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Wednesday 7 August 2019
Former Maryland Insurance Agent and Financial Planner Sentenced to Almost Five Years in Federal Prison for $2.8 Million Fraud SchemeRead the Press Release
Baltimore, Maryland – U.S. District Judge Deborah K. Chasanow today sentenced Jonathan Williams, age 48, of Boston, Massachusetts, a former Maryland insurance agent and financial planner with New York Life, to 57 months in federal prison, followed by three years of supervised release, for wire fraud, in connection with a scheme to defraud clients of more than $2.8 million. Judge Chasanow also ordered Williams to forfeit and pay restitution of $2.8 million.
The sentence was announced by United States Attorney for the District of Maryland Robert K. Hur and Postal Inspector in Charge Peter R. Rendina of the U.S. Postal Inspection Service - Washington Division.
According to his plea agreement, from February 2006 through March 2015, Williams worked as a New York Life insurance agent and was licensed to sell insurance in Maryland, and registered with the Financial Industry and Regulatory Authority (FINRA). Williams was only authorized to sell New York Life related products and provide financial planning through a New York Life affiliate. New York Life did not sell certificates of deposit (CDs) nor was Williams authorized to sell CDs. New York Life authorized the use of “doing business as” entities (DBAs) for marketing purposes only and approved Williams’ use of Mid-Atlantic Financial and Williams Investment Group as DBAs. Williams was not permitted to have premiums made payable to him or his DBAs.
Williams admitted that from 2009 to 2015, Williams deceived New York Life and its customers, and fraudulently obtained more than $2.8 million. At Williams’ direction, customers paid money to entities with bank accounts that Williams controlled, including Advanced Retirement Solutions, Jonathan Williams Financial Planning, and Mid-Atlantic Financial. Williams used the victim funds to make cash withdrawals, to pay personal and business expenses, to pay employees, to take vacations, and other miscellaneous expenses.
For example, Williams misrepresented to one small business that he was creating a defined benefit plan for the company’s employees by purchasing life insurance, long-term policies, and other investments. In 2015, after more than five years, the business learned that Williams never created the defined benefit plan. In addition to the money that he took from the business, Williams caused New York Life and the small business to incur substantial costs to recreate the benefit plan and avoid arduous tax consequences stemming from Williams’ illegal conduct.
Further, Williams admitted that he provided a fake certificate of deposit account statements to another victim, but never invested the client’s money. That victim lost more than $350,000. A third victim, who had spent more than 30 years in the U.S. Navy, invested $100,000 with Williams, supposedly for Williams to establish investment accounts with Fidelity. Williams lied to the victim in e-mails, claiming that the victim’s money was invested with Fidelity. In fact, an account was never created for the victim at Fidelity and Williams used the victim’s money for his personal enrichment.
In March 2015, Williams provided phony bank records to New York Life after officials questioned Williams about his financial transactions with New York Life customers. Even after he lost his license to sell insurance in May 2015, Williams continued to mislead clients, telling one client in July 2016 that he was leaving New York Life to work for another company. New York Life subsequently terminated Williams’ employment and paid to settle with the victims of Williams’ fraud who suffered financial losses stemming from his illegal conduct.
United States Attorney Robert K. Hur commended the U.S. Postal Inspection Service for its work in the investigation. Mr. Hur thanked Assistant U.S. Attorneys Harry M. Gruber and Tamera L. Fine, who prosecuted the case.
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Former Connecticut Resident Sentenced to Prison for Role in Medicaid Fraud SchemesRead the Press Release
John H. Durham, United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut, announced that JULIET JACOB, 50, of Wake Forest, North Carolina, formerly of Bridgeport, was sentenced today by U.S. District Judge Victor A. Bolden in Bridgeport to a year and a day of imprisonment, followed by three years of supervised release, for participating in two separate Medicaid fraud schemes.
According to court documents and statements made in court, beginning in January 2012, Jacob and Toshirea Jackson operated two businesses, Transitional Development And Training (TDAT), and It Takes A Promise (ITAP), both located at 360 Fairfield Avenue in Bridgeport, which provided social and psychotherapy services. The investigation revealed that Jacob and Jackson used ITAP and TDAT to bill Medicaid for psychotherapy services that were never provided. As part of their scheme, Jacob and Jackson used the Medicaid provider numbers of two licensed health care providers who had neither rendered nor supervised any of the psychotherapy services that Jacob and Jackson billed to Medicaid. Jackson, and the two licensed providers, were employees of the Connecticut Department of Mental Health and Addiction Services (DMHAS). The two providers did not authorize Jacob and Jackson to obtain provider numbers for them at TDAT or ITAP, and were not aware that TDAT or ITAP were billing Medicaid as if the providers had personally rendered the psychotherapy services.
The investigation further revealed that, in March 2012, Nikkita Chesney, who was employed by a health care provider that provided substance abuse treatment, including a detoxification program in Bridgeport, was approached by Jackson and, at Jackson’s request, began to steal the personal identification information of Medicaid clients who were patients of her employer. The personal identifying information included the patients’ Medicaid identification number, Social Security Numbers and dates of birth. Jacob, Jackson and Chesney then used the stolen identity information to bill Medicaid for psychotherapy services purportedly provided by TDAT and ITAP, when the Medicaid clients had never received any such services from TDAT or ITAP.
Chesney stole the identity information of more than 150 Medicaid clients, and she, Jacob and Jackson successfully billed Medicaid for approximately half of those clients. The co-conspirators also fraudulently billed Medicaid for services to other clients that were never provided to those clients.
On October 18, 2018, Jacob pleaded guilty to one count of health care fraud stemming from this scheme, and a separate Medicaid fraud scheme. In that separate scheme, Jacob conspired with Ronnette Brown and Beverly Coker in 2010 and 2011 to defraud Medicaid of more than $214,000 by fraudulently billing for psychotherapy services that were not provided.
Judge Bolden ordered Jacob to pay $ 2,711,173 in restitution related to the two schemes.
Jacob, who is released on a $25,000 bond, is required to report to prison on September 20, 2019.
On December 13, 2018, Jackson, who was an employee of the Connecticut Department of Mental Health and Addiction Services, pleaded guilty to one count of health care fraud. On May 30, 2019, Judge Bolden sentenced her to 24 months of imprisonment and ordered her to pay restitution of $2,496,618.
On October 23, 2018, Chesney pleaded guilty to one count of health care fraud and one count of aggravated identity theft. On July 12, 2019, she was sentenced to seven months of imprisonment and ordered to pay restitution of $1,369,654.
