “I would encourage anyone who knows one of these outstanding officers to nominate them for this prestigious award.”
The Attorney General’s Award recognizes individual state, local or tribal sworn, rank-and-file police officers and deputies for exceptional efforts in community policing. The awarded officer(s), deputy(ies) or trooper(s) will have demonstrated active engagement with the community in one of three areas: criminal investigations, field operations or innovations in policing.
“Law enforcement is the toughest job in America. The challenges our officers face on a daily basis are more complex, more difficult, and more extensive than ever before,” said Attorney General William P. Barr. “We are grateful for every man and woman in blue for their dedication and sacrifice. Among those who have answered the call of public service, several individuals in the past year performed in ways that surpassed even the highest expectations of the profession. I look forward to recognizing these individuals with the fourth annual Attorney General’s Award for Distinguished Service in Policing.”
President Trump has established clear directives for the department – with three executive orders – demonstrating his strong support of the law enforcement community. These executive orders commit the department to working in tandem with state and local law enforcement to restore the rule of law, reduce violent crime, dismantle criminal gangs and combat the growing drug epidemic. Our support to the dedicated men and women of law enforcement is strong and today’s announcement is in furtherance of the president’s directives. The Department of Justice is committed to supporting the law enforcement community that keeps this great nation safe and makes it even safer. Today we honor our law enforcement officers by announcing the Attorney General’s Award for Distinguished Service in Policing.
Within each category, an award will be given to law enforcement agencies serving small, medium, and large jurisdictions:
- Small: Agencies serving populations of fewer than 50,000
- Medium: Agencies serving populations of 50,000 to 250,000
- Large: Agencies serving populations of more than 250,000
By distinguishing and rewarding these efforts, the department strives to promote and sustain its national commitment to policing and to advance proactive policing practices that are fair and effective.
With the Attorney General’s Award for Distinguished Service in Policing, the Office of the Attorney General recognizes that the nation’s more than 18,000 law enforcement agencies, individual officers, deputies, and troopers are working hard to keep our communities safe.
For more information about the Attorney General’s Award and to submit an application for nominees, please visit https://www.justice.gov/ag/policing-award.
#####
The year 2020 marks the 150th anniversary of the Department of Justice. Learn more about the history of our agency at www.Justice.gov/Celebrating150Years
U.S. Attorney warns public of Coronavirus email malware schemesRead the Press Release
COLUMBUS, Ohio – U.S. Attorney David M. DeVillers advises the public to be cautious about emails purporting to offer safety information about the coronavirus and containing a hyperlink. Many such emails contain malicious programming that can harm computers, access user’s personal information, and cause financial harm.
For example, emails might promise to:
- Tell you how to protect your friends from COVID-19 if you click a hyperlink
- Directly connect with you a clinical contact if you reply and pay within a certain timeframe
- Provide updated information from a health expert via a hyperlink
U.S. Attorney DeVillers reminds you to stay vigilant, think twice before clicking on links and only respond to emails in which you know the source.
# # #
U.S. Attorney Urges the Public to Report Suspected COVID-19 FraudRead the Press Release
COLUMBIA, South Carolina --- Acting U.S. Attorney A. Lance Crick of the District of South Carolina today urged the public to report suspected fraud schemes related to COVID-19 (the Coronavirus) by calling the National Center for Disaster Fraud (NCDF) hotline (1-866-720-5721) or to the NCDF e-mail address [email protected].
In coordination with the Department of Justice, Attorney General William Barr has directed U.S. Attorneys to prioritize the investigation and prosecution of Coronavirus fraud schemes.
“In these extraordinary times, criminals are taking advantage of the most vulnerable Americans through various COVID-19 phony schemes,” said Acting U.S. Attorney Crick. “The District of South Carolina, and the Department of Justice, will stay vigilant and will prosecute those who engage in COVID-19 fraud, hoarding, and other scams.”
Some examples of these schemes include:
- 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.
In a memorandum to U.S. Attorneys issued March 19, Deputy Attorney General Jeffrey Rosen also directed each U.S. Attorney to appoint a Coronavirus Fraud Coordinator to serve as the legal counsel for the federal judicial district on matters relating to the Coronavirus, direct the prosecution of Coronavirus-related crimes, and to conduct outreach and awareness activities. The District of South Carolina’s Coronavirus Fraud Coordinator is Assistant United States Attorney Derek A. Shoemake.
The NCDF can receive and enter complaints into a centralized system that can be accessed by all U.S. Attorneys, as well as Justice Department litigating and law enforcement components to identify, investigate and prosecute fraud schemes. The NCDF coordinates complaints with 16 additional federal law enforcement agencies, as well as state Attorneys General and local authorities.
To find more about Department of Justice resources and information, please visit www.justice.gov/coronavirus.
#####
The year 2020 marks the 150th anniversary of the Department of Justice. Learn more about the history of our agency at www.Justice.gov/Celebrating150Years
U.S. Attorney Milhiser Urges Public to Remain Vigilant, Alert and Report Frauds, Scams Related to COVID-19Read the Press Release
SPRINGFIELD, Ill. – U.S. Attorney John C. Milhiser, Central District of Illinois, is reminding the public to be aware and alert to individuals and entities that prey upon people’s anxieties and fear surrounding the current public health crisis, particularly those most vulnerable, to illegally benefit themselves.
“We are fortunate to live in communities of people who are generous and caring toward others; however, there are those who use crisis situations to exploit and incite people’s fear and vulnerabilities to do harm,” stated U.S. Attorney Milhiser. “It is a top priority of this office, in partnership with our local, state and federal law enforcement counterparts, to detect, investigate, and prosecute anyone who attempts to take advantage of the anxieties and uncertainties surrounding the COVID-19 pandemic to defraud others. Remain vigilant and report suspicious activity to law enforcement.”
If you see attempted fraud of others or if you or a loved one become a victim of such fraud, please report it to the National Center for Disaster Fraud (NCDF) hotline: 1-866-720-5721, or email: [email protected] The NCDF serves as a national clearinghouse for the Department of Justice to receive and coordinate complaints with federal, state and local law enforcement authorities.
Throughout the country, U.S. Attorney’s Offices have received reports of individuals and businesses engaging in a wide range of fraudulent and criminal behavior, including the following examples:
- Robocalls making fraudulent offers to sell respiratory masks with no intent of delivery;
- Social media scams fraudulently seeking donations or claiming to provide stimulus funds if the recipient enters his or her bank account information;
- Sales of counterfeit or fake testing kits, cures, ‘immunity’ pills, and protective equipment;
- Fraudulent offers for free COVID-19 testing to obtain Medicare beneficiary information that is used to submit false medical claims for unrelated, unnecessary, or fictitious testing or services.
“It is a top priority to find these bad actors, stop them, prosecute them, and protect the citizens of Central Illinois,” stated U.S. Attorney Milhiser.
Each U.S. Attorney’s Office in the country, in accordance with recent direction from U.S. Attorney General William Barr, has appointed a Coronavirus Fraud Coordinator. Assistant U.S. Attorney Ryan Finlen has been appointed to serve in this capacity for the Central District of Illinois. AUSA Finlen is coordinating with federal prosecutors in the U.S. Attorney’s Offices for the Northern and Southern Districts of Illinois, along with the Illinois Attorney General’s Office, the Illinois State Police, Illinois State’s Attorneys, federal agencies, and local law enforcement to mobilize and work together to uncover COVID-19 fraud schemes and other criminal activity associated with this public health crisis.
The Department of Justice has also prioritized the investigation and prosecution of individuals and entities that attempt to hoard massive amounts of vital medical items and engage in price gouging which inhibits the government, health care professionals, and the public from implementing critical life-saving measures and practices to prevent the spread of the COVID-19 virus. A task force has been established with members from across federal law enforcement and every U.S. Attorney’s Office to develop effective enforcement measures and coordinate nationwide investigation and prosecution of these illicit activities.
U.S. Attorney Announces Nearly $60 Million in Grants Available to Support Prisoners’ Successful Reentry into Their CommunitiesRead the Press Release
Tampa, FL – U.S. Attorney Maria Chapa Lopez today announced that nearly $60 million in Department of Justice grants is available to help communities address public safety by supporting successful reentry of adult and juvenile offenders into their communities.
“Our nation is facing difficult public safety challenges that demand strong and immediate action. The high rate of recidivism poses a dire threat to community safety and is being met with a robust response by this Administration,” said Katharine T. Sullivan, Principal Deputy Assistant Attorney General for the Office of Justice Programs. “The Department of Justice is front and center in the fight to meet this persistent challenge. OJP is making historic amounts of grant funding available to ensure that our communities have access to innovative and diverse solutions.”
“For more than a decade, the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Middle District of Florida has collaborated with communities, courts, law enforcement, service providers and others, to combat recidivism,” said U.S. Attorney Maria Chapa Lopez. “While a large part of our job involves the prosecution of individuals who break the law, justice requires that we balance the debt paid on past offenses with opportunities to succeed in the future.”
The funding is available through OJP, the federal government’s leading source of public safety funding and crime victim assistance in state, local and tribal jurisdictions. OJP’s programs support a wide array of activities and services, including adult and juvenile reentry initiatives and research projects designed to improve our knowledge of what works in reentry programming.
A number of funding opportunities are currently open, with several more opening in the near future.
Correctional Adult Reentry Education, Employment, and Recidivism Reduction Strategies Program
https://bja.ojp.gov/funding/opportunities/bja-2020-17104
Total Available $7.2 million Deadline 4/27/2020
Improving Community Supervision Outcomes Through Swift, Certain, and Fair Responses
https://bja.ojp.gov/funding/opportunities/bja-2020-17096
Total Available $3 million Deadline 4/28/2020
Improving Reentry for People with Substance Use Disorders Program
https://bja.ojp.gov/SCASUD20
Total Available $13.2 million Deadline 4/27/2020
Innovations in Reentry Initiative: Building System Capacity & Testing Strategies to Reduce Recidivism
https://bja.ojp.gov/funding/opportunities/bja-2020-17281
Total Available $4 million Deadline 5/4/2020
Research and Evaluation on Promising Reentry Initiatives
https://nij.ojp.gov/funding/opportunities/nij-2020-17295
Total Available $6 million Deadline 5/5/2020
Review and Validation of the First Step Act Risk Assessment Tool
https://nij.ojp.gov/funding/opportunities/nij-2020-fsa
Total Available: Determined after selection Deadline 4/10/2020
Second Chance Act Community-Based Reentry Program
https://bja.ojp.gov/funding/opportunities/bja-2020-17110
Total Available $13.5 million Deadline 5/4/2020
Second Chance Act Evaluation Participation Support
https://bja.ojp.gov/funding/opportunities/bja-2020-17680
Total Available $4 million Deadline 4/28/2020
Second Chance Act Youth Offender Reentry Program
https://ojjdp.ojp.gov/sites/g/files/xyckuh176/files/media/document/ojjdp-2020-17350.pdf
Total Available $7 million Deadline 4/28/2020
For more information regarding all OJP funding opportunities, visit https://www.ojp.gov/funding/explore/current-funding-opportunities
U.S. Attorney Announces More Than $65 Million Available to Fight Human Trafficking and Help Trafficking VictimsRead the Press Release
Tampa, FL – U.S. Attorney Maria Chapa Lopez today announced that more than $65 million in Department of Justice grants is available to help communities combat human trafficking and serve adults and children who are victimized in trafficking operations.
“Our nation is facing difficult challenges, none more pressing than the scourge of human trafficking. Human traffickers pose a dire threat to public safety and countering this threat remains one of the Administration’s top domestic priorities,” said Katharine T. Sullivan, Principal Deputy Assistant Attorney General for the Office of Justice Programs. “The Department of Justice is front and center in the fight against this insidious crime. OJP is making historic amounts of grant funding available to ensure that our communities have access to innovative and diverse solutions.”
The funding opportunities announced today will strengthen our capacity, together with our partners, to prevent and combat human trafficking in our district. In addition, it will assist our partners in the recovery and restoration of victims of this horrendous crime,” said U.S. Attorney Maria Chapa Lopez.
The funding is available through OJP, the federal government’s leading source of public safety funding and crime victim assistance in state, local and tribal jurisdictions. OJP’s programs support a wide array of activities and services, including programs that support human trafficking task forces and services for human trafficking survivors.
A number of funding opportunities are currently open, with several more opening in the near future.
Missing and Exploited Children Training and Technical Assistance Program
https://ojjdp.ojp.gov/funding/opportunities/ojjdp-2020-17351
Total Available $1.8 million Deadline 4/6/2020 (Extended)
Multidisciplinary Task Force Program to Combat Human Trafficking
https://www.ovc.gov/grants/pdftxt/fy-2020-ecm-task-force-to-combat-human-trafficking.pdf
Total Available $22 million Opens week of 3/16/2020
Preventing Trafficking of Girls
https://ojjdp.ojp.gov/funding/opportunities/ojjdp-2020-18135
Total Available $1.7 million Opens week of 3/16/2020
Research and Evaluation on Trafficking in Persons
https://nij.ojp.gov/funding/opportunities/nij-2020-17324
Total Available $2.5 million Deadline 4/20/2020
Services for Victims of Human Trafficking
https://www.ovc.gov/grants/pdftxt/fy-2020-services-for-victims-of-human-trafficking.pdf
Total Available $16.5 million Opens week of 3/16/2020
Services for Minor Victims of Sex Trafficking
https://www.ovc.gov/grants/pdftxt/fy-2020-services-for-minor-victims-of-sex-trafficking.pdf
Total Available $8 million Opens week of 4/15/2020
Specialized Training and Technical Assistance on Housing for Victims of Human Trafficking
Total Available $2 million Opens week of 3/16/2020
Human Trafficking Training and Technical Assistance Program
https://bja.ojp.gov/funding/opportunities/bja-2020-17135
Total Available $5 million Opens week of 3/16/2020
Improving Outcomes for Child and Youth Victims of Human Trafficking
Total Available $6 million Opens week of 3/16/2020
Integrated Services for Minor Victims of Labor Trafficking
Total Available $8 million Opens week of 3/16/2020
For more information regarding all OJP funding opportunities, visit https://www.ojp.gov/funding/explore/current-funding-opportunities
Two Pulaski County Constables Indicted for Conspiring to Violate Civil Rights; One also Indicted for Attempted Murder of FBI AgentRead the Press Release
LONDON, Ky. - Two Pulaski County Constables, Michael Wallace, 45, of Bronston, Ky., and Gary E. Baldock, 55, of Somerset, Ky., were indicted on Thursday, for conspiring to violate the civil rights of persons within Pulaski County. Baldock was also indicted for attempted murder of an FBI agent.
A federal grand jury sitting in London returned an indictment charging Wallace and Baldock with conspiring, from November 18, 2018 though September 24, 2019, to threaten and intimidate persons in Pulaski County, in violation of the Constitution and laws of the United States. More specifically, the indictment alleges the two deprived individuals of their rights to be free from unreasonable searches and seizures and to be free from the deprivation of property without due process, by someone acting under the color of law. The indictment also alleges that on March 6, 2020, Baldock deliberately and with premeditation attempted to kill a special agent of the FBI, while that agent was engaged in his official duties.
Robert M. Duncan, Jr., United States Attorney for the Eastern District of Kentucky, and James Robert Brown, Jr., Special Agent in Charge, FBI Louisville Field Division, jointly announced the indictment.
The investigation preceding the indictment was conducted by the FBI. The indictment was presented to the grand jury by Assistant U.S. Attorney Jason Parman.
A date for Wallace and Baldock to appear in Court has not yet been scheduled. Wallace faces up to 10 years in prison, a maximum fine of $250,000, and supervised release of up to 3 years. Baldock faces up to life in prison and a maximum fine of $1.25 million. However, any sentence following a conviction would be imposed by the Court, after its consideration of the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and the federal statutes.
Any indictment is an accusation only. A defendant is presumed innocent and is entitled to a fair trial at which government must prove guilt beyond a reasonable doubt.
— END —
Six Former Tribal Officials Plead Guilty to Embezzlement from an Indian Tribal Organization and Aiding and AbettingRead the Press Release
United States Attorney Ron Parsons announced today that all six of the former Crow Creek Sioux Tribe councilmembers charged in the Superseding Indictment have now pleaded guilty to embezzling tribal funds, including two former Chairs of the Crow Creek Sioux Tribe. All of the defendants were charged in federal court for their respective conduct involving Embezzlement & Theft from an Indian Tribal Organization, and Aiding and Abetting.
The final defendant pleaded guilty on March 25, 2020, when Brandon Sazue appeared before U.S. District Judge Roberto A. Lange and pled guilty to the embezzlement and theft charge contained in the Superseding Indictment.
“Crow Creek citizens need to know that their government works and that theft and embezzlement will not be tolerated. This case should go a long way toward restoring that confidence,” said U.S. Attorney Parsons.
