Latest Records
Newest first across public DOJ and U.S. Attorney press releases.
19 March 2020
U.S. Attorney Announces Nearly $60 Million in Grants Available to Support Prisoners' Successful Reentry into Their CommunitiesRead the Press Release
DENVER – U.S. Attorney Jason R. Dunn 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.
“My office has had a dedicated Assistant U.S. Attorney and an in-office task force addressing prisoner reentry,” said U.S. Attorney Jason Dunn. “These funds will help our partners address the issues inmates face when leaving prison and reentering society.”
“Our nation is facing difficult public safety challenges that demand strong and immediate action. The high rate of recidivism poses a dire threat to community safety and is being met with a robust response by this Administration,” said Katharine T. Sullivan, Principal Deputy Assistant Attorney General for the Office of Justice Programs. “The Department of Justice is front and center in the fight to meet this persistent challenge. OJP is making historic amounts of grant funding available to ensure that our communities have access to innovative and diverse solutions.”
The funding is available through OJP, the federal government’s leading source of public safety funding and crime victim assistance in state, local and tribal jurisdictions. OJP’s programs support a wide array of activities and services, including adult and juvenile reentry initiatives and research projects designed to improve our knowledge of what works in reentry programming.
A number of funding opportunities are currently open, with several more opening in the near future.
Correctional Adult Reentry Education, Employment, and Recidivism Reduction Strategies Program
https://bja.ojp.gov/funding/opportunities/bja-2020-17104
Total Available $7.2 million Deadline 4/27/2020
Improving Community Supervision Outcomes Through Swift, Certain, and Fair Responses
https://bja.ojp.gov/funding/opportunities/bja-2020-17096
Total Available $3 million Deadline 4/28/2020
Improving Reentry for People with Substance Use Disorders Program
https://bja.ojp.gov/SCASUD20
Total Available $13.2 million Deadline 4/27/2020
Innovations in Reentry Initiative: Building System Capacity & Testing Strategies to Reduce Recidivism
https://bja.ojp.gov/funding/opportunities/bja-2020-17281
Total Available $4 million Deadline 5/4/2020
Research and Evaluation on Promising Reentry Initiatives https://nij.ojp.gov/funding/opportunities/nij-2020-17295
Total Available $6 million Deadline 5/5/2020
Review and Validation of the First Step Act Risk Assessment Tool https://nij.ojp.gov/funding/opportunities/nij-2020-fsa
Total Available: Determined after selection Deadline 4/10/2020
Second Chance Act Community-Based Reentry Program
https://bja.ojp.gov/funding/opportunities/bja-2020-17110
Total Available $13.5 million Deadline 5/4/2020
Second Chance Act Evaluation Participation Support
https://bja.ojp.gov/funding/opportunities/bja-2020-17680
Total Available $4 million Deadline 4/28/2020
Second Chance Act Youth Offender Reentry Program
https://ojjdp.ojp.gov/sites/g/files/xyckuh176/files/media/document/ojjdp-2020-17350.pdf
Total Available $7 million Deadline 4/28/2020
For more information regarding all OJP funding opportunities, visit https://www.ojp.gov/funding/explore/current-funding-opportunities
U.S. Attorney Announces More than $83 Million Available to Support School SafetyRead the Press Release
Portland, Maine: More than $83 million in Department of Justice grants is available to help communities improve school security and protect students, teachers and faculty from threats of violence, U.S. Attorney Halsey B. Frank announced today.
“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.
U.S. Attorney Announces More than $65 Million Available to Fight Human Trafficking and Help Trafficking VictimsRead the Press Release
Portland, Maine: 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, U.S. Attorney Halsey B. Frank announced today.
“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 $163 Million Available to Fight Addiction CrisisRead the Press Release
Portland, Maine: More than $163 million in Department of Justice grants is available to help communities address America’s addiction crisis, U.S. Attorney Halsey B. Frank announced today.
“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 Announces More Than $83 Million Available to Support School SafetyRead the Press Release
MEMPHIS – U.S. Attorney D. Michael Dunavant of the Western District of Tennessee today announced that more than $83 million in Department of Justice grants is available to help communities improve school security and protect students, teachers and faculty from threats of violence.
"School violence is no longer an abstract threat but has become a tragic reality in too many of America’s communities. Moving to meet this challenge is among the Administration’s top domestic priorities," said Katharine T. Sullivan, Principal Deputy Assistant Attorney General for the Office of Justice Programs. "The Department of Justice is front and center in the fight to meet this challenge. OJP is making historic amounts of grant funding available to ensure that our communities have access to innovative and diverse solutions."
The funding is available through OJP, the federal government’s leading source of public safety funding and crime victim assistance in state, local and tribal jurisdictions. OJP’s programs support a wide array of activities and services, including programs designed to tighten school security and improve the reporting of threats.
U.S. Attorney D. Michael Dunavant said: "Promoting school safety and preventing targeted violence against our school faculty, administrators and students is a top priority, and demands urgent actions to strengthen school security and provide accurate assessment, identification, and quick response to potential threats. These grant resources from the Office of Justice Programs will allow our state and local partners to focus on the emerging area of school safety in a comprehensive way."
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 4/13/2020STOP Act School Violence Program (FY20) https://nij.ojp.gov/funding/opportunities/nij-2020-17308
Total Available $71.4 million Deadline 4/13/2020Strategies to Support Children Exposed to Violence https://ojjdp.ojp.gov/funding/opportunities/ojjdp-2020-17926
Total Available $7 million Deadline 4/27/2020For 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
MEMPHIS – U.S. Attorney D. Michael Dunavant of the Western District of Tennessee today announced that more than $65 million in Department of Justice grants is available to help communities combat human trafficking and serve adults and children who are victimized in trafficking operations.
"Our nation is facing difficult challenges, none more pressing than the scourge of human trafficking. Human traffickers pose a dire threat to public safety and countering this threat remains one of the Administration’s top domestic priorities," said Katharine T. Sullivan, Principal Deputy Assistant Attorney General for the Office of Justice Programs. "The Department of Justice is front and center in the fight against this insidious crime. OJP is making historic amounts of grant funding available to ensure that our communities have access to innovative and diverse solutions."
The funding is available through OJP, the federal government’s leading source of public safety funding and crime victim assistance in state, local and tribal jurisdictions. OJP’s programs support a wide array of activities and services, including programs that support human trafficking task forces and services for human trafficking survivors.
U.S. Attorney D. Michael Dunavant said: "Human trafficking of minors and adults for commercial sex purposes is an unconscionable crime that preys on the most vulnerable in our society. The Department of Justice is committed to providing meaningful resources to our state and local law enforcement partners to strategically combat human trafficking by finding and rescuing victims, and imposing severe consequences on offenders. We appreciate the commitment of Attorney General Barr and the Office of Justice Programs in providing enhanced financial support to help us better address some of the most pressing issues impacting public safety in communities across West Tennessee."
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 3/16/2020Preventing Trafficking of Girls
Total Available $1.7 million Opens week of 3/16/2020Research and Evaluation on Trafficking in Persons https://nij.ojp.gov/funding/opportunities/nij-2020-17324
Total Available $2.5 million Deadline 4/20/2020Services for Victims of Human Trafficking
Total Available $16.5 million Opens week of 3/16/2020Specialized Training and Technical Assistance on Housing for Victims of Human Trafficking
Total Available $2 million Opens week of 3/16/2020Human Trafficking Training and Technical Assistance Program
Total Available $5 million Opens week of 3/16/2020Improving Outcomes for Child and Youth Victims of Human Trafficking
Total Available $6 million Opens week of 3/16/2020Integrated Services for Minor Victims of Labor Trafficking
Total Available $8 million Opens week of 3/16/2020For more information regarding all OJP funding opportunities, visit https://www.ojp.gov/funding/explore/current-funding-opportunities
###
U.S. Attorney Announces More Than $163 Million Available to Fight Addiction CrisisRead the Press Release
Memphis – U.S. Attorney D. Michael Dunavant of the Western District of Tennessee today announced that more than $163 million in Department of Justice grants is available to help communities address America’s addiction crisis.
"Our nation is facing the difficult challenge of curbing substance addiction, which threatens public safety and is among the Administration’s top domestic priorities," said Katharine T. Sullivan, Principal Deputy Assistant Attorney General for the Office of Justice Programs. "The Department of Justice is front and center in the fight to meet this challenge. OJP is making historic amounts of grant funding available to ensure that our communities have access to innovative and diverse solutions."
The funding is available through OJP, the federal government’s leading source of public safety funding and crime victim assistance in state, local and tribal jurisdictions. OJP’s programs support a wide array of activities and services, including programs designed to prevent overdose deaths and break the cycle of addiction and crime.
U.S. Attorney D. Michael Dunavant said: "Addiction causes a tremendous amount of pain and suffering, not just for those addicted to drugs, but also for their families, friends, and communities. Addressing the opioid crisis in our communities requires a comprehensive approach which includes prevention, education, treatment, and enforcement. Thanks to these OJP grant opportunities, crucial resources will be provided to identify and stop sources of supply, punish and deter drug dealers, prevent new users, refer addicts to evidence-based treatment options, deploy Narcan to hotspots, reduce overdose deaths, and save lives."
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 5/14/2020Comprehensive Opioid, Stimulant, and Substance Abuse Site-based Program https://bja.ojp.gov/COSSAP20
Total Available $27 million Deadline 5/21/2020Enhancing 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: 5/4/2020Family 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 5/5/2020Juvenile 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 4/13/2020Opioid Affected Youth Initiative https://ojjdp.ojp.gov/funding/opportunities/ojjdp-2020-17352
Total Available $9 million Deadline 4/20/2020Research and Evaluation on Drugs and Crime https://nij.ojp.gov/funding/opportunities/nij-2020-17275
Total Available $1 million Deadline 4/20/2020Residential Substance Abuse Treatment for State Prisoners https://bja.ojp.gov/RSAT20
Total Available $4.5 million Deadline 4/6/2020For more information regarding all OJP funding opportunities, visit https://www.ojp.gov/funding/explore/current-funding-opportunities
U.S. Attorney Announces More Than $163 Million Available to Fight Addiction CrisisRead the Press Release
DENVER – U.S. Attorney Jason R. Dunn today announced that more than $163 million in Department of Justice grants is available to help communities address America’s addiction crisis.
“The opioid and addiction crisis a top priority for me and my office,” said U.S. Attorney Jason Dunn. “We are throwing everything we have at stopping these drugs from getting into the hands of those who illegally prescribe and dispense them and those who chose to use them without a valid prescription. These funds in particular will help our partners continue and expand their hard work on this important effort.”
“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
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
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 Andrew Murray Issues Warning for COVID-19 ScamsRead the Press Release
CHARLOTTE, NC – Today, U.S. Attorney Andrew Murray and the FBI issued a warning, urging the public to remain vigilant against COVID-19 scams.
“I encourage everyone to be on heightened alert about potential scams related to COVID-19,” said U.S. Attorney Murray. “At the request of the United States Attorney General, I have directed federal prosecutors in my office to prioritize the detection, investigation and prosecution of criminal conduct related to COVID-19. We will not allow scammers to profit from this outbreak.”
Possible types of COVID-19 scams are:
- Individuals or businesses selling fake cures for COVID-19.
- Online offers for vaccinations and test kits.
- Phishing emails or texts from entities posing as the World Health Organization (WHO) or the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).
- Malware inserted in mobile apps designed to track the spread of COVID-19 that can steal information stored on devices.
- Malicious COVID-19 websites and apps that can gain and lock access to devices until a ransom payment is made.
- Solicitations for donations to fake charities or crowdfunding sites.
Here are some tips to help avoid COVID-19 scams:
- Do not purchase items that purport to cure COVID-19. Currently there are no vaccines, pills, drinks, lotions or any other product available on the market that can treat or cure COVID-19.
- Do not purchase COVID-19 test kits on line.
- Do not click on links or reply to texts from unknown sources as these may download malware and viruses to computers or devices.
- Be particularly aware of emails claiming to be from the CDC or WHO, claiming to have vital information about the virus. Instead, go directly to websites for the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (www.cdc.gov) and the World Health Organization (www.who.int).
- When it comes to donations, do not let a scammer rush you into making a donation. Instead, take the time to do extensive research online.
- Do not make a donation in cash, via gift card, or a wire transfer, and do not provide your banking information or debit card numbers.
Education is the best way to avoid being defrauded by scammers. To learn more about COVID-19 scams and for help with recognizing and avoiding fraud schemes please visit the Federal Trade Commission website. Report suspected fraud to the FBI at www.ic3.gov.
U.S. Attorney Andrew E. Lelling Issues Stern Warning Regarding Scams and Other Crimes Related to the Covid-19 OutbreakRead the Press Release
“As our communities take extraordinary measures to confront the coronavirus outbreak, some may view this as an opportunity to prey on the public’s fears and anxieties. The Department of Justice is now focused on cybercrime, sale of counterfeit goods, treatment scams and other healthcare and investment scams arising from the pandemic. My office will aggressively prosecute anyone engaged in this kind of activity,” said U.S. Attorney Lelling.
“With the outbreak of COVID-19, scammers have found a platform that preys on people’s fears and could make them more likely to be victimized,” said Joseph R. Bonavolonta, Special Agent in Charge of the FBI Boston Division. “We want you to avoid falling prey to these scams and help us stop them by reporting it at ic3.gov.”
Massachusetts residents who believe they are victims of fraud or other criminal activity related to the pandemic should contact the United States Attorney’s Office at [email protected] or call 1-888-221-6023 and leave a message. Members of the public can also contact the FBI’s Internet Crime Complaint Center (IC3) by visiting www.IC3.gov. If you or someone you know are in immediate danger, please call 911.
Takedown Results in Six Arrested on Drug Trafficking ChargesRead the Press Release
RICHMOND, Va. – Over 80 federal, state, and local law enforcement officers and agents executed a coordinated takedown today in several Richmond neighborhoods resulting in six arrests of individuals on drug trafficking charges and the recovery of multiple firearms, ammunition, magazines, and illegal drugs.
