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Sunday 27 October 2019
Rosebud Man Indicted for Aggravated Sexual Abuse of a ChildRead the Press Release
United States Attorney Ron Parsons announced that a Rosebud, South Dakota, man has been indicted by a federal grand jury for Aggravated Sexual Abuse of a Child.
Phillip Little Hoop, age 37, was indicted on September 10, 2019. He appeared before U.S. Magistrate Judge Mark A. Moreno on October 25, 2019, and pled not guilty to the Indictment.
The maximum penalty upon conviction is up to life in prison and/or a $250,000 fine, 5 years up to life of supervised release, and $100 to the Federal Crime Victims Fund. Restitution may also be ordered.
The Indictment alleges that on August 25, 2019, Little Hoop knowingly engaged in, and attempted to engage in, a sexual act with a child under the age of 12.
The charge is merely an accusation and Little Hoop is presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty.
The investigation is being conducted by the Federal Bureau of Investigation and the Rosebud Sioux Tribe Law Enforcement Services. Assistant U.S. Attorney Kirk Albertson is prosecuting the case.
Little Hoop was remanded to the custody of the U.S. Marshals Service pending trial. A trial date has not been set.
Red Scaffold Man Charged with Burglary and Sex AbuseRead the Press Release
United States Attorney Ron Parsons announced that a Red Scaffold, South Dakota, man has been indicted by a federal grand jury for Second Degree Burglary and Sexual Abuse of a Person Incapable of Consent.
William Collins, age 39, was indicted on October 16, 2019. He appeared before U.S. Magistrate Judge Mark A. Moreno on October 23, 2019, and pled not guilty to the Indictment.
The maximum penalty upon conviction is up to life in federal prison and/or a $250,000 fine, a minimum of 5 years and up to life of supervised release, and $100 to the Federal Crime Victims Fund. Restitution may also be ordered.
The Indictment alleges that on March 23, 2019, Collins entered the residence of an individual and knowingly engaged in and attempted to engage in a sexual act with the individual who at the time was incapable of appraising the nature of the conduct, and was physically incapable of declining participation in and communicating an unwillingness to engage in the sexual act.
The charges are merely accusations and Collins is presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty.
The investigation is being conducted by the Cheyenne River Sioux Tribe Law Enforcement Services. Assistant U.S. Attorney Jay Miller is prosecuting the case.
Collins was released on bond pending trial. A trial date has not been set.
Rapid City Man Indicted for Failure to Register as a Sex OffenderRead the Press Release
United States Attorney Ron Parsons announced that a Rapid City, South Dakota, man has been indicted by a federal grand jury for Failure to Register as a Sex Offender.
Bradley Makes Room For Them, age 34, was indicted on October 17, 2019. He appeared before U.S. Magistrate Judge Mark A. Moreno on October 24, 2019, and pled not guilty to the Indictment.
The maximum penalty upon conviction is up to 10 years in federal prison and/or a $250,000 fine, 5 years of supervised release, and $100 to the Federal Crime Victims Fund. Restitution may also be ordered.
Makes Room For Them was convicted of Aggravated Sexual Abuse in September 2003. As a result of this conviction, he is required to register as sex offender. It is alleged that between September 9, 2019, and September 29, 2019, Makes Room For Them, a person required to register under the Sex Offender Registration and Notification Act, and a sex offender by reason of conviction under Federal Law, failed to properly register as a sex offender and update his registration.
The charge is merely an accusation and Makes Room For Them is presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty.
The investigation is being conducted by the U.S. Marshals Service. Assistant U.S. Attorney Kirk Albertson is prosecuting the case.
Makes Room For Them was remanded to the custody of the U.S. Marshals Service pending trial. A trial date has not been set.
Pierre Man Indicted on Methamphetamine ChargesRead the Press Release
United States Attorney Ron Parsons announced that a Pierre, South Dakota, man has been indicted by a federal grand jury for Conspiracy to Distribute a Controlled Substance.
Charles Olson, a/k/a Chip Olson, age 48, was indicted on October 16, 2019. He appeared before U.S. Magistrate Judge Mark A. Moreno on October 25, 2019, and pled not guilty to the Indictment.
The maximum penalty upon conviction is up to life in prison and/or a $5,000,000 fine, a lifetime of supervised release, and $100 to the Federal Crime Victims Fund for each Count. Restitution may also be ordered.
The Indictment alleges that between December 1, 2018, and October 16, 2019, Olson did knowingly and intentionally, combine, conspire, confederate, and agree with persons known and unknown, to knowingly and intentionally distribute and possess with intent to distribute 500 grams or more methamphetamine. Further, on June 23, 2019, a traffic stop was conducted wherein 236 grams of methamphetamine was located in the vehicle.
The charge is merely an accusation and Olson is presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty.
The investigation is being conducted by the Northern Plains Safe Trails Drug Enforcement Task Force and the South Dakota Highway Patrol. Assistant U.S. Attorney Meghan N. Dilges is prosecuting the case.
Olson was remanded to the custody of the U.S. Marshals Service pending trial. A trial date has not been set.
Parmelee Man and Woman Indicted for Child Abuse; Man also Indicted for Involuntary ManslaughterRead the Press Release
United States Attorney Ron Parsons announced that a man and a woman from Parmelee, South Dakota, have been indicted by a federal grand jury for Child Abuse. The man has also been indicted by a federal grand jury for Involuntary Manslaughter.
Dakota Horned Eagle, age 29, and Ashley Stoneman, age 25, were indicted on July 23, 2019. Horned Eagle appeared before U.S. Magistrate Judge Mark A. Moreno on August 22, 2019, and Stoneman appeared on October 25, 2019. Both pled not guilty to the Indictment.
The maximum penalty upon conviction for Child Abuse is up to 15 years in federal prison and/or a $250,000 fine, 3 years of supervised release, and $100 to the Federal Crime Victims Fund. Restitution may also be ordered.
The maximum penalty upon conviction for Involuntary Manslaughter is up to 8 years in federal prison and/or a $250,000 fine, 3 years of supervised release, and $100 to the Federal Crime Victims Fund. Restitution may also be ordered.
The Indictment alleges that on July 12, 2019, Horned Eagle and Stoneman did abuse, expose, torture, torment, and cruelly punish six children. The Indictment further alleges that Horned Eagle unlawfully killed two of the children while operating a motor vehicle, in a grossly negligent manner.
The charges are merely accusations and Horned Eagle and Stoneman are presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty.
The investigation is being conducted by the Federal Bureau of Investigation and the Rosebud Sioux Tribe Law Enforcement Services. Assistant U.S. Attorney Kirk Albertson is prosecuting the case.
Horned Eagle and Stoneman were remanded to the custody of the U.S. Marshals Service pending trial, which has been set for December 17, 2019.
New Castle Man Convicted After Federal Jury Trial on Child Pornography ChargesRead the Press Release
WILMINGTON, Del. – A federal jury convicted Thomas Noble, age 71, of New Castle, on October 24, 2019, on charges of possession of child pornography and attempted receipt of more child pornography.
According to court records and evidence presented at trial, on October 5, 2017, the Delaware State Police Internet Crimes Against Children Taskforce (ICAC) executed a search warrant at Noble’s home in New Castle, Delaware. When they arrived, officers found Noble's personal computer actively downloading child pornography files through a peer-to-peer file sharing network called BitTorrent. A forensic examination of Noble's computer found hundreds of files of child pornography.
Noble had previously been convicted in the State of Delaware for possessing child pornography. His term of probation for that conviction had ended less than six months before Delaware State Police executed their search warrant.
David C. Weiss, U.S. Attorney for the District of Delaware stated, “Crimes involving child sexual exploitation continue to victimize innocent children and my office will prosecute any such crimes to the fullest extent of the law.”
“Those who possess or download child pornography over the internet are a part of a troubling cycle of violence against children. The Delaware State Police ICAC Taskforce made up of the Delaware State Police, Department of Justice, and ICE’s Homeland Security Investigations work together to relentlessly investigate and prosecute these dangerous criminals to ensure child victims, our most vulnerable, are protected,” said Sergeant Richard Bratz, spokesperson for the Delaware State Police
Noble faces a mandatory minimum sentence of 15 years and a maximum sentence of 40 years in prison when sentenced on February 26, 2020. 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. Attorney Weiss made the announcement after Chief U.S. District Judge Leonard P. Stark accepted the verdict. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Graham L. Robinson and Alexander P. Ibrahim presented the case to the jury on behalf of the United States. The case was investigated by Delaware State Police’s ICAC Unit, with support from ICE’s Homeland Security Investigations.
A copy of this press release is located on the website of the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Delaware. Related court documents and information is located on the website of the District Court for the District of Delaware or on PACER by searching for Case No. 18-15-LPS.
Mission Woman Sentenced for Possession with Intent to Distribute MethamphetamineRead the Press Release
United States Attorney Ron Parsons announced that a Mission, South Dakota, woman convicted of Possession with Intent to Distribute Methamphetamine was sentenced on October 21, 2019, by U.S. District Judge Roberto A. Lange.
Alicia Medicine Eagle, age 39, was sentenced to time served equal to 114 days in custody, 3 years of supervised release, a $1,000 fine, and a special assessment to the Federal Crime Victims Fund in the amount of $100. Medicine Eagle will also forfeit all interest in $340 which was seized at the time of arrest.
Medicine Eagle was indicted by a federal grand jury on March 13, 2019. She pled guilty on July 22, 2019.
The conviction stemmed from an incident on October 14, 2016, where Medicine Eagle knowingly and intentionally possessed methamphetamine with the intent to distribute it to others on the Rosebud Sioux Tribe Reservation.
This case was investigated by the Rosebud Sioux Tribe Law Enforcement Services and the Northern Plains Safe Trails Drug Enforcement Task Force. Assistant U.S. Attorney Cameron Cook prosecuted the case.
Mission Man Sentenced for Conspiracy to Distribute MethamphetamineRead the Press Release
United States Attorney Ron Parsons announced that a Mission, South Dakota, man convicted of Conspiracy to Distribute Methamphetamine was sentenced on October 22, 2019, by U.S. District Judge Roberto A. Lange.
Cole Emery, age 25, was sentenced to 72 months in federal prison, followed by 5 years of supervised release, a $1,000 fine, and a special assessment to the Federal Crime Victims Fund in the amount of $100.
Emery was indicted by a federal grand jury on December 11, 2018. He pled guilty on July 31, 2019.
The conviction stemmed from an incident beginning at a time unknown but no later than on or about December 1, 2017, and continuing to on or about December 11, 2018, where Emery conspired with others to possess with intent to distribute 500 grams or more of methamphetamine on the Rosebud Sioux Indian Reservation.
This case was investigated by the Rosebud Sioux Tribe Law Enforcement Services and the Northern Plains Safe Trails Drug Enforcement Task Force. Assistant U.S. Attorney Cameron J. Cook prosecuted the case.
Emery was immediately turned over to the custody of the U.S. Marshals Service.
Mission Man Sentenced for Assault and Witness TamperingRead the Press Release
United States Attorney Ron Parsons announced that a Mission, South Dakota, man convicted of Assault by Striking, Beating, and Wounding and Witness Tampering was sentenced on October 23, 2019, by U.S. District Judge Roberto A. Lange.
Edward Leon Wilson, a/k/a Eddie Wilson, age 37, was sentenced to 21 months in federal prison, followed by 3 years of supervised release, and a special assessment to the Federal Crime Victims Fund in the amount of $125.
Wilson was indicted by a federal grand jury on October 16, 2018. He pled guilty on July 31, 2019.
The conviction for Assault by Striking, Beating, and Wounding stemmed from an incident that occurred in Mission on September 16, 2018. On that date, Wilson and the victim got into an argument at the residence they shared. The argument became physical and Wilson struck the victim.
The conviction for Witness Tampering stemmed from conduct that occurred after Wilson made his initial appearance in U.S. District Court. Between December 2018 and June 2019, Wilson repeatedly contacted the victim and asked her to change her description of the September 16, 2018, incident and further asked that she to refuse to testify against him.
This case was investigated by the Rosebud Sioux Tribe Law Enforcement Services. Assistant U.S. Attorney Kirk Albertson prosecuted the case.
Wilson was immediately turned over to the custody of the U.S. Marshals Service.
Mission Man Sentenced for Assault with a Dangerous WeaponRead the Press Release
United States Attorney Ron Parsons announced that a Mission, South Dakota, man convicted of Assault With a Dangerous Weapon was sentenced on October 21, 2019, by U.S. District Judge Roberto A. Lange.
Francis Dog Soldier, age 37, was sentenced to 40 months in federal prison, followed by 3 years of supervised release, and a special assessment to the Federal Crime Victims Fund in the amount of $100.
Dog Soldier was indicted by a federal grand jury on September 11, 2018. He pled guilty on July 22, 2019.
The conviction stemmed from an incident that occurred on the evening of May 4, 2018, in Rosebud, South Dakota. On that date, Dog Soldier was drinking and socializing with a group of individuals at the victim’s residence. At one point, Dog Soldier and the victim got into an argument. Dog Soldier then assaulted the victim and kicked him multiple times in the chest and face with shod feet. Dog Soldier then fled the area, and was apprehended a short time later by law enforcement near Okreek, South Dakota.
This case was investigated by the Rosebud Sioux Tribe Law Enforcement Services. Assistant U.S. Attorney Kirk Albertson prosecuted the case.
Dog Soldier was immediately turned over to the custody of the U.S. Marshals Service.
Mission Man Indicted on Assault and Child Abuse ChargesRead the Press Release
United States Attorney Ron Parsons announced that a Mission, South Dakota, man has been indicted by a federal grand jury for Assault By Strangulation and Suffocation, Child Abuse, and Domestic Assault by an Habitual Offender.
Hunter Ritter, age 20, was indicted on October 16, 2019. He appeared before U.S. Magistrate Judge Mark A. Moreno on October 25, 2019, and pled not guilty to the Indictment.
The maximum penalty upon conviction is up to 15 years in federal prison and/or a $250,000 fine, 3 years of supervised release, and $100 to the Federal Crime Victims Fund. Restitution may also be ordered.
The Indictment alleges that on multiple occasions between June 12, 2019, and August 9, 2019, Ritter unlawfully committed domestic assaults against his intimate partner and that, at the time of the domestic assaults, Ritter had at least two prior convictions for offenses that would have been, if subject to federal jurisdiction, assaults against a spouse or intimate partner. The Indictment further alleges that on July 29, 2019, Ritter unlawfully committed a domestic assault against his intimate partner, by strangling and suffocating her, and further did abuse, expose, torture, torment, and cruelly punish a minor child.