According to the Superseding Indictment, in about March 2014 through February 2019, Roland Robert Hawk, Sr., Francine Maria Middletent, Roxanne Lynette Sazue, Jacquelyn Ernestine Pease, and Brandon Sazue embezzled, stole, willfully misapplied, willfully permitted to misapplied, and converted to their own use over $1,000 of monies, funds, credit, goods, assets, and other property belonging to the Crow Creek Sioux Tribe. During times relevant to each defendant’s case, Brandon Sazue served as Chair of the Crow Creek Sioux Tribe, Hawk served as the elected Treasurer of the tribe, Roxanne Sazue was also chair, and Middletent and Grey Owl were elected councilpersons. When not serving in their respective leadership positions, all defendants, except for Brandon Sazue, worked for Hawk in the tribe’s finance office. In their respective leadership roles and employment positions, the defendants had the access and opportunity to the funds that were embezzled from the tribe.
The maximum penalties for each defendant upon conviction are as follows: 5 years imprisonment and/or a $250,000 fine; 3 years of supervised release; $100 to the Federal Crime Victims Fund; and restitution may be ordered. All of the defendants were released on bond pending sentencing.
The investigation is being conducted by the U.S. Attorney’s Office and the Federal Bureau of Investigation. Assistant U.S. Attorney Jeremy R. Jehangiri is prosecuting the case.
The case was brought pursuant to The Guardians Project, a federal law enforcement initiative to coordinate efforts between participating agencies, to promote citizen disclosure of public corruption, fraud, and embezzlement involving federal program funds, contracts, and grants, and to hold accountable those who are responsible for adversely affecting those living in South Dakota’s Indian country communities. The Guardians Project is another step of federal law enforcement’s on-going efforts to increase engagement, coordination, and positive action on behalf of tribal communities. Led by the U.S. Attorney’s Office, the participating agencies include: Federal Bureau of Investigation; the Offices of Inspector General for the Departments of Interior, Health and Human Services, Social Security Administration, Agriculture, Transportation, Education, Justice, and Housing and Urban Development; Internal Revenue Service, Criminal Investigation Division; U.S. Postal Inspector Service; U.S. Postal Service, Office of Inspector General.
For additional information about The Guardians Project, please contact the U.S. Attorney’s Office at (605) 330-4400. To report a suspected crime, please contact law enforcement at the federal agency’s locally listed telephone number.
Sioux Falls Man Sentenced for Failure to Register as a Sex OffenderRead the Press Release
United States Attorney Ron Parsons announced that a Sioux Falls, South Dakota, man convicted of Failure to Register as a Sex Offender was sentenced on March 25, 2020, by Chief Judge Roberto A. Lange, U.S. District Court.
Cletus Gerald Williams, III, a/k/a C.J. Williams, age 23, was sentenced to 12 months and 1 day in federal prison, followed by 5 years of supervised release, and a special assessment to the Federal Crime Victims Fund in the amount of $100.
Williams was indicted by a federal grand jury on December 10, 2019. He pled guilty on January 15, 2020.
Williams was convicted of Sexual Abuse of a Minor in April 2017. As a result of this conviction, he is required to update his registration within three business days of relocation or changing employment. Between September 23, 2019, and October 27, 2019, Williams failed to properly register as a sex offender and update his registration.
This case was investigated by the U.S. Marshals Service. Assistant U.S. Attorney Kirk Albertson prosecuted the case.
Williams was immediately turned over to the custody of the U.S. Marshals Service.
Saint Louis City Man Charged with Federal Drug and Firearms ChargesRead the Press Release
St. Louis – Markquis Bryant, aka “Two,” 48, of Saint Louis, MO, was charged by a federal complaint with possession with intent to distribute a controlled substance; being a felon in possession of one or more firearms; and possession of a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime. Bryant will appear in court on March 27, 2020 for his initial appearance in front of U.S. Magistrate Judge Nannette A. Baker.
According to the criminal complaint, investigators with the Florissant Police Department’s Anti-Crime Unit began an investigation into a fatal narcotics overdose which occurred on March 7, 2020. The investigators were able to determine that the victim had purchased illegal narcotics from Markquis Bryant on March 6, 2020. During the week of March 9, 2020, investigators conducted an undercover operation where an amount of suspected heroin and/or fentanyl was purchased from Bryant at his residence in the 5300 block of Queens Avenue in St. Louis, Missouri. On March 26, 2020, a federal search warrant was executed by the Drug Enforcement Administration and the Florissant Police Department, with assistance from the St. Louis Metropolitan Police Department, at that same residence. While executing the search warrant, law enforcement located five (5) firearms, including an AR-15 style pistol, a Glock .40 caliber firearm, and a Tech- 9 .9 mm firearm, as well as ounce quantities of suspected heroin, fentanyl, and crack cocaine. Law enforcement also seized an extended firearm magazine, pill press, multiple scales and blenders with residue. Markquis Bryant has prior criminal convictions for Murder First Degree, Assault First Degree and Armed Criminal Action from 1990. He also has prior criminal convictions for Possession of a Controlled Substance in 2009, and Assault in the Second Degree and Armed Criminal Action in 2011.
“We appreciate these continued, proactive law enforcement efforts despite the COVID-19 pandemic,” said U.S. Attorney Jeff Jensen.
Bryant is presumed to be innocent unless and until proven guilty.
These charges are the result of a joint investigation by the Florissant, Missouri Police Department and the Drug Enforcement Administration. Assistant U.S. Attorney Lisa Yemm is handling the case for the United States Attorney’s Office.
Rapid City Man Sentenced for Failure to RegisterRead the Press Release
United States Attorney Ron Parsons announced that a Rapid City, South Dakota, man convicted of Failure to Register as a Sex Offender was sentenced on March 25, 2020, by Chief Judge Roberto A. Lange, U.S. District Court.
Troy Sampson, age 42, was sentenced to 20 months in federal prison, followed by 5 years of supervised release, and a special assessment to the Federal Crime Victims Fund in the amount of $100.
Sampson was indicted by a federal grand jury on August 13, 2019. He pled guilty on January 13, 2020.
Between April 5, 2019, and June 2, 2019, Sampson, a person required to register under the Sex Offender Registration and Notification Act, and a sex offender by reason of a conviction under federal law for Aggravated Sexual Abuse of a Minor, knowingly failed to register and update his registration.
This case was investigated by the U.S. Marshals Service. Assistant U.S. Attorney Jay Miller prosecuted the case.
Sampson was immediately turned over to the custody of the U.S. Marshals Service.
Rapid City Man Sentenced for Failure to RegisterRead the Press Release
United States Attorney Ron Parsons announced that a Rapid City, South Dakota, man convicted of Failure to Register as a Sex Offender was sentenced on March 25, 2020, by Chief Judge Roberto A. Lange, U.S. District Court.
Daniel Red Horse, Jr., age 49, was sentenced to 33 months in federal prison, followed by 5 years of supervised release, and a special assessment to the Federal Crime Victims Fund in the amount of $100.
Red Horse was indicted by a federal grand jury on August 13, 2019. He pled guilty on January 13, 2020.
Between June 25, 2019, and August 31, 2019, Red Horse, a person required to register under the Sex Offender Registration and Notification Act, and a sex offender by reason of a conviction under federal law for Sexual Abuse of a Minor and Sexual Contact, knowingly failed to register and update his registration.
This case was investigated by the U.S. Marshals Service. Assistant U.S. Attorney Jay Miller prosecuted the case.
Red Horse was immediately turned over to the custody of the U.S. Marshals Service.
Parker Man Sentenced to Prison for Assault with Intent to Commit MurderRead the Press Release
PHOENIX – On March 2, 2020, Michael Jay Ameelyenah, 28, of Parker, Ariz., was sentenced by U.S. District Judge Diane J. Humetewa to 100 months in prison, followed by a term of three years of supervised release. Ameelyenah previously pleaded guilty to assault with intent to commit murder.
On March 29, 2019, Ameelyenah stabbed the victim multiple times, causing the victim to sustain life-threatening injuries. Ameelyenah committed the assault on the Colorado River Indian Tribes Indian Reservation and both Ameelyenah and the victim are members of the Colorado River Indian Tribes.
The Federal Bureau of Investigation and the Colorado River Indian Tribes Police Department conducted the investigation in this case. Assistant U.S. Attorney Christina J. Reid-Moore, District of Arizona, Phoenix, handled the prosecution.
CASE NUMBER: CR-19-00779-PHX-DJH
RELEASE NUMBER: 2020-034_Ameelyenah# # #
For more information on the U.S. Attorney’s Office, District of Arizona, visit http://www.justice.gov/usao/az/
Follow the U.S. Attorney’s Office, District of Arizona, on Twitter @USAO_AZ for the latest news.Nicolás Maduro Moros and 14 Current and Former Venezuelan Officials Charged with Narco-Terrorism, Corruption, Drug Trafficking and Other Criminal ChargesRead the Press Release
For additional information and documents please visit: Documents Related to the March 26, 2020 Press Conference
Former President of Venezuela Nicolás Maduro Moros, Venezuela’s vice president for the economy, Venezuela’s Minister of Defense, and Venezuela’s Chief Supreme Court Justice are among those charged in New York City; Washington, DC; and Miami, along with current and former Venezuelan government officials as well as two Fuerzas Armadas Revolucionarias de Colombia (FARC) leaders, announced U.S. Attorney General William P. Barr, U.S. Attorney Geoffrey S. Berman of the Southern District of New York, U.S. Attorney Ariana Fajardo Orshan of the Southern District of Florida, Assistant Attorney General Brian A. Benczkowski of the Justice Department’s Criminal Division, Acting Administrator Uttam Dhillon of the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) and Acting Executive Associate Director Alysa D. Erichs of U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s Homeland Security Investigations (HSI).
“The Venezuelan regime, once led by Nicolás Maduro Moros, remains plagued by criminality and corruption,” said Attorney General Barr. “For more than 20 years, Maduro and a number of high-ranking colleagues allegedly conspired with the FARC, causing tons of cocaine to enter and devastate American communities. Today’s announcement is focused on rooting out the extensive corruption within the Venezuelan government – a system constructed and controlled to enrich those at the highest levels of the government. The United States will not allow these corrupt Venezuelan officials to use the U.S. banking system to move their illicit proceeds from South America nor further their criminal schemes.”
“Today we announce criminal charges against Nicolás Maduro Moros for running, together with his top lieutenants, a narco-terrorism partnership with the FARC for the past 20 years,” said U.S. Attorney Geoffrey S. Berman. “The scope and magnitude of the drug trafficking alleged was made possible only because Maduro and others corrupted the institutions of Venezuela and provided political and military protection for the rampant narco-terrorism crimes described in our charges. As alleged, Maduro and the other defendants expressly intended to flood the United States with cocaine in order to undermine the health and wellbeing of our nation. Maduro very deliberately deployed cocaine as a weapon. While Maduro and other cartel members held lofty titles in Venezuela’s political and military leadership, the conduct described in the Indictment wasn’t statecraft or service to the Venezuelan people. As alleged, the defendants betrayed the Venezuelan people and corrupted Venezuelan institutions to line their pockets with drug money.”
“Over the last decade, corrupt Venezuelan government officials have systematically looted Venezuela of billions of dollars,” said U.S. Attorney Ariana Fajardo Orshan. “Far too often, these corrupt officials and their co-conspirators have used South Florida banks and real estate to conceal and perpetuate their illegal activity. As the recent charges show, Venezuelan corruption and money laundering in South Florida extends to even the highest levels of Venezuela’s judicial system. In the last couple of years, the US Attorney’s Office in South Florida and its federal law enforcement partners have united to bring dozens of criminal charges against high-level regime officials and co-conspirators resulting in seizures of approximately $450 million dollars.”
“These indictments expose the devastating systemic corruption at the highest levels of Nicolas Maduro’s regime,” said DEA Acting Administrator Uttam Dhillon. “These officials repeatedly and knowingly betrayed the people of Venezuela, conspiring, for personal gain, with drug traffickers and designated foreign terrorist organizations like the FARC. Today’s actions send a clear message to corrupt officials everywhere that no one is above the law or beyond the reach of U.S. law enforcement. The Department of Justice and the Drug Enforcement Administration will continue to protect the American people from ruthless drug traffickers – no matter who they are or where they live.”
“The collaborative nature of this investigation is representative of the ongoing work HSI and international law enforcement agencies perform each day, often behind the scenes and unknown to the public, to make our communities safer and free from corruption,” said HSI’s Acting Executive Associate Director Alysa D. Erichs. “Today’s announcement highlights HSI’s global reach and commitment to aggressively identify, target and investigate individuals who violate U.S. laws, exploit financial systems, and hide behind cryptocurrency to further their illicit criminal activity. Let this indictment be a reminder that no one is above the law - not even powerful political officials.”
A four-count superseding indictment unsealed today in the Southern District of New York (SDNY) charges Nicolás Maduro Moros, 57; Diosdado Cabello Rondón, 56, head of Venezuela’s National Constituent Assembly; Hugo Armando Carvajal Barrios aka “El Pollo,” 59, former director of military intelligence; Clíver Antonio Alcalá Cordones, 58, former General in the Venezuelan armed forces; Luciano Marín Arango aka “Ivan Marquez,” 64, a member of the FARC’s Secretariat, which is the FARC’s highest leadership body; and Seuxis Paucis Hernández Solarte aka “Jesús Santrich,” 53, a member of the FARC’s Central High Command, which is the FARC’s second-highest leadership body. The case is pending before U.S. District Judge Alvin K. Hellerstein.
The U.S. Department of State, through its Narcotics Rewards Program, is offering rewards of up to $15 million for information leading to the arrest and/or conviction of Maduro Moros, up to $10 million for information leading to the arrest and/or conviction of Cabello Rondón, Carvajal Barrios, and Alcalá Cordones, and up to $5 million for information leading to the arrest and/or conviction of Marín Arango.
Maduro Moros, Cabello Rondón, Carvajal Barrios, Alcalá Cordones, Marín Arango, and Hernández Solarte have each been charged with: (1) participating in a narco-terrorism conspiracy, which carries a 20-year mandatory minimum sentence and a maximum of life in prison; (2) conspiring to import cocaine into the United States, which carries a 10-year mandatory minimum sentence and a maximum of life in prison; (3) using and carrying machine guns and destructive devices during and in relation to, and possessing machine guns and destructive devices in furtherance of, the narco-terrorism and cocaine-importation conspiracies, which carries a 30-year mandatory minimum sentence and a maximum of life in prison; and (4) conspiring to use and carry machine guns and destructive devices during and in relation to, and to possess machine guns and destructive devices in furtherance of, the narco-terrorism and cocaine-importation conspiracies, which carries a maximum sentence of life in prison. The potential mandatory minimum and maximum sentences in this case are prescribed by Congress and provided here for informational purposes only, as any sentencing of the defendants will be determined by the judge.
According to the allegations contained in the superseding indictment, other court filings, and statements made during court proceedings:
Since at least 1999, Maduro Moros, Cabello Rondón, Carvajal Barrios and Alcalá Cordones, acted as leaders and managers of the Cártel de Los Soles, or “Cartel of the Suns.” The Cartel’s name refers to the sun insignias affixed to the uniforms of high-ranking Venezuelan military officials. Maduro Moros and the other charged Cartel members abused the Venezuelan people and corrupted the legitimate institutions of Venezuela—including parts of the military, intelligence apparatus, legislature, and the judiciary—to facilitate the importation of tons of cocaine into the United States. The Cártel de Los Soles sought to not only enrich its members and enhance their power, but also to “flood” the United States with cocaine and inflict the drug’s harmful and addictive effects on users in the United States.
Marín Arango and Hernández Solarte are leaders of the FARC. Beginning in approximately 1999, while the FARC was purporting to negotiate toward peace with the Colombian government, FARC leaders agreed with leaders of the Cártel de Los Soles to relocate some of the FARC’s operations to Venezuela under the protection of the Cartel. Thereafter, the FARC and the Cártel de Los Soles dispatched processed cocaine from Venezuela to the United States via transshipment points in the Caribbean and Central America, such as Honduras. By approximately 2004, the U.S. Department of State estimated that 250 or more tons of cocaine were transiting Venezuela per year. The maritime shipments were shipped north from Venezuela’s coastline using go-fast vessels, fishing boats, and container ships. Air shipments were often dispatched from clandestine airstrips, typically made of dirt or grass, concentrated in the Apure State. According to the U.S. Department of State, approximately 75 unauthorized flights suspected of drug-trafficking activities entered Honduran airspace in 2010 alone, using what is known as the “air bridge” cocaine route between Venezuela and Honduras.
In his role as a leader of the Cártel de Los Soles, Maduro Moros negotiated multi-ton shipments of FARC-produced cocaine; directed that the Cártel de Los Soles provide military-grade weapons to the FARC; coordinated foreign affairs with Honduras and other countries to facilitate large-scale drug trafficking; and solicited assistance from FARC leadership in training an unsanctioned militia group that functioned, in essence, as an armed forces unit for the Cártel de Los Soles.
DEA’s Special Operations Division Bilateral Investigations Unit, New York Strike Force, and Miami Field Division conducted the investigation. This case is being handled by the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of New York’s Terrorism and International Narcotics Unit. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Amanda L. Houle, Matthew J. Laroche, Jason A. Richman, and Kyle A. Wirshba are in charge of the prosecution.
