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13 January 2020
Felon Who Sold Gun to Police Sent to PrisonRead the Press Release
A man who sold a rifle during an undercover operation was sentenced on January 10, 2020, to more than one year in federal prison.
Charles John Cizek, age 41, from Waterloo, Iowa, received the prison term after an August 20, 2019, guilty plea to being a felon in possession of a firearm.
In a plea agreement, Cizek admitted that on August 9, 2018, he sold a rifle to a confidential informant who was working with police. Prior to the sale, Cizek and the informant discussed details about the transaction.
Cizek was sentenced in Cedar Rapids by United States District Court Judge C.J. Williams. Cizek was sentenced to 21 months’ imprisonment. He must also serve a three-year term of supervised release after the prison term. There is no parole in the federal system.
This case was brought as part of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN). PSN is the centerpiece of the Department of Justice’s violent crime reduction efforts. PSN is an evidence-based program proven to be effective at reducing violent crime. Through PSN, a broad spectrum of stakeholders work together to identify the most pressing violent crime problems in the community and develop comprehensive solutions to address them. As part of this strategy, PSN focuses enforcement efforts on the most violent offenders and partners with locally based prevention and reentry programs for lasting reductions in crime.
This case is also part of Project Guardian, the Department of Justice’s signature initiative to reduce gun violence and enforce federal firearms laws. Initiated by the Attorney General in the fall of 2019, Project Guardian draws upon the Department’s past successful programs to reduce gun violence; enhances coordination of federal, state, local, and tribal authorities in investigating and prosecuting gun crimes; improves information-sharing by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives when a prohibited individual attempts to purchase a firearm and is denied by the National Instant Criminal Background Check System (NICS), to include taking appropriate actions when a prospective purchaser is denied by the NICS for mental health reasons; and ensures that federal resources are directed at the criminals posing the greatest threat to our communities. The United States Attorney’s Office has prosecuted this case with support from the following Project Guardian partners: the Federal Bureau of Investigation, the Bureau of Alcohol Tobacco and Firearms, and the Waterloo Police Department. For more information about Project Guardian, please see /media/1122011/dl?inline.
Cizek is being held in the United States Marshal’s custody until he can be transported to a federal prison.
The case is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Lisa C. Williams and was investigated by a Federal Task Force composed of the Waterloo Police Department, Federal Bureau of Investigation, and Bureau of Alcohol Tobacco and Firearms assisted by the Black Hawk County Sheriff’s Office and Cedar Falls Police Department.
Court file information at https://ecf.iand.uscourts.gov/cgi-bin/login.pl.
The case file number is 19-cr-2015.
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Felon Pleads Guilty to Illegal Possession and Manufacture of Machine Guns and SilencersRead the Press Release
A Tulsa man pleaded guilty Monday to four firearms charges, including illegally possessing and manufacturing machine guns and silencers, announced U.S. Attorney Trent Shores.
Christopher Joseph Kiss, 29, pleaded guilty to being a felon in possession of a firearm and ammunition, illegal possession of a machine gun, making unregistered machine guns and silencers, and possession of unregistered silencers. The case is being prosecuted as part of the Justice Department’s Project Guardian, a nationwide initiative leveraging critical law enforcement partnerships to enforce federal firearms laws. The initiative was announced by the Attorney General in November 2019.
“Firearms that have been illegally modified to fire in fully-automatic mode pose a serious risk to public safety. Individuals who illegally possess these modified firearms in Oklahoma will meet a federal prosecutor in a court of law. Christopher Kiss learned this the hard way,” said U.S. Attorney Trent Shores. “He modified and possessed firearms, silencers, and nearly 100 pounds of ammunition, and in doing so threatened the safety of our community.”
In his plea agreement, Kiss, a felon, admitted that he possessed, manufactured, and modified multiple firearms. Kiss possessed a .25 auto caliber pistol and a container with a sampling of 95 pounds of ammunition. He also possessed a homemade Glock-style .22 caliber pistol equipped with a Glock switch that enabled the pistol to fire in fully-automatic mode. In addition, investigators discovered an AR-15 style short-barreled 9 mm rifle that Kiss modified to fire in fully-automatic mode. The defendant further illegally manufactured at least four silencers and possessed a total of 26 silencers. In his statement, Kiss agreed that he failed to properly register these machine guns and silencers in the National Firearms Registration and Transfer Record.
“Mr. Kiss is a convicted felon prohibited from manufacturing, possessing, transferring or shipping firearms and ammunition,” stated ATF Special Agent in Charge Jeffrey C. Boshek II. “His disregard of the Gun Control and National Firearms Acts impacts every community by placing firearms into commerce illegally, sidestepping required background checks and impeding law enforcement efforts to trace and investigate recovered firearms and devices.”
The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives (ATF) conducted the investigation. Assistant U.S. Attorney Mark R. Morgan is prosecuting the case.
This case is part of Project Safe Neighborhoods and Project Guardian, the Department of Justice’s signature initiative to reduce gun violence and enforce federal firearms laws. Project Guardian draws upon the Justice 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). This includes taking appropriate actions when a prospective purchaser is denied by the NICS for mental health reasons and ensures that federal resources are directed at the criminals posing the greatest threat to our communities. For more information about Project Guardian, please see: https://www.justice.gov/projectguardian.
Felon Caught with a Gun in East Hartford Sentenced to 30 Months in PrisonRead the Press Release
John H. Durham, United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut, announced that ELVIN GONZALEZ, 38, Norwich, was sentenced today by U.S. District Judge Victor A. Bolden in Bridgeport to 30 months of imprisonment, followed by three years of supervised release, for illegally possessing a firearm.
According to court documents and statements made in court, on August 9, 2018, East Hartford Police arrested Gonzalez after he was found in possession of a Charter Arms .44 caliber revolver and a quantity of marijuana.
Gonzalez’s criminal history includes state convictions for sale of hallucinogen/narcotics and escape, and a federal conviction for possession of a firearm by a convicted felon. In August 2005, he was sentenced to 120 months of imprisonment for the federal firearm offense.
On September 3, 2019, Gonzalez pleaded guilty to possession of a firearm by a convicted felon.
Gonzalez, who is released on a $50,000 bond, is required to report to prison on January 17.
This matter was investigated by the East Hartford Police Department and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives. The case was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Michael J. Gustafson.
This prosecution is part of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), a program bringing together all levels of law enforcement and the communities they serve to reduce violent crime and make neighborhoods safer for everyone.
Federal Inmate Pleads to Escape ChargeRead the Press Release
ERIE, Pa. - An inmate at the Federal Correctional Institution in Milan, Michigan, pleaded guilty in federal court to a charge of escape after conviction, United States Attorney Scott W. Brady announced today.
Julian P. Villar, Jr., 55, pleaded guilty to one count before United States District Judge Susan Paradise Baxter.
In connection with the guilty plea, the court was advised that in and around July 2019, Villar failed to report to the satellite camp at the McKean Federal Correctional Institution in Bradford, Pennsylvania after being furloughed from the Milan Federal Correctional Institution in Milan, Michigan on July 9, 2019. Villar was incarcerated at FCI Milan as the result of a conviction for distribution of heroin in the Northern District of Illinois.
Judge Baxter scheduled sentencing for May 11, 2020 at 1:30 p.m. The law provides for a total sentence of 5 years 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 offender and the prior criminal history, if any, of the defendant.
Assistant United States Attorney Christian A. Trabold is prosecuting this case on behalf of the government.
The United States Marshal’s Service and officers of the
Federal Complaint Charges Alexandria Man with Extortion in Relation to the Detonation of Suspected Explosive DeviceRead the Press Release
ALEXANDRIA, La. – A criminal complaint was unsealed today in federal court in Alexandria charging Daniel Dewayne Aikens, 37, of Alexandria, for an extortion scheme involving threats and the detonation of two pipe bombs, announced David C. Joseph, United States Attorney for the Western District of Louisiana.
Aikens was arrested after a traffic stop on January 6, 2020, and appeared before U.S. Magistrate Judge Joseph H.L. Perez-Montes on January 7, 2020, where he was advised of the charge contained in the complaint, arraigned on the charge, and detained. Aikens continues to remain in federal custody pending the outcome of his detention hearing on January 17, 2020.
According to the affidavit filed in support of the criminal complaint, Aikens contacted an employee of PayDay Today demanding $10,000 in cash. He initially spoke to the employee about a set of lost keys. While the employee was in the parking lot looking for the keys, a device exploded in a trash can near the building. The affidavit states Aikens told the employee that he caused the explosion and demanded $10,000 in cash. Aikens was discharged from his position as a commissioned officer in the Louisiana National Guard shortly after his arrest in connection with this incident.
“The defendant is charged with trying to extort money from his victims by using an explosive device,” stated United States Attorney Joseph. “The U.S. Attorney’s Office and our law enforcement partners take the unlawful use of explosive devices very seriously due to the terrible damage they can inflict. I want to thank the FBI, ATF, and U.S. Marshal’s Service, as well as our state and local partners, for their immediate response to the scene as well as their seamless coordination to secure the safety of the citizens of Alexandria.”
If convicted on the extortion charge, Aikens faces up to 20 years in prison, three years of supervised release, and a $250,000 fine.
The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF), FBI, Rapides Parish Sheriff’s Office, Alexandria Police Department, U.S. Marshal’s Service, Louisiana State Police, and the Alexandria Fire Department investigated the case, with the assistance of the Alexandria Public Safety Commissioner and the City of Alexandria Mayor’s Office. Assistant U.S. Attorney Jamilla A. Bynog is prosecuting the case.
This matter will proceed in U.S. District Court in Alexandria, where the Criminal Complaint is currently pending. A Criminal Complaint is a temporary charge alleging a violation of law. For the case to proceed to trial, the United States must present the charge to a federal Grand Jury within 30 days. Once a Grand Jury returns an Indictment, a defendant has a right to a jury trial at which the United States would have the burden of proving the defendant’s guilt beyond a reasonable doubt. All defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.
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Evansdale Man Sentenced to Nine Years in Federal Prison for Receiving Child PornographyRead the Press Release
A man who received child pornography was sentenced today to nine years in federal prison.
Derek Clemens, age 31, of Evansdale, Iowa, received the sentence after an August 5, 2019, guilty plea to one count of receipt of child pornography. At the plea hearing, Clemens admitted that, between March 2018 and October 2018, he knowingly received child pornography. In a plea agreement, Clemens also admitted that he possessed child pornography on a cell phone and a memory card, including depictions of prepubescent children.
Clemens was sentenced in Cedar Rapids by United States District Court Judge C.J. Williams. Clemens was sentenced to 108 months’ imprisonment. A special assessment of $100 was imposed, and he was ordered to make $3,000 in restitution to a victim depicted in videos he possessed. Clemens must also serve a 10-year term of supervised release, and he must comply with all sex offender registration and public notification requirements.
This case was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Mark Tremmel and was investigated by the Iowa Division of Criminal Investigation, Homeland Security Investigations, the Evansdale Police Department, the Black Hawk County Sheriff’s Office, and the Waterloo Police Department.
This case was brought as part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative launched in May 2006 by the Department of Justice to combat the growing epidemic of child sexual exploitation and abuse. Led by the United States Attorneys’ Offices and the Criminal Division’s Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section, Project Safe Childhood marshals federal, state, and local resources to locate, apprehend, and prosecute individuals who sexually exploit children, and to identify and rescue victims. For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit www.usdoj.gov/psc. For more information about Internet safety education, please visit www.usdoj.gov/psc.
Court file information is available at https://ecf.iand.uscourts.gov/cgi-bin/login.pl. The case file number is CR 19-2030.
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Elizabeth, PA Man Pleads Guilty to Sabotaging Railroad Signal OperationsRead the Press Release
PITTSBURGH, Pa. – William Curry Brown, 26, of Elizabeth, Pa., pleaded guilty in federal court today before United States District Judge Donetta W. Ambrose to two counts of terroristic attacks and violence against a railroad carrier and mass transportation on land, in violation of 18 U.S.C. §§1992(a)(5) and (a)(10) and 2.
In connection with the guilty plea, the court was advised that on or about November 1, 2017, Brown knowingly and without lawful authority or permission did and did attempt to remove an appurtenance from, damage or otherwise impair the operation of a railroad signal system. Specifically, at one railroad location near Braddock, William Brown detached four railroad signal antennas by unscrewing them. Additionally, Brown used a pair of bolt cutters and cut the railroad signal cables which were housed in a signal bungalow, which caused a complete signal failure. At another location near McKeesport, Brown used the same bolt cutters to sever multiple bond strand signal wires that were attached to tracks along the rail line. The damage Brown caused to the rail lines resulted in significant financial loss. Further, the railroad system that was damaged was engaged in mass transportation, and carries both passenger and freight cars. The court was advised that the offense involved recklessly endangering the safety of this mass transportation facility.