The charges are merely accusations and Ritter is presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty.
The investigation is being conducted by the Rosebud Sioux Tribe Law Enforcement Services. Assistant U.S. Attorney Kirk Albertson is prosecuting the case.
Ritter was remanded to the custody of the U.S. Marshals Service pending trial. A trial date has not been set.
Isabel Man Charged with Failure to AppearRead the Press Release
United States Attorney Ron Parsons announced that an Isabel, South Dakota, man has been indicted by a federal grand jury for Failure to Appear.
Theodore Taylor, age 34, was indicted on October 16, 2019. He appeared before U.S. Magistrate Judge Mark A. Moreno on October 24, 2019, and pled not guilty to the Indictment.
The maximum penalty upon conviction is up to 10 years in federal prison and/or a $250,000 fine, 3 years of supervised release, and $100 to the Federal Crime Victims Fund. Restitution may also be ordered.
The Indictment alleges that on August 17, 2019, Taylor disobeyed and resisted an order and command of the U.S. District Court, in that he failed to surrender and serve a sentence.
The charge is merely an accusation and Taylor is presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty.
The investigation is being conducted by the U.S. Marshals Service. Assistant U.S. Attorney Jay Miller is prosecuting the case.
Taylor was remanded to the custody of the U.S. Marshals Service pending trial. A trial date has not been set.
Eden Man Sentenced to 24 Months in Federal Prison for Felony Child AbuseRead the Press Release
United States Attorney Ron Parsons announced that an Eden, South Dakota, man convicted of felony child abuse and neglect of a child was sentenced on October 21, 2019, by U.S. District Judge Charles B. Kornmann.
Jeremiah Lynn Renville, Jr., age 39, was sentenced to 24 months in federal prison, followed by 3 years of supervised release. He was also ordered to pay $100 to the Federal Crime Victims Fund.
Renville, Jr. was indicted for assault resulting in serious bodily injury of a child and felony child abuse and neglect of a child under seven years by a federal grand jury on October 10, 2018. He pled guilty on May 2, 2019.
According to court filings, on February 13 and 14, 2018, Renville engaged in assaultive and abusive conduct toward a child under the age of three years.
This case was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation and the Sisseton-Wahpeton Oyate Sioux Tribe’s Law Enforcement. Assistant U.S. Attorney Jeremy R. Jehangiri prosecuted the case.
Renville will surrender to the U.S. Marshal’s Service in late December 2019, to begin serving his federal prison sentence.
Eagle Butte Man Charged with Sexual Abuse of a Person Incapable of ConsentRead the Press Release
United States Attorney Ron Parsons announced that an Eagle Butte, South Dakota, man has been indicted by a federal grand jury for Sexual Abuse of a Person Incapable of Consent.
Coren Clown, age 28, was indicted on October 16, 2019. He appeared before U.S. Magistrate Judge Mark A. Moreno on October 18, 2019, and pled not guilty to the Indictment.
The maximum penalty upon conviction is up to life in federal prison and/or a $250,000 fine, not less than 5 years, or up to life of supervised release, and $100 to the Federal Crime Victims Fund. Restitution may also be ordered.
The Indictment alleges that on August 3, 2017, Clown knowingly engaged in and attempted to engage in a sexual act with an individual who was physically incapable of declining participation in and communicating an unwillingness to engage in the sexual act.
The charge is merely an accusation and Clown is presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty.
The investigation is being conducted by the Cheyenne River Sioux Tribe Law Enforcement Services. Assistant U.S. Attorney Jay Miller is prosecuting the case.
Clown was remanded to the custody of the U.S. Marshals Service pending trial. A trial date has not been set.
Aberdeen Woman Sentenced for Theft of Government FundsRead the Press Release
United States Attorney Ron Parsons announced that an Aberdeen, South Dakota, woman convicted of Theft of Government Funds was sentenced on October 21, 2019, by U.S. District Judge Charles B. Kornmann.
Brianna Breaw, a/k/a Stephanie Haupt, age 28, was sentenced to 20 months in federal prison, followed by 3 years of supervised release, restitution in the amount of $58,244.95, and a special assessment to the Federal Crime Victims Fund in the amount of $100.
Breaw was indicted by a federal grand jury on July 10, 2018. She pled guilty on July 29, 2019.
The conviction stemmed from incidents between on or about August 28, 2014, and November 28, 2017, when Breaw willfully and knowingly embezzled, stole, purloined, and converted to her own use money from departments or agencies of the United States, namely, Title XVI program benefits payments administered by the U.S. Social Security Administration (SSA), Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits payments funded by the U.S. Department of Agriculture, and Medicaid coverage funded in part by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services.
Breaw began receiving Title XVI supplemental security income program benefits payments (SSI), Medicaid benefits, and SNAP benefits under her former name, Stephanie Haupt, and her original social security number. On August 28, 2014, Breaw was issued a new social security number. However, due to an oversight, the SSA failed to transfer Breaw’s SSI record from her original social security number to her new social security number, so her SSI and Medicaid benefits continued to be linked to her original social security number.
In approximately October 2015, Breaw legally changed her name to Brianna Breaw. She contacted the SSA to update the name linked to her new social security number, but the new name was not linked to her original social security number. This resulted in her new social security number being linked to Brianna Breaw, and her original social security number being linked to Stephanie Haupt.
Breaw knowingly received SSI benefits payments, Medicaid benefits, and SNAP benefits payments under her former name and original social security number, while at the same time she was working full-time under her new name and new social security number. Breaw lied to SSA on multiple occasions regarding her social security numbers, her marital status, her employment status, and her income in order to continue to receive SSI benefits payments. She also lied on her various SNAP applications, and at one point was receiving overlapping SNAP benefits from South Dakota, Iowa, and Illinois.
This case was investigated by the Social Security Administration, Office of the Inspector General. Assistant U.S. Attorney Ann M. Hoffman prosecuted the case.
Breaw was permitted to turn herself in to the custody of the U.S. Marshals Service on or before January 14, 2020.
Friday 25 October 2019
York County Man Charged with Child Exploitation OffensesRead the Press Release
HARRISBURG - The United States Attorney’s Office for the Middle District of Pennsylvania announced that John A. Swayze, age 56, of York, Pennsylvania, was indicted on October 23, 2019, by a federal grand jury on child exploitation charges.
According to United States Attorney David J. Freed, the indictment alleges that Swayze received and distributed child pornography, and possessed child pornography involving minors under the age of 12 between October 2017 and May 2019. The two-count indictment also includes a notice of the Government’s intent to forfeit all images of child pornography and the electronic devices associated with those images.
This case was investigated by the Northeastern Regional Police Department with assistance from the Federal Bureau of Investigation. Assistant United States Attorney James T. Clancy is prosecuting the case.
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 and click on the tab "resources."
Indictments are only allegations. All persons charged are presumed to be innocent unless and until found guilty in court.
A sentence following a finding of guilt is imposed by the Judge after consideration of the applicable federal sentencing statutes and the Federal Sentencing Guidelines.
The maximum penalty for receipt and distribution of child pornography is 20 years’ imprisonment and a $250,000 fine. That charge carries a mandatory minimum term of imprisonment of 5 years. The maximum penalty for possession of child pornography involving minors under 12 years old is 20 years’ imprisonment and a $250,000 fine. Under the Federal Sentencing Guidelines, the Judge is also required to consider and weigh a number of factors, including the nature, circumstances and seriousness of the offense; the history and characteristics of the defendant; and the need to punish the defendant, protect the public and provide for the defendant's educational, vocational and medical needs. For these reasons, the statutory maximum penalty for the offense is not an accurate indicator of the potential sentence for a specific defendant.
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Wetzel County woman admits to selling meth near an elementary schoolRead the Press Release
WHEELING, WEST VIRGINIA – Kaley Edgell, of New Martinsville, West Virginia, has admitted to , U.S. Attorney Bill Powell announced.
Edgell, age 36, pled guilty to one count of “Distribution of Methamphetamine in Proximity to a Protected Location.” Edgell admitted to selling methamphetamine near New Martinsville Elementary School in May 2018.
Edgell faces up to 40 years incarceration and a fine of up to $2,000,000. 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.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Robert H. McWilliams, Jr. is prosecuting the case on behalf of the government. The Marshall County Drug & Violent Crimes Task Force, a HIDTA-funded initiative, and the West Virginia State Police investigated.
Senior U.S. District Judge Frederick P. Stamp, Jr. presided.
Virginia Man Sentenced to 30 Months in Prison for Trafficking in Large-Scale Narcotics and Possession of a FirearmRead the Press Release
WASHINGTON – Amir Gibreel, 30, of Northern Virginia, was sentenced yesterday to 30 months in prison for his role in a large-scale marijuana distribution enterprise, announced U.S. Attorney Jessie K. Liu, Ashan M. Benedict, Special Agent in Charge of the Washington Field Division of the U.S. Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF), and Timothy M. Dunham, Special Agent in Charge of the FBI’s Washington Field Office’s Criminal Division.
On July 23, 2019, Gibreel pled guilty before the Honorable Rudolph Contreras in the U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia to one count of possessing with intent to distribute marijuana and one count of unlawful possession of a firearm by a person previously under felony indictment. As part of his plea, Gibreel accepted responsibility for running a marijuana business and possessing with intent to distribute over 80 pounds of marijuana. Gibreel’s conviction represents his third marijuana-related conviction.
According to the Government’s evidence, in the summer of 2018, law enforcement associated with the FBI’s Safe Streets Task Force began investigating Gibreel for the illegal distribution of marijuana. Specifically, FBI learned that Gibreel was operating a website called JetpackDC. JetpackDC is a website that specifically sells marijuana through an online distribution system. Much like Uber Eats or other internet delivery services, a user would obtain contact information from the internet, and then contact a telephone number to coordinate the sale and drop-off of various packages of marijuana, ranging from small sales in the low-dollar amount, or high sales in the hundreds of dollars. FBI had learned that Gibreel operated stash houses to prepare and market his product. Specifically, FBI learned that Gibreel utilized Airbnb, a housing internet rental company, to store his marijuana. Gibreel and his associates were making $80,000 to $100,000 monthly.
In September and October of 2018, FBI conducted three separate controlled purchases to try to identify Gibreel’s Airbnb safe house. In each of those controlled purchases, the FBI utilized an undercover agent, posing as a marijuana consumer, to go to JetpackDC, contact the JetpackDC dispatcher, and order marijuana. Based on the controlled purchases and coordinated surveillance, FBI was able to identify two locations as possible premises associated with the distribution of marijuana: an Airbnb apartment used by Gibreel within D.C. and 230 Rhode Island Avenue N.E. (Gibreel’s leased apartment).
On October 30, 2018, FBI executed search warrants at both locations. Gibreel was present at the 18 N Street apartment, along with four other subjects who stated that they did not reside at the location. Law enforcement identified one of the persons present as one of the delivery drivers from the earlier controlled purchases.
During the search of the Airbnb., law enforcement found several of Gibreel’s personal belongings in an upstairs bedroom, including a blue backpack with the JetpackDC label. Inside of the backpack, law enforcement found several documents, mail matter, and notebooks belonging to Gibreel. In the same bedroom, law enforcement found approximately $17,230 in cash on the closet shelf, and another $1,939 in cash in the front right pocket of a pair of blue jeans that Gibreel identified as his own. On a folding table in the same room, law enforcement found Gibreel’s bankcard and $352 in cash. On the bed, law enforcement found two ledger books containing information pertaining to the sale of marijuana. In a second upstairs bedroom, law enforcement located multiple bins, cardboard boxes, and canisters containing various amounts of marijuana, a suitcase containing marijuana vape cartridges, and marijuana packaging materials, such as a label maker and heat-sealing equipment. In total, the approximate weight of the marijuana found in the second bedroom was 80 pounds, with a street value of over $100,000.
During the search of 230 Rhode Island Avenue N.E.—no one was present during the warrant’s execution—law enforcement found a black 9mm Springfield XD semi-automatic pistol (Serial No. US8499099), which contained 16 rounds of ammunition, in the sole bedroom. Underneath the firearm was mail matter addressed to Gibreel, $15,000 in cash, and medical cannabis stickers. In the kitchen, law enforcement also seized an extended magazine, marijuana packaging materials, grinders, four ledgers (containing information pertaining to marijuana sales in the thousands of dollars per day), bank statements, nine cell phones, additional mail matter, four laptops, a money counter, three tablets, and a bag containing JetpackDC paraphernalia. Law enforcement also recovered approximately 900 grams of marijuana from the kitchen and living room.
Both the firearm and ammunition possessed by Gibreel had been shipped and transported in interstate commerce and in fact, Gibreel had purchased the firearm through an intermediary in Northern Virginia.
Finally, on October 30, 2018,Gibreel was aware that on April 30, 2018, he had been indicted by a grand jury in Arlington County, Commonwealth of Virginia, in case number CR18000582 (Sale/Distribute Marijuana) and CR18000583 (Possession of a Controlled Substance). Both of the indicted charges are felony offenses in the Commonwealth of Virginia, and are punishable by a term of imprisonment exceeding one year.
This matter was investigated by the FBI Washington Field Office’s Safe Streets Violent Gang Task Force, which is composed of FBI and ATF Special Agents, along with detectives from the Metropolitan Police Department, the U.S. Park Police, and the Prince George’s County Police. The Task Force is charged with investigating, disrupting and dismantling the most egregious and violent gangs operating in the District of Columbia and National Capital Region.
In announcing the sentence, U.S. Attorney Liu, Special Agent in Charge Benedict, and Special Agent in Charge Dunham commended the assistance provided by our joint law enforcement partners, as well as the Arlington County Commonwealth’s Attorney’s Office. They also acknowledged the efforts of those who handled the case from the U.S. Attorney’s Office, including Assistant U.S. Attorney Gregory Rosen of the Violent Crime and Narcotics Trafficking Section.