* * *
An indictment unsealed today in the District of Columbia charges Vladimir Padrino Lopez, 56, Minister of Defense of Venezuela. The indictment alleges that from March 2014 until May 2019, Padrino Lopez conspired with others to distribute cocaine on board an aircraft registered in the United States.
Padrino Lopez, who holds the rank of General in the Venezuelan armed forces, held the authority for interdicting aircraft, many of which are registered in the United States, suspected of being used to traffic drugs from Venezuela to countries in Central America. On numerous occasions, Padrino Lopez ordered or authorized the Venezuelan military to force suspected trafficking aircraft to land or to shoot down the aircraft. However, Padrino Lopez allowed for other aircraft whose drug trafficking coordinators paid bribes to him to safely transit Venezuelan airspace.
On Sept. 25, 2018, the U.S. Department of the Treasury’s Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) included Padrino Lopez on its Specially Designated Nationals List. Pursuant to the Foreign Narcotics Kingpin Designation Act, this means that his assets are blocked and U.S. persons are generally prohibited from having financial transactions with him.
The DEA Orlando District Office led the investigation, which was supported by the Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Force program and the Criminal Division’s Office of Enforcement Operations. Acting Deputy Chief Charles Miracle and Trial Attorneys Michael Christin and Kirt Marsh of the Criminal Division’s Narcotic and Dangerous Drug Section are prosecuting the case.
* * *
Maikel Jose Moreno Perez, 54, current Chief Justice of the Venezuelan Supreme Court, was charged via a criminal complaint in the Southern District of Florida with conspiracy to commit money laundering and money laundering in connection with the alleged corrupt receipt or intended receipt of tens of millions of dollars and bribes to illegally fix dozens of civil and criminal cases in Venezuela.
The complaint alleges, for example, that the defendant authorized a seizure and sale of a General Motors auto plant with an estimated value of $100 million in exchange for a personal percentage of the proceeds. Similarly, the complaint alleges that the defendant received bribes to authorize the dismissal of charges or release against Venezuelans, including one charged in a multibillion-dollar fraud scheme against the Venezuelan state-owned oil company.
According to the criminal complaint, in or around October 2014, Moreno Perez told U.S. authorities in a visa application that he earned the equivalent of about $12,000 per year from his work in Venezuela. From 2012 to 2016, the defendant’s U.S. bank records show approximately $3 million in inflows to the defendant’s accounts, primarily from large round-dollar transfers from shell corporations with foreign bank accounts linked to Co-Conspirator 1, who is a former criminal defense attorney in Venezuela that currently controls a media company in Venezuela.
As set out in the criminal complaint, the defendant’s bank records allegedly show that from 2012 to 2016, the defendant spent approximately $3 million, primarily in the geographical area of South Florida. For example, bank records allegedly show that Moreno Perez spent about $1 million for a private aircraft and private pilot, more than $600,000 in credit or debit card purchases at stores primarily in South Florida (including tens of thousands of dollars at luxury stores in Bal Harbor, such as Prada and Salvatore Ferragamo), about $50,000 in payments to a luxury watch repair store in Aventura, and approximately $40,000 in payments to a Venezuelan beauty pageant director.
HSI’s Miami Field Office conducted the investigation. Assistant U.S. Attorney Michael N. Berger of the Southern District of Florida is in charge of the prosecution.
* * *
A separate superseding indictment unsealed today in the Southern District of New York charges Tareck Zaidan El Aissami Maddah, 45, Venezuela’s vice president for the economy, Joselit Ramirez Camacho, 33, Venezuela’s superintendent of cryptocurrency (Sunacrip), and Samark Lopez Bello, 45, a Venezuelan businessman, with a series of crimes relating to efforts to evade sanctions imposed by OFAC against Maduro Moros, El Aissami Maddah, and Lopez Bello.
The indictment alleges that from February 2017 until March 2019, El Aissami Maddah and Ramirez Camacho worked with U.S. persons and U.S.-based entities to provide private flight services for the benefit of Maduro’s 2018 presidential campaign, in violation of OFAC’s sanctions targeting Maduro after he organized elections for the illegitimate National Constituent Assembly that Cabello Rondon now leads.
The U.S. Department of State, through its Narcotics Rewards Program, is offering a reward of up to $10 million for information leading to the arrest and/or conviction of El Aissami Maddah.
HSI’s New York Field Office conducted the investigation. This case is being handled by the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of New York’s Terrorism and International Narcotics Unit. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Sam Adelsberg and Amanda L. Houle are in charge of the prosecution.
* * *
Other individuals charged in separate indictments include:
- Luis Motta Dominguez, 67, Former Minister of Energy, was charged in the Southern District of Florida for his alleged role in laundering the proceeds of violations of the Foreign Corrupt Practices Act (FCPA) in connection with his alleged receipt of bribes to award Corpoelec business to U.S.-based companies;
- Nestor Reverol Torres, 55, former General Director of Venezuela’s La Oficina Nacional Antidrogas (ONA) and former commander of Venezuela’s National Guard and Edylberto Jose Molina Molina, 57, former Sub-Director of Venezuela’s ONA and currently Venezuela’s military attaché to Germany, were charged in the Eastern District of New York with participating in an international cocaine distribution conspiracy where they allegedly assisted narcotics traffickers in importing cocaine into the United States;
- Vassyly Kotosky Villarroel Ramirez aka “Mauro” and “Angel,” 47, a former captain in the Venezuelan Guardia Nacional, was charged in a third superseding indictment in the Eastern District of New York with participating in an international cocaine distribution conspiracy between Jan. 1, 2004, and Dec. 1, 2009;
- Rafael Antonio Villasana Fernandez, 48, a former officer in the Venezuelan Guardia Nacional, was charged in the Eastern District of New York with participating in an international cocaine distribution conspiracy between Jan. 1, 2004, and Dec. 1, 2009. According to court documents, Kotosky and Villasana allegedly used official government vehicles to transport more than seven metric tons of cocaine from the Colombian border to various airports and seaports in Venezuela for ultimate importation into the United States;
- Nervis Gerardo Villalobos Cardenas, 52, former Vice Minister of Energy of Venezuela, was charged in a 20-count indictment in the Southern District of Texas with conspiracy to commit money laundering, money laundering and conspiracy to violate the Foreign Corrupt Practices Act (FCPA) for his alleged role in an international money laundering scheme involving bribes paid by the owners of U.S.-based companies to Venezuelan government officials to corruptly secure energy contracts and payment priority on outstanding invoices; and
- Oscar Rafael Colmenarez Villalobos, 51, former Venezuelan Air Force Officer, charged in the District of Arizona with violations of the Arms Export Control Act. He allegedly conspired with others, including individuals associated with an aviation company in Arizona, to smuggle from the United States to Venezuela T-76 military aircraft engines used on OV-10 Bronco aircraft to individuals in Venezuela and allegedly made false and misleading statements on shipping and export control documents to conceal the prohibited activities and transactions from detection of the U.S. government.
An indictment is merely an allegation and all defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.
The Criminal Division’s Office of International Affairs and Office of Enforcement Operations provided valuable assistance.
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.
Nicolás Maduro Moros and 14 Current and Former Venezuelan Officials Charged with Narco-Terrorism, Corruption, Drug Trafficking and Other Criminal ChargesRead the Press Release
Maduro and Other High Ranking Venezuelan Officials Allegedly Partnered With the FARC to Use Cocaine as a Weapon to “Flood” the United States
WASHINGTON – Former President of Venezuela Nicolás Maduro Moros, Venezuela’s vice president for the economy, Venezuela’s Minister of Defense, and Venezuela’s Chief Supreme Court Justice are among those charged in New York City; Washington, DC; and Miami, along with current and former Venezuelan government officials as well as two Fuerzas Armadas Revolucionarias de Colombia (FARC) leaders, announced U.S. Attorney General William P. Barr, U.S. Attorney Geoffrey S. Berman of the Southern District of New York, U.S. Attorney Ariana Fajardo Orshan of the Southern District of Florida, Assistant Attorney General Brian A. Benczkowski of the Justice Department’s Criminal Division, Acting Administrator Uttam Dhillon of the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) and Acting Executive Associate Director Alysa D. Erichs of U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s Homeland Security Investigations (HSI).
“The Venezuelan regime, once led by Nicolás Maduro Moros, remains plagued by criminality and corruption,” said Attorney General Barr. “For more than 20 years, Maduro and a number of high-ranking colleagues allegedly conspired with the FARC, causing tons of cocaine to enter and devastate American communities. Today’s announcement is focused on rooting out the extensive corruption within the Venezuelan government – a system constructed and controlled to enrich those at the highest levels of the government. The United States will not allow these corrupt Venezuelan officials to use the U.S. banking system to move their illicit proceeds from South America nor further their criminal schemes.”
“Today we announce criminal charges against Nicolás Maduro Moros for running, together with his top lieutenants, a narco-terrorism partnership with the FARC for the past 20 years,” said U.S. Attorney Geoffrey S. Berman. “The scope and magnitude of the drug trafficking alleged was made possible only because Maduro and others corrupted the institutions of Venezuela and provided political and military protection for the rampant narco-terrorism crimes described in our charges. As alleged, Maduro and the other defendants expressly intended to flood the United States with cocaine in order to undermine the health and wellbeing of our nation. Maduro very deliberately deployed cocaine as a weapon. While Maduro and other cartel members held lofty titles in Venezuela’s political and military leadership, the conduct described in the Indictment wasn’t statecraft or service to the Venezuelan people. As alleged, the defendants betrayed the Venezuelan people and corrupted Venezuelan institutions to line their pockets with drug money.”
“Over the last decade, corrupt Venezuelan government officials have systematically looted Venezuela of billions of dollars,” said U.S. Attorney Ariana Fajardo Orshan. “Far too often, these corrupt officials and their co-conspirators have used South Florida banks and real estate to conceal and perpetuate their illegal activity. As the recent charges show, Venezuelan corruption and money laundering in South Florida extends to even the highest levels of Venezuela’s judicial system. In the last couple of years, the US Attorney’s Office in South Florida and its federal law enforcement partners have united to bring dozens of criminal charges against high-level regime officials and co-conspirators resulting in seizures of approximately $450 million dollars.”
“These indictments expose the devastating systemic corruption at the highest levels of Nicolas Maduro’s regime,” said DEA Acting Administrator Uttam Dhillon. “These officials repeatedly and knowingly betrayed the people of Venezuela, conspiring, for personal gain, with drug traffickers and designated foreign terrorist organizations like the FARC. Today’s actions send a clear message to corrupt officials everywhere that no one is above the law or beyond the reach of U.S. law enforcement. The Department of Justice and the Drug Enforcement Administration will continue to protect the American people from ruthless drug traffickers – no matter who they are or where they live.”
“The collaborative nature of this investigation is representative of the ongoing work HSI and international law enforcement agencies perform each day, often behind the scenes and unknown to the public, to make our communities safer and free from corruption,” said HSI’s Acting Executive Associate Director Alysa D. Erichs. “Today’s announcement highlights HSI’s global reach and commitment to aggressively identify, target and investigate individuals who violate U.S. laws, exploit financial systems, and hide behind cryptocurrency to further their illicit criminal activity. Let this indictment be a reminder that no one is above the law - not even powerful political officials.”
A four-count superseding indictment unsealed today in the Southern District of New York (SDNY) charges Nicolás Maduro Moros, 57; Diosdado Cabello Rondón, 56, head of Venezuela’s National Constituent Assembly; Hugo Armando Carvajal Barrios aka “El Pollo,” 59, former director of military intelligence; Clíver Antonio Alcalá Cordones, 58, former General in the Venezuelan armed forces; Luciano Marín Arango aka “Ivan Marquez,” 64, a member of the FARC’s Secretariat, which is the FARC’s highest leadership body; and Seuxis Paucis Hernández Solarte aka “Jesús Santrich,” 53, a member of the FARC’s Central High Command, which is the FARC’s second-highest leadership body. The case is pending before U.S. District Judge Alvin K. Hellerstein.
The U.S. Department of State, through its Narcotics Rewards Program, is offering rewards of up to $15 million for information leading to the arrest and/or conviction of Maduro Moros, up to $10 million for information leading to the arrest and/or conviction of Cabello Rondón, Carvajal Barrios, and Alcalá Cordones, and up to $5 million for information leading to the arrest and/or conviction of Marín Arango.
Maduro Moros, Cabello Rondón, Carvajal Barrios, Alcalá Cordones, Marín Arango, and Hernández Solarte have each been charged with: (1) participating in a narco-terrorism conspiracy, which carries a 20-year mandatory minimum sentence and a maximum of life in prison; (2) conspiring to import cocaine into the United States, which carries a 10-year mandatory minimum sentence and a maximum of life in prison; (3) using and carrying machine guns and destructive devices during and in relation to, and possessing machine guns and destructive devices in furtherance of, the narco-terrorism and cocaine-importation conspiracies, which carries a 30-year mandatory minimum sentence and a maximum of life in prison; and (4) conspiring to use and carry machine guns and destructive devices during and in relation to, and to possess machine guns and destructive devices in furtherance of, the narco-terrorism and cocaine-importation conspiracies, which carries a maximum sentence of life in prison. The potential mandatory minimum and maximum sentences in this case are prescribed by Congress and provided here for informational purposes only, as any sentencing of the defendants will be determined by the judge.
According to the allegations contained in the superseding indictment, other court filings, and statements made during court proceedings:
Since at least 1999, Maduro Moros, Cabello Rondón, Carvajal Barrios and Alcalá Cordones, acted as leaders and managers of the Cártel de Los Soles, or “Cartel of the Suns.” The Cartel’s name refers to the sun insignias affixed to the uniforms of high-ranking Venezuelan military officials. Maduro Moros and the other charged Cartel members abused the Venezuelan people and corrupted the legitimate institutions of Venezuela—including parts of the military, intelligence apparatus, legislature, and the judiciary—to facilitate the importation of tons of cocaine into the United States. The Cártel de Los Soles sought to not only enrich its members and enhance their power, but also to “flood” the United States with cocaine and inflict the drug’s harmful and addictive effects on users in the United States.
Marín Arango and Hernández Solarte are leaders of the FARC. Beginning in approximately 1999, while the FARC was purporting to negotiate toward peace with the Colombian government, FARC leaders agreed with leaders of the Cártel de Los Soles to relocate some of the FARC’s operations to Venezuela under the protection of the Cartel. Thereafter, the FARC and the Cártel de Los Soles dispatched processed cocaine from Venezuela to the United States via transshipment points in the Caribbean and Central America, such as Honduras. By approximately 2004, the U.S. Department of State estimated that 250 or more tons of cocaine were transiting Venezuela per year. The maritime shipments were shipped north from Venezuela’s coastline using go-fast vessels, fishing boats, and container ships. Air shipments were often dispatched from clandestine airstrips, typically made of dirt or grass, concentrated in the Apure State. According to the U.S. Department of State, approximately 75 unauthorized flights suspected of drug-trafficking activities entered Honduran airspace in 2010 alone, using what is known as the “air bridge” cocaine route between Venezuela and Honduras.
In his role as a leader of the Cártel de Los Soles, Maduro Moros negotiated multi-ton shipments of FARC-produced cocaine; directed that the Cártel de Los Soles provide military-grade weapons to the FARC; coordinated foreign affairs with Honduras and other countries to facilitate large-scale drug trafficking; and solicited assistance from FARC leadership in training an unsanctioned militia group that functioned, in essence, as an armed forces unit for the Cártel de Los Soles.
DEA’s Special Operations Division Bilateral Investigations Unit, New York Strike Force, and Miami Field Division conducted the investigation. This case is being handled by the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of New York’s Terrorism and International Narcotics Unit. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Amanda L. Houle, Matthew J. Laroche, Jason A. Richman, and Kyle A. Wirshba are in charge of the prosecution.
* * *
An indictment unsealed today in the District of Columbia charges Vladimir Padrino Lopez, 56, Minister of Defense of Venezuela. The indictment alleges that from March 2014 until May 2019, Padrino Lopez conspired with others to distribute cocaine on board an aircraft registered in the United States.
Padrino Lopez, who holds the rank of General in the Venezuelan armed forces, held the authority for interdicting aircraft, many of which are registered in the United States, suspected of being used to traffic drugs from Venezuela to countries in Central America. On numerous occasions, Padrino Lopez ordered or authorized the Venezuelan military to force suspected trafficking aircraft to land or to shoot down the aircraft. However, Padrino Lopez allowed for other aircraft whose drug trafficking coordinators paid bribes to him to safely transit Venezuelan airspace.
On Sept. 25, 2018, the U.S. Department of the Treasury’s Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) included Padrino Lopez on its Specially Designated Nationals List. Pursuant to the Foreign Narcotics Kingpin Designation Act, this means that his assets are blocked and U.S. persons are generally prohibited from having financial transactions with him.
The DEA Orlando District Office led the investigation, which was supported by the Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Force program and the Criminal Division’s Office of Enforcement Operations. Acting Deputy Chief Charles Miracle and Trial Attorneys Michael Christin and Kirt Marsh of the Criminal Division’s Narcotic and Dangerous Drug Section are prosecuting the case.