“This operation was strategically centered on some of the hardest hit areas in Richmond,” said G. Zachary Terwilliger, U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of Virginia. “This federal, state, and local violent crime suppression operation focused on alleged violent offenders, gang members, drug traffickers, and illegal firearm possessors who are allegedly responsible for an outsized contribution to violence in Richmond communities. Lest there be any doubt, crime doesn’t self-quarantine and our brave law enforcement partners will not allow the rule of law to disintegrate amidst this pandemic.”
The operation was primarily executed in the Mosby Court, Creighton Court, and Whitcomb Court communities. Additionally, law enforcement officers conducted four search warrants at various locations within Richmond that resulted in the seizure of four firearms, magazines and ammunition, $1500 in cash, and illicit narcotics including heroin, crack, and marijuana.
Defendants Estee Washington, Straughter, Rowe, Mitchell Washington, Lance, and Williams were all arrested this morning and made their initial appearances this afternoon in federal court in Richmond. Defendants Ross and Harris were already in custody.
Below is a table listing the defendants, age, hometown, and respective charges.
Name, Age
Hometown
Charge(s)
Estee Washington, 29
Richmond
Conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute a controlled substance
Japorium Straughter, 28
Richmond
Conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute a controlled substance
Kamal Ross, 27
Richmond
Distribution of Cocaine
Chanrelle Harris, 29
Richmond
Distribution of Fentanyl
Clarence Rowe, 48
Richmond
Distribution of Fentanyl and Cocaine
Mitchell Washington, 45
Richmond
Distribution of Heroin and Fentanyl
Tirelle Lance, 32
Richmond
Distribution of Cocaine
Tavarus Jermaine Williams, 40
Richmond
Distribution of Heroin and Fentanyl
G. Zachary Terwilliger, U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of Virginia; Ashan M. Benedict, Special Agent in Charge of the ATF’s Washington Field Division; Colonel Gary T. Settle, Virginia State Police Superintendent; William C. Smith, Chief of Richmond Police; Jesse R. Fong, Special Agent in Charge for the Drug Enforcement Administration’s (DEA) Washington Field Division; Nick Proffitt, U.S. Marshal for the Eastern District of Virginia; David W. Archey, Special Agent in Charge of the FBI’s Richmond Field Office; Raymond Villanueva, Special Agent in Charge of U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s (ICE) Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) Washington, D.C.; and Mark Herring, Virginia Attorney General, made the announcement. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Erik S. Siebert, Heather Hart Mansfield, Kenneth R. Simon, Jr., Stephen E. Anthony, and Janet Jin Ah Lee are prosecuting the cases.
The Richmond Redevelopment and Housing Authority provided significant assistance to law enforcement during this operation.
A copy of this press release is located on the website of the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of Virginia. Related court documents and information are located on the website of the District Court for the Eastern District of Virginia or on PACER by searching for Case Nos. 3:20-mj-44; 45; 46; 47; 48; 50.
A criminal complaint is merely an accusation. The defendant is presumed innocent until proven guilty.
Statement of U.S. Attorney William M. McSwain in Response to District Attorney Larry Krasner’s Excuses about the Murder of Sergeant James O’ConnorRead the Press Release
On March 16, 2020, I issued a statement detailing the reasons why the pro-violent defendant policies of Philadelphia District Attorney Larry Krasner led directly to the murder of Philadelphia Police Officer James O’Connor. More specifically, I explained how it was inexcusable: (a) that Krasner made no attempt to detain Elliott after he directly violated his parole by being arrested for cocaine possession, and (b) that Krasner voluntarily withdrew the cocaine case against Elliott, a known gang-banger wanted for murder.
We now have some additional facts:
- Officer O’Connor has been posthumously promoted from Corporal to Sergeant, and his handcuffs were used to formally arrest Elliott. I hope this brings his family some comfort.
- Elliott himself is alleged to have fired the bullets that killed Sergeant O’Connor when he was attempting to serve a warrant for a murder that Elliott had allegedly committed previously. Elliott allegedly lay in ambush behind a closed door and fired over a dozen bullets from an assault rifle as Sergeant O’Connor prepared to enter the residence.
- Three other dangerous felons were with Elliott in the room that he was shooting from, where a staggering 10 firearms were recovered following Sergeant O’Connor’s murder.
- In a March 17 press release full of omissions, inaccuracies and outright lies, Krasner has made plain that his pro-violent defendant policies are responsible for Sergeant O’Connor’s murder.
The most notable aspect of Krasner’s press release is that he makes no attempt to address the fact that his office ignored Elliott’s many serious parole violations, which allowed him to stay on the street and resulted in Sergeant O’Connor’s murder. In particular, as I explained in my March 16 statement, Elliott’s arrest for cocaine possession in January 2019 was a direct violation of his parole on a firearms conviction from 2018 and therefore should have landed him back in prison.
Despite many opportunities and avenues to detain Elliott after his cocaine arrest, the District Attorney’s Office did nothing. It did not ask for a detainer and it did not ask for high bail – in fact, it did not ask for any bail at all, as Elliott was released on his own recognizance. Krasner allowed this known gang-banger – who had been identified by the Philadelphia Police Department as an Operation Pinpoint target offender, making him one of the worst violent offenders in the City – to walk freely on the streets. And why? Because for Krasner, the name of the game is decarceration: he wants violent offenders out of prison, not in it.
To make matters worse, as I explained in my March 16 statement, Krasner voluntarily withdrew the cocaine case against Elliott – further rewarding him for his criminal behavior and ensuring that he would remain on the streets. My statement already anticipated and debunked all the lies that Krasner was likely to serve up regarding the withdrawal. He went ahead and made them, anyway, living up to my low expectations.
Here are the details:
- First, Krasner asserts that the cocaine case was “fatally flawed because the police actions . . . violate the Fourth Amendment and will result in the suppression of the evidence.” But he provides no explanation of how this case supposedly involved an illegal search or seizure. He just says that the Fourth Amendment is violated and expects everyone unthinkingly to nod their heads in agreement. The reality is that this was an open and shut case: Elliott disobeyed lawful commands from the officers, led them on a dangerous foot pursuit, reeked of marijuana and was caught red-handed with multiple packets of cocaine in his pockets.
- Second, Krasner claims that a potential problem with the credibility of one of the officers involved in the drug case warranted the withdrawal. As I already explained in my previous statement, this potential problem was irrelevant because the primary officer who recovered the cocaine in Elliott’s pockets had no credibility problems and easily could have testified to all aspects of the case. The other officer was not needed at trial. Krasner has no answer for this. Instead, he prefers to seize upon an irrelevant issue as an excuse to keep a murderous gang-banger on the street.
- Third, Krasner is flat-out lying about his supposed reason for the withdrawal. As I explained in my previous statement, the possible credibility problem with the one officer had nothing to do with the District Attorney’s Office’s withdrawal of the drug case. That is why the transcript of the court hearing from March 27, 2019 – when the case was withdrawn – says nothing about it, nor does the court docket sheet. As if any additional proof than that were needed, I have confirmed that the District Attorney’s Office is still sending court notices to this particular officer for active cases for next week and even into May. In other words, the office has been continually working with this officer since the time of the withdrawal and sees no problem with using him in court. You can’t have it both ways. You can’t say you withdrew a drug case against a murderous gang-banger because you can’t work with a particular officer and then continue to send that officer numerous court notices for the next 12 months. Krasner is lying, pure and simple. His office withdrew the cocaine case against Elliott and let him roam the streets because Krasner doesn’t care about drug possession cases – regardless of what dangerous drugs or violent offenders are involved. He considers them an impediment to his radical, decarceration agenda. And now Sergeant O’Connor is dead because of it.
Krasner’s March 17 press release concludes with a final insult: he claims to join the City in “mourning” the loss of Sergeant O’Connor. It would be hard to imagine emptier words.
Krasner’s radical ideology has brought this City nothing but increased crime, violence, shootings, murder, misery and disrespect for law enforcement. And it is only going to get worse, unless the decent people of the City decide that they have had enough. Let us honor Sergeant O’Connor’s memory by rejecting the ideology that took him from his family and from us. That is the only way to prevent the next tragedy that no family deserves to suffer.
- Officer O’Connor has been posthumously promoted from Corporal to Sergeant, and his handcuffs were used to formally arrest Elliott. I hope this brings his family some comfort.
Statement from U.S. Attorney Brandon J. Fremin Regarding Operations as a Result of COVID-19 and a Warning Against Fraud and Scams Related to CoronavirusRead the Press Release
In response to the rapidly evolving situation involving the Coronavirus disease of 2019 (COVID-19), the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Middle District of Louisiana remains operational, while working to mitigate risks to staff and the general public.
U.S. Attorney Fremin stated, “Our office is closely monitoring the situation surrounding the Coronavirus and, in the interest of the health and safety of our staff, has modified operations to abide by the guidance of the President, the Department of Justice, the Centers for Disease Control, and recent District Court orders. My commitment to the Middle District is to remain vigilant to the public safety needs of our citizens, while balancing the health and safety concerns we all share. Prosecutors and staff are prepared to react to any situation that requires immediate federal law enforcement attention and remain committed to fulfilling our obligations to the American people. I am in regular contact with our local, state and federal law enforcement partners, as well as the U.S. Courts, as we all adjust our operations to this unprecedented crisis.”
“Sadly, during times like these, scam artists tend to take advantage of vulnerable populations,” said Fremin. “The public should be aware that there are already reports of individuals and businesses selling fake cures for COVID-19 online, reports of phishing emails from those posing as the World Health Organization and the CDC, and other COVID-19 related scams. The Department of Justice and my office have made it a top priority to detect, investigate, and prosecute criminal conduct related to the current pandemic and will continue our mission to bring justice to those who violate federal criminal law.”
Statement from U.S. Attorney Thomas L. Kirsch IIRead the Press Release
HAMMOND- “We are in the midst of a national emergency. The good citizens of Indiana are concerned. They are concerned about their health, their families and friends, their children’s schools, their jobs, and the economy, among other things. One thing that should not be a concern for our citizens is being a victim of crime, by either fraud or by force. Unfortunately, criminals will attempt to take advantage of this situation in multiple ways. New scams will emerge, particularly those that target the elderly, the sick, and the economically disadvantaged. Ongoing scams will continue, as will violent and property crime.
“During this time, my office will remain open and vigilant. Our mission has not changed. The good women and men of the U.S. Attorney’s Office will continue to serve the community in a steady, professional manner.
“Criminals, including fraudsters, will not find a safe harbor. My office will work closely with our state and local counterparts and with federal, state, and local law enforcement to aggressively pursue and punish criminal wrong doers, especially those who prey upon the most vulnerable during this time. If you considering ways in which to criminally take advantage of our vulnerabilities, I strongly urge you to consider the severe consequences you will face when you are caught.
“To quickly respond to emerging fraud schemes, I have appointed Assistant United States Attorney Gary Bell, who heads the office’s Criminal Division, to coordinate the investigation and prosecution of COVID-19 schemes.
“I strongly encourage anyone with information about fraud schemes to call the Indiana FBI at 317 595-4000 or Assistant United States Attorney Gary Bell of my office at 219 937-5656.”
Sixty-Year-Old Zephyrhills Man Charged with Attempted Online Enticement of A Minor to Engage in Sexual ActivityRead the Press Release
Jacksonville, Florida – United States Attorney Maria Chapa Lopez announces the arrest and charging by criminal complaint of Lavern Lee Renninger (60, Zephyrhills) with attempted online enticement of a minor to engage in illegal sexual activity. If convicted, Renninger faces a mandatory minimum penalty of 10 years, and up to life, in federal prison and a potential life term of supervised release.
According to the
complaint , from March 3 through March 18, 2020, Renninger engaged in chats, through an online classified advertising site and through text messaging, with an individual he believed to be the mother of two minor female children. On multiple occasions during those conversations, Renninger indicated to the “mother,” actually an undercover St. Johns County Sheriff’s Office detective, his desire to engage in sexual activity with those minor children.This case was investigated by the St. Johns County Sheriff’s Office and Homeland Security Investigations. It will be prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Ashley Washington.
This case was brought as part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative launched in May 2006 by the Department of Justice to combat the growing epidemic of child sexual exploitation and abuse. Led by United States Attorneys’ Offices and the Criminal Division’s Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section (CEOS), Project Safe Childhood marshals federal, state, and local resources to locate, apprehend, and prosecute individuals who sexually exploit children, and to identify and rescue victims. For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit www.justice.gov/psc.
Project Safe Neighborhoods -- Two Felons Appear in Federal Court for Gun CrimesRead the Press Release
HUNTINGTON, W.Va. – Two felons appeared before United States District Judge Robert C. Chambers this week for gun crimes, announced United States Attorney Mike Stuart.
Terry James Cox, age 35, of Huntington, was sentenced to 27 months in prison for being a felon in possession of a firearm. Cox previously pled guilty and admitted that on August 9, 2019, he possessed a Kel-Tec .380 pistol. Cox also admitted that he had been convicted of unlawful wounding and attempt to commit a felony in 2005 and 2010, respectively, and, as a result, was prohibited from carrying a firearm. The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF), along with the Huntington Drug Task Force and the Huntington Police Department, conducted the investigation. Assistant United States Attorney Greg McVey handled the prosecution.
In a separate case, Anthony Smith, 44, of Wayne, pled guilty to being a felon in possession of a firearm. On April 8, 2019, Troopers with the West Virginia State Police searched Smith’s vehicle in the parking lot of the Speedway gas station on 5th Street Road in Huntington. Troopers located a loaded sawed off shotgun in the vehicle. Smith admitted the gun was his. Smith was prohibited from possessing a firearm under federal law because of a 2005 conviction for the felony offense of Aggravated Assault with a deadly weapon in Davidson County, Tennessee. Smith faces up to 10 years in prison when he is sentenced on June 15, 2020. The West Virginia State Police conducted the investigation. Assistant United States Attorney Stephanie S. Taylor is handling the prosecution.