On May 26, 2017, a jury found Brown guilty of 23 counts of health care fraud and one count of conspiracy to commit health care fraud. On April 19, 2018, Judge Bolden sentenced Brown to 48 months of imprisonment and ordered her to pay restitution of $2,033,962.
On April 8, 2016, Coker pleaded guilty to one count of health care fraud. On May 8, 2018, she was sentenced to five years of probation and restitution of $214,555.
Three other individuals have been charged and convicted of separate health care fraud offenses as a result of this investigation, including Maurice Sharpe, who is Jacob’s ex-husband, and Patricia Lafayette, who is Sharpe’s mother and Jacob’s former mother-in-law. In 2011, while Jacob and Sharpe were married and living with Lafayette, Jacob, Lafayette, and Sharpe formed Family First Community Support Services (Family First). Sharpe and Lafayette then engaged in a health care fraud scheme with Anne Charlotte Silver, a licensed marriage and family therapist, in which Sharpe and Lafayette used Family First to submit fraudulent claims to Medicaid for psychotherapy under Silver’s Medicaid provider number.
On July 15, 2016, Lafayette pleaded guilty to one count of health care fraud. On April 27, 2017, she was sentenced to 21 months in prison and was ordered to pay restitution of $1,661,879.
On May 2, 2016, Silver pleaded guilty to one count of health care fraud. On May 8, 2017, she was sentenced to 10 months imprisonment and ordered to pay restitution of $1,619,019.
On December 13, 2016, Sharpe pleaded guilty to one count of health care fraud. On May 24, 2018, he was sentenced to five years probation and ordered to pay $211,130 in restitution.
This case was jointly investigated by the Office of the Inspector General of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services and the Medicaid Fraud Control Unit of the Chief State’s Attorney’s Office and the Federal Bureau of Investigation, with assistance from the Connecticut Attorney General’s Office. U.S. Attorney Durham thanked the Connecticut Department of Social Services for their role in identifying the fraudulent scheme and supporting the investigation and prosecution of the case.
“Today’s sentencing is the final step in a five-year investigation that resulted in convictions of eight individuals involved in three separate but related schemes to defraud Medicaid of over six million dollars,” said U.S. Attorney Durham. “These convictions demonstrate the combined efforts of Connecticut’s federal and state criminal and civil law enforcement agencies, working closely with the Connecticut Department of Social Services, to identify, investigate, and prosecute individuals who commit Medicaid fraud. We will continue to vigilantly protect the federal and state dollars that support these vital health care services.”
Chief State’s Attorney Kevin T. Kane expressed his appreciation to all involved in this successful investigation and prosecution. “This is yet another example of what can be accomplished when agencies at levels of government work in collaboration to achieve their common goal,” said Chief State’s Attorney Kane. “All of these agencies worked tirelessly over several years to assure that waste, fraud and abuse in our Medicaid program is uncovered and those responsible are punished accordingly.
“We will not tolerate criminals stealing precious dollars from our federal health care programs,” said Phillip Coyne, Special Agent in Charge for the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Office of Inspector General. “Today’s sentence shows our commitment to working with our state and federal law enforcement partners to swiftly investigate these fraud schemes and bring criminals to justice.”
This matter was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney David J. Sheldon and Auditor Susan Spiegel.
The U.S. Attorney’s Office, Chief State’s Attorney’s Office and Attorney General’s Office meet regularly as part of The Medicaid Fraud Working Group. The Working Group also includes representatives from the Connecticut Department of Social Services; the Connecticut Department of Public Health; the Drug Control Division of the Connecticut Department of Consumer Protection; the Office of the Inspector General of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, and the FBI. The Working Group reviews pending issues and cases, identifies trends that might indicate fraudulent activity, and coordinates efforts for maximum results.
People who suspect health care fraud are encouraged to report it by calling 1-800-HHS-TIPS.
Former Columbia Police Chief Pleads Guilty to Federal Gun ChargeRead the Press Release
Columbia, South Carolina ---- United States Attorney Sherri A. Lydon announced today that Randall G. Scott, age 50, of Richland County, has entered a guilty plea in federal court to possession of a firearm by an unlawful user of a controlled substance. Senior United States District Judge Terry L. Wooten of Columbia accepted the guilty plea and will impose sentence after he has received and reviewed a sentencing report that will be prepared by the United States Probation Office.
Evidence presented to the court established that on December 4, 2017, Richland County deputies arrived at Old Hopkins Road and Garners Ferry Road in Richland County in reference to a subject sleeping behind the wheel of a vehicle while the vehicle was running and in drive on the roadway. The deputies made contact with the driver, who was asleep behind the wheel. After waking the driver, deputies smelled alcohol coming from the vehicle. The deputies then asked the driver for his driver’s license. The driver stated he did not have one. Officers discovered his license was suspended. The driver was then arrested.
Deputies searched the vehicle and discovered a loaded Glock Model 27 pistol in the center armrest of the vehicle. A DNA test indicated that the driver’s DNA was on the pistol. Also inside of the vehicle, deputies discovered a small black bag in an open space under the radio. Inside of the bag, deputies discovered a clear bag with a rock-like substance in it, which was suspected crack cocaine. Deputies also discovered several small bindles of suspected heroin.
Deputies discovered that the vehicle was registered to Randall Scott. Scott was contacted and asked why his vehicle was in the driver’s possession. Scott’s response was he did not know, but he would find out.
Thereafter, ATF agents interviewed the driver. The driver stated Scott gave the Glock firearm found in the vehicle to him for his protection. The driver admitted that he sold drugs and that the drugs in the car were his. During subsequent interviews, the driver admitted to using cocaine and methamphetamine with Scott. The driver pleaded guilty to possession of a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime and is cooperating with the Government. He admitted that he and Scott used drugs together and that he has seen Scott with drugs.
On April 2, 2018, Scott was taken to the hospital for a medical condition. His medical records indicated that he tested positive for cocaine, amphetamine, and opiates. His records indicate he was diagnosed with an illness which was related to cocaine abuse and methamphetamine abuse.
On July 18, 2018, the U.S. Marshals executed an arrest warrant at Scott’s house looking for a fugitive. During the execution of the search warrant, they found a large number of guns in the house. They also found a small amount of methamphetamine. One of the persons in the house, identified in court records as J.O., told the officers that she and Scott had just done methamphetamine before the police arrived and that Scott had more methamphetamine on him before the police entered the house. The police obtained the surveillance video from inside of the house, and it appears that Scott and J.O. had entered a bedroom just before the police entered. J.O. then came out and started to clean the house, saw the police, and alerted everyone. Scott is seen pulling a gun out of his waistband and running through the house with the gun. He entered another room where it is believed that he disposed of the drugs. Later, when he was being taken to jail, he admitted that he had used both cocaine and methamphetamine in the past. The police found multiple guns during the search of his house. One of the guns belonged to the City of Columbia. It was issued to Scott while he was Chief of Police, and he did not return it.
