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Friday 13 September 2019
Shreveport resident sentenced to 3 years in prison for possessing two loaded firearms during traffic stopRead the Press Release
SHREVEPORT, La. – United States Attorney David C. Joseph announced that Marcell Deangelo Lewis, 24, of Shreveport, was sentenced Thursday to 36 months in prison and three years of supervised release by Chief U.S. District Judge S. Maurice Hicks Jr. for being a felon in possession of firearms. He previously pleaded guilty on June 3, 2019.
A Shreveport Police officer conducted a traffic stop on Lewis’ vehicle on March 19, 2018, on Interstate 49 near Hollywood Street for a speeding violation. After making contact with Lewis, the officer immediately smelled marijuana and conducted a search of the vehicle. The officer found a Colt, Model: Trooper MKIII, .357-caliber revolver loaded with six rounds in the center console and a Glock, Model: 23, .40-caliber pistol loaded with 21 rounds of ammunition on the passenger floorboard. Lewis claimed ownership of both firearms.
Lewis was convicted on December 12, 2018, in Caddo Parish District Court for possession with intent to distribute marijuana. Under federal law, a felon is prohibited from possessing a firearm or ammunition.
The ATF and Shreveport Police Department conducted the investigation. Assistant U.S. Attorney Brandon B. Brown prosecuted the case.
Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN) is the centerpiece of the Department of Justice’s violent crime reduction efforts. Project Safe Neighborhoods 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.
Rochester Man Pleads Guilty in Series of Six Armed RobberiesRead the Press Release
CONTACT: Barbara Burns
PHONE: (716) 843-5817
FAX #: (716) 551-3051ROCHESTER, N.Y. - U.S. Attorney James P. Kennedy, Jr. announced today that Lavon Wims, 27, of Rochester, NY, pleaded guilty before U.S. District Judge Elizabeth A. Wolford to six counts of Hobbs Act robbery. The charges carry a maximum penalty of 20 years in prison and a $250,000 fine.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Sean C. Eldridge, who is handling the case, stated that Wims admitted his role in a series of armed robberies at Rochester stores in December 2018 and January 2019, including:
• On December 28, 2018, at McDonalds on East Avenue in Rochester, Wims held a knife to the throat of a McDonald’s employee while co-conspirator Malik Lott displayed what appeared to be a handgun. Wims dragged the employee to a cash register and a safe, and removed approximately $2,534 from McDonald’s;
• On December 31, 2018, at the 24-7 Store on West Henrietta Road in Brighton, Wims jumped over the counter and held what appeared to be a handgun to the side of a store employee while demanding cash. Wims left with approximately $100 from the store;
• On January 19, 2019, at the Express Mart on Chestnut Ridge Road in Chili, Wims displayed what appeared to be a handgun to a store employee and walked the employee over to the register, where Wims removed approximately $600;
• On January 23, 2019 at Jordy’s Spirits on Dewey Avenue in Rochester, Wims pointed what appeared to be a handgun at a store employee and demanded money. Lott assisted Wims in removing cash from the register, and they left with approximately $350 from the store;
• On January 27, 2019, at the Speedway Gas Station on Elmwood Avenue in Brighton, Wims pointed what appeared to be a handgun at an employee and told the employee to open the registers. Wims then removed approximately $220 from the store, and left to commit another robbery; and
• About 8 minutes after the Speedway robbery, on January 27, 2019, at the Valero Gas Station on East Henrietta Road in Rochester, Wims pointed what appeared to be a handgun at an employee and told the employee to given him money. The employee opened the register, and Wims took approximately $60 and fled the store.Co-conspirator Malik Lott previously pleaded guilty to his role in robberies at McDonalds and Jordy’s Spirits. Lott is scheduled to be sentenced on October 28, 2019, at 10:30 am before Judge Wolford.
The plea is the result of an investigation by the Federal Bureau of Investigation’s Rochester Area Major Crimes Task Force, under the direction of Special Agent-in-Charge Gary Loeffert.
Wims is scheduled to be sentenced on November 25, 2019, at 2:00 p.m. before Judge Wolford.
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Recidivist Hacker Sentenced for Violating Supervised Release ConditionsRead the Press Release
BOSTON – A New Bedford man was sentenced yesterday for violating conditions of his supervised release by engaging in another cybercrime after being released from federal custody after two prior convictions.
Cameron Lacroix, 30, was sentenced by U.S. District Court Senior Judge Mark L. Wolf to 15 months in prison, to be served consecutively to a nine-month sentence previously imposed by U.S. District Court Chief Judge Patti B. Saris.
Lacroix was first convicted in 2014 of access device fraud and computer fraud for hacking into Bristol Community College’s computer servers using stolen log-in credentials and changing grades for himself and other students. Lacroix also hacked into law enforcement computer servers, including a local Massachusetts police department.
Lacroix was separately convicted with intentionally causing damage to a protected computer in connection with hacking Twitter accounts for Jeep and Burger King.
Lacroix was sentenced for each case on Oct. 27, 2014, and Nov. 25, 2014, respectively, to 48 months in prison and three years of supervised release, to be served concurrently. Following his release from custody, and while serving a term of supervised release, Lacroix obtained employment, working as a manager for a company from approximately August to November 2018 when the company discovered that Lacroix had engaged in a fraud scheme that compromised the company’s computer system. The company discovered that Lacroix used the usernames and passwords of other employees to load funds onto pre-paid credit cards, which he then used to withdraw cash at ATMs. Thereafter, the Court revoked Lacroix’s supervised release in both criminal cases. Judge Saris sentenced Lacroix to nine months for the violation and, yesterday, Judge Wolf sentenced Lacroix to 15 months in prison, to be served consecutively.
United States Attorney Andrew E. Lelling and Joseph R. Bonavolonta, Special Agent in Charge of the Federal Bureau of Investigation, Boston Field Division made the announcement today. Assistant U.S. Attorney Mackenzie A. Queenin of Lelling’s Cybercrime Unit handled the matter.
Plano Federal Prosecutor Honored by North Texas Crime CommissionRead the Press Release
PLANO, Texas – The North Texas Crime Commission (NTCC) recognized an Eastern District of Texas federal prosecutor as the 2019 Prosecutor of the Year at their monthly membership meeting on Sep. 12, 2019 in Dallas.
Assistant United States Attorney Marisa Miller was honored as Prosecutor of the Year specifically for her outstanding achievements in the areas of combating child exploitation and human trafficking. The award was presented by NTCC Chair David Dean and U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of Texas, Joseph D. Brown.
AUSA Miller is the Project Safe Childhood Coordinator for the Eastern District of Texas, responsible for the coordination of all of the district’s prosecution of crimes against children and human trafficking. Prior to joining the Eastern District of Texas in 2014, AUSA Miller spent six years as Project Safe Childhood Coordinator for the Western District of New York. Throughout her tenure with the United States Attorney’s Offices in Texas and New York, AUSA Miller has prosecuted crimes against vulnerable persons, including the production of child pornography; the receipt, transportation, distribution and possession of child pornography; enticement of minors, transporting minors in interstate commerce for illegal sexual activity, travel in interstate and foreign commerce for illegal sexual activity, sex trafficking of children, and transportation of individuals in interstate commerce for commercial sex. AUSA Miller received her BA from Bryn Mawr College and her juris doctorate from the University of Michigan Law School.
The North Texas Crime Commission (NTCC) recognized Eastern District of Texas federal prosecutor as the 2019 Prosecutor of the Year (Attorney in Charge of the Plano Office AUSA Jay Combs, AUSA Marisa Miller, First Assistant U.S. Attorney Heather Rattan)Also honored were Department of Homeland Security, Homeland Security Investigations, Special Agent Jason Mitchell as 2019 Federal Agency Officer of the Year and Plano Police Detective Jeffrey Rich as 2019 State/Local Prosecutor of the Year.
“Marisa Miller works very hard to fight child abuse,” said U.S. Attorney Joe Brown. “Whether it is rooting out child predators, bringing law enforcement agencies together, or educating parents on the online threats to their children, Ms. Miller has been a leader in the fight. We are very proud of her efforts.”
The North Texas Crime Commission (formerly the Greater Dallas Crime Commission) was established in 1950. Its belief is that proper enforcement and enlightened prevention can be achieved through a comprehensive and cooperative effort involving concerned citizens and law enforcement. In addition to monthly membership breakfasts, the NTCC travels to Austin monthly during the Legislative Session to meet with key lawmakers and annually to Washington, D.C., to meet with law enforcement officials and lawmakers.
Headshot AUSA Marisa MillerPawtucket Man Sentenced for Selling Firearm, Crack Cocaine to Undercover OfficerRead the Press Release
PROVIDENCE – A Pawtucket man who sold a firearm and crack cocaine to an undercover Massachusetts law enforcement officer was sentenced Thursday to one year and a day in federal prison, to be followed by three years supervised release, the first six months to be served in a Pawtucket residential reentry center.
Gary Pagnozzi, 60, of Pawtucket, admitted to selling a .44 caliber revolver and 3.5 grams of crack cocaine to the undercover law enforcement officer on April 5, 2018, the same day he retrieved the firearm from the residence of an inmate incarcerated at the Rhode Island Adult Correctional Institutions (ACI). The inmate, 24-year-old Ricardo Dominquez, called Pagnozzi from inside the ACI and asked him to retrieve and sell the firearm. That same day, Pagnozzi arranged to sell the firearm to a person he knew to be a Massachusetts resident. Pagnozzi arranged to meet the person, an undercover law enforcement officer, in Massachusetts where he sold him the firearm for $500 and 3.5 grams of crack cocaine for $200.
Pagnozzi, who pleaded guilty on June 25, 2019, to transferring a firearm to an out-of-state resident and to distribution of cocaine base, was sentenced Thursday by U.S. District Court Judge John J. McConnell, Jr., to one year and one day in federal prison, to be followed by three years supervised release, the first six months to be served at the Neil J. Houston Jr. House, announced United States Attorney Aaron L. Weisman and Special Agent in Charge of the Boston Field Division of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) Kelly D. Brady.
Dominquez, who was released from the ACI on April 11, 2018, contacted the out-of-state law enforcement officer and offered to sell him crack cocaine. Dominquez, arrested on May 22, 2019, for twice selling crack cocaine to the law enforcement officer, pleaded guilty in federal court on April 19, 2019, to two counts of distribution of cocaine base. He is scheduled to be sentenced by U.S. District Court Chief Judge William E. Smith on September 23, 2019.
The cases are being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Milind M. Shah. The matters were investigated by ATF and the Rhode Island ATF Task Force.
United States Attorney Aaron L, Weisman thanks the Department of Corrections for their assistance in the investigation of Gary Pagnozzi.
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Paradise Valley Man Sentenced to Prison for Tax EvasionRead the Press Release
PHOENIX – This week, U.S. District Judge Steven P. Logan sentenced John Chandler Propstra, 47, of Paradise Valley, Ariz., to 21 months in prison and three years of supervised release. The Court also ordered Propstra to pay more than $700,000 in restitution to the Internal Revenue Service. Propstra had previously pleaded guilty to tax evasion.
Propstra owned and operated several professional employment organizations, which contracted with small business owners to provide payroll services. Propstra, through his companies, collected federal employment taxes from his clients. However, instead of paying the taxes over to the IRS as he contracted to do, Propstra kept a significant portion of the taxes for his own personal use. To conceal his theft, Propstra filed false employment tax returns with the IRS, which overstated the tax payments he purportedly made. He eventually stopped filing employment tax returns altogether. Propstra also failed to file accurate wage reports with the Social Security Administration, which the IRS could have used to cross-check against Propstra’s IRS filings and tax payments. For tax years 2010 and 2011, Propstra failed to pay over to the IRS $710,819.05 in federal employment taxes due and owing by his companies Star Human Resources, Star H Resources, Star HR, and Prop HR. Propstra’s other companies included Guaranteed HR Consulting, HR Rock, Rock HR, Consulting Guaranteed, and Rock Solid Consulting.
The investigation in this case was conducted by Internal Revenue Service Criminal Investigation. The prosecution was handled by Bridget Minder and Peter Sexton, Assistant United States Attorneys, District of Arizona, Phoenix.
Otsego Man Sentenced to 28 Years in Prison for Production of Child PornographyRead the Press Release
United States Attorney Erica H. MacDonald announced the sentencing of NICHOLAS SCOTT CAMPBELL, 37, to 28 years in prison for producing child pornography involving two minors. CAMPBELL, who pleaded guilty on April 8, 2019, to one count of production of child pornography, was sentenced today before Judge Susan Richard Nelson in U.S. District Court in St. Paul, Minnesota.
“The sexual exploitation of children is a despicable and vile crime. This defendant, who preyed on and exploited vulnerable children for years, will now be held accountable for his actions, locked away in prison for decades,” said U.S. Attorney Erica MacDonald.
"It is unthinkable, but every single year thousands of children become victims of crimes like this," said FBI Minneapolis Special Agent in Charge, Jill Sanborn. "The FBI's Violent Crimes Against Children program takes these crimes seriously and commits significant resources to provide rapid, proactive and comprehensive response to get defendants like this off the streets and into prison for a very long time."
According to the defendant’s guilty plea and documents filed in court, in February 2017, the FBI began investigating CAMPBELL because he was using a peer-to-peer file-sharing platform to distribute child pornography. Following the execution of a federal search warrant at CAMPBELL’s residence, agents seized a large volume of electronic evidence. Upon review of the evidence by the FBI and National Center for Missing and Exploited Children (NCMEC), agents determined that CAMPBELL had produced sexually explicit images and videos of two minors. As part of his guilty plea, CAMPBELL admitted to creating the images and videos, and to engaging in a pattern of prohibited sexual conduct with the minors.
This case was brought as part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative to combat the growing epidemic of child sexual exploitation and abuse launched in May 2006 by the Department of Justice. Led by U.S. Attorneys’ Offices and the Criminal Division’s Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section, Project Safe Childhood marshals federal, state and local resources to better locate, apprehend and prosecute individuals who exploit children via the Internet, as well as to identify and rescue victims. For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit www.projectsafechildhood.gov.
This case was the result of an investigation conducted by the FBI.
Assistant United States Attorney Katharine T. Buzicky prosecuted the case.
Defendant Information:
NICHOLAS SCOTT CAMPBELL, 37
Otsego, Minn.
Convicted:
- Production of child pornography, 1 count
Sentenced:
- 336 months in prison
- 25 years of supervised release
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United States Attorney’s Office, District of Minnesota: (612) 664-5600
Operation High Tide Results in over a Dozen Defendants Indicted on Narcotics Trafficking and Firearms ChargesRead the Press Release
NORFOLK, Va. – Over 100 law enforcement agents, officers, and other personnel executed Operation High Tide this week, which resulted in a series of arrests of individuals allegedly involved in selling drugs and guns in Norfolk, Chesapeake, and Portsmouth.