These cases are part of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), a program bringing together all levels of law enforcement and the communities they serve to reduce violent crime and make our neighborhoods safer for everyone. Attorney General Jeff Sessions reinvigorated PSN in 2017 as part of the Department’s renewed focus on targeting violent criminals, directing all U.S. Attorney’s Offices to work in partnership with federal, state, local, and tribal law enforcement and the local community to develop effective, locally-based strategies to reduce violent crime.
Follow us on Twitter: SDWVNews and USAttyStuart
###
Philadelphia Man Arrested for Crimes Related to Cambridge HomicideRead the Press Release
The Office of the United States Attorney for the District of Vermont announced today that Taylor Ruffin Herrington, a.k.a. “Tee,” 34, of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, was arrested today in Philadelphia by the FBI on an outstanding arrest warrant issued last week in the District of Vermont. Herrington made his initial appearance today in the U.S. District Court in Philadelphia before U.S. Magistrate Judge David Strawbridge. He was detained pending his transfer to Vermont.
According to court documents, on March 3, 2020, at or about 2:50 a.m., Michael Haines and Amy Pudvah contacted the Vermont State Police, reporting that an individual known by the nickname “Tee” was attempting to enter their residence in Cambridge, Vermont. According to the callers, Tee was with a person named “Sam Simms,” in Simms’ truck. Tee left in the truck but then returned to the residence a short time later and asked Haines for his (Tee’s) duffle bag. Haines threw the bag over the back deck. A short time later, while Haines was on the phone with a Vermont State Police trooper, Haines told the trooper he had been shot. Pudvah was in the residence with Haines and, after Haines was shot, she ran upstairs to her two juvenile children who were also in the residence. Tee was later identified as Taylor Ruffin Herrington.
Investigation in the case further revealed that Pudvah had picked up Herrington in Burlington on March 2 at Haines’s request. Herrington got in the car and put a duffle bag in the trunk. Pudvah brought Herrington back to the Cambridge residence where Haines and Herrington hung out together. Haines and Herrington eventually left Cambridge and went back to Burlington. Haines then suddenly left Burlington, without Herrington, and returned home. Around this same time, Haines went to a friend’s house, again without Herrington, and showed the friend a large amount of heroin in a ziplock baggie. After Haines was killed, investigators searched Haines’s residence and found a large amount of heroin in a ziplock bag hidden inside the residence.
On March 12, 2020, the grand jury sitting in Burlington returned an indictment charging Herrington with carrying and using a firearm during and in relation to a drug trafficking crime, in violation of 18 U.S.C. § 924(c)(1)(A), and conspiracy to distribute heroin, in violation of 21 U.S.C. §§ 841(a)(1), 846. If convicted of the firearm charge, Herrington faces a maximum sentence of life imprisonment and up to a $250,000 fine. For the drug charge, Herrington faces a maximum sentence of 20 years and up to a $500,000 fine. The actual sentence, however, would be determined by the Court with guidance from the advisory Federal Sentencing Guidelines. The United States Attorney emphasizes that the charges in the indictment are merely accusations, and that the defendant is presumed innocent unless and until he is proven guilty.
United States Attorney Christina Nolan commended the collaborative investigation of federal, state, and local law enforcement. She specifically thanked the Vermont State Police, the FBI in Vermont and Philadelphia, and the Lamoille County State’s Attorney’s Office. She stated: “Thanks to the tremendous teamwork of Vermont and Philadelphia law enforcement, this crime was efficiently investigated and the suspect swiftly identified and apprehended. We will be unflagging in our efforts to protect Vermonters, fight for the rights of victims, and promote public safety. We will continue to prioritize prevention and punishment of violent crime, and those who engage in crimes like this will find themselves facing severe penalties.”
“When crimes occur, the Vermont State Police works diligently to identify offenders, apprehend them and bring them to court to answer charges,” said Maj. Dan Trudeau, commander of the Criminal Division for the state police.
“We’re grateful to have federal partners including the FBI and the U.S. Attorney’s Office that are equally dedicated to pursuing justice. That’s what we owe to victims, their families and the public,” Trudeau added. “In this case, the arrest of a suspect in Philadelphia just over two weeks after a homicide in Cambridge, Vermont, is due in no small part to the tireless work and seamless collaboration between the Vermont State Police, the Vermont Drug Task Force, the Lamoille County State’s Attorney’s Office, the FBI and the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Vermont. We’re incredibly thankful for the joint effort that led to this arrest.”
This case was investigated by the Vermont State Police and the FBI, both in Vermont and Philadelphia, PA. This case is part of the Department of Justice’s Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN) Program. PSN is the centerpiece of the Department of Justice’s violent crime reduction efforts. PSN is an evidence-based program proven to be effective at reducing violent crime. Through PSN, a broad spectrum of stakeholders work together to identify the most pressing violent crime problems in the community and develop comprehensive solutions to address them. As part of this strategy, PSN focuses enforcement efforts on the most violent offenders and partners with locally based prevention and reentry programs for lasting reductions in crime.
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.
The United States is represented in this matter by Assistant U.S. Attorney Wendy Fuller. Taylor Ruffin Herrington is represented by Assistant Federal Public Defender Steven Barth.
Palmer Man Arrested and Charged for Production of Child PornographyRead the Press Release
Anchorage, Alaska – U.S. Attorney Bryan Schroder announced today that Oliver Stewart Reing, 21, of Palmer, has been charged with five counts of production and attempted production of child pornography; and two counts of coercion and enticement and attempted coercion and enticement of a minor. Reing was arrested on March 17, 2020, and was arraigned on the charges yesterday in federal court.
According to the indictment, in June, July, and December 2018, in Alaska, Reing allegedly coerced five minors, including one 14-year-old female in Michigan, to engage in sexually explicit conduct for the purpose of producing visual depictions of such conduct.
If the public has any further information regarding Reing’s activities,
please contact the Alaska State Troopers at (907) 375-7723
If convicted, Reing faces a mandatory minimum of 10 years to life in federal prison. Under the Federal Sentencing Guidelines, the actual sentence imposed will be based upon the seriousness of the offense and the prior criminal history, if any, of the defendant.
The Alaska State Troopers (AST) conducted the investigation leading to the charges in this case. This case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Kyle Reardon.
The investigation is also part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative launched in May 2006 by the Department of Justice to combat the growing epidemic of child sexual exploitation and abuse. Led by U.S. Attorneys’ Offices, Project Safe Childhood combines federal, state, and local resources to better locate, apprehend, and prosecute individuals who exploit children via the Internet, as well as to identify and rescue victims. For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit www.justice.gov/psc.
The charges in the indictment are merely allegations, and the defendant is presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.
Pakistani Doctor Charged with Attempting to Provide Material Support to ISISRead the Press Release
Assistant Attorney General for National Security John C. Demers and U.S. Attorney Erica H. MacDonald for the District of Minnesota today announced a federal criminal complaint against Muhammad Masood, 28, charging him with attempting to provide material support to a designated foreign terrorist organization. Masood, who was arrested earlier today at Minneapolis-St. Paul International Airport, made his initial appearance before Magistrate Judge David T. Schultz in U.S. District Court in Minneapolis, Minnesota. Masood was ordered to remain in custody pending a formal detention hearing, which is scheduled for Tuesday, March 24, 2020.
According to the allegations in the complaint, Masood, a licensed medical doctor in Pakistan, was formerly employed as a Research Coordinator for a medical clinic in Rochester, Minnesota, under an H-1B Visa. Between January 2020 and March 2020, Masood made several statements to others, including pledging his allegiance to the Islamic State of Iraq and Al-Sham (ISIS) and its leader, and expressing his desire to travel to Syria to fight for ISIS. Masood also expressed his desire to conduct “lone wolf” terrorist attacks in the United States. On Feb. 21, 2020, Masood purchased a plane ticket from Chicago, Illinois to Amman, Jordan, and from there planned to travel to Syria. On March 16, 2020, Masood’s travel plans changed because Jordan closed its borders to incoming travel due to the Coronavirus pandemic. Masood made a new plan to fly from Minneapolis to Los Angeles to meet up with an individual who he believed would assist him with travel via cargo ship to deliver him to ISIS territory.
On March 19, 2020, Masood traveled from Rochester to Minneapolis-St. Paul International Airport (MSP) to board a flight bound for Los Angeles, California. Upon arrival at MSP, Masood checked in for his flight and was subsequently arrested by the FBI’s Joint Terrorism Task Force.
This case is the result of an investigation conducted by the FBI’s Joint Terrorism Task Force.
The charges contained in the complaint are merely accusations, and the defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.
This case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Andrew R. Winter and Timothy C. Rank, with assistance from Trial Attorney Katie Sweeten of the National Security Division’s Counterterrorism Section.
Pakistani Doctor Charged with Attempting to Provide Material Support to ISISRead the Press Release
WASHINGTON – Assistant Attorney General for National Security John C. Demers and U.S. Attorney Erica H. MacDonald for the District of Minnesota today announced a federal criminal complaint against MUHAMMAD MASOOD, 28, charging him with attempting to provide material support to a designated foreign terrorist organization. MASOOD, who was arrested earlier today at Minneapolis-St. Paul International Airport, made his initial appearance before Magistrate Judge David T. Schultz in U.S. District Court in Minneapolis, Minnesota. MASOOD was ordered to remain in custody pending a formal detention hearing, which is scheduled for Tuesday, March 24, 2020.
According to the allegations in the complaint, MASOOD, a licensed medical doctor in Pakistan, was formerly employed as a Research Coordinator at a medical clinic in Rochester, Minnesota, under an H-1B Visa. Between January 2020 and March 2020, MASOOD made several statements to others, including pledging his allegiance to the Islamic State of Iraq and Al-Sham (ISIS) and its leader, and expressing his desire to travel to Syria to fight for ISIS. MASOOD also expressed his desire to conduct “lone wolf” terrorist attacks in the United States. On Feb. 21, 2020, MASOOD purchased a plane ticket from Chicago, Illinois to Amman, Jordan, and from there planned to travel to Syria. On March 16, 2020, MASOOD’s travel plans changed because Jordan closed its borders to incoming travel due to the Coronavirus pandemic. MASOOD made a new plan to fly from Minneapolis to Los Angeles to meet up with an individual who he believed would assist him with travel via cargo ship to deliver him to ISIS territory.
On March 19, 2020, MASOOD traveled from Rochester to Minneapolis-St. Paul International Airport (MSP) to board a flight bound for Los Angeles, California. Upon arrival at MSP, MASOOD checked in for his flight and was subsequently arrested by the FBI’s Joint Terrorism Task Force.
This case is the result of an investigation conducted by the FBI’s Joint Terrorism Task Force.
This case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Andrew R. Winter and Timothy C. Rank, with assistance from Trial Attorney Katie Sweeten of the National Security Division’s Counterterrorism Section.
Defendant Information:
MUHAMMAD MASOOD, 28
Rochester, Minn.
Charges:
- Attempt to provide material support to a designated foreign terrorist organization (ISIS), 1 count
###
Additional news available on our website.
Follow us on Twitter and Facebook.
United States Attorney’s Office, District of Minnesota: (612) 664-5600
The charges contained in the complaint are merely accusations, and the defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.
New York Man on Parole Sentenced to Prison for Possessing Credit Card Manufacturing EquipmentRead the Press Release
Jacksonville, Florida – U.S. District Judge Brian J. Davis has sentenced Changa Bush (41, New York) to 15 months in federal prison for possession of credit card manufacturing equipment. The court ordered that Bush serve his federal prison sentence prior to extradition to New York for a parole violation. Bush is currently on parole out of New York State for assault causing serious physical injury and served 10 years in state prison before being paroled. He remains detained following his arrest on September 6, 2019.
According to court records, on April 12, 2019, a Flagler County Sheriff’s Office (FCSO) deputy began following a stolen vehicle being driven by Bush, who eventually pulled the car into a gas station and parked, where FCSO deputies made contact with him. Bush refused to identify himself or provide any form of identification. Subsequent to his arrest, law enforcement located the names of various individuals, and counterfeit drivers licenses, matching those on the credit cards in Bush’s possession. A fingerprint check determined that Bush’s identity and that he was wanted out of New York on a parole violation. A search of Bush’s vehicle located a magnetic stripe card writer and reader, two laptops, three thumb drives, a long range wireless adapter, and nine cell phones. A forensic examination of the items seized from the stolen vehicle revealed 37 credit card account numbers, software used to encode and decode the magnetic stripe of a credit card, and evidence of the installation of printers designed for printing identification cards.
This case was investigated by the United States Secret Service (Jacksonville Field Office) and the Flagler County Sheriff’s Office. It was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Kevin C. Frein.
New Hampshire U.S. Attorney Announces Nearly $60 Million in Grants Available to Support Prisoners’ Successful Reentry into Their CommunitiesRead the Press Release
Concord – U.S. Attorney Scott W. Murray of New Hampshire today announced that nearly $60 million in Department of Justice grants is available to help communities address public safety by supporting successful reentry of adult and juvenile offenders into their communities.
“When prisoners are released from custody, we need to make sure that they can transition effectively back into society,” said U.S. Attorney Murray. “By assisting these individuals to become productive members of society, we reduce the risk of recidivism and improve public safety. These grants can assist our communities in accomplishing these important goals.”
“Our nation is facing difficult public safety challenges that demand strong and immediate action. The high rate of recidivism poses a dire threat to community safety and is being met with a robust response by this Administration,” said Katharine T. Sullivan, Principal Deputy Assistant Attorney General for the Office of Justice Programs. “The Department of Justice is front and center in the fight to meet this persistent challenge. OJP is making historic amounts of grant funding available to ensure that our communities have access to innovative and diverse solutions.”
The funding is available through OJP, the federal government’s leading source of public safety funding and crime victim assistance in state, local and tribal jurisdictions. OJP’s programs support a wide array of activities and services, including adult and juvenile reentry initiatives and research projects designed to improve our knowledge of what works in reentry programming.
A number of funding opportunities are currently open, with several more opening in the near future.
