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11 February 2020
Anchorage Felon Receives Max Penalty for Illegally Possessing Firearm Resulting in July 2018 Shooting DeathRead the Press Release
Anchorage, Alaska – U.S. Attorney Bryan Schroder announced that Clint Registe, 38, of Anchorage, was sentenced today by Chief U.S. District Judge Timothy M. Burgess to serve 10 years in federal prison, after previously pleading guilty to illegal possession of a firearm as a convicted felon. The federal charge stems from an investigation into the death of Brittney Sparks, who was killed by a gunshot wound on July 20, 2018.
According to court documents, on July 20, 2018, Registe shot the victim in the head while handling a Mak-90 rifle in his Anchorage apartment. Another resident of the building heard the shot and came inside Registe’s apartment to investigate. Registe told him to call 911 and said that he planned to turn himself in before fleeing the scene. Medics declared the victim dead on scene.
Investigators from the Anchorage Police Department searched Registe’s apartment and found the Mak-90 rifle as well as three semi-automatic pistols, one of which was stolen. Drugs and a substantial supply of ammunition and high capacity magazines were also recovered from the apartment. Registe was arrested on Sept. 11, 2018, and told detectives that he had accidentally shot the victim while they were cleaning the apartment.
Registe has prior felony convictions for assault and being a felon in possession of a firearm, and is therefore prohibited from possessing firearms under federal law. In imposing the 10 year sentence, Judge Burgess noted that Registe’s criminal history “involves guns, over and over and over again.” He explained that the sentence was necessary to protect the public, and that “to say that the defendant is dangerous would be an understatement.”
Registe currently faces additional charges in state court for Manslaughter and Murder in the Second Degree in connection with the victim’s death.
The Anchorage Police Department (APD) and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) conducted the investigation leading to successful prosecution of this case. This case was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorneys James Klugman and Allison O’Leary.
This case was investigated as part of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), the Department of Justice’s 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. In November 2019, DOJ also announced the launch of Project Guardian, a nationwide strategic plan to reduce gun violence, which serves as a complementary effort to the success of PSN, and emphasizes the importance of using all modern technologies available to law enforcement to promote gun crime intelligence.
American Businessman Who Ran Houston-Based Subsidiary of Chinese Company Sentenced to Prison for Theft of Trade SecretsRead the Press Release
The head of a Houston-based company that was the subsidiary of a Chinese company that developed stolen trade secrets was sentenced to 16 months in prison and ordered to forfeit more than $330,000 by U.S. District Judge Christopher R. Cooper of the District of Columbia.
Shan Shi, 55, of Houston, Texas, had previously been found guilty of conspiracy to steal trade secrets by a jury on July 29, 2019. Evidence admitted during a three-week trial showed that Shi had signed an agreement with Taizhou CBM Future New Material Science and Technology Co. Ltd (CBMF), to develop the manufacture of syntactic foam, which is a buoyancy material that aids in offshore oil and gas drilling. The defendant specifically pledged to “digest/absorb” the relevant technology in the United States. The defendant then set up a U.S.-based corporation, CBM International Inc., (CBMI) and hired ex-employees of a victim company that manufactured syntactic foam, located in Houston, Texas. These employees had access to trade secrets developed by the victim company, and the defendant was aware that they had signed agreements with the victim company not to disclose proprietary information. The other employees then transferred proprietary information to CBMI and the defendant, who used the information to create a syntactic foam manufacturing process in China.
The defendant was arrested along with five other individuals in the United States after he and CBMI attempted to market related-technology in the District of Columbia. An additional Chinese national living in China, Hui Huang, was also charged. The trial was solely of defendant Shi.
“The Department of Justice is committed to protecting the intellectual property of American companies, particularly against Chinese malign economic aggression,” said Assistant Attorney General Brian A. Benczkowski of the Justice Department’s Criminal Division. “As Shan Shi’s prosecution demonstrates, we will steadfastly defend the right of U.S. entrepreneurs to reap the benefits of their innovations.”
“Yesterday’s sentencing underscores our determination to prosecute those who would steal trade secrets from American businesses and further misuse them for their own research and development,” said U.S. Attorney Timothy J. Shea for the District of Columbia. “The Court made clear that the defendant knew or intended that the offense would benefit the People’s Republic of China. To those who would steal proprietary information from U.S. companies and provide it to a foreign government, our message is that you will be prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law.”
“Shan Shi will now pay the consequences in prison for stealing trade secrets from a U.S. company for the benefit of China, while he himself also profited from that theft. This is just another example of the serious and growing threat the Chinese government poses to the United States and our industries,” said Special Agent in Charge Perrye K. Turner of the FBI’s Houston Field Office. “Just as the People’s Republic of China is determined to steal from the United States, the FBI and DOJ is determined to protect America's national and economic security and intellectual property from unscrupulous foreign adversaries.”
The FBI’s Houston Field Office, Commerce’s Bureau of Industry and Security Office of Export Enforcement and IRS-Criminal Investigation investigated the case.
Senior Counsel Matthew R. Walczewski of the Criminal Division’s Computer Crime and Intellectual Property Section, Trial Attorney David Recker of the National Security Division’s Counterintelligence and Export Control Section, Assistant U.S. Attorneys Jeff Pearlman, Luke Jones and Zia Faruqui of the District of Columbia, and former Special Assistant U.S. Attorney W. Joss Nichols prosecuted the case.
The year 2020 marks the 150th anniversary of the Department of Justice. Learn more about the history of our agency at www.Justice.gov/Celebrating150Years.
American Businessman Who Ran Houston-Based Subsidiary of Chinese Company Sentenced to Prison for Theft of Trade SecretsRead the Press Release
WASHINGTON – The head of a Houston-based company that was the subsidiary of a Chinese company that developed stolen trade secrets was sentenced Monday to sixteen months in prison and ordered to forfeit $342,424.96 by U.S. District Judge Christopher R. Cooper of the District of Columbia.
Shan Shi, 55, of Houston, Texas, had previously been found guilty by a jury on July 29, 2019, of Conspiracy to Steal Trade Secrets. Evidence presented during a three-week trial established that Shi had entered into an agreement with Taizhou CBM Future New Material Science and Technology Co. Ltd (CBMF) to develop the manufacture of syntactic foam, which is a buoyancy material that aids in offshore oil and gas drilling. The defendant specifically pledged to build “China’s first deep[-]sea drilling buoyance [sic] material production line” by moving to “digest/absorb” the relevant, critical U.S. technology. The defendant then set up a U.S.-based corporation, CBM International, Inc., (CBMI) and hired ex-employees of a victim company that manufactured syntactic foam, located in Houston, Texas. These employees had access to trade secrets developed by the victim company, and the defendant was aware that they had signed agreements with the victim company not to disclose proprietary information. The former employees of the victim company then transferred proprietary information to CBMI and the defendant, who used the information to create a syntactic foam manufacturing process in China.
The government also entered into evidence that the defendant intended to benefit the People’s Republic of China (PRC) by developing the technology, and that after the technology was stolen, the defendant attempted to sell syntactic foam based on the stolen proprietary information to the China National Offshore Oil Corporation (CNOOC) and the People’s Liberation Army (PLA) of the PRC. The defendant was arrested along with five other individuals in the United States after he and CBMI attempted to market related-technology in the District of Columbia. An additional Chinese national living in China, Hui Huang, was also charged. Shi, defendant Gang Liu, CBMI, and CBMF were subsequently charged in a superseding indictment with Conspiracy to Commit Economic Espionage, in violation of 18 U.S.C. § 1831. Shi and CBMI and CBMF were additionally charged in the superseding indictment with Conspiracy to Commit Money Laundering, in violation of 18 U.S.C. § 1956(h). The jury found the defendant guilty of Conspiracy to Steal Trade Secrets, and acquitted on the remaining counts. The trial was solely of defendant Shi.
“Yesterday’s sentencing underscores our determination to prosecute those who would steal trade secrets from American businesses and further misuse them for their own research and development,” said U.S. Attorney Timothy J. Shea for the District of Columbia. “The Court made clear that the defendant knew or intended that the offense would benefit the People’s Republic of China. To those who would steal proprietary information from U.S. companies and provide it to a foreign government, our message is that you will be prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law.”
This case was investigated by the Houston Field Office of the Federal Bureau of Investigation, the Bureau of Industry and Security (BIS) Office of Export Enforcement of the U.S. Department of Commerce, and the Internal Revenue Service-Criminal Investigation (IRS-CI).
The case was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Jeff Pearlman, Luke Jones, Zia Faruqui, and former Special Assistant United States Attorney W. Joss Nichols of the District of Columbia; Senior Counsel Matthew R. Walczewski of the Computer Crime and Intellectual Property Section of the Criminal Division of the Department of Justice; and Trial Attorney David Recker of the National Security Division’s Counterintelligence and Export Control Section of the Department of Justice.
Ada Man Pleads Guilty to Firearm PossessionRead the Press Release
MUSKOGEE, OKLAHOMA – The United States Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of Oklahoma announced that Neal Lee Morris, age 43, of Ada, Oklahoma, entered a guilty plea to Felon In Possession Of Firearm, in violation of Title 18, United States Code, Section 922(g)(1) and 924(a)(2), punishable by not more than 10 years imprisonment, a fine up to $250,000.00 or both.
The Indictment alleged that on or about June 21, 2019, within the Eastern District of Oklahoma, the defendant, having previously been convicted of a crime punishable by imprisonment for a term exceeding one year, and knowing of such conviction, did knowingly possess in and affecting commerce, a firearm which had been shipped and transported in interstate commerce.
The charges arose from an investigation by the Oklahoma Highway Patrol and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives.
The Honorable Steven P. Shreder, U.S. Magistrate Judge in the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Oklahoma, in Muskogee, accepted the plea and ordered the completion of a presentence investigation report.
Assistant United States Attorney Clay Compton represented the United States.
10 February 2020
Williston Man Arrested for Failure to Update Sex Offender RegistrationRead the Press Release
Bismarck – United States Attorney Drew H. Wrigley announced that on February 10, 2020 Richard Valenzuela Velasquez made his initial appearance and was arraigned before Magistrate Judge Clare R. Hochhalter on the charges of Failure to Update Sex Offender Registration. The trial has been scheduled for March 31, 2020 before District Judge Daniel M. Traynor.
Velasquez is a registered sex offender based on his conviction under Colorado law for Attempted Sexual Assault of a Child in 2005. It is alleged that sometime after January 21, 2016, Velasquez traveled to North Dakota and failed to register with any sex offender registration authority despite his requirement to do so. Velasquez was previously registered as a sex offender in California. Under Federal law, sex offenders must update their registration within 3 business days of any change to their address, employment, and other matters.
This case was investigated by the US Marshal’s Service; ND Bureau of Criminal Investigation; Williams County Sheriff; Williston Police Department;
Assistant United Sates Attorney Rick Volk is prosecuting the case.
WILLISTON, ND Man Arrested for Failure of Registered Sex Offender to Report International TravelRead the Press Release
Bismarck – United States Attorney Drew H. Wrigley announced that on February 10, 2020 Leonard Barton Higdon made his initial appearance and was arraigned before Magistrate Judge Clare R. Hochhalter on the charges of Failure of Registered Sex Offender to Report International Travel. The trial has been scheduled for March 31, 2020 before Senior Judge Daniel L. Hovland.
Higdon is a registered sex offender based on his convictions under Georgia law for Statutory Rape of a 13 year old child on 10/28/1996 and Sexual Battery of a Child Under Age 16 on 8/28/2006. Under Federal law, registered sex offenders must report all intended foreign travel to the registration authority 21 days in advance of any such travel and complete an international travel form with the US Marshal’s Service. It is alleged that Higdon traveled outside of the United States at the end of November 2019 without reporting such intended travel and/or completing the international travel form.
This case was investigated by the US Marshal’s Service; U.S. Customs and Border Protection; ND Bureau of Criminal Investigation; Williams County Sheriff; Williston
Police Department; Assistant United Sates Attorney Rick Volk is prosecuting the case.
United States Reaches $900,000 Settlement for Damages Caused by Forest Fire in Kern CountyRead the Press Release
FRESNO, Calif. — Southern California Edison has paid $900,000 to resolve the United States’ claim for damages resulting from a 2014 wildfire that burned more than 4,392 acres, including Forest Service lands in Kern County, U.S. Attorney McGregor W. Scott announced today.
The fire, known as the “Way Fire,” ignited on August 18, 2014, in the community of Wofford Heights in Kern County. The United States alleges that the fire ignited when, as a result of SoCal Edison’s negligence, an insulator broke free from its pin on the cross arm of a SoCal Edison power pole, allowing the conductor to come into contact with another conductor.
“This settlement goes a long way toward compensating the public for the damage to public lands caused by the fire and the expense of fighting the Way Fire,” U.S. Attorney Scott said. “This office will continue to pursue recovery against those whose carelessness results in fires that place public lands and communities at risk and require public funds to suppress.”
“I’m pleased that this issue was resolved in a positive manner for our agency,” Randy Moore, Regional Forester for the USDA Forest Service Pacific Southwest Region. “A lot of time and resources go into both fighting fires and cost recovery, and recouping these costs is important.”
Since 2012, the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of California has secured settlements in more than 25 different cases involving wildfire damage to federal lands, with settlements valued at nearly $200 million.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Vincente A. Tennerelli handled the case.
United States Department of Justice Sues King County over Unlawful and Unconstitutional Restrictions on Use of Boeing FieldRead the Press Release
Spokane – The U.S. Department of Justice today filed suit in federal court against King County asking the Court to invalidate and enjoin a King County policy aimed at banning all immigration related flights at Boeing Field in Seattle. In April 2019, King County announced the executive order designed to ban all deportation flights from the airfield. Because ICE can no longer use Boeing Field, it has had to transport detainees to and from the Yakima airport via bus – a trip of 150 miles.
“King County doesn’t get to pick and choose which federal laws it wants to follow,” said Brian T. Moran, U.S. Attorney for the Western District of Washington. “The federal government transferred Boeing Field to the County in 1948 – and the agreement states that the federal government retains the right to use the field at no cost. King County is violating the law, the U.S. Constitution’s Supremacy clause, and the very agreement it signed to gain ownership of the airport.”
“The vast majority of people being deported from our state have previously committed crimes in this country that lead to their deportation,” said William D. Hyslop, U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of Washington. “We don’t refuse to send a criminal defendant to another state to face charges – neither should we fail to return illegal aliens to their country of origin if they have committed crimes that make them inadmissible to the United States and a danger to our communities.”
In order to continue the lawful transport of detainees both to and from the Northwest ICE Processing Center, ICE must subject them to a 150-mile bus trip to Yakima, increasing the cost and lengthening the trip for the detainees.
The litigation charges the restrictions placed on Boeing Field and the contractors that service aircraft there with violating the Airline Deregulation Act (ADA), as well as the Supremacy Clause of the Constitution, by obstructing and burdening federal activities.
The litigation in Western Washington was announced today by Attorney General William Barr in a speech to the nation’s Sheriffs. In addition to the Boeing Field litigation, the Department of Justice filed suit in New Jersey seeking to invalidate laws preventing the sharing of information between state and local law enforcement and the Department of Homeland Security.
The litigation is being handled by Michael J. Gerardi, a Trial Attorney with DOJ’s Federal Programs Branch, in consultation with Assistant United States Attorney Kristin B. Johnson with the U.S. Attorney’s Office, Western District of Washington.
Press contact for the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Western District of Washington is Communications Director Emily Langlie at (206) 553-4110 or [email protected].
United States Attorney Addresses Topic of Sanctuary CitiesRead the Press Release
United States Attorney Joe Kelly touted increased public safety as a result of cooperation among law enforcement agencies Monday during a press conference addressing the lack of so-called “sanctuary jurisdictions” in Nebraska. Attendees also included Shawn Byers, Acting Field Office Director for U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s Enforcement and Removal Operations in St. Paul, Minnesota, which oversees Nebraska; Eric Ouellette, Assistant Field Office Director, ICE Omaha; Greg Jensen, Assistant Field Office Director, ICE Omaha; and James Webb, Assistant Special Agent in Charge, Homeland Security Investigations Omaha. All are with various components of ICE.
Kelly advised that immigration authorities in Nebraska, unlike in some other states, enjoy excellent cooperation between federal and state authorities when dealing with offenders who are found to be in the United States illegally. Kelly reported that in the District of Nebraska, immigration authorities routinely receive timely notice and assistance when undocumented offenders are encountered by law enforcement and/or correctional facilities. The cooperation between state and federal authorities has made it possible to remove many dangerous offenders from the community before additional crimes could be committed. Kelly noted several cases, (summaries accompany this release), where aliens arrested and convicted of serious offenses such as first degree sexual assault and sexual assault of a child, were seamlessly transferred from the custody of state authorities to the custody of federal authorities who promptly removed them from the country. According to U.S. Attorney Kelly, “Public safety is paramount and the solid cooperation that exists between authorities at every level in Nebraska allows us to have a safer state. If local authorities did not cooperate with federal officials like they do, it is a certainty that many dangerous offenders would have been released to the streets of Nebraska rather than removed from the country.”
Shawn Byers, Acting Field Office Director for ICE St. Paul, which oversees Nebraska, added “Cooperation between federal, state and local law enforcement agencies is quite simply the most effective way of promoting public safety. Sanctuary city policies simply don’t work. Instead of promoting public safety, sanctuary policies put the lives of our communities’ residents at greater risk. The District of Nebraska has no communities that identify as sanctuary jurisdictions. As such, the public is more secure as a direct result of cooperation between law enforcement agencies in this District.”