Operation High Tide is a large-scale narcotics trafficking and firearms investigation that has resulted in the recovery of over 65 firearms, over 7 kilograms of cocaine, nearly a kilogram of crack cocaine, over 625 grams of heroin, over 100 grams of fentanyl, 75 grams of acetyl fentanyl, 12 pounds of marijuana, 621 grams of hash oil, 24 grams of MDMA (commonly known as ecstasy), 120 grams of methamphetamine, and over $560,000 in cash. The narcotics seized have a street value of nearly $1 million.
“Operation High Tide is the latest highly-coordinated effort from federal, state, and local law enforcement to tackle violent crime in Hampton Roads,” said G. Zachary Terwilliger, U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of Virginia. “Through this operation, we are making our strong partnership known and felt in Hampton Roads, as we apprehend and remove from the streets those individuals who have allegedly committed serious offenses and put the safety of our communities in danger. Armed criminals are the principal players involved in the deadly cycles of turf battles and gang conflicts that deprive our neighborhoods and families of the peace and security they deserve. This coordinated operation reflects the skilled and brave work of our federal, state and local law enforcement partners, and is part of a law enforcement surge in this priority enforcement area for EDVA.”
The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) initiated Operation High Tide in collaboration with the Chesapeake, Norfolk, and Portsmouth Police Departments and the Virginia State Police. This Operation identified more than two dozen individuals throughout Hampton Roads who were illegally selling firearms, fentanyl, heroin, cocaine, and other narcotics.
“ATF’s priority is reducing violent crime,” said Ashan M. Benedict, Special Agent in Charge of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives’ (ATF) Washington Field Division. “Criminals often utilize firearms as tools of their trade causing harm to our communities. This case illustrates ATF’s commitment to effective law enforcement partnerships and dedication to keeping our cities safe.”
“The safety and well-being of Virginia residents and visitors was positively impacted as a result of this comprehensive investigation and joint operation with our law enforcement partners,” said Jesse R. Fong, Special Agent in Charge for the Drug Enforcement Administration’s (DEA) Washington Field Division. “The DEA is committed to working with our federal, state, and local partners on operations such as this one, to safely remove violent criminals, guns, and drugs from our neighborhoods.”
Below is a table which lists the name, age, hometown, and respective charge(s) each defendant faces or faced. Defendants in state custody awaiting transfer to federal custody are not listed.
Name, Age
Hometown
Charges
Brian D. Best, 34
Virginia Beach
1 Count of Conspiracy to Distribute and Possess Methamphetamine; 1 Count of Distribution of Methamphetamine
Antisha Carrington, 25
Virginia Beach
1 Count of Conspiracy to Distribute and Possess with Intent to Distribute Cocaine, Heroin, Fentanyl, and Marijuana; 1 Count of Distribution of Marijuana; 3 Counts of Distribution of Heroin
Kawanta D. Epps, 40
Norfolk
1 Count of Conspiracy to Distribute and Possess with Intent to Distribute Cocaine, Heroin, Fentanyl, and Marijuana; 9 Counts of Distribution of Heroin; 4 Counts of Distribution of Fentanyl
Anthony L. Green, 48
Chesapeake
1 Count of Conspiracy to Distribute and Possess with Intent to Distribute Cocaine, Heroin, Fentanyl, and Marijuana; 5 Counts of Distribution of Heroin; 1 Count of Distribution of Fentanyl
Corey L. Jones, 50
Portsmouth
1 Count of Conspiracy to Manufacture, Distribute, and Possess with Intent to Manufacture and Distribute Heroin; 11 Counts of Distribution of Heroin, Fentanyl, Acetyl Fentanyl, and Cocaine; 3 Counts of Distribution of 10 Grams or more of Acetyl Fentanyl
Dominic D. Jones, 26
Portsmouth
1 Count of Conspiracy to Manufacture, Distribute, and Possess with Intent to Manufacture and Distribute Heroin; 3 Counts of Distribution of Heroin, Fentanyl, Acetyl Fentanyl, and Cocaine; 1 Count of Possess, Use, and Carry Firearm in Furtherance and in Relation to Drug-Trafficking Crime; 1 Count of Felon in Possession of Firearm
Malcolm D. Jones, 45
Portsmouth
1 Count of Conspiracy to Manufacture, Distribute, and Possess with Intent to Manufacture and Distribute Heroin; 13 Counts of Distribution of Heroin, Fentanyl, Acetyl Fentanyl, and Cocaine; 3 Counts of Distribution of 10 Grams or More of Acetyl Fentanyl;
Shon E. Melton, 30
Portsmouth
3 Counts of Distribution of Heroin; 1 Count of Possession of Firearms During and In Relation to a Drug Trafficking Crime; 1 Count of Possession of an Unregistered National Firearms Act Firearm
Gary Norfleet, 52
Chesapeake
1 Count of Possession with Intent to Distribute Cocaine; 1 Count of Felon in Possession of a Firearm
Jermaine Parker, 35
Chesapeake
6 Counts of Distribution of Fentanyl; 2 Counts of Possession of a Firearm in Furtherance of a Drug-Trafficking Crime; 5 Counts of Felon in Possession of a Firearm; 1 Count of Maintaining a Drug-Involved Premises
Corey S. Reed, 38
Norfolk
3 Counts of Distribution of Controlled Substances; 2 Counts of Possession with Intent to Distribute Controlled Substances
Jameel M. Simmons, 37
Portsmouth
1 Count of Possession with Intent to Distribute Heroin; 1 Count of Possession of a Firearm in Furtherance of a Drug Trafficking Crime
Jelami M. Smith, 43
Portsmouth
1 Count of Distribution of Heroin; 1 Count of Distribution of Fentanyl
Robert Spruill, 39
Chesapeake
1 Count of Conspiracy to Distribute and Possess Methamphetamine; 1 Count of Distribution of Methamphetamine
G. Zachery Terwilliger, U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of Virginia; Mark R. Herring, Attorney General of Virginia; Ashan M. Benedict, Special Agent in Charge of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives’ (ATF) Washington Field Division; Jesse R. Fong, Special Agent in Charge for the Drug Enforcement Administration’s (DEA) Washington Field Division; Colonel Gary T. Settle, Superintendent of Virginia State Police; Larry D. Boone, Chief of Norfolk Police, Col. K.L. Wright, Chief of Chesapeake Police, and Angela Greene, Chief of Portsmouth Police, made the announcement after the federal arrests were made and the indictments were unsealed.
This case was investigated by the ATF’s Norfolk Field Office, the Chesapeake, Norfolk, and Portsmouth Police Departments, and the Virginia State Police, with the assistance of the FBI, DEA, NCIS, and the U.S. Marshals. Attorneys from the Drug and Violent Crime Unit of the Norfolk Division of the U.S. Attorney’s Office, including Kristin G. Bird, Andrew C. Bosse, John F. Butler, Megan M. Cowles, Sherrie Capotosto, Kevin M. Comstock, Joseph E. DePadilla, William B. Jackson, Darryl Mitchell, and William D. Muhr are prosecuting the cases.
A copy of this press release may be found on the website of the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of Virginia. Related court documents and information may be found on the website of the District Court for the Eastern District of Virginia or on PACER by searching for Case Nos. 2:19-CR-80, 141, 145, 147, 149, 150, 154; and 2:18-CR-138.
An indictment contains allegations that a defendant has committed a crime. Every defendant is presumed to be innocent until and unless proven guilty in court.
Omaha Woman Sentenced for Distributing MethamphetamineRead the Press Release
United States Attorney Joe Kelly announced that Carrie Yelton, 35, of Omaha, Nebraska, was sentenced on September 12, 2019, to 24 months in prison by United States District Judge Robert F. Rossiter, Jr. for distributing five grams or more of actual methamphetamine. In addition to her prison term, Yelton will serve 3 years of supervised release following her release from prison.
On March 7, 2018, law enforcement officers utilized a confidential informant to buy methamphetamine from Yelton. The confidential informant purchased 21 grams of actual methamphetamine from Yelton for $550.
This case was investigated by the Sarpy County Sheriff’s Office.
Omaha Man Sentenced to 87 Months for Child PornographyRead the Press Release
United States Attorney Joe Kelly announced that Chad M. Pedersen, 36, was sentenced today in federal court in Omaha for receiving child pornography. The Honorable Robert F. Rossiter, Jr. sentenced Pedersen to 87 months’ imprisonment. There is no parole in the federal prison system. After his release from prison, Pedersen will serve a five-year term of supervised release and will be required to register as a sex offender. Pedersen was ordered to pay $2,000 in restitution to each of two minor victims whose images were among the more than 14,000 images of child pornography on his computer and storage devices.
In October 2016 Pedersen accessed an undercover website offering free child pornography. He obtained a password to the VIP section. There was no child pornography available on the undercover website. His IP address was noted by investigators.
In 2017 investigators with the FBI Omaha Child Exploitation Task Force served a search warrant on Pedersen’s Yahoo! accounts recovering 156 videos and more than 1,400 images of child pornography. A federal search warrant was executed on Pedersen’s Omaha residence in November, 2017. Two computers seized from his residence revealed 114 videos and more than 6,000 images of child pornography. The child pornography included numerous images involving infants and bondage.
This case was brought as part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative to combat the growing epidemic of child sexual exploitation and abuse launched in May 2006 by the Department of Justice. Led by United States Attorney’s Offices and the Criminal Division's Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section (CEOS), Project Safe Childhood marshals federal, state and local resources to better locate, apprehend and prosecute individuals who exploit children via the Internet, as well as to identify and rescue victims. For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit www.projectsafechildhood.gov.
This case was investigated by the Omaha FBI's Child Exploitation and Human Trafficking Task Force
Omaha Man Sentenced to 78 Months for Receiving Child PornographyRead the Press Release
United States Attorney Joe Kelly announced that Thomas I. Mawhiney, 31, was sentenced today in federal court in Omaha for receiving child pornography. The Honorable Robert F. Rossiter, Jr. sentenced Mawhiney to 78 months’ imprisonment. There is no parole in the federal prison system. After his release from prison, Mawhiney will serve a 10-year term of supervised release and will be required to register as a sex offender. His sentence will run consecutive to an undischarged state sentence in Oregon for armed robbery.
In June 2016 investigators with the FBI Child Exploitation Task Force identified a North Omaha residence offering to share child pornography by computer. A search warrant was executed on the residence on July 29, 2016. Mawhiney was identified as the individual downloading and sharing child pornography. His electronic devices held 50 videos and 4,000 images of child pornography. Many of the images depicted infants and toddlers engaged in various forms of sexual acts.
Mawhiney left Omaha shortly after the search. He was convicted of armed robbery in Oregon. His federal sentence will run consecutive to his state robbery conviction.
This case was brought as part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative to combat the growing epidemic of child sexual exploitation and abuse launched in May 2006 by the Department of Justice. Led by United States Attorney’s Offices and the Criminal Division's Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section (CEOS), Project Safe Childhood marshals federal, state and local resources to better locate, apprehend and prosecute individuals who exploit children via the Internet, as well as to identify and rescue victims. For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit www.projectsafechildhood.gov.
This case was investigated by the Omaha FBI's Child Exploitation and Human Trafficking Task Force
Ohio Gamer Sentenced in Deadly Swatting CaseRead the Press Release
WICHITA, KAN. – WICHITA, KAN. – An Ohio gamer involved in a swatting incident that led to a death was sentenced today to 15 months in prison, U.S. Attorney Stephen McAllister said. In addition, the defendant was ordered to pay $2,500 in restitution. After the prison term, he will serve two years on supervised release.
Casey S. Viner, 19, North College Hill, Ohio, pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy and one count of obstructing justice.
“Swatting, and soliciting others to swat someone, are more than foolish,” McAllister said. “Such actions are reckless, dangerous and, as this case proves, potentially tragic. Swatting is not a prank, and it is no way to resolve disputes among gamers. Once again, I call upon gamers to self-police their community to ensure that the practice of swatting is ended once and for all.”
In his plea, Viner admitted he argued with co-defendant Shane Gaskill while playing Call of Duty World War II online. Viner contacted co-defendant Tyler Barriss and asked him to swat Gaskill, Viner thought Gaskill lived at 1033 W. McCormick in Wichita.
In fact, Gaskill gave Viner and Barriss a false address. Barriss called Wichita police and reported a hostage situation at 1033 W. McCormick. Police responded, believing they were dealing with a man who had shot his own father and was holding family members hostage. Andrew Finch, who lived at the address, did not know why police were at his home when he stepped onto the porch. When Finch made a move that startled officers, he was shot and killed.
Barriss was sentenced to 20 years in federal prison. Barriss pleaded guilty to more than 50 felonies nationwide, including federal charges in Kansas of making an interstate hoax that resulted in a death and cyberstalking. Gaskill was placed on deferred prosecution.
In his plea, Viner admitted trying to erase any record on his phone of his communications with Barriss and Gaskill.
McAllister commended the FBI, the Wichita Police Department and his co-counsel Assistant U.S. Attorney Debra Barnett for their work on the case.
North Hollywood Man to Plead Guilty to Charges that He Smuggled Greased-Up Kilograms of Cocaine to Australia in Household ProductsRead the Press Release
LOS ANGELES – A San Fernando Valley man has agreed to plead guilty to federal criminal charges that he conspired to smuggle approximately 40 kilograms of cocaine – concealed and suspended in grease – in household products and mailed it to Australia, then laundered up to $3.5 million of the illicit drug proceeds.
Vardges Markosyan, 47, of North Hollywood, whose aliases include “David Petrosov,” “Giani Oncho,” and “Laram Narman,” agreed to plead guilty to a two-count criminal information charging him with conspiracy to distribute cocaine and conspiracy to engage in money laundering.
Markosyan admitted in his plea agreement that, from December 2014 until October 2016, he was involved in a drug conspiracy that procured approximately 40 kilograms (88.2 pounds) of cocaine and shipped it to Australia. The cocaine would be suspended in grease and placed in empty household products such as log splitters, air compressors, tankless water heaters, lampstands, and air conditioners, according to the plea agreement.
The shipped packages were sent via commercial carrier to Australia, where they were distributed, court documents state. Markosyan admitted to conducting “test runs” of drug shipment methods by sending packages of household products by commercial carrier to Australia to evaluate whether the drugs could be shipped without detection inside similar packages.
