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Monday 21 October 2019
South Yarmouth Man Charged with Drug PossessionRead the Press Release
BOSTON – A South Yarmouth man was arrested on Friday, Oct. 18, 2019, and charged with fentanyl possession.
Roosevelt Wilkins, 33, was charged by indictment on one count of possession with intent to distribute 40 grams or more of fentanyl. Wilkins was detained pending a probable cause and detention hearing set for Oct. 25, 2019.
As alleged in the indictment, on April 1, 2019, Wilkins possessed and intended to distribute 40 grams or more of fentanyl in Brockton.
The charging statute provides for a minimum mandatory sentence of 5 years and up to 40 years in prison, four years to a lifetime of supervised release, and a fine of up to $5 million. Sentences are imposed by a federal district court judge based on the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors.
United States Attorney Andrew E. Lelling; Kelly D. Brady, Special Agent in Charge of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms & Explosives, Boston Field Division; and Colonel Kerry A. Gilpin, Superintendent of the Massachusetts State Police, made the announcement today.
This case is part of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), the centerpiece of the Department of Justice’s violent crime reduction efforts. PSN is an evidence-based program proven to be effective at reducing violent crime. Through PSN, a broad spectrum of stakeholders work together to identify the most pressing violent crime problems in the community and develop comprehensive solutions to address them. As part of this strategy, PSN focuses enforcement efforts on the most violent offenders and partners with locally based prevention and reentry programs for lasting reductions in crime.
The details contained in the charging documents are allegations. The defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.
South Bay Doctor Sentenced to Two Years in Prison for Unlawfully Distributing Hydrocodone and Committing Health Care FraudRead the Press Release
SAN JOSE – South Bay doctor Venkat Aachi was sentenced today to 24 months in prison for health care fraud and for distributing hydrocodone outside the scope of his professional practice and without a legitimate medical need, announced United States Attorney David L. Anderson, Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) Special Agent in Charge Chris Nielsen, Federal Bureau of Investigation Special Agent in Charge John F. Bennett, U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Office of the Inspector General (HHS-OIG) Special Agent in Charge Steven J. Ryan, and the California Department of Justice Bureau of Medi-Cal Fraud and Elder Abuse (BMFEA). The sentence was handed down by the Honorable Edward J. Davila, U.S. District Judge.
Aachi, 52, of Saratoga, pleaded guilty to the charges on March 25, 2019. According to the plea agreement, Aachi was a licensed physician who operated a pain clinic in San Jose and maintained a DEA registration number authorizing him to prescribe controlled substances. Aachi admitted that from September 18, 2017, through July 2, 2018, he wrote hydrocodone-acetaminophen prescriptions that were outside the scope of his professional practice and not for a legitimate medical purpose.
“Dr. Venkat Aachi went from doctor to drug dealer when he prescribed highly addictive painkillers without a physical examination or legitimate medical need,” stated DEA Special Agent in Charge Chris Nielsen. “Regardless of title or degree, no one is above the law. DEA will hold medical practitioners accountable if they operate outside the scope of their professional practice, putting patients and lives others at risk.”
“Physicians who unlawfully prescribe opioids are directly contributing to the opioid crisis,” said FBI Special Agent in Charge John F. Bennett. “Venkat Aachi violated his oath and the trust of our community by illicitly pushing controlled substances to persons without need. The FBI, along with our local, state and federal partners, will continue to investigate and pursue medical professionals who violate the public's trust and defraud our healthcare system.”
“Aachi abused his medical license to prescribe controlled substances and, as a result, will be serving time behind bars,” said Steven J. Ryan, Special Agent in Charge for the Office of Inspector General of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. “This sentence is a warning to criminals who knowingly commit fraud and perpetuate the nation’s opioid epidemic.”
“The message we are sending today is clear: if you prescribe dangerous drugs in an irresponsible manner, we are coming after you,” said Attorney General Becerra. “Medical professionals should be safeguarding the welfare of their patients, not risking their lives. My office will continue to work with our law enforcement partners to fight against all forms of healthcare fraud in California.”
The plea agreement describes transactions in which Aachi improperly distributed hydrocodone. For example, in November of 2017, he wrote a prescription enabling a patient to receive 90 hydrocodone-acetaminophen pills. Aachi did not conduct a physical examination of the patient nor discuss the patient’s pain or response to prior medication. Aachi acknowledged that he knew the prescriptions were not for a legitimate medical purpose and that he did not write the prescriptions in the usual course of his professional practice. Aachi also admitted that on July 2, 2018, he falsely submitted to an insurance company a false and fraudulent claim for payment for healthcare benefits, items, and services. Aachi admitted he acted with the intend to defraud the insurance company.
In filings submitted by the government in connection with Aachi’s sentencing, the government wrote that over the course of just one year, Aachi wrote 5,992 prescriptions for controlled substances, the majority of which were for narcotics. Further, from September 2017, to July 2018, four undercover law enforcement agents posed as new patients. They visited Aachi about four times each, and after each visit, they received a prescription for a schedule II controlled substance with little to no physical examination.
A federal grand jury indicted Aachi on October 9, 2018, charging him with six counts of distributing drugs outside the scope of professional practice, in violation of 21 U.S.C. § 841(a)(1) and (b)(1)(C), and one count of health care fraud, in violation of 18 U.S.C. § 1347. Aachi pleaded guilty to one count under each statute.
In addition to the prison term, Judge Davila ordered Aachi to serve 3 years of supervised release and ordered him to pay $82,616.85 in restitution. Judge Davila ordered Aachi to begin serving his sentence on January 22, 2020.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Shailika Kotiya is prosecuting the case with the assistance of Andy Ding. This prosecution is the result of investigations by the DEA, FBI, HHS-OIG, and the BMFEA. Through the BMFEA, the California Department of Justice regularly works with other law enforcement agencies to investigate and prosecute fraud perpetrated on the Medi-Cal program against a wide variety of healthcare providers, including doctors and pharmaceutical companies.
Somerset County Woman Stole $164K in Social Security Payments Meant for Her Dead Mother-in-LawRead the Press Release
JOHNSTOWN, Pa. - A resident of Meyersdale, Pa., pleaded guilty in federal court to a charge of theft of government funds, United States Attorney Scott W. Brady announced today.
Donalee Harvey, 72, pleaded guilty to one count before United States District Judge Kim R. Gibson.
In connection with the guilty plea, the court was advised that from Dec. 3, 1997, to March 2, 2018, Harvey did receive and convert falsely to her own use a total of $164,862, which represents approximately 236 separate Social Security Administration benefit payments made to another person to which she was not entitled. That person was her mother-in-law, V.H., who died in 1985.
Judge Gibson scheduled sentencing for Feb. 27, 2020, at 10:00 a.m. The law provides for a maximum total sentence of 10 years in prison, a fine of $250,000, or both. Under the Federal Sentencing Guidelines, the actual sentence imposed would be based upon the seriousness of the offense and the prior criminal history, if any, of the defendant.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Arnold P. Bernard, Jr. is prosecuting this case on behalf of the government.
The Social Security Administration, Office of Inspector General, conducted the investigation that led to the prosecution of Harvey.
Shawnee Man Sentenced to 168 Months for Methamphetamine Distribution, Firearm PossessionRead the Press Release
MUSKOGEE, OKLAHOMA – The United States Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of Oklahoma announced that Claude J. Jeffers, Jr., age 38, of Shawnee, Oklahoma, was sentenced to 168 months’ imprisonment and 5 years of supervised release for Possession With Intent To Distribute Methamphetamine, in violation of Title 21, United States Code, Sections 841(a)(1) and 841(b)(1)(A), and for Felon In Possession Of Firearm, in violation of Title 18 United States Code, Sections 922(g)(1) and 924(a)(2). The charges arose from an investigation by the Oklahoma Highway Patrol and the Drug Enforcement Administration.
The Indictment alleged that on August 8, 2018, within the Eastern District of Oklahoma, the defendant knowingly and intentionally possessed with intent to distribute 50 grams or more of methamphetamine (actual), a Schedule II controlled substance. Additionally, the Indictment alleged that the defendant knowingly possessed a firearm which had been shipped and transported in interstate commerce after he had been convicted of a crime punishable by imprisonment for a term exceeding one year.
United States Attorney Brian J. Kuester said, “The number of deaths in Oklahoma resulting from methamphetamine overdoses continue to rise. Dosage units of methamphetamine seized as a result of a law enforcement investigations do not reach potential users and do not cause death. I applaud the diligent work of the Oklahoma Highway Patrol and the DEA against the dealers of the poison that has taken countless lives.”
The Honorable Ronald A. White, U.S. District Judge in the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Oklahoma, in Muskogee, presided over the hearing. Assistant United States Attorney Jarrod Leaman represented the United States.
Scottsdale, Arizona Man Sentenced to 60 Months for Methamphetamine DistributionRead the Press Release
MUSKOGEE, OKLAHOMA – The United States Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of Oklahoma announced that Javier Ivan Torres, age 29, of Scottsdale, Arizona, was sentenced to 60 months’ imprisonment and 3 years of supervised release for Possession With Intent To Distribute Methamphetamine, in violation of Title 21, United States Code, Sections 841(a)(1) and 841(b)(1)(A). The charges arose from an investigation by the Oklahoma Highway Patrol and the Drug Enforcement Administration.
The Indictment alleges that on December 27, 2018, within the Eastern District of Oklahoma, the defendant knowingly and intentionally possessed with intent to distribute 500 grams or more of a mixture or substance containing a detectable amount of methamphetamine, a Schedule II controlled substance.
United States Attorney Brian J. Kuester said, “The defendant had hoped to profit by transporting methamphetamine across the country and delivering it to Memphis. Because of the diligent work of the Oklahoma Highway Patrol, his business venture ended in Sequoyah County, Oklahoma. As deaths related to methamphetamine overdoses continue to rise, interdiction, investigation, and prosecution of drug dealers must continue to be a priority.”
The Honorable Ronald A. White, U.S. District Judge in the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Oklahoma, in Muskogee, presided over the hearing. Assistant United States Attorney Ryan Heatherman represented the United States.
SDTX groups among those awarded school violence grantsRead the Press Release
HOUSTON – Four Southern District of Texas (SDTX) school districts and a state agency area among those receiving Department of Justice (DOJ) grants to bolster school security and support first responders. DOJ announced the awards today, totaling more than $85.3 million, designed to educate and train students and faculty as well as support first responders who arrive on the scene of a school shooting or other violent incident.
“Creating a safe learning environment for our children is necessary,” said U.S. Attorney Ryan K. Patrick. “These grants will help local school districts and first responders train and create systems and programs that make our schools safer and better prepared for serious events.”
“These federal resources will help to prevent school violence and give our students the support they need to learn, grow and thrive,” said Attorney General William P. Barr. “By training faculty, students and first responders, and by improving school security measures, we can make schools and their communities safer.”
Among those in the SDTX receiving various grants include the McAllen, Humble, Pasadena and Mission Consolidated Independent School Districts (ISD), Humble ISD Police Department and Texas Department of Public Safety.
President Trump signed the STOP School Violence Act into law in March 2018, authorizing grants designed to improve threat assessments, train students and faculty to provide tips and leads, and prepare law enforcement officers and emergency professionals to respond to school shootings and other violent incidents.
The Office of Justice Program’s (OJP) Bureau of Justice Assistance and DOJ’s Office of Community Oriented Policing Services manage the programs and administer the grants, which include funds to:
- Develop school threat assessment teams and pursue technological solutions to improve reporting of suspicious activity in and around schools;
- Implement or improve school safety measures, including coordination with law enforcement, as well as the use of metal detectors, locks, lighting and other deterrent measures;
- Train law enforcement to help deter student violence against others and themselves;
- Improve notification to first responders through implementation of technology that expedites emergency notifications;
- Develop and operate anonymous reporting systems to encourage safe reporting of potential school threats;
- Train school officials to intervene when mentally ill individuals threaten school safety; and
- Provide training and technical assistance to schools and other awardees in helping implement these programs.
For more details about these individual award programs, as well as listings of individual 2019 awardees, visit https://go.usa.gov/xVJuV.
About the OJP:
‘Principal Deputy Assistant Attorney General Katharine T. Sullivan directs the OJP which provides federal leadership, grants, training, technical assistance and other resources to improve the nation’s capacity to prevent and reduce crime, assist victims and enhance the rule of law by strengthening the criminal justice system. More information about OJP and its components can be found at www.ojp.gov.
About the Office of Community Oriented Policing Services (COPS):
The COPS Office is a federal agency responsible for advancing community policing nationwide. Since 1994, COPS has invested more than $14 billion to advance community policing, including grants awarded to more than 13,000 state, local and tribal law enforcement agencies to fund the hiring and redeployment of approximately 130,000 officers and provide a variety of knowledge resource products including publications, training and technical assistance. For additional information about the COPS Office, please visit www.cops.usdoj.gov.
Rosebud Woman Sentenced for Assault with a Dangerous WeaponRead the Press Release
United States Attorney Ron Parsons announced that a Rosebud, South Dakota, woman convicted of Assault With a Dangerous Weapon was sentenced on October 21, 2019, by U.S. District Judge Roberto A. Lange.
Victoria Smashed Ice, age 27, was sentenced to 27 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.
Smashed Ice was indicted by a federal grand jury on May 14, 2019. She pled guilty on July 22, 2019.
The conviction stemmed from an incident that occurred in Rosebud on April 1, 2019, wherein Smashed Ice repeatedly kicked a child, while wearing cowboy boots.
This case was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation. Assistant U.S. Attorney Michael J. Elmore prosecuted the case.
Smashed Ice was immediately turned over to the custody of the U.S. Marshals Service.
Prior Federal Fraud Convict Arrested on New Charges of Bank Fraud, Wire Fraud, and Aggravated Identity TheftRead the Press Release
RALEIGH – United States Attorney Robert J. Higdon, Jr. announced that last Thursday in federal court, CHARLES GILBERT MURPHY, 63, of Apex, NC, was charged in a 26-count federal indictment alleging various acts of Bank Fraud, Wire Fraud, Making False Statements on a Loan, Making False Statements to the FBI, Aggravated Identity Theft, and Subscribing to False Tax Returns. He was arrested by the FBI today in Raleigh.
The Indictment alleges that MURPHY, both directly and through the use of various entities and individuals, engaged in a number of frauds and schemes to cause individuals and businesses to part with their money.
The Indictment alleges that MURPHY was subject to collection efforts by the United States Government arising from a prior federal conviction for Wire Fraud in June of 1999 in this same district. As such, the Indictment alleges that MURPHY caused family members to open bank accounts for him in the name of various companies he controlled, referred to in the Indictment as the “Murphy Entities.” These entities were Toxic Solutions LLC (“Toxic Solutions”), Biological Marine Remediation LLC (“Bio-Remediation”), Bio Marine Remediation LLC (“Bio-Marine”), Bio Separation Systems, LLC (“Bio-Separation”), On-Site Solutions LLC (“On-Site Solutions”), and On-Site Technologies LLC (“On-Site Technologies”).