Further information can be obtained from Shawn Neudauer, Public Affairs Officer, ICE Spokesman, St. Paul, Minnesota, (612) 843-8985.
Convicted Aliens Removed After First Contact with State Authorities
- Elvin SIBRIAN-Monge
- Entered without inspection and found to have no immigration status
- 2018 - Arrested in Sarpy County for sexual assault on a child in the first degree. Immigration detainer filed.
- 2019 – Convicted of third degree sexual assault of child and sentenced to the state penitentiary. Immigration detainer followed him.
- Came to ICE custody on 01/03/2020
- Deported to El Salvador on 01/20/2020
- Javier VELASQUEZ-Velazquez
- Found with long-expired temporary work permit and no current immigration status
- 2006 – convicted in Lancaster County of burglary, attempted first degree sexual assault, and attempted robbery, and sent to the state penitentiary.
- ICE filed detainer with the state in 2009.
- Came to ICE custody on 11/01/2019.
- Deported to Mexico on 11/13/2019.
- Gonzalo LOPEZ-Rios
- Entered without inspection and later found with no immigration status
- 2018 – Lancaster County arrest for first degree sexual assault. Immigration detainer filed.
- 2019 – Convicted and sent to state penitentiary and the detainer followed.
- Came to ICE custody on 10/31/2019
- Deported to Mexico on 11/06/2019.
- Juleio LOPEZ-Cayax
- Entered without inspection and later found to have no immigration status
- Hall County conviction for third degree sexual assault of a child. ICE filed a detainer.
- Sent to the state penitentiary and the ICE detainer followed.
- Came to ICE custody on 10/09/2019.
- Deported to Guatemala on 10/18/2019.
- Jose MENDES-Hernandez
- Entered without inspection and found to have no immigration status
- 2018 –Arrested for terroristic threats and use of a weapon to commit a felony. Immigration detainer filed due to a previous conviction for attempted robbery.
- Came to ICE custody on 01/08/2019
- Deported to Honduras on 02/08/2019
Aliens Prosecuted Federally Following an Illegal Reentry
Reentering the United States after being deported is a felony under federal law, punishable by up to 20 years in prison depending on the alien’s criminal record. The U.S. Attorney’s Office prosecutes those found to have illegally reentered the United States and been arrested in Nebraska.
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- This past fall, ICE arrested an individual in Harvard, NE who had been deported in 2010. This individual had been convicted of robbery in 2008, and had known gang affiliations. ICE and the U.S. Attorney’s Office prosecuted him for illegal reentry, and he is currently serving a 10-month sentence. He will be deported again following his discharge from prison.
- Just last month, Merrick County authorities arrested an individual that had been deported from the United States twice, with four previous convictions for driving without a license, four for other traffic violations, and other convictions for assault on a female, intoxicated and disruptive behavior, and visa or document fraud, as well as illegal entry into the U.S. This person is currently being prosecuted in Nebraska for illegally reentering the United States after deportation, and will likely serve a prison sentence before being deported to Mexico.
- Last year, ICE arrested an individual here in Omaha during a vehicle stop. This individual had previously been convicted of manslaughter and deported from the United States. He was prosecuted here in Omaha and is currently serving a 15-month sentence for illegal reentry after deportation.
- Elvin SIBRIAN-Monge
Un hombre de Luisiana se declara culpable de prender fuego a tres iglesias bautistas en la Parroquia de St. LandryRead the Press Release
Holden Matthews, de 22 años, se declaró culpable hoy en el Distrito Occidental de Luisiana de prender fuego intencionalmente a tres iglesias bautistas por motivo del carácter religioso de esos edificios. En concreto, Matthews se declaró culpable ante tres cargos de vulneración de la ley de Prevención de Incendios Provocados en Iglesias, Sección 247(a)(1) del Título 18 del Código de los EE. UU. —un cargo por cada iglesia— y un cargo de uso de incendio para la comisión de un delito federal, lo que contraviene la Sección 844(h) del Título 18 del Código de los EE. UU. Los incendios, que Matthews provocó a lo largo de un período de diez días entre marzo y abril del 2019, destrozaron completamente a cada una de las iglesias.
En la audiencia en la que se declaró culpable, Matthews admitió que entre el 26 de marzo y el 4 de abril, provocó incendios intencionalmente en tres iglesias bautistas, cuyas congregaciones son mayoritariamente afroestadounidenses, en la zona de Opelousas, Luisiana. Primero, el 26 de marzo del 2019, Matthews provocó un incendio en a la Iglesia Bautista St. Mary en Port Barre, Luisiana. Luego, el 2 de abril del 2019, Matthews provocó un incendio en la Iglesia Bautista Greater Union en Opelousas, Luisiana. Finalmente, el 4 de abril del 2019, Matthews provocó un incendio en la Iglesia Bautista Mount Pleasant en Opelousas, Luisiana. Los incendios que Matthews provocó destrozaron cada una de las iglesias. Matthews admitió que provocó los incendios por el carácter religioso de los edificios, en un intento de realzar su imagen como músico de «black metal» al copiar delitos similares que cometidos en Noruega en los años 90. Más aún, Matthews admitió que, tras prender el tercer fuego, había colgado fotografías y vídeos en Facebook que mostraban las primeras dos iglesias quemándose. Matthews admitió que había tomado esos vídeos y fotografías en tiempo real en su celular mientras se quedó viendo las iglesias quemarse y que los había colgado en Facebook en un intento de realzar su imagen en la comunidad de black metal.
«El Departamento de Justicia se mantiene firme en su compromiso a proteger el derecho al culto sin amenazas de discriminación o violencia», afirmó el Fiscal General Auxiliar de la División de Derechos Civiles, Eric Dreiband. «Matthews admitió que prendió fuego a las tres iglesias por motivo de su carácter religioso. Su conducta desgraciada vulneró los derechos civiles de los feligreses de la iglesia y dañó a sus comunidades».
«Hoy, el acusado se ha hecho responsable de la quema y destrucción de nuestras tres iglesias», dijo David C. Joseph, el Fiscal Federal para el Distrito Occidental de Luisiana. «La libertad de culto y reunión segura en nuestras iglesias es un derecho fundamental de todo estadounidense, y mi oficina y nuestras agencias asociadas del orden público lo defenderemos enérgicamente. Quisiera dar las gracias a la Agencia de Control de Bebidas Alcohólicas, Tabaco, Armas de Fuego y Explosivos (ATF, por sus siglas en inglés), el Buró Federal de Investigaciones (FBI, por sus siglas en inglés), la Oficina del Sheriff de la Parroquia de St. Landry, los Bomberos de la Parroquia de St. Landry, el Jefe de Bomberos del Estado de Luisiana, la Unidad de Delitos Cibernéticos del Fiscal General de Luisiana, la Policía Estatal de Luisiana y el Jefe de Bomberos del Estados de Florida por su trabajo intenso y colaboración continua en este caso».
«Holden Matthews tomó una decisión consciente de elegir como objetivo y destrozar iglesias dentro de su propia comunidad. Sus acciones atroces infligieron dolores y angustias graves en aquellas congregaciones, así como en toda la Parroquia de St. Landry», declaró Bryan Vorndran, el Agente Especial Encargado del FBI en la Oficina Local de Nueva Orleans. «A lo largo de esta investigación, los hombres y las mujeres del FBI, la ATF, la Oficina del Jefe de Bomberos del Estado de Luisiana, la Oficina del Sheriff de la Parroquia de St. Landry, la Fiscalía de Distrito para la Parroquia de St. Landry, la Policía Estatal de Luisiana, la Unidad de Delitos Cibernéticos del Fiscal General de Luisiana Jeff Landry y la Oficina del Jefe de Bomberos del Estado de Florida trabajaron sin tregua para llevar a Holden Matthews ante la justicia».
«Una parte vital de nuestra misión es la protección de las comunidades», comentó el Agente Especial Encargados de la ATF Kurt Thielhorn. «La ATF seguirá aportando sus recursos y experiencia a la investigación de incendios provocados en lugares de culto, los que amenazan el bienestar de nuestras comunidades. Quiero dar las gracias a todas nuestras agencias del orden público por haberse esforzado tanto en garantizar que se haga justicia».
Matthews será condenado el 22 de mayo del 2020. Se enfrenta a una pena mínima de diez años de cárcel y una pena máxima legal de 70 años de cárcel.
Este caso fue investigado por el Equipo Nacional de Respuesta de la ATF; la Oficina Satélite en Lafayette de la División Local de la ATF de Nueva Orleans; la Agencia Residente en Lafayette de la Oficina Local del FBI en Nueva Orleans; la Oficina del Jefe de Bomberos del Estado de Luisiana, la Policía Estatal de Luisiana; la Unidad de Delitos Cibernéticos del Estado de Luisiana; los Bomberos de la Parroquía de St. Landry; y la Oficina Sheriff de la Parroquia de St. Landry. El Fiscal Federal John Luke Walker, de la Fiscalía Federal para el Distrito Occidental de Luisiana, y la Abogada de Litigios Risa Berkower, de la División de Derechos Civiles del Departamento de Justicia son responsables del enjuiciamiento del caso.
Para más información sobre el trabajo del Departamento de Justicia por combatir y prevenir los delitos de odio, vaya a www.justice.gov/hatecrimes: es un portal único con enlaces a recursos del Departamento de Justicia relacionados con delitos de odio para la policía, los medios de comunicación, investigadores, víctimas, grupos de apoyo, y otras organizaciones y personas.
US Attorney Scott Blader Emphasizes Public Safety in Immigration ProsecutionsRead the Press Release
MADISON, WIS. – Scott C. Blader, United States Attorney for the Western District of Wisconsin, today joined with Attorney General William Barr to emphasize the importance of apprehending, prosecuting, and removing aliens who are in the United States illegally and have committed criminal acts.
The Western District of Wisconsin echoes the sentiments expressed today by the Attorney General regarding “sanctuary” policies that prevent local law enforcement from sharing information and honoring federal detention requests in the context of immigration crimes. Such policies jeopardize public safety by increasing the risk that undocumented persons may commit further crimes before federal authorities can apprehend them.
Although challenges exist in the Western District of Wisconsin, the U.S. Attorney’s Office has successfully partnered with many local, state, and federal law enforcement agencies to prosecute criminal aliens who pose a threat to public safety.
“The U.S. Department of Justice and the U.S. Attorneys’ Offices throughout the country have a vital public safety role in locating, arresting, and prosecuting aliens who are illegally in the United States,” said United States Attorney Blader. “My office relies on state and local law enforcement to honor detainers issued by federal law enforcement. Such cooperation prevents illegal aliens in the custody of local jurisdictions from being released into the community.”
“Cooperation amongst federal, state and local agencies is quite simply the most effective way of promoting public safety,” said Robert Guadian, field office director for ICE Chicago, which oversees Wisconsin. “Sanctuary city policies simply don’t work. Instead of promoting public safety, sanctuary policies put the lives of our community’s residents at greater risk.”
The U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Western District of Wisconsin prosecutes individuals who are found to be in the United States illegally after prior deportations. In almost all cases, those persons have come to the attention of federal law enforcement after being arrested for or convicted of additional state offenses. Some examples, which include the conduct which brought them to the attention of federal authorities, their criminal history, and prior removals, are as follows:
Isaac Gutierrez-Blandon, Nicaraguan citizen, was arrested in May 2019 in Marquette County for obstructing an officer and operating a vehicle after revocation. Marquette County Officers transferred Gutierrez-Blandon to Dane County after discovering multiple Dane County arrest warrants lodged against him for repeat operating while intoxicated (OWI) offenses. In 2007, Gutierrez-Blandon was convicted in Wisconsin for homicide by intoxicated use of a vehicle. He had been removed from the United States six times, including twice after felony convictions in the Western District of Wisconsin for illegally reentering the United States after being deported. In September 2019, he was sentenced to 48 months in federal prison after his third felony conviction for illegally reentering the United States.
Rodrigo Miranda-Arias, a Mexican citizen, was convicted in Dane County in April 2018 of sexual assault of a child and incest. Miranda-Arias was deported in 2008 after being convicted in Iowa of misdemeanor assault causing bodily injury. In May 2019, he was sentenced to 15 months in federal prison for illegally reentering the United States.
Martin Orozco-Lopez, a Guatemalan citizen, was arrested in Monroe County in February 2017 for first degree sexual assault of a child. He was convicted of a felony domestic violence offense in Monroe County in 2014. He had been removed from the United States three prior times. In July 2019, he was sentenced to six months in federal prison for illegally reentering the United States.
Ascension Pascual-Rodriguez, a Mexican citizen, was arrested in Trempealeau County for stalking, violating a foreign protection order, and bail jumping. He had been removed from the United States twice, including after a felony drug conviction in Missouri. In May 2018, he was sentenced to 12 months in federal prison for illegally reentering the United States.
Jose Hernandez-Mendoza, a Mexican citizen, was arrested in Jefferson County in May 2019 for felony bail jumping and an outstanding warrant for delivery of cocaine. He has prior convictions for offenses that include possession of THC, battery (domestic abuse), failure to support a child, and resisting an officer. He was removed from the United States in 2017 and 2018. On January 30, he was sentenced to two years in federal prison for illegally reentering the United States.
Jose Marcos Torres, a citizen of Mexico, was arrested in Trempealeau County for false imprisonment, substantial battery, OWI, and disorderly conduct (domestic abuse). He has been removed from the United States twice. He has pleaded guilty to illegally reentering the United States and will be sentenced in U.S. District Court in Madison on February 12, 2020.
“These stark examples demonstrate the need for all law enforcement agencies to work together to protect public safety and ensure that our immigration laws fairly protect the interest of current citizens, as well as those who seek to become citizens,” said United States Attorney Blader.
U.S. Department of Justice sues King County over unlawful and unconstitutional restrictions on use of Boeing FieldRead the Press Release
Seattle – The U.S. Department of Justice today filed suit in federal court against King County asking the Court to invalidate and enjoin a King County policy aimed at banning all immigration related flights at Boeing Field in Seattle. In April 2019, King County announced the executive order designed to ban all deportation flights from the airfield. Because ICE can no longer use Boeing Field, it has had to transport detainees to and from the Yakima airport via bus – a trip of 150 miles.
“King County doesn’t get to pick and choose which federal laws it wants to follow,” said Brian T. Moran, U.S. Attorney for the Western District of Washington. “The federal government transferred Boeing Field to the County in 1948 – and the agreement states that the federal government retains the right to use the field at no cost. King County is violating the law, the U.S. Constitution’s Supremacy Clause, and the very agreement it signed to gain ownership of the airport.”
“The vast majority of people being deported from our state have previously committed crimes in this country that lead to their deportation,” said William D. Hyslop, U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of Washington. “We don’t refuse to send a criminal defendant to another state to face charges – neither should we fail to return illegal aliens to their country of origin if they have committed crimes that make them inadmissible to the United States and a danger to our communities.”
In order to continue the lawful transport of detainees both to and from the Northwest ICE Processing Center, ICE must subject them to a 150-mile bus trip to Yakima, increasing the cost and lengthening the trip for the detainees.
The litigation charges the restrictions placed on Boeing Field and the contractors that service aircraft there with violating the Airline Deregulation Act (ADA), as well as the Supremacy Clause of the Constitution, by obstructing and burdening federal activities.
The litigation in Western Washington was announced today by Attorney General William Barr in a speech to the nation’s Sheriffs. In addition to the Boeing Field litigation, the Department of Justice filed suit in New Jersey seeking to invalidate laws preventing the sharing of information between state and local law enforcement and the Department of Homeland Security.
The litigation is being handled by Michael J. Gerardi, a Trial Attorney with DOJ’s Federal Programs Branch, in consultation with Assistant United States Attorney Kristin B. Johnson with the U.S. Attorney’s Office, Western District of Washington.
us_v_king_county_boeing_field.pdfU.S. Attorney Statement on Justice Department Sanctuary Jurisdiction Legal ActionRead the Press Release
PORTLAND, Ore.—Billy J. Williams, U.S. Attorney for the District of Oregon, provides the below statement on the sanctuary jurisdiction legal action announced today by Attorney General William P. Barr.
“Today, Attorney General Barr announced new legal actions in several states being taken by the Justice Department to address sanctuary jurisdictions. I share the Attorney General’s belief that sanctuary status declarations directly contravene federal immigration law and threaten public safety. In our country, the Congress makes immigration law and has directed federal authorities to enforce it. The notion that states and other jurisdictions can interfere in the sharing of critical public safety information involving criminal conduct ignores the supremacy of federal law. Each year, many preventable crimes are committed when jurisdictions refuse to cooperate with lawful federal immigration enforcement activities.
Oregon sheriffs and other law enforcement officers are caught in the middle of a highly politicized local and national debate over these policies. Many are left to choose whether to violate state or federal law. This is an untenable position for the men and women who work tirelessly to protect our communities. Since 2015, we have worked with our federal, state, and local law enforcement partners here in Oregon to cure this impasse. Our work will continue tomorrow when we will again convene a large group of law enforcement partners to discuss these new lawsuits and other related issues.”
U.S. Attorney Statement on the Actions Announced Today by the Department of Justice Against Sanctuary City JurisdictionsRead the Press Release
NASHVILLE, Tenn. – February 10, 2020 – U.S. Attorney Don Cochran issued the following statement:
“Today, Attorney General William Barr announced significant actions the Justice Department is undertaking involving several jurisdictions around the country alleging that the policies of these cities and states interfere with lawful federal immigration and enforcement activities and jeopardize public safety. I applaud the actions of Attorney General Barr and join with him in our quest to make America’s cities safer.