For example, Markosyan admitted that in March 2015, a co-conspirator sent 9.87 kilograms (21.76 pounds) of cocaine hidden in a log splitter to Australia, sent by FedEx. In advance of this package, Markosyan sent a “test run” for a similar log splitter that was sent to Australia, according to court documents.
Markosyan also admitted in his plea agreement that he conspired with his sister, Iren Markosyan, to launder the proceeds of drug trafficking, between May 2014 and January 2019. Markosyan admitted that he used his sister’s name – with her knowledge – to purchase properties in North Hollywood and Studio City. Markosyan and his sister obtained hard-money loans secured against these properties, and enjoyed and spent the net proceeds of these loans after transferring them to various accounts, according to court papers. In December 2018, Markosyan received $234,442 from the sale of the North Hollywood property.
Markosyan has agreed to forfeit to the U.S. government his interest in the Studio City property, held in his sister’s name, as well as a 1996 Carver 38 boat and a 2005 Caribe boat also held in her name.
The charges to which Markosyan has agreed to plead guilty carry a statutory maximum sentence of life in federal prison. The charge of conspiracy to distribute cocaine carries a mandatory minimum sentence of 10 years in federal prison.
For her role in the scheme, Iren Markosyan pleaded guilty on May 13 to one felony count of conspiracy to launder monetary instruments. She has agreed to forfeit the Studio City property, to a judgment in the amount of $234,442, and her interest in the 1996 Carver 38 boat and a 2005 Caribe boat. She will face a statutory maximum sentence of 20 years in federal prison at her sentencing hearing.
This matter was investigated by the FBI, IRS-Criminal Investigations, the Glendale Police Department, and State of California Department of Health Care Services Investigations Branch, and is being conducted with the support of the Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Force (OCDETF). The United States wishes to thank its foreign partners, the New South Wales Police Force, the New South Wales Crime Commission, and the Australian Federal Police, for their assistance in the investigation.
This case is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Puneet V. Kakkar of the International Narcotics, Money Laundering, and Racketeering Section, and Assistant United States Attorney Katharine Schonbachler of the Asset Forfeiture Section.
Mountain Top Woman Sentenced to 24 Months of Imprisonment for Failing to Remit Federal Payroll TaxesRead the Press Release
SCRANTON – The United States Attorney’s Office for the Middle District of Pennsylvania announced today that on September 11, 2019, Judith Cefaly, age 54, of Mountain Top, Pennsylvania, was sentenced to 24 months of imprisonment and two years of supervised release, by United States District Judge James Munley, for failing to remit to the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) federal payroll taxes.
According to United States Attorney David J. Freed, Cefaly was the former general manager and part owner of Shakti, Inc., a beauty salon and spa in Kingston, Pennsylvania, from 1997 through 2017. Cefaly previously pleaded guilty to an information alleging that she withheld federal payroll taxes from employees’ paychecks, but failed to then remit those taxes to the IRS. Over the course of tax years 2011 through 2016, Cefaly failed to remit over $646,000 of those federal taxes to the IRS, instead using the funds for her personal benefit.
In addition to the terms of imprisonment and supervised release, Judge Munley also ordered Cefaly to pay $646,620.26 in restitution.
The investigation was conducted by the IRS Criminal Investigations Division. The case was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Phillip J. Caraballo.
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Maryland Man Sentenced to 46 Months in Prison for Subway RobberiesRead the Press Release
WASHINGTON – Scotlund Haisley, 51, of Montgomery County Maryland, was sentenced today to 46 months in prison for his role in an attempted robbery and robbery of a Subway sandwich shop, on two separate instances in January 2019, in Northwest Washington, announced U.S. Attorney Jessie K. Liu.
Haisley pled guilty on February 21, 2019, in the Superior Court of the District of Columbia, to one charge of attempted robbery on January 20, 2019, and one charge of robbery on January 24, 2019. He was sentenced by the Honorable Craig Iscoe.
According to the government’s evidence, on January 20, 2019, at approximately 6:34 p.m., Haisley entered a Subway sandwich shop on 4401 Connecticut Avenue, N.W., with a cap rolled down over his face. He walked behind the counter, placed an object to the back of a Subway employee’s head, and demanded the money in the register. The employee opened the register, withdrew about $300, and gave it to Haisley.
On January 24, 2019, at approximately 8:55 p.m., Haisley entered the same Subway shop on Connecticut Avenue wearing a full face mask. With his hand in his pocket, Haisley confronted the same Subway employee, told that employee that he had a gun, and demanded money. The employee opened the register and handed Haisley money who then fled from the Subway.
A review of security camera footage from the Subway revealed that the robber wore the same clothing, except for his face mask, during both robberies. A review of security footage from the nearby Van Ness Metro station showed that the robber was present in the Van Ness station on January 20 and 24, around the times of each robbery. On January 20, Haisley’s face was concealed by his mask, but on January 24, the mask was removed during at least part of his time in the Metro station, and he used stolen money to reload a SmartTrip card.
On January 26, Metro Transit Police (MTP) stopped Haisley at the Tacoma Metro Station. He was wearing the same clothing depicted in all of the Subway and Metro videos, and had two SmartTrip cards in his possession. One of those cards was the card that Haisley reloaded on January 24, 2019, after robbing the Subway. The other card was used to exit Metro at the Van Ness Station about 10 minutes before the January 20, 2019 robbery.
After he was stopped on January 26, 2019, two people who knew the defendant, called MPD to identify him as the person depicted in the video that MPD released.
In announcing the sentence, U.S. Attorney Liu commended the work of those who investigated the case from the Metropolitan Police Department. She also acknowledged the efforts of Assistant U.S. Attorney Michael Romano, who investigated and prosecuted the case.
Manhattan U.S. Attorney Settles Civil Fraud Claims Against Medical Device Manufacturer for Selling Products Not Cleared by the FDARead the Press Release
Geoffrey S. Berman, the United States Attorney for the Southern District of New York, and Mark S. McCormack, Special Agent in Charge of the U.S. Food and Drug Administration’s Office of Criminal Investigations Metro Washington Field Office (“FDA”), announced today that the United States has simultaneously filed and settled a civil fraud lawsuit under the False Claims Act against AVALIGN TECHNOLOGIES, INC. (“Avalign”), and its subsidiary INSTRUMED INTERNATIONAL, INC. (“Instrumed,” and together with Avalign, “Defendants”), for manufacturing and selling medical devices that were not cleared by the FDA. These uncleared devices were used by medical providers in spinal surgeries, circumcisions, and other medical procedures. The providers submitted claims for reimbursement to Medicare and Medicaid for those procedures. As part of the settlement, approved in Manhattan federal court by U.S. District Judge Edgardo Ramos, Defendants agreed to pay the Government $9,500,000 and admitted to conduct alleged in the United States’ complaint.
Manhattan U.S. Attorney Geoffrey S. Berman said: “It is critical that the devices used in some of the most consequential medical procedures have the required FDA approval or clearance. Unapproved or uncleared devices used in medical procedures present a significant public health and safety risk, and this Office will continue to hold manufacturers of medical devices accountable for profiting from sales of uncleared devices.”
Special Agent in Charge Mark S. McCormack said: “U.S. patients rely on FDA oversight to ensure that medical devices are safe and effective. When companies fail to follow FDA rules, they put patients’ health at risk. We will continue to investigate and bring to justice companies that attempt to evade FDA requirements and jeopardize the public health.”
As alleged in the complaint filed with the settlement agreement, since 1976, many different kinds of medical devices must, depending on the degree of patient risk, be approved or cleared by the FDA before they can be marketed for use on patients. There is a grandfather exception for medical devices that were legally in commerce prior to 1976, which are known as “pre-amendment” devices. To qualify for pre-amendment status, the device’s owner (typically the manufacturer) must, among other things, have marketed the device prior to May 28, 1976. From 2007 through 2014, Instrumed sold medical devices for which Instrumed had not obtained the required clearances from the FDA and for which Instrumed could not demonstrate that the pre-amendment exception applied.
As part of the settlement, Defendants admitted, among other things, that:
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- In February 2009, Instrumed’s then-head f Quality and Regulatory Affairs acknowledged in an email in response to an inquiry about an Instrumed device, that “we cannot claim pre-amendment because Instrumed was not selling/marketing this device before May 28, 1976.”
- By n later than April 2009, representatives of Instrumed and CareFusion Corporation (“CareFusion”), a customer of Instrumed pre-amendment devices and distributor of those devices, began exchanging correspondence regarding whether Instrumed and CareFusion could legitimately rely on Instrumed’s invocation of the pre-amendment status exemption to market its devices.
- CareFusion repeatedly informed Instrumed that the evidence Instrumed was relying on to justify its claim that certain devices qualified for the pre-amendment status exemption – evidence consisting of excerpts from a catalogue issued by the devices’ original manufacturer, not Instrumed, and an affidavit from an Instrumed employee – was insufficient. Instrumed never provided CareFusion a satisfactory affidavit to justify its claim that the devices qualified for the pre-amendment status exemption.
- In March 2014, the FDA issued a warning letter indicating that it had determined that Instrumed’s devices “are nt pre-amendment devices that were legally on the market in the United States prior to May 28, 1976.”
- Instrumed ultimately decided t discontinue sale of these products and conducted a recall of these products. Thrughout the period 2007 to 2014, however, Instrumed continued to sell the devices listed in the settlement agreement. Sme of the devices were then sold by Instrumed’s customers to hospitals and other medical providers, and used in procedures for which providers submitted claims for reimbursement to federal health care programs.
Of the $9.5 million that Defendants agreed to pay under the settlement, $8,128,440.60 will go to the United States and $1,371,559.40 will go to states impacted by Defendants’ conduct through separate settlements with those states.
In connection with this settlement, the United States joined a private whistleblower lawsuit that had previously been filed under seal pursuant to the False Claims Act. The United States had previously reached a settlement with CareFusion, which was entered by the Court on May 7, 2019. As part of that settlement, CareFusion agreed to pay a total of $3.3 million to the United States and certain states, and admitted to selling devices that Instrumed wrongly claimed qualified for the pre-amendment exception.
Mr. Berman thanked the FDA, the Department of Health and Human Services Office of Inspector General, and the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services for their invaluable assistance in this matter.
The case is being handled by the Office’s Civil Frauds Unit. Assistant United States Attorneys Sharanya Mohan and Mónica P. Folch are in charge of the case.
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Managing partner of Chicago travel agency indicted for carrying out $1.75m fraud on Delta's Skybonus programRead the Press Release
ATLANTA - Gennady Podolsky, a dual Ukrainian and American citizen, and managing partner of Vega International Travel Services, Inc., has been arraigned for wire fraud.
“Podolsky used his knowledge of the travel industry to take advantage of his travel agency clients,” said U.S. Attorney Byung J. “BJay” Pak. “Through his access, he allegedly took advantage of Delta Airlines corporate frequent flyer program, illegally reaping millions of SkyBonus points worth more than $1.75 million dollars.”
“The fraudulent accumulation of frequent flyer miles in the travel industry may seem like a victimless crime, however, large corporations stand to lose significant profits”, said Chris Hacker, Special Agent in Charge of FBI Atlanta. “The FBI will do everything in its power to protect companies and to stop anyone who participates in this corrupt behavior.”
According to U.S. Attorney Pak, the charges, and other information presented in court: Vega International Travel Services, Inc. (“Vega Travel”) was a small, full-service travel agency located in Chicago, Illinois, that catered to clients of Russian and Eastern European descent who were living abroad.
Podolsky was Vega Travel’s managing partner and lead travel agent. Delta Air Lines, based in Atlanta, Georgia, operates a frequent-flyer program for individuals called SkyMiles, and a similar program for businesses called SkyBonus, that allows individuals and businesses to earn points for free travel and other valuable perks. Enrolled businesses can earn points under the SkyBonus program at the same time the traveling passengers earned points under the SkyMiles program.
A business enrolled in the SkyBonus program accrues points whenever its employees travel on Delta and a SkyBonus account identification number is entered electronically at the time of booking. For an enrolled business to accrue SkyBonus points under the terms of the program, the traveling passenger must have been an actual employee of that business. Enrolled businesses could redeem accrued SkyBonus points for flight reward certificates, ticket upgrades, and other valuable benefits.
According to the indictment, beginning in March 2014 until April 2015, Podolsky allegedly devised and executed a scheme to defraud Delta through the fraudulent accrual and redemption of over 42 million SkyBonus points, causing a loss to Delta of over $1.75 million dollars. As part of the scheme, Podolsky caused a SkyBonus account to be registered in the name of a fertility center owned and operated by a family member of the president of Vega Travel.
When Vega Travel booked its customers for air travel on Delta, Podolsky caused the SkyBonus account number for the fertility center to be associated with those customers’ tickets, even though those customers were not employees of that company or any similar entity. By doing so, Podolsky caused SkyBonus points to accrue fraudulently in the fertility center’s account for passengers who were not employees of that company. Podolsky then caused the SkyBonus points that had fraudulently accrued to be redeemed by requesting, receiving, and utilizing reward certificates for free air travel and other valuable benefits.
Gennady Podolsky, 43, of Kiev, Ukraine, was arraigned before U.S. Magistrate Judge Russell G. Vineyard on twelve counts of wire fraud. Podolsky was indicted by a federal grand jury on September 11, 2019.
Members of the public are reminded that the indictment only contains charges. The defendant is presumed innocent of the charges and it will be the government’s burden to prove the defendant’s guilt beyond a reasonable doubt at trial.
This case is being investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation. Assistant U.S. Attorneys John S. Ghose and Bernita Malloy are prosecuting the case.
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.
Man Sentenced for Role in Armed Gas Station RobberiesRead the Press Release
ALEXANDRIA, Va. – A Washington, D.C. man was sentenced today to 23 years in prison for his participation in a string of armed robberies.
“Williams is a violent criminal whose callousness was on full display during the series of armed robberies,” said G. Zachary Terwilliger, U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of Virginia. “Our commitment to getting such violent criminals off of our streets is unwavering. I am grateful to our local and federal law enforcement partners who assisted in this investigation and whose diligence allowed us to prosecute the case successfully.”
According to court documents and evidence presented at trial, Kenya Preston Williams, 37, used a loaded semi-automatic handgun to commit eight robberies in the Washington, D.C. metropolitan area, including the robbery of an Exxon gas station in Alexandria and two different robberies of the same Shell gas station in Falls Church. Williams’ co-conspirator, Steven Oneil Houston, 26, of Oxon Hill, Maryland, previously pleaded guilty to charges of brandishing a firearm during and in relation to a crime of violence.