The Indictment alleges that MURPHY used the bank accounts in the name of the Murphy Entities to conduct his personal business. In particular, the Indictment alleges that in an effort to obtain loan proceeds from banks and lenders, Murphy created and caused to be created various false documents which were given to bank and lender underwriters and agents in support of loans. Such false documents included false bank statements for Toxic Solutions, false tax returns for Toxic Solutions, and false statements regarding revenue.
In addition to his attempts to obtain lender monies using false documents, the Indictment alleges that MURPHY also used the Murphy Entities to obtain money from individuals and entities under false and fraudulent pretenses. According to the Indictment, MURPHY represented that the Murphy Entities performed environmental cleanup activities, such as water remediation. MURPHY purported to offer to various entrepreneurial victims the opportunity to purchase exclusive rights to perform environmental cleanup services in a given geographic area. MURPHY also purported to sell the equipment necessary to perform the cleanup services. In furtherance of the scheme, MURPHY frequently presented false documents to the entrepreneurs to make it appear that funds had been allocated for services to be performed in the geographic area where the victims had purchased the exclusive rights. In reality, the documents justifying the exclusive rights purchase were falsified, and MURPHY took the money without providing all of the equipment purchased.
The Indictment asserts that after MURPHY conducted the scheme in the name of one of the Murphy Entities, he shifted the scheme to one of the other Murphy Entities to perpetuate the fraud. MURPHY also began to use some of the Murphy Entities for the purposes of obtaining merchant cash advances from commercial lenders. In doing so, MURPHY misrepresented, among other things, the revenues of his company, and the fact that he had obtained other merchant cash advances.
In addition to the foregoing schemes upon lenders and individuals, the Indictment also alleges that MURPHY conducted a fraud upon banks by presenting and causing to be presented to the banks numerous false and fraudulent checks.
In July of 2018, the Federal Bureau of Investigation interviewed MURPHY concerning the foregoing schemes. After being warned that lying to the FBI was a federal offense, the Indictment charges that MURPHY nevertheless made numerous materially false and fraudulent statements during the interview.
Lastly, the Indictment alleges that in the midst of carrying out the aforementioned frauds, MURPHY was also filing false tax returns. The Indictment alleges that despite receiving substantial sums of cash from the Murphy entities, MURPHY never included this information on his tax returns.
If found guilty, the maximum punishment for Bank Fraud and Making False Statements on a Loan is up to 30 years in prison. The maximum punishment for Wire Fraud is up to 20 years in prison. The maximum punishment for Making False Statements to the FBI is up to 5 years in prison. The maximum punishment for Subscribing to False Tax Returns is up to 3 years in prison. The maximum punishment for Aggravated Identity Theft is not less than, nor more than 2 years in prison consecutive to any other term of imprisonment imposed.
The Government continues to investigate all losses associated with the frauds alleged in the Indictment. If you feel that you may have been a victim of any of these offenses, and have not already reported losses to the Government, please contact the FBI or the US Attorney’s Office.
An Indictment is an allegation of a crime. The defendant is presumed under the law to be innocent until proven guilty.
The Federal Bureau of Investigation, the Internal Revenue Service - Criminal Investigation and the North Carolina Department of the Secretary of State investigated this case. Assistant United States Attorney William M. Gilmore represents the United States.
Pennsylvania man admits to role in a drug distribution operationRead the Press Release
CLARKSBURG, WEST VIRGINIA – Armand Taylor, of Penn Hills, Pennsylvania, has admitted to his role in a drug distribution operation, U.S. Attorney Bill Powell announced.
Taylor, also known as “Scrap,” age 26, pled guilty to one count of “Distribution of Heroin.” Taylor admitted to selling heroin in June 2017 in Harrison County.
Taylor faces up to 20 years incarceration and a fine of up to $1,000,000. 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 Traci M. Cook is prosecuting the case on behalf of the government. The case was investigated by the Greater Harrison Drug and Violent Crimes Task Force and the West Virginia State Police Bureau of Criminal Investigation.
U.S. Magistrate Judge Michael John Aloi presided.Pecos Credit Union C.E.O. and Former State Employee Sentenced to Federal Prison for Financial Institutional Fraud Conspiracy and Failure to File a Tax ReturnRead the Press Release
In Pecos today, a federal judge sentenced Reeves County Teachers Credit Union (RCTCU) Chief Executive Officer and former state of Texas employee James T. “Jimmy” Dutchover to eight (8) months in federal prison for defrauding the credit union and willfully failing to file a federal income tax return, announced U.S. Attorney John F. Bash; FBI Special Agent in Charge Christopher Combs, San Antonio Division; and, Internal Revenue Service-Criminal Investigation (IRS-CI) Special Agent in Charge Richard D. Goss, Houston Field Office.
In addition to the prison term, U.S. District Judge David Counts ordered that Dutchover pay a $4,000 fine as well as all taxes, penalties and interest owed to the IRS. That amount has yet to be determined. Judge Counts also ordered that Dutchover be placed on supervised release for a period of three (3) years after completing his prison term. Dutchover will remain on bond pending formal notification by the U.S. Bureau of Prisons as to the date and facility he is to surrender to begin serving his prison term.
On May 29, 2019, Dutchover pleaded guilty to a Superseding Information charging him with one count of conspiracy to defraud RCTCU and to obtain money and property owned by it or under its care, custody and control by means of materially false and fraudulent pretenses and representations, and one count of willfully failing to file a federal income tax return.
The government noted at sentencing that Dutchover conspired with then State Senator Carlos Uresti to obtain $10,000 from RCTCU by having a loan made in the name of a relative of Dutchover, which was in reality for the benefit of Uresti and was ultimately paid to the victim in the FourWinds case, Denise Cantu. Further, for the year 2015, Dutchover, having received gross income from several sources, including approximately $9,197 from the State of Texas, wage income in the amount of approximately $107,153 from the Reeves County Teachers Credit Union, and approximately $77,350 from his sole proprietorship, Derich Enterprises, willfully failed to make an income tax return to the IRS.
The FBI’s Public Corruption Task Force consisting of investigators from the FBI and IRS–CI investigated this case. Assistant U.S. Attorneys William R. Harris and Joseph E. Blackwell prosecuted this case for the government.
Paterson, New Jersey, Man Sentenced to 25 Years in Prison for Distributing HeroinRead the Press Release
NEWARK, N.J. – A Paterson, New Jersey, man was sentenced today to 300 months in prison for the distribution of kilogram quantities of heroin, U.S. Attorney Craig Carpenito announced.
Reinaldo Rodriguez, 30, a/k/a “Memo,” and “Killa,” was convicted in April 2019 of conspiracy to distribute a kilogram or more of heroin and possession with the intent to distribute heroin following a four-day trial before U.S. District Judge Susan D. Wigenton, who imposed the sentence today in Newark federal court.
According to documents filed in this case and the evidence presented at trial:
From June 2015 through April 20, 2016, Rodriguez participated in a conspiracy to distribute heroin to street-level drug dealers in the Paterson area. The conspirators obtained their heroin from a supplier in Bronx, New York, where it was packaged and stamped “Goosebumps,” “Transformers,” “Wendy’s” and “New Jack City,” designating the source. Law enforcement officials conducted surveillance while Rodriguez delivered stamped “bricks” of heroin to a confidential source. Rodriguez also was heard discussing drug trafficking on court-authorized wiretaps.
In addition to the prison term, Judge Wigenton sentenced Rodriguez to six years of supervised release.
U.S. Attorney Carpenito credited special agents and task force officers of the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration, New Jersey Division, under the direction of Special Agent in Charge Susan A. Gibson, and the Paterson Police Department, under the direction of Police Director Jerry Speziale and Police Chief Troy Oswald, with the investigation leading to today’s sentencing.
This case was conducted under the auspices of the Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Force (OCDETF), a partnership between federal, state and local law enforcement agencies dedicated to identifying and dismantling the most serious drug trafficking, weapons trafficking and money laundering organizations.
The government is represented by Assistant U.S. Attorney Jamie L. Hoxie of the Cyber Crimes Unit and Assistant U.S. Attorney Heather Suchorsky of the Organized Crime/Gangs Unit of the U.S. Attorney’s Office in Newark.
Defense counsel: John P. McGovern Esq. and Christopher Dunn Esq., Newark
Passaic County Man Admits Role in Stealing Employer’s Toothpaste FormulasRead the Press Release
NEWARK, N.J. – A former research technician and scientist for a worldwide consumer products company that researched, developed, designed, manufactured, marketed, and sold oral care consumer products today admitted stealing toothpaste formulas from the company, U.S. Attorney Craig Carpenito announced.
Muamer Reci, 57, of Haskell, New Jersey, pleaded guilty before U.S. District Judge Claire C. Cecchi to an information charging him with one count of conspiracy to commit wire fraud.
According to documents filed in this case and statements made in court:
In August 2012, two individuals established a consumer hygiene and cleaning products company, Reci & Sons, which, in November 2015, established a subsidiary, Reci Enterprises, in Macedonia. Reci never disclosed the existence of Reci & Sons or Reci Enterprises to his employer (Victim 1).
A document dated July 31, 2016, and titled “Project Eurodent” was recovered from Reci’s work email account. The document (the Eurodent Business Plan) described a plan for Reci Enterprises to develop, manufacture, and sell a toothpaste named Eurodent. The Eurodent Business Plan listed as one of its objectives to “Launch Reci Enterprises research labs, and manufacturing complex to the public by fourth quarter of Year 2017.” The Eurodent Business Plan valued the business at roughly $2 million.
As the anticipated construction date for manufacturing facility approached, Reci sent several emails to an individual at Reci & Sons attaching Victim 1’s proprietary toothpaste formulas for existing products and an unreleased toothpaste product, as well as proprietary laboratory procedures for Victim 1’s products. For example, on Aug. 9, 2017, Reci sent an email to “Person 1” stating: “[p]rint this [sic] formulas and file them.” Attached to the email were proprietary toothpaste formulas belonging to Victim 1, including formulas for a dry mouth toothpaste that Victim 1 had not yet launched and a children’s toothpaste marketed by Victim 1. The email also attached the formula for Reci Enterprises’ Eurodent toothpaste, which contained proprietary signature features of an existing Victim 1 product.
The wire fraud count with which Reci is charged carries a maximum potential penalty of 20 years in prison and a $250,000 fine. Sentencing is scheduled for Feb. 10, 2020.
U.S. Attorney Carpenito credited special agents of the FBI, under the direction of Special Agent in Charge Gregory W. Ehrie in Newark, with the investigation leading to today’s guilty plea.
The government is represented by Assistant U.S. Attorney Ari B. Fontecchio of the U.S. Attorney’s Office Economic Crimes Unit in Newark.
Defense counsel: Ronald Ricci Esq., Totowa, New Jersey
Parents in College Admissions Case Plead GuiltyRead the Press Release
BOSTON – A California husband and wife charged in the college admissions scandal pleaded guilty today in federal court in Boston.
Manuel Henriquez, 55, the founder of Hercules Capital, and his wife, Elizabeth Henriquez, 56, both of Atherton, Calif. pleaded guilty today to an indictment charging one count of conspiracy to commit mail and wire fraud and honest services mail and wire fraud and one count of conspiracy to commit money laundering. U.S. District Court Judge Nathaniel M. Gorton scheduled sentencing for March 5 and Feb. 7, 2020, respectively.
Beginning in 2015, the Henriquezes conspired with Rick Singer, and others, to have their daughters’ college entrance exams corrected, thereby fraudulently inflating their scores; Elizabeth Henriquez agreed with Singer to facilitate the admission of her older daughter to Georgetown University as a purported athletic recruit.
In October 2015, co-conspirator Mark Riddell purported to proctor the SAT exam for the Henriquezes’ older daughter, but in actuality, Riddell provided her with the answers. Soon after, the Henriquezes wired $15,000 to Singer’s personal bank account and $10,000 to Singer’s for-profit college counseling business. Singer used some of that money to pay Riddell. Beginning in 2015, Elizabeth Henriquez agreed to pay Singer an amount, ultimately totaling $400,000, to facilitate their older daughter’s admission to Georgetown as a purported tennis recruit. After their daughter was admitted to Georgetown in the spring of 2016, the Henriquezes made a $400,000 donation to Singer’s sham charity, Key Worldwide Foundation, to pay for the fraud, and Singer, in turn, made payments to Ernst personally.
In 2016 and 2017, the Henriquezes participated in the ACT and SAT cheating scheme on multiple occasions for their younger daughter in exchange for payments funneled through KWF.
Case information, including the status of each defendant, charging documents and plea agreements are available here: https://www.justice.gov/usao-ma/investigations-college-admissions-and-testing-bribery-scheme.
The charge of conspiracy to commit mail and wire fraud and honest services mail and wire fraud provides for a maximum sentence of 20 years in prison, three years of supervised release and a fine of $250,000 or twice the gross gain or loss, whichever is greater. The charge of conspiracy to commit money laundering provides for a maximum sentence of 20 years in prison, three years of supervised release and a fine of $500,000 or twice the value of the property involved in the money laundering. Sentences are imposed by a federal district court judge based upon the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors.
United States Attorney Andrew E. Lelling; Joseph R. Bonavolonta, Special Agent in Charge of the Federal Bureau of Investigation, Boston Field Division; and Kristina O’Connell, Special Agent in Charge of the Internal Revenue Service’s Criminal Investigations in Boston, made the announcement today. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Eric S. Rosen, Justin D. O’Connell, Leslie A. Wright and Kristen A. Kearney of Lelling’s Securities and Financial Fraud Unit are prosecuting the cases.
The details contained in the court documents are allegations and the remaining defendants are presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.
Parent in College Admissions Case Pleads GuiltyRead the Press Release
BOSTON – A California woman pleaded guilty today in federal court in Boston to paying $300,000 to participate in both the college entrance exam cheating scheme and athletic recruitment scheme.
Michelle Janavs, 48, of Newport Coast, Calif., pleaded guilty to an indictment charging her with one count of conspiracy to commit mail and wire fraud and honest services mail and wire fraud and one count of conspiracy to commit money laundering. U.S. District Court Judge Nathaniel M. Gorton scheduled sentencing for Feb. 25, 2020.
Beginning in 2017, Janavs conspired with Rick Singer and others to secure her children’s admission to selective colleges and universities through bribery and fraud. On Oct. 28, 2017, Janavs’ older daughter took the ACT exam at a test center in West Hollywood that Singer “controlled” through a corrupt test proctor, Mark Riddell, who reviewed and corrected her answers. In November 2017, Janavs sent a $50,000 check to KWF to pay for the fraud. In February 2019, Janavs older daughter again took the ACT at the West Hollywood Test Center, and Riddell corrected her answers. Later that month, Janavs wired $25,000 to KWF and mailed a $25,000 check to KWF. Singer, in turn, passed bribes to Riddell and to Igor Dvorskiy, the administrator of the test center.