I am grateful that the State of Tennessee enacted a law last year, which prohibits local jurisdictions from enacting sanctuary city policies. The misguided attempts and efforts of a few to provide sanctuary for illegal aliens would have placed our communities in grave danger and severely hampered the efforts of law enforcement to protect our communities from preventable criminal acts.
Recent and past examples where dangerous, illegal aliens were removed from our communities and prosecuted by my office during the last year include:
- Douglas Benitez Herrera, of Honduras, was charged with illegal re-entry into the United States after having been deported in 2015 following convictions for first degree manslaughter, robbery, aggravated assault and other aggravated felonies.
- Juan Hernandez-Moreno, a citizen of Mexico, was charged with illegal re-entry, after being arrested in Clarksville for domestic assault. Hernandez-Moreno had previously been convicted and deported after having been arrested on numerous occasions for domestic violence offenses.
- Cuauhtemoc Serafin-Benitez, a citizen of Mexico, was charged with illegal re-entry after having been previously deported five times. In 2014 he was convicted in U.S. District Court, in Nashville, of conspiracy to distribute five kilograms or more of cocaine.
- Carlos A. Vaquerano-Rodriguez was charged with illegal re-entry after being arrested in Nashville for aggravated assault and robbery, while brandishing a machete. He had previously been charged in California with serious crimes including robbery, aggravated assault and having sex with a minor. He had also been previously deported.
- Gerson Serrano-Ramirez, a previously deported illegal alien and MS-13 gang member from El Salvador, was convicted by a jury of torturing a witness, multiple firearms violations and multiple cocaine distribution charges. Serrano-Ramirez was sentenced last year to 19 years in prison.
- Angel Daniel-Garcia, of Mexico, twice previously deported and convicted of armed robberies, was indicted last fall and is facing new firearm and drug offenses.
- Franklin Pineda-Caceras, of Honduras, previously deported in 2018, was indicted last fall for illegally re-entering the United States and firearms and drug distribution crimes. He is also accused of kidnapping a local high school student and attempting to force the student to join the MS-13 gang.
- Oscar Degaldo Flores, of El Salvador, and Luis Colindres, of Honduras, also MS-13 gang members, were charged in 2018 with conspiracy; witness tampering; firearms offenses and causing death through the use of a firearm. They are accused of killing one individual and then killing another individual to prevent them from testifying.
- Jose Lopez-Ruiz, an illegal alien from Guatemala was charged last year with illegally re-entering the United States. Lopez-Ruiz had previously been deported seven times and had been convicted of five DUI offenses, with a sixth DUI charge pending.
These are but a few examples of cases in the Middle District of Tennessee where serious crimes have been committed by persons who were in this country illegally. Without the cooperation of our local, state and federal law enforcement partners, it is highly likely that other innocent people would have been subjected to acts of intimidation, torture, and even murdered; more illicit and addictive drugs would have flowed into our neighborhoods; more businesses would have been robbed; other women and children would have been assaulted by an abusive partner; and thousands of motorists would have had to navigate our roadways with another drunk driver.
Sanctuary jurisdiction policies jeopardize public safety by preventing the federal government from locating, arresting, and prosecuting removable aliens inside the United States. I am grateful for the cooperative spirt of our law enforcement partners in the Middle District of Tennessee. Just as it is with all other investigations, we are only able to achieve the best outcomes when we all work together. Anything less hampers our prevention and enforcement efforts.”
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U.S. Attorney Praises Cooperation of State, Local Law Enforcement Agencies to Combat Illegal ImmigrationRead the Press Release
KANSAS CITY, Mo. – United States Attorney Tim Garrison praised the cooperation of state and local law enforcement agencies in the Western District of Missouri today, as U.S. Attorney General William Barr addressed the problem of sanctuary cities elsewhere in the nation.
“We appreciate the cooperation in this district among state, local, and federal law enforcement agencies,” said Garrison. “We know that, unfortunately, some parts of the country don’t benefit from such cooperation. The partnership between law enforcement officers at all levels throughout the Western District of Missouri is essential to presenting a united front against illegal immigration and the drug trafficking and violent crime often associated with it.”
“Local law enforcement agencies are often our first line of defense,” Garrison added. “We count on them to coordinate with federal authorities who enforce immigration laws aimed at protecting our neighborhoods and keeping our communities safe.”
In a recent example, Independence, Missouri, police officers arrested Carlos Colato, a citizen of El Salvador, when they received reports of a man pointing a firearm at motorists. After taking him into custody and learning that he had an active immigration detainer, officers turned him over to Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s (ICE) Enforcement and Removal Operations (ERO). Colato was recently charged in federal court with being a felon and an illegal alien in possession of a firearm. According to an affidavit filed in support of the Jan. 27, 2020, federal criminal complaint, Colato has illegally entered the United States on at least five separate occasions. Garrison noted this case is being handled by a cross-designated prosecutor from the Missouri Attorney General’s office as part of the Safer Streets Initiative to combat violent crime.
“Cooperation between federal, state and local law enforcement agencies is quite simply the most effective way of promoting public safety,” said Robert Guadian, field office director for ICE Chicago, which oversees Kansas City. “Sanctuary city policies simply don’t work. Instead of promoting public safety, sanctuary policies put the lives of our community’s residents at greater risk. The Western District of Missouri has no communities that identify as sanctuary jurisdictions, as such the public is more secure as a direct result of cooperation between law enforcement agencies in this district.”
Garrison cited several more examples of local and federal agency cooperation:
On Aug. 31, 2019, Pleasant Valley, Missouri, police officers arrested Rex Ruiz-Velazquez, a citizen of Mexico, on local charges related to a neighborhood disturbance. At the time of his arrest, Ruiz-Velazquez had a loaded Glock 9mm semi-automatic pistol in his pickup truck. Ruiz-Velazquez, who has illegally entered the United States at least four times, was turned over to ICE-ERO agents and indicted last fall for being a felon in possession of a firearm and for illegally reentering the United States after having been deported.
Kansas City, Missouri, police officers responded to neighbors’ reports of gunshots on Aug. 5, 2018. They discovered that Juan Carlos Cuevas-Alvarez and Nestor K. Rodriguez, both citizens of Mexico who illegally entered the United States, had been shooting firearms in their back yard. Officers found a Cobray 9mm pistol, a Walther .380-caliber handgun, and a Sig Saur 9mm pistol at the residence. Officers also found 26 pounds of marijuana inside two black trash bags and more than $35,000 in cash. Cuevas-Alvarez and Rodriguez each pleaded guilty to being an illegal alien in possession of a firearm; Cuevas-Alvarez also pleaded guilty to possessing marijuana to distribute. Cuevas-Alvarez was sentenced to four years and six months in federal prison without parole. Rodriguez was sentenced to three years and two months in federal prison without parole.
On Sept. 16, 2018, Riverside, Missouri, police officers arrested Miguel Angel Rodriguez-Vazquez for loitering but later learned he had illegally entered the United States from Mexico on five different occasions and had a prior drug-trafficking conviction. Rodriguez-Vazquez was sentenced last summer to almost five years in federal prison without parole.
U.S. Attorney Highlights Danger of Sanctuary Laws; Urges Change to Enhance Public SafetyRead the Press Release
NEWS RELEASE SUMMARY – February 10, 2020
SAN DIEGO – U.S. Attorney Robert Brewer today called for an end to “Sanctuary City” laws, saying the state statute prohibiting local law enforcement officials from sharing information with federal counterparts about dangerous criminals has made our communities less safe.
California Senate Bill 54 largely restricts local law enforcement’s ability to cooperate with federal immigration authorities. The law generally prohibits state and local authorities from inquiring about a person’s immigration status, detaining them based on a “detainer” request from immigration authorities, and providing information about an undocumented criminal’s release date or other personal information, such as address information that could be used to locate someone potentially subject to deportation or removal. The law does provide for some exceptions for individuals convicted of certain crimes.
“The law’s prohibition against local law enforcement cooperating with their federal counterparts is inconsistent with their shared mission to protect the public above all else,” said U.S. Attorney Robert Brewer. “The law not only results in the release of individuals who may pose a threat to the safety of our communities, but it also increases the risk for law enforcement.”
Brewer continued: “Any time a detainer is not honored or the sharing of information about individuals in police custody is prohibited, our local law enforcement officers and our communities are put in danger unnecessarily. For instance, the prohibition on honoring detainers necessarily means that rather than taking custody of someone from a local jail, law enforcement must arrest that person in the community, which presents more risk to both our citizens and our officers.”
In San Diego County recently, the Sheriff’s Department was unable to notify immigration authorities when illegal immigrants were released on bond following arrests for possession of methamphetamine, drunken driving and carrying a concealed weapon.
“Our No. 1 priority is to protect the public, but sanctuary laws prevent us from doing that to the best of our ability,” Brewer said. “We have an excellent relationship with our local law enforcement partners, but, dangerously, this law ties their hands. Sanctuary laws jeopardize public safety by preventing the federal government from locating, arresting, and prosecuting removable aliens inside the United States.”
“While we value our relationships with our local law enforcement partners in San Diego, it is important to remind the public of the serious threat that dangerous state sanctuary laws pose on public safety in our communities,” said Gregory Archambeault, Immigration and Customs Enforcement, Enforcement and Removal Operations Field Office Director in San Diego. “Currently the state sanctuary laws allow criminals to be released to the street and commit more crimes, which increases the threat to public safety, national security and the safety of our community. It would be much safer if ICE were able to transfer the criminals while they are inside the county jail.”
U.s. Attorney’s Office Hosts Roundtable on Sexual Harassment in HousingRead the Press Release
Matthew D. Krueger, U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of Wisconsin and the Justice Department’s Civil Rights Division hosted a roundtable Friday February 7th 2020 for community organizations to discuss the problem of sexual harassment in housing.
The event included legal aid offices, fair housing organizations, government agencies, shelters, and transitional housing providers. Those organizations were invited because they often work with vulnerable populations who are most likely to become victims of sexual harassment in housing.
“Sexual harassment in housing is often underreported, but it is an egregious violation of a person’s right to fair housing,” U.S. Attorney Krueger said. “Landlords, superintendents, and anyone else who uses their power over tenants to extort sexual acts, or even commit assaults, is intolerable. Our office is dedicated to uncovering such violations and vigorously enforcing the law.”
The Department of Justice, through the U.S. Attorneys’ Offices and the Civil Rights Division, enforces the federal Fair Housing Act, which prohibits discrimination in housing on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, familial status, national origin, and disability. Sexual harassment is a form of sex discrimination prohibited by the Act.
The Justice Department’s Civil Rights Division launched the Sexual Harassment in Housing Initiative, an effort to combat sexual harassment in housing, in October 2017 and expanded it nationwide in April 2018. The Justice Department’s initiative seeks to identify barriers to reporting sexual harassment in housing, increase awareness of the Justice Department’s enforcement efforts among people who have experienced sexual harassment in housing and those they may report to, and collaborate with federal, state, and local partners to increase reporting and help people who have experienced sexual harassment quickly and easily connect with federal resources.
Our office is working closely with the Civil Rights Division to spread the word here in the Eastern District of Wisconsin about options to help people experiencing sexual harassment or who experienced sexual harassment in housing in the past. Roundtable discussions like the one that U.S. Attorney Krueger hosted today are one way to increase awareness and build strong partnerships in the community to combat this problem together.
Our community organizations, such as local law enforcement, legal aid offices, fair housing organizations, shelters, and transitional housing providers can identify the misconduct and recommend that victims report sexual harassment to the Civil Rights Division. Not only should people who experience sexual harassment in housing be aware of the Justice Department’s enforcement efforts, but people or organizations they may tell about the sexual harassment should also be aware where to refer them to report the misconduct. Local police departments or legal aid offices may be able to help victims, if the behavior is a crime or if there is an imminent eviction. In addition, organizations should recommend that the victim report the harassment to the Civil Rights Division and the U.S. Attorney’s Office.
While most people are familiar with the problem of sexual harassment in the workplace, harassment also occurs in housing, and the Fair Housing Act prohibits it. The Justice Department brings cases each year involving egregious conduct, including allegations that defendants have exposed themselves sexually to current or prospective tenants, requested sexual acts in exchange for reduced rents or making necessary repairs, made unrelenting and unwanted sexual advances to tenants, and evicted tenants who resisted their sexual overtures.
Many instances of sexual harassment in housing continue to go unreported. The Justice Department’s investigations frequently uncover sexual harassment that has been occurring for years or decades and identify numerous victims who never reported the conduct to federal authorities.
The Department encourages anyone who has experienced sexual harassment in housing, or knows someone who has, to contact the Division by calling (844) 380-6178 or emailing [email protected]. Individuals who believe they may have been victims of discrimination may also file a complaint with the U.S. Attorney’s Office at 414-297-1700.
Individuals or organizations who want more information about how to raise awareness of sexual harassment or discrimination should likewise contact the U.S. Attorney’s Office.
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Tank vessel operator convicted of unlawful discharge of bilge waste, sentenced to $1.75 million fineRead the Press Release
HONOLULU, Hawaii – Bernhard Schulte Shipmanagement (Singapore) PTE LTD. (“Bernhard”), a vessel operating company, pleaded guilty today in federal court to one count of maintaining false and incomplete records relating to the discharge of bilge waste from the tank vessel Topaz Express, a felony violation of the Act to Prevent Pollution from Ships, 33 U.S.C. § 1908(a), announced Assistant Attorney General Jeffrey Bossert Clark and United States Attorney for the District of Hawaii Kenji M. Price.
U.S. District Judge Derrick K. Watson accepted the guilty plea. Chief Engineer Skenda Reddy and vessel Second Engineer Padmanaban Samirajan previously pled guilty to their involvement in the offense.
Judge Watson imposed a total fine of $1,750,000 and a four-year term of probation. This is the largest fine ever imposed in the District of Hawaii for this type of offense. Bernhard further must implement a robust Environmental Compliance Plan, which applies to all 38 tank vessels operated by the company that call on U.S. ports.
According to court documents and information presented in court, the defendants illegally dumped bilge waste from the Topaz Express directly into the ocean, without properly processing it through pollution prevention equipment. Bilge waste typically contains oil contamination from the operation and cleaning of machinery on the vessel. The defendants admitted that these illegal discharges were not recorded in the vessel’s oil record book as required by law. Specifically, on three separate occasions between May and July 2019, Bernhard, acting through Chief Engineer Reddy and Second Engineer Samirajan, its employees, used a portable pneumatic pump and hose to bypass the ship’s pollution prevention equipment and discharge bilge waste directly into the ocean. They then failed to record the improper overboard discharges in the vessel’s oil record book. Additionally, during the U.S. Coast Guard’s inspection of the Topaz Express, Reddy destroyed paper sounding sheets and altered a copy of the vessel’s electronic sounding log, in an effort to conceal how much bilge waste had been discharged overboard without being processed through the vessel’s pollution prevention equipment.
“The Environment and Natural Resources Division of the Department of Justice is charged with enforcing federal and international laws designed to protect our oceans from pollutants,” said Assistant Attorney General Jeffrey Bossert Clark of the Justice Department’s Environment and Natural Resources Division. “Under those laws, vessel operators are required to either properly treat their bilge waste onboard before discharging it into the sea or offload their bilge waste to disposal facilities. This case should serve as a deterrent to individuals and companies that flout our laws and pollute our oceans.”
“Prosecutions like this one are important because, by holding companies accountable for the harm they cause to the ocean’s ecosystem, we do our part to protect the planet and its finite resources. In Hawaii, we are surrounded by the beauty of the Pacific Ocean, and companies that intentionally damage the ocean’s ecosystem must be held accountable for their criminal conduct,” stated U.S. Attorney Price. “My office will continue to bring to justice companies that illegally discharge bilge waste into the ocean and then attempt to conceal their misconduct.”
“This case was built on the hard work of Coast Guard inspectors and investigators and we appreciate the strong partnership with the Department of Justice to hold polluters accountable,” said Captain Arex Avanni, commander, Coast Guard Sector Honolulu. “All vessel owners and operators are responsible for maintaining their vessels and preventing illegal discharges of oily wastes into the ocean. We are committed to the people of Hawaii to protect our waters and the Pacific Ocean from the damage caused by pollution from illegal dumping.”
This case was investigated by the U.S. Coast Guard Sector Honolulu, and the U.S. Coast Guard Investigative Service. The case is being prosecuted by Trial Attorney Stephen Da Ponte of the Environment and Natural Resources Division’s Environmental Crimes Section and Assistant U.S. Attorney Marc A. Wallenstein of the U.S. Attorney's Office for the District of Hawaii.
Tank Vessel Operator Convicted of Unlawful Discharge of Bilge Waste, Agrees to Pay $1.75 Million FineRead the Press Release
Bernhard Schulte Shipmanagement (Singapore) PTE LTD. (Bernhard), a vessel operating company, pleaded guilty today in federal court to one count of maintaining false and incomplete records relating to the discharge of bilge waste from the tank vessel Topaz Express, a felony violation of the Act to Prevent Pollution from Ships.
U.S. District Judge Derrick K. Watson of the District of Hawaii accepted the guilty plea. Chief Engineer Skenda Reddy and vessel Second Engineer Padmanaban Samirajan previously pled guilty to their involvement in the offense.
Under the terms of the plea agreement, Bernhard will pay a total fine of $1,750,000 and serve a 4-year term of probation. This is the largest fine ever imposed in the District of Hawaii for this type of offense. Bernhard further must implement a robust Environmental Compliance Plan, which applies to all 38 vessels operated by the company that call on U.S. ports.