Correctional Adult Reentry Education, Employment, and Recidivism Reduction Strategies Program
https://bja.ojp.gov/funding/opportunities/bja-2020-17104
Total Available $7.2 million Deadline 4/27/2020
Improving Community Supervision Outcomes Through Swift, Certain, and Fair Responses
https://bja.ojp.gov/funding/opportunities/bja-2020-17096
Total Available $3 million Deadline 4/28/2020
Improving Reentry for People with Substance Use Disorders Program
https://bja.ojp.gov/SCASUD20
Total Available $13.2 million Deadline 4/27/2020
Innovations in Reentry Initiative: Building System Capacity & Testing Strategies to Reduce Recidivism
https://bja.ojp.gov/funding/opportunities/bja-2020-17281
Total Available $4 million Deadline 5/4/2020
Research and Evaluation on Promising Reentry Initiatives https://nij.ojp.gov/funding/opportunities/nij-2020-17295
Total Available $6 million Deadline 5/5/2020
Review and Validation of the First Step Act Risk Assessment Tool https://nij.ojp.gov/funding/opportunities/nij-2020-fsa
Total Available: Determined after selection Deadline 4/10/2020
Second Chance Act Community-Based Reentry Program
https://bja.ojp.gov/funding/opportunities/bja-2020-17110
Total Available $13.5 million Deadline 5/4/2020
Second Chance Act Evaluation Participation Support
https://bja.ojp.gov/funding/opportunities/bja-2020-17680
Total Available $4 million Deadline 4/28/2020
Second Chance Act Youth Offender Reentry Program
https://ojjdp.ojp.gov/sites/g/files/xyckuh176/files/media/document/ojjdp-2020-17350.pdf
Total Available $7 million Deadline 4/28/2020
For more information regarding all OJP funding opportunities, visit https://www.ojp.gov/funding/explore/current-funding-opportunities
###
New Hampshire U.S. Attorney Announces More Than $83 Million Available to Support School SafetyRead the Press Release
Concord – U.S. Attorney Scott W. Murray of New Hampshire today announced that more than $83 million in Department of Justice grants is available to help communities improve school security and protect students, teachers and faculty from threats of violence.
“Children should be able to attend school in a safe environment where they focus on learning, not fear of tragic events,” said U.S. Attorney Murray. “These grants will assist communities in improving the security of children and school staff so that schools can focus on their education mission.”
“School violence is no longer an abstract threat but has become a tragic reality in too many of America’s communities. Moving to meet this challenge is among the Administration’s top domestic priorities,” said Katharine T. Sullivan, Principal Deputy Assistant Attorney General for the Office of Justice Programs. “The Department of Justice is front and center in the fight to meet this challenge. OJP is making historic amounts of grant funding available to ensure that our communities have access to innovative and diverse solutions.”
The funding is available through OJP, the federal government’s leading source of public safety funding and crime victim assistance in state, local and tribal jurisdictions. OJP’s programs support a wide array of activities and services, including programs designed to tighten school security and improve the reporting of threats.
A number of funding opportunities for school safety are currently open, with another opening in the near future:
Research and Evaluation on School Safety
https://nij.ojp.gov/funding/opportunities/nij-2020-17308
Total Available $5 million Deadline 4/13/2020
STOP Act School Violence Program (FY20)
https://nij.ojp.gov/funding/opportunities/nij-2020-17308
Total Available $71.4 million Deadline 4/13/2020
Strategies to Support Children Exposed to Violence
https://ojjdp.ojp.gov/funding/opportunities/ojjdp-2020-17926
Total Available $7 million Deadline 4/27/2020
For more information regarding all OJP funding opportunities, visit https://www.ojp.gov/funding/explore/current-funding-opportunities.
###
New Hampshire U.S. Attorney Announces More Than $65 Million Available to Fight Human Trafficking and Help Trafficking VictimsRead the Press Release
Concord – U.S. Attorney Scott W. Murray of New Hampshire today announced that more than $65 million in Department of Justice grants is available to help communities combat human trafficking and serve adults and children who are victimized in trafficking operations.
“The crimes of sex trafficking and labor trafficking victimize some of the most vulnerable members of our communities, including minors and the economically disadvantaged,” said U.S. Attorney Murray. “Human trafficking is modern day slavery and it cannot be tolerated in a free society. Here in New Hampshire, the Human Trafficking Collaborative Task Force and other efforts have been vital in obtaining justice for victims of human trafficking. These new grant opportunities will provide additional financial support that will allow communities to expand their efforts to combat human trafficking, protect victims, and educate the public about the impact of this crime.”
“Our nation is facing difficult challenges, none more pressing than the scourge of human trafficking. Human traffickers pose a dire threat to public safety and countering this threat remains one of the Administration’s top domestic priorities,” said Katharine T. Sullivan, Principal Deputy Assistant Attorney General for the Office of Justice Programs. “The Department of Justice is front and center in the fight against this insidious crime. OJP is making historic amounts of grant funding available to ensure that our communities have access to innovative and diverse solutions.”
The funding is available through OJP, the federal government’s leading source of public safety funding and crime victim assistance in state, local and tribal jurisdictions. OJP’s programs support a wide array of activities and services, including programs that support human trafficking task forces and services for human trafficking survivors.
A number of funding opportunities are currently open, with several more opening in the near future.
Missing and Exploited Children Training and Technical Assistance Program
https://ojjdp.ojp.gov/funding/opportunities/ojjdp-2020-17351
Total Available $1.8 million Deadline 4/6/2020 (Extended)
Multidisciplinary Task Force Program to Combat Human Trafficking
Total Available $22 million Opens week of 3/16/2020
Preventing Trafficking of Girls
Total Available $1.7 million Opens week of 3/16/2020
Research and Evaluation on Trafficking in Persons https://nij.ojp.gov/funding/opportunities/nij-2020-17324
Total Available $2.5 million Deadline 4/20/2020
Services for Victims of Human Trafficking
Total Available $16.5 million Opens week of 3/16/2020
Specialized Training and Technical Assistance on Housing for Victims of Human Trafficking Total Available $2 million Opens week of 3/16/2020
Human Trafficking Training and Technical Assistance Program
Total Available $5 million Opens week of 3/16/2020
Improving Outcomes for Child and Youth Victims of Human Trafficking
Total Available $6 million Opens week of 3/16/2020
Integrated Services for Minor Victims of Labor Trafficking
Total Available $8 million Opens week of 3/16/2020
For more information regarding all OJP funding opportunities, visit https://www.ojp.gov/funding/explore/current-funding-opportunities
###
New Hampshire U.S. Attorney Announces More Than $163 Million Available to Fight Addiction CrisisRead the Press Release
Concord – U.S. Attorney Scott W. Murray of New Hampshire today announced that more than $163 million in Department of Justice grants is available to help communities address America’s addiction crisis.
“New Hampshire has been hit hard by the opioid crisis and faces additional addiction-related threats, including a growing methamphetamine problem,” said U.S. Attorney Murray. “While the law enforcement community will continue to focus on targeting the drug traffickers who seek to profit from those who suffer from addiction, these grants can provide valuable resources to help our communities fight addiction and curtail the demand for these dangerous substances.”
“Our nation is facing the difficult challenge of curbing substance addiction, which threatens public safety and is among the Administration’s top domestic priorities,” said Katharine T. Sullivan, Principal Deputy Assistant Attorney General for the Office of Justice Programs. “The Department of Justice is front and center in the fight to meet this challenge. OJP is making historic amounts of grant funding available to ensure that our communities have access to innovative and diverse solutions.”
The funding is available through OJP, the federal government’s leading source of public safety funding and crime victim assistance in state, local and tribal jurisdictions. OJP’s programs support a wide array of activities and services, including programs designed to prevent overdose deaths and break the cycle of addiction and crime.
A number of funding opportunities that address the addiction crisis are currently open:
https://bja.ojp.gov/funding/opportunities/bja-2020-17098
Total Available $1.75 million Deadline 5/14/2020
Comprehensive Opioid, Stimulant, and Substance Abuse Site-based Program
https://bja.ojp.gov/COSSAP20
Total Available $27 million Deadline 5/21/2020
Enhancing Community Responses to America's Addiction Crisis: Serving Our Youngest Crime Victims
https://www.ovc.gov/grants/pdftxt/fy-2020-enhancing-community-responses-to-drug-crisis.pdf
Total Available: $19 million Deadline: 5/4/2020
Family Drug Court Program
https://ojjdp.ojp.gov/funding/opportunities/ojjdp-2020-17090
Total Available $18.2 million Deadline 4/8/2020 (Extended)
Harold Rogers Prescription Drug Monitoring Program
https://bja.ojp.gov/funding/opportunities/bja-2020-17754
Total Available $28.1 Deadline 5/5/2020
Juvenile Drug Treatment Court Program
https://ojjdp.ojp.gov/funding/opportunities/ojjdp-2020-17051
Total Available $7.2 million Deadline 4/13/2020 (Extended)
Mentoring Opportunities for Youth Initiative
https://ojjdp.ojp.gov/funding/opportunities/ojjdp-2020-16930
Total Available $48 million Deadline 4/13/2020
Opioid Affected Youth Initiative
https://ojjdp.ojp.gov/funding/opportunities/ojjdp-2020-17352
Total Available $9 million Deadline 4/20/2020
Research and Evaluation on Drugs and Crime https://nij.ojp.gov/funding/opportunities/nij-2020-17275
Total Available $1 million Deadline 4/20/2020
Residential Substance Abuse Treatment for State Prisoners
https://bja.ojp.gov/RSAT20
Total Available $4.5 million Deadline 4/6/2020
For more information regarding all OJP funding opportunities, visit https://www.ojp.gov/funding/explore/current-funding-opportunities
###
Nevada U.S. Attorney Announces More Than $65 Million Available to Fight Human Trafficking and Help Trafficking VictimsRead the Press Release
LAS VEGAS, Nev. – U.S. Attorney Nicholas A. Trutanich for the District of Nevada today announced that more than $65 million in Department of Justice grants is available to help communities combat human trafficking and serve victims of trafficking operations.
“Our nation is facing difficult challenges, none more pressing than the scourge of human trafficking. Human traffickers pose a dire threat to public safety and countering this threat remains one of the Administration’s top domestic priorities,” said Katharine T. Sullivan, Principal Deputy Assistant Attorney General for the Office of Justice Programs. “The Department of Justice is front and center in the fight against this insidious crime. OJP is making historic amounts of grant funding available to ensure that our communities have access to innovative and diverse solutions.”
“On behalf of the District of Nevada, we are grateful for the Department of Justice’s support in bringing human traffickers to justice and helping victims in our communities,” said U.S. Attorney Trutanich. “Together with our law enforcement partners, the U.S. Attorney’s Office looks forward to effectively and creatively deploying the resources possible through this new grant funding.”
The funding is available through OJP, the federal government’s leading source of public safety funding and crime victim assistance in state, local and tribal jurisdictions. OJP’s programs support a wide array of activities and services, including programs that support human trafficking task forces and services for human trafficking survivors.
A number of funding opportunities are currently open, with several more opportunities opening this week.
- Missing and Exploited Children Training and Technical Assistance Program
https://ojjdp.ojp.gov/funding/opportunities/ojjdp-2020-17351
Total Available: $1.8 million Deadline: 4/6/2020
- Multidisciplinary Task Force Program to Combat Human Trafficking
Total Available: $22 million Opens week of 3/16/2020
- Preventing Trafficking of Girls
Total Available: $1.7 million Opens week of 3/16/2020
- Research and Evaluation on Trafficking in Persons
https://nij.ojp.gov/funding/opportunities/nij-2020-17324
Total Available: $2.5 million Deadline: 4/20/2020
- Services for Victims of Human Trafficking
Total Available: $16.5 million Opens week of 3/16/2020
- Specialized Training and Technical Assistance on Housing for Victims of Human Trafficking
Total Available: $2 million Opens week of 3/16/2020
- Human Trafficking Training and Technical Assistance Program
Total Available: $5 million Opens week of 3/16/2020
- Improving Outcomes for Child and Youth Victims of Human Trafficking
Total Available: $6 million Opens week of 3/16/2020
- Integrated Services for Minor Victims of Labor Trafficking
Total Available: $8 million Opens week of 3/16/2020
For more information regarding all OJP funding opportunities, please visit https://www.ojp.gov/funding/explore/current-funding-opportunities
###
Nearly $60 Million in Grants Available to Support Prisoners’ Successful Reentry into Their CommunitiesRead the Press Release
United States Attorney Matthew D. Krueger of the Eastern District of Wisconsin today announced nearly $60 million in Department of Justice grants is available to help communities address public safety by supporting successful reentry of adult and juvenile offenders into their communities.
“Our nation is facing difficult public safety challenges that demand strong and immediate action. The high rate of recidivism poses a dire threat to community safety and is being met with a robust response by this Administration,” said Katharine T. Sullivan, Principal Deputy Assistant Attorney General for the Office of Justice Programs. “The Department of Justice is front and center in the fight to meet this persistent challenge. OJP is making historic amounts of grant funding available to ensure that our communities have access to innovative and diverse solutions.”
The funding is available through OJP, the federal government’s leading source of public safety funding and crime victim assistance in state, local and tribal jurisdictions. OJP’s programs support a wide array of activities and services, including adult and juvenile reentry initiatives and research projects designed to improve our knowledge of what works in reentry programming.
A number of funding opportunities are currently open, with several more opening in the near future.