Beginning in 2018, Janavs agreed to with Singer to facilitate her older daughter’s admission to the University of Southern California (USC) as a purported volleyball recruit. In August 2018, Janavs emailed Singer photos of her daughter playing volleyball. In October 2018, a USC athletics administrator, Donna Heinel, secured approval to admit Janavs’ daughter from the USC subcommittee for athletic admissions based on the falsified athletic credentials. Later that month, Janavs mailed Heinel a $50,000 check made payable to USC Women’s Athletic Fund. Janavs was arrested before her older daughter received her formal admission to USC and, accordingly, did not pay the remaining $150,000 of the initially agreed upon amount.
Case information, including the status of each defendant, charging documents and plea agreements are available here: https://www.justice.gov/usao-ma/investigations-college-admissions-and-testing-bribery-scheme.
The charge of conspiracy to commit mail and wire fraud and honest services mail and wire fraud provides for a maximum sentence of 20 years in prison, three years of supervised release, and a fine of $250,000 or twice the gross gain or loss, whichever is greater. The charge of conspiracy to commit money laundering provides for a maximum sentence of 20 years in prison, three years of supervised release, and a fine of $500,000 or twice the value of the property involved in the money laundering. Sentences are imposed by a federal district court judge based upon the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors.
United States Attorney Andrew E. Lelling; Joseph R. Bonavolonta, Special Agent in Charge of the Federal Bureau of Investigation, Boston Field Division; and Kristina O’Connell, Special Agent in Charge of the Internal Revenue Service’s Criminal Investigations in Boston, made the announcement today. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Eric S. Rosen, Justin D. O’Connell, Leslie A. Wright and Kristen A. Kearney of Lelling’s Securities and Financial Fraud Unit are prosecuting the cases.
The details contained in the court documents are allegations and the remaining defendants are presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.
Owner of Pharmacies Convicted of Conspiracy to Defraud IRSRead the Press Release
TRENTON, N.J. – The owner of several retail pharmacies, including a pharmacy in Piscataway, New Jersey, was convicted today on charges he conspired to defraud the IRS, U.S. Attorney Craig Carpenito announced.
Rao Desu, 52, of Warren, New Jersey, was convicted on all counts of the indictment against him: two counts of conspiracy to defraud the IRS and four counts of aiding and assisting in subscribing to false tax returns, following a two-week trial before U.S. District Judge Michael A. Shipp in Trenton federal court. The jury deliberated less than four hours before returning the guilty verdicts.
According to documents filed in this case and statements made in court:
Rao Desu was a 50 percent owner in DVS Pharma Inc., (d/b/a Heights Pharmacy), a retail pharmacy in Piscataway. Darshna Desai was the other 50 percent owner and worked as the lead pharmacist. From April 2004 through November 2013, Desu conspired with Desai to conceal from the IRS the cash income that was earned by the pharmacy as part of a cash-skimming scheme. In particular, Desu’s relative, who assisted at times in the operation of several of Desu’s businesses, instructed Desai to separate the cash earned by Heights Pharmacy from other income received, remove a portion of the cash that was paid to Desai as cash salary, and then split the remainder in two, with one portion given to Desu and the other portion given to Desai.
Desu was also a 50 percent owner of Manvihar Pharmacy (d/b/a Arthur Avenue Pharmacy) in Bronx, New York. The other 50 percent owner in Arthur Avenue Pharmacy worked at Arthur Avenue Pharmacy as the lead pharmacist. From June 2005 through November 2013, Desu conspired with the co-owner to conceal from the IRS the cash income that was earned by the pharmacy as part of a separate cash-skimming scheme. Specifically, Desu instructed the co-owner to separate the cash earned by Arthur Avenue Pharmacy from other income received, and to split the cash in two, giving half to Desu and giving half to the co-owner.
For tax years 2004 through 2012 Desu and Desai filed false corporate income tax returns, IRS Forms 1120S, for Heights Pharmacy, which failed to disclose the cash that Desai received in salary and that was split between Desu and Desai. From tax year 2005 through 2012, Desu and the co-owner filed false IRS Forms 1120S for Arthur Avenue Pharmacy, which failed to disclose the cash that was split between Desu and co-owner. Accordingly, for tax years 2004 through 2012, Desu filed false personal income tax returns, IRS Forms 1040, which failed to disclose the cash that Desu received from both Heights Pharmacy and Arthur Avenue Pharmacy.
Desai pleaded guilty to conspiracy to defraud the IRS in 2014. Her sentencing is scheduled for Feb. 26, 2020.
Conspiracy to defraud the IRS carries a maximum potential penalty of five years in prison and a $250,000 fine. Assisting and aiding in subscribing to false tax returns carries a maximum potential penalty of three years in prison and a $100,000 fine. Desu’s sentencing will be scheduled at a later date.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 guilty verdicts. He also thanked special agents of the U.S. Department of Justice - Office of the Inspector General, under the direction of Special Agent in Charge Guido Modano, for their role in the investigation.
The government is represented by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Jacques S. Pierre and Elaine K. Lou of the Special Prosecutions Division.
Defense counsel: Jay Nanavati Esq., and Mayling C. Blanco Esq., New York
Orange County Man Sentenced to Nearly Five Years in Prison for Vehicular Assault that Severely Injured Federal OfficerRead the Press Release
SANTA ANA, California – An Aliso Viejo man was sentenced today to 57 months in federal prison for deliberating driving his Mercedes-Benz sedan into and severely injuring a U.S. Customs and Border Protection employee at the federal building in Laguna Niguel.
Geoffrey Donald Rickner, 48, was sentenced by United States District Judge James V. Selna.
Rickner pleaded guilty on May 14 to one felony count of assault on a federal employee by use of a dangerous and deadly weapon and inflicting bodily injury.
On March 3, 2016, Rickner deliberately drove his Mercedes-Benz into CBP Security Specialist Jose Gutierrez at the Chet Holifield Federal Building, which is commonly known as the Ziggurat Building. Mr. Gutierrez was in a well-marked crosswalk and was wearing his federal employee identification card at the time of the attack. He suffered permanent and life-threatening injuries – including head trauma, broken ribs, internal bleeding and badly damaged legs – that put him in the hospital for nearly three weeks and continue to cause him pain and physical impairment.
When Rickner struck Mr. Gutierrez, the vehicle was travelling at such a high rate of speed that it continued traveling into the Ziggurat, going through a metal garage door, and stopping only when it struck a concrete wall inside the building.
By the time of the March 2016 attack, Rickner had been involved in a years-long dispute with the IRS regarding his tax situation, according to the prosecution’s sentencing memorandum. Though he had worked and earned money, Rickner, a certified financial planner, became involved in a “tax denial” group, stopped paying taxes, and began incurring large civil penalties for non-payment of tax.
“Although the financial mess was entirely of his own making, the resulting stress made defendant frustrated and angry…with the IRS and, more generally, the U.S. government,” according to the government’s sentencing brief.
In the hours leading up to the assault, Rickner had been seen behaving suspiciously, prompting building security personnel at one point to detain him. At that time, he made comments about owing money to the IRS. Rickner had shown up to the Ziggurat Building earlier that day to talk with someone at the IRS, despite not having an appointment. Rickner was told to leave the premises, and he did. But he returned later in the day, during which time he was seen pacing the building in an agitated manner, and he subsequently got into his car, later crashing into Mr. Gutierrez in the crosswalk.
The investigation in this case was conducted by the FBI and the U.S. Treasury Inspector General for Tax Administration.
This matter was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Robert J. Keenan of the Santa Ana Branch Office.
Onondaga County Receives Nearly $250,000 in DOJ Funding to Address School SecurityRead the Press Release
SYRACUSE, NEW YORK – Today, the Department of Justice announced it has awarded more than $85.3 million to bolster school security—including funding to educate and train students and faculty—and support first responders who arrive on the scene of a school shooting or other violent incident.
“These federal resources will help to prevent school violence and give our students the support they need to learn, grow, and thrive,’ said Attorney General William P. Barr. “By training faculty, students and first responders, and by improving school security measures, we can make schools and their communities safer.”
“The safety of our schools is a critical public safety priority. These federal funds will help school districts in Onondaga County enhance their efforts to prevent school violence and address mental health crises effectively, with staff training and youth activities that will facilitate their focus on teaching and learning,” said United States Attorney for the Northern District of New York Grant C. Jaquith.”
The STOP School Violence Prevention and Mental Health Training Program included a grant of $249,989 in funding to prevent violence in Onondaga County schools. President Trump signed the STOP School Violence Act into law in March 2018, authorizing grants that are designed to improve threat assessments, train students and faculty to provide tips and leads, and prepare law enforcement officers and emergency professionals to respond to school shootings and other violent incidents. The grant programs are managed by OJP’s Bureau of Justice Assistance and the Justice Department’s Office of Community Oriented Policing Services.
The Bureau of Justice Assistance, within the Department’s Office of Justice Programs, and the Office of Community Oriented Policing Services manage the programs and administer the grants, which include funds to:
- Develop school threat assessment teams and pursue technological solutions to improve reporting of suspicious activity in and around schools;
- Implement or improve school safety measures, including coordination with law enforcement, as well as the use of metal detectors, locks, lighting and other deterrent measures;
- Train law enforcement to help deter student violence against others and themselves;
- Improve notification to first responders through implementation of technology that expedites emergency notifications;
- Develop and operate anonymous reporting systems to encourage safe reporting of potential school threats;
- Train school officials to intervene when mentally ill individuals threaten school safety; and
- Provide training and technical assistance to schools and other awardees in helping implement these programs.
About the Office of Justice Programs:
The Office of Justice Programs, directed by Principal Deputy Assistant Attorney General Katharine T. Sullivan, provides federal leadership, grants, training, technical assistance and other resources to improve the nation’s capacity to prevent and reduce crime, assist victims and enhance the rule of law by strengthening the criminal justice system. More information about OJP and its components can be found at www.ojp.gov.
About the Office of Community Oriented Policing Services:
The COPS Office is a federal agency responsible for advancing community policing nationwide. Since 1994, the COPS Office has invested more than $14 billion to advance community policing, including grants awarded to more than 13,000 state, local and tribal law enforcement agencies to fund the hiring and redeployment of approximately 130,000 officers and provide a variety of knowledge resource products including publications, training and technical assistance. For additional information about the COPS Office, please visit www.cops.usdoj.gov.
North Dakota Woman Indicted for Conspiracy to Distribute MethamphetamineRead the Press Release
United States Attorney Ron Parsons announced that a Bismarck, North Dakota, woman has been indicted by a federal grand jury for Conspiracy to Distribute Methamphetamine.
Melissa Rose Decoteau, a/k/a Melissa Rose Bobtail Bear, age 34, was indicted on July 16, 2019. She appeared before U.S. Magistrate Judge William D. Gerdes on October 16, 2019, and pled not guilty to the Indictment.
The maximum penalty upon conviction is up to 40 years in federal prison and/or a $5,000,000 fine, a lifetime of supervised release, and $100 to the Federal Crime Victims Fund. Restitution may also be ordered.
The Indictment alleges that beginning at a time unknown, but no later than March 1, 2018, and continuing to June 17, 2018, Decoteau, knowingly and intentionally, combined, conspired, confederated, and agreed with others to knowingly and intentionally distribute and possess with intent to distribute 50 grams or more of methamphetamine.
The charge is merely an accusation and Decoteau is presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty.
The investigation is being conducted by the Northern Plains Safe Trails Drug Enforcement Task Force. Assistant U.S. Attorney Cameron J. Cook is prosecuting the case.
Decoteau was remanded to the custody of the U.S. Marshals Service pending trial. A trial date has not been set.
More Than $900,000 Awarded to Local Schools to Address ViolenceRead the Press Release
KANSAS CITY, Mo. – More than $900,000 in grants have been awarded to schools in the Western District of Missouri to bolster school security – including funding to educate and train students and faculty and to support first responders who arrive on the scene of a school shooting or other violent incident.
“Our kids’ schools should be safe environments where they can focus on learning, free from threats of violence,” said U.S. Attorney Tim Garrison. “These STOP School Violence grants help provide the resources our schools need to protect students, including partnering with local law enforcement.”
Six school districts received a total of $912,288 in grants from the Department of Justice, in addition to a $999,372 grant awarded to the Missouri Department of Public Safety.
“These federal resources will help to prevent school violence and give our students the support they need to learn, grow, and thrive,’ said Attorney General William P. Barr. “By training faculty, students and first responders, and by improving school security measures, we can make schools and their communities safer.”
Recipients of grant awards in the Western District of Missouri are:
• Raytown Consolidated School District 2: $250,000 (anonymous reporting technology)
• Warsaw R-IX School District: $142,068 (school violence prevention)
• City of Breckenridge: $120,593 (school violence prevention)
• Stoutland R-II School District: $84,055 (school violence prevention)
• South Pemiscot R-V Schools: $96,663 (school violence prevention)
• Lawson R-XIV School District: $315,572 (school violence prevention)
• Missouri Department of Public Safety: $999,372 (to create or enhance state school safety centers)Five of the school district grants fall under the COPS’ School Violence Prevention Program. This is the second year the COPS program will provide K-12, primary and secondary schools up to 75 percent funding for the following school safety measures:
• Coordination with law enforcement;
• Training for local law enforcement officers to prevent student violence against others and themselves;
• Metal detectors, locks, lighting, and other deterrent measures;
• Technology for expedited notification of local law enforcement during an emergency;
• Any other measure that the COPS Office determines may provide a significant improvement in security.The Department of Justice announced today that more than $85.3 million in grants were awarded nationally. The STOP School Violence Act authorizes grants that are designed to improve threat assessments, train students and faculty to provide tips and leads, and prepare law enforcement officers and emergency professionals to respond to school shootings and other violent incidents.
The Bureau of Justice Assistance, within the Department’s Office of Justice Programs, and the Office of Community Oriented Policing Services manage the programs and administer the grants, which include funds to:
• Develop school threat assessment teams and pursue technological solutions to improve reporting of suspicious activity in and around schools;
• Implement or improve school safety measures, including coordination with law enforcement, as well as the use of metal detectors, locks, lighting and other deterrent measures;
• Train law enforcement to help deter student violence against others and themselves;
• Improve notification to first responders through implementation of technology that expedites emergency notifications;
• Develop and operate anonymous reporting systems to encourage safe reporting of potential school threats;
• Train school officials to intervene when mentally ill individuals threaten school safety; and
• Provide training and technical assistance to schools and other awardees in helping implement these programs.For more details about these individual award programs, as well as listings of individual 2019 awardees, visit https://go.usa.gov/xVJuV
About the Office of Justice Programs:
The Office of Justice Programs, directed by Principal Deputy Assistant Attorney General Katharine T. Sullivan, provides federal leadership, grants, training, technical assistance and other resources to improve the nation’s capacity to prevent and reduce crime, assist victims and enhance the rule of law by strengthening the criminal justice system. More information about OJP and its components can be found at www.ojp.gov.