Judge Ambrose set sentencing for May 11th, 2020 at 11 a.m. The law provides for a maximum total sentence of 20 years in prison, a fine of up to $250,000, and a term of supervised release of not more than three years. Under the Federal Sentencing Guidelines, the actual sentence imposed would be based upon the seriousness of the offense(s) and the prior criminal history, if any, of the defendant.
Assistant United States Attorney Christopher M. Cook is prosecuting this case on behalf of the government.
The Federal Bureau of Investigation and the CSX Transportation Police conducted the investigation leading to the indictment in this case.
Eleven Area Residents Indicted for $1.7 Million Meth, Heroin Conspiracy, Numerous FirearmsRead the Press Release
KANSAS CITY, Mo. – Eleven defendants have been indicted for their roles in a $1.7 million conspiracy to distribute 150 kilograms of methamphetamine and 10 kilograms of heroin, as well as illegally possessing numerous firearms.
Kamel Mahgub Elburki, 31, Ashley Brooke Clevenger, 37, Edward Jason Alberty Jr., 23, Rachel Gale Simpson, 36, Daniel Jessie Ruiz, 35, and Matthew John Fabulae, 30, all of Kansas City, Missouri; Cory Matthew Jobe, 27, of Independence, Missouri; Tayler Charles Jones, 25, of Liberty, Missouri; Ashley Anne Fries, 23, of Riverside, Missouri; Justin Ren’e Ramirez, 23, of Bolivar, Missouri; and Richard Dean Saettone II, 39, address unknown, were charged in a 22-count indictment returned under seal by a federal grand jury in Kansas City on Dec. 12, 2019. That indictment has been unsealed and made public following the arrests and initial court appearances of the defendants.
The federal indictment alleges that all of the defendants participated in a conspiracy to distribute methamphetamine and heroin and in a money-laundering conspiracy from Jan. 1, 2017, to Dec. 12, 2109.
According to court records, law enforcement officers seized 77 firearms during the course of the investigation. Among those firearms were 69 firearms seized at Ruiz’s residence, including 45 firearms seized on Feb. 22, 2019, and 20 firearms seized on Oct. 23, 2019, and four firearms seized on Dec. 2, 2019.
The federal indictment replaces a criminal complaint filed against Fabulae on Nov. 26, 2019. According to an affidavit filed in support of the original complaint, Fabulae was involved in at least two shooting incidents. On Feb. 12, 2019, officers attempted to conduct a traffic stop in the Quik Trip parking lot at 7100 NE Parvin Rd., but Fabulae drove out of the parking lot and led officers on a pursuit. Fabulae entered the eastbound lanes while driving westbound into opposing traffic, the affidavit says, then drove his Jeep off the road and up a hill. Fabulae got out of the vehicle with his dog and ran into some trees and brush. Officers found Fabulae hiding inside a large trash dumpster in a nearby parking lot and arrested him. He was carrying two grams of methamphetamine, a firearm magazine, and $1,096. Officers also located the drawstring backpack he had been carrying and discarded, the affidavit says, which contained 48 grams of cocaine HCL, 10 grams of marijuana, and 280 grams of methamphetamine. Officers found a Springfield Armory .45-caliber handgun near the location where the foot chase began. Officers searched Fabulae’s vehicle and found four cell phones, a tablet, a laptop, and ammunition.
The federal indictment replaces criminal complaints filed against Ruiz and Saettone on Dec. 3, 2019. According to the affidavits filed in support of those complaints, Ruiz and Saettone were arrested that day after Saettone purchased methamphetamine from Ruiz at Ruiz’s residence. Officers stopped Saettone as he was leaving Ruiz’s residence. Saettone, the affidavit says, was carrying approximately 280 grams of methamphetamine and a loaded SCCY 9mm semi-automatic handgun.
According to the affidavit, officers executed a search warrant at Ruiz’s residence on Dec. 2, 2019, and officers seized well over a kilogram of methamphetamine buried in a large metal trash can full of dog food, located in the front room. Officers also seized a Glock .40-caliber handgun with an extended magazine, a Smith and Wesson AR-15-style rifle, an FIE .25-caliber automatic handgun, a Glock .357-caliber handgun, ammunition, a World War II-era gas grenade, multiple packages of suspected marijuana, and more than $2,000.
An earlier search warrant had been executed at Ruiz’s residence on Feb. 22, 2019, when officers seized 45 firearms, more than three kilograms of methamphetamine and approximately $66,000. A search warrant had also been executed at Ruiz’s residence on Oct. 23, 2019, after investigators discovered a FedEx parcel sent to that address, which contained 5.4 pounds of marijuana. Investigators conducted a controlled delivery of the parcel, the affidavit says, which Ruiz (using an alias) accepted. Officers arrested Ruiz and searched his residence, seizing 20 firearms and more than 600 grams of methamphetamine.
In addition to the conspiracies charged in the indictment, Elburki, Jones, Alberty, Simpson, Jobe, Ramirez, Ruiz, Fabulae, and Saettone were also charged together in one count of possessing 500 grams of methamphetamine and one kilogram of heroin to distribute.
Elburki, Jones, Alberty, Jobe, Ramirez, Ruiz, Fries, Fabulae, and Saettone each were charged with one count of possessing, carrying, or using a firearm in furtherance of a drug-trafficking crime. Elburki, Jones, Jobe, Fries, Fabulae, and Saettone each were charged with one count of being a felon in possession of a firearm and ammunition. Alberty, Ramirez, Ruiz, and Fabulae each were charged with one count of being a drug user in possession of firearms and ammunition.
The indictment also contains a forfeiture allegation, which would require the defendants to forfeit to the government any proceeds obtained from the alleged drug-trafficking conspiracy, including a money judgment of approximately $1,745,000, which allegedly was received in exchange for the distribution of more than 150 kilograms of methamphetamine (based on an average street price of $250 per ounce) and more than 10 kilograms of heroin (based on an average street price of $1,200 per ounce).
The charges contained in this indictment are simply accusations, and not evidence of guilt. Evidence supporting the charges must be presented to a federal trial jury, whose duty is to determine guilt or innocence.
This case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Bruce Rhoades. It was investigated by the Kansas City, Mo., Police Department, the Drug Enforcement Administration, the Clay County, Mo., Sheriff’s Department, the Jackson County Drug Task Force, the Buchanan County, Mo., Sheriff’s Department, the Buchanan County Drug Strike Force, and IRS-Criminal Investigation.
KC Metro Strike Force
This prosecution was brought as a part of the Department of Justice’s Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Forces (OCDETF) Co-located Strike Forces Initiative, which provides for the establishment of permanent multi-agency task force teams that work side-by-side in the same location. This co-located model enables agents from different agencies to collaborate on intelligence-driven, multi-jurisdictional operations against a continuum of priority targets and their affiliate illicit financial networks. These prosecutor-led co-located Strike Forces capitalize on the synergy created through the long-term relationships that can be forged by agents, analysts, and prosecutors who remain together over time, and they epitomize the model that has proven most effective in combating organized crime. The principal mission of the OCDETF program is to identify, disrupt, and dismantle the most serious drug trafficking organizations, transnational criminal organizations, and money laundering organizations that present a significant threat to the public safety, economic, or national security of the United States.
El Dorado County Man Pleads Guilty to Distributing a Designer Drug from the Dark Web that Caused the Death of a MinorRead the Press Release
SACRAMENTO, Calif. — Elijah Richter, 28, of Camino, pleaded guilty today to distribution of a controlled substance known as 25I-NBOMe that caused death, U.S. Attorney McGregor W. Scott announced.
According to court documents, during September 2012, Richter imported hallucinogenic drugs, including a controlled substance known as 25I-NBOMe, from Europe to his residence in El Dorado County, by placing orders on his computer through Silk Road, a now-defunct “dark” website.
Through Silk Road, Richter was able to use bitcoin currency and an anonymous interface to execute drug deals. Shortly before Sept. 8, 2012, Richter imported a number of doses of 25I‑NBOMe from Europe. He then distributed some to Jesse Roberts, who in turn, distributed some to a juvenile male. The boy took four doses and died as a result of an overdose.
When a search warrant was served at Richter’s home, law enforcement officers recovered 2.61 grams of MDMA (Ecstasy), three digital scales, 3.81 grams of suspected hash oil, 42.25 grams of marijuana, 89 pink colored tabs of suspected 25I-NBOMe on paper, and seven additional tabs of suspected 25I-NBOMe in aluminum foil, as well as a handwritten list of drugs and their proper dosage units. Richter admitted to supplying the hits of 25I-NBOMe that killed the juvenile.
According to the plea agreement, Richter imported doses of 25I-NBOMe for the purpose of distributing that substance to others for human consumption and some of those doses ultimately were distributed to the juvenile in El Dorado County and lead to his overdose death.
The El Dorado County District Attorney’s Office prosecuted Roberts. He was convicted of involuntary manslaughter on March 3, 2017, and sentenced to six years in prison.
This case is the product of an investigation by the Drug Enforcement Administration, the El Dorado County Sheriff’s Office, and the El Dorado County District Attorney’s Office as part of an Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Force (OCDETF). The OCDETF Program was established in 1982 to conduct comprehensive, multilevel attacks on major drug trafficking and money laundering organizations. The principal mission of the OCDETF program is to identify, disrupt, and dismantle the most serious drug trafficking and money laundering organizations and those primarily responsible for the nation’s drug supply. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Jason Hitt and Paul Hemesath are prosecuting the case.
Richter is scheduled to be sentenced by U.S. District Judge Kimberly J. Mueller on April 27. Richter faces a maximum statutory penalty of life in prison, a mandatory minimum sentence of 20 years in prison, and a $10 million fine. The actual sentence, however, will be determined at the discretion of the court after consideration of any applicable statutory factors and the Federal Sentencing Guidelines, which take into account a number of variables.
El Departamento de Justicia Presenta una Demanda contra Propietarios y un Administrador de Propiedades de Edificios Residenciales en Los Ángeles cerca del Parque MacarthurRead the Press Release
WASHINGTON, D.C. – El Departamento de Justicia anunció el lunes que ha presentado una demanda que alega que ciertas inquilinas de unos edificios residenciales en Los Ángeles, California, fueron víctimas de acoso sexual y represalias, en contra de la ley federal de Vivienda Justa.
La demanda del lunes, presentada ante el Tribunal de Distrito de los EE. UU. para el Distrito Central de California, alega que el administrador de propiedad Filomeno Hernández acosó sexualmente a inquilinas de las propiedades de alquiler, al menos desde el 2006 hasta el día presente. Según la demanda, el acoso por Hernández incluyó, entre otras cosas, contacto sexual no deseado repetido y frecuente, incluyendo agresión sexual, insinuaciones y comentarios sexuales, ofertas de reducir el alquiler o de perdonar pagos tardíos o impagos del alquiler a cambio de sexo y la entrada en las casas de inquilinas sin su consentimiento. Los edificios residenciales están ubicados en 729 South Bonnie Brae Street y 720 Westlake Avenue, cerca del Parque MacArthur. La demanda del Departamento nombra como acusados a Filomeno Hernández, Ramin Akhavan, Bonnie Brae Investment Services LLC y Westlake Property Services LLC. Los acusados son administradores o propietarios en los edificios donde la conducta ilícita tuvo lugar.
«Ninguna mujer debe soportar el acoso sexual, ni mucho menos en su propia casa», declaró Eric Dreiband, Fiscal General Auxiliar de la División de Derechos Civiles del Departamento de Justicia. «El acoso sexual en la vivienda es inaceptable e ilegal, y el Departamento de Justicia seguirá haciendo cumplir enérgicamente la ley de Vivienda Justa para combatir este tipo de discriminación y obtener compensación para sus víctimas».
«El acoso sexual de mujeres vulnerables no es aceptable y no toleraremos este tipo de comportamiento por parte de propietarios o administradores de propiedad», afirmó Nick Hanna, el Fiscal Federal de los Estados Unidos para el Distrito Central de California. «Se obligará a aquellas personas que abusen de sus posiciones de poder rendir cuentas en virtud de la ley de Vivienda Justa».