“Today’s sentencing sends a clear message that violent criminals in our community cannot evade the law,” said Timothy M. Dunham, Special Agent in Charge, Criminal Division, FBI Washington Field Office. “The FBI Washington Field Office will work closely with our federal, state, and local law enforcement partners through our Safe Streets Violent Crime Task Force to continue to aggressively investigate violent crime in our area.”
This case is part of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), which is the centerpiece of the Department of Justice’s violent crime reduction efforts. PSN is an evidence-based program proven to be effective at reducing violent crime. Through PSN, a broad spectrum of stakeholders work together to identify the most pressing violent crime problems in the community and develop comprehensive solutions to address them. As part of this strategy, PSN focuses enforcement efforts on the most violent offenders and partners with locally based prevention and reentry programs for lasting reductions in crime.
G. Zachary Terwilliger, U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of Virginia, Timothy M. Dunham, Special Agent in Charge, Criminal Division, FBI Washington Field Office, and Colonel Edwin C. Roessler Jr., Fairfax County Chief of Police, made the announcement after sentencing by U.S. District Judge Anthony J. Trenga. Assistant U.S. Attorney Alexander E. Blanchard prosecuted the case.
The Alexandria City Police Department, Prince George’s County Police Department, and Metropolitan Police Department all provided significant assistance with this investigation.
This case was investigated by the FBI’s Washington Field Office Safe Streets Violent Crime Task Force, which is composed of FBI agents and law enforcement partners within the National Capital Region.
A copy of this press release is located on the website of the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of Virginia. Related court documents and information are located on the website of the District Court for the Eastern District of Virginia or on PACER by searching for Case No. 1:19-cr-29.
Madison Man Sentenced to over 11 Years for Bringing Minor Across State Lines for SexRead the Press Release
MADISON, WIS. – Scott C. Blader, United States Attorney for the Western District of Wisconsin, announced that today Bryan Rogers, 32, Madison, Wisconsin, was sentenced by U.S. District Judge William M. Conley to 135 months in federal prison for transporting a minor from Tennessee to Wisconsin for an illegal sexual purpose. This prison term will be followed by 15 years of supervised release. Rogers pleaded guilty to this offense on June 19, 2019.
Rogers came into contact with the minor in Tennessee through an online game. She told him that she was being sexually assaulted by an adult on a daily basis. Rogers persuaded the minor to make a video recording of an assault and send it to him, allegedly so he could provide evidence to law enforcement of the sexual assaults. The minor did not want to produce the video, but eventually acquiesced after Rogers said he would come rescue her after she made the video.
After the minor sent the video of her abuse to Rogers, he then traveled to Tennessee and returned to Wisconsin with the minor. The minor was reported missing on January 14, 2019. Subsequent investigation led to Rogers, and he was questioned on January 31, 2019. When questioned by law enforcement, he admitted he had been in contact with the victim online and that she had disclosed her sexual assault, but claimed he never met her in person, he did not go to Tennessee to get her, and he did not know her whereabouts. During a search of his home, officers found the victim in a closet. The victim told investigators Rogers had picked her up in Tennessee and brought her to Wisconsin, where he engaged in sexual intercourse with her. The victim stated that during her two weeks in Wisconsin, she hid in Rogers’ closet or in the trunk of his car while he was at work.
“The actions of this defendant are abhorrent. Instead of immediately contacting law enforcement, Rogers encouraged the child victim to produce a video of the sexual abuse, and after claiming to rescue her, he himself sexually assaulted her,” said U.S. Attorney Blader. “My office is committed to working with our federal, state, and local law enforcement partners to bring interstate child predators to justice.”
Judge Conley noted that Rogers targeted an extremely vulnerable victim and could have been a hero in this case by reporting the victim’s abuse to authorities; instead Rogers did not help her and further victimized her.
The charge against Rogers is the result of an investigation by the Wisconsin Department of Justice Division of Criminal Investigation, Federal Bureau of Investigation, Madison Police Department, Dane County Sheriff’s Office, and Monroe County (Tennessee) Sheriff’s Office. The prosecution of this case is being handled by Assistant U.S. Attorney Julie Pfluger.
This case was brought as part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative launched in May 2006 by the Department of Justice to combat the growing epidemic of child sexual exploitation and abuse. Project Safe Childhood marshals federal, state and local resources to better locate, apprehend and prosecute individuals who exploit children via the Internet, as well as to identify and rescue victims. For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit www.justice.gov/psc.
Luidji Benjamin, a/k/a “Zoe,” Sentenced in Manhattan Federal Court to 17 Years for Sex Trafficking of MinorsRead the Press Release
Geoffrey S. Berman, the United States Attorney for the Southern District of New York, announced that LUIDJI BENJAMIN was sentenced today to 17 years in prison for sex trafficking of minor females. BENJAMIN was sentenced by U.S. District Judge Jed S. Rakoff, before whom BENJAMIN previously was convicted by a federal jury of one count of sex trafficking of a minor and one count of conspiracy to commit sex trafficking, following a five-day jury trial.
Manhattan U.S. Attorney Geoffrey S. Berman said: “Luidji Benjamin sexually exploited vulnerable girls for his own financial gain. This sexual predator damaged the lives of at least two young women, advertising their bodies for commercial sex. Today Benjamin was justly sentenced to 17 years in prison for his callous and depraved exploitation.”
According to the allegations contained in the Indictment and evidence presented during the trial in Manhattan federal court:
From at least in or about Fall 2015 to in or about December 2015, LUIDJI BENJAMIN, a/k/a “Zoe,” the defendant, engaged in sex trafficking and commercial sexual exploitation of two minor victims. The defendant recruited, enticed, harbored, transported, provided, obtained, and maintained women for the purpose of commercial sex, including one minor victim (“Victim-1”) who resided at a residential treatment facility located in Westchester County, which provided housing for at-risk troubled children and adolescents on behalf of departments of social services for certain counties in New York State.
The defendant recruited Victim-1 to engage in commercial sex through a social media website, and he used Backpage.com and Craiglist.com, online classifieds websites, to post advertisements for commercial sex. Certain of these advertisements included graphic images, including of Victim-1 performing oral sex on the defendant. BENJAMIN directed Victim-1 to engage in commercial sex acts in cars and residences throughout Queens, New York.
The defendant and a co-conspirator also recruited a second minor victim (“Victim-2”) to engage in commercial sex acts. The defendant and his co-conspirator spent the proceeds of this scheme on marijuana, liquor, and other goods for themselves.
This prosecution is part of an ongoing investigation that, including LUIDJ BENJAMIN, has charged 19 defendants, set forth in eight indictments, for the sex trafficking of at least 13 minor girls and young adults in New York State’s social services system.
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In addition to his prison sentence, BENJAMIN, 23, of Queens, New York, was sentenced to five years of supervised release.
Any individuals who believe that they have information that may be relevant to this investigation should contact the FBI at 1-212-384-1000 or https://tips.fbi.gov.
Mr. Berman thanked the FBI and the NYPD for their outstanding work in this matter and, in particular, the New York Child Exploitation and Human Trafficking Task Force.
This case is being handled by the Office’s General Crimes Unit. Assistant United States Attorneys Mollie Bracewell, Jacob Gutwillig, and Richard Cooper are in charge of the prosecution.
Judge imposes 10-year sentence on Bastrop felon for illegal possession of firearmRead the Press Release
MONROE, La. – United States Attorney David C. Joseph announced that U.S. District Judge Terry A. Doughty sentenced Bastrop resident, Troydarius Jamal Jackson, 29, on September 4, 2019, to 10 years in federal prison for possession of a firearm by a convicted felon. Jackson admitted during his guilty plea hearing on April 5, 2019, to possessing a rifle, despite having previous convictions in 2012, 2013 and 2015.
A Louisiana State Police trooper encountered Jackson and co-defendant Cortez Demoria McWilson, 29, also of Bastrop, in a vehicle on September 11, 2017, in Bastrop. As the trooper approached the vehicle, in an attempt to speak to the defendants, McWilson started the vehicle and drove off, prompting a pursuit of the vehicle by the LSP trooper and other law enforcement officers. Eventually, the vehicle stopped and McWilson and Jackson fled the area but were later apprehended. A law enforcement officer searched the vehicle and found a GSG, Model 522, .22LR-caliber rifle and ammunition on the front passenger seat. Also on the front passenger seat was a grocery bag containing methamphetamine, Xanax, marijuana, clear plastic baggies and a digital scale with marijuana residue on it.
Jackson was previously convicted for distribution of a controlled dangerous substance in 2013, for perjury in 2012, and for possession with intent to distribute a controlled dangerous substance in 2015. Under federal law, it is illegal for anyone who has been convicted of a felony to be in possession of a firearm or ammunition.
McWilson previously pleaded guilty on April 5, 2019, to conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute Methamphetamine, Xanax, and marijuana, and was sentenced on August 22, 2019, by U.S. District Judge Terry A. Doughty, to serve two years in federal prison.
The ATF, Louisiana State Police and Morehouse Parish Sheriff’s Office conducted the investigation. Assistant U.S. Attorney Brian C. Flanagan prosecuted the case.
Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN) is the centerpiece of the Department of Justice’s violent crime reduction efforts. Project Safe Neighborhoods 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, Project Safe Neighborhoods focuses enforcement efforts on the most violent offenders and partners with locally based prevention and reentry programs for lasting reductions in crime.
Jackson Man Sentenced under Project EJECT to over Two Years in Federal Prison for Illegally Possessing a FirearmRead the Press Release
Jackson, Miss. – Mark Cassity, 22, of Jackson, was sentenced today by Chief U.S. District Judge Daniel P. Jordan III to 30 months in federal prison, followed by 3 years of supervised release, for possessing a firearm as a convicted felon, announced U.S. Attorney Mike Hurst and Kurt Thielhorn, Special Agent in Charge of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF).
On June 8, 2018, Cassity was arrested by an officer of the Jackson Police Department during a traffic stop for providing false information. During the arrest, a brief struggle ensued between the officer and Cassity. Once the officer gained control, the officer discovered a handgun in Cassity’s front pocket. During booking, the officer learned Cassity had been previously convicted of auto burglary.
The case was investigated by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives. It is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Bert Carraway.
This case is part of Project EJECT, an initiative by the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of Mississippi under the U.S. Department of Justice’s Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN). EJECT is a holistic, multi-disciplinary approach to fighting and reducing violent crime through prosecution, prevention, re-entry and awareness. EJECT stands for "Empower Justice Expel Crime Together." PSN is bringing together all levels of law enforcement and the communities they serve to reduce violent crime and make our neighborhoods safer for everyone. Former Attorney General Jeff Sessions reinvigorated PSN in 2017 as part of the Department’s renewed focus on targeting violent criminals, directing all U.S. Attorney’s Offices to work in partnership with federal, state, local, and tribal law enforcement and the local community to develop effective, locally-based strategies to reduce violent crime.
Jackson Man Pleads Guilty under Project EJECT to Possessing a Firearm as a Convicted FelonRead the Press Release
Jackson, Miss – Braxton Dontrel Burns, 33, of Jackson, pled guilty Friday before Chief U.S. District Court Judge Daniel P. Jordan III to possessing a firearm as a convicted felon, announced U.S. Attorney Mike Hurst and Kurt Thielhorn, Special Agent in Charge of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives.
On May 5, 2018, a Jackson Police officer conducted a traffic stop on a vehicle for speeding. Before the vehicle stopped, the driver tossed a handgun from the vehicle. The driver was identified as Braxton Burns. The officer determined that Burns had a prior conviction for auto burglary in Madison County, Mississippi. On February 20, 2019, Burns was charged in a federal indictment with being a convicted felon in possession of a firearm.
Burns will be sentenced on December 12, 2019, by Judge Jordan, and faces a maximum penalty of ten years in prison and a $250,000 fine.
The case was investigated by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives and is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Bert Carraway.
This case is part of Project EJECT, an initiative by the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of Mississippi under the U.S. Department of Justice’s Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN). EJECT is a holistic, multi-disciplinary approach to fighting and reducing violent crime through prosecution, prevention, re-entry and awareness. EJECT stands for "Empower Justice Expel Crime Together." PSN is bringing together all levels of law enforcement and the communities they serve to reduce violent crime and make our neighborhoods safer for everyone. Former Attorney General Jeff Sessions reinvigorated PSN in 2017 as part of the Department’s renewed focus on targeting violent criminals, directing all U.S. Attorney’s Offices to work in partnership with federal, state, local, and tribal law enforcement and the local community to develop effective, locally-based strategies to reduce violent crime.
Informational: Federal Court arraignmentsRead the Press Release
The U.S. Attorney’s Office announced that the following persons were arraigned or appeared this week before U.S. Magistrate judges on indictments handed down by the Grand Jury or on criminal complaints. The charging documents are merely accusations and defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty:
Appearing in Missoula on Sept. 13 before U.S. Magistrate Judge Kathleen L. DeSoto on a criminal complaint was:
Allan Roy Goodman, 42, of Missoula, on charges of possession of a firearm by a prohibited person, possession of a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime, conspiracy to distribute meth and distribution of meth. If convicted of the most serious crime, Goodman faces minimum mandatory 10 years to life in prison and five years of supervised release. Goodman was detained pending further proceedings. The case was investigated by the FBI and the Montana Regional Violent Crime Task Force. Pacer case reference. 19-59.
Appearing in Great Falls before U.S. District Judge Brian M. Morris on Sept. 11 and pleading not guilty was:
Sean Henry White Bremner, 24, of Browning, on charges of sexual abuse of a minor, sexual exploitation of a child, receipt of child pornography and transfer of obscene material to a minor. If convicted of the most serious crime, Bremner faces a maximum 15 years in prison, a $250,000 fine and five years to life of supervised release. Bremner was release pending further proceedings. The case was investigated by the FBI. Pacer case reference. 19-65.
Appearing in Great Falls before U.S. Magistrate Judge John T. Johnston on Sept. 11 and pleading not guilty was:
Logan Michael Burke, also known as Logan Old Chief, on charges of assault of dating partner by suffocation and assault of dating partner by strangulation. If convicted of the most serious crime, Burke faces a maximum 10 years in prison, a $250,000 fine and three years of supervised release. Burke was detained pending further proceedings. The case was investigated by the Bureau of Indian Affairs and Blackfeet Law Enforcement Services. Pacer case reference. 19-66.
Appearing in Billings before U.S. Magistrate Judge Timothy J. Cavan on Sept. 13 and pleading not guilty was:
Chase Woodenlegs, 29, of Busby, on charges of assault resulting in serious bodily injury, assault with a weapon and strangulation. If convicted of the most serious crime, Woodenlegs faces a maximum 10 years in prison, a $250,000 fine and three years of supervised release. Woodenlegs was detained pending further proceedings. The case was investigated by the FBI. Pacer case reference. 19-114.