On February 25, 2019, J.O. was interviewed again by ATF. She told the agents she met Scott in 2017. They did ice and heroin together. She stated that they did ice together about 1-2 times a week for a year. She also stated she had seen Scott using heroin, ice and cocaine in the past.
The maximum penalty Scott faces for this charge is 10 years in federal prison and/or a fine of $250,000.
The case was investigated by agents of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, Federal Bureau of Investigation, United States Marshals Service, and Richland County Sheriff’s Department. It was prosecuted as part of the joint federal, state, and local Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), the centerpiece of the Department of Justice’s violent crime reduction efforts. PSN is an evidence-based program proven to be effective at reducing violent crime. Through PSN, a broad spectrum of stakeholders work together to identify the most pressing violent crime problems in the community and develop comprehensive solutions to address them. As part of this strategy, PSN focuses enforcement efforts on the most violent offenders and partners with locally based prevention and reentry programs for lasting reductions in crime.
Assistant United States Attorneys William K. Witherspoon and T. DeWayne Pearson of the Columbia are prosecuting the case.
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Former Boy Scout Employee Going to Federal Prison for Possession of Child PornographyRead the Press Release
CONTACT: Barbara Burns
PHONE: (716) 843-5817
FAX #: (716) 551-3051BUFFALO, N.Y.-U.S. Attorney James P. Kennedy, Jr. announced today that Russell Ruth, 34, of Lyons, NY, who was convicted of possession of child pornography, including prepubescent images, was sentenced to serve 80 months in prison by Chief U.S. District Judge Frank P. Geraci, Jr.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Melissa M. Marangola, who handled the case, stated that between March 13 and June 7, 2018, the defendant uploaded five files containing child pornography to a Yahoo! Server. Yahoo! intercepted the files and reported to the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children (NCMEC).
Investigators determined the images were uploaded by Ruth and executed a search warrant at his residence on June 7, 2018. During the search, investigators seized electronic devices containing over 10,285 images and 602 videos of child pornography, including images of prepubescent children and images involving violence.
The defendant was employed by the Boy Scouts of America in the Ovid, NY area.The sentencing is the result of investigation by Homeland Security Investigations, under the direction of Special Agent-in-Charge Kevin Kelly.
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Food and Drug Administration employee pleads guilty to conflict of interestRead the Press Release
ATLANTA - Elvis Gordon, a former senior facilities technician for the U. S. Food and Drug Administration, has pleaded guilty to an undisclosed conflict of interest involving more than $126,000 worth of jobs performed at Atlanta’s FDA facility by a company in which Gordon had a direct financial interest.
“Federal employees are in a position of public trust and, as they perform their duties, must be held to the highest standards of integrity,” said U.S. Attorney Byung J. “BJay” Pak. “Instead of exposing his conflict of interest, Mr. Gordon capitalized on it, putting his personal benefit above his obligation to serve the public.”
“All federal employees are subject to specific ethics requirements that inform standards for their professional conduct and address matters such as conflicting financial interests, impartiality in performing official duties, and misuse of their position, among other things,” said Special Agent in Charge Antoinette V. Richard, FDA Office of Criminal Investigations Office of Internal Affairs. “If we learn of an FDA employee engaging in improper behavior such as abusing their position for personal financial gain, we will act swiftly to investigate, and when appropriate, refer criminal violations to the Department of Justice for prosecution to ensure that those responsible are held accountable.”
According to U.S. Attorney Pak, the charges and other information presented in court: Gordon was hired by the FDA in 1997. From November, 2010 through December, 2017, Gordon was responsible for scheduling and overseeing building maintenance and the purchase of janitorial supplies for the FDA’s district office in Atlanta. During the same time period, Gordon had a financial interest in P&E Management LLC (P&E), a Georgia corporation, which was principally owned and operated by Gordon’s co-defendant, Ivan Ponder.
With Gordon’s oversight and project support, P&E was continually selected as a vendor to supply maintenance and janitorial services at Atlanta’s FDA facility. In addition, Gordon often paid P&E for its work by using an FDA credit card issued to him. Gordon neither disclosed to FDA management that he had a personal connection to P&E, nor did he report to the FDA that he was receiving financial payments from P&E.
On August 6, 2019, Elvis Gordon, 53, of Marietta, Georgia, pleaded guilty to a federal conflict of interest charge. On July 15, 2019, Ivan Ponder, 49, of Hiram, Georgia, pleaded guilty to aiding and abetting Gordon’s conflict of interest scheme.
Sentencing for Gordon is scheduled for November 17, 2019 before United States District Judge Mark H. Cohen.
This case is being investigated by the U. S. Food and Drug Administration’s Office of Criminal Investigations Office of Internal Affairs.
Assistant U.S. Attorneys Brent Alan Gray and Matthew S. Carrico 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.
Erwin Woman Sentenced to More Than 12 Years for Illegally Possessing with the Intent to Distribute MethamphetamineRead the Press Release
RALEIGH – United States Attorney Robert J. Higdon, Jr. announced that today in federal court, United States District Judge James C. Dever III sentenced TONYA RENEE HARTMAN, 39, of Erwin, North Carolina, to 150 months’ imprisonment, followed by 3 years of supervised released.
On November 7, 2018, HARTMAN was named in a two-count Indictment charging her with Possession with the Intent to Distribute a Quantity of Methamphetamine (Actual) and Possession of a Firearm in Furtherance of a Drug Trafficking Crime. On March 21, 2019, HARTMAN pled guilty to both counts.
On August 24, 2018, an officer with the Erwin Police Department (EPD) in Erwin, North Carolina, received information from a credible and reliable source of information (SOI), who advised that within the last 72 hours the SOI observed HARTMAN selling methamphetamine to others from her residence in Erwin. Additionally, the SOI stated that the narcotics and a firearm were kept in the residence.
On the same date, officers with the EPD; Harnett County Sheriff’s Office (HCSO) in Lillington, North Carolina; and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives (ATF) executed a search warrant at HARTMAN’S residence. Forced entry was made into the residence, and officers made contact with HARTMAN. Officers seized from HARTMAN’S bedroom 42.02 grams of methamphetamine, a loaded semi-automatic firearm with six rounds of ammunition, an unknown quantity of Oxycodone and Adderall pills, $3,045 U.S. currency, a set of digital scales with powder residue, and a video surveillance system.