En octubre del 2017, el Departamento de Justicia dio pie a una iniciativa para combatir el acoso sexual en el ámbito de la vivienda. En abril del 2018, el Departamento anunció el lanzamiento nacional de la iniciativa, incluyendo tres componentes principales: herramientas de alcance para apalancar la red nacional del Departamento de Fiscalías Federales de los EE. UU., una campaña de concientización pública, incluyendo la publicación de unir el acoso sexual en la vivienda. Desde el lanzamiento de la iniciativa, el Departamento de Justicia ha presentado trece demandas que alegan un patrón o una práctica de acoso sexual en la vivienda.
La demanda del lunes busca indemnización por daños y perjuicios para compensar a las víctimas, sanciones civiles, y una orden judicial que prohíba la discriminación en el futuro. La demanda contiene alegaciones de conducta ilícita que deberán ser probadas ante un tribunal federal.
La ley federal de Vivienda Justa prohíbe la discriminación en la vivienda por motivos de raza, color de piel, religión, origen nacional, género, discapacidad o estado familiar. Para más información acerca de la División de Derechos Civiles y las leyes que hace cumplir, vaya a https://www.justice.gov/crt-espanol. Para más información acerca de la Sección de Derechos Civiles de la División Civil de la Fiscalía de los Estados Unidos para el Distrito Central de California, vaya a https://www.justice.gov/usao-cdca/civil-division/civil-rights-espanol.
Aquellos individuos que creen haber sido víctimas de acoso sexual u otros tipos de discriminación en la vivienda en las viviendas de alquiler que son de propiedad de Filomeno Hernández o Ramin Akhavan u operadas por los mismos, o aquellos que tengan información que podría ser de interés en este caso, favor de llamar a la línea para informantes de discriminación en la vivienda:
- Inglés: Llame al 1-800-896-7743 y pulse 1 para continuar en inglés. Elija el buzón 9992 para dejar un mensaje; o
- Español: Llame al 1-800-896-7743 y pulse 2 para continuar en español. Elija el buzón 6 para dejar un mensaje.
También se puede denunciar el acoso sexual y otras formas de discriminación en la vivienda por medio de correo electrónico al Departamento de Justicia a [email protected], o bien se puede presentar una demanda acerca de la discriminación en la vivienda o de otras vulneraciones de derechos civiles ante la Sección de Derechos Civiles, División Civil de la Fiscalía de los Estados Unidos por teléfono al (213) 894-2879, correo electrónico a [email protected] o al rellenar y entregar este formulario.
El Departamento de Justicia Presenta una Demanda Contra Propietarios y un Administrador de Propiedades de Edificios Residenciales en Los Ángeles, Alegando Acoso Sexual de InquilinasRead the Press Release
LOS ÁNGELES – El Departamento de Justicia anunció hoy que ha presentado una demanda que alega que los propietarios y un administrador de dos edificios residenciales en el barrio de Westlake en Los Ángeles acosaron sexualmente a sus inquilinas por más de una década, en contra de la ley federal.
La demanda, presentada ante el Tribunal de Distrito de los EE. UU. en Los Ángeles, alega que Filomeno Hernández, Ramin Akhavan, Bonnie Brae Investment Services LLC y Westlake Property Services LLC violaron la ley federal de Vivienda Justa. Los demandados son administradores o propietarios de los edificios pertinentes – 729 South Bonnie Brae Street y 720 Westlake Avenue – que están ubicados cerca del Parque MacArthur en el distrito de Westlake en la ciudad de Los Ángeles.
La demanda alega que Hernández, el administrador de las propiedades, acosó sexualmente a inquilinas de las propiedades de alquiler, al menos desde el 2006 hasta el día presente. Según la demanda, el acoso por Hernández incluyó, entre otras cosas, contacto sexual no deseado repetido y frecuente, incluyendo agresión sexual, insinuaciones y comentarios sexuales, ofertas de reducir el alquiler o de perdonar pagos tardíos o impagos del alquiler a cambio de sexo y la entrada en las casas de inquilinas sin su consentimiento.
“El acoso sexual de mujeres vulnerables no es aceptable y no toleraremos este tipo de comportamiento por parte de propietarios o administradores de propiedad,” afirmó Nick Hanna, el Fiscal Federal de los Estados Unidos para el Distrito Central de California. “Se obligará a aquellas personas que abusen de sus posiciones de poder rendir cuentas en virtud de la ley de Vivienda Justa.”
“Ninguna mujer debe soportar el acoso sexual, ni mucho menos en su propia casa,” declaró Eric Dreiband, Fiscal General Auxiliar de la División de Derechos Civiles del Departamento de Justicia. “El acoso sexual en la vivienda es inaceptable e ilegal, y el Departamento de Justicia seguirá haciendo cumplir enérgicamente la ley de Vivienda Justa para combatir este tipo de discriminación y obtener compensación para sus víctimas.”
En octubre del 2017, el Departamento de Justicia dio pie a una iniciativa para combatir el acoso sexual en el ámbito de la vivienda. En abril del 2018, el Departamento anunció el lanzamiento nacional de la iniciativa. Desde el lanzamiento de la iniciativa, el Departamento de Justicia ha presentado trece demandas que alegan un patrón o una práctica de acoso sexual en la vivienda.
La demanda busca indemnización por daños y perjuicios para compensar a las víctimas, sanciones civiles, y una orden judicial que prohíba la discriminación en el futuro. La demanda contiene alegaciones de conducta ilícita que deberán ser probadas ante un tribunal federal.
La ley federal de Vivienda Justa prohíbe la discriminación en la vivienda por motivos de raza, color de piel, religión, origen nacional, género, discapacidad o estado familiar. Para más información acerca de la División de Derechos Civiles y las leyes que hace cumplir, vaya a https://www.justice.gov/crt-espanol. Para más información acerca de la Sección de Derechos Civiles de la División Civil de la Fiscalía de los Estados Unidos para el Distrito Central de California, vaya a https://www.justice.gov/usao-cdca/civil-division/civil-rights-espanol.
Aquellos individuos que creen haber sido víctimas de acoso sexual u otros tipos de discriminación en la vivienda en las viviendas de alquiler que son de propiedad de Filomeno Hernández o Ramin Akhavan u operadas por los mismos, o aquellos que tengan información que podría ser de interés en este caso, favor de llamar a la línea para informantes de discriminación en la vivienda:
- Inglés: Llame al 1-800-896-7743 y pulse 1 para continuar en inglés. Elija el buzón 9992 para dejar un mensaje; o
- Español: Llame al 1-800-896-7743 y pulse 2 para continuar en español. Elija el buzón 6 para dejar un mensaje.
También se puede denunciar el acoso sexual y otras formas de discriminación en la vivienda por medio de correo electrónico al Departamento de Justicia a [email protected], o bien se puede presentar una demanda acerca de la discriminación en la vivienda o de otras vulneraciones de derechos civiles ante la Sección de Derechos Civiles, División Civil de la Fiscalía de los Estados Unidos por teléfono al (213) 894-2879, correo electrónico a [email protected] o al rellenar y entregar este formulario.
El Departamento de Justicia Presenta una Demanda Contra Propietarios y un Administrador de Propiedades de Edificios Residenciales en Los Ángeles, Alegando Acoso Sexual de InquilinasRead the Press Release
LOS ÁNGELES – El Departamento de Justicia anunció hoy que ha presentado una demanda que alega que los propietarios y un administrador de dos edificios residenciales en el barrio de Westlake en Los Ángeles acosaron sexualmente a sus inquilinas por más de una década, en contra de la ley federal.
La demanda, presentada ante el Tribunal de Distrito de los EE. UU. en Los Ángeles, alega que Filomeno Hernández, Ramin Akhavan, Bonnie Brae Investment Services LLC y Westlake Property Services LLC violaron la ley federal de Vivienda Justa. Los demandados son administradores o propietarios de los edificios pertinentes – 729 South Bonnie Brae Street y 720 Westlake Avenue – que están ubicados cerca del Parque MacArthur en el distrito de Westlake en la ciudad de Los Ángeles.
La demanda alega que Hernández, el administrador de las propiedades, acosó sexualmente a inquilinas de las propiedades de alquiler, al menos desde el 2006 hasta el día presente. Según la demanda, el acoso por Hernández incluyó, entre otras cosas, contacto sexual no deseado repetido y frecuente, incluyendo agresión sexual, insinuaciones y comentarios sexuales, ofertas de reducir el alquiler o de perdonar pagos tardíos o impagos del alquiler a cambio de sexo y la entrada en las casas de inquilinas sin su consentimiento.
“El acoso sexual de mujeres vulnerables no es aceptable y no toleraremos este tipo de comportamiento por parte de propietarios o administradores de propiedad,” afirmó Nick Hanna, el Fiscal Federal de los Estados Unidos para el Distrito Central de California. “Se obligará a aquellas personas que abusen de sus posiciones de poder rendir cuentas en virtud de la ley de Vivienda Justa.”
“Ninguna mujer debe soportar el acoso sexual, ni mucho menos en su propia casa,” declaró Eric Dreiband, Fiscal General Auxiliar de la División de Derechos Civiles del Departamento de Justicia. “El acoso sexual en la vivienda es inaceptable e ilegal, y el Departamento de Justicia seguirá haciendo cumplir enérgicamente la ley de Vivienda Justa para combatir este tipo de discriminación y obtener compensación para sus víctimas.”
En octubre del 2017, el Departamento de Justicia dio pie a una iniciativa para combatir el acoso sexual en el ámbito de la vivienda. En abril del 2018, el Departamento anunció el lanzamiento nacional de la iniciativa. Desde el lanzamiento de la iniciativa, el Departamento de Justicia ha presentado trece demandas que alegan un patrón o una práctica de acoso sexual en la vivienda.
La demanda busca indemnización por daños y perjuicios para compensar a las víctimas, sanciones civiles, y una orden judicial que prohíba la discriminación en el futuro. La demanda contiene alegaciones de conducta ilícita que deberán ser probadas ante un tribunal federal.
La ley federal de Vivienda Justa prohíbe la discriminación en la vivienda por motivos de raza, color de piel, religión, origen nacional, género, discapacidad o estado familiar. Para más información acerca de la División de Derechos Civiles y las leyes que hace cumplir, vaya a https://www.justice.gov/crt-espanol. Para más información acerca de la Sección de Derechos Civiles de la División Civil de la Fiscalía de los Estados Unidos para el Distrito Central de California, vaya a https://www.justice.gov/usao-cdca/civil-division/civil-rights-espanol.
Aquellos individuos que creen haber sido víctimas de acoso sexual u otros tipos de discriminación en la vivienda en las viviendas de alquiler que son de propiedad de Filomeno Hernández o Ramin Akhavan u operadas por los mismos, o aquellos que tengan información que podría ser de interés en este caso, favor de llamar a la línea para informantes de discriminación en la vivienda:
- Inglés: Llame al 1-800-896-7743 y pulse 1 para continuar en inglés. Elija el buzón 9992 para dejar un mensaje; o
- Español: Llame al 1-800-896-7743 y pulse 2 para continuar en español. Elija el buzón 6 para dejar un mensaje.
También se puede denunciar el acoso sexual y otras formas de discriminación en la vivienda por medio de correo electrónico al Departamento de Justicia a [email protected], o bien se puede presentar una demanda acerca de la discriminación en la vivienda o de otras vulneraciones de derechos civiles ante la Sección de Derechos Civiles, División Civil de la Fiscalía de los Estados Unidos por teléfono al (213) 894-2879, correo electrónico a [email protected] o al rellenar y entregar este formulario.
Eagle Butte Man Sentenced for Aggravated Sexual AbuseRead the Press Release
United States Attorney Ron Parsons announced that an Eagle Butte, South Dakota, man convicted of Aggravated Sexual Abuse was sentenced on October 21, 2019, by U.S. District Judge Roberto A. Lange.
Shawn Iron Hawk, age 25, was sentenced to 132 months in federal prison, followed by 7 years of supervised release, and a special assessment to the Federal Crime Victims Fund in the amount of $100.
Iron Hawk was indicted by a federal grand jury on February 21, 2019. He pled guilty on July 31, 2019.
The conviction stemmed from an incident on December 30, 2018, when Iron Hawk entered the victim’s residence while she was sleeping and sexually assaulted her by use of force.
This case was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation. Assistant U.S. Attorney Jay Miller prosecuted the case.
Iron Hawk was immediately turned over to the custody of the U.S. Marshals Service.