* * *
Maikel Jose Moreno Perez, 54, current Chief Justice of the Venezuelan Supreme Court, was charged via a criminal complaint in the Southern District of Florida with conspiracy to commit money laundering and money laundering in connection with the alleged corrupt receipt or intended receipt of tens of millions of dollars and bribes to illegally fix dozens of civil and criminal cases in Venezuela.
The complaint alleges, for example, that the defendant authorized a seizure and sale of a General Motors auto plant with an estimated value of $100 million in exchange for a personal percentage of the proceeds. Similarly, the complaint alleges that the defendant received bribes to authorize the dismissal of charges or release against Venezuelans, including one charged in a multibillion-dollar fraud scheme against the Venezuelan state-owned oil company.
According to the criminal complaint, in or around October 2014, Moreno Perez told U.S. authorities in a visa application that he earned the equivalent of about $12,000 per year from his work in Venezuela. From 2012 to 2016, the defendant’s U.S. bank records show approximately $3 million in inflows to the defendant’s accounts, primarily from large round-dollar transfers from shell corporations with foreign bank accounts linked to Co-Conspirator 1, who is a former criminal defense attorney in Venezuela that currently controls a media company in Venezuela.
As set out in the criminal complaint, the defendant’s bank records allegedly show that from 2012 to 2016, the defendant spent approximately $3 million, primarily in the geographical area of South Florida. For example, bank records allegedly show that Moreno Perez spent about $1 million for a private aircraft and private pilot, more than $600,000 in credit or debit card purchases at stores primarily in South Florida (including tens of thousands of dollars at luxury stores in Bal Harbor, such as Prada and Salvatore Ferragamo), about $50,000 in payments to a luxury watch repair store in Aventura, and approximately $40,000 in payments to a Venezuelan beauty pageant director.
HSI’s Miami Field Office conducted the investigation. Assistant U.S. Attorney Michael N. Berger of the Southern District of Florida is in charge of the prosecution.
* * *
A separate superseding indictment unsealed today in the Southern District of New York charges Tareck Zaidan El Aissami Maddah, 45, Venezuela’s vice president for the economy, Joselit Ramirez Camacho, 33, Venezuela’s superintendent of cryptocurrency (Sunacrip), and Samark Lopez Bello, 45, a Venezuelan businessman, with a series of crimes relating to efforts to evade sanctions imposed by OFAC against Maduro Moros, El Aissami Maddah, and Lopez Bello.
The indictment alleges that from February 2017 until March 2019, El Aissami Maddah and Ramirez Camacho worked with U.S. persons and U.S.-based entities to provide private flight services for the benefit of Maduro’s 2018 presidential campaign, in violation of OFAC’s sanctions targeting Maduro after he organized elections for the illegitimate National Constituent Assembly that Cabello Rondon now leads.
The U.S. Department of State, through its Narcotics Rewards Program, is offering a reward of up to $10 million for information leading to the arrest and/or conviction of El Aissami Maddah.
HSI’s New York Field Office conducted the investigation. This case is being handled by the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of New York’s Terrorism and International Narcotics Unit. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Sam Adelsberg and Amanda L. Houle are in charge of the prosecution.
* * *
Other individuals charged in separate indictments include:
- Luis Motta Dominguez, 67, Former Minister of Energy, was charged in the Southern District of Florida for his alleged role in laundering the proceeds of violations of the Foreign Corrupt Practices Act (FCPA) in connection with his alleged receipt of bribes to award Corpoelec business to U.S.-based companies;
- Nestor Reverol Torres, 55, former General Director of Venezuela’s La Oficina Nacional Antidrogas (ONA) and former commander of Venezuela’s National Guard and Edylberto Jose Molina Molina, 57, former Sub-Director of Venezuela’s ONA and currently Venezuela’s military attaché to Germany, were charged in the Eastern District of New York with participating in an international cocaine distribution conspiracy where they allegedly assisted narcotics traffickers in importing cocaine into the United States;
- Vassyly Kotosky Villarroel Ramirez aka “Mauro” and “Angel,” 47, a former captain in the Venezuelan Guardia Nacional, was charged in a third superseding indictment in the Eastern District of New York with participating in an international cocaine distribution conspiracy between Jan. 1, 2004, and Dec. 1, 2009;
- Rafael Antonio Villasana Fernandez, 48, a former officer in the Venezuelan Guardia Nacional, was charged in the Eastern District of New York with participating in an international cocaine distribution conspiracy between Jan. 1, 2004, and Dec. 1, 2009. According to court documents, Kotosky and Villasana allegedly used official government vehicles to transport more than seven metric tons of cocaine from the Colombian border to various airports and seaports in Venezuela for ultimate importation into the United States;
- Nervis Gerardo Villalobos Cardenas, 52, former Vice Minister of Energy of Venezuela, was charged in a 20-count indictment in the Southern District of Texas with conspiracy to commit money laundering, money laundering and conspiracy to violate the Foreign Corrupt Practices Act (FCPA) for his alleged role in an international money laundering scheme involving bribes paid by the owners of U.S.-based companies to Venezuelan government officials to corruptly secure energy contracts and payment priority on outstanding invoices; and
- Oscar Rafael Colmenarez Villalobos, 51, former Venezuelan Air Force Officer, charged in the District of Arizona with violations of the Arms Export Control Act. He allegedly conspired with others, including individuals associated with an aviation company in Arizona, to smuggle from the United States to Venezuela T-76 military aircraft engines used on OV-10 Bronco aircraft to individuals in Venezuela and allegedly made false and misleading statements on shipping and export control documents to conceal the prohibited activities and transactions from detection of the U.S. government.
An indictment is merely an allegation and all defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.
The Criminal Division’s Office of International Affairs and Office of Enforcement Operations provided valuable assistance.
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.
NDTX Round-Up: March 13-19Read the Press Release
GUILTY PLEA – TRACY MIRANDA
On March 16, Tracy Miranda, 19, plead guilty to aiding and abetting foreign travel in aid of racketeering. In 2019, a group of Mexican drug traffickers were importing methamphetamine in crystal and power form into the United States. One of the importers was Eduardo Ruiz-Mendoza. Ruiz-Mendoza directed Miranda to travel to McAllen to pick up methamphetamine which was concealed in audio speaker boxes after it was smuggled into the United States. Miranda picked up the speaker boxes which contained the methamphetamine then gave them to a DEA cooperating individual. Miranda faces up to five years in federal custody. This case was investigated by the DEA. Assistant U.S. Attorney Suzanna Etessam is prosecuting this case.
GULITY PLEA – JONATHAN KELLY SCOTT
On March 17, Jonathan Kelly Scott, 33, plead guilty to felon in possession of a firearm and possession with the intent to distribute a controlled substance containing methamphetamine. During execution of a search warrant, Scott ran by foot from Dallas from the rear of the house where he was located through several neighbors’ yards. Scott was followed and filmed from above by Dallas Police helicopter until he was arrested. In the house, officers recovered numerous firearms, methamphetamine, phencyclidine, cocaine, heroin, and alprazolam. Prior to this arrest, Scott had been convicted of three felony drug crimes. Scott faces up to life in federal custody. The case was investigated by the ATF and the Dallas Police Department. Assistant U.S. Attorney John Boyle is prosecuting the case.
SENTENTENCING – PAUL AUSTIN JONES
On March 19, Paul Austin Jones, 39, was sentenced to 720 months in federal custody after pleading guilty to two counts of sexual exploitation of children. In October 2018, Jones contacted and offered to pay Rita Rose Everett, a local escort, for the opportunity to engage in sexual acts with her approximately and her eleven month old daughter. Jones met Everett in a Tarrant County hotel and used his cell phone to film sexually explicit conduct with Everett and the minor. In February 2019, Jones again created another sexually explicit video in which he filmed himself performing sex acts on a twenty-two month old toddler. This case was investigated by HSI and North Richland Hills Police Department. Assistant U.S. Aisha Saleem is prosecuting the case.
Monmouth County Man Charged with Producing and Distributing Child PornographyRead the Press Release
NEWARK, N.J. – A Monmouth County, New Jersey, man is scheduled to appear before a U.S. Magistrate Judge today for allegedly producing and distributing images of himself sexually assaulting a child, U.S. Attorney Craig Carpenito announced today.
Christian Importuna, 24, of Englishtown, New Jersey, is charged by complaint with one count of production of child pornography and one count of distribution of child pornography. He will make his initial appearance today by telephone conference before U.S. Magistrate Judge Cathy L. Waldor. Importuna was arrested at his home this morning by special agents of the FBI.
According to documents filed in this case and statements made in court:
Importuna produced at least two videos that showed him sexually assaulting a child. The videos came to the attention of law enforcement officials on March 24, 2020, when Importuna attempted to trade images of child pornography with an undercover law enforcement officer on an internet-based application. Law enforcement initially linked the videos to Importuna through business records indicating that they were sent from his Englishtown residence. The investigation further linked Importuna to the production of the images through physical identifiers that were visible in the subject videos.
The charge of production of child pornography, carries a mandatory minimum penalty of 15 years in prison, a maximum potential penalty of 30 years in prison, and a $250,000 fine. The charge of distribution of child pornography, carries a mandatory minimum of five years in prison, a maximum of 20 years in prison, and a $250,000 fine.
U.S. Attorney Carpenito credited FBI Newark's Child Exploitation and Human Trafficking Task Force, under the direction of Special Agent in Charge Gregory W. Ehrie in Newark, with the investigation leading to these charges. He also thanked the New Jersey Regional Computer Forensics Lab, Monmouth County Prosecutor's Office, and Englishtown Police Department, for their assistance with the investigation.
The government is represented by Assistant U.S. Attorney Shawn Barnes of the U.S. Attorney’s Office’s Organized Crime/Drug Enforcement Task Force Unit in Newark.
The charges and allegations in the complaint are merely accusations, and the defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.
Mission Man Sentenced for Assaulting a Federal OfficerRead the Press Release
United States Attorney Ron Parsons announced that a Mission, South Dakota, man convicted of Assaulting, Resisting, and Impeding a Federal Officer was sentenced on March 24, 2020, by Chief Judge Roberto A. Lange, U.S. District Court.
Cameron Fanning, age 21, was sentenced to time served through May 25, 2020, equal to approximately 12 months, in federal prison, 3 years of supervised release, and a special assessment to the Federal Crime Victims Fund in the amount of $100.
Fanning was indicted by a federal grand jury on August 13, 2019. He pled guilty on December 18, 2019.
The conviction stemmed from an incident that occurred on July 25, 2019, in Todd County, South Dakota. On that date, a Rosebud Sioux Tribe Law Enforcement Services (RSTLES) officer encountered Fanning at a convenience store in Rosebud, South Dakota, and arrested him on an outstanding warrant. Fanning, who was seated in the driver seat of a vehicle, refused to comply and drove away. In the process of doing so, he struck the RSTLES officer’s vehicle and another parked vehicle. Fanning subsequently led RSTLES officers on a high-speed pursuit through Todd County, which ended with Fanning’s apprehension near Mission.
This case was investigated by the Rosebud Sioux Tribe Law Enforcement Services and the Federal Bureau of Investigation. Assistant U.S. Attorney Kirk Albertson prosecuted the case.
Fanning was immediately turned over to the custody of the U.S. Marshals Service.
Member of the Mescalero Apache Tribe pleads guilty to federal charge of assault by stranglingRead the Press Release
ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. – Stephen C. Waites Jr., 32, of Mescalero, New Mexico pleaded guilty in federal court in Las Cruces, New Mexico on March 24 to assault on an intimate partner by strangling.
A grand jury previously indicted Waites for this offense on Aug. 28, 2018. In his plea agreement, Waites admitted punching and strangling his girlfriend at their home on the Mescalero Apache Reservation in Indian Country on July 26, 2018. Both Waites and the victim are enrolled members of the Mescalero Apache Tribe.
Waites is currently in custody awaiting sentencing. He faces a sentence of 37 up to 10 years in prison.
The FBI and the Bureau of Indian Affairs investigated this case. Assistant U.S. Attorney Maria Y. Armijo is prosecuting the case.
Manhattan U.S. Attorney Announces Narco-Terrorism Charges Against Nicolas Maduro, Current and Former Venezuelan Officials, and Farc LeadershipRead the Press Release
William Barr, the Attorney General of the United States, Geoffrey S. Berman, the United States Attorney for the Southern District of New York, Brian Benczkowski, Assistant Attorney General for the Criminal Division of the Department of Justice, Uttam Dhillon, Acting Administrator of the United States Drug Enforcement Administration (“DEA”), and Alysa D. Erichs, U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s Acting Executive Associate Director for Homeland Security Investigations (“HSI”), announced the unsealing of two separate indictments charging current and former Venezuelan officials and FARC leadership. One Superseding Indictment includes narco-terrorism, drug trafficking, and weapons charges against NICOLÁS MADURO MOROS, Diosdado CABELLO RONDÓN, HUGO ARMANDO CARVAJAL BARRIOS, a/k/a “El Pollo,” CLÍVER ANTONIO ALCALÁ CORDONES, LUCIANO MARÍN ARANGO, a/k/a “Ivan Marquez,” and SEUXIS PAUCIS HERNÁNDEZ SOLARTE, a/k/a “Jesús Santrich.” The other Superseding Indictment alleges violations of the International Emergency Economic Powers Act (“IEEPA”) and the Foreign Narcotics Kingpin Designation Act (“Kingpin Act”), and a related conspiracy to defraud the U.S. Department of the Treasury, the Office of Foreign Assets Control (“OFAC”), against TARECK ZAIDAN EL AISSAMI MADDAH, JOSELIT RAMIREZ CAMACHO, and SAMARK LOPEZ BELLO. The charges are contained in separate Superseding Indictments unsealed today in Manhattan federal court. Both cases are pending before U.S. District Judge Alvin K. Hellerstein.
The U.S. Department of State, through its Narcotics Rewards Program, is offering rewards of up to $15 million for information leading to the arrest and/or conviction of MADURO MOROS, up to $10 million for information leading to the arrest and/or conviction of CABELLO RONDÓN, CARVAJAL BARRIOS, and ALCALÁ CORDONES, and up to $5 million for information leading to the arrest and/or conviction of MARÍN ARANGO. Anyone with information that may lead to the arrest and/or conviction of Maduro Moros, Cabello Rondón, Carvajal Barrios, or Marín Arango can email the DEA at [email protected], or message the DEA at 1-202-681-8187 using text messages, WhatsApp, or Signal.
The U.S. Department of State is also offering rewards of up to $10 million for information leading to the arrest and/or conviction of EL AISSAMI MADDAH. Anyone with information that may lead to the arrest and/or conviction of EL AISSAMI MADDAH can contact HSI 1-866-347-2423.
Attorney General William Barr said: “The Venezuelan regime, once led by Nicolás Maduro Moros, remains plagued by criminality and corruption. For more than 20 years, Maduro and a number of high-ranking colleagues allegedly conspired with the FARC, causing tons of cocaine to enter and devastate American communities. Today’s announcement is focused on rooting out the extensive corruption within the Venezuelan government – a system constructed and controlled to enrich those at the highest levels of the government. The United States will not allow these corrupt Venezuelan officials to use the U.S. banking system to move their illicit proceeds from South America nor further their criminal schemes.”
U.S. Attorney Geoffrey S. Berman said: “Today we announce criminal charges against Nicolas Maduro for running, together with his top lieutenants, a narco-terrorism partnership with the FARC for the past 20 years. The scope and magnitude of the drug trafficking alleged was made possible only because Maduro and others corrupted the institutions of Venezuela and provided political and military protection for the rampant narco-terrorism crimes described in our charges. As alleged, Maduro and the other defendants expressly intended to flood the United States with cocaine in order to undermine the health and wellbeing of our nation. Maduro very deliberately deployed cocaine as a weapon. While Maduro and other cartel members held lofty titles in Venezuela’s political and military leadership, the conduct described in the Indictment wasn’t statecraft or service to the Venezuelan people. As alleged, the defendants betrayed the Venezuelan people and corrupted Venezuelan institutions to line their pockets with drug money.”
DEA Acting Administrator Uttam Dhillon said: “These indictments expose the devastating systemic corruption at the highest levels of Nicolas Maduro’s regime. These officials repeatedly and knowingly betrayed the people of Venezuela, conspiring, for personal gain, with drug traffickers and designated foreign terrorist organizations like the FARC. Today’s actions send a clear message to corrupt officials everywhere that no one is above the law or beyond the reach of U.S. law enforcement. The Department of Justice and the Drug Enforcement Administration will continue to protect the American people from ruthless drug traffickers – no matter who they are or where they live.”
ICE Acting Executive Associate Director for HSI Alysa D. Erichs said: “The collaborative nature of this investigation is representative of the ongoing work HSI and international law enforcement agencies perform each day, often behind the scenes and unknown to the public, to make our communities safer and free from corruption. Today’s announcement highlights HSI’s global reach and commitment to aggressively identify, target and investigate individuals who violate U.S. laws, exploit financial systems, and hide behind cryptocurrency to further their illicit criminal activity. Let this indictment be a reminder that no one is above the law - not even powerful political officials.”