“The Environment and Natural Resources Division of the Department of Justice is charged with enforcing federal and international laws designed to protect our oceans from pollutants,” said Assistant Attorney General Jeffrey Bossert Clark of the Justice Department’s Environment and Natural Resources Division. “Under those laws, vessel operators are required to either properly treat their bilge waste onboard before discharging it into the sea or offload their bilge waste to disposal facilities. This case should serve as a deterrent to individuals and companies that flout our laws and pollute our oceans.”
“Prosecutions like this one are important because, by holding companies accountable for the harm they cause to the ocean’s ecosystem, we do our part to protect the planet and its finite resources. In Hawaii, we are surrounded by the beauty of the Pacific Ocean, and companies that intentionally damage the ocean’s ecosystem must be held accountable for their criminal conduct,” said U.S. Attorney Kenji M. Price. “My office will continue to bring to justice companies that illegally discharge bilge waste into the ocean and then attempt to conceal their misconduct.”
“This case was built on the hard work of Coast Guard inspectors and investigators and we appreciate the strong partnership with the Department of Justice to hold polluters accountable,” said Capt. Arex Avanni, commander, Coast Guard Sector Honolulu. “All vessel owners and operators are responsible for maintaining their vessels and preventing illegal discharges of oily wastes into the ocean. We are committed to the people of Hawaii to protect our waters and the Pacific Ocean from the damage caused by pollution from illegal dumping.”
According to court documents and information presented in court, the defendants illegally dumped bilge waste from the Topaz Express directly into the ocean, without properly processing it through pollution prevention equipment. Bilge waste typically contains oil contamination from the operation and cleaning of machinery on the vessel. The defendants admitted that these illegal discharges were not recorded in the vessel’s oil record book as required by law. Specifically, on three separate occasions between May and July 2019, Bernhard, acting through Chief Engineer Skenda Reddy and Second Engineer Padmanaban Samirajan, its employees, used a portable pneumatic pump and hose to bypass the ship’s pollution prevention equipment and discharge bilge waste directly into the ocean. They then failed to record the improper overboard discharges in the vessel’s oil record book.
Additionally, during the U.S. Coast Guard’s inspection of the Topaz Express, Reddy destroyed paper sounding sheets and altered a copy of the vessel’s electronic sounding log, in an effort to conceal how much bilge waste had been discharged overboard without being processed through the vessel’s pollution prevention equipment.
The U.S. Coast Guard Sector Honolulu and the U.S. Coast Guard Investigative Service investigated the case. Trial Attorney Stephen Da Ponte of the Environment and Natural Resources Division’s Environmental Crimes Section and Assistant U.S. Attorney Marc A. Wallenstein of the District of Hawaii are prosecuting the case.
The year 2020 marks the 150th anniversary of the Department of Justice. Learn more about the history of our agency at www.Justice.gov/Celebrating150Years.
Statement of United States Attorney Richard MooreRead the Press Release
Today, the Attorney General reminded Americans that sanctuary jurisdiction policies jeopardize public safety by preventing the federal government from locating, arresting, and prosecuting removable aliens inside the United States.
Here in the Southern District of Alabama, federal agencies are able to rely on state and local jurisdictions to uphold the rule of law and protect the safety of our communities. By working together to enforce our immigration laws, we increase safety not only of everyday, law-abiding citizens, but also of our law enforcement officers, who are required to perform the often dangerous task of executing arrest warrants. Not every jurisdiction enjoys the same productive cooperation in enforcing our immigration laws, and we stand with the Attorney General in his commitment to upholding the rule of law throughout the nation.
Statement of United States Attorney Joseph D. Brown on Jurisdictions Proclaiming Status as “Sanctuary Cities” from Federal Immigration EnforcementRead the Press Release
SHERMAN, Texas – United States Attorney Joe Brown today applauded the speech of United States Attorney General William Barr to the National Sheriffs’ Association criticizing the state and local governments which have refused to cooperate with federal immigration enforcement actions.
“Attorney General Barr is exactly right on this issue,” said Brown. “Jurisdictions which refuse to turn over criminal aliens are putting politics above public safety and are putting the interests of criminal aliens before those of law-abiding citizens.
https://www.justice.gov/opa/speech/attorney-general-william-p-barr-delivers-remarks-national-sheriffs-association-winter
When federal officers place detainers on offenders, a legal determination has already been made that there is probable cause to believe that the person committed a criminal act. To refuse to honor these detainers can put dangerous people, who are not citizens of this country, back on the streets. Increasingly, we see anti-law enforcement policies releasing dangerous criminals.
Just last week, the United States Customs and Enforcement Agency (ICE) released figures confirming that more than 400 criminals from a single county in California re-offended over the last two years after being released because of California’s sanctuary city policies. The offenses the offenders were charged with after being released included rape, assault with a deadly weapon, child sex offenses, domestic violence, and driving while intoxicated.
https://www.ice.gov/news/releases/unimaginable-more-1500-aliens-ice-detainers-released-orange-county-jail-2019-many-re
In the Eastern District of Texas all of our county and local governments have cooperated with their federal partners in enforcing all of the laws that protect Americans. We have no sanctuary cities in the Eastern District of Texas. We thank the policy makers and law enforcement leaders in the 43 counties that make up our district. We also thank the policy makers of the State of Texas who have clearly indicated their support for immigration enforcement.”
Statement by U.S. Attorney Halsey B. Frank Regarding Sanctuary JurisdictionsRead the Press Release
In his speech today regarding so-called sanctuary jurisdictions, Attorney General Barr highlighted the dangers that sanctuary policies pose to public safety. Jurisdictions with these policies prevent or limit their law enforcement officials from working with their federal law enforcement partners. One way they do so is to refuse to honor detainers—formal requests to maintain custody of an alien for a limited period—issued by federal immigration officials for a removable alien in state or local custody following a criminal arrest. Another way is to prohibit state or local agencies from sharing information or otherwise cooperating with immigration officials.
Illegal aliens who commit crimes in this country and end up in state or local custody should not be able to avoid removal or other immigration consequences. Releasing criminal aliens in the face of immigration detainers imperils the public. Illegal alien criminals who have been released after law enforcement agencies have failed to honor detainers have gone on to commit additional crimes, including violent felonies. When state and local jurisdictions release criminal illegal aliens, immigration officials must locate and arrest them in the community rather than in the secure and controlled environment of a jail or prison.
Sanctuary policies prevent the collaboration and information-sharing among state, local, tribal and federal law enforcement officials that is critical to maintaining public safety. These misguided policies undermine the rule of law and endanger everyone.
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Son of Indicted Former City of Memphis Employee Pleads Guilty to Mail Fraud and ConspiracyRead the Press Release
Memphis, TN –Karl "Shun" Blackmon, 46, has pleaded guilty to mail fraud and conspiracy. U.S. Attorney D. Michael Dunavant announced the guilty plea today.
According to the Superseding Indictment and information presented in court, from April 2013 until November 2014, Karl "Shun" Blackmon defrauded the City of Memphis's ("City") Division of Housing and Community Development ("HCD") maintenance program. The purpose of that program is to maintain vacant City-owned lots and properties.
During that time, Karl Blackmon's father, Leon Blackmon, Sr., worked for the City and was in charge of that program. Karl Blackmon recruited at least 13 family, friends, associates, and employees to establish lawn care companies in order to participate in the HCD maintenance program. Karl Blackmon and Leon Blackmon Sr. instructed those recruits to apply for business licenses, obtain federal EIN numbers, open post office boxes and business bank accounts, and apply to become City vendors. Karl Blackmon distributed lists of properties to his recruits, and caused invoices to be submitted for those recruits to Leon Blackmon, Sr. under the City's HCD maintenance program.
At least half of the properties shown on the invoices were fraudulently billed; meaning the work shown was not done. The fraudulent invoices resulted in City checks being generated and mailed to Karl Blackmon's recruits via the U.S. Postal Service. Karl Blackmon met the recruited vendors in Memphis, where he was paid a portion of those recruits' City checks.
As a result of this fraud scheme, the City paid approximately $84,665 under the HCD maintenance program to lawn care companies that Karl Blackmon recruited. Charges against Leon Blackmon, Sr. and eight other alleged co-conspirators are still pending.
Sentencing for Karl Blackmon is scheduled for May 22, 2020, before U.S. District Court Judge Sheryl H. Lipman, where he faces a maximum sentence of 20 years in federal prison followed by 3 years supervised release.
U.S. Attorney D. Michael Dunavant said, "This long-term fraudulent scheme had significant financial consequences to the public interests of the City of Memphis, and created unfair business advantages for vendors in the HCD Maintenance Program. This office is committed to the protection of the integrity of public services, and schemes to defraud programs or compromise public office will not be tolerated. This case demonstrates our commitment to protect taxpayer resources from such disturbing crimes of dishonesty, and to eliminate fraud, waste, and abuse in government programs."
The U.S. Postal Inspection Service and the Federal Bureau of Investigation investigated this case.
Assistant U.S. Attorneys Damon Griffin and Murre Foster are prosecuting this case on behalf of the government.
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Sells Man Sentenced to 33 Months for Assault with a Dangerous WeaponRead the Press Release
TUCSON, Ariz. – On February 3, 2020, Orlando Lester Aguilla, of Sells, Ariz., was sentenced by Senior U.S. District Judge Raner Collins to 33 months’ imprisonment to be followed by three years’ supervised release. Aguilla had previously pleaded guilty to Assault with a Dangerous Weapon.
On March 14, 2017, the victim attempted to break up a domestic fight in which Aguilla was involved. Aguilla, who was intoxicated, picked up a large shovel and struck the victim on the back of the head, causing a four-inch laceration. Aguilla and the victim are both enrolled members of the Tohono O’odham Nation.
The investigation in this case was conducted by the Federal Bureau of Investigation, and the Tohono O’odham Police Department. The prosecution was handled by Assistant U.S. Attorney Micah Schmit, District of Arizona, Tucson.
SchoolSafety.Gov Launches to Help Educators, Administrators, Parents, and Law Enforcement Prepare for ThreatsRead the Press Release
The Trump Administration today launched the federal school safety clearinghouse website: SchoolSafety.gov. This website is a one-stop-shop of resources for Kindergarten through Grade 12 (K-12) administrators, educators, parents and law enforcement to use to prepare for and address various threats related to safety, security, and support in schools. President Trump established the Federal Commission on School Safety to review safety practices and make meaningful and actionable recommendations of best practices to keep students safe.
“The Department of Justice has no higher priority than making sure our schools are safe and secure for our nation’s students, teachers and administrators,” said Attorney General William P. Barr. “I am grateful for President Trump’s leadership in this cause and am honored to stand with the rest of the leadership of his administration as we continue our efforts to promote school safety through SchoolSafety.gov. The Department of Justice is deeply grateful for the sacrifice and commitment of our nation’s school resource officers and police officers who are on the front lines of keeping our schools and country safe every day.”
“School safety is the number one priority of parents across the country, which is why the President directed DHS and other federal agencies to form a task force and provide schools, teachers, parents, and law enforcement with resources to identify, prepare for, respond to, and mitigate threats,” said Chad Wolf, Acting Secretary of the Department of Homeland Security. “The Department provided expertise and resources on a range of school safety issues including threat assessments, physical security, emergency planning, and trainings and exercises designed to help schools and local law enforcement prepare for incidents. With these resources, schools and law enforcement will be better equipped to handle a crisis.”
“All students deserve a safe learning environment, and the Federal School Safety Clearinghouse is an essential resource for information and best practices,” said U.S. Secretary of Education Betsy DeVos, Chair of the Federal Commission on School Safety. “Because every school community has its own unique needs, SchoolSafety.gov equips decision makers with resources for developing, customizing, and implementing actionable school safety plans.”
“Every child should feel safe at school, and every parent should feel their child is safe each day, too,” said Health and Human Services (HHS) Secretary Alex Azar. “SchoolSafety.gov will help equip schools with the tools they need to create safe, healthy environments, including resources for how to provide mental health services in schools. This new one-stop shop complements the evidence-based technical assistance HHS provides to local communities around mental health treatment, and we hope to see more and more schools explore these opportunities.”
SchoolSafety.gov is a resource for the American public, primarily K-12 school administrators, to access free information, guidance, best practices, and tools that make school safety initiatives more actionable in schools. Today’s launch represents the first phase of SchoolSafety.gov and we look forward to continually expanding and refining resource materials in coordination with our partners and stakeholders.
The Federal School Safety Clearinghouse and SchoolSafety.gov were developed to fulfill one of the key recommendations from the Federal Commission on School Safety.
SchoolSafety.gov includes:
- The School Safety Readiness Tool, an assessment that assists users in evaluating their respective school’s safety posture across ten foundational elements of school safety. After completing the assessment, users are provided an action plan with task prioritization, options for consideration, aligned resources, and grant opportunities specific to individual needs;
- A Secure Information Sharing Platform for designated school personnel to share school safety ideas, practices, plans, and tactics in a protected environment; and
- A wide array of resources and best practices on key school safety topics to assist with building awareness within the school community to promote vigilance and build capacity to respond to incidents.
SchoolSafety.gov empowers districts and schools to improve safety and security. Following the school shooting in Parkland, Florida in March 2018, President Trump established the Federal Commission on School Safety by Executive Order to make meaningful advancements in keeping students safe. The Trump Administration and DHS also released the 2019 strategy for targeted violence that defines ways that the Department will enhance security with increased preparedness, promoting community readiness, and enhancing defensive measures. The Department will continue to develop new techniques in protective practices.
San Jose Man Sentenced to 102 Months for Conspiracy to Distribute Drugs and Other CrimesRead the Press Release
SAN FRANCISCO – Efrain Torres was sentenced to 102 months in prison for his role in an extensive Bay Area drug trafficking network, announced United States Attorney David L. Anderson and Drug Enforcement Administration Special Agent in Charge Daniel C. Comeaux. The sentence was handed down by the Honorable William H. Orrick, III, U.S. District Judge.
Torres, 49, of San Jose, Calif., pleaded guilty on November 21, 2019. According to the plea agreement, Torres admitted that from January 2017 to April 2017, he conspired with others to distribute heroin, cocaine, and methamphetamine throughout the Bay Area. Torres admitted that on April 13, 2017, he was directed to deliver four kilograms of methamphetamine to a co-conspirator. Torres admitted that he loaded the methamphetamine into his car and started driving north from San Jose to San Francisco. Torres saw police lights behind him, sped away in an attempt to escape the police, and crashed on the highway. Torres admitted that he fled, but left the drugs behind at the scene of the crash, where they were recovered by the police.
Torres further admitted that he is a citizen of Mexico, who was deported from the United States to Mexico in January 2011 and again in September 2016. Following his second removal to Mexico, Torres admitted that he re-entered the United States without permission. Torres also admitted to possession of a 9mm handgun while he was in the United States illegally.
A federal grand jury originally indicted Torres on May 4, 2017. On November 19, 2019, the government filed a superseding information, charging Torres with one count of conspiracy to distribute and possess with intent to distribute 50 grams and more of methamphetamine, in violation of 21 U.S.C. §§ 846, 841(a)(1) and (b)(1)(B)(viii); one count of being found in the United States following removal, in violation of 8 U.S.C. § 1326(a) and (b)(1); and one count of alien in possession of a firearm and ammunition, in violation of 18 U.S.C. § 922(g)(5)(A). After waiving his right to prosecution by indictment, Torres consented to prosecution by information and then pleaded guilty on all counts.
In addition to the prison term, Judge Orrick sentenced Torres to a four-year period of supervised release.
Thirteen other defendants have pleaded guilty and received significant sentences in this case:
Name Charges Sentence Xavier Eriberto Sanchez Hernandez, a/k/a Xavi Possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine, 21 U.S.C. §§ 841(a)(1) and (b)(1)(B)(iii) Sentenced to 60 months in prison Henry Javier Lopez Alverto, a/k/a Waza Conspiracy to distribute and possess with intent to distribute methamphetamine, cocaine, and heroin, 21 U.S.C. §§ 846, 841(a)(1) and (b)(1)(A) Sentenced to 36 months in prison Jesus Chavez Espinoza Conspiracy to distribute and possess with intent to distribute methamphetamine, cocaine, and heroin, 21 U.S.C. §§ 846, 841(a)(1) and (b)(1)(A) Sentenced to 120 months in prison Felix Lopez-Galindo, a/k/a FantaPossession with intent to distribute cocaine, 21 U.S.C. §§ 841(a)(1) and (b)(1)(B)(iii)(II)
Conspiracy to distribute and possess with intent to distribute methamphetamine, cocaine, and heroin, 21 U.S.C. §§ 846, 841(a)(1) and (b)(1)(A)
Sentenced to 120 months in prison Pedro Lopez-Galindo, a/k/a ZorroPossession with intent to distribute cocaine, 21 U.S.C. §§ 841(a)(1) and (b)(1)(B)(iii)(II)
Conspiracy to distribute and possess with intent to distribute methamphetamine, cocaine, and heroin, 21 U.S.C. §§ 846, 841(a)(1) and (b)(1)(A)
Sentenced to 120 months in prison Ismael Rodriguez Loreto Conspiracy to distribute and possess with intent to distribute methamphetamine, cocaine, and heroin, 21 U.S.C. §§ 846, 841(a)(1) and (b)(1)(A) Sentenced to 42 months in prison Rafael Romero-Rodriguez Possession with intent to distribute cocaine, 21 U.S.C. §§ 841(a)(1) and (b)(1)(B)(iii)(II) Sentenced to 60 months in prison Juan Jose Flores, Jr., a/k/a Popeye Possession with intent to distribute cocaine, 21 U.S.C. §§ 841(a)(1) and (b)(1)(B)(iii)(II) Sentenced to 48 months in prison Jairo Puerto, a/k/a Luis Antonio Rodriguez ColonConspiracy to distribute and possess with intent to distribute methamphetamine, cocaine, and heroin, 21 U.S.C. §§ 846, 841(a)(1) and (b)(1)(A)
Sentenced to 41 months in prison Yader Rubi Morales, a/k/a SpeedyPossession with intent to distribute methamphetamine, 21 U.S.C. §§ 846, 841(a)(1) and (b)(1)(C)
Felon in possession of a firearm and ammunition, 18 U.S.C. § 922(g)(1)(A)
Sentenced to 65 months in prison Julio Covarrubias, a/k/a GalloConspiracy to distribute and possess with intent to distribute methamphetamine, cocaine, and heroin, 21 U.S.C. §§ 846, 841(a)(1) and (b)(1)(A)
Possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine, 21 U.S.C. § 841(a)(1) and (b)(1)(B)(viii) Sentenced to 135 months in prison Robert Zander Seaton Possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine, 21 U.S.C. §§ 841(a)(1) and (b)(1)(B)(viii)Sentenced to 60 months in prison to be served concurrently with a 120 month sentence in another case
Larry Amador Illegal use of communication facility, 21 U.S.C. § 843(b) Sentenced to 41 months in prisonAssistant U.S. Attorneys Sheila A.G. Armbrust and Sloan Heffron are prosecuting the case with the assistance of Linda Love and Andy Ding. The prosecution is the result of an investigation by the Drug Enforcement Administration, with assistance from the San Francisco Police Department, the Daly City Police Department, the Long Beach Police Department, the Milpitas Police Department, the South San Francisco Police Department, the San Jose Police Department, and the California Highway Patrol, as well as the United States Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of Texas, the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives (Laredo, Texas Field Office), and the Laredo Texas Police Department. This case is the product of an extensive investigation by the Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Force, a focused multi-agency, multi-jurisdictional task force investigating and prosecuting the most significant drug trafficking organizations throughout the United States by leveraging the combined expertise of federal, state, and local law enforcement agencies.