Correctional Adult Reentry Education, Employment, and Recidivism Reduction Strategies Program https://bja.ojp.gov/funding/opportunities/bja-2020-17104
Deadline 4/27/2020
Improving Community Supervision Outcomes Through Swift, Certain, and Fair Responses https://bja.ojp.gov/funding/opportunities/bja-2020-17096
Deadline 4/28/2020
Improving Reentry for People with Substance Use Disorders Program
https://bja.ojp.gov/SCASUD20
Deadline 4/27/2020
Innovations in Reentry Initiative: Building System Capacity & Testing Strategies to Reduce Recidivism
https://bja.ojp.gov/funding/opportunities/bja-2020-17281
Deadline 5/4/2020
Research and Evaluation on Promising Reentry Initiatives https://nij.ojp.gov/funding/opportunities/nij-2020-17295
Deadline 5/5/2020
Review and Validation of the First Step Act Risk Assessment Tool https://nij.ojp.gov/funding/opportunities/nij-2020-fsa
Deadline 4/10/2020
Second Chance Act Community-Based Reentry Program
https://bja.ojp.gov/funding/opportunities/bja-2020-17110
Deadline 5/4/2020
Second Chance Act Evaluation Participation Support
https://bja.ojp.gov/funding/opportunities/bja-2020-17680
Deadline 4/28/2020
Second Chance Act Youth Offender Reentry Program
https://ojjdp.ojp.gov/sites/g/files/xyckuh176/files/media/document/ojjdp-2020-17350.pdf
Deadline 4/28/2020
For more information regarding all OJP funding opportunities, visit https://www.ojp.gov/funding/explore/current-funding-opportunities
For Additional Information Contact:
Public Information Officer Kenneth Gales 414-297-1700
Maryland U.S. Attorney Encourages Marylanders to be Alert to Scammers Exploiting the Coronavirus Health EmergencyRead the Press Release
Baltimore, Maryland – Maryland U.S. Attorney Robert K. Hur is encouraging all Marylanders to be aware of individuals attempting to profit from the coronavirus pandemic. Coronavirus scams are being perpetrated around the country, including in Maryland. Recently, scammers sent e-mails to people in Maryland, purporting to be from a local hospital and offering coronavirus vaccines for a fee. In fact, no vaccine is currently available for the coronavirus. Other fraudsters are offering fake cures for the virus or posing as public health officials. Still other scams use websites that appear to be legitimate, but are actually fake websites that infect the users’ computers with harmful malware or seek personal information that can be later used to commit fraud. Many of these scams target the most vulnerable, especially the elderly.
U.S. Attorney Robert K. Hur stated, “Fraudsters who are preying on citizens during this unprecedented public health crisis are reprehensible. My office and the entire law enforcement community are committed to bringing fraudsters who prey upon our most vulnerable citizens to justice. We will continue our outreach efforts to make the public aware of scams and frauds. I urge citizens to remain vigilant and to be skeptical of any telephone calls, e-mails, or websites that request personal information or banking information, while promising money or services that seem too good to be true.”
U.S. Attorney General William P. Barr sent a memo to all U.S. Attorneys making the investigation of these scams and the individuals perpetrating them a priority. Federal, state, and local law enforcement agencies are open and ready to investigate these frauds. While employees of the Maryland U.S. Attorney’s Office are responsibly practicing social distancing, the Office’s dedication to the safety of all Maryland citizens continues.
Don’t be taken in by a scam. There are resources available to learn the facts about the coronavirus and how to protect yourself from scammers. The Center for Disease Control (CDC) has guidelines on how to keep from becoming ill, and other information about the disease, on its website. The Federal Trade Commission has consumer information about coronavirus scams on its website, including a complaint form to report scammers. Elderly victims may also call the newly launched Elder Fraud Hotline at 833-FRAUD-11 (833-372-8311), if they believe they are victims of a coronavirus scam—or any other type of fraud.
# # #
More Than $83 Million Available to Support School SafetyRead the Press Release
United States Attorney Matthew D. Krueger of the Eastern District of Wisconsin today announced that more than $83 million in Department of Justice grants is available to help communities improve school security and protect students, teachers and faculty from threats of violence.
“School violence is no longer an abstract threat but has become a tragic reality in too many of America’s communities. Moving to meet this challenge is among the Administration’s top domestic priorities,” said Katharine T. Sullivan, Principal Deputy Assistant Attorney General for the Office of Justice Programs. “The Department of Justice is front and center in the fight to meet this challenge. OJP is making historic amounts of grant funding available to ensure that our communities have access to innovative and diverse solutions.”
The funding is available through OJP, the federal government’s leading source of public safety funding and crime victim assistance in state, local and tribal jurisdictions. OJP’s programs support a wide array of activities and services, including programs designed to tighten school security and improve the reporting of threats.
A number of funding opportunities for school safety are currently open, with another opening in the near future:
Research and Evaluation on School Safety
https://nij.ojp.gov/funding/opportunities/nij-2020-17308
Deadline 4/13/2020
STOP Act School Violence Program (FY20)
https://nij.ojp.gov/funding/opportunities/nij-2020-17308
Deadline 4/13/2020
Strategies to Support Children Exposed to Violence
https://ojjdp.ojp.gov/funding/opportunities/ojjdp-2020-17926
Deadline 4/27/2020
For more information regarding all OJP funding opportunities, visit https://www.ojp.gov/funding/explore/current-funding-opportunities.
###
For Additional Information Contact:
Public Information Officer Kenneth Gales 414-297-1700
More Than $65 Million Available to Fight Human Trafficking and Help Trafficking VictimsRead the Press Release
United States Attorney Matthew D. Krueger of the Eastern District of Wisconsin today announced that more than $65 million in Department of Justice grants is available to help communities combat human trafficking and serve adults and children who are victimized in trafficking operations.
“Our nation is facing difficult challenges, none more pressing than the scourge of human trafficking. Human traffickers pose a dire threat to public safety and countering this threat remains one of the Administration’s top domestic priorities,” said Katharine T. Sullivan, Principal Deputy Assistant Attorney General for the Office of Justice Programs. “The Department of Justice is front and center in the fight against this insidious crime. OJP is making historic amounts of grant funding available to ensure that our communities have access to innovative and diverse solutions.”
The funding is available through OJP, the federal government’s leading source of public safety funding and crime victim assistance in state, local and tribal jurisdictions. OJP’s programs support a wide array of activities and services, including programs that support human trafficking task forces and services for human trafficking survivors.
A number of funding opportunities are currently open, with several more opening in the near future.
Missing and Exploited Children Training and Technical Assistance Program
https://ojjdp.ojp.gov/funding/opportunities/ojjdp-2020-17351
Deadline 4/6/2020 (Extended)
Multidisciplinary Task Force Program to Combat Human Trafficking
Opened 3/16/2020
Preventing Trafficking of Girls
Opened 3/16/2020
Research and Evaluation on Trafficking in Persons https://nij.ojp.gov/funding/opportunities/nij-2020-17324
Deadline 4/20/2020
Services for Victims of Human Trafficking
Opened 3/16/2020
Specialized Training and Technical Assistance on Housing for Victims of Human Trafficking Opened 3/16/2020
Human Trafficking Training and Technical Assistance Program
Opened 3/16/2020
Improving Outcomes for Child and Youth Victims of Human Trafficking
Opened 3/16/2020
Integrated Services for Minor Victims of Labor Trafficking
Opened 3/16/2020
For more information regarding all OJP funding opportunities, visit https://www.ojp.gov/funding/explore/current-funding-opportunities
# # #
For Additional Information Contact:
Public Information Officer Kenneth Gales 414-297-1700
Justice Department Settles Claim Against Maryland Construction Firm for Discriminating Against U.S. WorkersRead the Press Release
The Department of Justice today announced that it has reached a settlement agreement resolving the Department’s claims that a Baltimore County, Maryland construction firm, Hallaton Inc., which installs geosynthetic liners, violated the anti-discrimination provision of the Immigration and Nationality Act (INA) by preferring H-2B visa workers over qualified U.S. workers. This is the eighth settlement under the Civil Rights Division’s Protecting U.S. Workers Initiative, which is aimed at targeting, investigating, and taking enforcement actions against companies that discriminate against U.S. workers in favor of temporary visa workers. Since the Initiative’s inception, employers have agreed to pay or have distributed a combined total of more than $1.2 million in back pay to affected U.S. workers and civil penalties to the United States.
“Employers who abuse temporary visa programs deny U.S. workers job opportunities. This settlement provides up to $80,000 in backpay to compensate those U.S. workers who were unlawfully discriminated against in favor of visa workers,” said Assistant Attorney General Eric Dreiband of the Civil Rights Division. “This is the eighth settlement in this Administration’s effort to combat discrimination against U.S. workers for job opportunities and we will continue to hold violators accountable.”
The Department’s investigation determined that from at least Dec. 1, 2017, until at least June 1, 2018, Hallaton routinely discriminated against U.S. workers by failing to consider them for construction laborer positions. Despite receiving over two dozen applications from available and qualified U.S. workers through the Maryland Workforce Exchange, Hallaton hired none of them. The company then sought and received permission to hire 63 H-2B visa workers for these jobs by claiming that it could not find qualified and available U.S. workers. Refusing to recruit or hire U.S. workers because of their citizenship status violates the INA.
Under the settlement, Hallaton will pay $43,143 in civil penalties to the United States, pay up to $80,000 in back pay to affected U.S. workers, and conduct enhanced U.S. worker recruitment and advertising for future positions. The settlement also requires Hallaton to train employees on the requirements of the INA’s anti-discrimination provision and be subject to departmental monitoring and reporting requirements.
The Division’s Immigrant and Employee Rights Section (IER) is responsible for enforcing the anti-discrimination provision of the INA. Among other things, the statute prohibits discrimination based on citizenship status and national origin in hiring, firing, or recruitment or referral for a fee; unfair documentary practices; retaliation; and intimidation.
More information on how employers can avoid citizenship status discrimination is available here. More information about protections against unlawful citizenship status discrimination is available here. For more information about protections against employment discrimination under immigration laws, call IER’s worker hotline at 1-800-255-7688 (1-800-237-2515, TTY for hearing impaired); call IER’s employer hotline at 1-800-255-8155 (1-800-237-2515, TTY for hearing impaired); sign up for a free webinar; email [email protected]; or visit IER’s English and Spanish websites. Subscribe to GovDelivery to receive updates from IER.
Applicants or employees who believe they were subjected to discrimination based on their citizenship, immigration status, or national origin in hiring, firing, or recruitment or referral for a fee; or discrimination in the employment eligibility verification process (Form I-9 and E-Verify) based on their citizenship, immigration status, or national origin; or retaliation can file a charge or contact IER’s worker hotline for assistance.
Jury finds local used car salesman guilty of tax crimes, structuring, making false statementsRead the Press Release
CINCINNATI – A federal jury, spread across the courtroom to practice social distancing, returned a guilty verdict Wednesday evening on all counts charged, finding a Cincinnati businessman guilty of six charges related to tax fraud.
Gregory VanDemark, 64, was convicted of four counts of aiding and assisting in the preparation and filing of false income tax returns with the Internal Revenue Service (IRS), one count of structuring transactions to evade the reporting requirements, and one count of making a false statement.
The verdict was announced following a trial that began on March 11 before U.S. District Judge Michael R. Barrett.
According to court documents and trial testimony, VanDemark’s IRS returns claimed he owed no taxes for 2013 and 2014, even though he earned $1 million per year from his used car business, Used Car Supermarket, Inc.
At the same time, VanDemark owned homes in Cincinnati and Florida and a summer home on the Ohio River designed as a paddleboat replica (that he falsely deducted on his taxes as a bed and breakfast).
Also in 2013 and 2014, VanDemark structured more than $157,000 in cash payments made on a home mortgage at a bank in Bethel, Ohio for the purpose of evading the currency transaction reporting requirements.
VanDemark skimmed 25 percent of his business earnings in order to alter his taxes owed. He also claimed numerous improper deductions.
When he was interviewed by IRS special agents in 2016, VanDemark made a false statement by stating all of the money he made from his business was deposited in the bank and he never skimmed cash from his businesses.
“I want to commend the government’s prosecution team on presenting a flawless case to the jury,” said Bryant Jackson, Special Agent in Charge, IRS, Criminal Investigation. “The jury has sent a very strong message to business owners and taxpayers that if you skirt your income tax liabilities, try to avoid the currency reporting requirement and then lie about it, you will be judged guilty for such conduct by a jury of your peers.”
Aiding and assisting in the preparation and filing of false income tax returns with the IRS carries a maximum penalty of three years in prison and a fine of up to $250,000. Structuring financial transactions and making false statements carries a maximum penalty of five years in prison and a fine of up to $250,000. Congress sets the maximum statutory sentence. Sentencing of the defendant will be determined by the Court based on the advisory sentencing guidelines and other statutory factors.
David M. DeVillers, United States Attorney for the Southern District of Ohio; and Bryant Jackson, Special Agent in Charge, Internal Revenue Service Criminal Investigation, Cincinnati Field Office announced the verdict. Assistant United States Attorney Megan Gaffney Painter and Special Assistant United States Attorney Kelly K. Rossi are representing the United States in this case.
# # #
Indictment Charges Milford Man with Receiving Child Sex Abuse ImagesRead the Press Release
John H. Durham, United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut, and Jason J. Molina, Acting Special Agent in Charge of U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s Homeland Security Investigations (HSI), today announced that a federal grand jury in New Haven returned an indictment yesterday charging ROBERT C. HARRINGTON, 53, of Milford, with receipt of child pornography.
As alleged in court documents, in January 2019, HSI received information from Australian and Canadian law enforcement authorities that two usernames associated with an Internet Protocol (IP) address at Harrington’s Milford residence were sending and receiving images depicting the sexual abuse of girls through a web-based application. On May 15, 2019, investigators searched Harrington’s residence and seized his tablet computer. The tablet contained images and videos depicting child sex abuse.
Harrington has been detained since his arrest on May 15, 2019.
The indictment charges Harrington with one count of receipt of child pornography, an offense that carries a mandatory minimum term of imprisonment of five years and a maximum term of imprisonment of 20 years.
U.S. Attorney Durham stressed that an indictment is not evidence of guilt. Charges are only allegations and the defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt.
This investigation is being conducted by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s Homeland Security Investigations (HSI), with the assistance of the Joint Anti-Child Exploitation Team (JACET), South Australia Police, Australian Federal Police and the Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP). The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Maria del Pilar Gonzalez.
This prosecution is part of the U.S. Department of Justice’s Project Safe Childhood Initiative, which is aimed at protecting children from sexual abuse and exploitation. For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit www.justice.gov/psc.
To report cases of child exploitation, please visit www.cybertipline.com.
Indianapolis area methamphetamine and heroin trafficking organizations dismantledRead the Press Release
Indianapolis – United States Attorney Josh J. Minkler announced today, federal criminal charges against 35 individuals for their role in two separate drug trafficking rings.