Drug Dealer Sentenced in Federal CourtRead the Press Release
United States Attorney Richard W. Moore of the Southern District of Alabama announced that Eddie Lee Padgett, 62, of Daphne, Alabama, was sentenced on January 9, 2020, in federal court for his involvement in a conspiracy to distribute cocaine and crack cocaine. Padgett was convicted following a jury trial conducted in October of 2019 conducted by United States District Court Judge Terry F. Moorer. Evidence from the trial established that Padgett and several other individuals sold more than 10 kilograms of crack cocaine and more than 5 kilograms of cocaine from a residence on Highway 31 near Bay Minette and a location in the Daphmont neighborhood in Daphne since 2017. The investigation of this illegal activity resulted in a court-authorized wiretap, and recordings made during the period of the wiretap were played for the jury during the trial. Padgett was convicted on all counts—three substantive counts of distribution of cocaine and crack cocaine, and the conspiracy charge.
Judge Moorer imposed a sentence of 240 months imprisonment on each count, and ordered they will run concurrently. He further ordered that Padgett will serve a period of five years under supervised release when he is discharged from prison. During that term, Padgett will undergo drug testing and treatment. The judge ordered that Padgett will pay a special assessment of $400, but he did not impose a fine.The case was investigated by the Baldwin County Sheriff’s Office, the Daphne Police Department, the Baldwin County Drug Task Force, and the Federal Bureau of Investigation. It was prosecuted in the United States Attorney’s Office by Assistant United States Attorney Gloria Bedwell.
Drug Courier Sentenced in Federal CourtRead the Press Release
United States Attorney Richard W. Moore of the Southern District of Alabama announced that German Eduardo Barahona, 29, of Houston, Texas, was sentenced on January 9, 2020, in federal court for his involvement in a conspiracy to distribute methamphetamine. Court documents show that Barahona was driving a truck stopped by Saraland police officers on Interstate 65 in route to Atlanta, Georgia. A search of the vehicle revealed approximately 36 kilograms of methamphetamine ice concealed within some industrial bolts in the bed of the truck. Barahona entered a guilty plea to the conspiracy charge in September of 2019.
United States District Court Judge Jeffery U. Beaverstock imposed a sentence of 135 months imprisonment, and ordered that Barahona would serve a period of five years under supervised release when he is discharged from prison. During that term, he will undergo drug testing and treatment. The judge ordered that Barahona will pay a special assessment of $100, but he did not impose a fine.
The case was investigated by the Saraland Police Department, the Mobile County Sheriff’s Office and the Department of Homeland Security Investigations. It was prosecuted in the United States Attorney’s Office by Assistant United States Attorney Gloria Bedwell.
Dominican National Pleads Guilty to Drug TraffickingRead the Press Release
BOSTON – A Dominican national pleaded guilty today in federal court in Boston to heroin trafficking.
Alexander Martinez-Peguero, 38, who resided in Lawrence, pleaded guilty to conspiracy to distribute and possession with intent to distribute 100 grams or more of heroin. U.S. District Court Judge Allison D. Burroughs scheduled sentencing for May 5, 2020. In January 2019, Alexander was charged along with his brother, Angel Martinez-Peguero, 27, who is pending trial.
According to the charging documents, on Dec. 20, 2018, investigators seized nearly one kilogram of heroin from the Martinez-Peguero brothers during a law enforcement operation in Lawrence. Investigators also seized a loaded semi-automatic pistol from Angel Martinez-Peguero’s waistband upon his arrest.
The charge of conspiracy to distribute and to possess with intent to distribute 100 grams or more of heroin carries a mandatory minimum sentence of five years and up to 40 years in prison, at least four years of supervised release and a fine of $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; Brian D. Boyle, Special Agent in Charge of the Drug Enforcement Administration’s New England Division; and Colonel Christopher Mason, Superintendent of the Massachusetts State Police, made the announcement. Assistant U.S. Attorney Philip C. Cheng of Lelling’s Narcotics and Money Laundering Unit is prosecuting the case.
The details contained in the charging documents are allegations. The remaining defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.
Diamondhead Man Found Guilty by Federal Jury of Possession of Massive Amount of Child PornographyRead the Press Release
Gulfport, Mississippi. – After a five-day trial, a federal jury on Friday found Taryn Goin Naidoo, 41, of Diamondhead, guilty of three counts of possession of images of minors engaging in sexually explicit conduct, announced Assistant Attorney General Brian A. Benczkowski of the Justice Department’s Criminal Division, U.S. Attorney Mike Hurst and Special Agent in Charge Jere T. Miles with U. S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) in New Orleans.
“I applaud our prosecutors and law enforcement partners for taking this criminal off our streets and making all of our kids a little safer today. This guilty verdict should serve as a warning to others who possess or peddle in this garbage – we are coming after you, we will find you, and you will go to prison. We will continue to do everything within our power to protect the least among us,” said U.S. Attorney Hurst.
From July 2017 through October 2018, HSI conducted an investigation with the Hancock County Sheriff’s Office and the Diamondhead Police Department which resulted in the seizure and forensic examination of multiple electronic devices found at Naidoo’s residence, to include Micro SD cards, laptop computers, notepads or tablets, and hard drives. The evidence found on the electronic devices and the timeline of that evidence proved Naidoo knowingly possessed over 90,000 images and videos of minors engaging in sexually explicit conduct, to include images of minors who had not attained 12 years of age.
Naidoo will be sentenced by before Senior U.S. District Judge Louis Guirola, Jr. on April 8, 2020, at 10:00 a.m. He faces a maximum penalty of 20 years in prison and $250,000 fine on each count.
This case was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Andrea Jones and Ralph Paradiso of the Criminal Division’s Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section (CEOS).
This case was brought as part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative to combat the growing epidemic of child sexual exploitation and abuse launched in May 2006 by the Department of Justice. Led by U.S. Attorneys' Offices and the Criminal Division's Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section (CEOS), Project Safe Childhood marshals federal, state and local resources to better locate, apprehend and prosecute individuals who exploit children via the Internet as well as to identify and rescue victims. For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit www.projectsafechildhood.gov.
DeKalb County Man Sentenced to 21 Months for Failure to Register or Update Registration as Sex OffenderRead the Press Release
BIRMINGHAM – A federal judge today sentenced a DeKalb County man to 21months in prison for violation of the Sex Offender Registration and Notification Act announced U.S. Attorney Jay E. Town and U.S. Marshal Martin Keely.
U.S. District Judge Liles C. Burke sentenced JASON WIENK, 45, to 21 months in prison to be followed by five years of supervised release. Weink pled guilty in August for failure to register or update registration in violation of the Sex Offender Registration and Notification Act (SORNA).
“Sexual assault of an innocent child is despicable,” Town said. “Sex offenders who flee to another state, and violate the law by not registering will be caught, will be prosecuted, and will occupy the bed reserved for them in federal prison. We appreciate the investigative work of the U.S. Marshals Service in Alabama and Illinois, and our partnership with the DeKalb County Sheriff’s Office.”
According to the plea agreement, Wienk was convicted of predatory criminal sexual assault of a child in the Circuit Court of Winnebago County, Illinois. Such criminal conviction requires Wienk to register as a sex offender for life. Wienk moved across state lines to Alabama and did not register as a sex offender.
Under the Adam Walsh Child Protection and Safety Act of 2006, if a convicted sex offender travels to another state and fails to register as required by law, he/she is subject to federal prosecution that carries penalties of a fine and/or imprisonment for up to 10 years.
U.S. Marshals Service for the Northern District of Alabama and Northern District of Illinois along with DeKalb County Sheriff’s Office investigated the case. Assistant U.S. Attorney R. Leann White prosecuted the case.
Convicted Sex Offender Sentenced for Distribution of Child Pornography to AnotherRead the Press Release
Chattanooga, Tenn. – On January 10, 2020, Matthew John Jurado, 52, currently of Tracy, California, was sentenced by the Honorable Travis R. McDonough, in the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Tennessee at Chattanooga. Mr. Jurado was sentenced to 120 months in prison, followed by five years’ supervised release.
As part of the written plea agreement, Jurado agreed to plead guilty to count two of the indictment by a Federal Grand Jury, where he was charged with causing another person to possess child pornography in violation of 18 U.S.C. § 2252(a)(4)(B) and 2(b). Jurado is a registered sex offender with a prior conviction for child pornography.
In February 2019, the defendant distributed numerous images of child pornography throughout the world from a coffee shop located in Tracy, California. The defendant’s activities and identity were discovered by a member of the Chattanooga Crimes Against Children Task Force, when the defendant distributed child pornography to an undercover Task Force officer. Furthermore, members of the Task Force arrested a second individual who had traveled to Chattanooga with the intent to engage in sex with a minor. Law enforcement agents seized the cell phone belonging to that individual, and found that it contained child pornography that had been sent by the defendant.
“Information sharing among local and federal agencies across the country can bring dangerous criminals to justice. Every child deserves to grow up without the fear, humiliation, and trauma of being the victim of sexual exploitation. If you engage in production of child pornography or dissemination of child pornography in the Eastern District of Tennessee, you will be caught and serve significant time in prison. The U.S. Attorney’s Office will continue to aggressively pursue the predators in this world who seek to abuse the most innocent among us,” said J. Douglas Overbey.
“Those who prey on children, whether they live in Tennessee or around the world, will be found, will be investigated and will be prosecuted. The FBI along with our local, state, and federal partners remain committed to protect our community and hold those accountable whose desire is to harm, abuse, and victimize our most precious resource, our children,” said FBI’s Special Agent in Charge Joe Carrico.
The criminal indictment and plea agreement are the result of an ongoing investigation by the Chattanooga Crimes Against Children Task Force, which consists of agents from the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), Homeland Security Investigations (HIS), the Hamilton County Sheriff’s Department, and the Chattanooga Police Department. This investigation was led by Special Agent Samuel Moore with the Federal Bureau of Investigation.
Assistant United States Attorney James T. Brooks represented the United States.
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Convicted Felon Sentenced to Federal Prison for Shooting into HomeRead the Press Release
Tampa, Florida – U.S. District Judge Steven D. Merryday today sentenced Lamont Guinyard (30, Gulfport) to four years and three months in federal prison for possessing a firearm as a convicted felon. Guinyard had pleaded guilty on April 8, 2019.
According to testimony and evidence presented at today’s sentencing hearing, in October 2018, Guinyard fired a gun into an occupied residence. Several individuals were inside the home at the time. One bullet entered, and was recovered from, a young child’s room. The child was not harmed.
At the time, Guinyard had multiple prior felony convictions and is, therefore, prohibited from possessing a firearm or ammunition under federal law.
This case was investigated by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives and the St. Petersburg Police Department. It was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Gregory T. Nolan.
This case was brought as part of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), a program that has been successful in bringing together all levels of law enforcement to reduce violent crime and make our neighborhoods safer for everyone. In the Middle District of Florida, U.S. Attorney Maria Chapa Lopez coordinates PSN efforts in cooperation with various federal, state, and local law enforcement officials.
Clinton Woman Pleads Guilty to Social Security Fraud and False StatementsRead the Press Release
Bangor Maine: A Clinton woman pleaded guilty on Friday in federal court in Bangor to Social Security fraud and making false statements, U.S. Attorney Halsey B. Frank announced.
According to court records, from about August 2006 through March 2019, Katherine Prosper, 61, a recipient of Supplemental Security Income (“SSI”), concealed the presence of her husband in her household in order to maintain her eligibility to receive benefit payments. SSI benefits are paid to people with limited income who are blind, disabled, or elderly. Prosper’s husband had sufficient income to render her ineligible for the benefits she received during that period. In multiple reviews of her eligibility for benefits, Prosper falsely represented to the Social Security Administration (“SSA”) that she was living alone and not receiving help or money from any other person during this time. At an interview with law enforcement agents, Prosper admitted to concealing her living situation from SSA because she knew it would make her ineligible to receive SSI.
Prosper faces up to five years in prison and a fine of up to $250,000 on both charges, and up to three years of supervised release. She will be sentenced after the completion of a presentence investigation report by the U.S. Probation Office.
The investigation was conducted by SSA’s Office of the Inspector General and the U.S. Postal Inspection Service.
Canadian National Pleads Guilty to Drug Charge After Maritime Arrest in International Waters off Oregon CoastRead the Press Release
PORTLAND, Ore.—John Philip Stirling, 65, a Canadian citizen, pleaded guilty in federal court today to one count of possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine under the Maritime Drug Law Enforcement Act (MDLEA).
According to court documents, on April 9, 2019, while on a routine patrol, the U.S. Coast Guard Cutter Alert detected a sailing vessel traveling north 225 nautical miles from Newport, Oregon. The vessel, named Mandalay, had a home port of Seattle, Washington and visible U.S. registration numbers. When Coast Guard personnel attempted to communicate with Stirling, he went below deck and would only respond via VHF radio. Once Coast Guard personnel determined the Mandalay was a vessel within the jurisdiction of the U.S., they boarded and found Stirling to be the vessel’s sole occupant.