Valdosta Doctor, Physician’s Assistant Sentenced to Prison for Medicare-Medicaid Fraud, Ordered to Repay Millions in RestitutionRead the Press Release
Valdosta, Ga. — A Valdosta doctor guilty of defrauding the federal and state Medicare and Medicaid health care programs of more than $2.2 million was sentenced to 97 months in prison today, said Charles “Charlie” Peeler, the U.S. Attorney for the Middle District of Georgia. A citizen jury returned a guilty verdict against Dr. Douglas Moss, 58, of Valdosta, on May 14, 2019 following a seven-day trial in federal court. Dr. Moss was found guilty on all seven counts that he was charged with: conspiracy to commit health care fraud (Count 1) and health care fraud (Counts 2-7). U.S. District Judge Hugh Lawson imposed an additional 3 years of supervised release. A co-conspirator, Shawn Tywon, 50, of Valdosta, who worked as a Physician’s Assistant (PA) in Dr. Moss’s practice, entered a guilty plea to conspiracy to commit health care fraud on April 11, 2019 and was sentenced today to 24 months in prison and 2 years of supervised release. Dr. Moss and Mr. Tywon were ordered to pay restitution in the amount of $2,256,861.32 to Medicare and Georgia Medicaid. There is no parole in the federal system.
“Stealing from Medicare and Medicaid programs undermines our government’s mission to assist providing healthcare to senior citizens and vulnerable members of our society. Enriching oneself on the backs of law-abiding, tax-paying citizens will not be tolerated, and the punishment is prison time,” said U.S. Attorney Charlie Peeler. “Dr. Moss stole more than $2.2 million by billing the government for work he did not perform. We will continue to work closely with our law enforcement partners to end government fraud. I want to thank HHS, FBI and the Office of State of Georgia Attorney General Chris Carr for their hard work in this matter.”
“The ability to combine resources with our federal partners is critically important as we work together to prosecute those who break the law and take advantage of government programs for their own personal gain,” said Attorney General Chris Carr. “We remain committed to protecting the integrity of the Georgia Medicaid program, its members and the taxpayer dollars used to provide this service, and, as identified by today’s action, we will remain vigilant in our efforts to recover any and all funds spent illegally.”
“Today’s sentencing demonstrates that when medical professionals choose to break the law and corrupt the system to line their pockets with taxpayer dollars, we will work relentlessly to bring those individuals to justice,” said Derrick L. Jackson, Special Agent in Charge of the Office of the Inspector General of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. “Protecting precious Medicare and Medicaid funds remains a top priority for the Inspector General and our law enforcement partners.”
“When health care professionals choose to defraud federally funded programs like Medicare and Medicaid there are many victims, including American taxpayers and the people who are rightly entitled to those funds,” said Special Agent in Charge of FBI Atlanta Chris Hacker. “Health care costs are driven up when doctors and staff bill for unnecessary and unfulfilled services and the FBI and our partners will continue to use every resource in our power to stop it.”
Dr. Moss was a practicing physician at South Georgia Health Group, LLC, (SGHG) in Valdosta, Georgia, since 2002. Dr. Moss was also the Medical Director of four Heritage Health (which became Pruitt Health) facilities (Holly Hill Nursing Home, Valdosta Nursing Home, Lakehaven Nursing Home, and Crestwood Nursing Home) between January 2011 and May 2016, where he served as an attending physician for residents at those facilities. Dr. Moss was also the Medical Director of Grant Medical Clinic in Valdosta, an after-hours clinic. According to testimony and evidence presented at trial, Dr. Moss bilked the U.S. government out of more than $2.2 million dollars by falsifying Medicare and Medicaid claims, either by billing for services he actually did not perform, or by utilizing his PA, Mr. Tywon, as an “extender” (a non-physician practitioner) to render services that were billed as if Dr. Moss had performed them himself, netting a larger reimbursement. The evidence showed that Dr. Moss routinely did not render the services he billed under his name, and even visited Las Vegas casinos during at least two periods of time when he submitted bills for services in Valdosta.
The case was investigated by the FBI and the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services – OIG. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Sonja Profit and Lyndie Freeman from the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Middle District of Georgia, and Assistant Director Jim Mooney from the Georgia’s Office of the Attorney General prosecuted the case for the Government. Questions can be directed to Pamela Lightsey, Public Information Officer, United States Attorney’s Office, at (478) 621-2603 or Melissa Hodges, Public Affairs Director (Contractor), United States Attorney’s Office, at (478) 765-2362.
United States Attorneys, FBI and AARP Team up to Help Educate SeniorsRead the Press Release
CHARLESTON, W.Va. -- The United States Attorney’s Offices for the Southern and Northern Districts of West Virginia and the FBI are teaming up to educate the aging population in the mountain state and their families about the dangers of elder fraud.
Today, United States Attorneys Mike Stuart and Bill Powell, along with FBI Pittsburgh Special Agent in Charge Robert Jones, partnered with the AARP to conduct outreach and raise awareness to educate senior citizens about the latest scams so they do not fall victim. More than 200 seniors in West Virginia had the opportunity to participate in an interactive telephone town hall to learn about the latest financial scams.
“Our seniors are being exploited through grandparent scams, fake prizes, romance scams, fraudulent IRS refunds and deliberate extortion,” said United States Attorney Mike Stuart. “You can rest assured that we are working with our federal, state and local partners to combat all types of elder fraud and to hold the fraudsters accountable. I will do everything within my power to protect West Virginia’s elderly.”
“West Virginia’s senior citizens represent a significant but often vulnerable population. They are regular targets of fraudsters and scammers who often cause catastrophic and irreversible financial losses. Attorney General Barr and all United States Attorneys are aggressively pursuing those who prey on our seniors,” said United States Attorney Bill Powell.
Scammers are targeting senior citizens at an alarming rate. Across the country victims lost $2.71 billion to fraud in 2018 according to statistics collected by the FBI’s Internet Crime Complaint Center. West Virginia victims over the age of 60 lost more than $4 million to scams in 2018, nearly quadrupling from losses in 2017.
"Our seniors did not grow up in a world with technology," said FBI Pittsburgh Special Agent in Charge Robert Jones. "For many, navigating through these advances may be difficult. That's when the predators come in and prey on their vulnerabilities. All of us at the FBI will do everything we can to make sure our seniors are supported and protected from being victims of fraud."
The Department of Justice Elder Justice Initiative aims to combat elder financial exploitation by expanding efforts to investigate and prosecute financial scams that target seniors; educate older adults on how to identify scams and avoid getting ripped off by scammers; and promote greater coordination with law enforcement partners.
In March of this year, Attorney General William P. Barr and multiple law enforcement partners including the FBI, announced the largest coordinated sweep of elder fraud cases in history. The Department took action in every federal district across the country, through the filing of criminal or civil cases. The cases brought during this sweep involved more than 260 defendants from around the globe who victimized more than two million Americans, most of them elderly. In each case, offenders allegedly engaged in financial schemes that targeted or largely affected seniors. In total, the charged elder fraud schemes caused alleged losses of millions of more dollars than last year, putting the total alleged losses at this year’s sweep at over three fourths of one billion dollars. For more information about the Elder Justice Initiative, please visit: https://www.justice.gov/elderjustice.
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U.S. Attorneys, FBI, and AARP team up to help educate seniorsRead the Press Release
U.S. Attorney Bill Powell, FBI SAC Robert Jones, and U.S. Attorney Mike Stuart take calls during AARP event.The U.S. Attorney’s Offices for the Northern District of West Virginia and the Southern District of West Virginia and the FBI are teaming up to educate the aging population the mountain state and their families about the dangers of elder fraud.
Today, U.S. Attorneys Bill Powell and Mike Stuart partnered with FBI Special Agent in Charge Robert Jones and the AARP to conduct outreach and raise awareness to educate senior citizens about the latest scams so they do not fall victim. More than 200 seniors in West Virginia had the opportunity to participate in an interactive telephone town hall to learn about the latest financial scams.
“West Virginia’s senior citizens represent a significant but often vulnerable population. They are regular targets of fraudsters and scammers who often cause catastrophic and irreversible financial losses. Attorney General Barr and all United States Attorneys are aggressively pursuing those who prey on our seniors,” said Powell.
“Our seniors are being exploited through grandparent scams, fake prizes, romance scams, fraudulent IRS refunds and deliberate extortion,” said United States Attorney Mike Stuart. “You can rest assured that we are working with our federal, state and local partners to combat all types of elder fraud and to hold the fraudsters accountable. I will do everything within my power to protect West Virginia’s elderly.”
Scammers are targeting senior citizens at an alarming rate. Across the country victims lost $2.71 billion to fraud in 2018 according to statistics collected by the FBI’s Internet Crime Complaint Center. West Virginia victims over the age of 60 lost more than $4 million to scams in 2018, nearly quadrupling from losses in 2017.
"Our seniors did not grow up in a world with technology," said FBI Pittsburgh Special Agent in Charge Robert Jones. "For many, navigating through these advances may be difficult. That's when the predators come in and prey on their vulnerabilities. All of us at the FBI will do everything we can to make sure our seniors are supported and protected from being victims of fraud."
The Department of Justice Elder Justice Initiative aims to combat elder financial exploitation by expanding efforts to investigate and prosecute financial scams that target seniors; educate older adults on how to identify scams and avoid getting ripped off by scammers; and promote greater coordination with law enforcement partners.
In March of this year, Attorney General William P. Barr and multiple law enforcement partners including the FBI, announced the largest coordinated sweep of elder fraud cases in history. The Department took action in every federal district across the country, through the filing of criminal or civil cases. The cases brought during this sweep involved more than 260 defendants from around the globe who victimized more than two million Americans, most of them elderly. In each case, offenders allegedly engaged in financial schemes that targeted or largely affected seniors. In total, the charged elder fraud schemes caused alleged losses of millions of more dollars than last year, putting the total alleged losses at this year’s sweep at over three fourths of one billion dollars.
For more information about the Elder Justice Initiative, please visit: https://www.justice.gov/elderjustice.
U.S. Attorney's Statement on Federal Charges Brought Against 3 Suspects in El Dorado County Sheriff Deputy's KillingRead the Press Release
Multiple Federal law enforcement agencies have been assisting the El Dorado Sheriff’s Office in this investigation since early Wednesday morning. The United States Attorney’s Office has brought these federal charges in full cooperation and consultation with the El Dorado District Attorney’s Office. We will continue to work collaboratively to ensure that justice is done.
U.S. Attorney encourages safe drug disposalRead the Press Release
WHEELING, WEST VIRGINIA - U.S. Attorney Bill Powell is encouraging residents across the Northern District of West Virginia to safely dispose of unused and unwanted medications and vaping products at the Drug Enforcement Administration’s Drug Take Back Day this weekend.
Drug Take Back Day is Saturday, October 26 from 10 a.m. until 2 p.m. The event, in its ninth year, offers a safe way to rid homes of unwanted and unused medications, preventing them from falling into the wrong hands.
Starting with this October’s campaign, collection sites will now accept vaping devices and cartridges – in addition to tablets, capsules, patches, and other medications in solid forms – at any of its drop off locations. DEA is doing all it can to help dispose safely of vaping devices and liquids to get these products off our streets and out of the hands of children.In April the DEA’s Drug Take Back Day collected nearly 940,000 pounds – or 469 tons – of prescription drugs, more than twice the weight of the Statue of Liberty.
In 2018, nearly 1,000 West Virginians died because of a drug overdose, with 82% of those deaths involving an opioid.
The find the nearest collection site, go to www.deatakeback.com.
U.S. Attorney Trent Shores Reappointed to the U.S. Sentencing Commission’s Tribal Issues Advisory GroupRead the Press Release
The United States Sentencing Commission has reappointed U.S. Attorney Trent Shores this week as the Department of Justice representative for the Tribal Issues Advisory Group (TIAG). The new term will run until Dec. 31, 2022.
“I look forward to serving a second term on the Commission’s Tribal Issues Advisory Group,” said U.S. Attorney Trent Shores. “This group plays an important role in providing to the Commissioners our views on federal sentencing issues relating to American Indian defendants and victims and to offenses committed in Indian Country. It is critical that justice be implemented equitably, transparently, and with an understanding of Indian Country’s unique considerations.”
The TIAG was formed in February 2015. The group is charged assisting the Commission on carrying out its statutory responsibilities; advising the Commission on sentencing issues related to American Indian defendants, victims, and tribal communities; studying the operation of the sentencing guidelines as they pertain to Indian country, and making recommendations for revisions to the guidelines. The group recommends revisions, in part, based on concerns from tribal communities and courts and any potential disparities in the application of the guidelines to Native American defendants. You may find a more detailed description of the TIAG’s responsibilities here.
U.S. Attorney Encourages Idahoans to Participate in DEA’s National Prescription Drug Take Back Day This SaturdayRead the Press Release
BOISE – U.S. Attorney Bart M. Davis will join the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) on October 26th in support of the 18th National Prescription Drug Take Back Day. The biannual event will be held from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., at thousands of collection sites around the country, including 38 here in Idaho. The event is an effort to rid homes of potentially dangerous expired, unused, and unwanted prescription drugs.
“The widespread prevalence of unused prescription medication is a significant contributor to drug abuse and addiction,” stated U.S. Attorney Davis. “National Prescription Drug Take Back Day provides an actionable way to rid opioids and other medicines from our nation’s homes. I urge Idahoans to do their part to combat this crisis by going to a collection site and safely disposing of unused, expired, and dangerous prescription medication.”
Starting with this October’s campaign, DEA will now accept vaping devices and cartridges–in addition to tablets, capsules, patches, and other medications in solid forms–at any of its drop off locations. DEA is doing all it can to help dispose safely of vaping devices and liquids to get these products off our streets and out of the hands of children.
Last April, 469 tons (937,443 pounds) of prescription drugs were turned in, more than twice the weight of the Statue of Liberty. Nearly 5,000 local and tribal law enforcement partners signed up to operate close to 6,300 collection sites around the nation. Overall, in its 17 previous Take Back Day events, DEA and its partners have taken in over 11 million pounds—almost 6,000 tons—of expired, unused and unwanted prescription medications. The disposal service is free and anonymous, no questions asked.
Rates of prescription drug abuse in the United States are alarmingly high, as are the number of accidental poisonings and overdoses due to these drugs. Studies show that a majority of abused prescription drugs are obtained from family and friends, including from the home medicine cabinet.
Flushing medications down the toilet or throwing them in the trash pose potential safety and health hazards. The initiative addresses a vital public safety and public health issue. Medicines that languish in home cabinets are highly susceptible to diversion, misuse and abuse.
For more information or to locate a collection site near you, go the DEA Prescription Drug Take Back Day web site at www.DEATakeBack.com where you can search by zip code, city, or state.