On the same date, HARTMAN provided a statement to law enforcement. HARTMAN advised that she sells methamphetamine out of her residence and that she purchased and sold 1 to 2 ounces of methamphetamine every two weeks for a little less than a year (conservatively considered 623.7 grams of methamphetamine).
Based on the proceeding, between September 2017 and August 24, 2018, HARTMAN is accountable for 56.7 grams of crystal methamphetamine or “ICE” and 659.55 grams of methamphetamine. Additionally, HARTMAN was in possession of a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime. She also maintained a premises for the purpose of manufacturing or distributing a controlled substance.
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. Since 2017 the United States Department of Justice has reinvigorated the PSN program and has targeted 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.
That effort has been implemented through the Take Back North Carolina Initiative of the United States Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of North Carolina. This initiative emphasizes the regional assignment of federal prosecutors to work with law enforcement and District Attorney’s Offices in those communities on a sustained basis to reduce the violent crime rate, drug trafficking, and crimes against law enforcement. For more information about this initiative click here: https://www.justice.gov/usao-ednc/tbnc.
The investigation of this case was conducted by the Erwin Police Department, Harnett County Sheriff’s Office, and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives. Assistant United States Attorney Daniel W. Smith prosecuted the case for the government.
Erie Bank Robber Sentenced to 3 Years in Federal PrisonRead the Press Release
ERIE, Pa. - A former resident of Erie, Pennsylvania, has been sentenced in federal court to three years (36 months) in prison on his conviction of bank robbery, United States Attorney Scott W. Brady announced today.
United States District Judge Susan Paradise Baxter imposed the sentence on Peter Plaza, Jr., 37.
According to information presented to the court, on or about December 13, 2018, Plaza entered the Northwest Bank, located at 3407 Liberty Street in Erie, and by force, violence and intimidation took $4,750.
Assistant United States Attorney Christian A. Trabold prosecuted this case on behalf of the government.
United States Attorney Brady commended the Federal Bureau of Investigation and the Erie Police Department for the investigation leading to the successful prosecution of Plaza.
Eight Federally Indicted for the Embezzlement and Laundering of Funds from the Miccosukee CasinoRead the Press Release
On August 7, 2019, Ariana Fajardo Orshan, United States Attorney for the Southern District of Florida, George L. Piro, Special Agent in Charge, Federal Bureau of Investigation, Miami Division, and Roland D. Pandolfi, Chief of Police, Miccosukee Police Department, announced the unsealing of a 63-count indictment, charging eight (8) Miami-Dade County residents with computer fraud, embezzlement, money laundering, and making false statements to law enforcement, relating to a fraud scheme involving electronic gaming machines at the Miccosukee Resort & Gaming in Miami, Florida. Charged in the indictment were Michel Aleu, 41, Lester Lavin, 43, Yohander Jorrin Melhen, 42, Leonardo Betancourt, 46, Maria Del Pilar Aleu, 39, Anisleydi Vergel Hermida, 30, Milagros Marile Acosta Torres, 33, and Yusmary Shirley Duran, 40.
The indictment alleges that beginning on or about January 29, 2011, and continuing through on or about May 27, 2015, Miccosukee Resort & Gaming employees Aleu, Lavin, Melhen, and Betancourt embezzled more than $5 million in cash from the Miccosukee casino. According to the indictment, Aleu, Lavin, Melhen, Betancourt, and their unindicted co-conspirators, tampered with the electronic gaming machines and caused the machines to generate false and fraudulent credit vouchers or tickets, which the defendants then exchanged for cash at ATMs located on the casino floor, or from floor cashiers or the casino treasury.
Further alleged is that all of the defendants committed money laundering offenses, involving the computer fraud proceeds that Aleu, Lavin, Melhen, and Betancourt embezzled from the casino. According to the indictment, the defendants used the stolen funds to purchase and/or maintain various asset including the defendants’ residences, various investment properties, Florida Prepaid College Plan accounts for certain of the defendants’ children, and certain vehicles. The indictment also seeks the forfeiture of these assets.
United States Attorney Fajardo Orshan commends the investigative efforts of the Federal Bureau of Investigation and the Miccosukee Police Department. The case is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Dwayne E. Williams.
An indictment contains mere allegations. A defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty in a court of law.
Related court documents and information may be found on the website of the District Court for the Southern District of Florida at www.flsd.uscourts.gov or on http://pacer.flsd.uscourts.gov.
Diquan Ray Sentenced and Ordered to pay $114,539.17 in RestitutionRead the Press Release
HAMMOND – Diquan Ray, 24 years old, of Hammond, Indiana, was sentenced by U.S. District Court Judge Philip P. Simon after pleading guilty, announced United States Attorney Thomas L. Kirsch II.
Ray received a sentence of 6 months imprisonment and was ordered to pay $114,539.17 in restitution to Cook County, Illinois; City of Hammond, Indiana; City of East Chicago, Indiana; and the City of South Holland, Illinois.
According to documents in the case, Ray pled guilty to the one-count Indictment charging Interstate Transportation of Stolen Property. On September 28 and 29, 2018, Ray and his co-defendant, Jossean Echevarria, stole copper wire from a forest preserve in Cook County, Illinois and transported it to the State of Indiana. As part of the plea agreement, Ray agreed to pay restitution for additional copper wire thefts in Hammond and East Chicago, Indiana and South Holland, Illinois.
This case was investigated by the FBI GRIT Task Force, Hammond Police Department, Lansing (Illinois) Police Department and prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Jennifer Chang.
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Cooperstown Man Pleads Guilty to Money Laundering, Filing False Tax ReturnRead the Press Release
ALBANY, NEW YORK – Thomas K. Lagan, age 60, of Cooperstown, New York, and formerly of Slingerlands, New York, pled guilty today to money laundering and filing a false tax return in connection with the theft of approximately $11.8 million from estates for which he served as a fiduciary.
The announcement was made by:
- United States Attorney Grant C. Jaquith;
- New York Attorney General Letitia James;
- James N. Hendricks, Special Agent in Charge of the Albany Field Office of the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI); and
- Jonathan D. Larsen, Special Agent in Charge of the New York Field Office of IRS- Criminal Investigation.
Lagan admitted that between November 2011 and February 2018, he conspired with Richard J. Sherwood to launder the proceeds of a scheme to defraud the estates of three sisters: Pauline Bruggeman, Anne Urban, and Julia Rentz.
In a related case being prosecuted by the New York Attorney General’s Office, Lagan pled guilty on April 30, 2019, in Albany County Court, to grand larceny in the first degree.
Lagan’s co-conspirator, Sherwood, pled guilty in June 2018 to federal and state charges.