“These methamphetamine trafficking organizations were fueling some of the violence that the citizens of central Indiana have been experiencing.” said Minkler. “Thirty illegally possessed guns, twenty-two pounds of methamphetamine, heroin, fentanyl, and approximately $70,000 in drug money support the decision to make custodial arrests today. Violent drug trafficking organizations should know that this national health crisis offers no safe harbor for them. Federal, state and local law enforcement will continue to work together to keep the public safe from violent drug traffickers.”
Those charged include:
Danielle Dowling, 43, Indianapolis
Linda Bow, 56, Indianapolis
Josh Stoops, 41, Indianapolis
James Bacon, 51, Indianapolis
Micheal Fisher, 27, Indianapolis
Steve Anderson, 46, Indianapolis
James Swartz, 41, Indianapolis
Eric Poore, 42, Indianapolis
Janna Broaddus, 33, Indianapolis
Josh Unger, 36, Indianapolis
Ryan Sawyers, 37, Indianapolis
Troy Thornton, 47, Indianapolis
Darius Anthony Garcia, 33, Indianapolis
Amber Seats, 31, Indianapolis
Jeremy Osmon, 40, Indianapolis
Tyler Greenwalt , 35, Indianapolis
Guy Karnes, 28, Indianapolis
Clifford King, Jr., 27, Indianapolis
Lisa Roth, 25, Indianapolis (Fugitive)
Dylan Williams, 41, Indianapolis
Eric Walker, 30, Indianapolis
Jeffrey Sacks, 63, Indianapolis
Paula Adams, 33, Lafayette
Christopher Tate, 29, Indianapolis
Jovan Stewart, 31, Indianapolis
Robert Hinton, 33, Indianapolis (Fugitive)
Tia Dimmett, 29, Indianapolis
Lacey Guzman, 35, Indianapolis
Sandra Kellogg, 38, Silver Lake, Indiana
Desirae Evans, 40, Indianapolis
Jose Rodriguez-Chavez, 42, Indianapolis
Jason Lewis, 28, Indianapolis
Dwyatt Harris, 40, Indianapolis
Dorothy Knight, 43, Indianapolis (Fugitive)
Chaylon Rush, 52, Indianapolis (Fugitive)
Federal agents along with local officers from different agencies, served arrest warrants and search warrants at 19 locations in the Indianapolis area today. Thirty one persons were arrested and are in federal custody. Four persons remain as fugitives.
During this six month investigation, approximately 30 firearms, $70,000 in US currency, and 22 pounds of methamphetamine, heroin, and fentanyl were seized.
According to the two indictments, Danielle Dowling and Christopher Tate led separate drug trafficking organizations that operated in Indianapolis. Dowling, Tate, and their associates distributed large amounts of methamphetamine as well as heroin and fentanyl in the Indianapolis area.
This case was investigated by the Drug Enforcement Administration, Internal Revenue Service, Indianapolis Metropolitan Drug Task Force, and Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives.
The Lawrence Police Department and the Federal Bureau of Investigations also assisted in today’s operation.
“The individuals arrested today, utilized violence, fear and intimidation as a platform to terrorize fellow Hoosier’s while they made a living peddling poison into our communities,” said Michael Gannon, Assistant Special Agent in Charge of DEA Indianapolis District Office. “This high-level drug trafficking organization was responsible for distributing multi-pound quantities of methamphetamine, heroin and fentanyl in various cities within Indiana. Today’s takedown was a big win for the Indianapolis Metropolitan area, 31 drug dealers are now in jail where they belong.”
“Today’s search and arrest warrants signal an important victory for the American public. The role of IRS Criminal Investigation in narcotics investigations is to follow the money so we can financially disrupt and dismantle major drug trafficking organizations,” said Kathy A. Enstrom, IRS Criminal Investigation, Special Agent in Charge, Chicago Field Office. “We are proud to work hand-in-hand with our law enforcement partners to bring these criminals to justice.”
“In addition to fueling the opioid epidemic, these bad actors spurred violence in our city. These acts cannot and will not be tolerated,” said IMPD Chief Randal Taylor. “Working together, law enforcement partners are continuing to address violence and protect the safety of our neighborhoods – and we will remain dedicated to this effort throughout the difficult days and weeks ahead.”
“Central Indiana has no room for those who use firearms to further their criminal enterprise,” said Jonathan McPherson, Special Agent in Charge of ATF’s Columbus Field Division. “ATF will continue to work with our law enforcement partners at the federal, state, and local levels to bring those individuals to justice.”
“When federal, state, and local law enforcement agencies partner for comprehensive investigations, the resulting arrests, along with the firearms & drugs removed from the streets, inevitably result in reduced opportunity for violent crime to occur,” said Gary Woodruff, Deputy Chief with Lawrence Police.
“The message here is clear, the FBI will continue to stand shoulder to shoulder with our law enforcement partners and utilize all available resources to target those who are responsible for trafficking and distributing drugs poisoning our citizens,” said Acting Special Agent in Charge Robert Middleton, FBI Indianapolis. “The distribution of illicit drugs impacts families and communities, and by disrupting and dismantling these organizations we can continue our focus on eliminating a major cause of violent crime in our communities.”
An indictment is merely a charge and not evidence of guilt. All defendants are considered innocent until proven guilty in federal court.
According to Assistant United States Attorney Brad Blackington who is prosecuting this case for the government, most of the defendants face sentences of up to life imprisonment if convicted.
In October 2017, United States Attorney Josh J. Minkler announced a Strategic Plan designed to shape and strengthen the District’s response to its most significant public safety challenges. This prosecution demonstrates the office’s firm commitment to utilizing OCDETF to target, investigate, and prosecute more organizations that supply and distribute methamphetamine and or heroin in the District. See United States Attorney’s Office, Southern District of Indiana Strategic Plan Section 3.1-3.5.
Huntersville, N.C. Man Faces Federal "Dark Net” Drug ChargesRead the Press Release
CHARLOTTE, N.C. – A federal grand jury sitting in Charlotte has returned an indictment against Anthony Blane Byrnes, 19, of Huntersville, N.C., charging him with drug conspiracy and related drug charges for trafficking narcotics he purchased on the dark web, with coordination through Bitcoin ATMs, announced Andrew Murray, U.S. Attorney for the Western District of North Carolina.
According to allegations contained in the indictment and a previously-filed criminal complaint, in August 2019, law enforcement intercepted a mail parcel containing suspected narcotics. The parcel was allegedly mailed from Slovenia and addressed to Byrnes. On or about August 7, 2019, law enforcement conducted a controlled delivery of the suspected parcel at Byrnes’ residence. As alleged in court documents, law enforcement observed Byrnes picking up the parcel and retreating to his residence. Subsequently, law enforcement executed a search warrant at Byrnes’ residence and seized numerous narcotics and contraband, including LSD, MDMA/Ecstasy, marijuana, other narcotics and drug paraphernalia. Law enforcement also recovered two firearms from his residence. The indictment also alleges a previous infraction in April 2019, wherein law enforcement recovered additional narcotics and a firearm. In total, three firearms and approximately $13,800 in cash were recovered from Byrnes’ residence in this investigation.
According to allegations contained in court documents, Byrnes bought the narcotics via the Dark Net Marketplace (DNM) “Empire Market,” and used Bitcoin to pay for the drugs. Court documents further allege that Byrnes used multiple Bitcoin ATM machines in Charlotte to make numerous drug transactions.
Byrnes is currently in federal custody. He is charged with drug trafficking conspiracy, which carries a mandatory minimum sentence of 10 years to life in prison; possession with intent to distribute LSD, which carries a mandatory minimum sentence of 10 years to life in prison; possession with intent to distribute Psilocin, which carries a maximum prison sentence of 20 years; possession with intent to distribute DMT, which carries a maximum prison sentence of 20 years; possession with intent to distribute marijuana, which carries a maximum prison sentence of five years; and two counts of possession of a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime, which carries a mandatory minimum prison sentence of five years to life, to be served consecutive to other imposed charges, per count.
The charges in the indictment are allegations. The defendant is presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond reasonable doubt in a court of law.
In making today’s announcement, U.S. Attorney Murray commended the U.S. Postal Inspection Service for leading the investigation, and thanked the Drug Enforcement Administration, ICE’s Homeland Security Investigations, the U.S.Customs and Border Protection, and the Huntersville Police Department for their invaluable assistance.
Assistant United States Attorney Sanjeev Bhasker, of the U.S. Attorney’s Office in Charlotte, is prosecuting the case.
Hayesville, N.C. Man Is Sentenced to More Than 11 Years in Federal Prison for Drug TraffickingRead the Press Release
ASHEVILLE, N.C. – U.S. District Judge Martin Reidinger sentenced Eugene “Bo” Mashburn, 58, of Hayesville, N.C. today to 135 months in prison, announced Andrew Murray, U.S. Attorney for the Western District of North Carolina. Judge Reidinger also ordered Mashburn to serve five years under court supervision upon completion of his prison sentence.
According to filed court documents and today’s sentencing hearing, Mashburn conspired with other drug traffickers in North Carolina and Georgia to distribute significant quantities of methamphetamine. According to court records, over the course of the investigation, law enforcement conducted two controlled buys of methamphetamine from Mashburn and seized methamphetamine, 24 firearms and two silencers from Mashburn’s residence.
In making the announcement, U.S. Attorney Murray thanked the DEA’s Asheville Post of Duty; the Clay County Sheriff’s Office; the Georgia Bureau of Investigation; the Swain County Sheriff’s Office; the Macon County Sheriff’s Office; the Highlands Police Department; and the North Carolina State Bureau of Investigation for handling the investigation.
* * *
In a separate case, Judge Reidinger also sentenced today Jeremy Daniel Bowen, 44, of Maggie Valley, N.C. to 210 months in prison followed by five years of supervised release. According to court documents and today’s sentencing hearing, law enforcement became aware that Bowen, who has a prior murder conviction, was operating a methamphetamine lab out of his residence in Maggie Valley. Court records show that law enforcement seized processed methamphetamine from the residence as well as a loaded firearm.
Bowen’s investigation was handled by the DEA’s Asheville Post of Duty and the Maggie Valley Police Department.
Both defendants are in custody, and upon designation of a federal facility they will be transferred to the custody of the Federal Bureau of Prisons. All federal sentences are served without the possibility of parole.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Thomas Kent, of the U.S. Attorney’s Office in Asheville, prosecuted both cases.
Guatemalan extradited to Ohio to face charges in conspiracy allegedly responsible for transporting tens of millions of dollars’ worth of cocaine to AmericaRead the Press Release
COLUMBUS, Ohio – A Guatemalan man was transported from Colombia to Columbus yesterday and appeared in federal court this afternoon on charges related to a Colombia-to-America cocaine conspiracy.
Jose Luis DeLeon-Baltazar, 38, is the second defendant in this alleged conspiracy to be extradited to the Southern District of Ohio. In October 2019, Francisco Golon-Valenzuela was extradited to Columbus from Panama.
According to the indictment, DeLeon-Baltazar and Golon-Valenzuela conspired with others to ship thousands of kilograms of cocaine from Colombia, via sea and land, through Central America and Mexico to the United States.
The indictment details that as part of the conspiracy individuals would use “load” coordinators to assist with logistics of cocaine shipments, locate drivers and boat operators for narcotic-laden vehicles and vessels, and secure shared investments from multiple co-conspirators in specific cocaine shipments.
Fishermen and other commercial maritime laborers were allegedly recruited by conspirators to transport cocaine and refueling vessels.
Conspirators allegedly paid a “tax” or “fee” to send cocaine through areas controlled by a different drug trafficking organization or cartel.
Members of the conspiracy allegedly shared information on the activities and locations of law enforcement and military personnel assigned to interdict narcotics shipments. It is alleged co-conspirators also sheltered individuals who were at risk of extradition to other countries.
Low-level co-conspirators would allegedly take responsibility for an entire load of seized cocaine in order to free higher-level members.
Cocaine shipments seized in this case thus far include:
- 880 kilograms of cocaine seized by the United States Coast Guard near the Guatemalan/Mexico border on May 19, 2016;
- 720 kilograms of cocaine seized by the United States Coast Guard northwest of the Galapagos Islands on Aug. 18, 2017; and
- 34 kilograms of cocaine seized by the Guatemalan Policia National Civil in San Marcos, Guatemala on or about Nov. 26, 2017.
Four defendants were transported to Ohio for prosecution in September 2017, following the 720 kilogram seizure near the Galapagos Islands. That seizure alone included more than 1,584 pounds of cocaine, equaling an approximate street value of $25 million.
“When we say we are going after the cartels, we mean it,” U.S. Attorney David M. DeVillers said. “This investigation remains ongoing.”
The narcotics conspiracy in this case is punishable by 10 years up to life in prison. Congress sets the minimum and maximum statutory sentence. Sentencing of the defendant will be determined by the Court based on the advisory sentencing guidelines and other statutory factors.
David M. DeVillers, United States Attorney for the Southern District of Ohio; Keith Martin, Special Agent in Charge, Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA); and Ohio State Highway Patrol Superintendent Col. Richard S. Fambro announced the charges. Assistant United States Attorneys Jonathan J.C. Grey and Elizabeth Rabe are representing the United States in this case.
An indictment merely contains allegations, and the defendant is presumed innocent unless proven guilty in a court of law.
# # #
Great Falls father, son sentenced for meth trafficking, firearms crimesRead the Press Release
GREAT FALLS—A Great Falls father and son who admitted to trafficking methamphetamine in the community and to illegally possessing firearms were sentenced today to prison terms, U.S. Attorney Kurt Alme said.
Gary Girard Sheehan, 68, was sentenced to seven years and six months in prison and five years of supervised release. He pleaded guilty in November to possession with intent to distribute meth and to prohibited person in possession of a firearm.
Justin Leonard Sheehan, 44, the son of Gary Sheehan, was sentenced to eight years and 10 months in prison and five years of supervised release. He pleaded guilty in November to possession with intent to distribute meth and to possession of a firearm in furtherance of drug trafficking.
U.S. District Judge Brian M. Morris presided.