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Two More Reagor Dykes Employees Plead Guilty, Seven Pleas TotalRead the Press Release
Two Reagor Dykes Auto Group employees pleaded guilty today for their role in the auto group’s floor plan fraud scheme, following an investigation by the Federal Bureau of Investigation’s Dallas Field Office, announced U.S. Attorney for the Northern District of Texas Erin Nealy Cox.
Pepper Laray Rickman, 47, and Sherri Lynn Wood, 53, plead guilty to conspiracy to commit wire fraud before Magistrate Jude Lee Ann Reno in Amarillo Friday morning.
Rickman and Wood are two of seven employees who have confirmed their role in the $50 million Reagor Dykes fraud. Admitted coconspirators include Reagor Dykes Chief Financial Officer Shane Andrew Smith and employees Sheila Miller, Lindsay Williams, Diana Urias, and Paige Johnston.
In plea papers, Rickman, accounting controller at Reagor Dykes Plainview LP (a Toyota store in Plainview, Texas), and Wood, office manager at the Reagor Dykes Auto Company LP (a Ford store in Plainview), admitted the auto group participated in a fraudulent floor plan fraud scheme.
In a practice accounting staff dubbed “dummy flooring,” “fake flooring,” or “re-flooring,” employees dug through records for vehicle identification numbers (VIN) of cars Reagor Dykes had already sold, then submitted new loan applications to Ford Motor Credit Company using the old VINs – falsely indicating that the company was seeking a loan in order to repurchase the vehicle for resale, Rickman and Wood said in plea papers. After acquiring the new floor plan funding, instead of re-buying the car, Reagor Dykes used the ensuing loan to cover other expenses.
The company’s accounting staff submitted the false information via interstate wire communication, the defendants admitted.
Rickman and Wood each face up to five years in federal prison and may be required to pay at least $27 million in restitution.
The Federal Bureau of Investigation and Internal Revenue Services - Criminal Investigation Division conducted the investigation. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Joshua Frausto, Jeffrey Haag, and Sean Taylor are prosecuting the case.
Two Han Gil Drug Dealers Sentenced to Combined 60 YearsRead the Press Release
The lead defendant in the Han Gil Hotel criminal case has been sentenced to 30 years in federal prison on drug and gun charges, announced U.S. Attorney for the Northern District of Texas Erin Nealy Cox.
Eric Dewayne Freeman, aka “Stuff,” pleaded guilty in June to conspiracy to possess with the intent to distribute heroin, possession of a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime, and possession of a firearm by a felon. Freeman was sentenced Friday afternoon before U.S. District Judge Karen Gren Scholer alongside coconspirator Kendrick Lamel Washington, aka “Kiki,” who pleaded guilty in May to conspiracy to possess with the intent to distribute heroin and possession of a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime. Washington was also sentenced to 30 years in federal prison.
Freeman, 44, and Washington, 40, are two of fifteen defendants who have pleaded guilty in the Han Gil Hotel Town case, which has so far resulted in charges against 22 individuals and one corporation associated with the notoriously dangerous hotel.
“In the seven months since the feds shuttered the Han Gil, defendants have confirmed what we already knew from our investigation – that the hotel was a haven for drug dealers, human traffickers, and violent criminals,” said U.S. Attorney Nealy Cox. “Two of the Han Gil’s most notorious dealers will spend decades behind bars, where they can no longer peddle the substances that have already shattered so many lives.”
“The DEA will pursue investigations, much like the Han Gil Hotel case, until these places are extinct,” said DEA Special Agent in Charge of the Dallas Division Clyde E. Shelley, Jr.
In plea papers, Freeman and Washington both admitted that they and other dealers routinely used so-called “trap rooms” within the Han Gil Hotel to peddle and distribute heroin, methamphetamine and crack cocaine to numerous customers. Users often smoked or injected the drugs on hotel premises, which lay within 1000 feet of Dallas’ Herbert Marcus Elementary School.
Washington admitted that he acted as Freeman’s enforcer, using tactics “designed to instill fear” in individuals Freeman believed had stolen from him or owed him money. In December 2018, Washington used a cell phone to record Freeman torturing a young woman with a butane torch, then showed the video to numerous people inside the hotel.
Freeman, meanwhile, admitted that multiple drug overdoses occurred in Han Gil Hotel rooms during the time the conspiracy was ongoing. The bodies of some of those victims were removed from the hotel and dumped elsewhere. DEA agents discovered the corpse of a twenty year-old female victim who died in December 2018 decomposing in Boren-Hilseweck Park in Oak Cliff almost a month after Freeman and two others carried her body out of the hotel. Law enforcement agents in Coppell, Texas also tied the heroin overdose deaths of two Coppell residents that died in June and July 2018 back to the Han Gil Hotel.
Freeman also admitted the owner of the Han Gil Hotel, codefendant Su Y. Amos Mun, was aware that multiple armed drug dealers were using the hotel to distribute drugs to hundreds of customers. He said Mun charged dealers an inflated room rate, dubbed a “drug tax,” in exchange for allowing them to openly deal out of trap rooms. Mun collected thousands of dollars from Freeman alone, and often tipped off dealers before law enforcement or city officials arrived for inspections, Freeman said in his plea papers.
Mun, 64, pleaded guilty in August to maintaining a drug involved premises, admitting that for more than a year, he profited off dealers openly selling quantities of heroin, methamphetamine, cocaine and other drugs from inside his hotel rooms.
As part of his plea agreement, Mun agreed to forfeit the Han Gil Hotel, which is also the subject of a civil action filed by the U.S. Attorney’s Office alleging the site functioned as a “safe haven for drug distributors” and a “breeding ground for escalating criminal activity.”
The hotel has been shuttered since March 8, when a federal judge granted prosecutors’ motion for a restraining order prohibiting the hotel’s further operation and a task force of more than 50 agents and officers, accompanied by several attorneys, converged on the Han Gil to effect arrests, execute search warrants, and post notices requiring the immediate clearing of the premises.
The Drug Enforcement Administration conducted the investigation with assistance from the Federal Bureau of Investigation, Coppell Police Department, Dallas Police Department, the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms & Explosives, the U.S. Marshal’s Service, Grand Prairie Police Department, Arlington Police Department, Grapevine Police Department, Lancaster Police Department, the State Department, IRS, U.S. Postal Inspection Service, Plano Police Department, Farmers Branch Police Department, Homeland Security Investigations, Garland Police Department, Rowlett Police Department, Denton Police Department, Lewisville Police Department and McKinney Police Department. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Scott Hogan, NDTX Civil Chief, Lindsey Beran, NDTX Deputy Civil Chief, and Braden Civins filed the civil motion. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Rick Calvert, Chief of NDTX’s Narcotics Section, and Phelesa Guy, Deputy Chief of the Narcotics Section, are prosecuting the criminal case.
Two Charged in Connection with Cocaine Sales and Firearms OffenseRead the Press Release
The Office of the United States Attorney for the District of Vermont announced that Carl Martin, 34, and Mirnes Julardzija, 33, were arrested on October 23. Both defendants appeared yesterday before U.S. Magistrate Judge John M. Conroy in Burlington. Martin was ordered detained pending detention and probable cause hearings on October 28, 2019. Julardzija was released pending a probable cause hearing on November 12, 2019.
According to a federal criminal complaint filed today, Martin sold cocaine to an undercover agent of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) in September of 2019. The complaint further alleges that Martin subsequently traded cocaine to the undercover agent in exchange for a semiautomatic pistol in October of 2019.
A separate federal criminal complaint alleges that Julardzija aided and abetted Martin’s September, 2019 cocaine sale to the undercover agent.
If convicted of possessing a firearm in relation to a drug trafficking crime, Martin faces a maximum sentence of life imprisonment, a minimum sentence of five years, and up to a $250,000 fine. Martin and Julardzija also face a maximum sentence of up to 20 years in prison if convicted of distributing cocaine. The actual sentences however, would be determined by the Court with guidance from the advisory Federal Sentencing Guidelines. The United States Attorney emphasizes that the charges in the complaints are merely accusations, and that the defendants are presumed innocent unless and until they are proven guilty.
United States Attorney Christina Nolan commended the investigative efforts of federal, state, and local law enforcement. She stated: “The U.S. Attorney’s Office will continue to prioritize combatting gun and violent crime in connection with the drug trade. The mix of drugs and guns creates grave public safety risks, particularly where, as here, it occurs in areas of high pedestrian foot traffic. Those who traffic guns in connection with the drug trade should consider themselves targets for federal investigation and prosecution.” U.S. Attorney Nolan also thanked the Burlington Police Department, the Drug Enforcement Administration, the South Burlington Police Department, the Vermont State Police, and the U.S. Marshals Service for their assistance with this matter.
“The ATF has an unwavering commitment to remove illegal firearms and narcotics from our neighborhoods. Everyone deserves a community where they feel safe,” stated ATF Boston Field Division Special Agent-in-Charge Kelly D. Brady. “ATF is committed to working with our law enforcement partners and we will continue to use all of our resources to take armed criminals off our streets and put them behind bars where they belong.”
Burlington Police Chief Brandon Del Pozo commented: “Allegedly trading cocaine for a firearm is the type of behavior that makes Vermont a more dangerous place on several levels. We’re grateful for a partnership with ATF and the U.S. Attorney’s Office that protects Vermonters from these dangers.”
The United States is represented in this matter by Assistant U.S. Attorney Wendy Fuller. Carl Martin is represented by Mark Oettinger. Kevin Henry represents Mirnes Julardzija.
Tucson Man Sentenced to 13 Years in Prison for 1998 Child Sexual AbuseRead the Press Release
TUCSON, Ariz. – On October 23, 2019, Christopher James Preston, 52, of Tucson, Arizona, was sentenced by U.S. District Judge James A. Soto to 156 months in prison, followed by lifetime supervised release. Preston is also required to register as a sex offender.
A federal jury previously found Preston guilty in a re-trial of two counts of aggravated sexual abuse of a child. The evidence at the re-trial showed that in the summer of 1998, Preston, a member of the Tohono O’Odham Tribe, sexually abused the 10-year-old victim in Tucson, in the San Xavier district, on the Tohono O’odham reservation. At the time, Preston was the victim’s little league coach.
The investigation in this case was conducted by the Tohono O’odham Police Department and the Federal Bureau of Investigation. The prosecution was handled by Matthew C. Cassell and Rui Wang, Assistant U.S. Attorneys, District of Arizona, Tucson.
Three Men Sentenced for Conspiracy to Distribute MethamphetamineRead the Press Release
COUNCIL BLUFFS, Iowa - United States Attorney Marc Krickbaum announced on October 16, 2019, Marcus John Josephson, age 35, was sentenced by United States District Court Judge Rebecca Goodgame Ebinger for Conspiracy to Distribute a Controlled Substance. Josephson was sentenced to 102 months in prison, to be followed by a term of supervised release of three years.
On August 20, 2019, Judge Ebinger sentenced Josephson’s co-defendants, Dustyn Russell Bond, age 47, and Clayton Dean Stucker, age 31, for Conspiracy to Distribute a Controlled Substance. Bond was sentenced to 176 months of imprisonment, to be followed by a term of supervised release of eight years; and Stucker was sentenced to 77 months in prison, to be followed by a term of supervised release of five years. All three defendants had earlier pleaded guilty to this charge.
On January 10, 2018, Bond and Stucker were stopped by law enforcement in Mills County and found to be in possession of methamphetamine. Bond and Stucker were associated with Marcus Josephson, who assisted them in the distribution of controlled substances in Montgomery County.
This case was investigated by the Southwest Iowa Narcotics Enforcement Task Force, United States Drug Enforcement Administration, Mills County Sheriff’s Department and the Montgomery County Sheriff’s Department. The case was prosecuted by the United States Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of Iowa.
Three KC Tax Preparers Plead Guilty to False Tax Return SchemeRead the Press Release
KANSAS CITY, Mo. – Three Kansas City, Missouri, tax preparers have pleaded guilty in federal court to a scheme to file false tax returns.
Ananeia Derseh, 42, pleaded guilty today before U.S. District Judge Howard F. Sachs to aiding and assisting in the preparation of a false tax return. His brother and co-defendant, Azareia Derseh, 38, pleaded guilty on Thursday, Oct. 24, to the same offense. Co-defendant Quashanda King, 38, of Kansas City, Missouri, pleaded guilty on Oct. 27, 2017, to the same offense.
Azareia Derseh owned and operated a tax preparation business in the Kansas City metropolitan area, under the names Instant Tax Service and Speedy Tax Service, at various locations. Ananiea was the manager in charge of one of the offices and King was the manager in charge of another office.
Ananeia and Azareia Derseh and King each admitted they prepared federal income tax returns for clients containing materially false and fraudulent items. They prepared returns for at least 37 individuals resulting in at least 47 false income tax returns for tax years 2012, 2013, and 2014.
Ananeia and Azareia Derseh and King included higher fees to prepare clients’ returns than what the clients were originally quoted. Often, a false Schedule C was included with clients’ returns to increase clients’ refunds. Client refunds were used to pay the high fees, with the fees most often being deducted from clients’ refunds before the refund was issued to the client. Most of the clients had between $669 and $1,437 in fees deducted from their refund.
According to court documents, the typical client who had their return prepared at Instant Tax Service was a very low wage earner, typically with under $3,000 inW-2 wages. Further, the clients were unsophisticated in tax or financial matters. When they walked into one of the two offices, they were assigned a preparer, who input their W-2 wages, dependents, and other identifying information into the appropriate field of their electronically filed returns. There was no meaningful review of the completed return, and sometimes, the client did not get a copy of the return.
Under federal statutes, each of the defendants is subject to a sentence of up to three years in federal prison without parole and must pay restitution to the Internal Revenue Service in the total amount of federal tax loss as determined by the court at sentencing. 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. Attorney Paul S. Becker. It was investigated by IRS-Criminal Investigation.
Three Carlisle Farmers Plead Guilty to Charges Related to Crop Insurance FraudRead the Press Release
LEXINGTON, Ky. - Three Carlisle, Kentucky farmers admitted in federal court Thursday, before United States District Judge Karen Caldwell, that they committed crop insurance fraud-related offenses.