Gregg Allen Johnson, 41, of Billings, on charges of conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute meth and two counts of possession of a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime. If convicted of the most crimes, Johnson faces a minimum mandatory five years to 40 years in prison, a $5 million fine and at least four years of supervised release on the drug count and a minimum mandatory 10 years to life, consecutive to any other sentence, on one of the firearms counts. Johnson was detain3ed pending further proceedings. The case was investigated by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives. Pacer case reference. 19-108.
Rane Sawyer Black, 21, of Billings, on charges of prohibited person in possession of a firearm. If convicted of the most serious crime, Black faces a maximum 10 years in prison, a $250,000 fine and three years of supervised release. Black was released pending further proceedings. The case was investigated by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives. Pacer case reference. 19-96.
Appearing on Sept. 10 and pleading not guilty was:
Eric Shane Ennis, 40, of Shepherd, on charges of prohibited person in possession of a firearm and ammunition. If convicted of the most serious crime, Ennis faces a maximum 10 years in prison, a $250,000 fine and three years of supervised release. The case was investigated by Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives. Pacer case reference. 19-106.
Jose Antonio Escobedo, 46, of Billings, on charges of conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute meth and possession with intent to distribute meth. If convicted of the most serious crime, Escobedo faces a minimum mandatory 10 years to life in prison, a $10 million fine and at least five years of supervised release. Escobedo was detained pending further proceedings. The case was investigated by the Eastern Montana High Intensity Drug Trafficking Area Task Force. Pacer case reference. 19-113.
Cesar Hernandez-Rodriguez, 35, of Mexico, on charges of illegal re-entry. If convicted of the most serious crime, Hernandez-Rodriguez faces a maximum two years in prison, a $250,000 fine and one year of supervised release. The case was investigated by the Border Patrol. Pacer case reference. 19-115.
If any of the above cases are of interest to your media organization and the community it serves, we encourage you to monitor the progress of the case regularly through the U.S. District Court calendar and the PACER system.
To establish a PACER account, which will allow you to review documents filed in the case, please go to, http://www.pacer.gov/register.html. To access the district court’s calendar, please go to https://ecf.mtd.uscourts.gov/cgi-bin/PublicCalendar.pl.
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Individual Sentenced to 25 Years in Prison for Production of Child PornographyRead the Press Release
SAN JUAN, P.R. – United States District Court Judge Pedro A. Delgado-Hernández sentenced Ricardo Barrios-Calderón to 25 years in prison followed by a supervised release term of 10 years for production of child pornography, announced Rosa Emilia Rodríguez-Vélez, United States Attorney for the District of Puerto Rico. Barrios-Calderón pleaded guilty on February 22, 2019.
According to the statement of facts, which was part of the Plea Agreement states that on February 12, 2018, the mother of a 12-year-old female informed Federal Bureau of Investigation’s (FBI) Agents that, on or about February 9, 2018, her daughter had told her that defendant Ricardo Barrios-Calderón had kissed her on the lips and had touched her breasts and vagina. The victim also told her mother that defendant Barrios-Calderón recorded her with his cellular phone while he was touching her. Barrios-Calderón is a close family member and would give the victim presents in exchange for her sexual encounters with him.
On February 12, 2018, FBI Agents executed a search warrant in defendant Barrios-Calderón’s residence and prior residence, both located in Aguadilla, Puerto Rico. Since defendant Barrios-Calderón was at his current residence, FBI Agents proceeded to arrest him. FBI Agents conducted a forensic examination on the defendant’s electronic equipment, which was found to contain sexually explicit videos between him and the minor, in addition to other unrelated images and videos of child pornography.
“The sexual abuse of children is repugnant, and it victimizes the most innocent and vulnerable of all,” said U.S. Attorney Rosa Emilia Rodríguez-Vélez. “We must bring the full force of the law against sexual predators. We are committed to bringing the defendants in these cases to justice and protecting every child.”
The FBI handled the investigation and Assistant United States Attorney Elba Gorbea prosecuted the case.
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Individual Charged with Conspiracy to Possess with Intent to Distribute Fentanyl, Cocaine and HeroinRead the Press Release
SAN JUAN, Puerto Rico – On September 12, 2019, a federal grand jury in the District of Puerto Rico returned an eight-count indictment charging Bryan Gilbert Díaz-De Jesús, a.k.a. “Bryan Gilbert De Jesús,” with conspiracy to distribute controlled substances, possession with intent to distribute controlled substances, introduction of misbranded drugs into interstate commerce, and use of a communication facility, announced Rosa Emilia Rodríguez-Vélez, United States Attorney for the District of Puerto Rico. The Homeland Security Investigations (HSI), the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), and US Postal Inspection Service (USPIS) are in charge of the investigation in collaboration with Customs and Border Protection (CBP) and the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA).
The indictment alleges that from May 2019 until August 2019, Díaz-De Jesús, conspired with others to knowingly possess with intent to distribute and to distribute fentanyl, cocaine, and heroin. The defendant introduced and caused the introduction into interstate commerce, and with the intent to defraud and mislead, a “drug” as defined under Title 21, United States Code, Section 321(g)(1) – specifically, N-phenyl-N-[1(2-phenylethyl)-4-piperindinyl] propenamide, commonly known as fentanyl, that was misbranded, in that the drug’s labeling failed to bear adequate directions for use.
Fentanyl is a synthetic opioid that is 80-100 times stronger than morphine. Pharmaceutical fentanyl was developed for pain management treatment of cancer patients, applied in a patch on the skin. Because of its powerful opioid properties, Fentanyl is also diverted for abuse by drug users. Fentanyl is often added to heroin by criminal drug distributors to increase the heroin’s potency in order to produce a stronger effect on the structure/function of the bodies of drug users. Many users believe that they are purchasing heroin and are unaware that they are, in fact, purchasing fentanyl. According to the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration, just two (2) milligrams of fentanyl is a lethal dose for most people.
As part of the conspiracy the defendant used a communication facility, a postal station, in facilitating the commission the drug trafficking.
“Arrests like these are saving lives,” said Rosa Emilia Rodríguez-Vélez, U.S. Attorney for the District of Puerto Rico. “Fentanyl is the number one threat in the opioid epidemic in the United States, and we are seeing an increase in the presence of fentanyl laced with other drugs in Puerto Rico. We are working tirelessly with our law enforcement partners to get drug traffickers off the streets where they can no longer push these lethal drugs into our communities. This investigation continues.”
Assistant U.S. Attorneys Alberto López-Rocafort, Deputy Chief, Gang Unit, and María L. Montañez-Concepción are in charge of the prosecution of the case. If convicted the defendant faces a minimum term of imprisonment of 5 years and up to 40 years in prison. Indictments contain only charges and are not evidence of guilt. Defendants are presumed to be innocent until and unless proven guilty.
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Indictment Charges Middletown Business, Owner, with Making and Selling Adulterated Dietary SupplementsRead the Press Release
John H. Durham, United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut, and Jeffrey Ebersole, Special Agent in Charge of the Food and Drug Administration, Office of Criminal Investigations, New York Field Office, today announced that a federal grand jury in New Haven has returned an indictment charging ROBERT J. TRIGO, 75, of Middletown, and his business, NATUREMOST OF NEW ENGLAND, INC., with manufacturing and selling adulterated dietary supplements.
The indictment was returned on September 6, 2019, and Trigo surrendered to law enforcement this morning. He appeared before U.S. Magistrate Judge Robert M. Spector in New Haven and was released on a $250,000 bond.
As alleged in the indictment, Trigo owns NatureMost of New England, Inc. (“NatureMost”), located in Middletown. NatureMost manufactures, among other things, vitamins and dietary supplements, which it sells and distributes to wholesalers, distributors and retailers, as well as to individual consumers throughout the U.S. and several foreign countries. On December 4, 2014, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (“FDA”) held a meeting with Trigo to discuss NatureMost’s violations of current good manufacturing practice regulations. Trigo informed the FDA that NatureMost had ceased production and distribution of all products as of that date, and he promised to meet with the FDA before resuming operations.
It is further alleged that Trigo never contacted the FDA about resuming operations and, in 2017, NatureMost and Trigo fraudulently sold adulterated dietary supplements that were not prepared, packed or held in accordance with current good manufacturing practice regulations.
The indictment charges Trigo and NatureMost with three counts of introducing adulterated dietary supplements into interstate commerce. If convicted of the charges, Trigo faces maximum term of imprisonment of three years and a fine of up to $250,000 on each count, and NatureMost faces a fine of up to $500,000 on each count.
U.S. Attorney Durham stressed that an indictment is not evidence of guilt. Charges are only allegations, and the defendants are presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt.
This matter is being investigated by the Food and Drug Administration, Office of Criminal Investigations. The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Neeraj N. Patel.
Independence Man Convicted of Distributing Child PornographyRead the Press Release
Ft. Mitchell, Ky. – An Independence man was convicted late Thursday, by a federal jury sitting in Covington, of distributing child pornography.
The jury convicted Michael Clark, 49, after four hours of deliberations, following a four-day trial.
According to the evidence at trial, Clark distributed child pornography, on five different occasions, to a law enforcement officer via BitTorrent, which is a peer-to-peer file-sharing network. A search warrant was executed at Clark’s residence in April 2018. A computer was seized and a forensic examination revealed evidence of the child pornography.
Clark was indicted in in November 2018.
Robert M. Duncan, Jr., United States Attorney for the Eastern District of Kentucky, Andy Beshear, Kentucky Attorney General, Steven L. Igyarto, Resident Agent in Charge for Homeland Security Investigations, and Michael “Spike” Jones, Sheriff of Kenton County Police Department, jointly announced the jury’s verdict.
The investigation was conducted by the Kenton County Police Department, the Kentucky Office of Attorney General, and Homeland Security Investigations. The United States was represented in the case by Assistant U.S. Attorney Elaine K. Leonhard.
Clark will appear for sentencing, before U.S. District Judge David L. Bunning, on January 3, 2020. He faces a maximum of 20 years in prison. However, the Court must consider the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and the applicable federal sentencing statutes before imposing the sentence.
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High Society Hit Squad Members Sentenced to 25 Years in PrisonRead the Press Release
RICHMOND, Va. – Two Petersburg gang members were sentenced today to a combined 25 years in prison for drug and firearms trafficking crimes.
“In March we announced a significant law enforcement operation that involved over 150 federal agents executing arrest and search warrants in Petersburg,” said G. Zachary Terwilliger, U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of Virginia. “The U.S. Attorney’s Office, along with our law enforcement partners at the Petersburg Police Department and the ATF, has made fighting violent crime in Petersburg a top priority, and we are surging our respective finite resources to Petersburg to investigate and prosecute criminal activity. On Wednesday, I spent six hours with Chief Miller and ATF Supervisors Shawn Morrow and Scott Fulkerson as we walked the streets in some of the hardest hit areas in Petersburg. Areas where children play next to broken glass from shot up vehicles, where drug dealers scurried for the shadows as we approached, and where blighted homes are being used as drug dens. EDVA is committed to working with Chief Miller and the Petersburg Police, the ATF, and our other law enforcement partners to continue to combat violent crime, drug trafficking, human trafficking, and any other offenses with a federal nexus in Petersburg.”
According to court documents, Autrelle Malik Waddell, 22, and Titus Maurice Lee, 44, are members of the High Society Hit Squad, a gang operating in Petersburg. The men were arrested in March 2019 and charged, along with two others, in a federal indictment with multiple firearms and narcotics trafficking crimes. According to court documents, Waddell was indicted for trafficking heroin, fentanyl and acetyl fentanyl, and was held responsible for the sale of eight firearms during the course of the investigation. One of the firearms Waddell sold had an obliterated serial number, and another was identified as a Mac-10 semi-automatic firearm with a high capacity magazine. Lee, who is Waddell’s uncle, was also charged in a criminal indictment with distributing “crack” cocaine, heroin, and fentanyl, and was held responsible for trafficking eight separate firearms.
“This investigation highlights ATF's partnership with Petersburg Police and our commitment to making our communities safer,” said Ashan M. Benedict, Special Agent in Charge of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives’ (ATF) Washington Field Division. “Firearms trafficking is not a victimless crime. When firearms are diverted to the illicit market, they often become tools of the trade for criminals. If you traffic in firearms or use firearms to commit other crimes, ATF is fully dedicated to bringing you to justice.”
“My top priority is the safety of the citizens of Petersburg and cleaning up our streets. As shown in this case, my department works closely with our law enforcement partners to keep firearms out of the hands of criminals and keep dangerous drugs out of our community," said Kenneth A. Miller, Director of Public Safety, Petersburg Bureau of Police. “If you violate the law or if you harm our community, the Petersburg Police will use every tool at our disposal to see that you are held accountable.”
Waddell was sentenced to nine years, while Lee was sentenced to 16 years for their respective involvement in the drug and firearm trafficking conspiracy.
This case is part of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), which is the centerpiece of the Department of Justice’s violent crime reduction efforts. PSN is an evidence-based program proven to be effective at reducing violent crime. Through PSN, a broad spectrum of stakeholders work together to identify the most pressing violent crime problems in the community and develop comprehensive solutions to address them. As part of this strategy, PSN focuses enforcement efforts on the most violent offenders and partners with locally based prevention and reentry programs for lasting reductions in crime.
G. Zachary Terwilliger, U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of Virginia, Ashan M. Benedict, Special Agent in Charge of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives’ (ATF) Washington Field Division, and Kenneth A. Miller, Director of Public Safety, Petersburg Bureau of Police, made the announcement. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Angela Mastandrea-Miller and Kenneth Simon are prosecuting the cases.
A copy of this press release is located on the website of the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of Virginia. Related court documents and information are located on the website of the District Court for the Eastern District of Virginia or on PACER by searching for Case No. 3:19-cr-36.
High School Janitor Charged with Filming Students in Girls’ Locker RoomRead the Press Release
Jacksonville, Florida – United States Attorney Maria Chapa Lopez announces the arrest of Jason Brian Goff (42, Starke) on a criminal complaint charging him with attempted production of child pornography. If convicted, Goff faces a minimum mandatory penalty of 15 years, and up to 30 years, in federal prison and a potential life term of supervised release.