United States Attorney Grant C. Jaquith stated: “Thomas Lagan’s fraud was staggering, both in terms of the amount stolen and in his misuse of his professional standing and betrayal of longtime clients who trusted him to direct their money to family members, churches, charities, and other organizations after they died. Instead, Lagan and Richard Sherwood lined their own pockets and then lied about it on their tax returns. Now they will be held accountable for their contemptible crimes.”
FBI Special Agent in Charge James N. Hendricks stated: “Thomas Lagan’s despicable greed and deceit led to the theft of money meant for churches, charities, and even a women suffering from dementia. He took advantage of his client’s trust for his own personal gain and will now face the consequences of his fraudulent actions. The FBI, in concert with our federal and state partners, will continue to identify and stop those who line their own pockets at the expense of others.”
Lagan was an investment advisor and attorney. Sherwood, an attorney who served as Guilderland Town Justice, practiced primarily in the area of trusts and estates.
Starting in 2006, they provided estate planning and related legal services to Capital Region philanthropists Warren and Pauline Bruggeman, and to Pauline’s sister, Anne Urban, all of Niskayuna, New York. They were advising the Bruggemans when, in 2006, the Bruggemans signed wills directing that all their assets go to charities, churches and civic organizations, aside from bequests to Anne Urban and Julia Rentz, Pauline’s other sister.
Warren Bruggeman died in April 2009, and Pauline died in August 2011. At the time of her death, Pauline had personal and trust assets valued at approximately $20 million.
In pleading guilty, Lagan admitted that after Pauline Bruggeman’s death, he and Sherwood conspired to steal, and did steal, millions of dollars from her estate as well as from Anne Urban, who died in 2013. Their conspiracy came to include the diversion and transfer to themselves of several million dollars belonging to Julia Rentz, a resident of Ohio, who was suffering from dementia at the time of the thefts and died in 2013.
Lagan admitted that he and Sherwood stole $11,831,563, and that nearly $6.3 million was transferred outright to him, with an additional $1.96 million transferred to an entity, Empire Capital Trust, LLC, that he and Sherwood controlled.
Lagan admitted that he and Sherwood induced Anne Urban to create a trust whose purpose, unknown to her, was to allow them to transfer Bruggeman/Urban assets to themselves. Sherwood and Lagan also set up more than 10 bank accounts, and created a limited liability company (Empire Capital Trust, LLC), to first conceal the theft of the money and then transfer the money to themselves.
Lagan also admitted to filing false federal tax returns in 2013 and 2015. These returns were false because he did not report, as other income, about $5.4 million that he received from the fraudulent scheme.
IRS-CI Special Agent in Charge Jonathan D. Larsen stated: “Society places attorneys/financial advisors in positions of trust, and the clients victimized in this case clearly trusted the defendant to direct their money according to their wishes. Lagan violated this faith purely out of selfishness and greed, causing significant harm to the entire community and especially those that would have benefited from the victims’ legacies. IRS-CI Special Agents are working tirelessly to protect taxpayers from fraud and to hold those in positions of power and trust accountable.”
Lagan faces up to 20 years in prison, a maximum fine of $250,000, and up to 3 years of post-imprisonment supervised release when he is sentenced on December 12, 2019, by Senior United States District Judge Lawrence E. Kahn. A defendant’s sentence is imposed by a judge based on the particular statute the defendant is charged with violating, the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other factors.
The federal case was investigated by the FBI and IRS-CI, and is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Michael Barnett.
The state case is being prosecuted by Assistant Attorneys General Christopher Baynes and Matthew Peluso of the Attorney General’s Public Integrity Bureau, under the supervision of Bureau Chief Travis Hill. The Criminal Justice Division is led by Chief Deputy Attorney General Jose Maldonado. The investigation was led by Investigator Mark Spencer of the Attorney General’s Investigations Bureau, under the supervision of Deputy Chief Investigator Antoine Karam. The Investigations Bureau is led by Acting Chief John Reidy. Financial analysis was provided by Principal Auditor Investigator Meaghan Scotellaro of the Forensic Audit Section under the supervision of Deputy Chief Auditor Sandy Bizzarro and Chief Auditor Edward J. Keegan, Jr. Senior Analyst Sara Pogorzelski assisted in the investigation.
Convicted felon pleads guilty morning of trialRead the Press Release
MONROE, La. – After reaching a plea deal this morning before trial was scheduled to begin, Derrick Curry, 39, of Monroe, Louisiana, pleaded guilty before U.S. District Judge Terry A. Doughty for possession of a firearm by a convicted felon, announced U.S. Attorney David C. Joseph.
Ouachita Parish Sheriff’s deputies observed Curry on July 12, 2018, on a bicycle violating traffic laws by traveling down a street against the flow of oncoming traffic and without a functioning rear light. When the deputies attempted to make contact with him, Curry jumped off of his bike and started to run, while throwing an object in the air that he had pulled from his waistband. When the deputies caught up to Curry, they found him wearing a black nylon gun holster attached to his belt and found a Taurus, Model: PT-92 AF, 9 mm-caliber pistol, loaded with 16 rounds of 9 mm bullets, 10 feet from where he was taken into custody.
Under federal law, a felon is not allowed to possess a firearm or ammunition. At the time of his arrest on July 12, 2018, Curry, who was previously convicted of armed robbery on May 9, 1990, knew that he was prohibited from possessing the firearm and ammunition.
Curry faces 10 years in prison, three years of supervised release and a $250,000 fine. Doughty set the sentencing date for November 7, 2019.
The ATF and Ouachita Parish Sheriff’s Office investigated the case. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Jessica D. Cassidy and Cytheria D. Jernigan 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.
California Resident Charged in Scheme to Sell Forged Artworks in South FloridaRead the Press Release
On July 19, 2019, Los Angeles resident Philip Righter, 42 years old, was arrested on fraud and identity theft charges in connection with a scheme to sell forged artworks by prominent contemporary artists. He was indicted on charges of wire fraud, in violation of Title 18, United States Code, Section 1343; mail fraud, in violation of Title 18, United States Code, Section 1341; and aggravated identity theft, in violation of Title 18, United States Code, Section 1028A(a)(1). The indictment was unsealed on August 6, 2019.
Ariana Fajardo Orshan, United States Attorney for the Southern District of Florida, and George L. Piro, Special Agent in Charge, Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), made the announcement.
According to the indictment, Righter engaged in a scheme to defraud a South Florida art gallery owner and others by making materially false and fraudulent representations, and by the concealment of material facts, concerning, among other things, the source and authenticity of certain artworks purportedly created by deceased artists K.H. and J.M.B.