Revere Man Pleads Guilty to Distributing FentanylRead the Press Release
BOSTON – A Revere man pleaded guilty today in federal court in Boston to distributing 40 grams or more of fentanyl.
Jassiel Ramirez, 25, pleaded guilty to one count of distribution of and possession with intent to distribute fentanyl, one count of possession with intent to distribute fentanyl, and one count of possession with intent to distribute and distribution of 40 grams or more of fentanyl. U.S. Senior District Court Judge Douglas P. Woodlock scheduled sentencing for June 15, 2020. Ramirez was arrested in October 2018 and charged by criminal complaint; he was subsequently indicted by a federal grand jury on Dec. 19, 2018.
According to court records, between September and October 2018, Ramirez engaged in four separate drug sales of fentanyl to a witness cooperating with the government. Those sales totaled approximately 140 grams of fentanyl.
The charge of distribution of 40 grams or more of fentanyl carries a minimum mandatory sentence of five years and up to 40 years in prison, at least four years of supervised release, and a fine of up to $5 million. Sentences are imposed by a federal district court judge based upon the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors.
United States Attorney Andrew Lelling and Brian D. Boyle, Special Agent in Charge of the Drug Enforcement Administration, New England Division, made the announcement. Assistance was provided by the Salem Police Department. Assistant U.S. Attorney Alathea E. Porter of Lelling’s Narcotics and Money Laundering Unit is prosecuting the case.
Reconsidering the Green Light That Stops Law EnforcementRead the Press Release
By: James P. Kennedy, Jr., U.S. Attorney for the Western District of New York
Geoffrey S. Berman, U.S. Attorney for the Southern District of New York
Richard P. Donoghue, U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of New York
Grant C. Jaquith, U.S. Attorney for the Northern District of New York
While the New York State Green Light Law provides undocumented aliens the opportunity to obtain New York State Driver Licenses, a less heralded – though perhaps more impactful – provision of the statute prevents the New York State Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) from sharing information with any agency that enforces immigration law. Unfortunately, this provision has a much broader adverse effect on law enforcement and public safety.
The United States Department of Homeland Security (DHS) is responsible for protecting us from terrorism, securing our borders while facilitating lawful travel and trade, and combating a host of crimes that threaten our safety and security. The Green Light Law impedes Homeland Security’s ability to conduct active criminal investigations involving citizens and non-citizens who are lawfully present in the United States, not just those who are undocumented. On a daily basis, Homeland Security agents and officers – including sworn law enforcement officers who work for Homeland Security Investigations (HSI), Customs and Border Protection, the U.S. Border Patrol and Enforcement and Removal
Operations (ERO) – use Department of Motor Vehicles information to assist them in stopping transnational criminal organizations, cybercrime, and offenses involving drug trafficking and money laundering; murder, sexual assault and other crimes of violence; racketeering and extortion; the illegal use and possession of firearms; economic espionage, telemarketing fraud and elder fraud; human trafficking; and child exploitation, as well as illegal immigration.
Like other federal, state, local, and tribal law enforcement officers, DHS agents seek New York State DMV information for a variety of purposes, including: (1) to obtain identification, address and vehicle registration information for individuals committing crimes; (2) to identify and apprehend dangerous defendants and fugitives wanted by state or federal authorities; (3) to conduct surveillance of individuals suspected or known to be engaged in the commission of crimes; (4) to establish the probable cause necessary to secure search and arrest warrants; (5) to identify crime victims and potential crime victims; (6) to identify the proceeds of crime to increase the amount of restitution recoverable for crime victims; (7) to make informed determinations regarding whether, when, where, and how to stop a vehicle, to minimize the risk to occupants, officers and others; and (8) to assist in determining whether to grant individuals presenting themselves at ports of entry admission into the United States.
The disturbing truth is that under the newly enacted statute, the Customs and Border Protection Officers working today at New York’s 13 ports of entry – which include both the busiest port on the entire northern border of the United States (the longest land border in the world), and the busiest international air passenger gateway into North America – are unable even to check the registration or the driver’s license status of individuals presenting themselves for admission into our country. Border Patrol Agents, who secure the border between the ports of entry, likewise can no longer check vehicle or driver’s license information. Forcing officers who serve as our nation’s frontline defense against dangerous criminals entering the country to make these important determinations in the dark dramatically diminishes the safety of all. Ensuring that HSI Agents and ERO officers must blindly interact with people who may be terrorists or other violent criminals, drug dealers, human traffickers, or child predators likewise poses a grave risk to the safety of the officer, the person and the public. In most instances, there simply is no time to pause the situation to obtain a court order or judicial warrant.
Prohibiting basic information sharing between New York State and federal law enforcement agencies means that more criminals will enter and roam freely in our state and nation; undermines the cooperative relationships between federal, state, local and tribal law enforcement; thwarts and curtails investigations into serious crimes; and jeopardizes the safety of all of the inhabitants of our great country. Our citizens, lawful permanent and temporary residents, visitors and undocumented immigrants deserve better, and so do those who serve and protect them. Restoring collaboration and information sharing furthers our effort to secure justice for all, preserve public safety, protect individual rights, and promote due process, bringing us ever closer to a sanctuary built on the rule of law and fairness for everyone.
Reconsidering the Green Light That Stops Law EnforcementRead the Press Release
CONTACT: Barbara Burns
PHONE: (716) 843-5817
FAX #: (716) 551-3051By: James P. Kennedy, Jr., U.S. Attorney for the Western District of New York
Geoffrey S. Berman, U.S. Attorney for the Southern District of New York, Richard P. Donoghue, U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of New York, Grant C. Jaquith, U.S. Attorney for the Northern District of New York, andWhile the New York State Green Light Law provides undocumented aliens the opportunity to obtain New York State Driver Licenses, a less heralded – though perhaps more impactful – provision of the statute prevents the New York State Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) from sharing information with any agency that enforces immigration law. Unfortunately, this provision has a much broader adverse effect on law enforcement and public safety.
The United States Department of Homeland Security (DHS) is responsible for protecting us from terrorism, securing our borders while facilitating lawful travel and trade, and combating a host of crimes that threaten our safety and security. The Green Light Law impedes Homeland Security’s ability to conduct active criminal investigations involving citizens and non-citizens who are lawfully present in the United States, not just those who are undocumented. On a daily basis, Homeland Security agents and officers – including sworn law enforcement officers who work for Homeland Security Investigations (HSI), Customs and Border Protection, the U.S. Border Patrol, and Enforcement and Removal Operations (ERO) – use Department of Motor Vehicles information to assist them in stopping transnational criminal organizations, cybercrime, and offenses involving drug trafficking and money laundering; murder, sexual assault, and other crimes of violence; racketeering and extortion; the illegal use and possession of firearms; economic espionage, telemarketing fraud, and elder fraud; human trafficking; and child exploitation, as well as illegal immigration.
Like other federal, state, local, and tribal law enforcement officers, DHS agents seek New York State DMV information for a variety of purposes, including: (1) to obtain identification, address, and vehicle registration information for individuals committing crimes; (2) to identify and apprehend dangerous defendants and fugitives wanted by state or federal authorities; (3) to conduct surveillance of individuals suspected or known to be engaged in the commission of crimes; (4) to establish the probable cause necessary to secure search and arrest warrants; (5) to identify crime victims and potential crime victims; (6) to identify the proceeds of crime to increase the amount of restitution recoverable for crime victims; (7) to make informed determinations regarding whether, when, where, and how to stop a vehicle, to minimize the risk to occupants, officers, and others; and (8) to assist in determining whether to grant individuals presenting themselves at ports of entry admission into the United States.
The disturbing truth is that under the newly enacted statute, the Customs and Border Protection Officers working today at New York’s 13 ports of entry – which include both the busiest port on the entire northern border of the United States (the longest land border in the world), and the busiest international air passenger gateway into North America – are unable even to check the registration or the driver’s license status of individuals presenting themselves for admission into our country. Border Patrol Agents, who secure the border between the ports of entry, likewise can no longer check vehicle or driver’s license information. Forcing officers who serve as our nation’s frontline defense against dangerous criminals entering the country to make these important determinations in the dark dramatically diminishes the safety of all. Ensuring that HSI Agents and ERO officers must blindly interact with people who may be terrorists or other violent criminals, drug dealers, human traffickers, or child predators likewise poses a grave risk to the safety of the officer, the person, and the public. In most instances, there simply is no time to pause the situation to obtain a court order or judicial warrant.Prohibiting basic information sharing between New York State and federal law enforcement agencies means that more criminals will enter and roam freely in our state and nation; undermines the cooperative relationships between federal, state, local, and tribal law enforcement; thwarts and curtails investigations into serious crimes; and jeopardizes the safety of all of the inhabitants of our great country. Our citizens, lawful permanent and temporary residents, visitors, and undocumented immigrants deserve better, and so do those who serve and protect them. Restoring collaboration and information sharing furthers our effort to secure justice for all, preserve public safety, protect individual rights, and promote due process, bringing us ever closer to a sanctuary built on the rule of law and fairness for everyone.
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Previously Convicted Felon Pleads Guilty to Firearm and Drug ChargesRead the Press Release
RICHMOND, Va. – A Richmond man pleaded guilty today to possessing a firearm as a convicted felon and possessing crack cocaine with the intent to distribute.
According to court documents, Derrick Leon Williams, Jr., 22, was arrested by Richmond Police after attempting to flee from a traffic stop in August 2019. As officers secured Williams, they found two loaded semi-automatic handguns stashed in a fanny pack strapped across his chest. One of those firearms had been reported stolen from Hanover County. When officers took Williams to jail for processing, they discovered two large baggies of a white rock-like substance in Williams’ pants. Subsequent testing confirmed the substance to be 26.9 grams of crack cocaine.
Williams pleaded guilty to being a felon in possession of a firearm and possession with the intent to distribute cocaine base and faces a maximum penalty of 20 years in prison when sentenced on May 8. Actual sentences for federal crimes are typically less than the maximum penalties. A federal district court judge will determine any sentence after taking into account the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors.
This case is part of Project Guardian, the Department of Justice’s signature initiative to reduce gun violence and enforce federal firearms laws. Initiated by the Attorney General in the fall of 2019, Project Guardian draws upon the Department’s past successful programs to reduce gun violence; enhances coordination of federal, state, local, and tribal authorities in investigating and prosecuting gun crimes; improves information-sharing by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives when a prohibited individual attempts to purchase a firearm and is denied by the National Instant Criminal Background Check System (NICS), to include taking appropriate actions when a prospective purchaser is denied by the NICS for mental health reasons; and ensures that federal resources are directed at the criminals posing the greatest threat to our communities. Click here for more information about Project Guardian.
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; and William C. Smith, Chief of Richmond Police, made the announcement after U.S. District Judge M. Hannah Lauck accepted the plea. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Kevin Elliker and Angela Mastandrea-Miller are prosecuting the case.
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 No. 3:19-cr-171.
Orange County Felon Guilty of Federal Firearms ViolationRead the Press Release
BEAUMONT, Texas – A 30-year-old Vidor, Texas man has pleaded guilty to federal violations in the Eastern District of Texas announced U.S. Attorney Joseph D. Brown.
Taylor Graham Cozart pleaded guilty to being a felon in possession of a firearm today before U.S. Magistrate Judge Keith F. Giblin.
According to information presented in court, on July 30, 2019, law enforcement officers responded to a motorcycle accident on Interstate Highway 10 in Orange County, Texas. The defendant was the driver of the motorcycle, which was later determined to be stolen. Cozart was transported to a nearby hospital and the accident scene was cleared, during which time officers located a backpack affixed to the motorcycle. The backpack contained a pistol, ammunition, $3,000 cash, methamphetamine, Xanax and Hydrocodone pills. Further investigation revealed Cozart was a convicted felon having three prior felony drug convictions. As a convicted felon, Cozart is prohibited from owning or possessing firearms or ammunition.
This case is being prosecuted as part of the Project Safe Neighborhoods Initiative. Project Safe Neighborhoods is aimed at reducing gun and gang violence, deterring illegal possession of guns, ammunition and body armor, and improving the safety of residents in the Eastern District of Texas. Participants in the initiative include community members and organizations as well as federal, state and local law enforcement agencies.
Under federal statutes, Cozart faces up to 10 years in federal prison at sentencing. The statutory sentence prescribed by Congress is provided here for information purposes, as the sentencing will be determined by the court based on the advisory sentencing guidelines and other statutory factors. A sentencing hearing will be scheduled after the completion of a presentence investigation by the U.S. Probation Office.
This case was investigated by the Texas Department of Public Safety and the Federal Bureau of Investigation and prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Michelle S. Englade.
Opelousas Man Pleads Guilty to Burning Three Baptist Churches in St. Landry ParishRead the Press Release
LAFAYETTE, La. – United States Attorney David C. Joseph announced today that Holden Matthews, 22, pleaded guilty in U.S. District Court in Lafayette to intentionally setting fire to three Baptist churches because of the religious character of those buildings. Specifically, Matthews pleaded guilty to three counts of violating the Church Arson Prevention Act—one count for each church—as well as one count of using fire to commit a federal felony. The fires, which Matthews set over a ten-day period in March and April of 2019, completely destroyed each of the church buildings. United States District Court Judge Robert R. Summerhays presided over the hearing.
At the plea hearing, Matthews admitted that, between March 26 and April 4, 2019, he intentionally set fire to three Baptist churches with predominantly African-American congregations in the Opelousas, Louisiana area. First, on March 26, 2019, Matthews set fire to St. Mary Baptist Church in Port Barre, Louisiana. Next, on April 2, 2019, Matthews set fire to the Greater Union Baptist Church, in Opelousas, Louisiana. Then, on April 4, 2019, Matthews set fire to the Mount Pleasant Baptist Church in Opelousas, Louisiana. The fires Matthews set destroyed each of the church buildings. Matthews admitted to setting the fires because of the religious character of these buildings, in an effort to raise his profile as a “Black Metal” musician by copying similar crimes committed in Norway in the 1990s. Matthews further admitted that, after setting the third fire, he posted photographs and videos on Facebook that showed the first two churches burning. Matthews admitted that he had taken these photographs and videos in real time on his cell phone, as he watched those churches burn, and that he had posted them to Facebook in an effort to promote himself in the Black Metal community.
“Today, the defendant has taken responsibility for the burning and destruction of three of our churches,” said U.S. Attorney David C. Joseph. “The freedom to safely congregate and worship in our churches is a fundamental right of all Americans and will be vigorously protected by my office and our law enforcement partners. I want to thank the ATF, FBI, St. Landry Parish Sheriff’s Office, St. Landry Parish Fire Department, Louisiana State Fire Marshal, Louisiana Attorney General’s Cybercrime Unit, Louisiana State Police, and the Florida State Fire Marshal for their hard work and seamless collaboration on this case.”
“The Department of Justice will remain unwavering in its protection of the freedom to practice religion without the threat of discrimination or violence,” said Assistant Attorney General Eric Dreiband of the Civil Rights Division. “Matthews admitted to setting fire to three churches because of their religious character. His disgraceful conduct violated the civil rights of the church’s parishioners and harmed their communities.”
“Protecting our communities is a vital part of our mission,” said ATF Special Agent in Charge Kurt Thielhorn. “ATF will continue to provide expertise and resources to investigate arson at houses of worship which threaten the well-being of our communities. I would like to thank all of our law enforcement partners for working tirelessly to ensure justice will be served.”