Stirling stated he did not have vessel documentation and refused to produce identification. Upon further questioning, Sterling’s speech began to deteriorate and he displayed signs of a possible drug overdose. Coast Guard personnel administered medical aid to Stirling and evacuated him by helicopter to Astoria, Oregon. He was later transported by ambulance to Adventist Health Portland for additional treatment.
Coast Guard personnel conducted a search of the Mandalay and discovered 28 seven-gallon jugs containing liquid methamphetamine.
Under the MDLEA, Stirling faces a maximum sentence of life in prison, a $10 million fine and five years of supervised release. Pursuant to the plea agreement, the government will recommend Stirling be sentenced to 87 months in prison. He will be sentenced on April 20, 2020 before U.S. District Court Judge Michael W. Mosman.
As part of the plea agreement, Stirling has agreed to forfeit the Mandalay.
This case was investigated by the U.S. Coast Guard Investigative Service (CGIS) and Homeland Security Investigations (HSI).
Brooke County man admits to firearms chargeRead the Press Release
WHEELING, WEST VIRGINIA – James Joseph Michaels, of Wellsburg, West Virginia, has admitted to a firearms charge, U.S. Attorney Bill Powell announced.
Michaels, age 52, pled guilty to one count of “Unlawful Possession of a Firearm.” Michaels, prohibited from possessing a firearm due to a prior conviction, admitted to having a .22 caliber revolver in March 2019 in Brooke County.Michaels faces up to 10 years incarceration and a fine of up to $250,000. Under the Federal Sentencing Guidelines, the actual sentence imposed will be based upon the seriousness of the offenses and the prior criminal history, if any, of the defendant.
This case was brought as part of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN). Project Safe Neighborhoods is the centerpiece of the Department of Justice’s violent crime reduction efforts. PSN is an evidence-based program proven to be effective at reducing violent crime. Through PSN, a broad spectrum of stakeholders work together to identify the most pressing violent crime problems in the community and develop comprehensive solutions to address them. As part of this strategy, PSN focuses enforcement efforts on the most violent offenders and partners with locally based prevention and reentry programs for lasting reductions in crime.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Danae DeMasi-Lemon is prosecuting the case on behalf of the government. The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives investigated.
U.S. Magistrate Judge James P. Mazzone presided.
Bridgeport Man Sentenced to 2 Years in Federal Prison for Distributing OxycodoneRead the Press Release
John H. Durham, United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut, announced that JORDAN RODOFSKY, 57, of Bridgeport, was sentenced today by U.S. District Judge Alvin W. Thompson in Hartford to 24 months of imprisonment, followed by three years of supervised release, for distributing oxycodone.
According to court documents and statements made in court, between May and September 2018, law enforcement made controlled purchases of various quantities of oxycodone from Rodofsky. During one transaction, on August 7, 2018, investigators purchased 96 30mg oxycodone pills from Rodofsky for $3,400.
Rodofsky was arrested on September 11, 2018. On June 12, 2019, he pleaded guilty to one count of possession with intent to distribute, and distribution of, oxycodone.
Rodofsky, who is released on a $150,000 bond, was ordered to report to prison on March 12, 2020.
This matter was investigated by the Drug Enforcement Administration’s New Haven Tactical Diversion Squad and was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Jennifer R. Laraia.
Bloomington Man Sentenced to 16 1/2 Years in Prison for Role in McLean County Crack Cocaine Trafficking ConspiracyRead the Press Release
PEORIA, Ill. – U.S. District Judge James E. Shadid has sentenced Raymone Stephens, 31, of Bloomington, Ill., to 16 years and 8 months in prison for his role in a crack cocaine trafficking conspiracy in 2018. Stephens, sentenced on Jan 9, 2020, has been in the custody of the U.S. Marshals since his arrest in November 2018, and will be transferred to the federal Bureau of Prisons to serve his sentence.
On Sept. 4, 2019, Stephens pleaded guilty to participating in the conspiracy and to eight counts of related possession and distribution of crack cocaine in the Bloomington-Normal area. A co-defendant, Khalil Hood, 29, has also pleaded guilty to the conspiracy and to one count of possession with intent to distribute crack cocaine. Hood is scheduled to be sentenced on Jan. 31, 2020. Three additional defendants were convicted on state charges in McLean County. As a result of the investigation, officers recovered more than 300 grams of cocaine, four handguns, a pistol-grip shotgun, and a bulletproof vest.
These convictions were secured by a multi-month investigation in the summer and fall of 2018 by the Bloomington Police Department and the Federal Drug Enforcement Administration. Assistant U.S. Attorney Adam W. Ghrist represented the government in the federal prosecution. The McLean County State’s Attorney’s Office and the United States Attorney’s Office worked together throughout the investigation and prosecution to secure both state and federal convictions.
Bloomfield Man Involved in 2009 Kidnapping and Murder Sentenced to Life in PrisonRead the Press Release
John H. Durham, United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut, announced that GERUND MICKENS, also known as “Breeze,” 44, of Bloomfield, was sentenced today by U.S. District Judge Stefan R. Underhill in Bridgeport to life in prison for his role in the kidnapping, robbery and the execution-style murder of Charles Teasley, 35, of West Hartford, in January 2009.
According to evidence presented during trial, on January 12, 2009, Hartford Police responded to Colebrook Street in response to a 911 call concerning a dead body being found in the back seat of a vehicle parked on the street. Upon arrival, Charles Teasley was found dead in the back seat of his own vehicle, a 1999 Acura TL. He had suffered multiple gunshot wounds to his head and face, and his hands were zip-tied behind his back.
The investigation revealed that Mickens, Harold Cook, Terrell Hunter and Jesus Ashanti were involved in committing armed robberies of persons they believed to be drug dealers operating in the greater Hartford area. On January 9, 2009, an individual advised Cook that he had arranged to conduct a cocaine transaction with Teasley. The individual provided the particulars of the planned transaction to Cook so that Teasley could be kidnapped and robbed of drugs and money. After Teasley arrived at the arranged location, Cook, Mickens, Hunter and Ashanti kidnapped Teasley by using zip-ties to bind his hands and forcing him back into the rear seat of his own vehicle. In the vehicle, they threatened Teasley at gunpoint, assaulted him and forced him to make a telephone call directing his girlfriend to bring to Cook, Mickens, Hunter and Ashanti a safe that Teasley had kept at his and his girlfriend’s West Hartford residence. They drove to the residence and acquired the safe. Cook, Mickens and Hunter then drove Teasley to the Colebrook Street area of Hartford, and Ashanti followed them in a separate car. On the way, Hunter and Cook shot Teasley in the head causing his death. After arriving on Colebrook Street, Cook, Mickens and Hunter left the Acura and Teasley’s body, and then fled the area in the car driven by Ashanti.
Cook, Mickens and Hunter have been detained since their arrests on April 4, 2017. On August 21, 2018, a jury found them guilty of one count of kidnapping resulting in death, one count of using a firearm during a kidnapping and causing a death, and one count of using a firearm during a Hobbs Act robbery and causing a death.
Cook and Hunter each awaits sentencing and faces a mandatory term of life imprisonment without parole.
On July 16, 2018, Ashanti pleaded guilty to one count of kidnapping resulting in death, one count of using a firearm during a kidnapping and causing a death, and one count of using a firearm during a robbery and causing a death. He also awaits sentencing.
This investigation has been conducted by the FBI’s Northern Connecticut Violent Crimes Gang Task Force, Hartford Police Department and the Cold Case Homicide Unit of the Office of the Chief State’s Attorney. The Task Force includes members of the Hartford Police Department, East Hartford Police Department, Connecticut State Police and Connecticut Department of Correction.
The case is being prosecuted by U.S. Attorney Durham, Assistant U.S. Attorneys Jocelyn C. Kaoutzanis and Peter D. Markle, and Assistant State’s Attorney Andrew Reed Durham, who has been cross-designated as a Special Assistant U.S. Attorney in this matter.
Birmingham Man Sentenced to 14 ½ Years in Prison on Gun and Drug ChargesRead the Press Release
BIRMINGHAM, Ala. –A federal judge on Thursday sentenced a Birmingham man on gun and drug charges, announced U.S. Attorney Jay E. Town and Drug Enforcement Administration Assistant Special Agent in Charge Clay Morris.
U.S. District Judge Annemarie Axon sentenced Edwin “Fats” Pettaway, 48, to 174 months in prison, and five years of supervision following his release from prison.
Pettaway was charged with possession with intent to distribute 8 ounces of crack cocaine and with possession of a loaded 9mm pistol in furtherance of a drug felony. A federal jury convicted Pettaway in July 2019. According to court testimony, law enforcement had not seen this amount of crack in one place at one time in years. Pettaway was found in possession of a 5.56 caliber Bushmaster semi-automatic rifle loaded with 30 rounds of ammunition and 29 hydrocodone pills.
“There is zero tolerance in the Northern District for those in possession of firearms while dealing deadly narcotics,” Town said. “Pettaway has now been given bed space in federal prison with no sanctuary of parole.”
The DEA investigated the case, which Assistant U.S. Attorney Bill Simpson and John Camp prosecuted.
Berkeley County woman sentenced for drug chargeRead the Press Release
MARTINSBURG, WEST VIRGINIA – Shannon L. Keiffer, of Martinsburg, West Virginia, was sentenced today to five years probation for a drug charge, U.S. Attorney Bill Powell announced.
Keiffer, age 34, pled guilty to one count of “Distribution of Heroin” in April 2019. Keiffer admitted to selling heroin in July 2018 in Berkeley County.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Timothy D. Helman prosecuted the case on behalf of the government. The Eastern Panhandle Drug & Violent Crimes Task Force, a HIDTA-funded initiative, investigated.
The investigation was funded by the federal Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Force Program (OCDETF). The OCDETF program supplies critical federal funding and coordination that allows federal and state agencies to work together to successfully identify, investigate, and prosecute major interstate and international drug trafficking organizations and other criminal enterprises.
Chief U.S. District Judge Gina M. Groh presided.
Berkeley County man sentenced for role in cocaine, heroin, and fentanyl distribution operationRead the Press Release
MARTINSBURG, WEST VIRGINIA – Shavon Craig, of Kearneysville, West Virginia, was sentenced today to 24 months incarceration for his role in a cocaine, heroin, and fentanyl distribution operation, U.S. Attorney Bill Powell announced.
Craig, age 35, pled guilty to one count of “Possession with Intent to Distribute Cocaine Base” in September 2019. Craig admitted to distributing cocaine base in Berkeley County in December 2018.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Lara K. Omps-Botteicher, Special Assistant U.S. Attorney C. Lydia Lehman, also with the Berkeley County Prosecuting Attorney’s Office, and Assistant U.S Attorney Timothy D. Helman, prosecuted the case on behalf of the government. The Federal Bureau of Investigation; the West Virginia State Police; the Eastern Panhandle Drug & Violent Crimes Task Force, a HIDTA-funded initiative; the Berkeley County Prosecuting Attorney’s Office, the Berkeley County Sheriff’s Office, the Jefferson County Sheriff’s Office, the Martinsburg Police Department, the Charles Town Police Department, and the Ranson Police Department investigated.
The investigation was funded by the federal Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Force Program (OCDETF). The OCDETF program supplies critical federal funding and coordination that allows federal and state agencies to work together to successfully identify, investigate, and prosecute major interstate and international drug trafficking organizations and other criminal enterprises.
Chief U.S. District Judge Gina M. Groh presided.
Berkeley County man sentenced for firearms chargeRead the Press Release
MARTINSBURG, WEST VIRGINIA – William Ronald Monroe, of Martinsburg, West Virginia, was sentenced today to 120 months incarceration for a firearms charge, U.S. Attorney Bill Powell announced.
Monroe, age 39, pled guilty to one count of “Unlawful Possession of Firearm” in October 2019. Monroe, having been previously convicted of a felony, admitted to having a 9mm pistol and a .380 caliber pistol in August 2017 in Berkeley County.
This case was brought as part of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN). Project Safe Neighborhoods is the centerpiece of the Department of Justice’s violent crime reduction efforts. PSN is an evidence-based program proven to be effective at reducing violent crime. Through PSN, a broad spectrum of stakeholders work together to identify the most pressing violent crime problems in the community and develop comprehensive solutions to address them. As part of this strategy, PSN focuses enforcement efforts on the most violent offenders and partners with locally based prevention and reentry programs for lasting reductions in crime.Special Assistant U.S. Attorney C. Lydia Lehman, also with the Berkeley County Prosecuting Attorney’s Office, prosecuted the case on behalf of the government. The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives and the Martinsburg Police Department investigated.