Bradley Price, 34, pleaded guilty to conspiring to commit money laundering. According to his plea agreement, Bradley Price farmed tobacco in Nicholas and Bourbon Counties and carried federal crop insurance covering those crops in at least 2013 and 2014. During those two years, Price admitted to working with individuals identified as E.P. and R.W. to hide his crop production from his crop insurance company. The scheme involved Bradley Price providing his tobacco to E.P. to sell and then writing a check for that sales price to Clay’s Tobacco Warehouse. In this way, it appeared that Bradley Price had purchased the tobacco he sold through E.P. from Clay’s Tobacco Warehouse, and Bradley Price never reported this crop production to his insurance company. R.W. then wrote checks covering the price of the sale that tobacco, and E.P. applied 70 percent of those checks to Bradley Price’s bank account, keeping the 30 percent as his payment. This meant that Bradley Price was paid for his crop production, while also receiving an insurance payment from his crop insurance company for damage to that same crop.
Jimmy Price, 57, and Brandon Price, 27, both pleaded guilty to conspiring to commit crop insurance fraud. According to their plea agreements, Jimmy Price farmed tobacco in Nicholas and Bourbon Counties, and Brandon Price farmed tobacco in Nicholas County. Both carried federal crop insurance covering their tobacco in at least 2013 and 2014. In those years, both admitted to engaging in the same scheme as Bradley Price with E.P. and R.W., except that Jimmy and Brandon’s plea agreements state that Bradley Price handled concealing the scheme, after providing Bradley Price with blank checks drawn on their respective bank accounts.
All three defendants are scheduled to be sentenced on January 22, 2020. Bradley Price faces up to 20 years in prison and a maximum fine of $500,000 or twice the amount of loss. Jimmy and Brandon Price face up to five years in prison and a maximum fine of $250,000 or twice the amount of loss. However, any sentence will be imposed by the Court, after its consideration of the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and the federal sentencing statutes.
Robert M. Duncan Jr., United States Attorney for the Eastern District of Kentucky; Bethanne M. Dinkins, Acting Special Agent in Charge, United States Department of Agriculture Office of Inspector General; James Robert Brown, Jr.,, Special Agent in Charge, Federal Bureau of Investigation; Christopher Altemus, Special Agent in Charge, Internal Revenue Service-Criminal Investigation; and Dwayne Depp, Director, Kentucky Department of Insurance Fraud Investigation Division, jointly announced the guilty pleas.
The investigation was conducted by the United States Department of Agriculture Office of Inspector General, United States Department of Agriculture Risk Management Agency, Federal Bureau of Investigation, Internal Revenue Service-Criminal Investigation, and Kentucky Department of Insurance. The United States was represented by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Erin M. Roth and Kathryn A. Anderson.
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The U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Northern District of Ohio filed a record number of violent crime indictments in Fiscal Year 2019 as part of a strategy to help drive down homicides and fatal overdosesRead the Press Release
The U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Northern District of Ohio filed a record number of violent crime indictments in Fiscal Year 2019 as part of a strategy to help drive down homicides and fatal overdoses.
The office indicted 1,061 people in FY 2019.
That includes 308 people indicted for violent crime offenses, the highest number in the office’s records, which date back to 2004.
It also includes 456 people indicted for drug offenses – the highest number since 2005 and nearly double the amount of people indicted in just two years ago.
“The revitalized Project Safe Neighborhoods program is a major success,” said Attorney General William P. Barr. “It packs a powerful punch by combining advanced data with local leadership, further reducing violence in communities across the country and improving overall public safety. U.S. Attorneys continue to focus their enforcement efforts against the most violent criminals and work in partnership with federal, state, local, and tribal police. The Justice Department’s relationships across the board have never been stronger.”
“Our office is proud to demonstrate that we are doing what is necessary to help reduce violent crime in Northern Ohio,” U.S. Attorney Justin Herdman said. “Thanks to the incredible work of our law enforcement partners, we are able to hold accountable people who point a loaded gun at someone while robbing them, sell the fentanyl and other drugs killing our neighbors, illegally have firearms after a criminal conviction, or any of the other types of crimes we handle in federal court.”
According to FBI’s Uniform Crime Report released this week, the violent crime rate decreased nationally for the second consecutive year, down 3.9 percent from the 2017 numbers.
In Toledo, homicides are down 19 percent over this time last year. Homicides in Cleveland are down nearly 10 percent over the same period last year. Homicides are down slightly in Akron and Mansfield and are flat in Canton.
The Department of Justice in 2017 reinvigorated its nationwide violent crime reduction program, Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN). Drawing from academic research and decades of experience, the program is based on the fundamental principle that law enforcement agencies and communities must work together to address violent crime to make our neighborhoods safer.
PSN is an evidence-based violent crime reduction program that takes a collaborative approach to public safety. It leverages law enforcement and community partnerships, along with strategic enforcement efforts, to focus on the most violent criminals in the most violent locations.
Independent academic research found that PSN successfully reduced violent crime by an average of 4–20 percent, with reductions as high as 42 percent in certain locations. In 2017, the Department enhanced its PSN program, emphasizing data-driven strategies that focus on the most violent offenders, new technologies, and above all, partnerships with a wide range of stakeholders in local communities. With these changes, the program will be more effective than ever to help make America safer.
PSN brings together federal, state, local and tribal law enforcement officials, prosecutors, and community leaders to identify the most pressing violent crime problems in a community and develop comprehensive solutions to address them.
The foundations of the PSN strategy are:
- Community-Based –Each local program is contoured to fit the specific violent crime problem in that district.
- Targeted – Utilizes law enforcement and community intelligence, along with cutting-edge technology, to identify and target the most violent offenders for enforcement action.
- Comprehensive – Directs United States Attorneys to marry enforcement efforts with support of prevention and reentry strategies to truly combat violent crime in a lasting way.
In the Northern District of Ohio, U.S. Attorney Herdman worked with local police, community partners, federal agencies and other partners to identify violent crime and narcotics trafficking as two of the most pressing threats to public safety. He established a Violent Crime Unit in the office and began working with others to implement strategies designed to identify, disrupt and prosecute those responsible for the firearms violence in Northern Ohio, as well as the drug traffickers and distributors who have played a role in the record number of overdose deaths in Ohio over the past several years.
He also took steps to strengthen existing partnerships and build new ones in an effort to prevent future generations from being drawn into a life of crime and/or addiction. We office also continues to work in partnership with others to implement comprehensive reentry strategies, so people returning home from prison are equipped with the tools to lead productive lives moving forward.
The impact of these strategies can be seen in both the number and types of cases the office has prosecuted in recent years.
Notable programs and cases related to PSN include:
Commercial Robberies
U.S. v. Ford and Rogers: A federal jury convicted two Cleveland men of brandishing firearms while robbing MetroPCS stores last year and shooting at an off-duty Cleveland police officer. Shawn Ford, 20, and Charles Rogers, 24, were each convicted on multiple counts of Hobbs Act robbery and using firearms during a crime of violence. They are scheduled to be sentenced October 9. Ford and Rogers robbed the MetroPCS story at 10959 Kinsman Road on March 21, 2018, at 11100 Lorain Ave. on March 25, 2018, and at 5853 Broadway Ave., on March 27, 2018, and attempted to the rob the store at 14701 Kinsman Road, also on March 27, 2018. Ford and Rogers fled from the store on Broadway after taking more than $1,000 from the register. An off-duty Cleveland police officer, who was a customer in the store, followed them out of the store. He identified himself as a police officer and ordered them to stop. One of the suspects began shooting at the officer and spent 9 mm shell casings were recovered nearby. About 30 minutes later, an officer saw a vehicle that matched the description of the car the suspects got into after shooting at the officer. The car was pulled over with Ford and Rogers inside. Inside the car was a spent 9 mm round, blue latex gloves and clothing that matched clothing worn by suspects in other MetroPCS robberies. Rogers was wearing an electronic monitoring device with GPS capabilities on March 21, the date of the first MetroPCS robbery. The GPS placed Rogers in the vicinity of the Kinsman Road store a few minutes before the robbery. Sometime later the GPS device was tampered with or taken off Rogers, according to court documents.
U.S. v. Griffin: An Akron man was sentenced to 12 years in prison for the armed robbery of a Dollar General. Deonte Griffin, 29, previously pleaded guilty to Hobbs Act robbery, use of a firearm in relation to a crime of violence and being a felon in possession of a firearm. Griffin used a firearm to rob the Dollar General at 901 Copley Road in Akron on August 30, 2017. He possessed a .25-caliber pistol and ammunition despite a previous conviction for aggravated robbery which made it illegal for him to have a firearm, according to court documents.
U.S. v Liberty and Begin: A Northeast Ohio couple was sentenced to prison for 16 armed robberies or attempted robberies to fund their drug habit. Casey Layne Liberty, 31, of Amherst, and Daniel T. Begin, 33, of Cleveland, were both sentenced to 71 months on prison. Both were ordered to pay $6,598 in restitution. The pair previously pleaded guilty to conspiracy to commit bank robbery, bank robbery, conspiracy to commit Hobbs Act robbery and Hobbs Act robbery.
U.S. v. McKissack: A Maple Heights woman was sentenced to more than nine years in prison for robbing the same consignment store on Chagrin Boulevard on consecutive days, including using a firearm in the second robbery. Rachellette McKissack, 26, was sentenced to 114 months in federal prison. She previously pleaded guilty to two counts of Hobbs Act robbery and one count of using a firearm during a crime of violence. McKissack robbed the Cleveland Consignment Shoppe at 28790 Chagin Blvd. in Woodmere on November 15, 2018. McKissack again robbed the Cleveland Consignment Shoppe on November 16, 2018, this time using a firearm during the robbery, according to court documents.
Domestic Abusers with Firearms: The office has filed approximately 40 indictments related to people having firearms after having been convicted of domestic violence. Previously, the office averaged between four and six of these cases a year
U.S. v. Kraemer: A North Canton man was indicted for lying about numerous previous domestic violence convictions while purchasing firearms and for illegally having firearms after being convicted of domestic violence. Kraemer, twice in 2018, made false statements while purchasing firearms from Fin, Feather and Fur in Canton. He provided a false address and indicated he had not been convicted of the misdemeanor crime of domestic violence when, in fact, he had been convicted of domestic violence three times, according to the indictment. Kraemer possessed a Stoeger 12-gauge shotgun, a Taurus 9 mm pistol and a Ruger .380-caliber pistol, according to the indictment.
U.S. v. Hych: A Cleveland man twice convicted of domestic violence was indicted for having a gun. Joshua Hych, 24, was indicted in federal court on one count of possession of a firearm after misdemeanor crime of domestic violence. Hych on Sept. 26 possessed a Taurus 9mm handgun, despite convictions for domestic violence in 2012 and 2015 Parma Municipal Court.
Firearms Trafficking and Robberies
U.S. v. Clark et. al.: Five Canton men were indicted for allegedly stealing dozens of guns from a firearms store in Canton in February. Four of the defendants were also indicted on charges of conspiring to steal firearms from another Canton firearms store. Robert Clark, Jr., 18, Marquelis Thomas, 21, Shymeik Barkley, 18, God Gibson, 18, and Jamaryon Frazier, 18, were each indicted on one count of theft of firearms from a licensed firearms dealer. Clark, Thomas, Gibson and Frazier are also indicted on one count of conspiracy to commit theft of firearms from a licensed firearms dealer. The five men are accused of stealing 22 firearms from Elite Security Consultants LLC on February 2, 2019. Clark, Thomas, Gibson and Frazier are also accused of conspiring to steal firearms from Stark Arms on February 2, 2019. The men parked at Stark Arms, on Cleveland Avenue S.W., wearing gloves and covering their faces and attempted to gain entry by throwing a heavy metal object at the business’s window, according to the indictment.
U.S. v. Riley: Emmanuel Riley, 27, and Sevario Whitaker, 36, were each charged with theft from a federal firearms licensee and possession of a stolen firearm after allegedly stealing dozens of guns from a firearms store in Oregon, Ohio. A federal firearms licensee doing business as Towers Armory was burglarized on November 19, 2018. Approximately 46 firearms, six suppressors and four gun bags were missing from the store. Video surveillance from the store showed two men entered the store at approximately 3:24 a.m. after gaining access through the ventilation system on the roof and began removing firearms. They returned to the store several times in the early morning hours and continued removing firearms. Investigators obtained additional footage from a nearby business that showed the two men entered a Toyota Camry and drove away. A Toledo police detective recognized the vehicle as one that was used by Riley. The vehicle was towed from Riley’s mother’s house and Oregon police executed a state search warrant. Inside the vehicle they recovered gloves, a hat, a face mask and Friday the 13th-style mask consistent with what the burglars on the store surveillance footage were wearing. Whitaker was arrested on an outstanding warrant and also found to be wearing a sweatshirt consistent with what one of the burglars was wearing. A search of cell tower records indicates both Riley and Whitaker’s phones connected with a cell tower within one mile of the firearms store around the time of the burglary.
Targeted Enforcement
Operation We R CLE: The office was among several local, state and federal partners that participated in “Operation We R CLE.” The operation took place from April 23 through June 29 of 2018 and netted nearly 400 felony arrests, 66 recovered firearms, numerous narcotics seizures and over $300,000 in U.S. currency. Homicides in Cleveland dropped dramatically in May 2018.
Operation RAVEN: Operation Repeat and Violent Offender Enforcement pairs Cleveland Police with members of the FBI, Ohio Adult Parole Authority and others to identity career criminals. This year is has resulted in more than 130 felony arrests and more than 80 weapons seized. Fifteen of those have been accepted for federal prosecution.
Straw Purchasers
U.S. v. Ligon: Marshyia S. Ligon, 20, of Cleveland, was indicted on one count of making a false statement in the acquisition of a firearm for making a straw purchase from a gun store in Eastlake of a rifle that was later used in the attempted robbery of a credit union. Ligon made false statements on Oct. 4, 2017 when she purchased a Smith & Wesson M&P 15, 556 caliber rifle bearing the serial number TH11301 from Sherwin Shooting Sports, 33140 Vine Street in Eastlake. Ligon falsely stated she was the actual buyer of the rifle when, in fact, she was not the actual buyer of the firearms, according to the indictment. The firearm was recovered one week later at the Willoughby Eastlake Schools Credit Union, where it was used in an attempt to rob the credit union.