“Holden Matthews made a conscious decision to randomly target and destroy churches within his own community,” said FBI Special Agent in Charge Bryan Vorndran. “His atrocious actions inflicted severe pain and grief upon these congregations, as well as all of St. Landry Parish. Throughout this investigation, the men and women of the FBI, ATF, Louisiana State Fire Marshal’s Office, St. Landry Parish Sheriff’s Office, St. Landry Parish District Attorney’s Office, Louisiana State Police, Louisiana Attorney General Jeff Landry’s Cybercrime Unit, and the Florida State Fire Marshal’s Office worked tirelessly to bring Holden Matthews to justice.”
Matthews will be sentenced on May 22, 2020. He faces a mandatory minimum sentence of 10 years in prison, and a statutory maximum sentence of 70 years in prison.
This case was investigated by the ATF’s National Response Team, the Lafayette Satellite Office of the ATF’s New Orleans Field Division, the Lafayette Resident Agency of the FBI’s New Orleans Field Office, the Louisiana Office of State Fire Marshal, the Louisiana State Police, the Louisiana Bureau of Investigation’s Cyber Crimes Unit, the St. Landry Parish Fire Department, and the St. Landry Parish Sheriff’s Office.
The case is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney John Luke Walker, of the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Western District of Louisiana, and Trial Attorney Risa Berkower of the Justice Department’s Civil Rights Division.
For more information about the Department of Justice’s work to combat and prevent hate crimes, visit www.justice.gov/hatecrimes: a one-stop portal with links to Department of Justice hate crimes resources for law enforcement, media, researchers, victims, advocacy groups, and other organizations and individuals.
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The year 2020 marks the 150th anniversary of the Department of Justice. Learn more about the history of our agency at www.Justice.gov/Celebrating150Years.
Oneida County Man Sentenced to 132 Months for Distribution and Possession of Child PornographyRead the Press Release
SYRACUSE, NEW YORK – John Angwin, age 30, of Holland Patent, New York, was sentenced today to 132 months in prison for distributing and possessing child pornography. The announcement was made by United States Attorney Grant C. Jaquith; Kevin Kelly, Special Agent in Charge of the Buffalo Field Office of Homeland Security Investigations (HSI); and New York State Police Superintendent Keith Corlett.
As part of his guilty plea, Angwin admitted that he used the Kik Messenger application to distribute child pornography to other Kik users. Agwin also used his iPhone to possess images and videos of child pornography he received via the internet. On Angwin’s iPhones he possessed over 1,500 images and over 150 video files depicting minors engaged in sexually explicit conduct. The images and videos included depictions of the rape and sodomy of prepubescent children and toddlers.
Chief United States District Judge Glenn T. Suddaby also imposed a 25-year term of supervised release, which will start after Angwin is released from prison, and ordered payment of $12,000 in restitution. As a result of his conviction, Angwin will be required to register as a sex offender upon his release from prison.
Angwin’s case was investigated by HSI Syracuse with assistance from the State Police Computer Crimes Unit, and the Oneida County Sheriff’s Office. The case was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Geoffrey J. L. Brown.
Launched in May 2006 by the Department of Justice, Project Safe Childhood is 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 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 https://www.justice.gov/psc.
Oklahoma City Bank Robber Sentenced to Serve 151 Months in Federal PrisonRead the Press Release
OKLAHOMA CITY – Michael William Allen, 40, of Midwest City, has been sentenced to 151 months in prison for bank robbery, announced U.S. Attorney Timothy J. Downing.
On July 3, 2018, a federal grand jury charged Allen with robbing a Bank of Oklahoma branch located at 2601 N. Meridian in Oklahoma City on May 2, 2018. On that day, Allen entered the branch and handed the bank teller a note which stated, "Give me everything in both drawers, No dye money or devices or I will shoot, Don’t push button until after I leave, Now."
At the time he robbed the bank, Allen was on federal supervised release after serving the term of imprisonment for his previous federal conviction for bank robbery of the same Bank of Oklahoma branch located at 2601 N. Meridian in 2011. Based on his new crime, the government filed a petition to revoke Allen’s term of supervised release.
On November 4, 2019, Allen entered a plea of guilty to robbing the Bank of Oklahoma branch.
This afternoon, Senior U.S. District Judge Joe Heaton sentenced Allen to serve 151 months in prison for the bank robbery and 24 months for the revocation, both to run concurrently. After his prison term, Allen will serve three years on supervised release. Judge Heaton also ordered Allen to pay $500 in restitution to the Bank of Oklahoma.
This case is the result of an investigation by the Federal Bureau of Investigation. Assistant U.S. Attorney Jessica L. Cárdenas prosecuted the case.
O.C. Lawyer Arrested on Federal Grand Jury Indictment Alleging Illegal Firearms Sales and Methamphetamine DistributionRead the Press Release
LOS ANGELES – An Orange County lawyer was arrested today on a federal grand jury indictment charging her with conspiring to sell firearms without a license and distributing methamphetamine.
Melinda Romines, 41, of Anaheim, was taken into federal custody this morning. She is expected to make her initial court appearance this afternoon in United States District Court in Los Angeles.
Romines has been charged with one count of conspiracy to engage in the business of dealing in firearms without a license, one count of possession of an unregistered firearm, and two counts of distributing methamphetamine.
According to the indictment returned last week, Romines – who does not have federal firearms license issued by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) – found firearms available for purchase from black market firearms dealers. She then acted as a broker between the black market dealers and customers, ultimately buying the firearms from the dealers and then re-selling them to customers, the indictment alleges.
For example, in a Los Angeles parking lot in May 2018, Romines allegedly sold two firearms – a .40-caliber pistol and an AR-type .45-caliber rifle, both lacking serial numbers – as well as a silencer and a high-capacity magazine with approximately 20 rounds of ammunition in a transaction that netted her $2,600. In October 2018, in another Los Angeles parking lot, she sold a .45-caliber pistol and ammunition to a buyer for $900, the indictment alleges.
Romines also allegedly sold nearly a quarter-pound of methamphetamine in two transactions in October and November 2018.
A second defendant named in the indictment – Seaira Benson, a.k.a. “Relli,” 27, of Los Angeles – is been charged along with Romines with one count of distributing approximately 111 grams of methamphetamine. Authorities are currently seeking Benson.
The methamphetamine distribution charge charge carries a mandatory minimum sentence of 10 years in federal prison and a statutory maximum sentence of life imprisonment. If convicted of the firearms-related counts, Romines would face a statutory maximum sentence of 15 years in federal prison on those charges.
An indictment contains allegations that a defendant has committed a crime. Every defendant is presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt.
The ATF investigated this case, which was conducted with the support of the Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Force (OCDETF).
This matter is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorneys Brittney M. Harris of the International Narcotics, Money Laundering, and Racketeering Section and Rachel N. Agress of the General Crimes Section.
New York's U.S. Attorneys: Reconsidering the Green Light that Stops Law EnforcementRead the Press Release
By: Grant C. Jaquith, U.S. Attorney for the Northern District of New York
Geoffrey S. Berman, U.S. Attorney for the Southern District of New York
Richard P. Donoghue, U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of New York
James P. Kennedy, Jr., U.S. Attorney for the Western District of New York
While the New York State Green Light Law provides undocumented aliens the opportunity to obtain New York State Driver Licenses, a less heralded – though perhaps more impactful – provision of the statute prevents the New York State Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) from sharing information with any agency that enforces immigration law. Unfortunately, this provision has a much broader adverse effect on law enforcement and public safety.
The United States Department of Homeland Security (DHS) is responsible for protecting us from terrorism, securing our borders while facilitating lawful travel and trade, and combating a host of crimes that threaten our safety and security. The Green Light Law impedes Homeland Security’s ability to conduct active criminal investigations involving citizens and non-citizens who are lawfully present in the United States, not just those who are undocumented. On a daily basis, Homeland Security agents and officers – including sworn law enforcement officers who work for Homeland Security Investigations (HSI), Customs and Border Protection, the U.S. Border Patrol, and Enforcement and Removal Operations (ERO) – use Department of Motor Vehicles information to assist them in stopping transnational criminal organizations, cybercrime, and offenses involving drug trafficking and money laundering; murder, sexual assault, and other crimes of violence; racketeering and extortion; the illegal use and possession of firearms; economic espionage, telemarketing fraud, and elder fraud; human trafficking; and child exploitation, as well as illegal immigration.
Like other federal, state, local, and tribal law enforcement officers, DHS agents seek New York State DMV information for a variety of purposes, including: (1) to obtain identification, address, and vehicle registration information for individuals committing crimes; (2) to identify and apprehend dangerous defendants and fugitives wanted by state or federal authorities; (3) to conduct surveillance of individuals suspected or known to be engaged in the commission of crimes; (4) to establish the probable cause necessary to secure search and arrest warrants; (5) to identify crime victims and potential crime victims; (6) to identify the proceeds of crime to increase the amount of restitution recoverable for crime victims; (7) to make informed determinations regarding whether, when, where, and how to stop a vehicle, to minimize the risk to occupants, officers, and others; and (8) to assist in determining whether to grant individuals presenting themselves at ports of entry admission into the United States.
The disturbing truth is that under the newly enacted statute, the Customs and Border Protection Officers working today at New York’s 13 ports of entry – which include both the busiest port on the entire northern border of the United States (the longest land border in the world), and the busiest international air passenger gateway into North America – are unable even to check the registration or the driver’s license status of individuals presenting themselves for admission into our country. Border Patrol Agents, who secure the border between the ports of entry, likewise can no longer check vehicle or driver’s license information. Forcing officers who serve as our nation’s frontline defense against dangerous criminals entering the country to make these important determinations in the dark dramatically diminishes the safety of all. Ensuring that HSI Agents and ERO officers must blindly interact with people who may be terrorists or other violent criminals, drug dealers, human traffickers, or child predators likewise poses a grave risk to the safety of the officer, the person, and the public. In most instances, there simply is no time to pause the situation to obtain a court order, judicial warrant, or subpoena.
Prohibiting basic information sharing between New York State and federal law enforcement agencies means that more criminals will enter and roam freely in our state and nation; undermines the cooperative relationships between federal, state, local, and tribal law enforcement; thwarts and curtails investigations into serious crimes; and jeopardizes the safety of all of the inhabitants of our great country. Our citizens, lawful permanent and temporary residents, visitors, and undocumented immigrants deserve better, and so do those who serve and protect them. Restoring collaboration and information sharing furthers our effort to secure justice for all, preserve public safety, protect individual rights, and promote due process, bringing us ever closer to a sanctuary built on the rule of law and fairness for everyone.
New Orleans Man Charged in 12-Count Indictment with Sex Trafficking, Fraud, and Stealing Identities as Part of Nationwide Prostitution SchemeRead the Press Release
NEW ORLEANS – U.S. Attorney Peter G. Strasser announced that RANDY JONAL SCHENCK (a/k/a RuRu, a/k/a “Shaq”), age 38, a resident of New Orleans, Louisiana, was charged on February 7, 2020 by a federal grand jury in a 12-count Indictment with interstate transportation and use of an interstate facility with intent to carry on unlawful activity, in violation of Title 18, United States Code, Sections 1952(a)(2), (a)(3) (Counts 1 through 6), wire fraud, in violation of Title 18, United States Code, Section 1343 (Counts 7 through 8), sex trafficking by force, fraud, and coercion, in violation of Title 18, United States Code, Section 1591 (Count 9), transportation of an individual to engage in prostitution, in violation of Title 18, United States Code, Section 2421 (Counts 10 through 11), and aggravated identity theft, in violation of Title 18, United States Code, Section 1028A (Count 12).
According to the Indictment, SCHENCK met Dominique Berry in New Orleans in about early 2013 and soon developed a romantic relationship. Thereafter, Berry began working for an escort agency under SCHECNK’s supervision, often engaging in prostitution activities. SCHENCK and Berry travelled nationally engaging in their prostitution scheme, including California, Louisiana, New Mexico, Texas, Arizona, Tennessee, and Georgia. SCHENCK and Berry posted advertisements containing photographs of Berry on multiple location-specific online classified ad service websites and social media applications that invited interested individuals to contact Berry to schedule sexual interactions, many of which were explicitly commercial. In the advertisements, Berry had multiple aliases, including “Desiree Knowles,” “Jasmine Collins,” and “Stephanie.”
As part of the scheme, SCHENCK caused Berry to arrange “out call” dates with customers at their residences. Once there, at SCHENCK’s direction, Berry spiked the beverages of customers, causing them to become incapacitated. Once unconscious, SCHENCK and Berry would steal the victims’ valuables. SCHENCK threatened, slapped, struck, beat, and choked Berry for the purpose of establishing dominion over her, controlling her behavior, and ensuring her compliance with his instructions. These aggressive acts usually occurred when SCHENCK believed Berry was not performing her role effectively, was not stealing enough, was not inclined to work, or tried to leave SCHENCK.
Between at least late 2013 and September 2017, SCHENCK and Berry implemented the scheme numerous times throughout the United States, including in California, Arizona, New Mexico, Texas, Louisiana, and Georgia. SCHENCK and Berry were arrested at a hotel in Sandy Springs, Georgia, on September 13, 2017. When law enforcement authorities found Berry at the hotel, she was bleeding from her nose, had a swollen lip and puncture consistent with her teeth biting through her lip, and black electrical tape around one of her arms.
According to the Indictment, on about February 24, 2017, Berry met S.A., a resident of Metairie, Louisiana, through a social media application. After exchanging text messages and phone calls, Berry and S.A. agreed to meet at S.A.’s apartment. Thereafter, SCHENCK dropped Berry off at S.A.’s apartment. While at S.A.’s apartment, Berry placed drugs designed to incapacitate S.A., including multiple anti-psychotic medications, into S.A.’s beverages without his knowledge or authorization. After S.A. lost consciousness, SCHENCK and Berry stole S.A.’s valuables. On February 25, 2017, SCHECNK and Berry used S.A.’s debit card to make multiple purchases in the New Orleans area. Additionally, on February 25, 2017, detectives with the Jefferson Parish Sheriff’s Office responded to a wellness check at S.A.’s residence and discovered his dead body. Toxicology tests found the presence of anti-psychotic medications in S.A.’s body and determined that they contributed to his death.
If you believe you are a victim of these criminal activities, please contact the FBI at 1-800-CALL-FBI (800-225-5324), and reference this case.
If convicted, SCHENCK faces a mandatory minimum of fifteen (15) years in prison up to maximum term of life in prison, a fine of up to $250,000.00, up to a lifetime of supervised release after imprisonment, and a mandatory $100 special assessment per count. SCHENCK may also be required to register as a sex offender.
U. S. Attorney Strasser reiterated that an indictment is merely a charge and that the guilt of the defendant must be proven beyond a reasonable doubt.
U.S. Attorney Strasser praised the work of the Federal Bureau of Investigation in investigating this matter and expressed appreciation for the support provided by the Jefferson Parish District Attorney’s Office and the Jefferson Parish Sheriff’s Office. Assistant United States Attorneys Jordan Ginsberg, supervisor of the Public Corruption Unit, and Elizabeth Privitera, supervisor of the Violent Crime Unit, are in charge of the prosecution.
Multi-Convicted Felon Pleads Guilty to Illegally Possessing a FirearmRead the Press Release
PITTSBURGH, PA- A resident of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, pleaded guilty in federal court to a violation of federal firearms laws, United States Attorney Scott W. Brady announced today.
Melvin Russaw, 38, pleaded guilty to one count before United States District Judge Cathy Bissoon.
In connection with the guilty plea, the court was advised that on or about June 6, 2017, Russaw was apprehended by law enforcement on state charges, after attempting to flee in his 2008 Gray Chevy Impala. Upon execution of a search warrant for the vehicle, which was registered to Russaw, investigators discovered a small panel wherein a Glock, model 21, .45 caliber pistol, bearing serial number HVH758, was hidden. Russaw, who has multiple prior felony state convictions, as well as a federal conviction, is prohibited from lawfully possessing a firearm.
Judge Bissoon scheduled sentencing for June 23, 2020 at 10:00 AM. Due to Russaw’s prior convictions, the law provides for an enhanced sentence of not less than fifteen (15) years and not more than life in prison, a fine of $250,000, or both. Under the Federal Sentencing Guidelines, the actual sentence imposed is based upon the seriousness of the offense and the prior criminal history, if any, of the defendant. The defendant remains incarcerated pending the sentencing hearing.
Assistant United States Attorney Rebecca L. Silinski is prosecuting this case on behalf of the government.
The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives and the Pittsburgh Bureau of Police conducted the investigation that led to the prosecution of Russaw. This case was brought under Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), the centerpiece of the Department of Justice’s violent crime reduction efforts. PSN is an evidence-based program proven to be effective at reducing violent crime. Through PSN, 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.
Methamphetamine Trafficker Sentenced to Federal PrisonRead the Press Release
CHARLESTON, W.Va. – A Charleston man was sentenced to federal prison for a drug crime, announced United States Attorney Mike Stuart. Harold Lee Battle was sentenced to 48 months in prison for distribution of a mixture or substance containing a detectable amount of methamphetamine. Battle’s federal sentence will run consecutive to the state sentence he is currently serving for malicious wounding.
“Another meth dealer is going to federal prison,” said United States Attorney Mike Stuart. “Week after week, we are convicting more meth dealers and ultimately putting them behind bars.”
On October 31, 2017, detectives with the Charleston Police Department’s Special Enforcement Unit arrested Battle for distributing 60 grams of methamphetamine to a person cooperating with law enforcement on Charleston’s East End.
The Charleston Police Department’s Special Enforcement Unit conducted the investigation. Senior United States District Judge John T. Copenhaver, Jr. presided over the hearing. Assistant United States Attorney Ryan A. Saunders is handling the prosecution.