Chief U.S. District Judge Gina M. Groh presided.
Berkeley County man sentenced for child pornography chargeRead the Press Release
MARTINSBURG, WEST VIRGINIA – Timothy Alan Himelright, of Inwood, West Virginia, was sentenced today to 121 months incarceration for distributing child pornography, U.S. Attorney Bill Powell announced.
Himelright, age 36, pled guilty to one count of “Distribution of Child Pornography” in September 2019. Himelright admitted to distributing child pornography in October 2018 in Berkeley County.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Kimberley D. Crockett prosecuted the case on behalf of the government. The West Virginia State Police and the Jefferson County Sheriff’s Office investigated.
This case is prosecuted as part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative designed to protect children from online exploitation and abuse. Led by the United States Attorneys’ Offices, 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 identify and rescue victims. For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit http://www.justice.gov/psc/.
Chief U.S. District Judge Gina M. Groh presided.
Baltimore Man Convicted After Five-Day Trial on Federal Charges Related to the Attempted Armed Robbery of a Food Service Company Where an Employee Was ShotRead the Press Release
Baltimore, Maryland – A federal jury convicted Alex Smith, a/k/a Skeet, age 34, of Halethorpe, Maryland, on federal charges of conspiracy to commit a commercial robbery, attempted robbery, and using, carrying, and discharging a firearm during and in relation to a crime of violence, related to the attempted armed robbery of a food service business in Baltimore on December 5, 2018, during which an employee of the business was shot. The jury returned its verdict late on Friday, January 10, 2020. Co-defendant Cornell Slater, a/k/a Chopper, age 34, of Odenton, Maryland, pleaded guilty on the eve of trial to the federal charges of using, carrying, and discharging a firearm during and in relation to a crime of violence; committing a commercial robbery, and to being a felon in possession of a firearm.
The conviction and guilty plea were announced by United States Attorney for the District of Maryland Robert K. Hur; Special Agent in Charge Rob Cekada of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) Baltimore Field Division; Commissioner Michael Harrison of the Baltimore Police Department; and Chief Tim Altomare of the Anne Arundel County Police Department.
According to Slater’s guilty plea and the evidence presented at Smith’s five-day trial, on December 5, 2018, Smith and Slater committed an attempted armed robbery of a food service business, which was Slater’s former employer. At approximately 3:22 a.m., Slater picked Smith up at his residence and the two traveled to the business. At 4:30 a.m., four employees arrived for the morning shift to open the store. Surveillance cameras show Smith and Slater waking across a parking lot in the direction of the employee entrance. As employees entered the store, Smith and Slater trailed them through the open door, posing as employees.
As detailed in the plea agreement and described during trial testimony, upon entering the building Slater confronted two victims outside of the manager’s office, pulling out a gun and shooting one of the victims in the face. Slater then forced the other employee toward the direction of the cash room, where the safe was stored. In the meantime, Smith entered the employee breakroom and confronted two other victims, brandishing a firearm while he ordered the victims to hand over their cell phones and get on the floor. Once Slater and the victim reached the cash room, the victim quickly entered the room and shut the door behind him, knowing that the door would lock automatically.
Knowing that they had been locked out of the cash room, Smith and Slater fled to Slater’s vehicle and drove off.
Further, Slater admitted that on November 14, 2018, he fired two shots at a woman, striking her in the side. The woman’s temporary license plate had been stolen from her vehicle on October 26, 2018. While driving in her neighborhood in the 2500 block of Springhill Avenue in Baltimore on November 14, 2018, the victim saw her stolen license plate on Slater’s car and pulled beside the vehicle to see who had stolen the plate. Slater confronted the victim for following him and shot her. The victim was able to describe Slater and his girlfriend, who had also been in the car at the time of the shooting.
Both of the shootings were forensically linked by the shell casings recovered at each shooting scene. Using information gleaned from both investigations, law enforcement officers were able to locate Slater and subsequently arrest him on December 18, 2018, outside of his residence in Odenton, MD. At the time of his arrest, Slater’s vehicle was displaying another temporary license plate that he been stolen approximately two weeks earlier. During a search of Slater’s residence, law enforcement recovered the 9mm pistol used in the two shootings from under Slater’s bed, as well as 10 rounds of 9mm ammunition. Slater had a previous felony conviction and was prohibited from possessing a firearm or ammunition.
Smith faces a maximum of 20 years in federal prison for a commercial robbery; and a mandatory minimum of 10 years and a maximum of life in federal prison for aiding and abetting the discharge of a firearm during and in relation to a crime of violence. Actual sentences for federal crimes are typically less than the maximum penalties. A federal district court judge will determine any sentence after taking into account the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors. U.S. District Judge Richard D. Bennett has not yet scheduled a sentencing date for Smith.
Slater and the government have agreed that, if the Court accepts the plea agreement, Slater will be sentenced to 30 years in federal prison. Judge Bennett has scheduled sentencing for Slater on April 8, 2020 at 3:00 p.m.
This case was made possible by investigative leads generated from the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives’ (ATF) National Integrated Ballistic Information Network (NIBIN). NIBIN is the only national network that allows for the capture and comparison of ballistic evidence to aid in solving and preventing violent crimes involving firearms. NIBIN is a proven investigative and intelligence tool that can link firearms from multiple crime scenes, allowing law enforcement to quickly disrupt shooting cycles. For more information on NIBIN, visit https://www.atf.gov/firearms/national-integrated-ballistic-information-network-nibin.
This case is part of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), a program bringing together all levels of law enforcement and the communities they serve to reduce violent crime and make our neighborhoods safer for everyone. Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN) is the centerpiece of the Department of Justice’s violent crime reduction efforts. PSN is an evidence-based program proven to be effective at reducing violent crime. Through PSN, a broad spectrum of stakeholders work together to identify the most pressing violent crime problems in the community and develop comprehensive solutions to address them. As part of this strategy, PSN focuses enforcement efforts on the most violent offenders and partners with locally based prevention and reentry programs for lasting reductions in crime.
This case is also part of Project Guardian, the Department of Justice’s signature initiative to reduce gun violence and enforce federal firearms laws. Initiated by the Attorney General in the fall of 2019, Project Guardian draws upon the Department’s past successful programs to reduce gun violence; enhances coordination of federal, state, local, and tribal authorities in investigating and prosecuting gun crimes; improves information-sharing by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives; and ensures that federal resources are directed at the criminals posing the greatest threat to our communities. For more information about Project Guardian, please see: https://www.justice.gov/projectguardian.
United States Attorney Robert K. Hur commended the ATF the Baltimore Police Department, and the Anne Arundel County Police Department for their work in the investigation. Mr. Hur thanked Assistant U.S. Attorneys Michael Goldsticker and James G. Warwick, who are prosecuting the case.
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Armed Methamphetamine Dealer Sentenced in Federal CourtRead the Press Release
United States Attorney Richard W. Moore of the Southern District of Alabama announced that Crystal Marie Dacus, 38, of Foley, Alabama, was sentenced in federal court for her involvement in a conspiracy to distribute methamphetamine and possessing a firearm in furtherance of the drug trafficking felony. Dacus had entered a guilty plea to the charges, and United States District Court Judge Kristi K. Dubose imposed a sentence totaling 84 months imprisonment.
Judge Dubose imposed a sentence of 60 months on the firearms charge and ordered that it run consecutive to the sentence on the drug charge, which she set at 24 months. The total term of imprison was 84 months, which will be followed by a period of five years under supervised release when she is discharged from prison. During that term, she will undergo drug testing and treatment. The judge ordered that Dacus will pay a special assessment of $200, but she did not impose a fine.
The case was investigated by the Baldwin County Sheriff’s Office, the Baldwin County Drug Task Force, and the Federal Bureau of Investigation. It was prosecuted in the United States Attorney’s Office by Assistant United States Attorney Gloria Bedwell.
Appeals Court Upholds Former Congresswoman Corrine Brown’s ConvictionsRead the Press Release
Tampa, Florida – The United States Court of Appeals for the Eleventh Circuit in Atlanta has affirmed the convictions of former United States Congresswoman Corrine Brown for various fraud and tax offenses. The Court also upheld the district court’s order that Brown forfeit more than $600,000 in proceeds she obtained from her crimes.
In 2017, a jury in Jacksonville found Brown guilty of 14 separate fraud crimes related to her One Door for Education charitable organization, as well as 4 income tax crimes. Brown’s co-conspirators (Elias “Ronnie” Simmons, her long-time Chief of Staff and Carla Wiley, the president of the fraudulent charity) pleaded guilty to their roles in the scheme. The district court sentenced Brown to serve 60 months in prison and to forfeit and pay restitution of $664,292.39. Brown appealed her convictions and the forfeiture order to the United States Court of Appeals for the Eleventh Circuit. The Court heard oral argument in February 2019.
In a lengthy opinion, the Court of Appeals affirmed all of Brown’s convictions and the forfeiture order. Brown had challenged her convictions based on the district court’s dismissal of a juror who, during deliberations, had said that the Holy Spirit told him that Brown was not guilty on all counts. In upholding Brown’s convictions, the Court of Appeals held that the district court had not clearly erred in finding that the juror, “despite his best intentions,” “was not capable of rendering a verdict rooted in the evidence presented at trial.” And the Court of Appeals concluded, therefore, that “the district court certainly did not abuse its discretion in dismissing [the juror] from the jury.” The Court added, “Though here, the juror’s perceived divine revelation might have worked in the criminal defendant’s favor had the district court not learned of it mid-deliberations, a contrary holding would allow criminal defendants to be convicted based on a divine revelation divorced from the evidence, rather than the evidence presented at trial—a troubling result, to say the least.” One judge on the panel, the Honorable William Pryor, dissented from the Court’s opinion.
The appeal was handled by Assistant United States Attorney David Rhodes. The underlying case—including an eight-day trial—was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorneys A. Tysen Duva and Michael J. Coolican, and Eric G. Olshan, then of the Criminal Division’s Public Integrity Section and now an Assistant U.S. Attorney in the Western District of Pennsylvania. The FBI and IRS-Criminal Investigation investigated the case.
10 January 2020
Wilson Pair Sentenced for Methamphetamine Drug ConspiracyRead the Press Release
RALEIGH – United States Attorney Robert J. Higdon, Jr. announced that in federal court, United States District Judge James C. Dever III sentenced DENNIS RAY TAYLOR, 40 of Wilson, North Carolina, to 144 months imprisonment and 5 years supervised release for conspiracy to distribute five grams or more of methamphetamine and possession with intent to distribute five grams or more of methamphetamine, aiding and abetting. BRITTNEY KAYLA NORVELL, also known as “BRITTNEY MINSHEW,” 28, of Wilson, North Carolina was sentenced on August 29, 2019 to 60 months imprisonment, followed by 5 years of supervised release.
TAYLOR and NORVELL were named in an indictment filed on January 9, 2019, charging both with conspiracy to distribute five grams or more of methamphetamine and possession with intent to distribute five grams or more of methamphetamine, aiding and abetting. On June 14, 2019, NORVELL pled guilty to those charges and TAYLOR later pled guilty on July 10, 2019.
According to the investigation, the Wilson Police Department was dispatched to a hotel in Wilson, North Carolina in reference to a drug complaint. Upon arriving, officers encountered TAYLOR and NORVELL inside their hotel room. A search of the room uncovered 49.11 grams of crystal methamphetamine, a knife with methamphetamine residue, sandwich bags, digital scales and currency. The investigation revealed that TAYLOR and NORVELL had received more methamphetamine earlier and intended on selling the rest.
The prosecution of TAYLOR and NORVELL was a part of an Organized Crime and Drug Enforcement Task Force Operation (OCDETF) targeting drug traffickers in Wilson, North Carolina. This case is part of the United States Attorney’s Office’s Take Back North Carolina Initiative. This initiative emphasizes the regional assignment of federal prosecutors to work with law enforcement and District Attorney’s Offices on a sustained basis in those communities to reduce the violent crime rate, drug trafficking, and crimes against law enforcement.
The Wilson Police Department and Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) conducted investigation of this enforcement operation. Assistant United States Attorney Dena King represented the government.