U.S. v. Spencer: Tyla Spencer, 22, of Cleveland, was sentenced to three months in prison A Cleveland woman was sentenced to three months in prison for making a straw purchase of two firearms that were purchased with money from a robbery and used in additional violent crimes. Spencer went on January 2, 2018, to the Cleveland Armory in Valley View with Lashawn Davis and a juvenile. Spencer bought them a Glock 9 mm and Glock .40-caliber handgun with cash that Davis and the juvenile got from robbing a check-cashing store in Cleveland the day before. Spencer falsely stated she was the true buyer of the firearms when, in fact, she was purchasing the firearms on behalf of the males. Davis and the juvenile then used the firearms in a bank robbery and carjacking in February, according to court documents and statements in court.
U.S. v. Derubba: Two people from Warren were named in a nine-count federal indictment for their roles in the straw purchase of firearms. Constance Derubba, 76, and Allen Reynolds, Jr., 35, were each indicted on four counts of making false statements during the purchase of a firearm. Reynolds also faces five additional counts of being a felon in possession of a firearm. On four different occasions, Derubba knowingly made false and fictitious statements in relation to the purchase of firearms. She was counseled, aided and abetted by Reynolds in these purchases. She falsely stated she was the purchaser of the firearm when, in fact, she was purchasing the firearms for Reynolds, according to the indictment. Reynolds at various points possessed a Smith & Wesson 5.56-caliber rifle, a Glock .40-caliber pistol, another Glock .40-caliber pistol, a North American Arms .22-caliber revolver, and another Smith & Wesson 5.56-caliber rifle, despite a previous conviction for possession of cocaine, according to the indictment.
Carjackings
U.S. v. Coats: Cody M. Coats, 25, of Cleveland, was sentenced to 16 years in for firing a shotgun during a carjacking in Euclid. Coats used an Ithaca short-barreled shotgun when he carjacked someone and stole their 2005 Chrysler Crossfire outside a Euclid bar on Aug. 14, 2017. He crashed the car on East 222nd Street near Lakeshore Boulevard following a police chase and was arrested, according to court documents.
U.S. v. Mack: An Elyria man who stabbed a woman during a carjacking was sentenced to 10 years in federal prison. Johnny G. Mack III, 39, previously pleaded guilty to carjacking. Mack forced a woman out of her 2016 Nissan Altima while she was at a gas station on December 12, 2018. He pulled a knife and threatened to stab the driver as he pushed her into her car. Mack stabbed the victim, causing small puncture wounds to her legs, stomach and hands, according to court documents.
U.S. v. Davis: Lashawn Davis, 18, of East Cleveland, was indicted for a carjacking in Cleveland Heights and an armed bank robbery in Richmond Heights. Davis brandished a firearm on Feb. 4 when he took a 2016 Hyundai Elantra from someone on Coventry Road in Cleveland Heights. He also brandished a firearm on Feb. 17 when he robbed the Dollar Bank on Wilson Mills Road in Richmond Heights, according to the indictment.
Narcotics Trafficking
U.S. v Blackshaw: Five people were charged in federal court after they were arrested with nearly 20 pounds of cocaine, fentanyl and approximately $1 million. Kenneth Blackshaw, 53, of Cleveland; Jorge Alberto Barrera, 43, of Mexico; Jorge Alberto Barrera Gutierrez Jr., 24, of Fresno, California; Miguel Angel Marquez, 44, of Fresno, California, and Donald Earl Knighten 43, of Bedford, were each charged in federal court with conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute narcotics. Blackshaw, Barrera, Gutierrez, Marquez and Knighten were arrested on June 15 at 1538 Addison Road in Cleveland. DEA agents searched the house and found nine individually wrapped bundles of cocaine, as well as 32 bundles of cash. A second search warrant was served at Blackshaw’s home on East 85th Street with nearly 200 grams of suspected fentanyl and approximately 595 grams of marijuana recovered.
U.S. v. Wells: Twenty people were indicted in federal court for their roles in a conspiracy to obtain large amounts of heroin, fentanyl and fentanyl analogues and sell the drugs to customers on the west side of Cleveland. Named in the 27-count indictment are: Alquin Wells, 37, of Sheffield Lake; Ronelle Davis, 28, of Sheffield Lake; Malcolm Collins, 46; Travon Gales, 24, of Maple Heights; Ronnie Edgell, 54; Lashaun Moncrief, 36; Matthew Kucera, 46; Amber Moore, 35, of Parma; Gloria Hrdy, 29; Patricia Truman, 28; Molly Medlik, 24; Cody Ray Lee, 25; Lisa Goforth, 27; Shaunna Collier, 23; Virginia May, 37; Tamie Seitz, 49; John Dickson, 39, of Brunswick; Elizabeth Gallagher, 30; Bobbi Boylan, 34, and Imani Nicholson, 23, of Sheffield Village. All are from Cleveland unless otherwise noted. All 20 are indicted on one count of conspiracy to distribute and possess with intent to distribute heroin, fentanyl and fentanyl analogues.
U.S. v. Sanders: Six Akron men were sentenced to federal prison for their roles in a conspiracy to bring more than 200 pounds of methamphetamine from California and sell it in the Akron area. Ugunda Sanders, 46, was convicted following trial and was sentenced more than 15 years in prison. Rashaad M. Thomas, 41, was sentenced to more than 14 years in prison. Michael E. Davis, 49; was sentenced to more than 10 years in prison. James E. Sanders, 52, was sentenced to 10 years in prison; Christopher J. Proctor, 51, was sentenced to more than three years in prison and Reuben Simmons, 32, was sentenced to less than three years in prison. All five previously pleaded guilty to their crimes related to methamphetamine distribution. Members of the conspiracy traveled between Cleveland and Los Angeles to obtain large amounts of methamphetamine, which they distributed in the Akron area, according to court documents.
U.S. v. McBeth: Three men from Northwest Ohio were indicted on drug conspiracy charges stemming from an investigation that resulted in the seizure of more than four pounds of cocaine, 20 firearms, three vehicles and more than $1.8 million in cash. Brooke McBeth, 39, Montrel Jackson, 34, both of Toledo, and Tyson Reed, 43, of Fostoria, were each indicted on one count of conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute cocaine.
Firearms in Furtherance of Drug Trafficking
U.S. v. Stewart: Two men with prior homicide convictions were sentenced to prison for firearms and drug trafficking charges crimes. Maurice A. Stewart, 42, was sentenced to more than 18 years in prison. A jury previously convicted him of drug trafficking, possession of a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking and being a felon in possession of firearms. William W. Moore, 38, was sentenced to 63 months in prison. He previously pleaded guilty to drug and firearms charges. A third man, Jason E. Cousins, 47, was sentenced to 73 months in prison. Cousins was found guilty of a firearm offense following a trial. According to court documents and evidence presented in court: U.S. Marshals were searching for Moore, who was wanted on drug and firearms warrants out of West Virginia, when they tracked him to a home in Canton. A search of the home resulted in the recovery of nearly eight pounds of methamphetamine, cocaine, crack cocaine, $10,904 in cash, two loaded handguns, a Mossberg 12 gauge shotgun, an AR-15 rifle and body armor. The evidence at trial connected all three men to items recovered at the residence. Moore was prohibited from possessing a firearm because of a previous conviction for murder. Stewart was prohibited from possessing a firearm because of a previous conviction involuntary manslaughter. Cousins was prohibited from possessing a firearm because of previous convictions for possession of cocaine and carrying a concealed weapon.
U.S. v. Hall: Two Cleveland men with a history of using firearms to commit crimes were indicted in federal court for their roles in a conspiracy to traffic fentanyl, heroin, cocaine and other drugs, as well as additional firearms crimes. Clayton Hall, 39, and Gregory D. Franklin, II, 42, were each indicted on one count of conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute controlled substances, and additional drug charges. Franklin is additionally charges with possession of a firearm in furtherance of drug trafficking and being a felon in possession of a firearm and ammunition. Hall and Franklin conspired together between February 2019 and April 30, 2019 to distribute 100 grams or more of a mixture of heroin and fentanyl analogues, as well as 500 grams or more of cocaine. Hall possessed with intent to distribute fentanyl, heroin, cocaine and crack cocaine at various times in 2018 and 2019. Franklin possessed with intent to distribute fentanyl analogues and cocaine on April 30, 2019. He also possessed a Taurus 9 mm semi-automatic pistol and 21 rounds of 9 mm that he used as part of his drug trafficking and despite a previous conviction for drug trafficking with a firearms specification, according to the indictment. Hall was previously convicted of kidnapping with a firearm and aggravated burglary with a firearm, according to the indictment.
U.S. v. Martin: A Cleveland man was sentenced to 30 years in prison for using a firearm while trafficking fentanyl, heroin and cocaine. Kernice Martin, 42, was sentenced to 360 months in federal prison. A jury found Martin guilty in April of four charges: possession with intent to distribute heroin and fentanyl; possession with intent to distribute cocaine; possession of a firearm in furtherance of drug trafficking and being a felon in possession of a firearm and ammunition. Martin was pulled over by Cleveland police for a traffic stop on June 15, 2018 and found to have 0.79 grams of a mixture of fentanyl and heroin, 8.41 grams of cocaine, a Taurus .40-caliber handgun and ammunition. Martin was prohibited from possessing firearms because of three previous convictions for drug trafficking and one previous conviction for drug possession, according to court documents.
Building Capacity
Strike Force: The City of Cleveland this summer approved financing clearing the way to break ground shortly on a building to house the Cleveland Strike Force, which will bring together more than 200 local police, federal agents and prosecutors to work side-by-side to strengthen public safety. The strike force’s mission will be to disrupt and dismantle major criminal organizations and their subsidiaries trafficking narcotics, weapons, humans and the proceeds of their crimes. Cooperative investigations will be focused on dissolving these organizations, their financial infrastructure, and the violence that accompanies their activities.
Public Safety Partnership: Both Toledo and Cleveland have been selected to participate in the Justice Department’s National Public Safety Partnerships program. This Justice Department program is a three-year engagement that seeks to leverage department assets in support of a local jurisdictions' commitment to drive down violent crime. DOJ works collaboratively with the police departments to provide training and technical assistance in areas such as crime analytics, emerging technology and community engagement. Since 2017, the Justice Department has directed nearly $14.9 million in customized training and technical assistance to help build crime fighting capacity in PSP sites, including $6.6 million to support the FY 2019 sites through FY 2022. PSP seeks to bring law enforcement stakeholders together to work collaboratively in reducing violent crime attributed to felonious firearm use, drug trafficking and human trafficking.
Community Partnerships
STANCE: Stand Together Against Neighborhood Crime Everyday was established in 2006, after Cleveland was one of six cities across the nation selected as a pilot program for a comprehensive anti-gang initiative. It consists of more than 40 representatives, including public officials, community leaders, educators, public safety and law enforcement, juvenile justice officials and, foundations, faith-based organizations and members of the private sector. The program targets specific high-risk neighborhoods in Cleveland by focusing on prevention, enforcement and re-entry initiatives. Strategies include promoting community-wide solutions to preventing gang violence, helping ex-offenders transition into productive community members and creating partnerships among law enforcement and other agencies to implement data-driven strategies to investigate and prosecute violent gang activity. STANCE and the U.S. Attorney’s Office is working in greater collaboration with the City of Cleveland’s Office of Prevention, Intervention and Opportunity. The city will play an even greater role in prevention efforts with the installation of social workers at the city’s 22 recreation centers to identify children with signs of trauma and connect them to services.
Working with youth: Members of office volunteer at the Boys and Girls Clubs, coach the mock trial team at Martin Luther King High School, teach the 3Rs program in the Cleveland Municipal School District, are in the process of establishing a volunteering and mentoring program with John Adams High School, and many other volunteer activities.
- Community-Based –Each local program is contoured to fit the specific violent crime problem in that district.
Tax Preparer Sentenced to 30 Months in Prison for Tax Fraud Scheme and Witness TamperingRead the Press Release
NEWARK – A Plainfield, New Jersey, tax preparer was sentenced today to 30 months in prison for conspiring to defraud the IRS, falsifying his tax returns, and witness tampering, U.S. Attorney Craig Carpenito announced.
Samuel Davis Jr., 54, previously pleaded guilty before U.S. District Court Judge Susan D. Wigenton to a three-count information charging him with conspiring to defraud the IRS, filing false personal tax returns, and witness tampering. Judge Wigenton imposed the sentence today in Newark federal court.
According to documents filed in this case and statements made in court:
Davis was an active detective sergeant in the N.J. State Police while also owning and operating a tax preparation business, Get Organized Tax & Accounting (GOTA). He retired from the state police in 2016 after 28 years. For tax years 2011 to 2016, Davis and his conspirator, Kyna Felder-Ruiz, prepared false individual income tax returns for various GOTA clients. They used a number of fraudulent practices, including falsely claiming deductions, fabricating educational credits, and submitting fake receipts, in order to obtain refunds for their clients in amounts substantially greater than those to which the taxpayers were entitled.
For tax years 2012 through 2014, Davis also filed false personal income tax returns by underreporting business income that he derived from GOTA, defrauding the IRS of tens of thousands of dollars in taxes.
In October 2018, Davis discovered that his son had received a subpoena to appear and testify before a grand jury, and he attempted to persuade his son to provide false testimony.
In addition to the prison term, Judge Wigenton sentenced Davis to three years of supervised release, fined him $10,000 and ordered restitution of $71,558 to the IRS. Felder-Ruiz previously pleaded guilty and is scheduled to be sentenced Oct. 31, 2019, for her role in the scheme.
U.S. Attorney Carpenito credited special agents of IRS-Criminal Investigation, under the direction of Special Agent in Charge John R. Tafur, with the investigation leading to today’s sentencing.
The government is represented by Assistant U.S. Attorney Ryan L. O’Neill of the U.S. Attorney’s Office’s Organized Crime and Drug Enforcement Task Force Unit.
Anyone who believes they may have been a victim of this defendant can contact IRS-Criminal Investigation at (732) 761-6439.
Defense counsel; Thomas R. Ashley Esq., Newark
Talladega Man Sentenced to 41 Months in Prison for Making Straw Purchase of Two FirearmsRead the Press Release
BIRMINGHAM –A federal judge today sentenced a Talladega man to 41months in prison for making a straw purchase of two firearms, announced U.S. Attorney Jay E. Town and Special Agent in Charge Marcus Watson of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives.
U.S. District Judge L. Scott Coogler sentenced DEQURIOUS ONEAL GARRETT, 24, on two counts of making false or fictitious statements to purchase firearms. Garrett pled guilty in July to lying on the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms, and Explosives background-check forms at the time he purchased two guns. Garrett indicated on the forms that he was buying the guns for himself when, in reality, he was buying them for someone else, according to court documents.