This case is being prosecuted as part of the Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN) program, the centerpiece of the Department of Justice’s violent crime reduction efforts. PSN is an evidence-based program proven to be effective at reducing violent crime. Through PSN, a broad spectrum of stakeholders work together to identify the most pressing violent crime problems in the community and develop comprehensive solutions to address them. As part of this strategy, PSN focuses enforcement efforts on the most violent offenders and partners with locally based prevention and reentry programs for lasting reductions in crime.
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Media Advisory – United States Attorney William D. Hyslop Joins United States Attorney from Western Washington to Announce Litigation Regarding Sanctuary PolicyRead the Press Release
Spokane --Monday, February 10, 2020, William D. Hyslop, United States Attorney for the Eastern District of Washington, and Brian T. Moran, United States Attorney for the Western District of Washington, will meet with reporters at the United States Attorney’s Office for the Western District of Washington to discuss new litigation in Western Washington regarding a sanctuary policy.
Copies of the litigation will be available at the press conference.
Who: United States Attorney William D. Hyslop, Eastern District of Washington United States Attorney Brian T. Moran, Western District of Washington
What: Federal litigation regarding sanctuary policies in Washington
When: Monday, February 10, 2020, 2:30 PM
Where: U.S. Attorney’s Office Western District of Washington – 5th Floor, Federal Courthouse – 700 Stewart Street, Seattle, Washington
Reporters who wish to listen in to the conference via phone please call 866-744-2264 Passcode 9189807.
To schedule interviews following the press event, please email: Communications Director Emily Langlie at [email protected] and cc Charlene Koski at [email protected].
Massive Shoplifting Scheme Targeting Major Retail Stores Shut DownRead the Press Release
SHOPLIFTING SCHEMES FEED ADDICTION CRISIS AND COST JOBS
CHARLESTON, W.Va. -- United States Attorney Mike Stuart announced a major takedown today of a fraudulent fencing scheme in the Charleston, West Virginia area. In a criminal complaint unsealed today in United States District for the Southern District of West Virginia, a Cross Lanes, West Virginia man, Nedeltcho Vladimirov, a native of Bulgaria, was arrested and charged with money laundering. The complaint alleges that Vladimirov operated a fraudulent fencing scheme for several years. A fencing operation is one in which stolen goods are acquired in order to later resell them for profit.
“The scale of this shoplifting scheme is extraordinary. Nearly 4,000 items and nearly $400,000 in goods were stolen from retailers like Target, CVS and Kroger in approximately two years. We believe that Vladimirov received over $200,000 from selling the stolen goods in just a single year. Like many consumers, I shop at Kroger, CVS and Target. The volume of theft is almost unbelievable,” said United States Attorney Mike Stuart. “Victims. Lots and lots of victims. Consumers. Insurers. Taxpayers. Even the shoplifters. Consumers pay a heavy toll for shoplifting schemes like this whether through higher prices for consumer goods or the loss of profitability and jobs by the retailers themselves. Additionally, one of the great tragedies in this scheme is that it fed the need for instant money by many shoplifters who were feeding their exhaustive search for drug cash. Schemes like this only serve to further and advance the crisis of addiction in our communities.”
“The U.S. Secret Service Charleston, West Virginia Resident Office, has successfully partnered with our local and state law enforcement partners along with corporate security from Target, Kroger and CVS,” said United States Secret Service Resident Agent in Charge Wade Fleming. This led to the arrest of Nedeltcho Vladimirov who victimized national retail merchants and took advantage of West Virginians to commit retail theft for his own enrichment. These partnerships are the best way to limit victimization of West Virginians.”
The charges and arrest result from an investigation by the United States Secret Service, the West Virginia State Police, Bureau of Criminal Investigations, the Putnam County Sheriff's Department, the Kanawha County Sheriff’s Department and the South Charleston Police Department, together with Organized Retail Crimes (ORC) investigators from Kroger, CVS Pharmacy, and Target Corporation, with assistance from eBay, Inc.. The investigation began after ORC investigators apprehended shoplifters at several stores in the South Charleston area. The complaint alleges that the shoplifters (known as “boosters”) were acting at the direction of Vladimirov, who would purchase the items from boosters with cash at a fraction of the retail value and would then sell the stolen items at a profit on the internet. Law enforcement used several investigative tools, including surveillance and undercover operations, to reveal the full scope of the illegal operation. Records obtained by investigators show that a user account believed to be associated with Vladimirov sold at least 3,676 items for a total of $369,818.62 from late 2017 to late 2019 and it is believed that the stolen goods generated over $200,000 in sales from January 2019 to January 2020.
Stuart was outspoken in his recognition of law enforcement efforts in the matter, “I want to commend the excellent work of many investigative agencies -- the U.S. Secret Service, the West Virginia State Police, the Kanawha and Putnam County Sheriff’s Departments and the South Charleston Police Department- for their work in shutting down this long-term scheme. My team did an excellent job including investigator Steve Rowley and Assistant United States Attorney Andrew Tessman. I also want to particularly thank the ORC investigators from Kroger, CVS Pharmacy, and Target Corporation as well as eBay for its assistance in shutting down this scheme. Public and private partnerships in investigations is a bit unusual but their assistance and partnership in this matter was critical. Hopefully this matter sends a strong message to shoplifters to “knock it off, get a job, and if shoplifting is how you feed your addiction, get help and do it today.” It also sends a message to retailers that “we have your back” and that “we can no longer look the other way.”
The investigation was a collaborative effort between federal, state and local, and private retail law enforcement partners. Today’s actions would not have been possible without the seamless collaboration of each of these partners. The investigation is ongoing and could result in additional federal and state charges in the future.
Assistant United States Attorney Andrew J. Tessman is handling the matter.
Please Note: A criminal complaint is merely an allegation and the defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.
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Man Sentenced for Assaulting a U.S. Border Patrol Agent with a HandgunRead the Press Release
Assistant U. S. Attorney Stephen H. Wong (619) 546-9464
NEWS RELEASE SUMMARY – February 10, 2020
SAN DIEGO – Hector Rodriguez-Chavez, a Mexican national, was sentenced in federal court today to 141 months in prison for pointing a loaded handgun at a U.S. Border Patrol agent in November 2018.
Rodriguez-Chavez pleaded guilty in September 2019 to one count of assault on a federal officer with a deadly weapon and one count of brandishing a firearm during and in relation to a crime of violence. During the sentencing hearing, Border Patrol agents described how they came upon Rodriguez-Chavez in a remote area approximately three miles east of the Otay Mesa Port of Entry. Rodriguez-Chavez turned and pointed a loaded semiautomatic pistol at one of the agents. That agent told the court he made a split-second decision to grab Rodriguez-Chavez’s gun and wrestle it out of his hands.
U.S. District Judge Gonzalo Curiel imposed a 141-month sentence for the two counts, plus an additional 24 months in custody for violating the terms of supervised release from a 2014 conviction for illegal re-entry of a deported alien. In imposing the sentence, Judge Curiel noted that one of the purposes of the sentence was to promote respect for the law. Judge Curiel noted how Border Patrol agents must work in remote areas and that, “few law enforcement officers place their life on the line to the extent that Border Patrol agents do.”
“This sentence is a fitting reminder that the safety of our courageous agents, who put their lives on the line every day to protect our country, is of paramount importance to our office and to the community,” said U.S. Attorney Robert Brewer.
“I’m pleased by this sentence,” said Chief Patrol Agent Aaron M. Heitke. “Any day that our agents go home safe is a good day. Border Patrol Agents risk their lives every day protecting America and the agent’s quick thinking in this case prevented any bloodshed.”
DEFENDANTS Case Number 16-CR-0730
Hector Rodriguez-Chavez Age: 62 Guadalajara, Mexico
SUMMARY OF CHARGES
Count 1: Assault on a Federal Officer, in violation 18 U.S.C. 111 (a)(b)
Maximum Penalty: Twenty years in prison
Count 2: Brandishing a Firearm During and in Relation to a Crime of Violence, in violation of 18 U.S.C. 924 (c)
Maximum Penalty: Mandatory Minimum of seven years in prison, maximum life
AGENCIES
Federal Bureau of Investigation
U.S. Border Patrol
Man Pleads Guilty to Drug Trafficking and Money Laundering SchemeRead the Press Release
ALEXANDRIA, Va. – A Texas man pleaded guilty today to conspiracy to distribute up to 15 kilograms of cocaine and conspiracy to commit money laundering.
According to court documents, between June 2014 and November 2016, Naleth Vongsengchanh, 50, of Houston, engaged in a conspiracy to traffic quantities of cocaine to Virginia for redistribution and to launder the proceeds. In the beginning of the scheme, Vongsengchanh resided in the Virginia region and sold cocaine locally before relocating to Houston.
Beginning in January 2015, Vongsengchanh began providing other individuals with kilogram quantities of cocaine to be transported from Texas to Virginia by car. Furthermore, Vongsengchanh and his spouse at the time, Oksana Vovk, utilized numerous bank accounts to launder the drug proceeds stemming from the cocaine trafficking. One of the utilized accounts was for an illegitimate business known as Stylish Traveler LLC through which Vongsengchanh and Vovk laundered over $78,000. In addition to the laundering of the proceeds, Vongsengchanh received payment for cocaine via other individuals transporting bulk cash currency for the former couple from the Virginia region to Texas.
Vongsengchanh is a career offender with a lengthy criminal history that includes felony convictions for murder in the second degree, voluntary manslaughter, assault with a dangerous weapon, aggravated assault with a deadly weapon, and two convictions for manufacturing, sale, and possession of a controlled substance.
Vongsengchanh pleaded guilty to conspiracy to distribute five kilograms or more of cocaine and conspiracy to commit money laundering, and faces a mandatory minimum of 10 years in prison, and a maximum term of life in prison when sentenced on April 17. Actual sentences for federal crimes are typically less than the maximum penalties. A federal district court judge will determine any sentence after taking into account the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors.
The case was investigated as part of the Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Forces (OCDETF), Operation Russian Roulette. The OCDETF program is a federal multi-agency, multi-jurisdictional task force that supplies supplemental federal funding to federal and state agencies involved in the identification, investigation, and prosecution of major drug trafficking organizations. The principal mission of the OCDETF program is to identify, disrupt and dismantle the most serious drug trafficking, weapons trafficking and money laundering organizations, and those primarily responsible for the nation’s illegal drug supply.
G. Zachary Terwilliger, U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of Virginia; Mark Herring, Attorney General for Virginia; Raymond Villanueva, Special Agent in Charge of U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s (ICE) Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) Washington, D.C.; Jesse R. Fong, Special Agent in Charge for the Drug Enforcement Administration’s (DEA) Washington Field Division; Michael L. Brown, Alexandria Chief of Police; and Colonel Gary T. Settle, Superintendent of Virginia State Police, made the announcement after Senior U.S. District Judge Claude M. Hilton accepted the plea. Special Assistant U.S. Attorney Karolina Klyuchnikova is prosecuting the case.
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 No. 1:20-cr-033.
MS-13 Member Sentenced to 32 Years in Federal Prison for Participating in a Violent Racketeering Conspiracy, Including Two MurdersRead the Press Release
Baltimore, Maryland – Chief U.S. District Judge James K. Bredar today sentenced MS-13 gang member Carlos Alas Brizuela, a/k/a “Truco” and “Stewie,” age 29, to 32 years in federal prison, followed by five years of supervised release, on a federal racketeering charge related to his participation in a violent racketeering conspiracy, specifically MS-13, including two murders, two attempted murders, and a kidnapping.
Anyone with information about MS-13 is encouraged to call the FBI’s nationwide tipline, 1-866-STP-MS13 (1-866-787-6713). The FBI tipline allows individuals to provide information about MS-13’s criminal activities to a central location and the FBI will then disseminate the information to the appropriate law enforcement authorities for investigation. Your identity will be protected.
The sentence was announced by United States Attorney for the District of Maryland Robert K. Hur; Special Agent in Charge Jennifer C. Boone of the Federal Bureau of Investigation, Baltimore Field Office; Special Agent in Charge John Eisert of Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) Baltimore Office; Chief Edward G. Hargis of the Frederick Police Department; Frederick County State’s Attorney J. Charles Smith, III; Chief Timothy J. Altomare of the Anne Arundel County Police Department; Anne Arundel County State’s Attorney Anne Colt Leitess; Chief Henry P. Stawinski III of the Prince George’s County Police Department; Prince George’s County State’s Attorney Aisha Braveboy; Chief Marcus Jones of the Montgomery County Police Department; and Montgomery County State’s Attorney John McCarthy.
“Brizuela and his fellow MS-13 members committed a horrifying series of violent acts, ravaging communities throughout Maryland,” said U.S. Attorney Robert K. Hur. “Brizuela will now serve 32 years in federal prison, where there is no parole - ever. Federal, state, and local law enforcement will use all the tools at our disposal to arrest and prosecute gang members who prey on our neighbors. We will not rest until we dismantle this organization to make Maryland safer.”
“The defendant and his conspirators committed numerous criminal violations to include extortion, kidnapping and murder. This prosecution exemplifies the ruthless violence committed by MS-13 gang members, which threatens the stability and safety of our communities,” said FBI Baltimore Special Agent in Charge Jennifer Boone. “While today’s sentence will not bring back those who had their lives taken from them, we hope it provides justice to the victims and their families and shows the FBI’s commitment to continue to work with our law enforcement partners and be uncompromising in our pursuit to bring these violent criminals to justice.”
“The violence and fear MS-13 inflicts upon the community is unacceptable,” said John Eisert, special agent in charge for HSI Baltimore. “HSI will continue to work towards safer streets through collaboration with our law enforcement partners to combat and dismantle criminal gangs like MS-13.”
MS-13 is a national and international gang composed primarily of immigrants or descendants from El Salvador and other central American countries. Branches or “cliques” of MS-13, one of the largest street gangs in the United States, operate throughout Frederick County, Anne Arundel County, Prince George’s County, and Montgomery County, Maryland. Brizuela was a member and associate of the Fulton Locotes Salvatrucha clique of MS-13.
At all times of this conspiracy, members of MS-13 were expected to protect the name, reputation, and status of the gang from rival gang members and other persons. To protect the gang and to enhance its reputation, MS-13 members were expected to use any means necessary to force respect from those who showed disrespect, including acts of intimidation and violence. MS-13 had mottos consistent with its rules, beliefs, expectations and reputation including “mata, viola, controla,” which translates as, “kill, rape, control,” and “ver, oir y callar,” which means, “see nothing, hear nothing and say nothing.”
MS-13 members are required to commit acts of violence both to maintain membership and discipline within the gang, as well as against rival gang members. Participation in criminal activity by a member, particularly in violent acts directed at rival gangs or as directed by gang leadership, increase the respect accorded to that member, resulting in that member maintaining or increasing his position in the gang, and opens the door to a promotion to a leadership position. One of the principal rules of MS-13 is that its members must attack and kill rivals, often referred to as “chavalas,” whenever possible.
According to Brizuela’s plea agreement, beginning in 2015 Brizuela conspired with other MS-13 members and associates to engage in racketeering activity including murders, conspiracies to commit murder, attempted murders, extortion, robbery, and drug trafficking, in order to further the interests of the gang.
Specifically, on April 7, 2015, MS-13 members and associates murdered Victim 1, whom they believed to be a rival gang member, with Brizuela’s knowledge and permission. MS-13 members identified Victim 1 at a restaurant in Frederick, Maryland, then called Brizuela to inform him that they had a potential victim. Brizuela contacted other gang leaders to get approval to kill Victim 1 and arranged for another gang member to participate in the murder of Victim 1. MS-13 members lured Victim 1 to a wooded area in Frederick, where they disabled Victim 1 by hitting him in the head with a rock, then struck him repeatedly with a machete and a knife until he was dead. During the course of the attack, they contacted Brizuela on the phone to confirm that they should complete the murder of Victim 1 and Brizuela confirmed that they should kill Victim 1. The next day, MS-13 members buried Victim 1 in the woods near the site of the murder, where his body was ultimately recovered.
Brizuela admitted that on May 10, 2015, he and other MS-13 members kidnapped Victim 2, who had stopped making his required extortion payments to the gang. Brizuela and the other MS-13 members forced Victim 2 into a car at gunpoint and took him to a wooded area. Although the plan was to kill Victim 2, Brizuela and other gang members got approval from gang leadership to let Victim 2 live, after he agreed to pay the gang immediately.
In August 2015, MS-13 members and associates sought—and received—the approval of Brizuela and other gang leadership to murder Victim 3, whom they believed to be a rival gang member. On August 28, 2015, after previously conducting surveillance of the residence where Victim 3 lived with his girlfriend, Victim 4, the MS-13 members and associates entered the apartment and waited there for the victims to return. After the victims returned to the apartment, three gang members attacked Victim 3 with machetes and knives while restraining and assaulting Victim 4. Although both victims survived, the attack on Victim 3 left him with both hands nearly severed, and severe wounds to his face and torso. He still has no use of one hand and limited use of the other. Following the attempted murder, gang members contacted Brizuela and others to report that Victim 3 had been killed.
Finally, Brizuela admitted that on August 31, 2015, he and other MS-13 members and associates murdered Victim 5, whom they believed to be a rival gang member. On that day, Brizuela and other MS-13 gang members were drinking in Wheaton and went to Dunkin Donuts where they saw Victim 5, who was wearing Nike Cortez sneakers. According to MS-13 rules, Nike Cortez sneakers were only to be worn by gang members. Brizuela said that he had previously warned Victim 5 about wearing those sneakers. Victim 5 spit on one of the MS-13 gang members as they walked by, who then punched him in the mouth. Victim 5 threw a beer on Brizuela and ran. Brizuela and another gang member chased Victim 5 and stabbed him to death. Following the homicide, Brizuela and others reported to gang leadership that they had killed a rival gang member.