According to the allegations contained in the Superseding Indictment charging MADURO MOROs and others, other court filings, and statements made during court proceedings[1]:
Since at least 1999, MADURO MOROS, DIOSDADO CABELLO RONDÓN, HUGO CARVAJAL BARRIOS, a/k/a “El Pollo,” and CLÍVER ALCALÁ CORDONES, acted as leaders and managers of the Cártel de Los Soles, or “Cartel of the Suns.” The Cartel’s name refers to the sun insignias affixed to the uniforms of high-ranking Venezuelan military officials. MADURO MOROS and the other charged Cartel members abused the Venezuelan people and corrupted the legitimate institutions of Venezuela – including parts of the military, intelligence apparatus, legislature, and the judiciary – to facilitate the importation of tons of cocaine into the United States. The Cártel de Los Soles sought not only to enrich its members and enhance their power, but also to “flood” the United States with cocaine and inflict the drug’s harmful and addictive effects on users into the United States.
MARÍN ARANGO and HERNÁNDEZ SOLARTE are leaders of the FARC. Beginning in approximately 1999, while the FARC was purporting to negotiate toward peace with the Colombian government, FARC leaders agreed with leaders of the Cártel de Los Soles to relocate some of the FARC’s operations to Venezuela under the protection of the Cartel. Thereafter, the FARC and the Cártel de Los Soles dispatched processed cocaine from Venezuela to the United States via transshipment points in the Caribbean and Central America, such as Honduras. By approximately 2004, the United States Department of State estimated that 250 or more tons of cocaine were transiting Venezuela per year. The maritime shipments were shipped north from Venezuela’s coastline using go-fast vessels, fishing boats, and container ships. Air shipments were often dispatched from clandestine airstrips, typically made of dirt or grass, concentrated in the Apure State. According to the United States Department of State, approximately 75 unauthorized flights suspected of drug trafficking activities entered Honduran airspace in 2010 alone, using what is known as the “air bridge” cocaine route between Venezuela and Honduras.
In his role as a leader of the Cártel de Los Soles, MADURO MOROS negotiated multi-ton shipments of FARC-produced cocaine; directed that the Cártel de Los Soles provide military-grade weapons to the FARC; coordinated foreign affairs with Honduras and other countries to facilitate large-scale drug trafficking; and solicited assistance from FARC leadership in training an unsanctioned militia group that functioned, in essence, as an armed forces unit for the Cártel de Los Soles.
The Defendants
MADURO MOROS is the former president of Venezuela. He previously held a seat in the Venezuelan National Assembly between approximately 2000 and approximately 2006, acted as the Venezuelan foreign minister between approximately 2006 and approximately 2013, and acted as the vice president of Venezuela in approximately 2013. MADURO MOROS succeeded to the Venezuelan presidency after Hugo Chávez died in 2013 and, during his presidency, continued to participate in cocaine trafficking with the Cártel de Los Soles and the FARC. In approximately 2018, MADURO MOROS declared victory in a presidential election in Venezuela. In approximately 2019, the National Assembly of Venezuela invoked the Venezuelan constitution and declared that MADURO MOROS had usurped power and was not the president of Venezuela. Since approximately 2019, more than 50 countries, including the United States, have refused to recognize MADURO MOROS as Venezuela’s head of state and instead recognized Juan Guaidó as the interim president of Venezuela. In approximately January 2020, the U.S. State Department certified the authority of Guaidó, as the interim president of Venezuela, to receive and control property in accounts at the United States Federal Reserve maintained by the Venezuelan government and the Central Bank of Venezuela.
CABELLO RONDÓN is president of Venezuela’s National Constituent Assembly, and a member of the Venezuelan armed forces. CABELLO RONDÓN previously acted as chief of staff to Chávez in approximately 2001, vice president of Venezuela in approximately 2002, governor of Venezuela’s Miranda State between approximately 2004 and approximately 2008, and president of Venezuela’s National Assembly between approximately 2012 and approximately 2016.
CARVAJAL BARRIOS is a Venezuelan citizen and was the director of Venezuela’s military intelligence agency, which was known as the Dirección de Inteligencia Militar (“DIM”), between approximately 2004 and approximately 2011. In approximately April 2011, the United States Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of New York filed the original indictment in this case, charging CARVAJAL BARRIOS with drug trafficking, 11 Cr. 205 (AKH). Nonetheless, in approximately 2013, MADURO MOROS made CARVAJAL BARRIOS the director of the DIM for a second time. Between approximately January 2014 and approximately June 2014, CARVAJAL BARRIOS held the title of Venezuela’s consul general to Aruba. In approximately January 2016, despite being a fugitive on the above-described drug trafficking charges, CARVAJAL BARRIOS was elected to the Venezuelan National Assembly. As of today, CARVAJAL BARRIOS remains a fugitive on pending charges in underlying indictments in the Southern District of New York and subject to a lawful order of extradition issued by Spain in approximately 2019.
ALCALÁ CORDONES is a former general in the Venezuelan military.
MARÍN ARANGO joined the FARC in approximately 1985. In approximately 2006, the United States Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of New York filed a drug trafficking charge against 50 leaders of the FARC, including MARÍN ARANGO. As of today, MARÍN ARANGO is a fugitive on that charge and a member of the FARC’s Secretariat, which is the FARC’s highest leadership body.
HERNÁNDEZ SOLARTE joined the FARC in approximately 1991. As of today, HERNÁNDEZ SOLARTE is a member of the FARC’s Central High Command, which is the FARC’s second-highest leadership body. As described below, in approximately 2018, the United States Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of New York filed drug trafficking charges against HERNÁNDEZ SOLARTE. HERNÁNDEZ SOLARTE remains a fugitive on those charges.
* * *
MADURO MOROS, 57, CABELLO RONDÓN, 56, CARVAJAL BARRIOS, 59, ALCALÁ CORDONES, 58, MARÍN ARANGO, 64, and HERNÁNDEZ SOLARTE, 53, have each been charged with: (1) participating in a narco-terrorism conspiracy, which carries a 20-year mandatory minimum sentence and a maximum of life; (2) conspiring to import cocaine into the United States, which carries a 10-year mandatory minimum sentence and a maximum of life; (3) using and carrying machine guns and destructive devices during and in relation to, and possessing machine guns and destructive devices in furtherance of, the narco-terrorism and cocaine importation conspiracies, which carries a 30-year mandatory minimum sentence and a maximum of life; and (4) conspiring to use and carry machine guns and destructive devices during and in relation to, and to possess machine guns and destructive devices in furtherance of, the narco-terrorism and cocaine importation conspiracies, which carries a maximum sentence of life. The potential mandatory minimum and maximum sentences in this case are prescribed by Congress and provided here for informational purposes only, as any sentencing of the defendants will be determined by the judge.
Mr. Berman praised the outstanding investigative work of the DEA’s Special Operations Division Bilateral Investigations Unit, New York Strike Force, and Miami Field Division, as well as the U.S. Department of Justice’s Office of International Affairs and the National Security Division’s Counterterrorism Section.
This case is being handled by the Office’s Terrorism and International Narcotics Unit. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Amanda L. Houle, Matthew J. Laroche, Jason A. Richman, and Kyle A. Wirshba are in charge of the prosecution.
The charges in the Superseding Indictment are merely accusations, and the defendants are presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.
* * *
A separate Superseding Indictment unsealed today in Manhattan federal court charges TARECK ZAIDAN EL AISSAMI MADDAH, Venezuela’s vice president for the economy, JOSELIT RAMIREZ CAMACHO, Venezuela’s superintendent of cryptocurrency (Sunacrip), and SAMARK LOPEZ BELLO, a Venezuelan businessman, with violations of IEEPA, the Kingpin Act, and other offenses related to efforts to evade sanctions imposed by OFAC against MADURO MOROS, EL AISSAMI MADDAH, and LOPEZ BELLO.
According to the allegations contained in the Superseding Indictment charging EL AISSAMI MADDAH and others, other court filings, and statements made during court proceedings[2]:
From February 2017 until March 2019, EL AISSAMI MADDAH and RAMIREZ CAMACHO worked with U.S. persons and U.S.-based entities to provide private flight services for the benefit of MADURO MOROS’s 2018 presidential campaign, in violation of OFAC’s sanctions targeting MADURO MOROS after he organized elections for the illegitimate National Constituent Assembly that CABELLO RONDÓN now leads.
* * *
EL AISSAMI MADDAH, 45, RAMIREZ CAMACHO, 33, and LOPEZ BELLO, 45, are charged with: (1) conspiracy to obstruct the lawful governmental functions of OFAC, which carries a maximum of 5 years’ imprisonment; (2) conspiracy to violate the Kingpin Act, which carries a maximum of 30 years’ imprisonment; and (3) four substantive violations of the Kingpin Act, each of which carries a maximum of 30 years’ imprisonment. EL AISSAMI MADDAH and RAMIREZ CAMACHO are also charged with: (4) conspiracy to violate IEEPA, which carries a maximum of 20 years’ imprisonment; and (5) conspiracy to commit money laundering, which carries a maximum of 20 years’ imprisonment. The potential mandatory minimum and maximum sentences in this case are prescribed by Congress and provided here for informational purposes only, as any sentencing of the defendants will be determined by the judge.
Mr. Berman praised the outstanding investigative work of HSI’s New York Field Office, as well as OFAC, the U.S. Department of Justice’s Office of International Affairs, and the Counterintelligence and Export Control Section of the Department of Justice’s National Security Division.
This case is also being handled by the Office’s Terrorism and International Narcotics Unit. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Sam Adelsberg and Amanda L. Houle are in charge of the prosecution.
The charges in the Superseding Indictment are merely accusations, and the defendants are presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.
[1] As the introductory phrase signifies, the entirety of the text of the Superseding Indictment, and the description of the Superseding Indictment set forth herein, constitute only allegations, and every fact described should be treated as an allegation.
[2] As the introductory phrase signifies, the entirety of the text of the Superseding Indictment, and the description of the Superseding Indictment set forth herein, constitute only allegations, and every fact described should be treated as an allegation.
Manchester Man Sentenced to 46 Months for Being A Felon in Possession of A Firearm and AmmunitionRead the Press Release
CONCORD - David Weekly, 24, of Manchester, was sentenced to 46 months in federal prison for unlawfully possessing a firearm and ammunition, United States Attorney Scott W. Murray announced today.
According to court documents and statements made in court, on January 2, 2019, a Manchester police officer stopped a vehicle for not having its lights turned on. The officer approached the vehicle and recognized Weekly from previous contacts.
When Weekly opened the side window, the officer noted a strong smell of freshly burnt marijuana. The officer also noted a bulge in Weekly’s waistband and asked Weekly to step out of the vehicle. As soon as Weekly stepped out of the vehicle, he admitted that he had a gun in his waist. The officer found a handgun and a loaded extended 31-round magazine in Weekly’s possession. As a convicted felon, Weekly is prohibited from possessing a firearm or ammunition.
The firearm had been reported stolen on August 23, 2018 in Manchester.
Weekly previously pleaded guilty on December 4, 2019.
“In order protect the public, it is vital to keep guns out of the hands of criminals,” said U.S. Attorney Murray. “Even as we battle the coronavirus, the law enforcement community is working together to keep the public safe from armed criminals. Thanks to the work of the Manchester Police Department and the ATF, this defendant will no longer present a danger to the community.”
“Today’s sentencing demonstrates the outstanding partnership between the Manchester Police Department and the ATF as well as the commitment we share to work together to interdict illegal firearms and the criminals that compromise the safety of our communities,” said Kelly D. Brady Special Agent in Charge, Boston Field Division.
“The Manchester Police Department is pleased with the sentencing of David Weekly,” said Chief Carlo Capano. “Weekly is an absolute danger to the public. City residents and the citizens of New Hampshire are much safer without him on the streets. I am very impressed with the work that Manchester Officers did, as well as our federal counterparts. The collaborative efforts helped make this successful resolution possible.”
This matter was investigated by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives and the Manchester Police Department. The case was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Debra M Walsh.
The case is part of ATF’s Project Safe Neighborhoods initiative, which is a federally-funded program intended to reduce gun violence through law enforcement training, public education, and aggressive law enforcement efforts to investigate and prosecute gun-related crimes.
###
Lead Defendant Pleads Guilty in Elder Fraud Scheme Targeting 80-Year Old Widow in Washington, UtahRead the Press Release
ST. GEORGE, UT – Frank Gene Powell, age 51, of Hurricane, Utah, the lead defendant in a significant federal elder fraud case targeting an 80-year-old widow in Washington, Utah, has reached a plea agreement with federal prosecutors.
Powell pleaded guilty to all six counts he was charged with in a superseding indictment, including conspiracy to commit wire fraud, money laundering, two counts of destruction of records in a federal investigation, concealment of a document or object in an attempt to impair the object’s integrity or availability for use in an official proceeding, and tampering with a witness.
Powell was on state parole at the time of his federal crimes after serving nearly 30 years in state prison for murder. While he was in prison, he received a 1-to-15 year sentence for sexually assaulting an inmate.
The plea agreement includes a stipulated sentence of 120 months in federal prison and an agreement that Powell will pay almost $274,000 in restitution to the victim of the fraud. The victim is identified as L.N. in court documents. The sentence and restitution are subject to the approval of the Court at sentencing. Powell will also forfeit two vehicles and faces a money judgment of $273,849.20. Sentencing for Frank Powell is set for May 20, 2020, at 2 p.m. before U.S. District Judge David Nuffer. The hearing will be in St. George.
“Powell is a career criminal who has fended off decades of rehabilitative attempts in the Utah state criminal justice system. He’s a convicted murderer and sexual predator, who has now turned his criminal efforts to elder fraud while on state parole,” U.S. Attorney for Utah John W. Huber said today. “With these guilty pleas, he stands convicted of unconscionable crimes against a senior member of the St. George community. A 10-year sentence is very appropriate in this case and will help ensure that Utah will not fall victim to his crimes again.”
As a part of his plea agreement, Frank Powell admitted that from around March 2019 and continuing until about Feb. 6, 2020, he conspired with others to devise a fraud scheme with the specific intent to obtain money or property by means of fraudulent representations or promises. He agreed with his codefendants to engage in a scheme to defraud L.N. by soliciting money and assets in exchange for false promises to perform work for L.N. He also admitted he engaged a fake romantic relationship with L.N. as a part of his scheme to defraud her.
He admitted that he purchased a 2019 GMC Sierra using money he received as a part of his scheme to defraud L.N. Using money derived from criminal conduct is money laundering. Several of the counts he pleaded guilty to relate to efforts he took to impede and obstruct the investigation of the case, including concealing cellular phones and money.
Powell also pleaded guilty to witness tampering admitting that in November 2019, he engaged in misleading conduct toward L.N. in an attempt to persuade her from communicating with law enforcement officers investigating the case. Through written correspondence and phone calls, Powell and his codefendant, Faye Renteria, age 42, of Hurricane, made misleading statements and attempted to persuade L.N. in an effort to help them avoid prosecution.
Frank Powell’s mother and codefendant, Gloria Jean Powell, age 74, of St. George, also has reached a plea agreement in the case. She pleaded guilty to one count of concealment of a document or object, admitting she concealed or attempted to conceal U.S. currency with the intent to impair an FBI investigation. She admitted she aided and abetted her son, Frank Powell, and her daughter, Angela McDuffie, age 53, of Lehi, in the conduct.
Sentencing for Gloria Jean Powell is set for May 6, 2020, at 4 p.m. in St. George before Judge Nuffer. Her plea agreement includes a stipulated sentence of three months in prison or credit for time served at the date of sentencing, whichever is further from her Feb. 4, 2020, arrest date. She also will forfeit a 2010 Toyota Venza as a part of the case resolution.
Eight defendants were charged in a 10-count superseding indictment returned in early February. The indictment alleges the defendants, who have family relationships, conspired to obtain money and assets from the victim in exchange for false promises to perform work on her property. To further advance the scheme, one of the defendants engaged in romance fraud by enticing the victim to enter into a romantic relationship. He used the romantic relationship to manipulate the victim into giving him money and assets.
The indictment includes one count of wire fraud conspiracy, five counts of money laundering conspiracy – spending, two counts of destruction or concealment of records and tangible objects in a federal investigation, one count of concealment of a document or object, and one count of tampering with a witness or victim.
In addition to Frank Gene Powell, Gloria Jean Powell, McDuffie, and Renteria, other defendants include Bubby Mern Shepherd, age 58, of Lodi, California, Terrence Quincy Powell, age 23, of St. George, Rocky James Powell Mott, age 40, of Hurricane, and Martell Taz Powell, age 25, of Cedar City.
Charges are pending against the remaining six defendants in the case. A change of plea hearing is set for Monday in St. George for Renteria.