West Seneca Man, Previously Convicted of Sexually Abusing A Child, Sentenced to 10 Years in Prison for Possession of Child PornographyRead the Press Release
CONTACT: Barbara Burns
PHONE: (716) 843-5817
FAX #: (716) 551-3051BUFFALO, N.Y.-U.S. Attorney James P. Kennedy, Jr. announced today that Justin Wheeler, 27, of West Seneca, NY, who was convicted of possession of child pornography involving a prepubescent minor by a person having a prior conviction for aggravated sexual abuse, sexual abuse, or abusive sexual conduct involving a minor, was sentenced to serve 121 months in prison and lifetime supervised release by U.S. District Judge Lawrence J. Vilardo.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Meghan A. Tokash, who handled the case, stated that defendant was on parole for a 2013 conviction for attempted rape in the first degree, a conviction which stemmed from his sexual abuse of a 12-year-old girl, when, on October 31, 2017, New York State Parole conducted a search of the defendant’s bedroom pursuant to Wheeler’s New York State court ordered search conditions. During the search, parole officers seized a Samsung cellular telephone from the defendant’s bedroom. A search warrant was executed on that phone, and it was found to contain 90 images and 269 videos of child pornography. Some of the images and videos included prepubescent minors and depictions of violence.
The sentencing is the result of an investigation by Homeland Security Investigations, under the direction of Special Agent-in-Charge Kevin Kelly.
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Webster County Man Pleads Guilty to Illegal Possession of FirearmRead the Press Release
A man who illegally possessed a gun pled guilty January 9, 2020, in federal court in Sioux City.
Michael Wayne Holton, 32, from Mason City, Iowa, was convicted of possession of a firearm by a felon. Holton was previously convicted of contraband in a correctional facility and domestic abuse assault, both in the Iowa District Court for Cerro Gordo County.
At the plea hearing, Holton pled guilty to being a felon in possession of a firearm. Evidence in this case revealed that Holton admitted that on June 22, 2019, he grabbed the gun, a Taurus 9mm, from another person while outside of Kingz Lounge in Fort Dodge, Iowa and shot the gun multiple times near a crowd of people.
Sentencing before United States District Court Chief Judge Leonard T. Strand will be set after a presentence report is prepared. Holton remains in custody of the United States Marshal pending sentencing. Holton faces a possible maximum sentence of 10 years’ imprisonment, a $250,000 fine, and not more than 3 years of supervised release following any imprisonment.
The case is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Mikala Steenholdt and was investigated by the Fort Dodge Police Department, Webster County Sheriff’s Office, and Iowa Department of Criminalistics Laboratory.
Court file information at https://ecf.iand.uscourts.gov/cgi-bin/login.pl.
The case file number is 19-3050.
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Warr Acres Doctor Pleads Guilty to Drug and Identity-Theft ChargesRead the Press Release
OKLAHOMA CITY – DAVID QUY, 62, an Oklahoma City resident who practiced medicine in Warr Acres, has pleaded guilty to obtaining prescription opioids by fraud and also to identity theft, announced U.S. Attorney Timothy J. Downing.
According to an indictment returned by a federal grand jury on September 17, 2019, Quy practiced as a Doctor of Osteopathy at Family Medicine Center, 5500 N.W. Expressway, in Warr Acres from as early as 2014 until May 2019. He was charged with writing prescriptions for certain of his employees and then directing those employees to fill the prescriptions and bring the pills back to him. On May 14, 2019, the Oklahoma Bureau of Narcotics and Dangerous Drugs issued an emergency suspension of Quy’s license to prescribe controlled substances.
Quy pleaded guilty today before U.S. District Judge Charles B. Goodwin to two counts: obtaining a controlled substance by fraud and using another person’s identity without lawful authority to commit the offense of dispensing controlled substances illegally. The first count charges that on March 20, 2019, he obtained 40 tablets of the opioid Oxycodone by authorizing a prescription in the name of one of his employees and causing that employee to fill the prescription and return the tablets to him. The second count charges him with using the employee’s identity on April 4, 2019, to obtain additional Oxycodone for his own use.
At sentencing, Quy faces on the first count up to four years in prison, one year of supervised release, and a fine of up to $250,000. On the second count, he could be imprisoned up to five years, serve an additional three years on supervised release, and be subject to a $250,000 fine. Quy has agreed in a plea agreement to pay a fine of $50,000. He has also agreed to surrender any license related to the provision of health care and not to apply for any health-care license for two years after sentencing. Sentencing will take place in approximately ninety days.
This case is the result of an investigation by the Oklahoma Bureau of Narcotics and Dangerous Drugs, with assistance from the Drug Enforcement Administration. Assistant U.S. Attorney Scott E. Williams is prosecuting the case.
Reference is made to public filings for more information.
Vincennes residents charged with illegal purchase of firearmRead the Press Release
TERRE HAUTE – United States Attorney Josh J. Minkler announced today that Dakota S. Lovellette, 19, and Nicholas P. Apple, 22, both of Vincennes, Ind., were indicted by a grand jury for charges of conspiring to make a false statement and making a false statement in connection with the acquisition of a firearm.
“If you choose to lie on federal firearm forms in order to illegally purchase firearms, you will be prosecuted under federal law,” said Minkler. “The Department of Justice and the U.S. Attorney’s Office is committed to reducing gun violence and enforcing federal laws through its Project Guardian initiative.”
According to the indictment, in February of 2019, Apple asked another individual (Individual A) to purchase a firearm for Lovellette. Lovellette was under the age of 21 and, therefore, unable to purchase the firearm himself. Apple was also unable to purchase a firearm because he is a convicted felon. Apple was previously convicted for obstruction of justice, in Knox County, Ind., on July 18, 2018. Apple traveled to the Rural King located at 2655 North 6th Street, Vincennes, Ind. for the purpose of locating and examining firearms that could be purchased for Lovellette. Later in the day, on February 4, 2019, Lovellette, Apple, and Individual A met in the parking lot of the Rural King to prepare Individual A to purchase a firearm for Lovellette. Lovellette told Individual A to buy him a Taurus revolver and gave Individual A money to purchase the firearm. Lovellette and Apple explained to Individual A where the revolver was located in Rural King’s display case. Individual A entered the Rural King and purchased a .38 caliber Taurus Model 66 revolver as instructed. Individual A prepared a Firearms Transaction Record form under penalty of perjury stating that the individual was the actual purchaser of the firearm. However, Individual A knew that Lovellette was the actual buyer of the firearm. Following the purchase of the firearm, Individual A, Lovellette, and Apple met at a gas station and Individual A transferred the firearm to Lovellette.
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. The United States Attorney’s Office has prosecuted this case with support from the following Project Guardian partners: Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, Indiana State Police, and Vincennes Police Department.
For more information about Project Guardian, please see: https://www.justice.gov/projectguardian.
According to Assistant United States Attorney Matthew B. Miller, who is prosecuting the case for the government, Defendants each face up to 10 years in prison, if convicted.
An indictment is only a charge and is not evidence of guilt. A defendant is presumed innocent and is entitled to a fair trial at which the government must prove guilt beyond a reasonable doubt.
In October 2017, United States Attorney Josh J. Minkler announced a Strategic Plan designed to shape and strengthen the District’s response to its most significant public safety challenges. This prosecution demonstrates the office’s firm commitment to partner with federal and local law enforcement agencies to prosecute individuals committing violent crimes involving firearms. See United States Attorney’s Office, Southern District of Indiana Strategic Plan Section 2.3.
U.S. Attorney’s Office collects $10,176,838.17 in Fiscal Year 2019Read the Press Release
Indianapolis – United States Attorney Josh J. Minkler announced today that the Southern District of Indiana collected $10,176,838.17 in criminal and civil actions and asset forfeiture in Fiscal Year 2019. Of this amount, $5,115,032.05 was collected in criminal actions, $1,760,111.12 was collected in civil actions, and $3,301,695 was collected in asset forfeiture funds.
Additionally, the Southern District of Indiana worked with other U.S. Attorney’s Offices and components of the Department of Justice to collect an additional $7,422.73 in cases pursued jointly by these offices. Of this amount, $6,405.75 was collected in criminal actions and $1,016.98 was collected in civil actions.
“In addition to prosecuting criminals, defending government agencies, and providing civil enforcement, the U.S. Attorney’s Office is responsible for collecting debts owed to the government and victims of crime,” said Minkler. “The goal of the U.S. Attorney’s Office is to make crime victims whole again.”
The Asset Recovery Unit is comprised of two units: the Financial Litigation Unit (FLU) and the Asset Forfeiture Unit (AFU). The two units joined forces in 2012 to form the Asset Recovery Unit. Both of these sectors are significant to tax payers because they collect debts owed to the United States government and to victims of crime.
The FLU is responsible for collecting civil and criminal debts that are owed to the United States and victims of crime in a timely, aggressive, and effective manner. Cases opened in the FLU remain open years past their initial debt, but that does not stop new cases from being opened. Forfeiture funds are deposited into the Department of Justice Assets Forfeiture Fund are used to restore funds to crime victims and for a variety of law enforcement purposes.
The U.S. Attorneys’ Offices, along with the department’s litigating divisions, are responsible for enforcing and collecting civil and criminal debts owed to the U.S. and criminal debts owed to federal crime victims. The law requires defendants to pay restitution to victims of certain federal crimes who have suffered a physical injury or financial loss. While restitution is paid to the victim, criminal fines and felony assessments are paid to the department’s Crime Victims Fund, which distributes the funds collected to federal and state victim compensation and victim assistance programs.
Trish Covey Charged with Credit Card FraudRead the Press Release
The United States Attorney for the District of Vermont announced that Trish Covey, 50, of Fairlee, pleaded not guilty today in United States District Court in Burlington to a charge of credit card fraud. U.S. Magistrate Judge John M. Conroy released Covey on conditions pending trial, which has not been scheduled.
On December 18, 2019, a federal grand jury in Rutland returned a one-count indictment charging Covey with access device fraud. According to the indictment, in 2017, while employed at the Car Store, Inc., an automobile dealership in White River Junction, Covey misused the company’s credit card to obtain merchandise having a value in excess of $1000. Although the indictment alleges only an offense that occurred during 2017, court records indicate the fraud may have begun as early as 2008.
The U.S. Attorney emphasizes that the indictment is merely an accusation and that the defendant is presumed innocent unless and until she is proven guilty.
If convicted, Covey faces up to ten years of imprisonment and a fine of up to $250,000. The actual sentence would be determined with reference to federal sentencing guidelines.
The case was investigated by the U.S. Secret Service upon referral from the Vermont Department of Motor Vehicles.
Covey is represented by George Ostler. The prosecutor is Assistant U.S. Attorney Gregory Waples.
Tax Preparer Sent to Prison for False Tax ReturnsRead the Press Release
PHOENIX, Ariz. – On January 7, 2020, Sandra Gamboa, 49, of Phoenix, Ariz., was sentenced by U.S. District Judge Susan R. Bolton to twelve months and one day of imprisonment. Gamboa pleaded guilty to filing false income tax returns.
Gamboa operated SGB Enterprises, a tax preparation business, through which she filed multiple false federal income tax returns with the IRS. For her own tax return, Gamboa listed false information to fraudulently reduce her tax liability. For some of the clients of her tax preparation business, she secretly changed the numbers in the income tax returns before filing them with the IRS, generating falsely-inflated refunds that Gamboa kept for herself. In addition to imprisonment, Ms. Gamboa was ordered to pay $101,287 in restitution to the IRS.
The investigation in this case was conducted by the Internal Revenue Service Criminal Investigation. The prosecution was handled by James R. Knapp, Assistant U.S. Attorney, District of Arizona, Phoenix.
Strangulation sends Lame Deer man to prisonRead the Press Release
BILLINGS—A Lame Deer man who admitted strangling a woman last year on the Northern Cheyenne Reservation was sentenced today to 30 months prison and three years of supervised release, U.S. Attorney Kurt Alme said.
Cameron Lee Russell, Sr., 43, pleaded guilty to strangulation in August.
U.S. District Judge Susan P. Watters presided.
The prosecution said in court records that Russell and the victim argued in a bedroom at a residence on March 13, 2019. When the victim pretended to throw a baby bottle at Russell, he rushed the victim, got on top of her and began to strangle her with both hands. The victim could not breathe or escape. Russell stopped when a child entered the room, but strangled the victim a second time before stopping eventually. The victim sent children to call police.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Bryan Dake prosecuted the case, which was investigated by the FBI.
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Stockton Man Indicted for Theft of Social Security Benefits and Identity TheftRead the Press Release
SACRAMENTO, Calif. — A two-count indictment was unsealed yesterday that charges William Francis Stevens, 52, of San Joaquin County, with theft of government property and aggravated identity theft, U.S. Attorney McGregor W. Scott announced.