A total of 29 defendants have been charged in this case with participating in a racketeering conspiracy and/or other crimes related to their association with MS-13, including 18 defendants charged in the fifth superseding indictment filed on October 21, 2019. A total of 13 defendants, including Brizuela, have pleaded guilty to crimes related to their participation in MS-13 gang activities.
United States Attorney Robert K. Hur commended the FBI; HSI; the Frederick Police Department; the Anne Arundel, Montgomery, and Prince George’s County Police Departments; and the Anne Arundel, Frederick, Montgomery, and Prince George’s County State’s Attorneys for their work in the investigation, and recognized the Baltimore County Police Department for its assistance. Mr. Hur thanked Assistant U.S. Attorneys Kenneth S. Clark, Catherine K. Dick, and Matthew DellaBetta, who are prosecuting this Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Force case.
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Louisiana Man Pleads Guilty to Burning Three Baptist Churches in St. Landry ParishRead the Press Release
Holden Matthews, 22, pleaded guilty today in the Western District of Louisiana to intentionally setting fire to three Baptist churches because of the religious character of those buildings. Specifically, Matthews pleaded guilty to three counts of violating the Church Arson Prevention Act, 18 U.S.C. § 247(a)(1) — one count for each church — as well as one count of using fire to commit a federal felony, in violation of 18 U.S.C. § 844(h). The fires, which Matthews set over a 10-day period in March and April of 2019, completely destroyed each of the church buildings.
At the plea hearing, Matthews admitted that, between March 26 and April 4, 2019, he intentionally set fire to three Baptist churches with predominantly African-American congregations in the Opelousas, Louisiana area. First, on March 26, 2019, Matthews set fire to St. Mary Baptist Church in Port Barre, Louisiana. Next, on April 2, 2019, Matthews set fire to the Greater Union Baptist Church, in Opelousas, Louisiana. Then, on April 4, 2019, Matthews set fire to the Mount Pleasant Baptist Church in Opelousas, Louisiana. The fires Matthews set destroyed each of the church buildings. Matthews admitted to setting the fires because of the religious character of these buildings, in an effort to raise his profile as a “Black Metal” musician by copying similar crimes committed in Norway in the 1990s. Matthews further admitted that, after setting the third fire, he posted photographs and videos on Facebook that showed the first two churches burning. Matthews admitted that he had taken these photographs and videos in real time on his cell phone, as he watched those churches burn, and that he had posted them to Facebook in an effort to promote himself in the Black Metal community.
“The Department of Justice will remain unwavering in its protection of the freedom to practice religion without the threat of discrimination or violence,” said Assistant Attorney General Eric Dreiband of the Civil Rights Division. “Matthews admitted to setting fire to three churches because of their religious character. His disgraceful conduct violated the civil rights of the church’s parishioners and harmed their communities.”
“Today, the defendant has taken responsibility for the burning and destruction of three of our churches,” said U.S. Attorney David C. Joseph of the Western District of Louisiana. “The freedom to safely congregate and worship in our churches is a fundamental right of all Americans and will be vigorously protected by my office and our law enforcement partners. I want to thank the ATF, FBI, St. Landry Parish Sheriff’s Office, St. Landry Parish Fire Department, Louisiana State Fire Marshal, Louisiana Attorney General’s Cybercrime Unit, Louisiana State Police, and the Florida State Fire Marshal for their hard work and seamless collaboration on this case.”
“Holden Matthews made a conscious decision to randomly target and destroy churches within his own community. His atrocious actions inflicted severe pain and grief upon these congregations, as well as all of St. Landry Parish,” said Special Agent in Charge Bryan Vorndran of the FBI’s New Orleans Field Office. “Throughout this investigation, the men and women of the FBI, ATF, Louisiana State Fire Marshal’s Office, St. Landry Parish Sheriff’s Office, St. Landry Parish District Attorney’s Office, Louisiana State Police, Louisiana Attorney General Jeff Landry’s Cybercrime Unit, and the Florida State Fire Marshal’s Office worked tirelessly to bring Holden Matthews to justice.”
“Protecting our communities is a vital part of our mission,” said ATF Special Agent in Charge Kurt Thielhorn. “ATF will continue to provide expertise and resources to investigate arson at houses of worship which threaten the well-being of our communities. I would like to thank all of our law enforcement partners for working tirelessly to ensure justice will be served.”
Matthews will be sentenced on May 22, 2020. He faces a mandatory minimum sentence of 10 years in prison, and a statutory maximum sentence of 70 years in prison.
This case was investigated by the ATF’s National Response Team; the Lafayette Satellite Office of the ATF’s New Orleans Field Division; the Lafayette Resident Agency of the FBI’s New Orleans Field Office; the Louisiana Office of State Fire Marshal; the Louisiana State Police; the Louisiana Bureau of Investigation’s Cyber Crimes Unit; the St. Landry Parish Fire Department; and the St. Landry Parish Sheriff’s Office. This case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney John Luke Walker, of the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Western District of Louisiana, and Trial Attorney Risa Berkower of the Justice Department’s Civil Rights Division.
For more information about the Department of Justice’s work to combat and prevent hate crimes, visit www.justice.gov/hatecrimes: a one-stop portal with links to Department of Justice hate crimes resources for law enforcement, media, researchers, victims, advocacy groups, and other organizations and individuals.
Lead Defendant Sentenced to 14 Years in Prison for Methamphetamine Trafficking ConspiracyRead the Press Release
RENO, Nev. – The lead defendant in a large drug trafficking ring was sentenced today to 14 years in prison, announced U.S. Attorney Nicholas A. Trutanich for the District of Nevada and Special Agent in Charge Aaron C. Rouse for the FBI’s Las Vegas Division.
Jose Valentin Mora, aka Cholo and Magic, 38, of Reno, previously pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute methamphetamine. In a separate case, Mora pleaded guilty to one count of felon in possession of a firearm.
According to court documents, from January 25, 2018 to about June 14, 2018, Mora and his co-conspirators worked together to possess and distribute large amounts of methamphetamine, cocaine, and heroin in Reno and elsewhere. On several occasions, Mora sold the drugs to his co-conspirators, who would then resell the drugs in Reno. Law enforcement seized over 12 pounds of methamphetamine from the drug trafficking ring.
On June 14, 2018, during the execution of a search warrant, investigators recovered a Bersa Thunder .380 caliber pistol in Mora’s dresser drawer. Mora is a felon with a conviction in Washoe County for trafficking in a controlled substance. Accordingly, he is prohibited from possessing a firearm.
In addition to the term of imprisonment, U.S. District Chief Judge Miranda M. Du sentenced Mora to five years of supervised release.
Sixteen other co-defendants were indicted by a federal grand jury in connection with the drug trafficking ring. With the exception of one defendant who remains a fugitive, each of those co-defendants pleaded guilty and either has been sentenced or is awaiting imposition of sentence. Mora’s co-defendants, whose guilty pleas correspond to the various roles they played in this drug conspiracy, face a maximum penalty of between four years and life in prison.
This case is the product of an investigation by the FBI’s Safe Streets Task Force with significant assistance by federal, state, and local law enforcement partners including the Reno Police Department, Sparks Police Department, and the Washoe County Sheriff’s Office. Assistant U.S. Attorneys James Keller and Andolyn Johnson are prosecuting the case.
This case is part of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), a program that brings together all levels of law enforcement and the communities they serve to reduce violent crime and make our neighborhoods safer. The Department of Justice reinvigorated PSN in 2017 as part of its renewed focus on targeting violent criminals, directing all U.S. Attorney’s Offices to work in partnership with federal, state, local, and tribal law enforcement and the local community to develop effective, locally-based strategies to reduce violent crime. For more information about PSN, visit www.justice.gov/usao-nv.
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Law Enforcement Cooperation in Northern Ohio Allows for Continued Prosecution of Illegal Aliens Engaged in Additional Criminal Conduct or Violent ActsRead the Press Release
United States Attorney Justin E. Herdman announces the continued commitment of the United States Attorney’s Office for the Northern District of Ohio to prosecuting illegal reentry cases. Those cases involving additional criminal conduct, violent attacks, or conduct that threatens public safety, will also remain a priority for federal prosecution.
Earlier today, Attorney General William P. Barr said, “Let us state the reality up front and as clearly as possible: When we are talking about sanctuary cities, we are talking about policies that are designed to allow criminal aliens to escape. These policies are not about people who come to our country illegally but have otherwise been peaceful and productive members of society. Their express purpose is to shelter aliens whom local law enforcement has already arrested for other crimes. This is neither lawful nor sensible.”
“Our ability to protect our community from violent criminals always depends upon close cooperation between federal, state, and local law enforcement,” said U.S. Attorney Justin Herdman. “Nowhere is this principle illustrated more profoundly than instances when individuals are in this country illegally, often after having been removed multiple times before, and commit additional criminal acts here in the United States. A series of cases prosecuted by this Office help highlight this threat. We are grateful to all of our local law enforcement officials who stand arm in arm with us in keeping our neighbors safe every day.”
Examples of illegal reentry cases that warranted federal prosecution and demonstrated an elevated threat to the public include the following:
U.S. v. Adalberto Reynoso-Lopez
Defendant, a native and citizen of Mexico, was ordered removed by a Cleveland Immigration Court on October 26, 2007. Following that order, Defendant was removed to Mexico, but he immediately reentered the United States and was apprehended and removed to Mexico five more times in the following years (once in 2008, twice in 2013, and twice in 2014). Before, during, and after those removals, the defendant, often using an alias, was convicted seven times of Operating a Vehicle Under the Influence of Alcohol or Drugs, and one conviction each for Obstruction of Official Business, Ethnic Intimidation, Disorderly Conduct, Theft, and Driving with a Suspended License.
Following his most recent conviction on January 8, 2020 for Obstruction of Official Business in Marion County, Ohio, the defendant was taken into ICE custody. On February 5, 2020, he was indicted in the Northern District of Ohio, Western Division for violating Title 8, United States Code, Section 1326 (Illegal Reentry) where he awaits trial. The government will be required to prove these allegations beyond a reasonable doubt should this matter proceed to trial. The defendant was also convicted of Illegal Entry (Title 8, United States Code, Section 1325) in July of 2014, in the Southern District of Texas, where he received a 30-day term of imprisonment after which he was deported.
U.S. v. Marco Antonio Barrera-Escobedo
Defendant, who is a citizen of Mexico, originally illegally entered the United States and moved to Ohio around 2000. After being discovered illegally present in 2007 and 2008, he was removed three separate times. (May 30, 2007, June 21, 2007 and June 29, 2008). After his May 30, 2007 removal, he was found in New Mexico on June 2, 2007, and subsequently charged and convicted of illegal reentry and deported. After each removal, the defendant almost immediately returned to the U.S. without regard to the reentry requirements, and with total disrespect for the laws of the United States.
Then, on December 12, 2017, the defendant was arrested for sexually assaulting and attempting to rape a five year old child - a crime that would obviously not have been committed if the defendant had not violated the laws of this country. Ultimately, the defendant pleaded guilty to Gross Sexual Imposition and Kidnapping and was sentenced to 15 years incarceration on April 24, 2018. Based upon his illegal presence in the United States, Immigration and Custom’s Enforcement placed a detainer on the defendant and an indictment was returned for Illegal Reentry of a removed alien after deportation. On July 31, 2018, the defendant pleaded guilty and on November 14, 2018, defendant was sentenced to the statutory maximum 24 months to run consecutive to his state GSI/Kidnapping sentence. He will again be deported after completion of both sentences.
U.S. v Jean Claude Phillip McKenzie
Defendant, who is a citizen of Jamaica, was admitted to the United States and granted conditional Lawful Permanent Residence status in 2008. After serving a sentence for a 2010 Drug Trafficking conviction in Cuyahoga County, Ohio, McKenzie was deported to Jamaica in July 2012.
McKenzie, however, illegally returned to the U.S. and was again found in Cleveland after an officer heard gun shots that the officer thought were directed at him. The officer was taking a statement from an aggravated robbery victim at the time. The officer further reported that the suspect fled in a black vehicle. Other officers stopped McKenzie’s car, which was the only vehicle in the area that matched the description. McKenzie stopped abruptly and fled on foot. Once caught, he gave a false name. A 9mm semiautomatic pistol was found in the defendant’s vehicle which had been reported stolen the year before.
Fingerprints taken from the defendant revealed his true identity and he ultimately pleaded guilty to Illegal Possession of a firearm by an illegal alien, and illegal reentry of a removed alien after deportation and was sentenced to 72 months in prison. He will be deported upon completion of his sentence.
The year 2020 marks the 150th anniversary of the Department of Justice. Learn more about the history of our agency at https://www.justice.gov/history.
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Las Vegas Man Pleads Guilty to Possession of Bomb-Making ComponentsRead the Press Release
LAS VEGAS, Nev. – Conor Climo, 23, of Las Vegas, Nevada, pleaded guilty today to one count of possession of an unregistered firearm — specifically, the component parts of a destructive device.
“Law enforcement’s swift action on this case, and today’s resulting guilty plea, is part of DOJ’s national strategy to disrupt and proactively stop potential bias-motivated mass violence,” said U.S. Attorney Nicholas A. Trutanich for the District of Nevada. “The defendant’s threats of violence — which were motivated by hate and intended to intimidate or coerce our faith-based and LGBTQ communities — have no place in this country. We remain fully committed to working with our law enforcement partners to assess threats and intervene before mass violence can occur.”
“The FBI’s Las Vegas Joint Terrorism Task Force is committed to protecting our community from any threat of domestic terrorism and I could not be more proud of the work they did in this case,” said Special Agent in Charge Aaron C. Rouse of the FBI Las Vegas Division. “The FBI will always be proactive to combat threats that cross a line from free speech to potential violence.”
According to court documents, Climo was communicating with individuals who identified with the white supremacist extremist group Feuerkrieg Division, which is an offshoot of the US-based white supremacist extremist group Atomwaffen Division. Feuerkrieg Division members share a common goal of challenging laws, social order, and the government via terrorism and other violent acts. The organization encourages attacks on the federal government, critical infrastructure, minorities, and members of the LGBTQ community.
Climo admitted that, during online conversations between May 2019 and July 15, 2019, he discussed setting fire to a Las Vegas synagogue, and making Molotov cocktails and improvised explosive devices. Climo further admitted that he conducted surveillance on a bar that he believed catered to the LGBTQ community, located on Fremont Street in Downtown Las Vegas, in preparation for a potential attack.
On August 8, 2019, the FBI-led Joint Terrorism Task Force executed a search warrant at Climo’s residence. During the search, law enforcement located components that could be readily assembled into a destructive device, strong oxidizing agents that can be used as fuels, and numerous hand drawn schematics to construct improvised explosive devices. Law enforcement also seized an AR-15 rifle and a bolt-action rifle from Climo’s bedroom.
This case was the product of an investigation by the Joint Terrorism Task Force, which includes law enforcement partners from local, state, and federal agencies. Assistant U.S. Attorney Nicholas Dickinson of the District of Nevada is prosecuting this case, with assistance from the Civil Rights Division of the Department of Justice and the National Security Division.
Climo is scheduled to be sentenced by U.S. District Judge James C. Mahan on May 14, 2020. Climo faces a faces a maximum penalty of 10 years in prison and a $250,000 fine. Any sentence, however, would be determined at the discretion of the court after consideration of applicable statutory factors and the Federal Sentencing Guidelines, which take into account a number of variables.
The Climo prosecution is part of the Department of Justice’s Disruption and Early Engagement Programs (DEEP), a national strategy to disrupt potential mass shootings and other rapidly mobilizing threats and the need to implement timely, effective and efficient responses.
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Kansas Farmer Sentenced for Crop Insurance FraudRead the Press Release
WICHITA, KAN. – A Kansas farmer was sentenced today to 30 months for federal crop insurance fraud and bankruptcy fraud, U.S. Attorney Stephen McAllister said. In addition, the defendant was ordered to pay $604,303 in restitution.
Kevin W. Struss, 63, Wakeeney, Kan., pleaded guilty to one count of defrauding the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s crop insurance program, which provides government insurance against unavoidable crop losses. He made false statements in which he under-reported his total 2015 corn crop by approximately 23,524 bushels, and his total sorghum/milo crop by 31,208 bushels.
He also pleaded guilty to one count of bankruptcy fraud. He falsely answered “no” to a question in his bankruptcy filing about whether he had transferred property to anyone else recently. In fact he made two transfers of $150,000 and $320,000 to another person in 2018.
McAllister commended the U.S. Department of Agriculture and Assistant U.S. Attorney Alan Metzger for their work on the case.
Justice Department Sues State of New Jersey, New Jersey Governor, and New Jersey Attorney General for Prohibiting State Officials from Sharing Information with U.S. Immigration and Customs EnforcementRead the Press Release
Today, the U.S. Department of Justice filed suit against the State of New Jersey, New Jersey Governor Philip Murphy, and New Jersey Attorney General Gurbir Grewal. The lawsuit challenges New Jersey Attorney General Law Enforcement Directive 2018-6, which prohibits state officials from sharing information with U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) related to the immigration status and release dates of individuals in their custody.
The directive also requires New Jersey law enforcement to “promptly notify a detained individual, in writing and in a language the individual can understand” if ICE files an immigration detainer request for the individual. According to the complaint filed today, on multiple occasions last year, New Jersey officials failed to provide information regarding the release dates of aliens who had been charged with or convicted of crimes. New Jersey’s decision to obstruct federal immigration enforcement by refusing to provide such information is unlawful under the Supremacy Clause of the U.S. Constitution.
A copy of the complaint is available here.
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.