According to the
complaint , beginning on July 24, 2018, Goff was employed as a custodian at Clay High School in Green Cove Springs. On August 22, 2019, two 14-year-old female students reported a suspected camera in an unassigned, locked locker in the girls’ gym locker room. When school administrators unlocked the locker, they discovered a cellphone taped to the inside wall of the locker with the camera lens pointed out of a pre-fabricated hole aimed at a changing area. As the school janitor, Goff had access to the area and the ability to unlock the type of locks on the locker containing the cellphone.A forensic review of the cellphone revealed images and videos of high school girls changing in the locker room. At the end of one of the videos, the phone pans down and a Clay County School identification badge can be seen hanging from the waist of the person holding the phone. The photo on the badge matches the photo on Goff’s Clay County School identification badge. The cellphone also contained “selfie” photos of Goff and text messages from Goff’s phone number.
Goff’s detention hearing is scheduled for Tuesday, September 17, at 2:00 p.m., before the Honorable U.S. Magistrate Judge James R. Klindt.
A criminal complaint is merely an allegation that a defendant has committed one or more violations of federal criminal law, and every defendant is presumed innocent unless, and until, proven guilty.
This case was investigated by the Clay County Sheriff’s Office, and the U.S. Department of Homeland Security, Homeland Security Investigations. It is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Kelly S. Karase.
It is another case brought as part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative launched in May 2006 by the Department of Justice to combat the growing epidemic of child sexual exploitation and abuse. Led by the United States Attorneys’ Offices and the Criminal Division’s Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section, Project Safe Childhood marshals federal, state, and local resources to locate, apprehend, and prosecute individuals who sexually exploit children, and to identify and rescue victims. For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit www.justice.gov/psc.
Hamden Man Charged with Illegally Possessing ExplosivesRead the Press Release
John H. Durham, United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut, and Brian C. Turner, Special Agent in Charge of the New Haven Division of the Federal Bureau of Investigation, today announced that a federal grand jury in New Haven has returned an indictment charging KENNETH LUPOLI, 57, of Hamden, with one count of possession of explosives by a convicted felon.
The indictment was returned on September 6, 2019, and Lupoli was arrested this morning at his home in Hamden. He appeared before U.S. Magistrate Judge Robert M. Spector in New Haven and was released on a $100,000 bond.
As alleged in the indictment, on May 28, 2019, Lupoli possessed several explosives, including fireworks, fuses, and salutes. Lupoli’s criminal history includes state felony convictions for illegal possession of explosives and criminal possession of a pistol or revolver.
It is a violation of federal law for a person previously convicted of an offense punishable by more than one year of imprisonment to possess any explosive that has been transported in interstate or foreign commerce.
If convicted of the charge, Lupoli faces a maximum term of imprisonment of 10 years.
U.S. Attorney Durham stressed that an indictment is not evidence of guilt. Charges are only allegations, and the defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt.
This matter is being investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation and is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Neeraj N. Patel.
Grand Jury Indicts Three Harrisburg Men for Drug Trafficking and Firearms OffensesRead the Press Release
HARRISBURG-The United States Attorney’s Office for the Middle District of Pennsylvania announced today that on September 11, 2019 Qushawn Brown, age 28, Wesley Garner, age 25, and Anderson Ortiz, age 20, of Harrisburg, were indicted by a federal grand jury on drug trafficking and firearms charges.
According to United States Attorney David J. Freed the defendants are charged with operating a drug trafficking conspiracy from 2018 to August 2019 that distributed crack cocaine and heroin. The defendants used firearms during their drug trafficking activities including assault rifles with extended magazines.
The case was investigated by Bureau of Alcohol Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives, the Harrisburg Bureau of Police, and the Pennsylvania State Police. The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Michael Consiglio.
Indictments and Criminal Informations are only allegations. All persons charged are presumed to be innocent unless and until found guilty in court.
A sentence following a finding of guilt is imposed by the Judge after consideration of the applicable federal sentencing statutes and the Federal Sentencing Guidelines.
The maximum penalty under federal law for this offense is life imprisonment, a term of supervised release following imprisonment, and a fine. Under the Federal Sentencing Guidelines, the Judge is also required to consider and weigh a number of factors, including the nature, circumstances and seriousness of the offense; the history and characteristics of the defendant; and the need to punish the defendant, protect the public and provide for the defendant's educational, vocational and medical needs. For these reasons, the statutory maximum penalty for the offense is not an accurate indicator of the potential sentence for a specific defendant.
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.
This case was also brought as part of a district wide initiative to combat the nationwide epidemic regarding the use and distribution of heroin. Led by the United States Attorney’s Office, the Heroin Initiative targets heroin traffickers operating in the Middle District of Pennsylvania and is part of a coordinated effort among federal, state and local law enforcement agencies to locate, apprehend, and prosecute individuals who commit heroin related offenses.
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Georgia Man Sentenced to Almost 30 Years in Federal Prison for Carjacking and RobberiesRead the Press Release
Jackson, Miss. – Jalen Sean Benton, 19, of Georgia, was sentenced today by Chief U.S. District Judge Daniel P. Jordan III to 358 months in federal prison, followed by five years of supervised release, for carjacking, two business robberies, and using a firearm to commit each offense, announced U.S. Attorney Mike Hurst, FBI Jackson Division Special Agent in Charge Michelle A. Sutphin, and Warren County Sheriff Martin Pace. Benton was also ordered to pay a $1,500 fine.
On March 25, 2019, Benton robbed the Jimmy Johns Restaurant in Meridian, the McDonalds in Brandon, and carjacked a vehicle in Vicksburg. Benton used pistols in committing each offense. The Warren County Sheriff’s Office arrested Benton in Vicksburg after shooting at law enforcement and subsequently committing the carjacking.
On April 16, 2019, Benton was charged in a federal criminal indictment with carjacking, two business robberies, and using a firearm to commit each offense. He pled guilty before Judge Jordan on June 12, 2019.
"Because of the courage and bravery of our law enforcement, this criminal’s rampage of terror is over. He will now spend the next three decades of his life repaying a debt to society for the harm he has caused others. I want to sincerely thank our law enforcement for literally putting themselves in harm’s way in order to stop this violent criminal from harming anyone else," said U.S. Attorney Hurst.
"The crime spree that this individual went on put the innocent lives of citizens across Central Mississippi in danger," said FBI Special Agent in Charge Sutphin. "Without the assistance and quick actions of Sheriff Pace and his deputies, this individual could have committed more violent crime. Cooperation with all levels of law enforcement is essential in cases like these to bring justice to the affected victims and communities."
"The excellent cooperation between the FBI, the U.S. Attorney's Office and the Warren County Sheriff's Office has made our community a safer place and made certain this violent offender will serve a very long time in federal prison," said Warren County Sheriff Martin Pace.
The case was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation. It was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Lynn Murray.
This case is part of Project EJECT, an initiative by the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of Mississippi under the U.S. Department of Justice’s Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN). EJECT is a holistic, multi-disciplinary approach to fighting and reducing violent crime through prosecution, prevention, re-entry and awareness. EJECT stands for "Empower Justice Expel Crime Together." PSN is bringing together all levels of law enforcement and the communities they serve to reduce violent crime and make our neighborhoods safer for everyone. Former Attorney General Jeff Sessions reinvigorated PSN in 2017 as part of the Department’s renewed focus on targeting violent criminals, directing all U.S. Attorney’s Offices to work in partnership with federal, state, local, and tribal law enforcement and the local community to develop effective, locally-based strategies to reduce violent crime.
Georgetown Woman Pleads Guilty to Bank FraudRead the Press Release
BOSTON – A Georgetown woman pleaded guilty yesterday in federal court in Boston in connection with embezzling over $419,000 from her employer.
Michelle Higson, 44, pleaded guilty to four counts of bank fraud. U.S. District Court Judge Richard G. Stearns scheduled sentencing for Dec. 12, 2019. Higson was indicted in November 2018.
Higson began working as a part-time bookkeeper for a Wilmington company in 2013. From 2015 until her termination in 2018, Higson stole a series of the company’s checks, made them payable to herself or to her husband, and forged her employer’s signatures. Higson cashed and deposited the checks for her own personal use. To conceal her criminal conduct and avoid detection by the company, Higson falsified entries in the company’s books to make it appear as if the stolen checks had been issued to satisfy payment to actual vendors. In addition, on several occasions, Higson inflated her pay rate and falsified the number of hours she worked, thereby collecting more money than what she actually earned. In total, Higson embezzled over $419,000.
The charge of bank fraud provides for a sentence of up to 30 years in prison, five years of supervised release, and a fine of up to $1 million. Sentences are imposed by a federal district court judge based upon the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors.
United States Attorney Andrew E. Lelling and Joseph W. Cronin, Inspector in Charge of the U.S. Postal Inspection Service made the announcement today. Assistant U.S. Attorney Anne Paruti of Lelling’s Major Crimes Unit is prosecuting the case.
Georgetown Man Pleads Guilty in Federal Court to Clean Water Act ViolationRead the Press Release
Columbia, South Carolina ---- United States Attorney Sherri A. Lydon announced today that Maurice Avent, age 48, of Georgetown, pleaded guilty in federal court to a misdemeanor violation of the Clean Water Act. United States District Court Judge Bruce Howe Hendricks, of Charleston, accepted the plea and will sentence Avent after receiving and reviewing a pre-sentence report prepared by the United States Probation Office.
Evidence presented at the hearing established that at the end of August 2018, the South Carolina Department of Health and Environmental Control (DHEC) received a complaint about raw sewage in the marsh behind a hotel in Georgetown. A duty officer went to the hotel and observed a concrete pump station, also known as a wet well, with a black hose coming out of the top. The hose was attached to a sump pump. Raw sewage was inside the wet well. The hose ran through the back parking lot, over a wooden fence, and into the marsh. The sump pump was running at the time and was discharging sewage into the marsh.
Maintenance man Maurice Avent was contacted and said that the two pumps that normally emptied the well had stopped working. Those pumps routed sewage from the wet well into the city sewage system. When a fix was not immediately available, Avent improvised. He bought the sump pump and directed the hose into the marsh. The hose had been in place for about a week, but the sump pump only activated when needed.
City and state government officials suggested to Avent that he put the hose into the city sewage opening, which is where the original pumps – when working – were routed, and he followed that suggestion.
The maximum penalty faced by Avent is imprisonment for one year, with a potential fine between $2,500 and $25,000 for each day of the violation.
The United States Environmental Protection Agency, the South Carolina Department of Health and Environmental Control, and the City of Georgetown investigated the case. Assistant United States Attorneys Winston David Holliday, Jr., of the Columbia office, and Emily Evans Limehouse, of Charleston, are prosecuting the case.
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Former NYPD Officer Pleads Guilty to Tax FraudRead the Press Release
Geoffrey S. Berman, the United States Attorney for the Southern District of New York, and Jonathan D. Larsen, Special Agent in Charge of the New York Office of the Internal Revenue Service, Criminal Investigation Division (“IRS-CI”), announced that ALFRED FERATOVIC pled guilty today in Manhattan federal court to fraudulently under-reporting income in his United States individual income tax returns between 2012 and 2017, while employed as an officer for the New York City Police Department (“NYPD”). FERATOVIC, who is no longer with the NYPD, was arrested and charged in connection with this offense in June 2019, and he pled guilty today to aiding the preparation of fraudulent tax returns before United States District Judge Ronnie Abrams.
Manhattan U.S. Attorney Berman said: “Alfred Feratovic admitted today that while enforcing the laws as an NYPD officer, he was violating the law himself by falsifying his tax records and failing to report hundreds of thousands of dollars in income. Our Office is committed to demonstrating that no one is above the law, and that tax fraud is a serious offense that we will prosecute to the fullest extent of the law.”
Special Agent in Charge Jonathan D. Larsen said: "As a New York City police officer, Mr. Feratovic betrayed the public trust by not paying his fair share in taxes. Nobody is above the law and IRS-CI will continue to investigate individuals who underreport rental income."
According to the allegations set forth in the Information filed against FERATOVIC in Manhattan federal court, and statements made in court proceedings, including FERATOVIC’s guilty plea hearing:
Between 2012 and 2017, FERATOVIC was employed as a police officer, and received income from his employment with the NYPD. FERATOVIC also owned and operated residential rental properties from which he derived significant personal income. He reported rental income from those properties on his U.S. federal income tax returns. In particular, FERATOVIC owned and operated more than 10 rental properties in New York and Connecticut. Rental income he received from those properties was reported to the IRS on certain schedules and filings in FERATOVIC’s tax returns, which he participated in preparing and filing with the IRS.
For each of the tax years 2012 through 2017, FERATOVIC falsely reported to his tax return preparer, and caused to be reported to the IRS, rental income from his properties in amounts significantly below the true rental income he received. He did so in generally increasing amounts during the relevant years, with the largest under-reporting occurring in 2017, during which he failed to report hundreds of thousands of dollars in rental income.
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FERATOVIC, 39, of Staten Island, New York, pled guilty to one count of aiding the preparation of fraudulent federal tax returns, which carries a maximum sentence of three years in prison. The maximum potential sentence in this case is prescribed by Congress and is provided here for informational purposes only, as the sentence of the defendant will be determined by the court.
Mr. Berman praised the outstanding investigative work of the Special Agents of the United States Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of New York and the Internal Revenue Service, and thanked the New York City Police Department for their valuable assistance in the investigation.
This case is being handled by the Office’s Public Corruption Unit. Assistant U.S. Attorney Alex Rossmiller is in charge of the prosecution.
Former Medical Practice Employee Pleads Guilty to Obtaining Controlled Substances by FraudRead the Press Release
CONTACT: Barbara Burns
PHONE: (716) 843-5817
FAX #: (716) 551-3051ROCHESTER, N.Y. - U.S. Attorney James P. Kennedy, Jr. announced today that Shannon Lambert, 33, of Canandaigua, NY, pleaded guilty before U.S. District Judge Elizabeth A. Wolford to obtaining controlled substances by fraud and identify theft. The charges carry a maximum penalty of 20 years in prison, and a $250,000 fine.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Sean C. Eldridge, who is handling the case, stated that between 2011 and February 2019, the defendant was employed at Cornerstone Eye Associates in Rochester. Through her position, Lambert had access to Cornerstone’s internal computer databases, including an electronic prescription program which doctors at Cornerstone used to write and submit prescriptions to pharmacies on behalf of their patients.
Between approximately January 2018 and February 2019, the defendant accessed Cornerstone’s electronic prescription program and issued 73 fraudulent prescriptions in her name or the names of her family members. Lambert then had those prescriptions filled, and she picked them up from local pharmacies. The defendant used the name and an authentication device of an ophthalmologist who worked at Cornerstone, without their authorization, to issue the prescriptions. The 73 prescriptions totaled approximately 5,048 dosage units of Schedule II controlled substances, including hydrocodone and oxycodone.