About the Office of Community Oriented Policing Services:
The COPS Office is a federal agency responsible for advancing community policing nationwide. Since 1994, the COPS Office has invested more than $14 billion to advance community policing, including grants awarded to more than 13,000 state, local and tribal law enforcement agencies to fund the hiring and redeployment of approximately 130,000 officers and provide a variety of knowledge resource products including publications, training and technical assistance. For additional information about the COPS Office, please visit www.cops.usdoj.gov.Michigan Sex Offender Sentenced to Life for Traveling to Destin to Have Sex with A ChildRead the Press Release
PENSACOLA, FLORIDA – Ronald Roscoe, 56, of Traverse City, Michigan, was sentenced in federal court
today to life in prison for attempted enticement of a minor, travel with intent to engage in illicit
sexual conduct, and transporting material involving sexual exploitation of minors. The sentence was
announced by Lawrence Keefe, United States Attorney for the Northern District of Florida.“It’s hard to imagine the level of depravity that leads someone to try to entice an adolescent into
a sexual encounter,” Keefe said. “The depth of moral corruption behind this scheme is the reason
the U.S. Attorney’s Office is unyielding in its prosecution of these predators.”In September 2018, an undercover Okaloosa County Sheriff’s Office investigator began chatting
online to identify individuals interested in exploiting children. An individual, later identified
as Roscoe, sent a private message via a social media platform to the investigator, who was posing
as a 12-year-old girl. Over the next month, Roscoe discussed engaging in sexual activity with the
investigator posing as the girl and about meeting “her” in Florida.During the week of October 15, 2018, Roscoe informed the “girl” that he had purchased an airplane
ticket to fly from Michigan to Florida to engage in sexual activity with her over the upcoming
weekend. Law enforcement located a hotel in Destin where Roscoe had reserved a room. Roscoe was
arrested at the Destin-Fort Walton Beach Airport. A search of his cellular telephone revealed child
pornography images and videos depicting children under age 12.“This child predator thought he was traveling to Florida to have sex with a child,” said Micah
McCombs, Tampa Assistant Special Agent in Charge with Homeland Security Investigations. “Instead,
he was stopped by HSI special agents and our partners at the Okaloosa County Sheriff’s Office,
highlighting the important work of the North Florida Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force.”The case was investigated by Homeland Security Investigations, the Okaloosa County Sheriff’s
Office, and the North Florida Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force. The case was prosecuted
by First Assistant United States Attorney Jeffrey M. Tharp.The United States Attorney's Office for the Northern District of Florida is one of 94 offices that
serve as the nation’s principal litigators under the direction of the Attorney General. To access
public court documents online, please visit the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of
Florida website. For more information about the United States Attorney’s Office, Northern
District of Florida, visit http://www.justice.gov/usao/fln/index.html.Massachusetts Man Sentenced to 24 Months for Traveling to New Hampshire to Engage in Illicit Sexual ConductRead the Press Release
CONCORD- Jean Fouad Yazbek, 63, of Norwood, Massachusetts, was sentenced in federal court on Friday to 24 months in prison for traveling to New Hampshire with intent to engage in illicit sexual conduct, United States Attorney Scott W. Murray announced today.
According to court documents and statements made in court, in October 2018, members of the New Hampshire Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force conducted an undercover investigation targeting online sexual offenders. As part of this investigation, a detective created an undercover online persona of a 15-year-old girl (“UC”) residing in Nashua, New Hampshire. Various individuals, including Yazbek, began messaging the UC on social media soon after the account was registered. Beginning on October 2, 2018, and continuing through October 8, 2018, Yazbek engaged in sexually-charged conversations over social media with the UC. In their conversations, Yazbek discussed his desire to engage in various sex acts, including sexual intercourse, with the UC whom he believed was a 15-year-old girl.
On October 8, 2018, Yazbek drove from Massachusetts to Nashua, New Hampshire, to meet the UC and engage in illicit sexual conduct at a local hotel. When Yazbek arrived, he encountered law enforcement officers instead and was placed under arrest. Yazbek admitted that he had planned to meet a 15-year-old girl whom he had met online. He further admitted that he intended to engage in illicit sexual conduct, including sexual intercourse, with the girl. According to Yazbek, he had checked into a local hotel prior to his arrest, and his hotel room contained a brand new phone, a teddy bear, undergarments, and a backpack containing shaving equipment, lubricant, and condoms. Yazbek gave written consent to search his hotel room. Officers later searched his hotel room and found the items described by Yazbek during his interview.
Yazbek previously pleaded guilty on May 14, 2019.
“Protecting the well-being of our children is a high priority of the law enforcement community,” said U.S. Attorney Murray. “It is disturbing that criminals are lurking online and seeking to prey upon children in the Granite State. Thankfully, this defendant’s efforts to victimize a young girl were thwarted by excellent law enforcement work. Predators who use the internet should be aware that law enforcement officers will be alert and watching. We will not hesitate to bring federal charges against those who threaten the safety of children in New Hampshire.”
“Yazbek thought he was traveling across state lines to have sex with a 15 year old, but his fantasy came to an abrupt end when he found himself in handcuffs” said Jason J. Molina, acting Special Agent in Charge of HSI Boston. “Today’s sentencing should send a strong message to those who seek to sexually exploit children – state lines will not impede the efforts of the law enforcement community in safeguarding our children and bringing predators to face justice.”
This matter was investigated by the Nashua Police Department, Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s Homeland Security Investigations, and the New Hampshire Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force. The case was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Cam Le.
In February 2006, the Department of Justice introduced Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative designed to protect children from online exploitation and abuse. Led by the United States Attorney’s Offices, Project Safe Childhood marshals federal, state and local resources to better locate, apprehend, and prosecute individuals who exploit children via the Internet, as well as identify and rescue victims. For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit www.projectsafechildhood.gov.
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Manhattan U.S. Attorney Announces Forfeiture of North Korean Cargo VesselRead the Press Release
Geoffrey S. Berman, the United States Attorney for the Southern District of New York, and John C. Demers, Assistant Attorney General for National Security, announced today the entry of a judgment of forfeiture regarding the M/V Wise Honest (the “Wise Honest”), a 17,061-ton, single-hull bulk carrier ship flagged in the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea (“DPRK” or “North Korea”). The Wise Honest, one of the largest North Korean-flagged vessels, was used to conduct large illicit shipments of coal from North Korea and to import heavy machinery back to the DPRK. Payments for maintenance, equipment, and improvements of the Wise Honest were made in U.S. dollars through unwitting U.S. banks, in violation of U.S. law and United Nations Security Council resolutions.
U.S. Attorney Geoffrey S. Berman said: “Today’s judgment of forfeiture finalizes the U.S. government’s seizure of the Wise Honest and officially takes this North Korean vessel out of commission. It will no longer be used to further a criminal scheme. Using the full set of tools at our disposal, we will continue to investigate and prosecute attempts to evade U.S. sanctions, including by the North Korean regime.”
Assistant Attorney General for National Security John C. Demers said: “This order of forfeiture sinks the Wise Honest’s career as one of North Korea’s largest sanctions-busting vessels. The Department of Justice will continue to pursue other property used to violate U.S. and international sanctions, around the globe, with the cooperation of our international partners.”
According to documents filed in Manhattan federal court:
Pursuant to the International Emergency Economic Powers Act (“IEEPA”) and the North Korea Sanctions and Policy Enhancement Act of 2016 (“NKSPEA”), the DPRK and individuals or entities that the Department of the Treasury, Office of Foreign Assets Control (“OFAC”) has determined are involved in the facilitation of proliferation of weapons of mass destruction (“WMDs”) are prohibited from engaging in transactions with U.S. persons, involving U.S.-origin goods, or using the U.S. financial system. The United Nations Security Council has similarly prohibited the provision of goods, technology, and services to North Korea, including the sale, supply, or transfer of coal.
From November 2016 through April 2018, the Wise Honest was used by Korea Songi Shipping Company, an affiliate of Korea Songi General Trading Corporation – which, in 2017, OFAC determined was “subordinate to the [Korean People’s Army] and involved in exporting North Korean coal” – and one of Korea Songi Shipping Company’s representatives, Kwon Chol Nam, to export coal from North Korea to foreign purchasers and import machinery to North Korea (the “Korea Songi Scheme”).
On March 14, 2018, the Wise Honest was loaded with coal in Nampo, North Korea. On April 2, 2018, Indonesian maritime authorities intercepted and detained the Wise Honest. Although maritime regulations require vessels like the Wise Honest engaged in international voyages to operate an automatic identification system (“AIS”) capable of providing information about the vessel to other ships and to coastal authorities, and despite its March 2018 voyage from North Korea, the Wise Honest had not broadcast an AIS signal since August 4, 2017.
Participants in the Korea Songi Scheme additionally attempted to conceal the Wise Honest’s DPRK affiliation by falsely listing the Wise Honest’s nationality or the origin of the illicit coal on board the vessel in shipping documentation, for example, as from Tanzania or Russia.
In connection with Korea Songi Scheme, Kwon paid for numerous improvements, equipment purchases, and service expenditures for the Wise Honest in U.S. dollars through U.S. financial institutions. Such transfers constitute a provision of services by U.S. banks to both the sender and recipient of the funds, and U.S. law prohibits banks from providing such services to North Korean parties. In connection with the March 2018 shipment of coal on board the Wise Honest alone, payments totaling more than $750,000 were transmitted through accounts at a U.S. financial institution.
On May 9, 2019, the U.S. Attorney’s Office filed a civil forfeiture complaint against the Wise Honest, which had previously been seized pursuant to a warrant issued in the Southern District of New York. Today’s judgment of forfeiture was ordered by U.S. District Judge P. Kevin Castel.
* * *
Mr. Berman praised the outstanding investigative work of the Federal Bureau of Investigation and its New York Field Office, Counterintelligence Division, and thanked the Department of Justice’s Money Laundering and Asset Recovery Section’s Program Operations Unit and Office of International Affairs, the U.S. Coast Guard, and the Department of State for their assistance.
Mr. Berman also thanked Fred and Cindy Warmbier, the parents of the late Otto Warmbier, for their willingness to voluntarily withdraw their claim in the action in order to facilitate the forfeiture of the Wise Honest.
The case is being handled by the Office’s Terrorism and International Narcotics Unit and Money Laundering and Transnational Criminal Enterprises Unit. Assistant U.S. Attorneys David W. Denton Jr. and Benet J. Kearney are in charge of the case, with assistance from Trial Attorney Christian Ford of the Counterintelligence and Export Control Section.
Manchester Man Sentenced to 70 Months for Cocaine Trafficking and Firearms ChargesRead the Press Release
CONCORD - United States Attorney Scott W. Murray announced that Mark Manapsal, 35, of Manchester, was sentenced in federal court to 70 months in prison for distribution of cocaine, possession of cocaine with intent to distribute, and being a felon in possession of a firearm.
According to court documents and statements made in court, on August 17, 2016, and November 2, 2016, Manapsal sold cocaine to an individual who was cooperating with law enforcement officers. On November 29, 2016, Manapsal, a convicted felon who is prohibited from possessing guns, sold a semi-automatic rifle to the cooperating individual for $900. On March 22, 2017, Manapsal was found in possession of 497 grams of cocaine when his vehicle was stopped by the New Hampshire State Police in Nashua.
Manapsal previously pleaded guilty on July 11, 2019.
“Armed drug traffickers present a serious threat to public safety,” said U.S. Attorney Murray. “In order to protect our community, law enforcement agencies in New Hampshire are working together to identify, prosecute, and incarcerate drug dealers. Drug dealers who increase the risk to the public by using firearms should expect to find themselves in federal prison.”
"The FBI is all too familiar with what havoc can result from a semi-automatic rifle being sold into the wrong hands. Mark Manapsal was a convicted felon and cocaine pusher when he brokered the sale of an AM-15 he told the buyer was given to him to cover a drug debt," said Joseph R. Bonavolonta, Special Agent in Charge of the FBI Boston Division. "Drugs and guns are a dangerous mix. Today's sentence should deliver that message to Mr. Manapsal loud and clear."
“DEA is committed to bring to justice those that distribute cocaine,” said DEA Special Agent in Charge Brian D. Boyle. “Today’s sentence not only holds Mr. Manapsal accountable for his crimes but serves as a warning that DEA and its local, state and federal law enforcement partners will do everything in our power to keep this drug off the streets of New Hampshire.”
The case was investigated by the FBI, DEA, New Hampshire State Police, and the Manchester Police Department. The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives also provided assistance. Assistant United States Attorney Jennifer Cole Davis prosecuted the case.
This investigation was conducted by the Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Force (OCDETF). The OCDETF program is a federal multi-agency, multi-jurisdictional task force that supplies supplemental federal funding to federal and state agencies involved in the identification, investigation, and prosecution of major drug trafficking organizations.
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Man Who Sold Guns at Reno Gun Shows Charged with Unlicensed Sale of FirearmsRead the Press Release
SACRAMENTO, Calif. — A federal grand jury returned a six-count indictment last Thursday against Gary Osterhout, 65, of Sparks, Nevada, charging him with unlawful dealing in firearms and five counts of unlawful sale of a firearm to an out-of-state resident, U.S. Attorney McGregor W. Scott announced.
According to court documents, Osterhout routinely purchased guns from federally licensed firearms dealers and then turned around and sold the guns for a markup at unregulated guns shows throughout Nevada. Osterhout sold guns without filling out the required ATF paperwork and without conducting a background check. During the four-year period between March 2015, and February 2019, Osterhout purchased over 290 guns. At least 14 of those guns were later found by law enforcement as part of criminal investigations.
This case is the product of an investigation by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives. Assistant U.S. Attorney Justin Lee is prosecuting the case.
If convicted, Osterhout faces a maximum statutory penalty of five years in prison and a $250,000 fine. Any sentence, however, would be determined at the discretion of the court after consideration of any applicable statutory factors and the Federal Sentencing Guidelines, which take into account a number of variables. The charges are only allegations; the defendant is presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt.
This case is part of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), a program bringing together all levels of law enforcement and the communities they serve to reduce violent crime and make our neighborhoods safer for everyone. The Department of Justice reinvigorated PSN in 2017 as part of the Department’s renewed focus on targeting violent criminals, directing all U.S. Attorney’s Offices to work in partnership with federal, state, local, and tribal law enforcement and the local community to develop effective, locally based strategies to reduce violent crime. To learn more about Project Safe Neighborhoods, go to www.justice.gov/psn.
Macy Man Sentenced to 24 Months for Domestic AssaultRead the Press Release
United States Attorney Joe Kelly announced that Dwight Morris, 37, was sentenced today in federal court in Omaha for Domestic Assault by a Habitual Offender. The Honorable Laurie Smith Camp sentenced Morris to 24 months’ imprisonment. There is no parole in the federal prison system. After his release from prison, Morris will serve a three-year term of supervised release.
In August 2018 the female victim reported to law enforcement that Morris had physically abused her over a period of days, including striking her face and body and choking her. Officers observed bruising on various parts of the victim’s body consistent with her reports. Morris has two previous convictions for crimes, which, if subject to federal jurisdiction, would constitute domestic assault.
This case was investigated by Omaha Nation Law Enforcement Services and the Federal Bureau of Investigation.