In court records filed in the case, the prosecution said law enforcement received information that the Sheehans had been distributing meth in the Great Falls community since at least 2016. The father and son would routinely travel to Salt Lake City to pick up large quantities of meth from a supplier for redistribution in Great Falls.
In November 2018, law enforcement received information that the Sheehans were planning a trip to Salt Lake City to buy meth and officers monitored the trip. On Nov. 19, 2018, agents stopped Gary Sheehan’s vehicle on Interstate 15 south of Butte. Gary Sheehan was the driver and Justin Sheehan was in the rear passenger seat. In a search of the vehicle, agents found in the trunk a backpack with two bundles of meth, $9,050 cash and a loaded .45-caliber handgun. Each bundle had about a pound of meth. A second backpack found in the backseat of the car contained a loaded .22-caliber handgun and a plastic bag with white residue. A pound of meth is the equivalent of about 3,634 doses.
Gary Sheehan was prohibited from possessing firearms because of a prior felony conviction in Utah. Agents interviewed individuals who acknowledged getting meth from Justin Sheehan and that he typically carried firearms for his protection in the drug trade.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Jessica Betley prosecuted the case, which was investigated by the Drug Enforcement Administration.
This case is part of Project Guardian, the U.S. Department of Justice’s recent initiative to reduce gun violence and enforce federal firearms laws, and Project Safe Neighborhoods, the USDOJ’s initiative to reduce violent crime. According to the FBI’s Uniform Crime Reports, violent crime in Montana increased by 36% from 2013 through 2018. Through these initiatives, federal, tribal, state and local law enforcement partners in Montana focus on violent crime driven by methamphetamine trafficking, armed robbers, firearms offenses and violent offenders with outstanding warrants.
XXX
Gadsden County Tax Preparer Sentenced for Preparing False Tax ReturnsRead the Press Release
TALLAHASSEE, FLORIDA – John Jean-Gilles, 34, of Midway, Florida, was sentenced to 52 months in federal prison after pleading guilty to charges of aiding in preparing false tax returns, wire fraud, and aggravated identity theft. Jean-Gilles was also ordered to pay $1,984,357 in restitution. The sentence was announced today by Lawrence Keefe, United States Attorney for the Northern District of Florida.
Between 2012 and 2016, Jean-Gilles, the sole managing member and owner of USA Tax and Multi-Services, LLC, a tax preparation business in Tallahassee, prepared and filed false tax returns with the Internal Revenue Service for various individuals. Jean-Gilles falsely represented the taxpayers’ income, withholdings, credits, and the refund due.
"The integrity of our system of taxation lies at the heart of what we do as a nation, and those who try to defraud the system will pay the price," Keefe said. "The trust of the American people relies on fair administration of our tax laws, and this defendant violated that trust and will now face the consequences."
Assistant United States Attorney Gary Milligan is prosecuting the case following an investigation by the Internal Revenue Service-Criminal Investigation with the assistance of the Gadsden County Sheriff’s Office.
"Tax return preparers are trusted by their clients to accurately and correctly file tax returns to the IRS each year – part of every American’s responsibility. However, the filing of false claims with the government, claiming more than $2 million in false tax refunds, makes every taxpaying citizen a victim," stated Mary Hammond, Special Agent in Charge for IRS Criminal Investigation’s Tampa Field Office. "IRS and its Special Agents will work diligently with the U.S. Attorney’s Office to insure that, as we come upon tax filing season, the public can rest assured fraudulent tax filings will not go unpunished in the Northern District of Florida."
The United States Attorney's Office for the Northern District of Florida is one of 94 offices that serve as the nation’s principal litigators under the direction of the Attorney General. To access public court documents online, please visit the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Florida website. For more information about the United States Attorney’s Office, Northern District of Florida, visit http://www.justice.gov/usao/fln/index.html.
The year 2020 marks the 150th anniversary of the Department of Justice. Learn more about the history of our agency at www.Justice.gov/Celebrating150Years.
Fundraiser Agrees to Plead Guilty to Federal Corruption Charge for Delivering Hundreds of Thousands of Dollars to Bribe Member of Los Angeles City CouncilRead the Press Release
LOS ANGELES – A political fundraiser has agreed to plead guilty to a federal bribery offense for coordinating a $500,000 cash payment that was intended to secure the help of an elected member of the Los Angeles City Council in resolving a labor organization’s appeal of a major real estate development project in the councilmember’s district.
In a plea agreement filed this morning in federal court, Justin Jangwoo Kim, 53, a longtime resident of Hancock Park who recently relocated to Mar Vista, agreed to plead guilty to one count of federal program bribery. In addition to pleading guilty, Kim has agreed to cooperate with an ongoing public corruption investigation being conducted by federal authorities.
According to his plea agreement, Kim is a real estate appraiser and consultant who was one of the top fundraisers for a member of the Los Angeles City Council – “Councilmember A” – who was member of the City’s Planning and Land Use Management Committee (PLUM). Beginning in early 2017, Kim was also a close political ally of Councilmember A’s staff member, who is identified in court documents as “City Staffer A-1.” Kim admitted that he supported Councilmember A’s and City Staffer A-1’s succession plan, including the need to ensure the election of Councilmember A’s relative to the Los Angeles City Council once Councilmember A’s term expired. Kim was motivated to help Councilmember A maintain power because Kim would be poised to financially benefit from potential illicit schemes in Councilmember A’s district.
The bribery scheme was triggered in the summer of 2016, when a labor organization filed an appeal claiming a real estate project violated requirements of the California Environmental Quality Act. The appeal prevented the project from progressing through the city’s approval processes, including approvals by the PLUM Committee and City Council. After the appeal was filed, a person identified as Developer C called Kim and asked him to obtain Councilmember A’s assistance with the appeal on Developer C’s project.
On September 1, 2016, Kim met with Councilmember A, City Staffer A-1, and Developer C at a Korean karaoke establishment in Los Angeles. At this meeting, Councilmember A agreed to help Developer C with resolving the issues related to the project. At a lunch meeting the following day, City Staffer A-1 told Kim that Councilmember A would not help the project for free and that Councilmember A would require a financial benefit in exchange for help ensuring the project moved forward through the city approval process.
During a series of meetings and communications in late 2016 and early 2017, Developer C and Councilmember A – through Kim and City Staffer A-1 – negotiated a $500,000 bribe payment.
In February or March 2017, Developer C met Kim at a commercial building in Los Angeles and gave Kim $400,000 in cash in a paper bag that was intended for Councilmember A, according to the plea agreement. Kim admitted he later gave City Staffer A-1 hundreds of thousands of dollars in cash to deliver to Councilmember A, but kept some cash for himself for facilitating the bribe payment. Around the same time, City Staffer A-1 informed Kim that Councilmember A held up is end of the deal and helped resolve the appeal.
In July 2017, Developer C provided the remaining $100,000 of the agreed-upon $500,000 bribe to be paid to Councilmember A for successfully resolving the appeal. Kim admitted he met with Developer C at an office in Los Angeles and received an additional $100,000 in cash from Developer C, but Kim kept this money for himself.
Kim also admitted in his plea agreement that he made a series of false statements in recorded interviews in May and July of 2017 to FBI agents who were investigating corruption in the City of Los Angeles.
Finally, in his plea agreement, Kim admitted he failed to declare any of the cash he received from Developer C for his role in facilitating the bribery scheme on his federal income tax return for 2017.
Kim has been directed to make his initial appearance in this case on March 31 at 2:00 p.m. in United States District Court in downtown Los Angeles.
Once he enters the guilty plea to the bribery charge, Kim will face a statutory maximum sentence of 10 years in federal prison.
While Kim has agreed to plead guilty to the bribery offense alleged in the criminal information, he does not admit all of the factual allegations contained in that charging document.
The case against Kim is part of an ongoing public corruption investigation being conducted by the FBI and the U.S. Attorney’s Office. Any member of the public who has information related to this or any other public corruption matter related the City of Los Angeles is encouraged to send information to the FBI’s tip line at tips.fbi.gov or to contact their local FBI Field Office. In Los Angeles, the FBI can be reached 24 hours a day at (310) 477-6565.
This case is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Mack E. Jenkins, Chief of the Public Corruption and Civil Rights Section, and Assistant United States Attorney Veronica Dragalin, also of the Public Corruption and Civil Rights Section.
Fort Belknap Agency man sentenced for domestic abuseRead the Press Release
GREAT FALLS—A Fort Belknap Agency man who admitted to being an habitual domestic abuse offender after beating his partner was sentenced on Wednesday to three years in prison and two years of supervised release, U.S. Attorney Kurt Alme said.
Zachary Shawn Kendall, 27, pleaded guilty in November to domestic abuse by habitual offender.
U.S. District Judge Brian M. Morris presided.
The prosecution said in court documents filed in the case that Kendall assaulted his intimate and dating partner in March 2019 on the Fort Belknap Indian Reservation. Kendall had a prior domestic violence conviction involving the same victim from an assault in January 2019 and a previous domestic violence conviction involving a different victim in 2012.
On March 31, 2019, tribal officers were dispatched to the couple’s residence, where Kendall was fighting with another man, whom he accused of having a relationship with the victim. Kendall also struck the victim multiple times in the face and body with his fists.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Jared Cobell prosecuted the case, which was investigated by the FBI and Fort Belknap Law Enforcement Services.
XXX
Former Uber Self-Driving Car Executive Signs Agreement to Plead Guilty to Theft of Trade Secrets from GoogleRead the Press Release
SAN JOSE - Anthony Scott Levandowski submitted documents today requesting that the court accept his plea of guilty to theft of trade secrets charges, announced United States Attorney David L. Anderson and Federal Bureau of Investigation Special Agent in Charge John F. Bennett. The documents include a request to William H. Alsup, United States District Judge, to accept a proposed plea agreement and a request to schedule a date for a sentencing hearing.
Levandowski, 40, of Marin County, worked in Google’s self-driving car program for approximately seven years. According to the proposed plea agreement, Levandowski acknowledged that during this time, he was aware his employment agreement required that he keep Google’s valuable non-public information confidential. He also knew that the non-public information related to Project Chauffeur was sensitive and subject to the confidentiality requirement. Nevertheless, while Levandowski was considering leaving Google, and prior to his departure in 2016, he obtained and stored thousands of files. Specifically, on December 11, 2015, Levandowski downloaded approximately 14,000 files from an internal, password-protected Google server known as “SVN,” which was hosted on Google’s network. Then, on or about December 14, 2015, he transferred those SVN files from his Google-issued laptop to his personal laptop. In addition, prior to his departure from Google, he downloaded a variety of files from a corporate Google Drive repository to his personal laptop. Levandowski has admitted that he intended to use the Google Drive files for his personal benefit.
Within months after Levandowski’s departure from Google, he created a new company that was then purchased by Uber. Levandowski admitted that while he was working for Google, he downloaded at least 20 files from Google Drive. Among the files downloaded between October 2015 and January 2016, was an internal tracking document entitled “Chauffeur TL weekly updates – Q4 2015.” The update contained a variety of details regarding the status of Google’s self-driving car program. Levandowski admitted he downloaded the file with the intent to use it for the benefit of himself and Uber and that he accessed the document after his resignation from Google. Levandowski acknowledged that the document qualified as a trade secret. In sum, Levandowski admitted a reasonable estimate of the loss attributed to his conduct is up to $1,500,000.
A federal grand jury indicted Lewandowski on August 15, 2019, charging him with 33 counts of theft and attempted theft of trade secrets, in violation of 18 U.S.C. § 1832. If the court accepts the plea agreement, Levandowski will plead guilty to one count and the Court will dismiss the remaining counts at sentencing.
Should the court accept his plea, Levandowski will face a maximum sentence of 10 years in prison and a fine of $250,000, plus restitution. However, any sentence following conviction would be imposed by the court after consideration of the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and the federal statute governing the imposition of a sentence, 18 U.S.C. § 3553.
The prosecution is being handled by the Office of the U.S. Attorney, Northern District of California’s Corporate Fraud Strike Force and is the result of an investigation by the FBI.
Federal Prosecutors Ready for COVID-19 ScamsRead the Press Release
NEWS RELEASE SUMMARY – March 19, 2020
SAN DIEGO – The U.S. Attorney’s Office will remain vigilant in detecting, investigating and prosecuting fraud schemes related to the COVID-19 crisis.
There have been reports of individuals and businesses selling fake cures for COVID-19 online and engaging in other forms of fraud; reports of phishing emails from entities posing as the World Health Organization or the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention; and reports of malware being inserted onto mobile apps designed to track the spread of the virus.
“The pandemic is dangerous enough without greedy lawbreakers seeking to profit from public panic,” said U.S. Attorney Robert Brewer. “This office will make the investigation and prosecution of all criminal conduct related to the current pandemic a top priority. It is important that criminals know that this national crisis offers no safe harbor for them. We will work together to ensure that those who violate federal law will be brought to justice.”
The U.S. Attorney’s Office will work closely with the Department of Justice as well state and local authorities to both ensure that we hear about misconduct as quickly as possible and that all appropriate enforcement tools are available to punish it.
Federal Judge Sentences Whittier, N.C. Man to 46 Months for Assaulting Tribal ElderRead the Press Release
ASHEVILLE, N.C. – U.S. District Judge Martin Reidinger sentenced Jonathan David Taylor today to 46 months in prison and three years of supervised release, for the May 2019 assault of a tribal elder, announced Andrew Murray, U.S. Attorney for the Western District of North Carolina. Taylor, 33, of Whittier, N.C., pleaded guilty on October 23, 2019, to assault with a dangerous weapon with intent to do bodily harm.
Chief Doug Pheasant of the Cherokee Indian Police Department joins U.S. Attorney Murray in making todays’ announcement.
According to filed court documents and today’s sentencing hearing, on May 8, 2019, Taylor used a metal pipe to strike a 71-year-old male victim in the forehead, inflicting serious injury. Court records show that Taylor assaulted the victim when the victim attempted to prevent Taylor from physically assaulting Taylor’s then-girlfriend. Court records also show that Taylor caused the victim to sustain a large jagged laceration on the top of his head that required medical attention. Both Taylor and the victim are enrolled members of the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians.