The plea is the result of an investigation by the Drug Enforcement Administration, under the direction of Special Agent-in-Charge Ray Donovan, New York Field Division.
Sentencing is scheduled for December 16, 2019, at 2:30 p.m. before Judge Wolford.
Former Holyoke Teacher Arrested for Possession of Child PornographyRead the Press Release
BOSTON – A former Holyoke kindergarten teacher was arrested last night and charged with possession of child pornography. Yesterday, the defendant resigned from his position as a kindergarten teacher for the Holyoke Public Schools where he was employed.
Gregory Lisby, 40, of Worcester, was arrested last night in Northboro and charged today with one count of possession of child pornography. Lisby will appear in federal court in Boston at 2:15 p.m. today.
According to the charging documents, investigators received a tip that an image depicting child pornography had been uploaded to a Microsoft OneDrive account that was determined to belong to Lisby. Pursuant to a search warrant, investigators reviewed the OneDrive and identified approximately 180 images and 15 videos of child pornography. On Sept. 11, 2019, a search was executed at Lisby’s home where a preliminary on-scene review of Lisby’s OneDrive account, on both his iPad and cellphone, was conducted. Lisby was subsequently arrested last night and charged with possession of child pornography.
Members of the public who have questions, concerns or information regarding this case should call the U.S. Attorney’s Office at 617-748-3274.
The charging statute provides for a sentence of up to 20 years in prison, three years of supervised release and a fine of $250,000. Sentences are imposed by a federal district court judge based upon the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors.
United States Attorney Andrew E. Lelling and Joseph Bonavolonta, Special Agent in Charge of the Federal Bureau of Investigation, Boston Field Division made the announcement today. The Worcester, Holyoke, Northboro and Southboro Police Departments, along with the Massachusetts State Police provided assistance with the investigation. Assistant U.S. Attorney Kristen Noto of Lelling’s Worcester Branch Office is prosecuting the case.
The case is brought as part of Project Safe Childhood. In 2006, the Department of Justice created Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative designed to protect children from exploitation and abuse. Led by the U.S. Attorneys’ Offices and the DOJ’s Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section, Project Safe Childhood marshals federal, state, and local resources to locate, apprehend, and prosecute individuals who exploit children, as well as identify and rescue victims. For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit www.projectsafechildhood.gov/.
The details contained in the criminal complaint are allegations. The defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.
Former Hempstead School District Official Pleads Guilty to Credit Card FraudRead the Press Release
Timothy Gregg, the former Provisional Supervisor of Facilities for the Hempstead School District, pleaded guilty today at the federal courthouse in Central Islip to access device fraud in connection with his misuse of a school district credit card. The plea was entered before United States District Judge Joanna Seybert. When sentenced, Gregg faces up to 15 years in prison, as well as forfeiture and a fine of up to $250,000.
Richard P. Donoghue, United States Attorney for the Eastern District of New York, William F. Sweeney, Jr., Assistant Director-in-Charge, Federal Bureau of Investigation, New York Field Office (FBI), Thomas P. DiNapoli, Comptroller, Office of the New York State Comptroller, and Madeline Singas, District Attorney, Nassau County District Attorney’s Office, announced the guilty plea.
As described in court filings and the plea proceeding, Gregg was the Chief of Facilities at the Hempstead School District from 2016 to 2018. In that capacity, Gregg was authorized to use a school district credit card for purchases for the school district. Instead, Gregg allowed a local contractor to use the credit card for his own personal purchases at Home Depot, in exchange for kickbacks to Gregg of cash and materials exceeding $50,000 in value.
“Today’s guilty plea of former Hempstead School District official Timothy Gregg drives home an important lesson: corrupt officials who abuse their position to enrich themselves will be prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law,” stated United States Attorney Donoghue. Mr. Donoghue expressed his grateful appreciation to the United States Department of Education Office of Inspector General for their assistance during the investigation.
“Mr. Gregg abused the public's trust by using taxpayer dollars to fund his personal home improvement projects. Such corruption must not be tolerated and my office assisted in exposing this abuse,” stated Comptroller DiNapoli. “Thanks to our partnership with U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of New York Donoghue, Nassau County District Attorney Singas, Assistant Director-in-Charge Sweeney, Jr., of the FBI's New York Field Office and the U.S. Department of Education Office of Inspector General, Mr. Gregg will now have to account for his crimes.”
"The defendant used a school board-issued credit card for home improvement projects and allowed a contractor to freely utilize that credit card for kickbacks,” stated Nassau County District Attorney Singas. “This plea sends a strong message that corrupt local officials will be held accountable for stealing taxpayer money.”
The government’s case is being handled by the Office’s Long Island Criminal Division. Assistant United States Attorneys Charles P. Kelly and Madeline O’Connor and Special Assistant United States Attorney Joseb Gim are in charge of the prosecution.
The Defendant:
TIMOTHY GREGG
Age: 49
Uniondale, New YorkE.D.N.Y. Docket No. 19-368 (JS)
Former Executive Director of Military Charity Sentenced to 12 Months for Fraud and Tax EvasionRead the Press Release
WASHINGTON – Patricia Driscoll, the former executive director of the Armed Forces Foundation, was sentenced yesterday to 12 months and a day in prison for her role in a scheme in which she stole from a non-profit charity, defrauded donors, and lied to the Internal Revenue Service and the public about her salary and benefits.
U.S. Attorney Jessie K. Liu, Timothy Dunham, Special Agent in Charge, Criminal Division, FBI Washington Field Office, and Kelly R. Jackson, Special Agent in Charge of the Internal Revenue Service Criminal Investigation (IRS-CI) Washington D.C. Field Office made the announcement today.
Driscoll, 41, of Ellicott City, Maryland, was found guilty of two counts of wire fraud and two counts of tax evasion, all federal offenses, and one count of first-degree fraud, a District of Columbia offense, in November 2018. The verdict followed a trial in the U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia. In addition to the period of incarceration, the Honorable Richard J. Leon ordered Driscoll to serve 36 months supervised release, a period of home confinement, 360 hours of community service, and to pay $154,289 in restitution and $81,779 in a money judgment forfeiture.
According to the government’s evidence, until July 2015, Driscoll was the executive director of the Armed Forces Foundation, a tax-exempt non-profit charity based in Washington, D.C. The foundation’s stated mission was to protect and promote the physical, mental, and emotional wellness of military service members, veterans, and their families.
“The mission of the Armed Forces Foundation was to protect and promote the physical, mental, and emotional wellness of military service members, veterans, and their families,” said U.S. Attorney Jessie K. Liu. “Patricia Driscoll lied and decided to use the foundation for her own personal gain and schemes such as these undermine the work of non-profit organizations.”
While Driscoll was the executive director, in its promotions and requests for money, the Armed Forces Foundation claimed that 95% of all donations went directly to military members and their families through the charity’s programs. As a “highly compensated individual,” Driscoll’s salary and benefits were required to be disclosed on annual reports (called “Form 990”) to be filed each year with the IRS. These publicly available documents are often used by charity watch groups and donors to judge worthiness of the charity and by the IRS to determine whether the organization was operating with IRS law and regulations.
According to the evidence, Driscoll caused false reports to be filed on the Form 990s in a number of ways. For example, she failed to include the fact that she received commissions from fundraising, the amounts of commissions that she received from fundraising, and the other benefits that she received. Driscoll also falsely categorized and caused others to falsely categorize expenses in the Armed Forces Foundation’s books and records as being for the benefit of the veterans, troops, and their families, when, in fact, they were for her own private benefit. Driscoll also concealed from the foundation’s accountants the money she took from the charity, such as rent that was paid for the use of office space in a building that she co-owned.
Additionally, Driscoll falsely reported and caused others to falsely report the amount of donations received by the foundation on Forms 990, by inflating the amounts of donations and incorrectly listing the types of donations. According to the evidence, she sent false and fraudulent Forms 990 to members of the foundation’s Board of Directors and to the IRS, and caused to be published Forms 990, containing false and fraudulent information.
The jury found that Driscoll took the foundation’s money for her own personal use and to pay her for-profit business expenses. The tax evasion charges are for tax years 2012 and 2013.
In announcing the verdicts, U.S. Attorney Liu, Special Agent in Charge Dunham, and Special Agent in Charge Jackson commended the work performed by Special Agents from the FBI and Revenue Agents from the IRS. They also acknowledged the efforts of those who handled the case for the U.S. Attorney’s Office, including Victim/Witness Advocate Yvonne Bryant; Victim/Witness Services Coordinators Tonya Jones and Katina Adams-Washington; Supervisory Paralegal Specialist Tasha Harris; Paralegal Specialists Diane Brashears and Amanda Rohde; Forensic Accountant Bryan Snitselaar; Assistant U.S. Attorney Diane Lucas; former Paralegal Specialists Christopher Toms, Corinne Kleinman, and Kaitlyn Kruger; Litigation Technology Supervisor Leif Hickling; former Litigation Technology Supervisor Josh Ellen, and David Goodhand, Special Counsel to the U.S. Attorney, who provided midtrial legal research and writing.
Finally, they expressed appreciation for the work of Assistant U.S. Attorneys Virginia Cheatham, Kathryn Rakoczy, and Derrick Williams, who investigated and prosecuted the case.
Former Dentist Pleads Guilty to Health Care FraudRead the Press Release
WASHINGTON – Bilal Ahmed, 47, of Potomac, Maryland, pled guilty on September 6, 2019, to a federal charge of health care fraud stemming from a scheme in which he and others caused the District of Columbia’s Medicaid program to be defrauded out of more than $5 million.
The announcement was made today by U.S. Attorney Jessie K. Liu, Timothy Dunham, Special Agent in Charge, Criminal Division, FBI Washington Field Office, Maureen R. Dixon, Special Agent in Charge of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Office of Inspector General, for the region that includes Washington, D.C., and Daniel W. Lucas, District of Columbia Inspector General.
Ahmed was indicted in January 2019, along with his former office manager, on one count of conspiracy to commit health care fraud, one count of health care fraud, and five counts of wire fraud. Ahmed pled guilty in the U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia to Count II of the Indictment and the remaining charges will be dismissed at sentencing. The charge carries a statutory maximum sentence of 10 years in prison and potential financial penalties. Under federal sentencing guidelines, Ahmed faces a likely range of 57 to 71 months in prison and a fine of up to $200,000. The plea agreement calls for Ahmed to pay $5,421,227 in restitution and $3,978,879.93 in a forfeiture money judgment. While the government has agreed to join in Ahmed’s request for a sentence that runs concurrently with the 16-year sentence that he currently is serving for sexually assaulting patients, that request is not binding on the Court. The Honorable Judge Colleen Kollar-Kotelly scheduled sentencing for January 17, 2020.
According to the statement of offense submitted to the Court, Ahmed was a practicing dentist who owned and operated Universal Smiles, a dental practice, in Northwest, Washington, D.C. When Ahmed’s dental license was suspended by the D.C. Dentistry Board, and subsequently was surrendered by him, Ahmed opened and operated Dental Equipment and Services (“DES”). DES was a Maryland company that employed dentists on contract to work at Universal Smiles’ former business location in the District of Columbia. Through Universal Smiles and DES, Ahmed and his office manager, engaged in a scheme to enrich themselves by defrauding D.C. Medicaid, a health care benefits program jointly funded by the federal government and the District of Columbia to provide health care services to residents who meet the income qualifying requirements. As part of the scheme, Ahmed with the assistance of the office manager, applied to be a Medicaid provider. Once approved to bill Medicaid, Ahmed and the office manager sought to increase the dental practice’s profits by recruiting Medicaid recipients as patients. Ahmed and the office manager then billed D.C. Medicaid for thousands of provisional crowns that were not provided to the Medicaid patients and shared the fraud proceeds. From August 9, 2012, through February 26, 2014, D.C. Medicaid paid Universal Smiles approximately $12.4 million; and it paid DES approximately $1.2 million from November 17, 2014, though February 1, 2016. Of the more than $13 million that D.C. Medicaid paid to Universal Smiles and DES, approximately $5.4 million was for provisional crowns. Of the $5.4 million that D.C. Medicaid paid for provisional crowns, Ahmed obtained approximately $4 million from the fraudulent scheme and the office manager obtained approximately $1.4 million.
In announcing the plea, U.S. Attorney Liu, Special Agent in Charge Dunham, and Special Agent in Charge Dixon commended the work of those who investigated the case from the FBI’s Washington Field Office, the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Office of Inspector General, and the District of Columbia’s Office of the Inspector General. They also expressed appreciation for the work of Paralegal Specialists Aisha Keys and Brittany Phillips, Forensic Financial Analyst Bryan Snitselaar, and the DC OIG MFCU investigations team. Finally, they commended the work of Assistant U.S. Attorney Denise A. Simmonds, and former Assistant U.S. Attorneys Michelle Bradford and Lionel Andre, who prosecuted the case.
Former Alabama Resident Pleads Guilty to Concealing Terrorism FinancingRead the Press Release
BIRMINGHAM – A criminal information was filed on Sept. 11, 2019, against Alaa Mohd Abusaad, charging her with concealment of terrorism financing, in violation of Title 18, United States Code, Sections 2339C and 2. Abusaad pleaded guilty to the charge today. Assistant Attorney General for National Security John C. Demers, United States Attorney Jay E. Town of the Northern District of Alabama, and FBI Special Agent in Charge Johnnie Sharp Jr. of the Birmingham Division made the announcement today.
As set forth in the previously filed complaint, Abusaad instructed an FBI undercover employee (UCE) about how to send money to the mujahedeen—fighters engaged in jihad. Abusaad told the UCE that money “is always needed. You can’t have a war without weapons. You can’t prepare a soldier without equipment.” Abusaad also advised the UCE on how to send money in a manner that would avoid detection by law enforcement, including by using fake names and addresses when conducting electronic money transfers. Subsequently, Abusaad introduced the UCE to a financial facilitator who could route the UCE’s money to “brothers that work with aq” (meaning al Qaeda).
The maximum penalty for concealment of terrorism financing is ten years in prison and a $250,000 fine, and up to a life term of supervised release.
Investigation of the case was conducted by the FBI, including FBI offices in Birmingham, Alabama and Cleveland and Toledo, Ohio. The prosecution is being handled by Assistant United States Attorneys Henry Cornelius and Manu Balachandran and Trial Attorney Jennifer Levy of the National Security Division’s Counterterrorism Section.
Former Alabama Resident Pleads Guilty to Concealing Terrorism FinancingRead the Press Release
A criminal information was filed on Sept. 11, 2019, against Alaa Mohd Abusaad, charging her with concealment of terrorism financing, in violation of Title 18, United States Code, Sections 2339C and 2. Abusaad pleaded guilty to the charge today. Assistant Attorney General for National Security John C. Demers, United States Attorney Jay E. Town of the Northern District of Alabama, and FBI Special Agent in Charge Johnnie Sharp Jr. of the Birmingham Division made the announcement today.