Lexington Man Sentenced to 235 Months in Federal Prison for Trafficking Heroin and Crystal MethamphetamineRead the Press Release
LEXINGTON, Ky. - A Lexington man, Juan Gomez, 29, who was found guilty by a federal jury in June, of possession with the intent to distribute heroin and methamphetamine, was sentenced today to 235 months in federal prison, by Chief United States District Judge Danny Reeves.
The evidence presented at his trial established that Gomez was originally charged in December 2015, with possession with intent to distribute heroin, after he wrecked his vehicle into a telephone pole and the heroin was found in his vehicle. Then, in July 2017, while intoxicated, Gomez wrecked his vehicle into the back of an off duty University of Kentucky police officer. A search of the vehicle yielded over 15 pounds of crystal methamphetamine, several pounds of marijuana, and approximately $60,000 in drug proceeds.
Under federal law, Gomez must serve 85 percent of his prison sentence and will be under the supervision of the U.S. Probation Office for five years. Additionally, Gomez was ordered to forfeit $60,131.
“Investigating and prosecuting drug distribution cases like this one is and will continue to be a significant priority for our Office,” said Robert M. Duncan, Jr., United States Attorney for the Eastern District of Kentucky. “The defendant intended to distribute two types of dangerous drugs – heroin and methamphetamine – that have both caused great damage to our District. The sentence imposed by the Court reflects the seriousness of the defendant’s conduct and the devastating impact of these drugs on those that use them. Working with our partners in law enforcement, we are committed to holding drug traffickers like the defendant accountable for their actions and stopping the flow of drugs into our communities.”
Robert M. Duncan, Jr., United States Attorney for the Eastern District of Kentucky; Dan Dodds, Special Agent in Charge of the DEA; and Chief Lawrence Weathers of the Lexington Police Department, jointly announced the sentence.
The investigation was conducted by the Lexington Police Department and the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA). The United States was represented by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Roger W. West and Tashena Fannin.
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Lane County School District Awarded Justice Department Grant for School Violence PreventionRead the Press Release
WASHINGTON— Today, the Department of Justice announced it has awarded more than $85.3 million to bolster school security—including funding to educate and train students and faculty—and support first responders who arrive on the scene of a school shooting or other violent incident.
Lane County School District was among the award recipients, receiving $370,289 under the department’s STOP Violence Prevention and Mental Health Training Program.
“These federal resources will help to prevent school violence and give our students the support they need to learn, grow, and thrive,’ said Attorney General William P. Barr. “By training faculty, students and first responders, and by improving school security measures, we can make schools and their communities safer.”
“These awards are an important first step toward addressing the epidemic of school and community violence in our country. We cannot stop until every last student goes to school knowing it is a safe place to learn and grow. It saddens me to know this is not the current reality for many young people. I’m encourage by the work of the Lane County School District and other educators who are working diligently to change this narrative and reality. Congratulations and keep up the great work” said Billy J. Williams, U.S. Attorney for the District of Oregon.
President Trump signed the STOP School Violence Act into law in March 2018, authorizing grants that are designed to improve threat assessments, train students and faculty to provide tips and leads, and prepare law enforcement officers and emergency professionals to respond to school shootings and other violent incidents. The grant programs are managed by OJP’s Bureau of Justice Assistance and the Justice Department’s Office of Community Oriented Policing Services.
The Bureau of Justice Assistance, within the Department’s Office of Justice Programs, and the Office of Community Oriented Policing Services manage the programs and administer the grants, which include funds to:
- Develop school threat assessment teams and pursue technological solutions to improve reporting of suspicious activity in and around schools;
- Implement or improve school safety measures, including coordination with law enforcement, as well as the use of metal detectors, locks, lighting and other deterrent measures;
- Train law enforcement to help deter student violence against others and themselves;
- Improve notification to first responders through implementation of technology that expedites emergency notifications;
- Develop and operate anonymous reporting systems to encourage safe reporting of potential school threats;
- Train school officials to intervene when mentally ill individuals threaten school safety; and
- Provide training and technical assistance to schools and other awardees in helping implement these programs.
For more details about these individual award programs, as well as listings of individual 2019 awardees, visit https://go.usa.gov/xVJuV.
About the Office of Justice Programs:
The Office of Justice Programs, directed by Principal Deputy Assistant Attorney General Katharine T. Sullivan, provides federal leadership, grants, training, technical assistance and other resources to improve the nation’s capacity to prevent and reduce crime, assist victims and enhance the rule of law by strengthening the criminal justice system. More information about OJP and its components can be found at www.ojp.gov.
About the Office of Community Oriented Policing Services:
The COPS Office is a federal agency responsible for advancing community policing nationwide. Since 1994, the COPS Office has invested more than $14 billion to advance community policing, including grants awarded to more than 13,000 state, local and tribal law enforcement agencies to fund the hiring and redeployment of approximately 130,000 officers and provide a variety of knowledge resource products including publications, training and technical assistance. For additional information about the COPS Office, please visit www.cops.usdoj.gov.
Kansas Schools Receive Federal Grants for Student SafetyRead the Press Release
KANSAS CITY, KAN. – Three Kansas school systems have received federal grants to help make students safer, U.S. Attorney Stephen McAllister said.
The money for Kansas is part of more than $85 million the Department of Justice has awarded nationally to bolster school security – including funding to educate and train faculty – and support first responders who arrive on the scene of a school shooting or other violent incident.
“Schools should be safe places to learn and grow,” McAllister said. “We’re listening to students, parents, teachers and law enforcement officers throughout Kansas who told us they need help.”
The Kansas grants include:
- $249,998 to Smoky Hill/Central Kansas Education Service Center in a category that includes funding for developing and operating anonymous reporting systems to encourage safe reporting of potential school threats.
- $452,913 to USD 417 Morris County Public Schools from the Office of Community Oriented Policing Services’ (COPS’) School Violence Prevention Program
- $332,438 to Wichita Public Schools USD 259 from the COPS’ School Violence Prevention Program
The COPS School Violence Prevention Program provides funding to improve school safety through violence prevention including training law enforcement officers in how to prevent student violence, installing metal detectors, locks, lighting and other deterrents, as well as technology to get notification to law enforcement faster during emergencies.
Justice Department Awards over $273.4 Million to Improve Public Safety, Serve Crime Victims in American Indian and Alaska Native CommunitiesRead the Press Release
WASHINGTON – The Department of Justice announced on Oct. 18 that it has awarded over $273.4 million in grants, including $2.9 million to four tribes in Montana, to improve public safety, serve victims of crime, combat violence against women and support youth programs in American Indian and Alaska Native communities.
“Violent crime and domestic abuse in American Indian and Alaska Native communities remain at unacceptably high levels, and they demand a response that is both clear and comprehensive,” said Attorney General William P. Barr. “We will continue to work closely with our tribal partners to guarantee they have the resources they need to curb violence and bring healing to the victims most profoundly affected by it.”
In Montana, the Chippewa Cree Tribe of the Rocky Boy’s Reservation, the Confederated Salish and Kootenai Tribes on of the Flathead Reservation, the Assiniboine and Sioux Tribes of the Fort Peck Reservation and the Northern Cheyenne Tribe were awarded a total of $2,902,538 in funding.
The Chippewa Cree Tribe received $250,000, the Confederated Salish and Kootenai Tribes received $488,049, the Assiniboine and Sioux Tribes received $1,714,489 and the Northern Cheyenne Tribe received $450,000.
“This funding will help address the unacceptable violence and domestic abuse suffered by many Native American women and girls in Montana. Through these grants, tribes will be able to provide more public safety and correctional alternatives for adults and children, along with services to reduce violence against women and support healing. We must continue to work closely with our tribal partners to stop the violence and abuse,” U.S. Attorney Kurt Alme said.
Nationwide, 236 grants were awarded to 149 American Indian tribes, Alaska Native villages and other tribal designees through the Coordinated Tribal Assistance Solicitation, a streamlined application for tribal-specific grant programs. Of the $118 million awarded via CTAS, just over $62.6 million comes from the Office of Justice Programs, about $33.1 million from the Office on Violence Against Women and more than $23.2 million from the Office of Community Oriented Policing Services. A portion of the funding will support tribal youth mentoring and intervention services, help native communities implement requirements of the Sex Offender Registration and Notification Act, and provide training and technical assistance to tribal communities. Another $5.5 million was funded by OJP’s Bureau of Justice Assistance to provide training and technical assistance to CTAS awardees.
The Department also announced awards and other programming totaling $167.2 million in a set-aside program to serve victims of crime. The awards are intended to help tribes develop, expand and improve services to victims by supporting programming and technical assistance. About $25.6 million of these awards were awarded under CTAS and are included in the $118 million detailed above.
CTAS funding helps tribes develop and strengthen their justice systems’ response to crime, while expanding services to meet their communities’ public safety needs. The awards cover 10 purpose areas: public safety and community policing; justice systems planning; alcohol and substance abuse; corrections and correctional alternatives; children’s justice act partnerships; services for victims of crime; violence against women; juvenile justice; violent crime reduction; and tribal youth programs.
The Department also provided $6.1 million to help tribes to comply with federal law on sex offender registration and notification, $1.7 million in separate funding to assist tribal youth and nearly $500,000 to support tribal research on missing and murdered indigenous women and children and other public safety-related topics.
The announcement is part of the Justice Department’s ongoing initiative to increase engagement, coordination and action on public safety in American Indian and Alaska Native communities.
A listing of the announced CTAS awards is available at: https://www.justice.gov/tribal/awards. A listing of all other announced tribal awards are available at: https://go.usa.gov/xVJuE.
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Illegal Alien from Mexico and Jones County Man Who Dealt Drugs near Children’s Hospital Plead Guilty to Drug ConspiracyRead the Press Release
Jackson, Miss. – Edgar Leonel Soto-Leon, 31, an illegal alien from Mexico, and Matthew Williams, 32, of Jones County, Mississippi, pled guilty Friday before U.S. District Judge Henry T. Wingate to conspiracy to distribute 2.6 pounds of methamphetamine and 2.1 pounds of heroin, announced U.S. Attorney Mike Hurst and Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) Special Agent in Charge Brad L. Byerley.
“These unconscionable actions of dealing drugs near a children’s hospital after coming to this country illegally necessitate swift consequences, for which I applaud our DEA agents and prosecutors for bringing these criminals to justice. We will continue to be vigilant in protecting our children and citizens by holding accountable those who violate our laws and endanger our communities,” said U.S. Attorney Mike Hurst.
Sometime around May 1, 2019, Williams and Soto-Leon reached an agreement to distribute heroin and methamphetamine. To assist Soto-Leon, Williams made contact with one or more individuals in order to find a buyer for illegal drugs in the possession of Soto-Leon. Through these contacts by Williams, a buyer was identified. Williams spoke directly to the buyer and stated that Soto-Leon was in possession of approximately 3 pounds of methamphetamine known as “ICE” and one kilogram of heroin that he was trying to sell. Williams connected the buyer to Soto-Leon, who began communicating directly with the buyer. Soto-Leon and the buyer reached an agreement on the price for all of the methamphetamine and heroin.
Unknown to either Williams or Soto-Leon, the buyer was actually an undercover DEA officer who made an audio recording of his conversations with Williams and Soto-Leon.
On May 2, 2019, Soto-Leon and the buyer met at a location near the Blair E. Batson Hospital in Jackson where Soto-Leon provided the buyer with methamphetamine and heroin. Williams had assisted the buyer and Soto-Leon by giving them directions to the place where they met. Lab tests later confirmed that Soto-Leon had provided 414.7 grams of methamphetamine which was 99% pure and 424.2 grams of heroin. Soto-Leon and the buyer agreed to meet the next day, when Soto-Leon would provide even more methamphetamine and heroin.
On May 3, 2019, Soto-Leon and the buyer met at a location in Pearl, Mississippi, where Soto-Leon again gave the buyer methamphetamine and heroin. Lab tests later confirmed that Soto-Leon had provided 772.4 grams of methamphetamine which was 98% pure and two containers of heroin containing 344.6 grams heroin and 228.8 grams of heroin. Once the second batch of controlled substances were given to the buyer, law enforcement immediately arrested Soto-Leon. Williams was arrested a few days later.
In total, Soto-Leon and Williams conspired to sell and sold 2.6 pounds of methamphetamine and 2.1 pounds of heroin to the undercover DEA officer. The methamphetamine sold is a type of methamphetamine known as “ICE” due to its purity.
Soto-Leon and Williams will be sentenced by Judge Wingate on February 11, 2020. Both defendants face a minimum sentence of 10 years in prison and a maximum sentence of life in prison, followed by 5 years of supervised release, and up to a $10,000,000 fine.
The case was investigated by the DEA, the Hinds County Sheriff’s Department, the Pearl Police Department, and the Richland Police Department. The case is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Dave Fulcher.
Huntington Man Pleads Guilty to Selling HeroinRead the Press Release
HUNTINGTON, W.Va. – A Huntington man already on federal supervised release for a prior drug and firearm conviction pled guilty today to selling heroin earlier this year, announced United States Attorney Mike Stuart. Quentin J. Parker, 31, pled guilty to distribution of heroin.
“A repeat offender,” said United States Attorney Mike Stuart. “Parker was still under federal supervision for previous offenses when he was caught distributing heroin. Now he’ll be going back to federal prison.”
Parker admitted that, on February 6, 2019, he directed a confidential informant to come to a parking lot in the 200 block of 4th Avenue in Huntington to purchase heroin. Once the informant arrived, Parker entered the informant’s vehicle and sold the informant heroin. At the time of the offense, Parker was serving a term of supervised release based on convictions he received in 2011 for distributing crack cocaine and being a felon in possession of a firearm.
Parker faces up to 20 years in prison when sentenced on January 27, 2020 for the heroin distribution. Parker additionally faces up to 24 months in prison for violating the terms of his supervised release.
The Drug Enforcement Administration conducted the investigation. United States District Judge Robert C. Chambers presided over the hearing. Assistant United States Attorney Joseph F. Adams is handling the prosecution.
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Hip Hop Producer "Mally Mall" Pleads Guilty to Unlawful Prostitution BusinessRead the Press Release
LAS VEGAS, Nev. – Hip hop producer Jamal Rashid, commonly known as “Mally Mall,” pleaded guilty today in federal court to unlawfully owning and operating a prostitution business guised as escort businesses, announced U.S. Attorney Nicholas A. Trutanich for the District of Nevada.
Rashid, 44, pleaded guilty to one count of use of an interstate facility in aid of unlawful activity. U.S. District Judge Richard F. Boulware II, accepted the guilty plea and scheduled a sentencing hearing for January 21, 2020.
According to information contained in the plea agreement, between April 2002 and September 2014, Rashid owned, operated, and managed several businesses in Clark County, Nev., that purported to offer legal escort services. Rashid admitted that he carried on an unlawful prostitution business through these escort businesses. He routinely used or caused others to use cell phones and other means to cause women who worked at his escort businesses to conduct acts of prostitution in Clark County. In some instances, Rashid’s credit card was used to pay for the airfare and other travel-related expenses and he used various paid websites, such as Backpage and Eros, to advertise the women for prostitution purposes. Furthermore, Rashid induced and enticed numerous women to engage in prostitution.