Righter is alleged to have acquired forged and fraudulent artworks through, among other sources, the eBay online marketplace. In order to make the forged and fraudulent artworks appear authentic, Righter created fraudulent letters certifying their authenticity. These fraudulent letters bore the names of legitimate representatives of the artists’ estates.
In furtherance of the scheme, Righter also designed and purchased custom-made embossers bearing the names of K.H. and J.M.B., which Righter used to stamp the authentication letters to make them appear legitimate.
Righter, personally and through third-party brokers, offered to sell the forged and fraudulent artworks to several potential buyers, including auction houses, the owner of a South Florida art gallery, and others. According to the indictment, Righter directed the art gallery owner to make a payment of $1,056,000 in exchange for the forged artworks.
Righter was granted a $100,000 bond, following his initial appearance in California. He was arraigned on the indictment on August 6, 2019, before United States Magistrate Judge Alicia M. Otazo-Reyes in Miami, Florida. If convicted, Righter can be sentenced to up to 20 years’ imprisonment on the wire fraud and mail fraud charges, and a consecutive, two-year term of imprisonment on each of the aggravated identity theft charges. Additionally, the court may impose a fine of up to $250,000 on each count alleged in the indictment.
U.S. Attorney Fajardo Orshan commended the investigative efforts of the FBI Miami Field Division, which was assisted by the FBI Los Angeles Field Division and the Los Angeles Police Department. U.S. Attorney Fajardo Orshan also thanked the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Central District of California for their assistance in this matter. The case is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Christopher Browne.
An indictment contains mere allegations. A defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty in a court of law.
Related court documents and information may be found on the website of the District Court for the Southern District of Florida at www.flsd.uscourts.gov or on http://pacer.flsd.uscourts.gov.
California Man Sentenced for Federal Gun CrimeRead the Press Release
BLUEFIELD, W.Va. -- United States Attorney Mike Stuart announced today that a California man was sentenced in federal court on his conviction for being a felon in possession of firearms. Tiero Wash, 23, was sentenced to 52 months in federal prison. Stuart commended the investigative efforts of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF), the Mercer County Home Confinement Office, and the Bluefield City Police Department.
It was previously established at the plea hearing that Wash illegally possessed firearms on two separate dates while on home confinement in Mercer County on unrelated state charges. On December 5, 2017, Mercer County Home Confinement Officers and Bluefield City Police Officers searched Wash’s residence as a condition of his home confinement. During the search, officers located three different firearms. On January 1, 2018, officers again searched Wash’s residence as a condition of his home confinement. During the second search, officers located another firearm. Wash was prohibited from possessing any firearm under federal law because he was previously convicted of the felony offense of Transporting Marijuana in the Superior Court of California, County of Sacramento in 2017.
Assistant United States Attorney Timothy D. Boggess handled the prosecution. Senior United States District Judge David A. Faber imposed the sentence.
Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN) is the centerpiece of the Department of Justice’s violent crime reduction efforts. PSN is an evidence-based program proven to be effective at reducing violent crime. Through PSN, a broad spectrum of stakeholders work together to identify the most pressing violent crime problems in the community and develop comprehensive solutions to address them. As part of this strategy, PSN focuses enforcement efforts on the most violent offenders and partners with locally based prevention and reentry programs for lasting reductions in crime.
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California Man Charged in Fentanyl Distribution, Money Laundering ConspiracyRead the Press Release
SIOUX FALLS, S.D. – United States Attorney Ron Parsons announced that a California man has been indicted for his role in a large-scale opioid distribution conspiracy involving the shipment of approximately 100,000 synthetic analogue fentanyl pills to South Dakota, and as many as 2.6 million fentanyl pills nationwide.
Damon Vincent Jobin, age 34, of Huntington Beach, California, was indicted on October 23, 2018, by a federal grand jury in South Dakota for conspiracy to distribute over 100 grams of a fentanyl analogue and money laundering. Jobin, along with other co-conspirators, utilized the Dark Web to distribute approximately 100,000 pills that contained fentanyl or a fentanyl analogue in 2017 to individuals either suspected or convicted of distributing the pills in Chamberlain, Mitchell, and Sioux Falls, South Dakota. Twenty thousand of these pills were seized from the U.S. Mail by law enforcement in South Dakota. The pills tested positive for cyclopropyl fentanyl, a fentanyl analogue or derivative. The investigation revealed that, in all, Jobin mailed approximately 200 packages containing over 2.6 million fentanyl or fentanyl analogue pills to addresses in 32 different states. Based on records kept by Jobin, the total weight of the pills exceeded 259 kilograms. Experts estimate that one kilogram of fentanyl has the potential to produce approximately one million fatal doses. Fentanyl is up to 50 times stronger than heroin and 100 times more potent than morphine.
“The public should know that our dedicated law enforcement partners are doing everything possible to work up the chains of illegal drug distribution and bring the criminals who are profiting from human suffering by shipping these poisons into South Dakota, or anywhere else, to justice,” said U.S. Attorney Parsons.
In the indictment, Jobin is also accused of laundering over $130,000 in U.S. Currency converted from Bitcoin proceeds he received for pressing and shipping the illegal drugs.
Following his indictment, Jobin was arrested in Los Angeles, California, on November 29, 2018. He appeared before the Honorable Karen L. Stevenson, U.S. Magistrate Judge for the Central District of California, who released him on a $25,000 appearance bond and ordered him to appear in the District of South Dakota for his arraignment in February 2019.
In early 2019, Jobin fled the United States in an apparent attempt to avoid prosecution. A federal warrant was issued for his arrest. He was apprehended in Thailand, taken into the custody of the Royal Thai Police on June 7, 2019, and transported back to the United States from Thailand by U.S. Marshals from the District of South Dakota.
“It doesn’t matter where in the world you try to hide,” said U.S. Attorney Parsons. “The United States Marshals will find you and bring you back.”
Upon landing in Seattle in the custody of the Marshals, Jobin was formally arrested on his outstanding warrant and appeared on July 15, 2019, before the Honorable Brian A. Tsuchida, Chief U.S. Magistrate Judge for the Western District of Washington, who ordered him detained. Jobin was then ordered to be transferred to the District of South Dakota to face his pending charges.
On August 7, 2019, Jobin made his initial appearance in Sioux Falls in the District of South Dakota, before the Honorable Veronica L. Duffy, U.S. Magistrate Judge. He pleaded not guilty, was detained, and was placed in the custody of the U.S. Marshals Service pending trial.
The charges carry a mandatory minimum penalty of 10 years in prison, a potential maximum penalty of life in prison, and a $10 million fine.