Combatting elder abuse and financial fraud targeted at seniors is a key priority of the U.S. Department of Justice and the U.S. Attorney’s Office in Utah. Elder abuse is a serious crime against some of our nation’s most vulnerable citizens, affecting at least 10 percent of older Americans every year. Together with federal, state, local and tribal partners, the Department of Justice is committed to combatting all forms of elder abuse and financial exploitation through enforcement actions, training and resources, research, victim services, and public awareness. This holistic and robust response demonstrates the Department’s unwavering dedication to fighting for justice for older Americans.
Assistant U.S. Attorneys in Utah are prosecuting the case. The FBI is investigating the case. Agents with Utah Adult Probation and Parole have made signification contributions to the investigation.
Justice Department Requires Divestitures in Merger Between UTC and Raytheon to Address Vertical and Horizontal Antitrust ConcernsRead the Press Release
The Department of Justice announced today that it is requiring United Technologies Corporation (UTC) and Raytheon Company (Raytheon) to divest Raytheon’s military airborne radios business and UTC’s military global positioning systems (“GPS”) and large space-based optical systems businesses in order to proceed with their proposed merger. Without these divestitures, the merger would eliminate competition between two of the primary suppliers of military airborne radios and military GPS systems to the Department of Defense (DoD), and enable the merged firm to lessen competition for multiple components used in reconnaissance satellites sold to DoD and the wider U.S. intelligence community.
The department’s Antitrust Division filed a civil antitrust lawsuit today in the U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia to block the proposed merger. At the same time, the Antitrust Division filed a proposed settlement that, if approved by the court, would resolve the competitive harm alleged in the lawsuit.
“Today’s settlement protects the American taxpayer by preserving competition that leads to lower costs and higher innovation in critical military and defense products,” said Assistant Attorney General Makan Delrahim of the Antitrust Division. “The merger, as originally proposed, would have eliminated competition in the supply of military airborne radios and military GPS systems, and would have positioned the merged firm to harm rivals capable of making key components for reconnaissance satellites. These horizontal and vertical concerns are resolved by the Division’s structural remedy, which includes the divestiture of three separate business units.”
According to the department’s complaint, UTC and Raytheon are the only firms that develop, manufacture, and sell military airborne radios, which allow for secure voice, data, and video communications to and from aircraft, and are installed on every airplane and helicopter currently used by DoD. The department’s complaint also alleges that UTC and Raytheon are the only competitors for military GPS systems for aviation and maritime applications, and are two of the three competitors for military GPS systems for ground applications. Military GPS systems receive and process satellite signals, providing information regarding position, navigation, and timing. The complaint alleges that the merger would eliminate competition between UTC and Raytheon for all of these products, likely leading to higher prices, diminished innovation, lower quality, and less favorable contract terms.
The department’s complaint further alleges that UTC and Raytheon are among the few firms capable of producing several components for space-based electro-optical/infrared (EO/IR) reconnaissance satellites, which provide DoD and U.S. intelligence community customers with essential information, including early warning of missile launches. Specifically, UTC is one of only two companies able to build large space-based optical systems, and Raytheon is a leading supplier of detectors called focal plane arrays (FPAs). Raytheon is the only firm that produces FPAs that detect visible light, and one of two firms that produces FPAs that detect infrared light. Large space-based optical systems and FPAs are components of EO/IR reconnaissance satellite payloads – the system that carries out the mission of the satellite – which Raytheon also produces. According to the department’s complaint, the merged firm would have the ability and incentive to require EO/IR payload builders seeking to purchase Raytheon’s industry-leading FPAs to also purchase UTC’s large space-based optical systems, and could deny Raytheon’s EO/IR payload competitors access to UTC’s large space-based optical systems. As a result, the complaint alleges that the transaction likely would result in higher prices, less favorable contract terms, and diminished innovation for large space-based optical systems and EO/IR reconnaissance satellite payloads.
Under the terms of the proposed settlement, the parties must divest Raytheon’s military airborne radios business, including facilities in Fort Wayne, Indiana and Largo, Florida, and UTC’s military GPS business to BAE Systems, Inc. (BAE), or an alternate acquirer approved by the United States. BAE is the U.S. subsidiary of BAE Systems plc, an international defense, aerospace, and security company that provides a wide range of products and services for air, land, and naval forces. The proposed settlement further requires the parties to divest UTC’s optical systems business, including a facility in Danbury, Connecticut, to an acquirer to be approved by the United States.
The Antitrust Division and DoD worked closely throughout the course of the investigation. In addition, the Antitrust Division, the European Commission, and the Canadian Competition Bureau cooperated closely throughout the course of their respective investigations.
UTC, a Delaware corporation headquartered in Farmington, Connecticut, produces a wide range of products for the aerospace and defense industries. UTC had sales of approximately $77 billion in 2019.
Raytheon, a Delaware corporation headquartered in Waltham, Massachusetts, is one of the world’s largest defense manufacturers, with significant capabilities in radars and missiles. Raytheon had sales of approximately $29 billion in 2019.
As required by the Tunney Act, the proposed settlement, along with a competitive impact statement, will be published in the Federal Register. Any person may submit written comments concerning the proposed settlement during a 60-day comment period to Katrina Rouse, Chief, Defense, Industrials, and Aerospace Section, Antitrust Division, U.S. Department of Justice, 450 Fifth Street, N.W., Suite 8700, Washington, D.C. 20530. At the conclusion of the 60-day comment period, the U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia may enter the final judgment upon finding it is in the public interest.
Justice Department Protects Eastern District of Texas from COVID-19 FraudstersRead the Press Release
SHERMAN, Texas - On March 13, 2020, President Donald J. Trump declared the outbreak of COVID-19 (the coronavirus) in the United States to be a national emergency. Unfortunately, criminals and scammers are trying to take advantage of the crisis for their own profit. The U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of Texas through its United States Attorney, Joseph D. Brown, has made it a top priority to detect, investigate, and prosecute anyone who attempts to exploit the anxiety and uncertainty surrounding the COVID-19 outbreak to defraud other people.
“The public needs to be careful during the coming weeks to not fall victim to criminals who will try to take advantage of this health crisis,” said United States Attorney Brown. “The Justice Department has made it a priority to stop scams and frauds, and we will move aggressively against anyone who does that. We encourage anyone who becomes aware of a potential fraud, to report it.”
Scammers have already devised numerous methods for defrauding people in connection with COVID-19. They are setting up websites, contacting people by phone and email, and posting disinformation on social media platforms. To report fraud, please contact:
- National Center for Disaster Fraud (NCDF):
Telephone hotline:1-866-720-5721
Email address: [email protected]
- Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI):
- Submit a complaint online at https://tips.fbi.gov/
For cyber or internet related scams, submit your complaint at https://www.ic3.gov/default.aspx
Telephone: 1-800-CALL-FBI (225-5324)
- EDTX COVID-19 Fraud Coordinator, Assistant U.S. Attorney Frank Coan
Telephone: 903-590-1400
Some examples of scams linked to COVID-19 include:
- Treatment scams: Scammers are selling fake vaccines, medicines, tests, and cures for COVID-19.
- Supply scams: Scammers are claiming they have in-demand products, like cleaning, household, health, and medical supplies. When an order is placed, the scammer takes the money and never delivers the order.
- Charity scams: Scammers are fraudulently soliciting donations for non-existent charities to help people affected by the COVID-19 crisis. Scammers often use names that are similar to the names of real charities.
- Phishing scams: Scammers, posing as national and global health authorities such as the World Health Organization (WHO) and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), are sending fake emails or texts to trick the recipient into sharing their personal information, including account numbers, Social Security numbers, or login IDs and passwords.
- App scams: Scammers are creating mobile apps designed to track the spread of COVID-19 to insert malware that will compromise users’ devices and steal personal information.
- Provider scams: Scammers pretending to be doctors and hospitals that have treated a friend or relative for COVID-19 and demand payment for that treatment.
- Investment scams: Scammers are promoting the stock of small companies, which have limited publicly-available information, using false or misleading claims that the companies’ stock will increase dramatically due to the COVID-19 outbreak, such as claims that a company can prevent, detect, or cure COVID-19.
- Price gouging: Individuals and businesses selling essential goods, like hand sanitizer, for significantly higher prices than in a non-emergency setting.
The public can take the following steps to help protect against these scams:
- Independently verify the identity of any company, charity, or individual that contacts you regarding COVID-19.
- Check the websites and email addresses offering information, products, or services related to COVID-19. Be aware that scammers often employ addresses that differ only slightly from those belonging to the entities they are impersonating. For example, they might use “cdc.com” or “cdc.org” instead of “cdc.gov.”
- Be wary of unsolicited emails offering information, supplies, or treatment for COVID-19 or requesting your personal information for medical purposes. Legitimate health authorities will not contact the general public this way.
- Do not click on links or open email attachments from unknown or unverified sources. Doing so could download a virus onto your computer or device.
- Make sure that the anti-malware and anti-virus software on your computer is operating and up to date.
- Ignore social media and email offers for a COVID-19 vaccine, cure, or treatment. Remember, if there is a medical breakthrough, you will not hear about it for the first time through an email, online ad, or unsolicited sales pitch.
- Check online reviews of any company offering COVID-19 products or supplies. Avoid companies whose customers have complained about not receiving items.
- Research any charities or crowdfunding sites soliciting donations in connection with COVID-19 before giving. Remember, an organization may not be legitimate even if it uses words like “CDC” or “government” in its name or has reputable looking seals or logos on its materials. For online resources on donating wisely, visit the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) website (https://www.consumer.ftc.gov/features/how-donate-wisely-and-avoid-charity-scams).
- Be wary of any business, charity, or individual requesting payments or donations in cash, by wire transfer, gift card, or through the mail. Do not send money through any of these channels.
- Be cautious of “investment opportunities” tied to COVID-19, especially those based on claims that a small company’s products or services can help stop the virus. If you decide to invest, carefully research the investment beforehand. For information on how to avoid investment fraud, visit the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) website (https://www.investor.gov/protect-your-investments/fraud/how-avoid-fraud/what-you-can-do-avoid-investment-fraud).
The United States Attorney’s Office also cautions against individuals or businesses that may have accumulated medical supplies or devices beyond what they reasonably need on a daily basis for the purpose of selling them in excess of prevailing market prices. It is illegal to acquire medical supplies and devices designated by the Secretary of Health and Human Services as scarce in order to hoard them or sell them for excessive prices. Although no items have yet been so designated, the process for such designation is underway, and it is anticipated that certain supplies will be designated in the near future.
This does not mean that the Justice Department will pursue regular Americans who are stocking up on the necessities of daily life or businesses acquiring materials reasonably needed for their own use. Similarly, no action will be taken against manufacturers or suppliers who are working with the government and health care providers to combat this crisis. However, bad actors who amass critical supplies either far beyond what they could use or for the purpose of profiteering will be aggressively pursued. Scarce medical supplies need to be going to hospitals for immediate use in care, not to warehouses for later overcharging.
For the most up to date information on the COVID-19 outbreak and the federal response, check https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/index.html
- National Center for Disaster Fraud (NCDF):
Enfield Man Charged with Unlawfully Possessing A Firearm and AmmunitionRead the Press Release
CONCORD - Scotty Gonzalez, 28, of Enfield, was arrested on Wednesday for the unlawful possession of a firearm and ammunition, United States Attorney Scott W. Murray announced today.
According to a criminal complaint, Gonzalez is legally prohibited from possessing firearms due to a prior felony conviction and a prior conviction for a misdemeanor crime of domestic violence. On July 31, 2019, probation officers found Gonzalez in possession of a rifle and over 300 rounds of ammunition at his residence in Enfield.
Gonzalez was taken into federal custody on Wednesday and appeared before a federal magistrate judge by video. He was ordered detained pending further proceedings.
“Even as our state is dealing with issues related to the coronavirus pandemic, federal law must be enforced in order to ensure community safety,” said U.S. Attorney Murray. “Convicted felons and those who have committed crimes of domestic violence are prohibited from possessing firearms. In order to maintain public safety and prevent violent crime, we will continue to work with ATF to identify and prosecute those who unlawfully possess guns and ammunition.”
This matter was investigated by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives with assistant from New Hampshire Probation and Parole Officers. The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Anna Krasinski.
A criminal complaint is merely an allegation and a defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.
This case is 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.
###
Dover Man Sentenced to More Than 12 Years in Prison for Meth Distribution:Read the Press Release
LITTLE ROCK—A Dover man was sentenced Monday for distribution of methamphetamine in connection with white supremacist groups in the Pope County area. Joseph Pridmore, 34, of Dardanelle, was sentenced to 150 months in federal prison by United States District Judge Brian S. Miller. Cody Hiland, United States Attorney for the Eastern District of Arkansas, announced today’s sentencing.
Judge Miller also sentenced Pridmore, who pleaded guilty in October 2019 to distribution of methamphetamine actual, to five years of supervised release following his term of imprisonment.
In 2016, local and federal agencies initiated a joint investigation to identify, infiltrate, and dismantle drug trafficking organizations in Russellville. Agents identified multiple individuals who were trafficking methamphetamine in the Pope County area. The investigation revealed that Pridmore obtained multi-ounce quantities of methamphetamine from sources in Russellville and distributed the meth in ounces or grams to various individuals in the area.
Pridmore is a self-professed member of White Aryan Resistance, a white supremacist group with similar core beliefs and rank structure as the New Aryan Empire (NAE), a white supremacist organization that began as a prison gang. According to charging documents in the case, “it is not uncommon for the two groups to collaborate and comingle to further their criminal objectives, including narcotics distribution.”
“Today’s lengthy sentence in Operation ‘To The Dirt’ is one of many more to come,” said Cody Hiland, United States Attorney for the Eastern District of Arkansas. “When members of these violent white supremacist organizations use their warped ideology to facilitate drug trafficking, it will result in a significant prison term. We will continue to investigate and prosecute methamphetamine distribution in this as well as other corrupt organizations.”
Pridmore was charged on October 3, 2017, in a federal indictment that charged 44 people from the Pope County area with numerous gun and drug violations. The case is named “To The Dirt,” a reference to the NAE slogan referring to the rule that members must remain in the NAE until they die.
After Daniel Adame of Dardanelle became the first defendant to plead guilty in “To The Dirt,” a federal grand jury returned a superseding indictment on February 5, 2019, which named 11 additional defendants and added charges for the defendants’ involvement in acts involving attempted murder, kidnapping, maiming, and conspiracy to distribute methamphetamine. Adame was sentenced in May 2019 to 262 months in prison, Britanny Conner was Sentenced in October 2019 to 120 months in prison, and Pridmore is the third defendant to be sentenced in the case.
The investigation included the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, and Firearms, the Drug Enforcement Administration, and the Federal Bureau of Investigation, as well as the Pope County Sheriff’s Office and the Russellville Police Department.
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.
# # #
This news release, as well as additional information about the office of the
United States Attorney for the Eastern District of Arkansas, is available online at
https://www.justice.gov/edar
Twitter:
@EDARNEWS
Dorchester Man, Previously Indicted on Sex Trafficking Charges, Charged with Witness Tampering and Obstruction of JusticeRead the Press Release
BOSTON – A Dorchester man has been charged in federal court in Boston with witness tampering and obstructing justice.
Bruce “Arki” Brown, 41, was charged today by criminal complaint with witness tampering and obstruction of justice. Brown was previously charged federally with sex trafficking and is currently in jail awaiting trial.
According to the charging document, Brown used coded language in recorded jail calls and directed his three co-conspirators to assist him with contacting victims and witnesses in an attempt to influence their testimony related to the pending charges against him. Brown dubbed this scheme “Plan B.”
Brown was previously indicted on Feb. 13, 2020, with four counts of sex trafficking by force, fraud, or coercion; one count of sex trafficking of a minor by force, fraud and coercion; one count of transportation of a minor for purposes of prostitution; and one count of conspiracy to commit sex trafficking. According to the indictment, Brown engaged in the sex trafficking of four victims over a 15 year period beginning in June 2004 through approximately July 2019.
The charge of obstruction of justice carries a maximum penalty of up to years in prison, three years of supervised release and a fine up to $250,000. Witness tampering carries a maximum penalty of up to of 20 years in prison, three years of supervised release and a fine up to $250,000 or twice the gross gain or loss from the crime, whichever is greater. Sentences are imposed by a federal district court judge based upon the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors.
United States Attorney Andrew E. Lelling and Joseph R. Bonavolonta, Special Agent in Charge of the Federal Bureau of Investigation, Boston Field Division made the announcement today. The Boston Police Department and Newton Police Department also provided valuable assistance in the investigation.
The details contained in the charging documents are allegations. The defendants are presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.
###
Dominican National Pleads Guilty and is Sentenced on Charges of Illegal Reentry after DeportationRead the Press Release
BOSTON –A Dominican national pleaded guilty today in federal court in Boston to illegally reentering the United States after being deported.
Jhonny Dume-Patrocinio, 39, of Barnstable, pleaded guilty before U.S. District Court Judge Allison D. Burroughs who sentenced Dume-Patrocinio to “time-served,” approximately one month, to be followed by one year of supervised release. Dume-Patrocinio will be transferred into ICE custody and be placed into removal proceedings.