The case was investigated by the FBI. Assistant U.S. Attorney Nicholas Dickinson is prosecuting the case.
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Heroin-Dealing Jacksonville Pimp Sentenced to 25 Years in Prison for Forcing Five Victims to Engage in ProstitutionRead the Press Release
Jacksonville, Florida – U.S. District Judge Timothy J. Corrigan today sentenced Richard Anthony Moffett (31, Jacksonville) to 25 years in federal prison for using force, fraud, and coercion to cause multiple victims to engage in prostitution. The court will make a determination as to the amount of restitution Moffett owes to each of his five victims at a later date. Moffett had pleaded guilty on June 7, 2019.
According to court documents and information presented at the sentencing hearing, in the middle of 2016, Moffett relocated from Ohio to Florida. He resided in various hotels in Jacksonville, where he met his first two victims, K.W. and K.D. Moffett began forcing K.W. to engage in prostitution, keeping all of her money, supplying her with drugs, and regularly beating her. Sometime in December 2016, Moffett began selling heroin to D.D., a third victim. D.D. began working for Moffett, providing commercial sex to others, and gave all of the money she made to Moffett. Moffett exploited D.D.’s heroin addiction to coerce her into engaging in commercial sex acts. A few months later, Moffett came to believe that D.D. had stolen $50 from him. Moffett pointed a pistol at D.D., who attempted to flee from the hotel room. K.W., who was present at the time, grabbed D.D. by the hair, and Moffett twice stomped D.D. on the head. D.D. ultimately escaped.
Around February 2017, Moffett met his fourth victim, S.B., when she began purchasing heroin from him. Moffett invited S.B. and K.D. to travel with him to Ohio, purportedly to meet his two newly-born children. Once in Ohio, Moffett informed S.B. and K.D. that they would need to engage in prostitution in order to make enough money to return to Florida. S.B. and K.D., lacking financial and transportation resources, did so. In March 2017, Moffett transported S.B. and K.D. back to Florida. After returning to Florida, K.D. told Moffett, as a ruse, that she had a commercial sex “date” coming to the hotel, and Moffett left the hotel. K.D. then phoned a friend who came to pick her up. Moffett attempted to coerce K.D. to return to him by calling her multiple times and leaving threatening messages.
Meanwhile, Moffett continued to force K.W. and S.B. to engage in commercial sex acts out of various hotels in Jacksonville. In April 2017, Moffett coerced a fifth victim, S.A., into working for him. S.A. had previously purchased heroin from Moffett and contacted him after she became homeless. Moffett took S.A. in, and, the next day, informed her she would need to engage in prostitution to pay her way. During the time that K.W., S.B., and S.A. were working under Moffett’s control, Moffett would withhold heroin from them so that they would get “dope sick” as a means of coercing them to engage in commercial sex “dates” at his direction. When S.B. informed Moffett that she wanted to leave, Moffett gave her a bill totaling approximately $3,000 that he claimed S.B. needed to pay him for drugs, food, and shelter, before she could leave. Moffett then forced the S.B. to have sex with him and locked her in a bathroom for an entire day as punishment. Ultimately, S.B. and S.A. were able to escape from Moffett when S.A. was arrested by the Jacksonville Sheriff’s Office for a prostitution offense. S.A., who was so terrified of Moffett that she attempted to hide underneath the floor mat of the JSO patrol vehicle in which she was detained, informed detectives that Moffett was her “pimp.” During this time, S.B. was able to escape. Moffett continued to exploit K.W. until he was arrested by JSO in November 2017.
This case was investigated by the Jacksonville Sheriff’s Office, the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, the Federal Bureau of Investigation, the Florida Department of Law Enforcement, and the State Attorney’s Office, Fourth Judicial Circuit. It was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Laura Cofer Taylor and Special Assistant United States Attorney Erin Wolfson.
Hartford Man Pleads Guilty to Federal Gun Possession and Cocaine Distribution ChargesRead the Press Release
John H. Durham, United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut, announced that LUIS NIEVES-FELICIANO, 41, of Hartford, pleaded guilty today before U.S. District Judge Janet Bond Arterton in New Haven to drug and firearm offenses.
According to court documents and statements made in court, on May 4, 2019, agents with the Connecticut Department of Revenue Services (“DRS”) arrived at Broad Street Liquors, located at 1949 Broad Street in Hartford, to conduct a routine permit/cigarette inspection. When they entered, Nieves-Feliciano, an employee of the store, was standing behind the counter. Nieves-Feliciano immediately concealed items, struggled with DRS agents, and eventually fled the store.
The DRS agents then contacted Hartford Police and a court-authorized search of the store revealed a loaded Kel-Tec, Model P11, 9mm semiautomatic pistol, approximately 45 grams of cocaine packaged for distribution and a quantity of marijuana packaged for distribution, all of which was located on or behind the store’s counter. A second 9mm pistol, a box of ammunition, approximately 112 grams of cocaine, approximately $13,000 in cash, and personal items and documents belonging to Nieves-Feliciano, were located in the basement of the store.
The search of the store also revealed several cigarette packs that had fraudulent tax stamps.
Nieves-Feliciano’s criminal history includes state felony convictions for narcotics, firearm, assault and robbery offenses.
It is a violation of federal law for a person previously convicted of a felony offense to possess a firearm or ammunition that has moved in interstate or foreign commerce.
Nieves-Feliciano pleaded guilty to one count of possession with intent to distribute cocaine, which carries a maximum term of imprisonment of 20 years, and one count of possession of firearms by a previously convicted felon, which carries a maximum term of imprisonment of 10 years. Judge Arterton scheduled sentencing for January 13, 2020.
Nieves-Feliciano has been detained since May 15, 2019, when he was arrested on a federal criminal complaint.
This matter has been investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation’s Northern Connecticut Violent Crimes Task Force, which includes members of the Hartford Police Department, East Hartford Police Department, Connecticut State Police and Connecticut Department of Correction. The Connecticut Department of Revenue Services provided valuable assistance to the investigation. The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Brian P. Leaming.
This case is part of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), a program bringing together all levels of law enforcement and the communities they serve to reduce violent crime and make neighborhoods safer for everyone.
Hartford Drug Trafficker Sentenced to More Than 6 Years in Federal PrisonRead the Press Release
John H. Durham, United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut, announced that ANTONIO JOHNSON, also known as “Unk,” 42, of Hartford, was sentenced today by U.S. District Judge Michael P. Shea in Hartford to 78 months of imprisonment, followed by four years of supervised release, for distributing heroin and fentanyl in Hartford.
According to court documents and statements made in court, in August 2017, the Drug Enforcement Administration’s Hartford Task Force launched an investigation into an organization that was selling large amounts of heroin, fentanyl and other narcotics in Hartford. The investigation, which included approximately six months of court-authorized wiretaps, controlled purchases of narcotics and physical surveillance, revealed that members of the organization supplied distribution quantities of narcotics to several Hartford-area drug dealers, and used multiple locations in Hartford to process, store and distribute narcotics. Johnson assisted other members of the drug trafficking organization and also distributed narcotics to his own customers.
Johnson was intercepted during wiretapped conversations discussing the narcotics distribution enterprise, as well as illegal firearms activities.
Johnson and other members of the organization were arrested on July 19, 2018. On that date, investigators executed 10 search warrants and seized approximately 2.7 kilograms of fentanyl, one kilogram of heroin, approximately 500 grams of crack cocaine, 100 grams of cocaine, eight firearms, cash, and other evidence of narcotics trafficking activity.
On August 2, 2018, a grand jury in Hartford returned an indictment charging Johnson and 15 co-defendants with various offenses.
On May 10, 2019, Johnson pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy to distribute and to possess with intent to distribute 100 grams or more of heroin, 40 grams or more of fentanyl, and a quantity of cocaine base (“crack”).
Johnson has been detained since his arrest.
Johnson has 28 prior convictions, including multiple felony convictions. In April 2004, he was sentenced in New Haven federal court to 27 months of imprisonment for passing more than $41,000 in counterfeit checks.
The Drug Enforcement Administration’s Hartford Task Force includes personnel from the DEA Hartford Resident Office and the Bristol, Hartford, East Hartford, Manchester, New Britain, Rocky Hill, Wethersfield, Windsor Locks and Willimantic Police Departments. Agencies assisting the investigation include the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, Connecticut Department of Correction, and the East Hartford, New Britain, Newington and West Hartford Police Departments.
This case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Geoffrey M. Stone.
Guatemalan National Man Sentenced for Immigration CrimeRead the Press Release
CHARLESTON, W.Va. – A Guatemalan national man was sentenced to “time served” for the felony offense of Reentry of a Removed Alien, announced United States Attorney Mike Stuart. Daniel Lopez-Ajqui, 26, has been in custody since June 11, 2019, over four months in federal custody. Lopez-Ajqui entered a guilty plea on September 16, 2019. After the sentencing, he was remanded to the Department of Homeland Security for possible removal from the United States. Stuart commended the investigative efforts of the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE).
“We have more than doubled our prosecutions of illegal reentry cases over the last two years,” said United States Attorney Mike Stuart. “This was Lopez-Ajqui’s third illegal entry into the United States. We must put a stop to the revolving door.”
On June 11, 2019, Lopez-Ajqui was found in Elkview by members of ICE after they received information Lopez-Ajqui was working illegally in Elkview. ICE agents traveled to Elkview to confirm his legal status. The defendant admitted to agents that he was in the United States illegally. Lopez-Ajqui was arrested and ICE agents matched his fingerprints to previous removals from the United States. ICE agents further spoke to the defendant to confirm his identity. Lopez-Ajqui again admitted being in the United States illegally and had no identification documents permitting him legal status in the United States.
Fingerprinting matched Lopez-Ajqui to two prior removals from the United States in 2018 from Texas. In all prior removal hearings, Lopez-Ajqui was found by immigration judges to be in the United States illegally and he was deported to Guatemala. He had not obtained permission to legally enter the United States and had not sought legal status or citizenship. Lopez-Ajqui further admitted to ICE agents that he was a Guatemalan citizen.
United States District Judge Joseph R. Goodwin presided over the hearing. Assistant United States Attorney Erik S. Goes handled the prosecution.
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Fresno Residents Plead Guilty to Aiming a Laser at CHP AircraftRead the Press Release
FRESNO, Calif. — Today Carlos Villa-Lozano, 31, and Paulina Silva Aguilar, 33, both of Fresno, Calif., entered guilty pleas to aiming the beam of a laser pointer at a California Highway Patrol aircraft, U.S. Attorney McGregor W. Scott announced.
According to their plea agreements, on July 22, 2018, both Villa-Lozano and Silva used a dangerously bright green laser pointer, a Model 301, to strike a CHP fixed wing aircraft approximately 12 times. The laser strikes caused the CHP airmen to experience temporary blindness and disorientation. Villa-Lozano obstructed justice by materially misrepresenting to the FBI the nature of his involvement in the crime.
The Model 301 laser pointer has a prominent warning label that indicates that the laser is dangerous and should not be pointed at the eye. The Model 301 is advertised as emitting 500 milliwatts of power and having the ability to burn a match. According to the Food and Drug Administration, which regulates laser products, handheld laser devices are limited to 5 milliwatts output power. Lasers that emit more than 5 and up to 500 milliwatts of power are very dangerous and may cause permanent damage to the eye. Lasers pose a particular hazard to pilots, since sustained visual interference caused by lasers could interfere with the safe operation of the aircraft. According to the Federal Aviation Administration, this year there have been 15.7 laser incidents per day involving aircraft in the United States.
This case is the product of an investigation by the FBI and the California Highway Patrol. Assistant U.S. Attorney Karen Escobar is prosecuting the case.
Villa-Lozano and Silva are scheduled for sentencing on Jan. 30, 2020. Villa-Lozano and Silva face a maximum statutory penalty of five years in prison and a $250,000 fine. Any sentence, however, would be determined at the discretion of the court after consideration of any applicable statutory factors and the Federal Sentencing Guidelines, which take into account a number of variables.
Fresno Resident Pleads Guilty to Unlawfully Possessing Firearm After Ordering Machine Gun Parts from ChinaRead the Press Release
FRESNO, Calif. — Eric Vang, 36, of Fresno, pleaded guilty today to being a felon in possession of a firearm, U.S. Attorney McGregor W. Scott announced.
According to court documents, a Chinese distributer mailed a package to Vang that contained parts to convert a Glock handgun into a fully automatic machine gun. Following a search of Vang’s residence, federal agents found and seized several other firearms and several parts resembling silencers for those firearms. Vang is a previously convicted felon and is prohibited from possessing firearms.
This case is the product of an investigation by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives and Homeland Security Investigations (HSI). Assistant U.S. Attorney Thomas Newman is prosecuting the case.
Vang is scheduled to be sentenced by U.S. District Judge Lawrence J. O’Neill on Jan. 27, 2020. Vang faces a maximum statutory penalty of 10 years in prison and a $250,000 fine. The actual sentence, however, will be determined at the discretion of the court after consideration of any applicable statutory factors and the Federal Sentencing Guidelines, which take into account a number of variables.
This case is part of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), a program bringing together all levels of law enforcement and the communities they serve to reduce violent crime and make our neighborhoods safer for everyone. The Department of Justice reinvigorated PSN in 2017 as part of the Department’s renewed focus on targeting violent criminals, directing all U.S. Attorney’s Offices to work in partnership with federal, state, local, and tribal law enforcement and the local community to develop effective, locally based strategies to reduce violent crime. To learn more about Project Safe Neighborhoods, go to www.justice.gov/psn.
Former state prison guard pleads guilty to smuggling methamphetamine and other drugs to inmatesRead the Press Release
ROME, GA. - Voltaire Peter Pierre, a former corrections officer at Hays State Prison, has pleaded guilty to smuggling methamphetamine, crack cocaine, and marijuana past prison security and into the hands of inmates in exchange for payments. Because Pierre stored the drugs at his family home before smuggling them into the prison, he also pleaded guilty to possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine on premises where a minor resides.
“Public service is a duty and a privilege, not an opportunity to leverage a position of trust for personal financial gain,” said U.S. Attorney Byung J. “BJay” Pak. “As a former corrections officer, Pierre violated his oath to uphold the law, betrayed the community, and endangered his fellow officers and inmates. We will continue working with our federal and state law enforcement partners to ferret out and remove corrupt officials and to combat the flow of drugs and other contraband into our prisons.”
“Smuggling illegal contraband into a prison not only jeopardizes the safety of staff and inmates, it also fosters criminal activities inside and outside of the prison,” said the Special Agent in Charge of FBI Atlanta, Chris Hacker. “Pierre not only violated his sworn oath, but betrayed every hard working corrections officer. The FBI will vigorously pursue any allegations of corruption in these facilities to ensure the safety of both staff and inmates.”