This case is being investigated by the U.S. Postal Inspection Service, the Internal Revenue Service Criminal Investigation Western Cyber Crimes Unit, the Drug Enforcement Administration, the U.S. Marshals Service, the U.S. Department of State, the South Dakota Division of Criminal Investigation, the Costa Mesa Police Department, and the Chamberlain Police Department.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Jennifer D. Mammenga is prosecuting the case.
The charges and allegations are merely accusations, and the defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.
Burlington Man Pleads Guilty to Firearm Charge Related to Nectar's ShootingRead the Press Release
The Office of the United States Attorney for the District of Vermont stated that Rashad Nashid, 38, of Burlington, Vermont, appeared in federal district court in Burlington yesterday and pleaded guilty to an Information charging Nashid with two counts of being a felon in possession of firearms. One of the firearm charges was related to the shooting that occurred outside of Nectar’s Bar on February 26, 2018, that left an innocent bystander seriously injured. The other firearm charge related to Nashid’s possession of an AR15 style rifle the day before the shooting. District Court Judge William K. Sessions III accepted Nashid’s plea but deferred acceptance of the plea agreement. Nashid’s sentencing is currently set for December 2, 2019 in Burlington.
According to court records, in the early morning hours of February 26, 2018, a female bystander was shot in the chest while standing on the sidewalk in the area of Nectar’s and Esox on Main Street in Burlington, VT. Moments after the shooting, a Burlington Police Officer was driving in the area when he observed a male, later identified as Rashad Nashid, walking hurriedly northbound on South Winooski Avenue. The BPD officer made contact with Nashid a short time later. During that interaction, the officer observed the butt end of a black handgun in Nashid’s waistband. The officer ordered Nashid to “to put it down” and quickly retreated behind his cruiser for cover. Nashid then placed the handgun on the hood of the officer’s cruiser. During Nashid’s arrest, he told officers: “they was shooting at me, so I shot back.” In a later post-arrest statement, Nashid admitted that he was the person who shot outside of Nectars, but he said he did not intend to hurt anyone.
After the shooting, agents investigating the case found a Facebook video of Nashid firing an AR15 type rifle. Agents later spoke to witnesses who were with Nashid during this incident and witnesses told law enforcement that the video had been taken during the day on February 25, 2018, at a firing range in Charlotte. Agents later identified the rifle as a Mega model Gator multi caliber AR15 style rifle.
Nashid has seven prior felony convictions in New Jersey, including multiple felony controlled substance offenses, theft, and assault. At the time of the shooting, Nashid was on conditions of release in Vermont for a felony cocaine offense.
Each charge to which Nashid pleaded guilty carries a maximum penalty of 10 years imprisonment and a fine of $250,000, for a total maximum penalty of 20 years imprisonment. According to the plea agreement filed in the case, the parties agree that the district court should impose a sentence of not less than 11 years and not more than 15 years. If the district court agrees to sentence Nashid within that range (11 to 15 years), the Chittenden County State’s Attorney’s Office has agreed to dismiss its pending charges against Nashid.
United States Attorney Christina E. Nolan commended the collaborative investigation by ATF and the Burlington Police Department. She stated: “This case highlights the grave risks associated with convicted felons unlawfully possessing firearms. Vermont law enforcement will continue to vigorously investigate and prosecute federal firearms cases to improve safety and quality of life for Vermonters. And extreme recidivist offenders should take notice that we will seek serious terms of imprisonment.”
"ATF's top priority is to aggressively respond to firearm-related violent crime and, in collaboration with our law enforcement partners, help keep our communities safe," said Acting Special Agent in Charge Lawrence J. Panetta of the ATF Boston Field Division. "Together with this seamless integration of local, state, and federal law enforcement, we will continue our efforts to remove these violent individuals who illegally use and possess firearms from our streets."
Jannine Wright, Acting Burlington Chief of Police stated, "Criminally discharging a firearm in downtown Burlington is unacceptable, and our department's promise to our neighbors is that we will do everything in our legal power to hold people who hurt and endanger others accountable. We are gratified by the extraordinary efforts of the Office of the United States Attorney for the District of Vermont to obtain this outcome. For the foreseeable future, Mr. Nashid will no longer be a danger to our community."
The United States is represented in this matter by Assistant U.S. Attorney Wendy L. Fuller. Rashad Nashid is represented by Assistant Federal Public Defender Steven Barth.
Brooklyn Man Sentenced to 13 Years in Manhattan Federal Court for Sex Trafficking of MinorsRead the Press Release
Geoffrey S. Berman, the United States Attorney for the Southern District of New York, announced that COREY ROPER was sentenced today to 13 years in prison for sex trafficking of minor females. ROPER was sentenced by U.S. District Judge Naomi Reice Buchwald, before whom he previously pled guilty to one count of sex trafficking minor victims. As part of his plea, ROPER acknowledged that he trafficked three minor females, and also trafficked another female by force.
Manhattan U.S. Attorney Geoffrey S. Berman stated: “Self-proclaimed pimp, Corey Roper, perpetrated awful acts against young women. Roper subjected his victims – some as young as 13 years old – to what he called ‘pimp rules,’ and punished them through cruel physical violence and depriving them of food and sleep if they didn’t comply with his abhorrent commands. Because of his unconscionable conduct against these vulnerable victims, Roper now ironically finds himself subject to a code of conduct that he’s forced to comply with – prison rules.”
According to the Indictment and other court documents filed in Manhattan federal court:
The defendants were members of or affiliated with the Snow Gang, a gang based in Queens, New York, which was engaged in a myriad of criminal activities, including violence, drug trafficking, credit card fraud, and sex trafficking of young women. Between February 2015 and March 2017, the defendants worked together to traffic minor female victims, using methods of force, fraud, and coercion. Members of this conspiracy used brutal violence to capture and control their victims, and used firearms to protect their illegal sex trafficking business.
ROPER was a violent pimp who controlled his victims through force and intimidation. ROPER’s victims included minor females as young as 13 years old, who were subjected to ROPER’s code of “pimp rules,” that, for example, prohibited his victims from speaking to other men, from keeping any money they earned, and from eating if they did not make ROPER enough money. If any of the rules were broken, ROPER punished his victims through violence, including choking, hitting, punching, and kicking his victims. One victim—identified in court documents as “Minor Victim-4”—was regularly abused by ROPER, including being beaten with a cord, being forced to kneel on uncooked rice for hours as a form of punishment, and being held in a windowless room in Brooklyn where she was physically abused by ROPER and forced to have sex with customers of his choosing. Another victim—identified in court documents as “Victim-1”—was beaten by ROPER when she initially refused to work for him. ROPER responded by slapping her, refusing to let her leave, and denying her food. When Victim-1 angered Roper by disobeying him, he disciplined her, including by making her stand in the corner of a room for hours and depriving her of food and sleep.