As set forth in the previously filed complaint, Abusaad instructed an FBI undercover employee (UCE) about how to send money to the mujahedeen—fighters engaged in jihad. Abusaad told the UCE that money “is always needed. You can’t have a war without weapons. You can’t prepare a soldier without equipment.” Abusaad also advised the UCE on how to send money in a manner that would avoid detection by law enforcement, including by using fake names and addresses when conducting electronic money transfers. Subsequently, Abusaad introduced the UCE to a financial facilitator who could route the UCE’s money to “brothers that work with aq” (meaning al Qaeda).
The maximum penalty for concealment of terrorism financing is 10 years in prison and a $250,000 fine, and up to a life term of supervised release.
Investigation of the case was conducted by the FBI, including FBI offices in Birmingham, Alabama, and Cleveland and Toledo, Ohio. The prosecution is being handled by Assistant United States Attorneys Henry Cornelius and Manu Balachandran and Trial Attorney Jennifer Levy of the National Security Division’s Counterterrorism Section.
Flint Man Sentenced to 135 Months in Federal Prison for Facebook RobberyRead the Press Release
Rashaaud K. Garrett, 21, of Flint was sentenced on September 12, 2019 to 135 months (11¼ years) in federal prison following his conviction for interference with commerce by robbery and discharging a firearm during a crime of violence, U.S. Attorney Matthew Schneider announced today.
Schneider was joined in the announcement by James Deir, Special Agent in Charge of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives’ Detroit Field Division.
U.S. District Court Judge Matthew F. Leitman imposed sentence on Garrett, a convicted felon, following his guilty pleas to interference with commerce by robbery and discharging a firearm during a crime of violence. Leitman also sentenced Garrett to three years of federal supervised release following his term of incarceration.
According to court documents, in the days leading up to October 7, 2018, Garrett negotiated the sale of his car to the victim using the Facebook Marketplace internet application. On October 7, Garrett picked the victim up in the car and travelled to Pemberton Drive in Flint so Garrett could remove his personal belongings from the car before the sale was finalized. After parking the car, Garrett approached the victim who was seated in the back seat. Garrett brandished his firearm and demanded the victims cash, marijuana, and property. A brief scuffle ensued before the victim was able to escape. The victim fled the scene on foot, leaving behind his cell phone and a quantity of marijuana. As the victim ran from the scene, Garrett discharged his firearm twice. Garrett was arrested several days later following another incident where he discharged his firearm.
When the public and law enforcement work together, violent criminals are held responsible for their actions,” said Special Agent in Charge James Deir. “Rashaaud Garrett’s sentence should serve as a warning. ATF will use every available resource to protect the public from those preying on innocent citizens.”
“Guns in the hands of violent convicted felons is a recipe for disaster. Our office will continue to work with our federal, state, and local law enforcement partners to target violent criminals who use guns to achieve their selfish ends,” said Schneider. Schneider advised the public to be cautious when buying and selling items to strangers they meet online noting that many local police departments allow these transactions to be conducted in their parking lots.
This investigation was conducted by the ATF’s Flint Field Office, the Michigan State Police, and Flint Police Department. The case was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Anthony P. Vance.
First Parent in College Admissions Case Sentenced to PrisonRead the Press Release
BOSTON – Felicity Huffman was sentenced today to 14 days in federal prison for her involvement in the college admissions case. She must report to the Bureau of Prison on Oct. 25, 2019.
Huffman, 56, was sentenced by U.S. District Judge Indira Talwani to 14 days in prison, one year of supervised release and ordered to pay a fine of $30,000. The government had recommended a sentence of one month in prison, one year of supervised release and a fine of $20,000. In May 2019, Huffman pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy to commit mail fraud and honest services mail fraud.
Beginning in at least 2017, Huffman conspired with Rick Singer to have her daughter’s college entrance exam corrected, thereby fraudulently inflating the score. During an August 2017 meeting with Rick Singer at her home, Huffman and Singer discussed the scheme and the cost. Over the next year and a half, Huffman took multiple steps to facilitate the scheme, including securing extended time for her daughter to take the SAT and arranging for her daughter to take the exam at a test center in West Hollywood that Singer “controlled.” Huffman also agreed to lie to her daughter’s high school guidance counselor by falsely telling the counselor that her daughter would take the test elsewhere over a weekend so that she would not miss any school. Thereafter, Huffman paid for the scheme by making a purported contribution of $15,000 to Singer’s sham charity, Key Worldwide Foundation.
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.
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 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 case.
Federal Charges Filed Against Greenpeace ProtestersRead the Press Release
HOUSTON – A total of 22 people from 13 states plus the District of Columbia will soon have to appear before a federal judge to answer charges following their alleged protest at the Fred Hartman Bridge in Houston, announced U.S. Attorney Ryan K. Patrick.
The criminal information, filed today, charges each with one count of aiding and abetting obstruction of navigable waters. They are currently in state custody on related charges but are expected to make their initial appearances before U.S. Magistrate Judge Dena Palermo at 12:00 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 14.
“I commend the Harris County Sheriff’s Office (HCSO) for their professionalism,” said Patrick. “This was a unique situation that required hours of preparation and execution to bring to a close. Rather than peacefully protesting, these defendants are charged with a crime that put lives at risk.”
The charges allege each aided and abetted each other and others known and unknown to unlawfully obstruct the navigable capacity of the waters of the United States. Specifically, the information alleges they obstructed the waterway by rappelling off and suspending themselves from the Fred Hartman Bridge over the San Jacinto River. Their actions caused a disruption and affected vessel traffic within the Houston Ship Channel - to and from the Port of Houston, according to the allegations.
Those charged in federal court include California residents Zeph Fishlyn, 52, Tamura R. Seiji, 29, and Richard A. Sisney, 32, all of Oakland, and Cole Asher Taylor-Martin, 35, of Fullerton; Missouri residents Jayden Allen, 20, of Warrensburg, and Dakota P. Schee, 25, of Kansas City; Jonathan Butler, 29, and Tracye Redd, 28, both of Washington, DC; Washington State residents Ryan Harris, 41, of Olympia, and Piper Werle, 29, of Port Orchard; New York women Brianna Gibson, 28, of Brooklyn, and Kim Irene, 26, of Jerico; Colorado residents Julie A. McElvain, 36, of Steamboat Springs, and Cheloee Price, 23, of Denver; as well as Christan Bufforu, 32, of Ellerwood, Georgia; Sydney Clifford, 21, of Portland, Oregon; Heather Doyle, 35, of Albequrque, New Mexico; Michael Herbert, 36, Hyattsville, Maryland; Tyler N. McFarland, 27, of Dover, New Hampshire; Sarah Newman, 42, of Lexington, Kentucky; Heidi Nybroten, 26, of Minneapolis, Minnesota; and Shevone Torres, 39, of Pennsauken, New Jersey.
If convicted of the misdemeanor charges, each faces up to a year in federal prison and a possible $2,500 fine.
HCSO led the investigation and arrests with the participation and assistance of Harris County Precinct 8 Constables’ Office, U.S. Coast Guard, Houston Police Department, FBI, Texas Department of Transportation, Federal Aviation Administration and fire departments in Houston and Baytown. Assistant U.S. Attorney Mark McIntyre is prosecuting the case.
An information is a formal accusation of criminal conduct, not evidence.
A defendant is presumed innocent unless convicted through due process of law.Drug trafficker from central Louisiana sentenced to 30 years in prisonRead the Press Release
ALEXANDRIA, La. – United States Attorney David C. Joseph announced today that George Earl White Jr., 35, of Alexandria, was sentenced on Tuesday to 360 months in prison and five years of supervised release by U.S. District Judge Dee D. Drell for his role in distributing illegal narcotics in Rapides Parish.
A federal jury found White guilty of one count of conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute methamphetamine, heroin and cocaine after a three-day trial that ended May 30, 2019. Testimony presented during his trial showed that White conspired with Derrick Anthony Felton, 40, of Alexandria, Reginald Felton Jr., 27, of Colfax, Louisiana, and Darian Dewayne Napoleon, 35, of Colfax, Louisiana, to sell methamphetamine, heroin and cocaine in the central Louisiana area. Law enforcement agents found that Derrick Felton would, under White’s direction, travel to California to obtain large quantities of methamphetamine, which was then shipped to Louisiana. Once the shipments arrived in central Louisiana, White would distribute the narcotics to other members of the conspiracy who would then sell the drugs to lower-level distributors or users.
During the course of the investigation, Louisiana State Police seized approximately 33 kilograms of methamphetamine, 1 kilogram of heroin, 1 kilogram of powdered cocaine and 4 pints of promethazine cough syrup.
White’s co-conspirators all pleaded guilty to the conspiracy. Darian Napoleon pleaded guilty on February 25, 2019, and received 120 months. Reginald Felton pleaded guilty on February 26, 2019, and received 220 months. Derrick Felton pleaded guilty on March 8, 2019, and received 262 months. Upon completion of their prison sentence, the defendants will also face five years of supervised release.
The FBI Safe Streets Task Force and Louisiana State Police investigated the case. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Jamilla A. Bynog and Brandon B. Brown prosecuted the case.
District Man Sentenced to 20 Years for Sexually Abusing 13-year-old ChildRead the Press Release
WASHINGTON – A 39-year-old man, of Washington, D.C., was sentenced today to 20 years in prison following a jury trial for sexually abusing his 13-year-old stepdaughter, announced U.S. Attorney Jessie K. Liu.
The man, who is not identified here to protect the privacy of the victim, was found guilty on May 21, 2019, following a jury trial in the Superior Court of the District of Columbia. He was sentenced to 20 years in prison and a lifetime term of supervised release by the Honorable Ronna Beck. The defendant was sentenced on four counts related to the sexual abuse of his stepdaughter including first-degree sexual abuse with aggravating circumstances. Following his prison term, the man will be required to register for life as a sex offender.
According to the government’s evidence, one night in the early summer months of 2017, the victim was on a futon with her stepfather’s nephew in her family home. The defendant, angry to find the victim with his nephew, pulled his nephew into the bathroom and scolded him. The defendant then walked toward the victim where she lay hiding under the covers on the futon. The defendant forcefully pinned the victim down while he groped her breasts and penetrated her vagina with his finger. The victim disclosed the sexual abuse to family members several months later.
In sentencing the defendant, the court made remarks on the familial relationship between the defendant and his young stepdaughter and credited the evidence presented during trial and the sentencing hearing that the defendant had sexually abused the victim in the past.
In announcing the verdict, U.S. Attorney Liu commended the work of those investigating the case from the Metropolitan Police Department’s Youth and Family Services Division. She also expressed appreciation for the assistance provided by the Children’s Advocacy Center. She acknowledged the efforts of those who worked on the case from the U.S. Attorney’s Office, including Paralegal Tiffany Fogle; and Victim/Witness Advocate Juanita Harris.
Finally, she commended the work of Assistant U.S. Attorney Marisa S. West, who investigated and prosecuted the case.
Dennehotso Man Sentenced to Prison for Possession of Short-Barreled ShotgunRead the Press Release
PHOENIX, Ariz. – This week, Demetrius Sturkey, of Dennehotso, Ariz., was sentenced by U.S. District Judge Susan M. Brnovich to 30 months of imprisonment to be followed by three years of supervised release. Sturkey had previously pleaded guilty to unlawful possession of an unregistered firearm.
On February 20, 2019, Sturkey possessed a weapon made from a shotgun, which had been modified to shorten the barrel. Federal law prohibits the possession of a weapon made from a shotgun, if the modified weapon has a barrel less than 18 inches in length and an overall length of less than 26 inches, unless that weapon is registered to the possessor in the National Firearms Registration and Transfer Record. The firearm Sturkey possessed was not registered in the National Firearms Registration and Transfer Record. Sturkey is an enrolled member of the Navajo Nation and this crime occurred on the Navajo Nation Reservation. Sturkey’s sentence was enhanced because the firearm he possessed was previously stolen.
The investigation in this case was conducted by the Navajo Nation Division of Public Safety and the Federal Bureau of Investigation. The prosecution was handled by Assistant U.S. Attorney Alexander Samuels, District of Arizona, Phoenix.
Defense Contractor, Company President, Former Bookkeeper to Pay $1 Million to Settle False Claims Act AllegationsRead the Press Release
GS Engineering, Inc.’s President, Former Bookkeeper, And Four Related Companies Also Agree To Voluntary Exclusions From Federal Contracts And Awards
GRAND RAPIDS, MICHIGAN —U.S. Attorney Andrew Birge announced today that GS Engineering, Inc. ("GSE"), a defense contractor in Houghton, Michigan, along with GSE’s president and GSE’s former bookkeeper, will pay a total of $1,000,000.00 to resolve allegations that GSE submitted false claims for lease costs under its federal defense contracts. In connection with the settlement, GSE’s president, GSE’s former bookkeeper, and four companies that those individuals owned and controlled—Arcadian Holdings, LLC, Echo Leasing, LLC, GS Engineering Services, Inc. (d/b/a GS Infrastructure), and LJ Leasing, LLC—agreed to be voluntarily excluded from federal contracts and awards for a period of three years.
The settlement resolves allegations that between August 2009 and December 2015, GSE double-billed defense agencies by fully depreciating certain data acquisition equipment—and charging that depreciation to government contracts—before purporting to transfer and lease that same equipment back from Echo Leasing, a related company. The government also alleged that between January 2009 and November 2016, companies under GSE’s common control (Arcadian Holdings, Echo Leasing, GS Infrastructure, and LJ Leasing) leased real property and equipment to GSE at rates that exceeded allowable amounts under the Federal Acquisition Regulation.
In addition to its settlement with the U.S. Attorney’s Office, GSE entered into a three-year administrative agreement with the United States Army. The administrative agreement requires GSE to, among other things, maintain an ethics and compliance program and retain a Corporate Ethics Monitor to review and report on GSE’s compliance with government contracting requirements.
"Defense contractors cannot use their control over related companies to unnecessarily increase costs to the government," U.S. Attorney Birge said. "My office will protect the integrity of the procurement process and ensure that contractors comply with all applicable laws."
This case was a cooperative effort among the Defense Contract Audit Agency, the Defense Criminal Investigative Service, the United States Army Criminal Investigation Command, and the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Western District of Michigan. Assistant U.S. Attorney Adam B. Townshend represented the United States.
The claims resolved by the settlements are allegations only. There has been no determination of liability.
END