“The Georgia Department of Corrections maintains a zero tolerance policy for individuals who choose to ignore their oath and jeopardize our non-negotiable mission of public safety. We appreciate the support of our Federal partners in our efforts to see that justice is served on this former Officer,” said GDC Commissioner Timothy C. Ward. “The actions of this individual do not reflect the hundreds of Officers who are committed each and every day to ensuring the safety of the public and the safe operations of our facilities.”
According to U.S. Attorney Pak, the charges and other information presented in court: Beginning in June 2018, and continuing until his arrest on October 1, 2018, Pierre smuggled methamphetamine, crack cocaine, marijuana, and tobacco into Hays State Prison in Trion, Georgia, for distribution to inmates, many of whom were members of the Bloods criminal street gang. He coordinated with inmates and their associates outside prison to arrange drug drop-offs at motels and at his family’s home. After receiving the drugs, the defendant smuggled them into the prison in soup containers and other seemingly innocuous items. Inmates and their associates paid the defendant through a mobile payment app.
On October 2, 2019, Voltaire Peter Pierre, 39, of Norcross, Georgia, was charged via criminal information with (1) conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute methamphetamine, crack cocaine, and marijuana and (2) possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine on premises where a minor resides. Pierre pleaded guilty to both of those charges.
The Federal Bureau of Investigation is investigating this case in coordination with the Georgia Department of Corrections.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Ryan M. Christian is prosecuting the case.
The U.S. Attorney’s Office in Atlanta recommends parents and children learn about the dangers of drugs at the following web site: www.justthinktwice.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
Former President of Private Tennis Academy Agrees to Plead Guilty in College Admissions CaseRead the Press Release
BOSTON – Martin Fox, the former president of a private tennis academy in Texas, will plead guilty in connection with his involvement in a scheme to use bribery to facilitate the admission of applicants to selective colleges and universities.
Fox, 62, of Houston, Texas, will plead guilty to one count of conspiracy to commit racketeering. A plea hearing has not yet been scheduled by the Court. According to the terms of the plea agreement, the government will recommend a sentence at the low end of the sentencing guidelines, one year of supervised release, a fine and restitution.
In 2015, Fox introduced co-conspirator William “Rick” Singer to a tennis coach at the University of Texas (U-Texas), who facilitated the admission of a student to U-Texas as a purported athletic recruit in exchange for a bribe. In return for assisting with the bribe transaction, Singer paid Fox $100,000. Fox arranged additional similar bribes, on two occasions, with a varsity sports coach at the University of San Diego (USD). Specifically, in exchange for a bribe paid through Fox, the USD coach designated the son of one of Singer’s clients, who did not play the sport, as an athletic recruit for the team, thereby facilitating his admission to USD. Singer paid Fox $100,000 for arranging the bribe. In 2017, in exchange for the promise of another bribe, the varsity coach designated another student as a recruit to manage the coach’s team, thereby facilitating her admission to USD. Although the student ultimately decided not to attend USD, Singer paid the varsity coach $10,000 for his help.
Case information, including the status of each defendant, charging documents and plea agreements are available here: https://www.justice.gov/usao-ma/investigations-college-admissions-and-testing-bribery-scheme.
The charge of racketeering conspiracy provides for a sentence of up to 20 years in prison, three years of supervised release, a fine of $250,000 or twice the gross gain or loss, whichever is greater and restitution. Sentences are imposed by a federal district court judge based upon the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors.
United States Attorney Andrew E. Lelling; Joseph R. Bonavolonta, Special Agent in Charge of the Federal Bureau of Investigation, Boston Field Division; and Kristina O’Connell, Special Agent in Charge of the Internal Revenue Service’s Criminal Investigations in Boston made the announcement today. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Eric S. Rosen, Justin D. O’Connell, Leslie A. Wright and Kristen A. Kearney of Lelling’s Securities and Financial Fraud Unit prosecuted the case.
Former Executive Assistant Pleads Guilty in Connection with Embezzling over $3 MillionRead the Press Release
BOSTON – The former executive assistant of a Waltham-based technology company pleaded guilty today in connection with a fraud and embezzlement scheme that netted over $3 million.
Shivani Patel, 38, of Vineyard Haven, pleaded guilty to one count each of bank fraud, money laundering and filing false tax returns. U.S. District Court Judge Leo T. Sorokin scheduled sentencing for Jan. 13, 2020. According to the terms of the plea agreement, the government will recommend a sentence of 57 months in prison, three years of supervised release, a fine between $20,000 and $200,000, restitution and forfeiture.
As an executive assistant to the chief financial officer, Patel’s duties included retrieving incoming mail containing customer checks made payable to her employer, recording the checks into the payment system and depositing the checks into her employer’s bank account.
From at least February 2012 through July 2017, Patel embezzled approximately $3,076,369 from her then employer for her personal use. Specifically, in February 2012, Patel created a company with a name nearly identical to that of her then employer — using her employer’s name but just adding an “s” to the end — and opened a business banking account in the sham company’s name. Thereafter, Patel took customer checks payable to her employer from the mail, deposited those checks into the sham company’s bank account, and concealed her embezzlement by making false entries in her employer’s billing system. To disguise and conceal the nature of these funds, Patel funneled this money through multiple bank accounts.
In addition, Patel filed income tax returns for the tax years 2012 through 2016 in which she intentionally underreported her income by failing to disclose the money she had stolen from her employer.
The charge of bank fraud provides for a sentence of up to 30 years in prison, five years of supervised release, a fine of $1 million, restitution and forfeiture. The charge of money laundering provides for a sentence of up to 20 years, three years of supervised release, a fine of $500,000 or twice the amount involved in the transaction, restitution and forfeiture. The charge of filing false tax returns provides for a sentence of up to three years in prison, one year of supervised release, a fine of $100,000, restitution and forfeiture. Sentences are imposed by a federal district court judge based on the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors.
United States Attorney Andrew E. Lelling; Joseph R. Bonavolonta, Special Agent in Charge of the Federal Bureau of Investigation, Boston Field Division; and Kristina O’Connell, Special Agent in Charge of the Internal Revenue Service’s Criminal Investigations in Boston, made the announcement today. Assistant U.S. Attorney Justin D. O’Connell of Lelling’s Securities and Financial Fraud Unit is prosecuting the case.
Former Department of Justice Information Technology Specialist Sentenced to Federal Prison for Possession of Child PornographyRead the Press Release
TALLAHASSEE, FLORIDA – Robert Thomas Darenberg, 34, of Jacksonville, was sentenced today to
forty-eight months in federal prison for possession of child pornography. The Court ordered that
Darenberg pay $15,000.00 in restitution, serve 10 years of supervised release following his prison
term, and register as a sex offender upon his release from prison. Lawrence Keefe, United States
Attorney for the Northern District of Florida, announced the sentence this afternoon.In November 2018, law enforcement officers received information that Darenberg, then employed as an
information technology specialist with the Middle District of Florida’s United States Attorney’s
Office, was in possession of child pornography. During the investigation, Darenberg was arrested on
a criminal complaint and a federal search warrant was authorized resulting in the seizure of his
personal computer and other digital media. A forensic review of Darenberg’s personal computer
confirmed his attempts to encrypt and conceal files containing approximately 1,630 images of child
pornography, including approximately 270 videos.“This information technology specialist thought he could outsmart law enforcement, but thanks to
the hard work of the Jacksonville Sheriff’s Office, the Northern District of Florida United States
Attorney’s Office, and HSI, he is facing the same consequences as every other criminal,” said HSI
Tampa Special Agent in Charge James C. Spero.Added U.S. Attorney Keefe: “Those who possess child pornography enable and participate in a
despicable practice that preys on the most innocent among us. There is a special place for that
kind of deviant mind – and for this defendant, that place is federal prison.”The case was investigated by Homeland Security Investigations, the Jacksonville Sheriff’s Office
and the Department of Justice Office of the Inspector General. The case was prosecuted by Assistant
United States Attorney Jason R. Coody.The United States Attorney's Office for the Northern District of Florida is one of 94 offices that
serve as the nation’s principal litigators under the direction of the Attorney General. To access
public court documents online, please visit the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of
Florida website. For more information about the United States Attorney’s Office, Northern
District of Florida, visit http://www.justice.gov/usao/fln/index.html.Former CEO of Pimco Pleads Guilty in College Admissions CaseRead the Press Release
BOSTON – A California man pleaded guilty today in federal court in Boston to using bribery and other forms of fraud to facilitate his children’s admission to the University of Southern California (USC) as purported athletic recruits.
Douglas Hodge, 61, of Laguna Beach, Calif., the former CEO of Pimco, pleaded guilty today to an indictment charging him with one count of conspiracy to commit mail and wire fraud and honest services mail and wire fraud and one count of conspiracy to commit money laundering. U.S. District Court Judge Nathaniel M. Gorton scheduled sentencing for Jan. 22, 2020.
Beginning in 2012, Hodge conspired with Rick Singer and others to pay a total of $525,000 to facilitate his younger daughter’s admission to USC as a purported soccer recruit and his son’s admission to USC as a purported football recruit. In September 2012, Singer sent high school transcripts for Hodge’s younger daughter to Laura Janke and Ali Khosroshahin, the coaches of the USC women’s soccer team. They fabricated a soccer profile for Hodge’s younger daughter, which was then submitted as part of her application to USC. In February 2013, a senior athletics administrator at USC, Donna Heinel, allegedly presented Hodge’s younger daughter to the USC subcommittee for athletic admissions – and based on the falsified soccer credentials – secured her admission to the university as a purported soccer recruit. On April 9, 2013, after Hodge’s younger daughter received a formal acceptance letter from USC, Hodge wired $150,000 to Singer’s for-profit college counseling business and $50,000 to Singer’s sham charity, Key Worldwide Foundation, to pay for the bribery scheme.
In January 2015, Singer e-mailed two falsified athletic profiles of Hodge’s son created by Janke—one relating for football, the other for tennis—to Hodge and instructed Hodge to e-mail them to the senior athletic director at USC. In February 2015, Hodge’s son was approved by the USC subcommittee for athletic admissions based on the falsified football credentials after being presented by the senior athletic director. In March 2015, Hodge mailed the athletic director a $75,000 check made payable to USC “Womens Athletic Board,” a fund she controlled, after Hodge’s son was formally accepted to USC. In April 2015, Hodge wired $125,000 to Singer’s business and $125,000 to Singer’s sham charity to pay for the bribery scheme.
Case information, including the status of each defendant, charging documents and plea agreements are available here: https://www.justice.gov/usao-ma/investigations-college-admissions-and-testing-bribery-scheme.
The charge of conspiracy to commit mail and wire fraud and honest services mail and wire fraud provides for a maximum sentence of 20 years in prison, three years of supervised release, and a fine of $250,000 or twice the gross gain or loss, whichever is greater. The charge of conspiracy to commit money laundering provides for a maximum sentence of 20 years in prison, three years of supervised release, and a fine of $500,000 or twice the value of the property involved in the money laundering. Sentences are imposed by a federal district court judge based upon the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors.
United States Attorney Andrew E. Lelling; Joseph R. Bonavolonta, Special Agent in Charge of the Federal Bureau of Investigation, Boston Field Division; and Kristina O’Connell, Special Agent in Charge of the Internal Revenue Service’s Criminal Investigations in Boston, made the announcement today. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Eric S. Rosen, Justin D. O’Connell, Leslie A. Wright and Kristen A. Kearney of Lelling’s Securities and Financial Fraud Unit are prosecuting the cases.
The details contained in the court documents are allegations and the remaining defendants are presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.
Downstate Man Sentenced for His Role in Identity Theft ScamRead 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 Michael Wright, 56, of New York, NY, who was convicted of conspiracy to commit wire fraud and aggravated identity theft, was sentenced to serve 42 months in prison by U.S. District Judge Richard J. Arcara. The defendant was also ordered to pay $57,300 in restitution.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Jonathan P. Cantil, who handled the case, stated that between December 2016 and September 2018, the defendant conspired with Jeriel Slay, Angela Slay, Sirr Wright, and others to defraud multiple victims. As a part of their scheme, Jeriel and Angela Slay, who are siblings, stole the identities of unsuspecting individuals and created fictitious Limited Liability Companies (LLCs), with company names indicating ownership by the victims. The defendants then opened bank accounts under the names of the LLCs and fraudulently transferred money from a victim’s actual bank account to the LLC bank account.
For example, Jeriel Slay fraudulently obtained Victim 1’s name, address, birthdate, social security number, and other information, and then opened an LLC, and a bank account in the name of the fraudulent LLC. Jeriel Slay then contacted Victim 1’s legitimate financial institution and transferred money from Victim 1’s legitimate account via wire transfer to the fraudulent LLC bank account. Jeriel Slay, using device-making equipment, then created fraudulent driver’s licenses, fraudulent utility bills, and other identification documents in the name of Victim 1. The fraudulent driver’s license had Victim 1’s information but Michael Wright’s, image on the card. Using these fraudulent identification documents, defendant Wright went to the bank that serviced the fraudulent LLC bank account and withdrew the funds from that fraudulent account. Wright executed this scheme against approximately 10 victims, one of whom resides in the Western District of New York. The financial loss totaled $161,100.
Jeriel Slay, Angela Slay, and Sirr Wright were all previously convicted and are awaiting sentencing.
The sentencing is the result of an investigation by the Federal Bureau of Investigation, Buffalo Division, under the direction of Special Agent-in-Charge Gary Loeffert.
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Department of Justice to Publish Notice of Proposed Rulemaking to Comply Fully with DNA Fingerprint Act of 2005Read the Press Release
The Department of Justice today issued a notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM) that would restore to the Attorney General the authority vested in him by the bipartisan DNA Fingerprint Act of 2005 to authorize and direct the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) to collect DNA samples from the non-United States persons it detains. Once implemented, this rule will facilitate federal, state, and local crime reduction and investigation efforts.
“The proposed rule change would help to save lives and bring criminals to justice by restoring the authority of the Attorney General to authorize and direct the collection of DNA from non-United States persons detained at the border and the interior by DHS, with the ultimate goal of reducing victimization of innocent citizens,” said Deputy Attorney General Jeffrey A. Rosen. “Today’s proposed rule change is a lawful exercise of the Attorney General’s authority, provided by Congress, to collect DNA samples from non-United States persons who are properly detained under the authority of the United States.”
As a result of this rule change, the Department of Justice will ensure that all federal agencies—including DHS—are in full compliance with the bipartisan DNA Fingerprint Act, which was a component of a larger legislative package that passed the House of Representatives by an overwhelming vote of 415 to four and the Senate by Unanimous Consent. The DNA Fingerprint Act provided the Attorney General with the exclusive authority to draft regulations to authorize and direct any federal agency to “collect DNA samples from individuals who are arrested, facing charges, or convicted or from non-United States persons who are detained under the authority of the United States.” 24 U.S.C. § 40702(a)(1)(A).
On Dec. 10, 2008, the Department of Justice published in the Federal Register a final rule implementing the collection of DNA samples under the DNA Fingerprint Act. That rule included a provision at 28 C.F.R. § 28.12(b)(4) that permitted DHS to exempt itself from collecting DNA samples from its non-United States citizen detainees by consulting with the Attorney General. Today’s proposed rule change would eliminate that exception, and restore to the Attorney General the plenary authority to authorize and direct federal agencies’ DNA collection efforts that Congress vested in him on an overwhelmingly bipartisan basis in the DNA Fingerprint Act.