In May 2013, Dume-Patrocinio was encountered by ICE agents in Boston and determined to be illegally present in the United States. He was placed into removal proceedings and, on Oct. 1, 2013, deported to the Dominican Republic. Sometime after his removal, Dume-Patrocinio illegally reentered the United States, was arrested in Lynn and charged with distribution of heroin. Dume-Patrocinio appeared in Lynn District Court and posted bail. Immigration authorities were not notified that Dume-Patrocinio was released, despite a detainer being lodged. According to court records, Dume-Patrocinio failed to appear for a Nov. 8, 2017 pre-trial hearing in Lynn District Court. In February 2020, immigration authorities located and arrested Dume-Patrocinio, charging him with illegal reentry after deportation.
On the charge of illegal reentry after deportation, Dume-Patrocinio faces up to two years in prison to be followed by one year of supervised release. Dume-Patrocinio will also be subject to deportation following any sentence imposed.
United States Attorney Andrew E. Lelling and Marcos D. Charles, Acting Field Office Director, Boston, U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s Enforcement and Removal Operations, made the announcement today. Assistant U.S. Attorney Kenneth G. Shine of Lelling’s Major Crimes Unit is prosecuting the case.
###
Criminal Complaint Charges Two Women with Distribution of Controlled Substances Resulting in a Death, and an Overdose with Serious Bodily Harm, on the Menominee Indian ReservationRead the Press Release
Matthew D. Krueger, U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of Wisconsin, announced today that Jacquelyn M. Grignon (age: 47) and Lottie A. Tucker (age: 37), both of Keshena, which is on the Menominee Indian Reservation have been charged in federal court by criminal complaint with distribution of controlled substances resulting in a death, and serious bodily injury. Both individuals face mandatory minimum 20-year prison sentences. Tucker also faces a charge of possession with intent to distribute controlled substances, which has a maximum sentence of 20 years in prison.
According to the criminal complaint, between March 20, 2020, and March 21, 2020, Tucker and Grignon distributed heroin to two males on the Menominee Indian Reservation. One male died as the result of his use of the drugs and the other, a minor, was revived from an overdose by responding emergency medical professionals. A subsequent search of Tucker’s residence revealed additional quantities of suspected heroin, methamphetamine, and cocaine in amounts consistent with distribution.
“The opioid crisis has stolen too many lives,” said United States Attorney Krueger. “That is why dealing lethal drugs results in serious penalties. We are committed to working with law enforcement at all levels, including our tribal partners, to stop the flow of these poisons.”
The Menominee Tribal Police Department, Wisconsin Department of Justice – Division of Criminal Investigation Native American Drug and Gang Initiative, and Federal Bureau of Investigation investigated the case. Assistant United States Attorney Andrew J. Maier is prosecuting the case.
The public is cautioned that a criminal complaint sets forth allegations of criminal conduct and is not evidence of guilt. The defendants are presumed innocent, and are entitled to a fair trial at which the government must prove guilt beyond a reasonable doubt.
# # # #
Clay County Man Indicted for Armed Methamphetamine TraffickingRead the Press Release
LONDON, Ky. - Johnny Asher, 54, of Manchester, Kentucky, was indicted by a federal grand jury on Thursday, for possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine, possessing a firearm in furtherance of drug trafficking, and being a convicted felon in possession of a firearm.
The indictment alleges that, from October 6, 2019 to January 2020, Asher knowingly possessed and intended to distribute 500 grams or more of suspected methamphetamine, and he possessed a firearm in furtherance of his methamphetamine trafficking. The indictment also alleges Asher was a convicted felon and legally prohibited from possessing the firearm.
The investigation preceding the indictment was conducted by ATF, London Police Department, and Clay County Sheriff’s Department.
Asher’s next appearance before the United States District Court in London will be on a date determined by the court. The trial date has not yet been determined. If convicted, Asher faces a maximum prison sentence of life in prison. However, any sentence following conviction would be imposed by the court after consideration of the United States Sentencing Guidelines and the federal statute governing the imposition of sentences.
Any indictment is an accusation only. A defendant is presumed innocent and is entitled to a fair trial at which government must prove guilt beyond a reasonable doubt.
— END —
Cherry Creek Man Sentenced for Failure to RegisterRead the Press Release
United States Attorney Ron Parsons announced that a Cherry Creek, South Dakota, man convicted of Failure to Register as a Sex Offender was sentenced on March 25, 2020, by Chief Judge Roberto A. Lange, U.S. District Court.
Andre Marshall, age 35, was sentenced to time served, 5 years of supervised release, and a special assessment to the Federal Crime Victims Fund in the amount of $100.
Marshall was indicted by a federal grand jury on August 13, 2019. He pled guilty on January 13, 2020.
Between May 30, 2019, and June 13, 2019, Marshall, being a person required to register under the Sex Offender Registration and Notification Act and a sex offender by reason of conviction, knowingly failed to register and update his registration.
This case was investigated by the U.S. Marshals Service. Assistant U.S. Attorney Jay Miller prosecuted the case. Marshall was released following sentencing.
Cherry Creek Man Indicted on Arson ChargeRead the Press Release
United States Attorney Ron Parsons announced that a Cherry Creek, South Dakota, man has been indicted by a federal grand jury for Arson.
Joshua Adams Hale, age 29, was indicted on March 9, 2020. He waived his personal appearance on March 26, 2020, and pled not guilty to the Indictment.
The maximum penalty upon conviction is 25 years in federal prison and/or a $250,000 fine, 4 years of supervised release, and $100 to the Federal Crime Victims Fund. Restitution may also be ordered.
The Indictment alleges that on January 9, 2020, at Cherry Creek, in Ziebach County, South Dakota, Hale willfully and maliciously set fire to and burned a building, namely, the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints chapel. The chapel was completely destroyed by the fire.
The charge is merely an accusation and Hale is presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty.
The investigation is being conducted by the Cheyenne River Sioux Tribe Law Enforcement Services and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives. Assistant U.S. Attorney Cameron J. Cook is prosecuting the case.
Hale was remanded to the custody of the U.S. Marshals Service pending trial. A trial date has not been set.
Critical Mission of Justice Department ContinuesRead the Press Release
U.S. Attorney Drew H. Wrigley Urges North Dakota Residents To Remain Vigilant of Fraud Schemes & False Information
BISMARCK – U.S. Attorney Drew H. Wrigley of the District of North Dakota, announced today that the critical mission of the Justice Department is continuing during the COVID-19 crisis.
"Beginning in the initial hours of alarm, my office rapidly transitioned to telework capabilities, and we remain committed to our role in ensuring the safety and security of the people of North Dakota during these challenging times," said U.S. Attorney Drew Wrigley. "All across America, as here in North Dakota, Justice Department representatives are maintaining cooperation and coordination with our local, state and tribal law enforcement partners to safeguard our communities, region and nation."
To protect public safety, the U.S. Attorney’s Office will continue to charge and prosecute criminal cases, including national security matters, violent offenders, and all criminal conduct related to the current pandemic. There have been reports of individuals and businesses selling fake cures for COVID-19 online and engaging in other forms of fraud, reports of phishing emails from entities posing as the World Health Organization or the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), and reports of malware being inserted into mobile apps designed to track the spread of the virus. Any such criminal conduct occurring in the District of North Dakota will be prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law. Report suspected fraud schemes related to COVID-19 (the Coronavirus) by calling the National Center for Disaster Fraud (NCDF) hotline (1-866-720-5721) or to the NCDF e-mail address [email protected].
The U.S. Attorney’s Office is working closely with the courts and United States Marshals Service to ensure that every appropriate precaution is being taken to ensure the health of those who are called before the court.
CEO, CFO, President, and Owner of Sober Homes Network “Serenity Ranch Recovery” Convicted in $38 Million Fraud Scheme after Six-Week TrialRead the Press Release
Fort Lauderdale, Florida -- Sebastian Ahmed, 42, of Delray Beach, Florida, has been convicted of conspiracy to commit health care fraud and wire fraud, five counts of health care fraud, conspiracy to commit money laundering, and eleven counts of money laundering. As part of the scheme, the conspirators exploited vulnerable drug addicts, the majority of whom were 18 to 26 years ago; falsified paperwork; and entered into various kickback arrangements, all in order to receive millions of dollars of falsely and fraudulently obtained funds for their own personal use and benefit. As demonstrated by the trial record, of all the conspirators, no one profited more than Sebastian Ahmed, who netted more than $2.8 million in less than three years.
On Monday, March 23, 2020, following a six-week jury trial, Ahmed was found guilty of one count of conspiracy to commit health care fraud and wire fraud, ten counts of health care fraud, one count of conspiracy to commit money laundering, and eleven counts of money laundering, in case number 19-cr-60200-MORENO(COHN)(s).
Sentencing is scheduled for August 6, 2020 before United States District Judge James I. Cohn in Fort Lauderdale. As to the health care fraud and wire fraud conspiracy and money laundering conspiracy counts, the defendant faces a statutory maximum of 20 years as to each count. As to each of the health care fraud and money laundering counts, the defendant faces an additional maximum statutory sentence of 10 years’ imprisonment.
Ariana Fajardo Orshan, United States Attorney for the Southern District of Florida, George L. Piro, Special Agent in Charge, Federal Bureau of Investigation, and Omar Perez Aybar, Special Agent in Charge, U.S. Department of Health and Human Services-Office of Inspector General made the announcement.
The government’s theory of prosecution advanced in opening statement and closing arguments was that Sebastian Ahmed was the CEO, president and CFO of the two substance abuse treatment centers: Jacob’s Well and Medí MD; and the medical health clinic, Arnica Health, all of which he operated under the umbrella of Serenity Treatment Center, Serenity Living, and “Serenity Ranch Recovery” in Davie, Florida. Ahmed operated the three clinics from in or around June 2016 through May 2019. He employed his brother, Al a/k/a “Ali” Ahmed as the COO. Testimony revealed that Al Ahmed had previously declared bankruptcy having been found liable in a civil suit brought by his former employer, Kaplan University, for stealing confidential lead information from Kaplan.
The government emphasized at trial that defendant (1) engaged in illegal billing to private insurance plans through Jacob’s Well prior to the clinic being certified by DCF in February 9, 2017; (2) provided unlawful inducements to the approximately 500 patients consisting of free airline travel, housing, vapes, manicures, cash, and failure to collect patient responsibilities for co-pays and deductibles; and (3) billed for medically unnecessary therapeutic services consisting of therapy and urine analyses, the former having not been provided but billed by defendant’s substance abuse clinics. The patients were also permitted to reside in co-ed housing in which destructive sexual relationships, not conducive to real addiction treatment, formed – sometimes between the staff and patients, according to the testimony and evidence.
According to court documents and evidence presented at trial, the patients consisted of young adults in their twenties who primarily were addicted to opioids and other drugs of abuse. Many of the patients were permitted to remain on their parents’ private insurance plans up to age 26.
The patients resided in a series of so-called sober homes maintained by defendant in Davie, Southwest Ranches, Hollywood and Pompano. None of these homes were certified by DCF as approved community housing for persons engaged in a substance abuse treatment program.
Former Serenity employees including co-defendants Mauren Morel and Hector Alvarez, both Clinical Social Workers in the State of Florida, testified that they prepared fake progress notes to support fraudulent billing for daily group therapy sessions that patients did not attend. They testified that they did so at the defendant’s direction, and that claims were even submitted for dates when patients were not physically present.
Government expert witness Dr. Kelly Clark was a board certified addiction medicine specialist and clinical psychiatrist. She focused her career on issues of addictive disease. She testified that the manner in which Serenity’s medical providers prescribed buprenorphine and benzodiazepines to a drug abusing population was medically inappropriate and potentially dangerous. Patient-witnesses and the parent of a former patient likewise testified that Serenity caused their addictions to intensify rather than improve, and that multiple patients suffered overdoses and relapses that went unaddressed by the staff at Serenity. Indeed, the record showed that Sebastian Ahmed failed to report a single overdose incident to DCF as required by law, and that multiple patients were cycled back and forth between detox centers and Serenity without apparent improvement in their condition. Evidence that Serenity permitted and even procured addictive drugs for its patients was presented at trial, and medical records introduced as trial exhibits revealed that the doctors did not check the expensive urine screens that were being ordered until well after patients’ discharge. These urine screens revealed repeat positives for, among other drugs, methamphetamine, heroin, cocaine, and prescription narcotics.
From June 2016 through May 2019, the government attributed approximately $38 million in fraudulent billing submitted by defendant’s clinics which resulted in the reimbursement of over $6 million in payments.
Co-conspirators and former co-defendants Al a/k/a Ali Ahmed, the defendant’s brother; and Hector Alvarez and Mauren Morel, the clinical directors at two of the facilities, were also charged and pled guilty in connection with the fraud. Al a/k/a Ali Ahmed, who served as a Chief Operating Officer and co-owner of the facilities, was sentenced to ten years’ imprisonment. Hector Alvarez and Mauren Morel, both of whom testified at trial against Sebastian Ahmed, each received sentences of 32 months’ imprisonment. These three former co-defendants were sentenced by United States District Judge Federico A. Moreno prior to the trial.
Ms. Fajardo Orshan commended the investigative efforts of FBI and HHS-OIG. Support for the investigation was also provided by the Drug Enforcement Administration, Davie Police Department, Broward Sheriff’s Office, Palm Beach Sober Homes Task Force, and the Florida Department of Children and Families. The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Christopher J. Clark and Lisa H. Miller. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Nicole Grosnoff and Peter Laserna are handling the asset forfeiture component of the case.
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 on http://pacer.flsd.uscourts.gov.
Bradenton Man Sentenced to More Than Fifteen Years for Drug OffensesRead the Press Release
Tampa, Florida – U.S. District Judge Virginia M. Hernandez Covington has sentenced Ronde Yarrell (43, Bradenton) to 15 years and 8 months in federal prison for distributing heroin, fentanyl, and cocaine.
Yarrell had pleaded guilty on August 1, 2019.
According to court documents, between November 13, 2018, and January 4, 2019, Yarrell—a ten-time convicted felon—sold heroin, fentanyl, and cocaine to undercover officers on five different occasions. During the last drug sale, Yarrell sold an undercover officer six grams of heroin for $840. As a repeat offender, with prior convictions for bank robbery and possession of marijuana with intent to sell, manufacture, or deliver, Yarrell qualified as a career offender and was subject to enhanced penalties under federal law.
The case is part of the Middle District of Florida’s anti-opioid strategy to combat opioid trafficking and abuse. It was investigated by the Drug Enforcement Administration and the Manatee County Sheriff’s Office. It was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney David C. Waterman.
Billings man charged with sex, drug trafficking crimesRead the Press Release
BILLINGS—A Billings man accused of sex trafficking and drug distribution crimes was arraigned today on charges, U.S. Attorney Kurt Alme said.
Mario Juan Drake, 31, pleaded not guilty to six counts in a 25-count indictment charging four defendants. Co-defendants William Maurice Newkirk, Djavon Lamont King and Dejon Anthony Duncan have been arraigned and have pleaded not guilty.
The charging documents are merely accusations and defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty.
Drake pleaded not guilty to sex trafficking of a minor, two counts of sex trafficking by force, fraud and coercion, possession with intent to distribute cocaine, distribution of cocaine and conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute cocaine. If convicted of the most serious crime, Drake faces a minimum mandatory 15 years to life in prison, a $250,000 fine and five years to life of supervised release.
U.S. Magistrate Judge Timothy J. Cavan presided. Drake was detained pending further proceedings.
The indictment alleges that from about 2018 through 2019, Drake became involved in the distribution of illegal narcotics and in commercial sex and sex trafficking of a minor in Billings and other Montana cities.
Assistant U.S. Attorneys Zeno Baucus and Bryan Dake are prosecuting the case, which was investigated by the FBI.
Pacer case reference. 20-25.
If the above case is of interest to your media organization and the community it serves, we encourage you to monitor its progress through the U.S. District Court calendar and the PACER system.
To establish a PACER account, which will allow you to review documents filed in the case, please go to, http://www.pacer.gov/register.html. To access the district court’s calendar, please go to https://ecf.mtd.uscourts.gov/cgi-bin/PublicCalendar.pl.
XXX
25 March 2020
Woman from Deming, New Mexico charged with marijuana smugglingRead the Press Release
ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. – Nancy Edith Duarte-Lujan, 39, of Deming, New Mexico, appeared in federal court in Las Cruces, New Mexico today for an initial appearance on a criminal complaint charging her with conspiracy and possession with intent to distribute marijuana.
According to the criminal complaint, Duarte-Lujan allegedly tried to enter the United States on March 23 at the port of entry in Columbus, New Mexico with a large quantity of marijuana concealed in the spare tire, fenders, back seat and tailgate of the truck she was driving. U.S. Customs and Border Protection arrested Duarte-Lujan following an inspection of her vehicle.
Duarte-Lujan is currently in custody pending a detention hearing on March 30. She faces up to 20 years in prison if convicted of the charged offenses. 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 investigated this case. Assistant U.S. Attorney Brad Bartlett is prosecuting the case.