“The defendant used his status as a pistol-permit holder to illegally purchase firearms for someone who should never have had them,” said Town. “Straw purchasers endanger our communities and undermine the perception and rights of lawful gun owners.”
“ATF is committed to reducing violent crime which includes focusing on those who intentionally lie in order to obtain firearms,” Watson said.
ATF investigated the case, along with the Talladega County Drug Task Force, which Assistant United States Attorneys Melissa K. Atwood and Catherine C. Long prosecuted.
This case are part of Project Safe Neighborhoods, 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 program was reinvigorated 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.
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Talking Rock man receives 15 years in federal prison for producing child pornographyRead the Press Release
GAINESVILLE, Ga. - Michael Bush has been sentenced on federal charges of producing, receiving, and possessing child pornography. During the search of his home, agents discovered images that Bush had taken, even images of an eleven-year-old child.
“Bush created and collected images showing the exploitation and sexual abuse of minor children,” said U.S. Attorney Byung J. “BJay” Pak. “His disgusting passion for these types of images further exploits the children in the photographs. We will continue to identify and remove those individuals who pose a threat to our children.”
“Individuals who produce child pornography steal the innocence of children and re-victimize them each time the evidence of their exploitation is shared online,” said Homeland Security Investigations Atlanta Acting Special Agent in Charge Travis Pickard. "This case clearly demonstrates HSI aggressively works to disrupt the trade of these illegal images, seeking to prosecute those criminals who produce and possess them to the fullest extent of the law.”
According to U.S. Attorney Pak, the charges, and other information presented in court: Federal agents determined that Bush purchased child pornography online on multiple occasions between 2015 and 2018. Agents executed a search warrant at Bush's home in August 2018 and found multiple digital devices containing thousands of images and videos of child pornography. They also discovered that Bush took a series of pornographic photographs of an eleven-year-old child and saved them to his computer where he retained them for years.
Michael Bush, 49, of Talking Rock, Georgia, was sentenced before U.S. District Court Judge Steve C. Jones, to 15 years imprisonment, followed by a 10 years of supervised release. He also was ordered to pay restitution to victims of his offenses.
The U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s Homeland Security Investigations investigated this case.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Jill E. Steinberg, Deputy Chief of the Criminal Division, prosecuted the case.
This case is being brought as part of Project Safe Childhood. In February 2006, the Attorney General launched Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative designed to protect children from online exploitation and abuse. Led by the United States Attorney’s Offices around the country, Project Safe Childhood marshals federal, state and local resources to apprehend and prosecute individuals who exploit children. For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit www.projectsafechildhood.gov.
For further information please contact the U.S. Attorney’s Public Affairs Office at [email protected] or (404) 581-6016. The Internet address for the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Northern District of Georgia is http://www.justice.gov/usao-ndga.
Straw Purchaser Sentenced to Prison for Illegally Purchasing 20 FirearmsRead the Press Release
ALEXANDRIA, Va. – A Maryland man was sentenced today to 15 months in prison for making false statements to acquire firearms.
According to court documents, between November 2018 and April 2019, Quayshawn Shymel Simmons, 29, of Baltimore, straw purchased 20 firearms from Federal Firearm Licensees in Virginia using a false address in Hampton and then transported the firearms to Washington, D.C. Officers with the Metropolitan Police Department in Washington D.C. recovered five of the firearms Simmons purchased from other individuals, including a felon, a prohibited person, and/or individuals in possession of large quantities of illegal narcotics. The other firearms have not been recovered.
“Simmons’ criminal conduct perfectly encapsulates the dangerous problem of illegally purchased firearms being trafficked from Virginia,” said G. Zachary Terwilliger, U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of Virginia. “This prosecution is part of our increased effort to thwart firearms trafficking from Virginia into Washington, D.C. and elsewhere. It should send a strong message to those who would come into Virginia to illegally purchase firearms – Don’t lie and buy for the other guy. You will be prosecuted.”
“Those who buy firearms in Virginia just to turn around and sell them illegally in Washington, D.C., as Simmons did here, are not simply committing paperwork violations,” said Ashan M. Benedict, Special Agent in Charge of the ATF’s Washington Field Division. “They are placing firearms directly in the hands of persons prohibited from possessing them, often violent criminals who pose a significant threat to the safety of our communities. ATF is fully committed to working with our federal, state, and local law enforcement partners to swiftly identify and shut down illegal firearms trafficking such as this that would otherwise fuel the Iron Pipeline.”
This case is part of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), which 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.
G. Zachary Terwilliger, U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of Virginia, and Ashan M. Benedict, Special Agent in Charge of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives’ (ATF) Washington Field Division, made the announcement after sentencing by Senior U.S. District Judge T.S. Ellis III. Assistant U.S. Attorney Nicholas U. Murphy II and Special Assistant U.S. Attorney Annie Zanobini prosecuted the case.
A copy of this press release is located on the website of the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of Virginia. Related court documents and information are located on the website of the District Court for the Eastern District of Virginia or on PACER by searching for Case No. 1:19-cr-181.
Sioux Falls Man Found Guilty for Conspiracy to Distribute MethamphetamineRead the Press Release
United States Attorney Ron Parsons announced that Marques Smith, a/k/a CC, age 37, of Sioux Falls, South Dakota, was found guilty of Conspiracy to Distribute Methamphetamine as a result of a 3-day federal jury trial in Pierre, South Dakota.
The charge carries a maximum penalty of at least 10 years up to life in federal prison and/or a $10,000,000 fine, at least 5 years of supervised release, and a $100 special assessment to the Federal Crime Victims Fund. Restitution may also be ordered.
Smith was indicted on March 12, 2019, and a Superseding Indictment was filed on October 16, 2019.
Beginning no later than January 1, 2011, and continuing to October 11, 2017, Smith knowingly and intentionally conspired with others to distribute and possess with intent to distribute 500 grams or more of methamphetamine. The trial testimony showed the conspiracy involved distributing methamphetamine in Sioux Falls and on the Crow Creek, Lower Brule, and Rosebud Sioux Indian Reservations. Smith and his co-conspirators traveled to Kansas City, Missouri; Colorado Springs, Colorado; Minneapolis, Minnesota; and Grand Island, Nebraska, to acquire methamphetamine, which would be distributed in South Dakota.
This case was investigated by the Bureau of Indian Affairs - Division of Drug Enforcement, the South Dakota Highway Patrol, the Rosebud Sioux Tribe Law Enforcement Services, the Sioux Falls Police Department, the Minnehaha County Sherriff’s Office, the Pierre Police Department, and the Northern Plains Safe Trails Drug Enforcement Task Force. Assistant U.S. Attorney Cameron J. Cook prosecuted the case.
A sentencing date has not been set. Smith was immediately remanded to the custody of the U.S. Marshals Service.
Scottsdale Man Sentenced to Prison for Illegally Possessing FirearmsRead the Press Release
PHOENIX – On October 16, 2019, U.S. District Court Judge Dominic W. Lanza sentenced Timothy Peter Ray to 27 months in prison for illegally possessing firearms in violation of a court order. Ray previously pleaded guilty to illegally possessing six firearms and over 1,000 rounds of ammunition.
In February 2018, Ray’s ex-girlfriend obtained an Order of Protection against Ray. The Superior Court Judge found that Ray presented a credible threat to the physical safety of his ex-girlfriend and ordered Ray to not possess firearms or ammunition.
In April 2018, Ray told police he had surrendered all of his firearms to his father’s custody. In January 2019, pursuant to a search warrant, FBI agents searched Ray’s home and seized five semi-automatic firearms, a shotgun, several large capacity magazines, and thousands of rounds of ammunition. Ray was prohibited from possessing the firearms and ammunition because of the Order of Protection.
The investigation was conducted by the Federal Bureau of Investigation with assistance from the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives. The prosecution was handled by Assistant U.S. Attorney Kristen Brook of the District of Arizona
Sanders Man Sentenced to Federal Prison for Stabbing on Navajo NationRead the Press Release
PHOENIX, Ariz. – This week, Spencer Parrish, of Sanders, Ariz., was sentenced by U.S. District Judge Dominic W. Lanza to 41 months of imprisonment to be followed by three years of supervised release. Parrish had previously pleaded guilty to assault with a dangerous weapon.
On February 2, 2019, Parrish attacked the victim with a knife and stabbed him in the abdomen, causing serious injuries to the victim. The assault occurred in a residence in Kayenta, Arizona, on the Navajo Nation Indian Reservation. Both Parrish and the victim are enrolled members of the Navajo Nation.
The investigation in this case was conducted by the Navajo Nation Division of Public Safety and the Federal Bureau of Investigation. The prosecution was handled by Assistant U.S. Attorney Alexander Samuels, District of Arizona, Phoenix.
Safford Man Sentenced to 35 Years for Transportation of a Minor with Intent to Engage in Criminal Sexual ActivityRead the Press Release
TUCSON, Ariz. – On October 15, 2019, District Judge Jennifer G. Zipps sentenced Lawrence Halamek, 36, to 35 years’ imprisonment followed by lifetime supervised release. Halamek is also required to register as a sex offender.
A federal jury previously found Halamek guilty of one count of Transportation of a Minor with Intent to Engage in Criminal Sexual Activity and one count of Travel with Intent to Engage in Illicit Sexual Conduct. The evidence at trial showed that in December 2016, Halamek picked up a minor child from a bus stop and transported the child to a remote area in New Mexico with intent to commit sexual assault. An Amber Alert led to them being located the next day.
In sentencing Halamek, Judge Zipps noted his lack of remorse and insight, and stated that Halamek had taken “advantage of multiple vulnerable victims.”
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 United States Attorneys’ Offices and the Criminal Division’s Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section, 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.
The investigation in this case was conducted by Federal Bureau of Investigation, Sierra Vista Office, Grant County Sheriff’s Department, and Graham County Sheriff’s Department. The prosecution was handled by Carin C. Duryee and Erica L. Seger, District of Arizona, Tucson.
Repeat offender who shot and wounded law enforcement officer during arrest, sentenced to more than 17 years in prisonRead the Press Release
Seattle – A 34-year-old Auburn, Washington man with a lengthy and violent criminal history was sentenced today to 17.5 years in prison for the June 28, 2016 shooting and wounding a law enforcement officer trying to arrest him. RANDY LEE HALL shot a Department of Corrections officer who was working on a federal task force that linked HALL to a dangerous drive-by shooting in Seattle’s Capitol Hill neighborhood. At the sentencing hearing, Chief U.S. District Judge Ricardo S. Martinez said, “there is no doubt in the court’s mind that he has shown no hesitation to use firearms on the streets of Seattle.”
“This defendant proved himself a menace – not only to the public, but to law enforcement officers working to keep all of us safe,” said U.S. Attorney Brian T. Moran. “Strikingly, in this case, the officer switched from his firearm to a Taser to try to safely arrest Hall without bloodshed – and for that measured response, he was shot twice in the leg requiring surgery and a lengthy recovery period.”
According to records filed in the case, HALL was linked to a drive by shooting on April 23, 2016 at 14th Avenue and East Madison on Capitol Hill. The shooting, just after 1:00 AM on a busy Saturday night, scattered pedestrians and broke windows at a Seattle University building and a nearby apartment. Seattle Police officers recovered 46 shell casings at the scene. The investigation revealed HALL had been driving the maroon SUV used in the shooting – it was HALL’s car, later found abandoned in West Seattle with two guns inside. One of the guns used in the shooting was linked to nine other shootings – one of them a homicide.
HALL learned from a coconspirator that law enforcement was investigating him for the shooting. As the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms & Explosives (ATF) was working on an arrest plan for HALL, he was tipped-off by an associate that police were looking for him. On June 28, 2016, the arrest team made up of federal officers and deputized officers from the Washington State Department of Corrections (DOC), went to HALL’s apartment complex and waited for him to leave the apartment. At about 3:00 PM, HALL was spotted walking to his car and the arrest team moved in with guns drawn. Despite multiple instructions from police to get on the ground and show his hands, HALL got into his car and started the ignition. As the arrest team moved in, a DOC officer holstered his gun and prepared his Taser. Just as he fired his Taser at HALL, HALL raised his gun and fired twice at the officer and the agents behind him – striking the DOC officer in the leg twice. The officers returned fire -- striking HALL in the shoulder – both men were hospitalized.
Chief Judge Martinez commended the officer who “tried to use less than lethal force.” The judge ordered HALL to pay $86,803 in restitution for the officer’s medical bills. Following prison HALL will be on supervised release for five years.
On March 25, 2019, HALL pleaded guilty to Assault on a person assisting federal officers, assault of federal officers and using a firearm during a crime of violence.
At the sentencing hearing, Assistant United States Attorney Todd Greenberg noted that, “By his own admission, HALL has been at the center of gang related violence in Seattle for years… He is a leader in the community of violence that he was participating in.”
HALL has prior convictions for robbery, felony domestic violence and possession of methamphetamine.
“The sentence handed down to Mr. Hall is a reflection of his blatant disregard for the rule of law and the lives of law enforcement officers,” said ATF Seattle Special Agent in Charge Darek Pleasants. “Sentences such as this one removes a violent offender from our streets and will hopefully serve as a deterrent to others.”
The case was investigated by the ATF Puget Sound Regional Gun Crime Task Force which includes officers from the Seattle Police Department and the Department of Corrections Community Response Unit. The Auburn and Kent Police Departments assisted in the shooting investigation. The case was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorneys Todd Greenberg and Thomas Woods.
Prescription Drug “Take Back Day” in the Eastern District of WashingtonRead the Press Release
Spokane – William D. Hyslop, United States Attorney for the Eastern District of Washington, announced that Saturday, October 26, 2019, is National Prescription Drug “Take Back Day.” This event will give the public its 18th opportunity in ten years to prevent pill abuse and theft by ridding their homes of potentially dangerous, expired, unused, and unwanted prescription drugs. For the first time, the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration (“DEA”) will now accept vaping devices and cartridges, provided they do not contain lithium ion batteries, at any of it drop off locations. If batteries cannot be removed prior to drop-off, DEA encourages individuals to consult with stores that recycle lithium ion batteries.
United States Attorney Hyslop said, “Prescription Drug ‘Take Back Day’ is an important service provided by the DEA and its local and Tribal law enforcement partners that helps in the prevention of opioid addiction and overdose. I urge all members of our community to participate in this event to safely and anonymously dispose of their expired and unused prescription medications and vaping devices and cartridges.”