Taylor is currently in federal custody and will be transferred to the custody of the federal Bureau of Prisons. All federal sentences are served without the possibility of parole.
U.S. Attorney Andrew Murray thanked CIPD for their investigation of the case. Assistant United States Attorney John Pritchard, of the U.S. Attorney’s Office in Asheville, prosecuted the case.
Federal Inmate Charged with Making ThreatsRead the Press Release
BOSTON – An inmate at the Federal Medical Center (FMC) Devens was charged today with making threats to murder a federal law enforcement officer and threats to kill an individual or damage or destroy a building using fire or explosive.
Nathan Danforth, 34, will appear in federal court in Worcester on March 26, 2020.
According to the charging documents, in July of 2019, Danforth allegedly attempted to mail a letter from FMC Devens to a federal court in Florida, threatening to kill the agents who previously investigated him and to cause an explosion at the courthouse. In February 2020, Danforth allegedly sent an email to the Department of Justice Office of Inspector General threatening that the President of the United States would die and federal buildings would be “blown up.”
Each charge provides for a sentence of up to 10 years in prison, up to three years of supervised release and a fine of $250,000. Sentences are imposed by a federal district court judge based upon the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors.
United States Attorney Andrew E. Lelling and Joseph Bonavolonta, Special Agent in Charge of the Federal Bureau of Investigation, Boston Field Division made the announcement today. FMC Devens Special Investigation Section provided valuable assistance to the investigation. Assistant U.S. Attorney Kristen Noto of Lelling’s Worcester Branch Office is prosecuting the case.
The details contained in the complaint are allegations. The defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.
###
Federal Charges Filed in the Death of Illinois State Trooper Nicholas HopkinsRead the Press Release
On the morning of Aug. 23, 2019, Illinois State Trooper Nicholas Hopkins, 33, was killed in the line of duty while attempting to execute a state search warrant in East St. Louis, Illinois. On Wednesday, a federal grand jury in East St. Louis returned an eight-count indictment charging Christopher R. Grant, 46, with several federal crimes, including using a firearm to murder Trooper Hopkins in furtherance of a drug trafficking offense.
"On that devastating day in August, the U.S. Attorney’s Office pledged every available resource to support this investigation and to support the men and women of law enforcement - today’s indictment keeps that promise," said U.S. Attorney Steven D. Weinhoeft. "We continue to mourn for Nick and his family and we will continue our work to honor his sacrifice."
According to the federal indictment, Grant was using the house where the warrant was executed to distribute controlled substances. The indictment charges that Grant knowingly fired a Glock, Model 19, 9mm caliber pistol, causing Trooper Hopkins’ death with "malice aforethought," the state of mind needed to prove it was murder and not an accident.
Grant is also charged with distribution of crack cocaine (three counts), maintaining a drug house, possession of a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime, use of a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime, use of a firearm to commit murder in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime, and possession of a firearm by a felon. Grant has been held in state custody on first-degree murder charges since the shooting occurred. His initial appearance and arraignment on the federal charges has not yet been scheduled.
Illinois State Police Director Brendan Kelly said, "The Illinois State Police appreciate the steps taken by the Department of Justice and the U.S. Attorney, who are working in partnership with the St. Clair County State’s Attorney to ensure that justice is done. The joint state and federal prosecutions recognize the very real dangers the men and women of law enforcement face every day – perhaps now more than ever."
St. Clair County State’s Attorney Jim Gomric said, "In August of 2019, Mr. Weinhoeft and I stood shoulder to shoulder and pledged that the investigation and prosecution of those responsible for the death of Trooper Nick Hopkins would constitute a consolidated effort involving both the United States federal government and the State of Illinois. The federal indictment of Christopher Grant by the grand jury for the Southern District of Illinois places us one step further toward the fulfillment of that pledge. My office is thankful to all assets of every agency involved in this investigation. My office more than appreciates all of the diligent effort put forward by Mr. Weinhoeft and Criminal Chief Ali Summers who have worked so hard on this matter."
An indictment is a formal charge against a defendant. Under the law, a defendant is presumed to be innocent of a charge until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt to the satisfaction of a jury.
This case is being investigated by the Illinois State Police and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms & Explosives. Assistant U.S. Attorney Ali M. Summers is prosecuting the case.
Eastern District of Louisiana U.S. Attorney Announces Nearly $60 Million in Grants Available to Support Prisoners’ Successful Reentry into their CommunitiesRead the Press Release
NEW ORLEANS – U.S. Attorney Peter G. Strasser of the Eastern District of Louisiana today announced that nearly $60 million in Department of Justice grants is available to help communities address public safety by supporting successful reentry of adult and juvenile offenders into their communities.
“Our nation is facing difficult public safety challenges that demand strong and immediate action. The high rate of recidivism poses a dire threat to community safety and is being met with a robust response by this Administration,” said Katharine T. Sullivan, Principal Deputy Assistant Attorney General for the Office of Justice Programs. “The Department of Justice is front and center in the fight to meet this persistent challenge. OJP is making historic amounts of grant funding available to ensure that our communities have access to innovative and diverse solutions.”
The funding is available through OJP, the federal government’s leading source of public safety funding and crime victim assistance in state, local and tribal jurisdictions. OJP’s programs support a wide array of activities and services, including adult and juvenile reentry initiatives and research projects designed to improve our knowledge of what works in reentry programming.
A number of funding opportunities are currently open, with several more opening in the near future.
Correctional Adult Reentry Education, Employment, and Recidivism Reduction Strategies Program
https://bja.ojp.gov/funding/opportunities/bja-2020-17104
Total Available $7.2 million Deadline 4/27/2020
Improving Community Supervision Outcomes Through Swift, Certain, and Fair Responses
https://bja.ojp.gov/funding/opportunities/bja-2020-17096
Total Available $3 million Deadline 4/28/2020
Improving Reentry for People with Substance Use Disorders Program
https://bja.ojp.gov/SCASUD20
Total Available $13.2 million Deadline 4/27/2020
Innovations in Reentry Initiative: Building System Capacity & Testing Strategies to Reduce Recidivism
https://bja.ojp.gov/funding/opportunities/bja-2020-17281
Total Available $4 million Deadline 5/4/2020
Research and Evaluation on Promising Reentry Initiatives
https://nij.ojp.gov/funding/opportunities/nij-2020-17295
Total Available $6 million Deadline 5/5/2020
Review and Validation of the First Step Act Risk Assessment Tool
https://nij.ojp.gov/funding/opportunities/nij-2020-fsa
Total Available: Determined after selection Deadline 4/10/2020
Second Chance Act Community-Based Reentry Program
https://bja.ojp.gov/funding/opportunities/bja-2020-17110
Total Available $13.5 million Deadline 5/4/2020
Second Chance Act Evaluation Participation Support
https://bja.ojp.gov/funding/opportunities/bja-2020-17680
Total Available $4 million Deadline 4/28/2020
Second Chance Act Youth Offender Reentry Program
https://ojjdp.ojp.gov/sites/g/files/xyckuh176/files/media/document/ojjdp-2020-17350.pdf
Total Available $7 million Deadline 4/28/2020
For more information regarding all OJP funding opportunities, visit https://www.ojp.gov/funding/explore/current-funding-opportunities
###
Eastern District of Louisiana U.S. Attorney Announces More Than $83 Million Available to Support School SafetyRead the Press Release
NEW ORLEANS – U.S. Attorney Peter G. Strasser of the Eastern District of Louisiana today announced that more than $83 million in Department of Justice grants is available to help communities improve school security and protect students, teachers and faculty from threats of violence.
“School violence is no longer an abstract threat but has become a tragic reality in too many of America’s communities. Moving to meet this challenge is among the Administration’s top domestic priorities,” said Katharine T. Sullivan, Principal Deputy Assistant Attorney General for the Office of Justice Programs. “The Department of Justice is front and center in the fight to meet this challenge. OJP is making historic amounts of grant funding available to ensure that our communities have access to innovative and diverse solutions.”
The funding is available through OJP, the federal government’s leading source of public safety funding and crime victim assistance in state, local and tribal jurisdictions. OJP’s programs support a wide array of activities and services, including programs designed to tighten school security and improve the reporting of threats.
A number of funding opportunities for school safety are currently open, with another opening in the near future:
Research and Evaluation on School Safety
https://nij.ojp.gov/funding/opportunities/nij-2020-17308
Total Available $5 million Deadline 4/13/2020
STOP Act School Violence Program (FY20)
https://nij.ojp.gov/funding/opportunities/nij-2020-17308
Total Available $71.4 million Deadline 4/13/2020
Strategies to Support Children Exposed to Violence
https://ojjdp.ojp.gov/funding/opportunities/ojjdp-2020-17926
Total Available $7 million Deadline 4/27/2020
For more information regarding all OJP funding opportunities, visit https://www.ojp.gov/funding/explore/current-funding-opportunities.
###
Eastern District of Louisiana U.S. Attorney Announces More Than $65 Million Available to Fight Human Trafficking and Help Trafficking VictimsRead the Press Release
NEW ORLEANS – U.S. Attorney Peter G. Strasser of the Eastern District of Louisiana today announced that more than $65 million in Department of Justice grants is available to help communities combat human trafficking and serve adults and children who are victimized in trafficking operations.
“Our nation is facing difficult challenges, none more pressing than the scourge of human trafficking. Human traffickers pose a dire threat to public safety and countering this threat remains one of the Administration’s top domestic priorities,” said Katharine T. Sullivan, Principal Deputy Assistant Attorney General for the Office of Justice Programs. “The Department of Justice is front and center in the fight against this insidious crime. OJP is making historic amounts of grant funding available to ensure that our communities have access to innovative and diverse solutions.”
The funding is available through OJP, the federal government’s leading source of public safety funding and crime victim assistance in state, local and tribal jurisdictions. OJP’s programs support a wide array of activities and services, including programs that support human trafficking task forces and services for human trafficking survivors.
A number of funding opportunities are currently open, with several more opening in the near future.
Missing and Exploited Children Training and Technical Assistance Program
https://ojjdp.ojp.gov/funding/opportunities/ojjdp-2020-17351
Total Available $1.8 million Deadline 4/6/2020 (Extended)
Multidisciplinary Task Force Program to Combat Human Trafficking
Total Available $22 million Opens week of 3/16/2020
Preventing Trafficking of Girls
Total Available $1.7 million Opens week of 3/16/2020
Research and Evaluation on Trafficking in Persons
https://nij.ojp.gov/funding/opportunities/nij-2020-17324
Total Available $2.5 million Deadline 4/20/2020
Services for Victims of Human Trafficking
Total Available $16.5 million Opens week of 3/16/2020
Specialized Training and Technical Assistance on Housing for Victims of Human Trafficking
Total Available $2 million Opens week of 3/16/2020
Human Trafficking Training and Technical Assistance Program
Total Available $5 million Opens week of 3/16/2020
Improving Outcomes for Child and Youth Victims of Human Trafficking
Total Available $6 million Opens week of 3/16/2020
Integrated Services for Minor Victims of Labor Trafficking
Total Available $8 million Opens week of 3/16/2020
For more information regarding all OJP funding opportunities, visit https://www.ojp.gov/funding/explore/current-funding-opportunities
Eastern District of Louisiana U.S. Attorney Announces More Than $163 Million Available to Fight Addiction CrisisRead the Press Release
NEW ORLEANS – U.S. Attorney Peter G. Strasser of the Eastern District of Louisiana today announced that more than $163 million in Department of Justice grants is available to help communities address America’s addiction crisis.
“Our nation is facing the difficult challenge of curbing substance addiction, which threatens public safety and is among the Administration’s top domestic priorities,” said Katharine T. Sullivan, Principal Deputy Assistant Attorney General for the Office of Justice Programs. “The Department of Justice is front and center in the fight to meet this challenge. OJP is making historic amounts of grant funding available to ensure that our communities have access to innovative and diverse solutions.”
The funding is available through OJP, the federal government’s leading source of public safety funding and crime victim assistance in state, local and tribal jurisdictions. OJP’s programs support a wide array of activities and services, including programs designed to prevent overdose deaths and break the cycle of addiction and crime.
A number of funding opportunities that address the addiction crisis are currently open:
Adult Drug Court and Veterans Treatment Court Discretionary Grant Program
https://bja.ojp.gov/funding/opportunities/bja-2020-17098
Total Available $1.75 million Deadline 5/14/2020
Comprehensive Opioid, Stimulant, and Substance Abuse Site-based Program
https://bja.ojp.gov/COSSAP20
Total Available $27 million Deadline 5/21/2020
Enhancing Community Responses to America's Addiction Crisis: Serving Our Youngest Crime Victims
https://www.ovc.gov/grants/pdftxt/fy-2020-enhancing-community-responses-to-drug-crisis.pdf
Total Available: $19 million Deadline: 5/4/2020
Family Drug Court Program
https://ojjdp.ojp.gov/funding/opportunities/ojjdp-2020-17090
Total Available $18.2 million Deadline 4/8/2020 (Extended)
Harold Rogers Prescription Drug Monitoring Program
https://bja.ojp.gov/funding/opportunities/bja-2020-17754
Total Available $28.1 Deadline 5/5/2020
Juvenile Drug Treatment Court Program
https://ojjdp.ojp.gov/funding/opportunities/ojjdp-2020-17051
Total Available $7.2 million Deadline 4/13/2020 (Extended)
Mentoring Opportunities for Youth Initiative
https://ojjdp.ojp.gov/funding/opportunities/ojjdp-2020-16930
Total Available $48 million Deadline 4/13/2020
Opioid Affected Youth Initiative
https://ojjdp.ojp.gov/funding/opportunities/ojjdp-2020-17352
Total Available $9 million Deadline 4/20/2020
Research and Evaluation on Drugs and Crime https://nij.ojp.gov/funding/opportunities/nij-2020-17275
Total Available $1 million Deadline 4/20/2020
Residential Substance Abuse Treatment for State Prisoners
https://bja.ojp.gov/RSAT20
Total Available $4.5 million Deadline 4/6/2020
For more information regarding all OJP funding opportunities, visit https://www.ojp.gov/funding/explore/current-funding-opportunities