U.S. Attorney warns of coronavirus scams targeting vulnerable victimsRead the Press Release
SAVANNAH, Ga. – Scammers are seeking to exploit the evolving COVID-19 public health crisis by targeting populations most at risk of severe illness, and the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of Georgia is urging the public to report suspected fraud schemes by calling the National Center for Disaster Fraud (NCDF) hotline (1-866-720-5721) or to the NCDF at [email protected].
In coordination with the Department of Justice, Attorney General William Barr has directed U.S. Attorneys to prioritize the investigation and prosecution of Coronavirus fraud schemes. The NCDF Hotline can receive and enter complaints into a centralized system that can be accessed by all U.S. Attorneys, as well as Justice Department litigating and law enforcement components to identify, investigate and prosecute fraud schemes.
“Be on the lookout and report potential scams related to COVID-19,” said U.S. Attorney Bobby L. Christine. “Criminals are seeking to take advantage of the current health crisis and are targeting the most vulnerable amongst us. Our office is open for business and committed to working closely with our law enforcement partners to detect, investigate, and prosecute criminal conduct related to COVID-19. Don’t be swayed by fraudsters, and report anything suspicious.”
Some examples of these schemes include:
- 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 (WHO) or the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).
- Creating fake shops, websites, social media accounts, and email addresses claiming to sell medical supplies currently in high demand. When consumers attempt to purchase these supplies, the fraudsters pocket the money and never provide the promised supplies.
- Malicious websites and apps that appear to share Coronavirus-related information to gain and lock access to your devices until payment is received.
- Scammers are also contacting people by phone and email, pretending to be doctors and hospitals that have treated a friend or relative for COVID-19, and demanding payment for that treatment.
- Soliciting donations to fake charities or crowdfunding sites.
- Medical providers obtaining patient information for COVID-19 testing and then using that information to fraudulently bill for other tests and procedures.
- Offering online promotions on various platforms, including social media, claiming that the products or services of publicly traded companies can prevent, detect, or cure COVID-19, and that the stock of these companies will dramatically increase in value as a result.
In a memorandum to U.S. Attorneys issued March 19, Deputy Attorney General Jeffrey Rosen also directed each U.S. Attorney to appoint a Coronavirus Fraud Coordinator to serve as the legal counsel for the federal judicial district on matters relating to the Coronavirus, direct the prosecution of Coronavirus-related crimes, and to conduct outreach and awareness activities. The Southern District of Georgia’s Coronavirus Fraud Coordinator is Assistant U.S. Attorney Patrick Schwedler.
The NCDF can receive and enter complaints into a centralized system that can be accessed by all U.S. Attorneys, as well as Justice Department litigating and law enforcement components to identify, investigate and prosecute fraud schemes. The NCDF coordinates complaints with 16 additional federal law enforcement agencies, as well as state Attorneys General and local authorities.
Here are some tips to help avoid COVID-19 scams:
- Independently verify the identity of any company, charity, or individual that contacts you regarding COVID-19.
- Do not purchase test kits or items that purport to cure COVID-19 online.
- Do not click on links or reply to texts from unknown sources as these may download malware and viruses to computers or devices.
- Check the websites and email addresses offering information, products, or services related to COVID-19. Be aware that scammers often employ addresses that differ only slightly from those belonging to the entities they are impersonating.
- Be wary of unsolicited emails offering information, supplies, or treatment for COVID-19 or requesting your personal information for medical purposes.
- Check online reviews of any company offering COVID-19 products or supplies. Avoid companies whose customers have complained about not receiving items.
- Be wary of any business, charity, or individual requesting payments or donations in cash, by wire transfer, gift card, or through the mail. Don’t send money through any of these channels.
- Be cautious of “investment opportunities” tied to COVID-19, especially those based on claims that a small company’s products or services can help stop the virus. If you decide to invest, carefully research the investment beforehand. For information on how to avoid investment fraud, visit the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) website.
For the most up-to-date information on COVID-19, visit the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and World Health Organization (WHO) websites. To find more about Department of Justice resources and information, please visit www.justice.gov/coronavirus.
U.S. Attorney announces more than $163 million available to fight addiction crisisRead the Press Release
Seattle – U.S. Attorney Brian T. Moran of the Western District of Washington, today announced that more than $163 million in Department of Justice grants is available to help communities address America’s addiction crisis.
“Sadly, even with our community focused on health amidst the COVID-19 crisis, those who struggle with addiction have no break from their disease,” said U.S. Attorney Brian Moran. “I hope state and local governments and non-profits will explore these federal funding opportunities and apply for the grants that can enhance their work with those suffering from addiction.”
“Our nation is facing the difficult challenge of curbing substance addiction, which threatens public safety and is among the Administration’s top domestic priorities,” said Katharine T. Sullivan, Principal Deputy Assistant Attorney General for the Office of Justice Programs. “The Department of Justice is front and center in the fight to meet this challenge. OJP is making historic amounts of grant funding available to ensure that our communities have access to innovative and diverse solutions.”
The funding is available through OJP, the federal government’s leading source of public safety funding and crime victim assistance in state, local and tribal jurisdictions. OJP’s programs support a wide array of activities and services, including programs designed to prevent overdose deaths and break the cycle of addiction and crime.
A number of funding opportunities that address the addiction crisis are currently open:
Adult Drug Court and Veterans Treatment Court Discretionary Grant Program
https://bja.ojp.gov/funding/opportunities/bja-2020-17098
Total Available $1.75 million Deadline 5/14/2020
Comprehensive Opioid, Stimulant, and Substance Abuse Site-based Program
https://bja.ojp.gov/COSSAP20
Total Available $27 million Deadline 5/21/2020
Enhancing Community Responses to America's Addiction Crisis: Serving Our Youngest Crime Victims
https://www.ovc.gov/grants/pdftxt/fy-2020-enhancing-community-responses-to-drug-crisis.pdf
Total Available: $19 million Deadline: 5/4/2020
Family Drug Court Program
https://ojjdp.ojp.gov/funding/opportunities/ojjdp-2020-17090
Total Available $18.2 million Deadline 4/8/2020 (Extended)
Harold Rogers Prescription Drug Monitoring Program
https://bja.ojp.gov/funding/opportunities/bja-2020-17754
Total Available $28.1 Deadline 5/5/2020
Juvenile Drug Treatment Court Program
https://ojjdp.ojp.gov/funding/opportunities/ojjdp-2020-17051
Total Available $7.2 million Deadline 4/13/2020 (Extended)
Mentoring Opportunities for Youth Initiative
https://ojjdp.ojp.gov/funding/opportunities/ojjdp-2020-16930
Total Available $48 million Deadline 4/13/2020
Opioid Affected Youth Initiative
https://ojjdp.ojp.gov/funding/opportunities/ojjdp-2020-17352
Total Available $9 million Deadline 4/20/2020
Research and Evaluation on Drugs and Crime https://nij.ojp.gov/funding/opportunities/nij-2020-17275
Total Available $1 million Deadline 4/20/2020
Residential Substance Abuse Treatment for State Prisoners
https://bja.ojp.gov/RSAT20
Total Available $4.5 million Deadline 4/6/2020
For more information regarding all OJP funding opportunities, visit https://www.ojp.gov/funding/explore/current-funding-opportunities
U.S. Attorney Urges the Public to Report Suspected COVID-19 FraudRead the Press Release
Hagatña, Guam – United States Attorney Shawn N. Anderson for the Districts of Guam and the Northern Mariana Islands today urged the public to report suspected fraud schemes related to COVID-19 (the Coronavirus) by calling the National Center for Disaster Fraud (NCDF) hotline (1-866-720-5721) or to the NCDF e-mail address [email protected].
In coordination with the Department of Justice, Attorney General William P. Barr has directed U.S. Attorneys to prioritize the investigation and prosecution of Coronavirus fraud schemes.
Some examples of these schemes include:
- 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.
In a memorandum to U.S. Attorneys issued March 19, Deputy Attorney General Jeffrey Rosen also directed each U.S. Attorney to appoint a Coronavirus Fraud Coordinator to serve as the legal counsel for the federal judicial district on matters relating to the Coronavirus, direct the prosecution of Coronavirus-related crimes, and to conduct outreach and awareness activities. The Districts of Guam and the Northern Mariana Islands Coronavirus Fraud Coordinator is Mikel Schwab, Assistant U.S. Attorney.
The NCDF can receive and enter complaints into a centralized system that can be accessed by all U.S. Attorneys, as well as Justice Department litigating and law enforcement components to identify, investigate and prosecute fraud schemes. The NCDF coordinates complaints with 16 additional federal law enforcement agencies, as well as state Attorneys General and local authorities.
To find more about Department of Justice resources and information, please visit www.justice.gov/coronavirus.
U.S. Attorney Matt Martin Announces More Than $65 Million Available to Fight Human Trafficking and Help Trafficking VictimsRead the Press Release
Greensboro, N.C. – U.S. Attorney Matthew G.T. Martin of the Middle District of North Carolina today announced that more than $65 million in Department of Justice grants is available to help communities combat human trafficking and serve adults and children who are victimized in trafficking operations. “We are pleased to be able to have this channel of funding for our local partners to help us attack the evil of human trafficking,” said U.S. Attorney Martin.
“Our nation is facing difficult challenges, none more pressing than the scourge of human trafficking. Human traffickers pose a dire threat to public safety and countering this threat remains one of the Administration’s top domestic priorities,” said Katharine T. Sullivan, Principal Deputy Assistant Attorney General for the Office of Justice Programs. “The Department of Justice is front and center in the fight against this insidious crime. OJP is making historic amounts of grant funding available to ensure that our communities have access to innovative and diverse solutions.”
The funding is available through OJP, the federal government’s leading source of public safety funding and crime victim assistance in state, local and tribal jurisdictions. OJP’s programs support a wide array of activities and services, including programs that support human trafficking task forces and services for human trafficking survivors.
A number of funding opportunities are currently open, with several more opening in the near future.
- Missing and Exploited Children Training and Technical Assistance Program
https://ojjdp.ojp.gov/funding/opportunities/ojjdp-2020-17351
Total Available $1.8 million. Deadline 4/6/2020 (Extended)
- Multidisciplinary Task Force Program to Combat Human Trafficking
Total Available $22 million. Opens week of 3/16/2020
- Preventing Trafficking of Girls
Total Available $1.7 million. Opens week of 3/16/2020
- Research and Evaluation on Trafficking in Persons
https://nij.ojp.gov/funding/opportunities/nij-2020-17324
Total Available $2.5 million. Deadline 4/20/2020
- Services for Victims of Human Trafficking
Total Available $16.5 million. Opens week of 3/16/2020
- Specialized Training and Technical Assistance on Housing for Victims of Human Trafficking
Total Available $2 million. Opens week of 3/16/2020
- Human Trafficking Training and Technical Assistance Program
Total Available $5 million. Opens week of 3/16/2020
- Improving Outcomes for Child and Youth Victims of Human Trafficking
Total Available $6 million. Opens week of 3/16/2020
- Integrated Services for Minor Victims of Labor Trafficking
Total Available $8 million. Opens week of 3/16/2020
For more information regarding all OJP funding opportunities, visit https://www.ojp.gov/funding/explore/current-funding-opportunities
###
U.S. Attorney Announces More Than $83 Million Available to Support School SafetyRead the Press Release
NEWARK, N.J. – U.S. Attorney Craig Carpenito today announced that more than $83 million in Department of Justice grants is available to help communities improve school security and protect students, faculty and staff from threats of violence.
“The funding opportunities we are announcing will help with research into the causes of school violence and the effectiveness of approaches to dealing with it,” U.S. Attorney Carpenito said. “It will also provide resources that can be used to develop support services for children exposed to violence in their homes, schools, and communities, and for violent crime reduction strategies that focus on violent juvenile offenders.”
“School violence is no longer an abstract threat but has become a tragic reality in too many of America’s communities. Moving to meet this challenge is among the Administration’s top domestic priorities,” said Katharine T. Sullivan, Principal Deputy Assistant Attorney General for the Office of Justice Programs. “The Department of Justice is front and center in the fight to meet this challenge. OJP is making historic amounts of grant funding available to ensure that our communities have access to innovative and diverse solutions.”
The funding is available through OJP, the federal government’s leading source of public safety funding and crime victim assistance in state, local and tribal jurisdictions. OJP’s programs support a wide array of activities and services, including programs designed to tighten school security and improve the reporting of threats.
A number of funding opportunities for school safety are currently open, with another opening in the near future:
Research and Evaluation on School Safety
https://nij.ojp.gov/funding/opportunities/nij-2020-17308
Total Available $5 million Deadline 4/13/2020
STOP Act School Violence Program (FY20)
https://nij.ojp.gov/funding/opportunities/nij-2020-17308
Total Available $71.4 million Deadline 4/13/2020
Strategies to Support Children Exposed to Violence
https://ojjdp.ojp.gov/funding/opportunities/ojjdp-2020-17926
Total Available $7 million Deadline 4/27/2020
For more information regarding all OJP funding opportunities, visit: https://www.ojp.gov/funding/explore/current-funding-opportunities.
Three Aliens Indicted on Illegal Reentry Charges, Visa Fraud, and False Representation of a Social Security Number, and Aggravated Identity TheftRead the Press Release
RALEIGH – Robert J. Higdon, Jr., United States Attorney for the Eastern District of North Carolina announces that a federal grand jury in Wilmington has returned indictments charging MAURICIO HERNANDEZ-RAMIREZ, age 37, of Mexico, and OMAR HERNANDEZ-ALAVEZ, age 30, of Mexico with Illegal Reentry of a Deported Alien.
Additionally, the grand jury returned an indictment charging SANTOS MILENY TORRES-DIAZ, age 31, of Honduras, with Illegal Reentry, Visa Fraud, False Representation of a Social Security Number, and Aggravated Identity Theft.
If convicted of illegal reentry, HERNANDEZ-RAMIREZ, previously deported and found in Wake County, would face maximum penalties of two years’ imprisonment, a $250,000 fine, and a term of supervised release following any term of imprisonment.
If convicted of illegal reentry subsequent to a felony conviction, HERNANDEZ-ALAVEZ, previously deported nine times and found in Wake County, would face maximum penalties of ten years’ imprisonment, a $250,000 fine, and a term of supervised release following any term of imprisonment.
If convicted of illegal reentry, visa fraud, false representation of a social security number, and aggravated identity theft, TORRES-DIAZ would face maximum penalties of 24 years imprisonment, a $1,000,000 fine, and a term of supervised release following any term of imprisonment.
The charges and allegations contained in the indictments are merely accusations. The defendants are presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty in a court of law.
ICE’s Enforcement and Removal Operations and Homeland Security Investigations are investigating the cases.
***
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.
Texas Cajun Restaurant Owner Pleads Guilty to Employing Illegal WorkersRead the Press Release
A Big Spring restauranteur has pleaded guilty to employing undocumented immigrants, announced U.S. Attorney for the Northern District of Texas Erin Nealy Cox.
Voum Chhuon, 45, owner of Texas Cajun in Big Spring, Texas, pleaded guilty to harboring illegal aliens and unlawful employment of illegal aliens before U.S. Magistrate Judge John Parker on March 19.
According to plea papers, Chhuon admits he employed illegal labor for his personal financial gain.
Department of Homeland Security (HSI) received a tip from the Howard County Sherriff’s Office that Chhuon was employing illegal aliens at the Texas Cajun. After investigation, HSI agents learned that Chhuon that was paying individuals in his kitchen in cash while the waiters were paid by paycheck.
Officers with the Big Spring Police Department and the Howard County Sherriff’s Office conducted a traffic stop of two Texas Cajun cooks, Simon Hernandez-Bautitsta and Justino Antonio-Martinez. ICE officers determined that Antonio-Martinez and Hernandez-Bautitsta were in the United States illegally and subject for removal.
During interviews with Antonio-Martinez and Hernandez-Bautitsta, they stated that Chhuon knew they were in the United States illegally and not authorized to work. Both men were paid in cash once per week and lived with Chhuon in his residence in Big Spring.
While owning the Texas Cajun, Chhuon unlawfully hired Sergio Martinez-Martinez, Julio Esteban Perez-Florez, Jose Manuel Castillo-Hernandez, Sergio Ramiro Avila-Perez, Simon Hernandez Bautitsta, Justino Antonio Martinez, Lazaro Zepeda-Rocha, and Primitivo Hernandez-Amezquita without filling out any paperwork or requesting any documentation as to legality of residence in the United States or to work.
Once unlawfully hired, Chhuon would provide the illegal aliens room and board at his Big Spring residence and transportation to the Texas Cajun.
From March 2015 until his arrest, Chhuon made a total revenue of $2,985,631 for a monthly average of approximately $82,000 by operating the restaurant with illegal labor. HSI forensic accountants determined Chhuon transferred $137,801 from his Texas Cajun business account to pay off a personal mortgage on a residence located in Pearland, Texas.
Chhuon is facing up to 10 years in federal prison and a $250,000 fine. Homeland Security Investigations conducted the investigation. Assistant U.S. Attorney Stephen Rancourt is prosecuting the case.