Since Congress’ passage of the bipartisan DNA Fingerprint Act, the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) has built a high-throughput DNA sample processing infrastructure through its Combined DNA Index System (CODIS). The CODIS database is a vital tool for federal, state, and local law enforcement investigations. All fifty states, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico, and federal law enforcement participate in the national sharing of DNA profiles through CODIS. The FBI also has consistently reduced the operational burden for individual federal agencies to collect DNA through technological enhancements.
In advance of this rule change, the Department of Justice and DHS have been working collaboratively to initiate a pilot program for the collection of DNA from non-U.S. persons detained by DHS. As with all other DNA samples that federal agencies collect under the authority of the bipartisan DNA Fingerprint Act, the DNA samples that DHS collects from its non-United States person detainees will be entered into the Federal Bureau of Investigation’s Combined DNA Index System (CODIS). The FBI’s laboratory has the capacity to handle the increased input from DHS, and its capabilities can be scaled up to meet additional capacity. The FBI will provide DHS with the DNA collection kits, analyze the samples, and ensure that law enforcement agencies use the results in accordance with the FBI’s stringent CODIS privacy requirements.
Department of Justice awards more than $85.3 million in grants to address school violenceRead the Press Release
WASHINGTON – Today, the Department of Justice announced it has awarded more than $85.3 million to bolster school security—including funding to educate and train students and faculty—and support first responders who arrive on the scene of a school shooting or other violent incident.
“These federal resources will help to prevent school violence and give our students the support they need to learn, grow, and thrive,’ said Attorney General William P. Barr. “By training faculty, students and first responders, and by improving school security measures, we can make schools and their communities safer.”
“Preventing school violence is critically important. We are appreciative that the Department of Justice provided the additional resources to schools in the Eastern District of Kentucky,” said Robert M. Duncan Jr., United States Attorney for the Eastern District of Kentucky. “These resources will help ensure a safe and secure learning environment for students and ultimately make schools and communities safer.”
The grants award more than $1.7 million in funding to prevent violence in schools in the Eastern District of Kentucky. President Trump signed the STOP School Violence Act into law in March 2018, authorizing grants that are designed to improve threat assessments, train students and faculty to provide tips and leads, and prepare law enforcement officers and emergency professionals to respond to school shootings and other violent incidents. The grant programs are managed by OJP’s Bureau of Justice Assistance and the Justice Department’s Office of Community Oriented Policing Services.
The Bureau of Justice Assistance, within the Department’s Office of Justice Programs, and the Office of Community Oriented Policing Services manage the programs and administer the grants, which include funds to:
- Develop school threat assessment teams and pursue technological solutions to improve reporting of suspicious activity in and around schools;
- Implement or improve school safety measures, including coordination with law enforcement, as well as the use of metal detectors, locks, lighting and other deterrent measures;
- Train law enforcement to help deter student violence against others and themselves;
- Improve notification to first responders through implementation of technology that expedites emergency notifications;
- Develop and operate anonymous reporting systems to encourage safe reporting of potential school threats;
- Train school officials to intervene when mentally ill individuals threaten school safety; and
- Provide training and technical assistance to schools and other awardees in helping implement these programs.
For more details about these individual award programs, as well as listings of individual 2019 awardees, visit https://go.usa.gov/xVJuV
About the Office of Justice Programs:
The Office of Justice Programs, directed by Principal Deputy Assistant Attorney General Katharine T. Sullivan, provides federal leadership, grants, training, technical assistance and other resources to improve the nation’s capacity to prevent and reduce crime, assist victims and enhance the rule of law by strengthening the criminal justice system. More information about OJP and its components can be found at www.ojp.gov.
About the Office of Community Oriented Policing Services:
The COPS Office is a federal agency responsible for advancing community policing nationwide. Since 1994, the COPS Office has invested more than $14 billion to advance community policing, including grants awarded to more than 13,000 state, local and tribal law enforcement agencies to fund the hiring and redeployment of approximately 130,000 officers and provide a variety of knowledge resource products including publications, training and technical assistance. For additional information about the COPS Office, please visit www.cops.usdoj.gov.
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Department of Justice Awards more than $85.3 Million in Grants to Address School ViolenceRead the Press Release
WASHINGTON – Today, the Department of Justice announced it has awarded more than $85.3 million to bolster school security—including funding to educate and train students and faculty—and support first responders who arrive on the scene of a school shooting or other violent incident.
“These federal resources will help to prevent school violence and give our students the support they need to learn, grow, and thrive,’ said Attorney General William P. Barr. “By training faculty, students and first responders, and by improving school security measures, we can make schools and their communities safer.”
“The safety and security of our citizens, especially our children, is one of the most important duties we have in government, and this funding will go a long way in helping these schools prevent future violence and protect our kids from violent acts. I applaud the Department for investing in our educational institutions and giving administrators and teachers the tools they need in order to safeguard our future generations,” said U.S. Attorney Hurst.
The grants award more than $544,000 in funding to prevent violence in schools in the Southern District of Mississippi. President Trump signed the STOP School Violence Act into law in March 2018, authorizing grants that are designed to improve threat assessments, train students and faculty to provide tips and leads, and prepare law enforcement officers and emergency professionals to respond to school shootings and other violent incidents. The grant programs are managed by OJP’s Bureau of Justice Assistance and the Justice Department’s Office of Community Oriented Policing Services.
Pearl River County School District:
The Pearl River County School District received $143,285 under BJA’s STOP School Violence Prevention and Mental Health Training Program. This program is designed to provide multi-disciplinary training programs to school personnel and students (including volunteers, counselors, coaches and school resource officers) with the intent to prevent and respond to mental health crises that may precipitate violent attacks on school grounds. The training will address critical issues such as bullying, addiction and interpersonal violence through education sessions in consultation with school violence researchers, licensed mental health professionals, social workers, teachers, principals and other school personnel.
Long Beach and Petal School Districts:
The Long Beach School District received $374,834 and the Petal School District received $26,550 under the COPS’ School Violence Prevention Program. This funding is intended to improve school safety through violence prevention, through coordination with law enforcement, training for local law enforcements officers to prevent student violence, metal detectors, locks, lighting and other deterrent measures, technology for expedited notification of local law enforcement during an emergency, and other measures to improve school security.
For more details about these individual award programs, as well as listings of individual 2019 awardees, visit https://go.usa.gov/xVJuV
Department of Justice Awards More than $85.3 Million in Grants to Address School ViolenceRead the Press Release
Today, the Department of Justice announced it has awarded more than $85.3 million to bolster school security — including funding to educate and train students and faculty — and support first responders who arrive on the scene of a school shooting or other violent incident.
“These federal resources will help to prevent school violence and give our students the support they need to learn, grow, and thrive,’ said Attorney General William P. Barr. “By training faculty, students and first responders, and by improving school security measures, we can make schools and their communities safer.”
The 2018 STOP School Violence Act authorized the Department of Justice to create a series of grant award programs under a School Violence Prevention Program. This year, the Department made 215 awards to schools, districts and other jurisdictions throughout the United States.
The Bureau of Justice Assistance, within the Department’s Office of Justice Programs, and the Office of Community Oriented Policing Services manage the programs and administer the grants, which include funds to:
- Develop school threat assessment teams and pursue technological solutions to improve reporting of suspicious activity in and around schools;
- Implement or improve school safety measures, including coordination with law enforcement, as well as the use of metal detectors, locks, lighting and other deterrent measures;
- Train law enforcement to help deter student violence against others and themselves;
- Improve notification to first responders through implementation of technology that expedites emergency notifications;
- Develop and operate anonymous reporting systems to encourage safe reporting of potential school threats;
- Train school officials to intervene when mentally ill individuals threaten school safety; and
- Provide training and technical assistance to schools and other awardees in helping implement these programs.
More details about these individual award programs, as well as listings of individual 2019 awardees, can be found here.
About the Office of Justice Programs:
The Office of Justice Programs, directed by Principal Deputy Assistant Attorney General Katharine T. Sullivan, provides federal leadership, grants, training, technical assistance and other resources to improve the nation’s capacity to prevent and reduce crime, assist victims and enhance the rule of law by strengthening the criminal justice system. More information about OJP and its components can be found at www.ojp.gov.
About the Office of Community Oriented Policing Services:
The COPS Office is a federal agency responsible for advancing community policing nationwide. Since 1994, the COPS Office has invested more than $14 billion to advance community policing, including grants awarded to more than 13,000 state, local and tribal law enforcement agencies to fund the hiring and redeployment of approximately 130,000 officers and provide a variety of knowledge resource products including publications, training and technical assistance. For additional information about the COPS Office, please visit www.cops.usdoj.gov.
Department of Justice Awards More than $85.3 Million in Grants to Address School ViolenceRead the Press Release
Portland, Maine: Today, the Department of Justice announced it has awarded more than $85.3 million to bolster school security—including funding to educate and train students and faculty—and support first responders who arrive on the scene of a school shooting or other violent incident.
“These federal resources will help to prevent school violence and give our students the support they need to learn, grow, and thrive,’ said Attorney General William P. Barr. “By training faculty, students and first responders, and by improving school security measures, we can make schools and their communities safer.”
The grants award more than $1.25 million in funding to prevent violence in Maine schools. The following school administrative units received funding under the School Violence Prevention Program of the Office of Community Oriented Policing Services (COPS Office):
Awardee
Amount of Award
School Administrative District 15
(Gray, New Gloucester)
$494,850
Regional School Unit No. 52
(Greene, Leeds, Turner)
$324,108
Sanford School Department
$216,221
School Administrative District 30
(Lee, Springfield, Webster, Winn)
$181,767
Regional School Unit No. 38
(Manchester, Mount Vernon, Readfield, Wayne)
$40,500
“These grants to Maine schools will assist local districts in preventing violence in schools and enhancing the safety of Maine schoolchildren, U.S. Attorney Halsey B. Frank said. “The Department of Justice, and the U.S. Attorney’s Office, are committed to working with our local partners to ensure schools are safe places in which to learn. In particular, we believe that current best practice is the use of multi-disciplinary teams to assess and respond to school threats.”
President Trump signed the STOP School Violence Act into law in March 2018, authorizing grants that are designed to improve threat assessments, train students and faculty to provide tips and leads, and prepare law enforcement officers and emergency professionals to respond to school shootings and other violent incidents. The grant programs are managed by the Bureau of Justice Assistance and the COPS Office.
The Bureau of Justice Assistance, within the Department’s Office of Justice Programs, and the COPS Office manage the programs and administer the grants, which include funds to:
- Develop school threat assessment teams and pursue technological solutions to improve reporting of suspicious activity in and around schools;
- Implement or improve school safety measures, including coordination with law enforcement, as well as the use of metal detectors, locks, lighting and other deterrent measures;
- Train law enforcement to help deter student violence against others and themselves;
- Improve notification to first responders through implementation of technology that expedites emergency notifications;
- Develop and operate anonymous reporting systems to encourage safe reporting of potential school threats;
- Train school officials to intervene when mentally ill individuals threaten school safety; and
- Provide training and technical assistance to schools and other awardees in helping implement these programs.
For more details about these individual award programs, as well as listings of individual 2019 awardees, visit https://go.usa.gov/xVJuV
About the Office of Justice Programs:
The Office of Justice Programs, directed by Principal Deputy Assistant Attorney General Katharine T. Sullivan, provides federal leadership, grants, training, technical assistance and other resources to improve the nation’s capacity to prevent and reduce crime, assist victims and enhance the rule of law by strengthening the criminal justice system. More information about OJP and its components can be found at www.ojp.gov.
About the Office of Community Oriented Policing Services:
The COPS Office is a federal agency responsible for advancing community policing nationwide. Since 1994, the COPS Office has invested more than $14 billion to advance community policing, including grants awarded to more than 13,000 state, local and tribal law enforcement agencies to fund the hiring and redeployment of approximately 130,000 officers and provide a variety of knowledge resource products including publications, training and technical assistance. For additional information about the COPS Office, please visit www.cops.usdoj.gov.
Department of Justice Awards More Than 85.3 Million in Grants to Address School ViolenceRead the Press Release
WASHINGTON – Today, the Department of Justice announced it has awarded more than $85.3 million to bolster school security—including funding to educate and train students and faculty—and support first responders who arrive on the scene of a school shooting or other violent incident.
“These federal resources will help to prevent school violence and give our students the support they need to learn, grow, and thrive,” said Attorney General William P. Barr. “By training faculty, students and first responders, and by improving school security measures, we can make schools and their communities safer.”
“The US Attorney’s office continues to support all efforts to create safe environments for students, faculty, and staff,” said U.S. Attorney J. Douglas Overbey of the Eastern District of Tennessee. “Our office is pleased to announce these federal resources will be put to use within our district, and I am confident they will be used to improve school security and add to our community’s collective peace of mind.”
The grants award more than $470,000 in funding to prevent violence in schools in the Eastern District of Tennessee. President Trump signed the STOP School Violence Act into law in March 2018, authorizing grants that are designed to improve threat assessments, train students and faculty to provide tips and leads, and prepare law enforcement officers and emergency professionals to respond to school shootings and other violent incidents. The grant programs are managed by OJP’s Bureau of Justice Assistance and the Justice Department’s Office of Community Oriented Policing Services.
The Bureau of Justice Assistance, within the Department’s Office of Justice Programs, and the Office of Community Oriented Policing Services manage the programs and administer the grants, which include funds to:
- Develop school threat assessment teams and pursue technological solutions to improve reporting of suspicious activity in and around schools;
- Implement or improve school safety measures, including coordination with law enforcement, as well as the use of metal detectors, locks, lighting and other deterrent measures;
- Train law enforcement to help deter student violence against others and themselves;
- Improve notification to first responders through implementation of technology that expedites emergency notifications;
- Develop and operate anonymous reporting systems to encourage safe reporting of potential school threats;
- Train school officials to intervene when mentally ill individuals threaten school safety; and
- Provide training and technical assistance to schools and other awardees in helping implement these programs.
For more details about these individual award programs, as well as listings of individual 2019 awardees, visit here.
About the Office of Justice Programs:
The Office of Justice Programs, directed by Principal Deputy Assistant Attorney General Katharine T. Sullivan, provides federal leadership, grants, training, technical assistance and other resources to improve the nation’s capacity to prevent and reduce crime, assist victims and enhance the rule of law by strengthening the criminal justice system. More information about OJP and its components can be found at www.ojp.gov.
About the Office of Community Oriented Policing Services:
The COPS Office is a federal agency responsible for advancing community policing nationwide. Since 1994, the COPS Office has invested more than $14 billion to advance community policing, including grants awarded to more than 13,000 state, local and tribal law enforcement agencies to fund the hiring and redeployment of approximately 130,000 officers and provide a variety of knowledge resource products including publications, training and technical assistance. For additional information about the COPS Office, please visit www.cops.usdoj.gov.
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