According to the indictment, beginning in January 2017, and continuing through July 2019, Stevens transferred, possessed, and used, without lawful authority, the name, date of birth, and social security number of his brother in connection with stealing government money, including benefits from the Social Security Administration.
This case is the product of an investigation by the Social Security Administration – Office of the Inspector General and the California Department of Health Care Services – Investigations Section. Special Assistant U.S. Attorney Robert J. Artuz is prosecuting the case.
On Dec. 12, 2019, a federal grand jury returned the indictment, which was sealed until Stevens’ arrest on Thursday in Stockton.
If convicted, Stevens faces a maximum statutory penalty of 12 years in prison and a $500,000 fine, including a mandatory two-year term of imprisonment. Any sentence, however, would be determined at the discretion of the court after consideration of any applicable statutory factors and the Federal Sentencing Guidelines, which take into account a number of variables. The charges are only allegations; the defendant is presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt.
Stock Promoter Pleads Guilty to Accepting Kickbacks from CEO of Public CompanyRead the Press Release
Earlier today, in federal court in Brooklyn, Jeffrey Auerbach, a former registered representative for various broker-dealers, pled guilty to conspiracy to commit securities fraud for his role in a scheme to take kickbacks from the former Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of NXT-ID, a publicly listed company on NASDAQ, in exchange for promoting NXT-ID stock to investors and potential investors. Today’s plea proceeding took place before United States District Judge Pamela K. Chen. When sentenced, Auerbach faces up to five years in prison, as well as forfeiture and a fine of up to $250,000.
Richard P. Donoghue, United States Attorney for the Eastern District of New York, and William F. Sweeney, Jr., Assistant Director-in-Charge, Federal Bureau of Investigation, New York Field Office (FBI), announced the guilty plea.
“Auerbach exploited his position as a former registered representative for broker-dealers to enrich himself to the detriment of investors,” stated United States Attorney Donoghue. “We will continue to investigate and prosecute stock promoters, brokers and others in the securities industry who exploit the trust of investors and distort the public markets.” Mr. Donoghue expressed his appreciation to the United States Securities and Exchange Commission for its significant cooperation and assistance.
According to court filings and facts presented during the plea proceeding, between July 2014 and September 2015, Auerbach conspired with others to defraud investors and potential investors in NXT-ID, a company that purported to provide a comprehensive platform of technology products and services that enable the Internet of Things (“IoT”). As part of this scheme, Auerbach allegedly accepted secret payments from the CEO of NXT-ID in exchange for promoting NXT-ID stock to investors, and making payments to a broker to purchase shares of NXT-ID stock in the accounts of the broker’s clients.
The government’s case is being handled by the Office’s Business & Securities Fraud Section. Assistant United States Attorneys Mark Bini and Hiral Mehta are in charge of the prosecution.
The Defendant:
Jeffrey Auerbach
Age: 49
New York, New YorkE.D.N.Y. Docket No. 19-CR-607 (PKC)
St. Croix Man Who Caused a Semi-Automatic Pistol to Be Shipped to the Territory Sentenced to 58 Months in PrisonRead the Press Release
St. Croix, USVI – William Payne, 39, of St. Croix, was sentenced on January 9, 2020, in District Court on one federal count of Possession of a Firearm by a Convicted Felon, United States Attorney Gretchen C.F. Shappert announced.
Chief Judge Wilma A. Lewis sentenced Payne to a prison term of 58 months, to be following by a 3-year term of supervised release, a fine of $2,000, and a special assessment of $100.
Payne had previously pled guilty to the Possession of a Firearm by a Convicted Felon count on July 24, 2019, and was ordered detained pending sentencing on October 30, 2019.
According to court documents, on April 28, 2017, Payne and another individual traveled to Southern Oaks Gun & Pawn, a federally licensed firearms dealer, located in Orlando, Florida. Payne was present when the other individual purchased a KEL TEC PLR-16 Semi-Automatic Pistol.
On May 2, 2017, Payne caused the same firearm, two high-capacity magazines, and ammunition to be shipped by Tropical Shipping via seaborne container freight shipment from Ft. Lauderdale, Florida, to St. Croix, Virgin Islands. The firearm, high capacity magazines, and ammunition thus traveled in or affected interstate commerce.
On May 16, 2017, Customs and Border Protection (CBP) officers conducted an inspection of an inbound Tropical Shipping freight container. Upon inspection of a pallet of commercial goods destined for a local St. Croix business, CBP officers located the KEL TEC PLR-16 Semi-Automatic Pistol, the two high-capacity magazines for the firearm, and 206 rounds of 5.56x45mm ammunition hidden amongst a larger shipment of items for commercial use. The box containing the firearm, high-capacity magazines, and ammunition bore a prior shipping label addressed to Payne at a Florida address.
On May 17, 2017, Homeland Security Investigations special agents and other federal special agents conducted a controlled delivery of the firearm, high-capacity magazines, and ammunition. Payne and the owner of the small business arrived at Tropical Shipping to receive the shipment.
Payne was arrested after the pallet containing the KEL TEC PLR-16 Semi-automatic Pistol, high capacity magazines, and ammunition was loaded onto the pickup that was being used to transport the pallet from Tropical Shipping.
Payne was previously convicted of three felony offenses: in 2000, for Grand Theft of a Motor Vehicle; in 2001, for Resisting Officer with Violence, and in 2007, for Delivery of Cocaine, all in the Circuit Court for the Ninth Judicial Circuit, Orange County, Florida.
Customs and Border Protection (CBP), Homeland Security Investigations (HSI), Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF), and the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) investigated the case. Assistant U.S. Attorney Daniel H. Huston prosecuted the case.
Springfield Man Pleads Guilty to Meth ConspiracyRead the Press Release
SPRINGFIELD, Mo. – A Springfield, Missouri, man pleaded guilty in federal court today to his role in a conspiracy to distribute large amounts of methamphetamine.
Richard G. Wacker, 60, pleaded guilty before U.S. Chief Magistrate Judge David P. Rush to participating in a conspiracy to distribute methamphetamine in Greene County, Missouri, from March 30 to Oct. 18, 2017.
By pleading guilty today, Wacker admitted that he traveled to Kansas City on several occasions to purchase a half-pound of methamphetamine. After making two trips with co-defendant Ronald A. Stone, 52, of Springfield, Stone began making the trips to Kansas City without Wacker every two to three days. Stone purchased two pounds on each trip, one pound for himself and one pound for Wacker.
On Aug. 30, 2017, Wacker gave Stone $10,000 to purchase a kilogram of methamphetamine. Stone was arrested later that day while driving through Bolivar, Missouri, on his way back to Springfield. Law enforcement officers seized 6.8 pounds of methamphetamine from Stone, who admitted he had just delivered $30,000 to a contact he met in Peculiar, Missouri.
Two days after Stone’s arrest, Wacker drove from Kansas City to Oklahoma City, where he purchased five kilograms of methamphetamine for $45,000. Wacker admitted that he had traveled to Oklahoma City to purchase five kilograms of methamphetamine on two earlier occasions.
In addition to the drug-trafficking conspiracy, Stone pleaded guilty on May 16, 2019, to illegally possessing firearms and to possessing methamphetamine with the intent to distribute. A few days before Stone’s arrest on Aug. 30, 2017, law enforcement officers had executed a search warrant at his residence and seized methamphetamine, a loaded Taurus .38-caliber revolver, a loaded Vega .45-caliber semi-automatic pistol, and $5,661. Officers had also seized a Hi Point 9mm semi-automatic pistol, ammunition, and methamphetamine from Stone’s residence while executing a search warrant on March 30, 2017.
Wacker also admitted that he distributed pound quantities of methamphetamine to co-defendant Herbert R. Dinger, 64, of Springfield. Dinger pleaded guilty to his role in the drug-trafficking conspiracy on Jan. 7, 2019.
Co-defendant Carol A. Hardy, also known as Carol A. Johnson, 50, has also pleaded guilty to her role in the drug-trafficking conspiracy. She was sentenced on Dec. 14, 2018, to 20 years in federal prison without parole. Law enforcement officers executed a search warrant at Hardy’s residence and found 1.766 kilograms of methamphetamine in a safe on the floor of a bedroom closet.Under federal statutes, Wacker is subject to a mandatory minimum sentence of 10 years in federal prison without parole, up to a sentence of life in federal prison without parole. The maximum statutory sentence is prescribed by Congress and is provided here for informational purposes, as the sentencing of the defendant will be determined by the court based on the advisory sentencing guidelines and other statutory factors. A sentencing hearing will be scheduled after the completion of a presentence investigation by the United States Probation Office.
This case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Nhan D. Nguyen and Josephine L. Stockard. It was investigated by the Drug Enforcement Administration, the Missouri State Highway Patrol and the Springfield, Mo., Police Department.
Springfield Man Indicted for Being a Felon in Possession of a FirearmRead the Press Release
BOSTON – A Springfield man was arrested yesterday for being a felon in possession of a firearm.
Luis Velez, 41, was charged in an indictment unsealed today with one count of being a felon in possession of a firearm.
The indictment alleges that on July 5, 2019, Velez, who was previously convicted of a felony, was in possession of a Savage Arms, Model 25 Walking Varminter, .22 caliber rifle, a Hermann Weihrauch, Model ARM 44, .44 caliber revolver, and a Smith & Wesson, Model 625, .45 caliber revolver.
On the felon in possession of a firearm charge, based on his prior criminal record, Velez faces a mandatory minimum sentence of 15 years and up to life in prison, up to five years of supervised release, and a fine of up to $250,000. Sentences are imposed by a federal district court judge based upon the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors.
United States Attorney Andrew E. Lelling and Kelly D. Brady, Special Agent in Charge of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms & Explosives, Boston Field Division made the announcement today. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Catherine G. Curley and Neil L. Desroches of Lelling’s Springfield Branch Office are prosecuting the case.
This prosecution is part of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), a program bringing together all levels of law enforcement and the communities they serve to reduce violent crime and make our neighborhoods safer for everyone. The Department of Justice reinvigorated PSN in 2017 as part of the Department’s renewed focus on targeting violent criminals, directing all U.S. Attorney’s Offices to work in partnership with federal, state, local, and tribal law enforcement and the local community to develop effective, locally-based strategies to reduce violent crime.
The details contained in the indictment are allegations. The defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.
Springdale Man Sentenced to 11 Years in Federal Prison for Receipt of Child PornographyRead the Press Release
Fayetteville, Arkansas – Duane (DAK) Kees, United States Attorney for the Western District of Arkansas, announced that Kristopher Still, age 43, of Fayetteville, Arkansas, was sentenced yesterday to 135 months in federal prison followed by 20 years of supervised release on one count of Receipt of Child Pornography. The Honorable Timothy L. Brooks presided over the sentencing hearing in the United States District Court in Fayetteville.
According to court records, in October 2018, federal law enforcement became aware that a Northwest Arkansas resident was uploading child pornography from the social media application, Tumblr. In response, a federal search warrant was sought and obtained for the residence. Upon gaining entry, law enforcement encountered Kristopher Still. During a post-Miranda interview, Still admitted to obtaining images and videos of child pornography online.
Still was indicted in June of 2019 and entered a guilty plea in August of 2019.
This case was investigated by the Department of Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) and the Northwest Arkansas Internet Crimes Against Children (ICAC) Task Force. Assistant United States Attorney Carly Marshall prosecuted the case for the United States.
Somerset Man Sentenced for Illegal Participation in Bank LoanRead the Press Release
BOSTON – A Somerset man was sentenced yesterday in federal court in Springfield for illegally participating in a loan with a financial institution.
Anthony Riccitelli, 60, was sentenced by U.S. District Court Judge Mark G. Mastroianni to four months in prison. In September 2019, Riccitelli pleaded guilty to one count of participation in a loan with a financial institution.
Riccitelli admitted that he loaned $80,000 to Diecast Connections Company, Inc., based in Chicopee, at the same time that he served as a bank officer for Blue Hills Bank. Riccitelli proposed that Blue Hills Bank enter into a $4.2 million loan package with Diecast without disclosing to Blue Hills Bank the $80,000 in private loans he had made to Diecast. Shortly after the closing on the loan, Riccitelli received $80,000 of the loan proceeds, unbeknownst to Blue Hills Bank.
United States Attorney Andrew E. Lelling and Kristina O’Connell, Special Agent in Charge of the Internal Revenue Service’s Criminal Investigation in Boston made the announcement today. Assistant U.S. Attorney Alex J. Grant of Lelling’s Springfield Branch Office prosecuted the case.