Last April, Americans turned in 469 tons (937,443 pounds) of prescription drugs at more than 6,258 sites operated by the DEA and 4,969 of its local and Tribal law enforcement partners. Of those numbers, Washington State collected 16,757 pounds of prescription drugs at approximately 95 collections sites operated by the DEA and its local and Tribal law enforcement partners. In its 17 previous “take back” events, Washington State alone has collected 224,037 pounds of prescription drugs. Overall, in its 17 previous Take Back events, DEA and its partners have taken in almost 11,816,393 pounds – 5,908 tons – of pills.
The disposal service is free and anonymous, no questions asked. Liquids, needles, or sharps cannot be accepted at the sites, only pills or patches. This initiative addresses a vital public safety and public health issue. Medicines that languish in home cabinets are highly susceptible to diversion, misuse, and abuse. Rates of prescription drug abuse in the U.S. are alarmingly high, as are the number of accidental poisonings and overdoses due to these drugs. The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration’s National Survey on Drug Use and Health shows year after year that the majority of misused and abused prescription drugs are obtained from family and friends, including someone else’s medication being stolen from the home medicine cabinet. In addition, Americans are now advised that their usual methods for disposing of unused medicines—flushing them down the toilet or throwing them in the trash—pose potential safety and health hazards.
In the City of Spokane, year-round disposal sites are located at Spokane Police Department’s North Precinct, 5124 N. Market, Monday through Friday, 9:00 – 4:00; the Public Safety Building, 1100 W. Mallon Avenue, Monday through Friday 8:00 – 5:00; and Spokane Police Department’s Downtown Precinct in the Intermodal, 221 W. First, 24 hr/7 days a week. In Spokane County a year-round disposal site is located in the Spokane Valley Police Department lobby, 12710 E. Sprague Avenue, Monday through Friday, 8:00 – 5:00.
For more information about additional collection sites in Eastern Washington and the disposal of prescription drugs for the October 26, 2019, Take Back Day event, go to www.DEATakeBack.com
Parma man indicted for robbing banks in Broadview Heights, Fairview Park and Bath TownshipRead the Press Release
A Parma man was indicted in federal court for allegedly robbing three banks.
Joseph Buk, 37, was indicted on three counts of bank robbery.
Buk allegedly robbed the Huntington Bank on Royalton Road in Broadview Heights on September 19, the Huntington Bank on Lorain Road in Fairview Park on September 24 and the Citizen’s Bank in Bath Township on September 27, according to the indictment.
If convicted, the defendants’ sentences will be determined by the Court after reviewing factors unique to this case, including the defendants’ prior criminal record, if any, the defendants’ role in the offense and the characteristics of the violation. In all cases, the sentence will not exceed the statutory maximum and in most cases, it will be less than the maximum.
The FBI, Broadview Heights Police Department, Fairview Park Police Department and Bath Township Police Department investigated the case, which is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Margaret Kane and Ranya Elzein.
An indictment is only a charge and is not evidence of guilt. Defendants are entitled to a fair trial in which it will be the government’s burden to prove guilt beyond a reasonable doubt.
North Carolina Man Arrested with Ammunition at the BorderRead 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 Campbell Saunders, 29, of Raleigh, North Carolina, was arrested and charged by criminal complaint with being a felon in possession of ammunition.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Emmanuel Ulubiyo who is handling the case, stated that on October 23, 2019, the defendant entered the United States from Canada at the Peace Bridge Port of Entry, without stopping his vehicle for customs inspection. Saunders and his truck were subsequently located on Walden Avenue in Cheektowaga, NY. The defendant was returned to the Peace Bridge and U.S. Customs and Border Protection officers and referred the vehicle to secondary inspection. During that inspection, officers found 53 rounds of ammunition. Saunders has a prior state felony conviction for controlled substance distribution, and as a result of that conviction, he is legally prohibited from possession ammunition.
The defendant made an initial appearance U.S. Magistrate Judge H. Kenneth Schroeder, Jr. and was released.
The complaint is the result of an investigation by Customs and Border protection, under the direction of Director of Field Operations Rose Brophy, and Homeland Security Investigations, under the direction of Special Agent-in-Charge Kevin Kelly.
The fact that a defendant has been charged with a crime is merely an accusation and the defendant is presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty.
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New Orleans Tax Preparer Indicted for Fraudulent Tax ReturnsRead the Press Release
NEW ORLEANS – U.S. Attorney Peter G. Strasser announced that TRISH CHRISTOPHER, age 35, a resident of Metairie, Louisiana, was charged on October 24, 2019 in one-count Indictment for aiding and assisting in the preparation of false federal tax returns, in violation of Title 26, United States Code, Section 7206(2).
According to court documents, CHRISTOPHER owned and operated C.C. Tax Service, located in New Orleans, Louisiana. In order to falsely inflate her clients’ tax refunds, CHRISTOPHER prepared and caused to be prepared at least 36 individual income tax returns that included false or fictitious Schedule A itemized deductions.
If convicted, the defendant faces up to three years of imprisonment and a possible $100,000 fine.
U.S. Attorney Peter G. Strasser praised the work of the Internal Revenue Service, Criminal Investigations Division, for its work in investigating this case. U.S. Attorney Strasser reiterated that the Indictment is merely a charge and that the guilt of the defendant must be proven beyond a reasonable doubt.
The case is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Shirin Hakimzadeh.
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New Jersey Man, Avowed Member of White Supremacist Group, Arrested on Federal ChargesRead the Press Release
PHILADELPHIA – United States Attorney William M. McSwain announced that Fred Arena, 41, of Salem, New Jersey was arrested this morning and charged by Indictment with making false statements to government agents. The Indictment alleges that the defendant, who is an employee at the Philadelphia Navy Yard and as such is required to obtain a security clearance, lied to obtain the clearance. He also subsequently lied to federal investigators who asked him about his answers to questions on the security clearance paperwork.
According to the Indictment, on January 10, 2019, Arena completed the standard Form SF-86 to obtain a security clearance for his employment. On that form, he was required to disclose whether he had ever been a member of an organization that used, or advocated the use of, force or violence to prevent others from exercising their constitutional rights. He falsely answered that he had not. In fact, Arena was an avowed member of Vanguard America, a white supremacist group that fits that description. On the same application, Arena was asked whether he had property repossessed within the past seven years. He falsely answered that he had not. In fact, Arena had previously defaulted on a car loan, and his car was repossessed within the seven year window.
“Lying on federal security clearance forms and to government agents will land you in big trouble,” said U.S. Attorney McSwain. “Further, the nature of the defendant’s alleged lies – attempting to conceal his affiliation with a white supremacist group in order to obtain federal employment – is extremely disturbing. I want to thank all of our law enforcement partners in New Jersey and Pennsylvania for their excellent work on this investigation.”
“Members of groups that sponsor hate and bias-motivated violence have no place in government employment,” said U.S. Attorney for the District of New Jersey Craig Carpenito. “Knowing this, the defendant in this case, a New Jersey resident, lied to conceal his membership in a white supremacist organization. We are proud to join our colleagues from the Eastern District of Pennsylvania in prosecuting him for those lies.”
“Membership in a group espousing extremist ideology is not itself illegal — but lying to the FBI is,” said Michael T. Harpster, Special Agent in Charge of the FBI's Philadelphia Division. “If the people we interview feel they can deceive us with impunity, critical investigations will be compromised, threatening the very integrity of the justice system. Arena lied about his history in order to obtain a security clearance he should not have had, and he lied to federal agents questioning him. These charges are the consequences of his actions.”
If convicted, the defendant faces a maximum possible sentence of 25 years’ imprisonment, three years’ supervised release, and a $1,250,000 fine.
The case was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation – Joint Terrorism Task Force, the Gloucester County Prosecutor’s Office, the Salem County Prosecutor’s Office, the New Jersey State Police and the Naval Criminal Investigative Service (NCIS), with assistance from the Philadelphia Police Department, and is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney for the Eastern District of Pennsylvania Joseph LaBar and Assistant United States Attorney for the District of New Jersey Martha Nye.
An indictment, information, or criminal complaint is an accusation. A defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.
Naval base protesters found guilty on all countsRead the Press Release
BRUNSWICK, GA: All seven defendants in the April 2018 illegal entry and vandalism of Submarine Base Kings Bay were found guilty on federal charges after a four-day jury trial in U.S. District Court.
Stephen Michael Kelly, Mark Peter Colville, Clare Therese Grady, Martha Hennessy, Elizabeth McAlister, Patrick M. O’Neill, and Carmen Trotta were found guilty of Conspiracy, Destruction of Property on a Naval Installation, Depredation of Government Property, and Trespass, said Bobby L. Christine, U.S. Attorney for the Southern District of Georgia. Each defendant faces a sentence of up to 20 years plus six months in prison, and there is no parole in the federal system. Sentencing will be held at a later date.
“This verdict demonstrates the jury’s agreement with the simple fact of this case: that these individuals violated the security of a military installation and damaged federal government property,” said U.S. Attorney Christine. “Our office will vigorously protect those who lawfully exercise their Constitutional rights to protest peacefully, but we will aggressively pursue those who violate the law under the guise of such activities.”
As admitted by the defendants during the trial, with their own videos of the activities shown to jurors, the seven entered an outer security fence at the naval installation after cutting a padlock from a gate during the late hours of April 4, 2018. Once inside, the group damaged and vandalized property inside the facility before being taken into custody by naval security personnel.
“Damaging the perimeter security of a U.S. Navy base for any purpose poses a significant threat to national security,” said Special Agent in Charge Matt Lascell of the Naval Criminal Investigative Service (NCIS) Southeast Field Office. “NCIS is dedicated to investigating criminal activity that wastes taxpayer money and threatens the Department of the Navy’s ability to carry out its critical mission.”
The case was prosecuted for the United States by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Karl Knoche and E. Greg Gilluly Jr., with assistance from Litigation Technologist Dean Athanasopoulos. Special Agents Thomas Kenney and Barry Clinedinst led the investigation for NCIS.
Native Mob Gang Member Convicted of Drug Trafficking and Firearm ChargesRead the Press Release
United States Attorney Erica H. MacDonald today announced the conviction of TEVIN JAY MAURSTAD, 24, on six counts of drug trafficking and firearm charges. Following a two-day bench trial before Judge Susan Richard Nelson in U.S. District Court in St. Paul, Minnesota, MAURSTAD was found guilty of conspiracy to distribute methamphetamine, possession with intent to distribute controlled substances, possession of a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime, felon in possession of a firearm, and felon in possession of ammunition. Sentencing will be scheduled on a later date.
MAURSTAD’s co-conspirator, MORNINGSTAR WEBSTER, pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy to distribute methamphetamine on March 6, 2019, before Judge Susan Richard Nelson and was sentenced to 10 years in prison on July 25, 2019.
“The defendant has a history of violent crime and possessing firearms,” said United States Attorney Erica H. MacDonald. “This case is another demonstration of how law enforcement is committed to working hand-in-hand to stop dangerous felons intent on bringing drugs into our communities.”
As proven at trial, on August 4, 2016, MAURSTAD was pulled over in Morrison County for a traffic violation. During a search of the vehicle, law enforcement found a loaded .45 caliber handgun and three large plastic bags containing methamphetamine. MAURSTAD is a convicted felon who is prohibited from possessing firearms. Subsequent forensic analysis confirmed the packages contained 334 grams of methamphetamine.
As proven at trial, on January 29, 2018, law enforcement pulled over a black Chrysler 300 for speeding. After MAURSTAD admitted possessing pain killers without a prescription, law enforcement searched the vehicle and found two packages containing 446 grams of methamphetamine.
As proven at trial, on February 13, 2018, federal law enforcement searched a storage unit rented by MAURSTAD. Law enforcement recovered a large quantity of ammunition and firearm accessories.
This case was the result of an investigation conducted by the Drug Enforcement Administration, the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives, the Morrison County Sheriff’s Office, the Carlton County Sheriff’s Office, the Minnesota Bureau of Criminal Apprehension, and the Minnesota Department of Corrections.
Assistant U.S. Attorneys Andrew R. Winter and Bradley M. Endicott are prosecuting the case.
Defendant Information:
TEVIN JAY MAURSTAD, 24
Minneapolis, Minn.
Convicted:
- Conspiracy to Distribute Methamphetamine, 1 Count
- Possession with Intent to Distribute a Controlled Substance, 2 Counts
- Possession of a Firearm in Furtherance of a Drug Trafficking Crime, 1 Count
- Felon in Possession of a Firearm, 1 Count
- Felon in Possession of Ammunition, 1 Count
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United States Attorney’s Office, District of Minnesota: (612) 664-5600
National Prescription Drug Take Back DayRead the Press Release
LAS VEGAS, Nev. – The U.S. Attorney’s Office and the DEA’s Las Vegas Division encourage Nevadans to participate in the 18th National Prescription Drug Take Back Day by dropping-off their expired, unused and unwanted medications on Saturday, October 26, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., at 19 collection sites.
“For the first time during Take Back Day, collection sites will accept vaping devices and cartridges – in addition to tablets, capsules, patches, and other medications in solid forms – at any of its drop-off locations,” said U.S. Attorney Nicholas A. Trutanich for the District of Nevada. “Take Back Day is the safest way to stop unused, expired prescription medications from being abused or diverted. I encourage Nevadans to clean out their medicine cabinets and nightstands, and take advantage of this free, anonymous service offered by DEA and community partners.”
“Often times prescription medications are misused or stolen from home medicine cabinets so this is a great way for the public to be a part of the solution and dispose of these potentially dangerous drugs in an environmentally safe manner,” said DEA Nevada Assistant Special Agent in Charge Daniel Neill.
Take Back Day addresses a crucial public safety and public health issue. According to the 2018 National Survey on Drug Use and Health, 9.9 million Americans misused controlled prescription drugs. The study showed that most of the abused prescription drugs were obtained from family and friends, often from the home medicine cabinet.
As a result of the past 17 Take Back Days nationwide, the DEA and its partners have collected and removed a total of nearly 12 million pounds (more than 5,900 tons) of expired, unused prescription medications.
You can find a collection site near you at www.DEATakeBack.com or by calling 1-800-882-9539.
For more information about the harms of opioids and youth vaping, visit: www.dea.gov, www.justthinktwice.gov, and www.GetSmartAboutDrugs.com.
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