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In addition to his prison sentence, ROPER, 27, was sentenced to five years of supervised release.
ROPER is the seventh defendant to be sentenced in this case by Judge Buchwald for his participation in sex trafficking minors. The other defendants in this case—David Hightower, Nashean Folds, Antwone Washington, Terrell Clarke, Tremain Moore, and Gregory Luck—pled guilty to and have been sentenced in connection with various offenses, including participating in a conspiracy to commit sex trafficking of minors.
Mr. Berman praised the outstanding work of the New York City Police Department’s Human Trafficking Team and the Federal Bureau of Investigation. He also thanked the Georgia Bureau of Investigation, the Department of Homeland Security Investigations, the Nassau County Police Department, and the Edison New Jersey Police Department for their support and cooperation in this case.
The prosecution is being handled by the Office’s Violent and Organized Crime Unit. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Amanda L. Houle and Lara Pomerantz are in charge of the prosecution.
Bronx Drug Dealer Charged with 2012 MurderRead the Press Release
Geoffrey S. Berman, the United States Attorney for the Southern District of New York, and James P. O’Neill, the Commissioner of the Police Department for the City of New York (“NYPD”), announced the unsealing of an Indictment charging ELIJAH BILAL, a/k/a “Karate Kid,” with the April 15, 2012, murder of Terrance Martin, 25, in the Bronx, New York. BILAL was arrested this morning and is expected to be presented before U.S. Magistrate Judge Debra Freeman in federal court later today. This case is assigned to U.S. District Judge Paul J. Oetken.
Manhattan U.S. Attorney Geoffrey S. Berman said: “As alleged, Elijah Bilal murdered Terrance Martin nine years ago in connection with his drug dealing. Now, thanks to the outstanding work of the NYPD, the defendant has been charged with this heinous crime.”
NYPD Commissioner James P. O’Neill said: “Today’s charges demonstrate that the investigative efforts of New York City law enforcement are far-reaching, precisely-focused, and patient. As long as individuals are involved in the sale of illegal narcotics and gun violence, the NYPD and our partners will work to stop the threat to public safety. I commend and thank the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Southern District for their assistance in bringing Elijah Bilal to justice.”
According to the allegations in the Indictment unsealed in Manhattan federal court:
On April 15, 2012, in the vicinity of 285 East 156th Street in the Bronx, New York, BILAL shot and killed Martin in connection with a conspiracy to distribute heroin and crack cocaine.
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BILAL, 27, of the Bronx, New York, is charged with one count of using a firearm to commit murder during a drug-trafficking crime, which carries a maximum sentence of death or life in prison, and a mandatory minimum term of five years in prison. The maximum and minimum sentences in this case are prescribed by Congress and are provided here for informational purposes only, as any sentencing of the defendant will be determined by the judge.
Mr. Berman praised the outstanding investigative work of the NYPD.
The case is being handled by the Office’s Violent and Organized Crime Unit. Assistant United States Attorney Christopher Clore is in charge of the prosecution.
The charges contained in the Indictment are merely accusations, and the defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.
Billings man sentenced to prison for distributing meth, gun possessionRead the Press Release
BILLINGS—Billings resident Larry Benjamin Barnett, who admitted distributing methamphetamine and having a firearm, was sentenced today to seven years in prison and five years of supervised release, U.S. Attorney Kurt Alme said.
Barnett, 40, pleaded guilty in April to possession with intent to distribute meth and to possession of a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime.
U.S. District Judge Susan P. Watters presided.
A drug investigation in February 2018 led to the arrest and conviction of Christopher Hurst of Kalispell on drug and firearms crimes. Agents learned that Hurst’s source of meth also supplied Barnett. Officers served a search warrant on Barnett’s residence and found about 187 grams of meth and a firearm. Barnett admitted to receiving multiple pounds of meth from the common source of supplier. Hurst was sentenced to 12 years in prison in May.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Colin Rubich prosecuted the case, which was investigated by the Eastern Montana High Intensity Drug Trafficking Area Task Force, the FBI and the Billings Police Department.
The 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.
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Bergen County Man Admits Embezzlement from Employee Benefit PlanRead the Press Release
NEWARK, N.J. – A Bergen County, New Jersey, man today admitted that he embezzled funds from an employee benefit plan, U.S. Attorney Craig Carpenito announced.
Howard Preschel, 63, of Teaneck, New Jersey, pleaded guilty before U.S. District Court Judge Susan D. Wigenton in Newark federal court to one count of an indictment charging him with embezzling funds from the CMG Vending Inc. Pension Trust Fund.
According to documents filed in this case and statements made in court:
Preschel served as a trustee for the CMG Vending Inc. Pension Trust Fund. CMG Vending operated, leased, and rented vending machines throughout New Jersey and New York. Preschel was, by law, a fiduciary, and therefore required to act solely in the interest of the participants and beneficiaries.
Between November 2010 and April 2018, Preschel embezzled $368,783 from the trust fund by engaging in 52 separate illegal withdrawals or transfers from various accounts. As a result of these illegal withdrawals and transfers, the trust fund lost an additional $93,267 in interest. As part of the plea agreement, Preschel agreed to make restitution to the trust fund in the amount of $462,050. Preschel also agreed to a debarment which prohibits him from acting as a fiduciary on behalf of any employee benefit plan for a period of 13 years.
The embezzlement count to which Preschel pleaded guilty carries a maximum potential sentence of five years in prison and a fine of $250,000 or twice the gross amount of gain to the defendant or loss to the victim, whichever is greater. Sentencing is scheduled for Nov. 13, 2019.
U.S. Attorney Carpenito credited special agents of the U.S. Department of Labor, Office of Inspector General, under the direction of Special Agent in Charge Michael Mikulka in Mountainside, and the U.S. Department of Labor, Employee Benefits Security Administration, under the direction of Acting Regional Director Thomas Licetti of the New York Regional Office, with the investigation leading to today’s guilty plea.
The government is represented by Assistant U.S. Attorney Thomas S. Kearney of the U.S. Attorney’s Office Criminal Division in Newark.
Baltimore Felon Sentenced to 10 Years in Federal Prison for Possession with Intent to Distribute More Than Five Kilograms of CocaineRead the Press Release
Baltimore, Maryland – U.S. District Judge Richard D. Bennett today sentenced Jovon Lee, age 41, of Baltimore, to 10 years in federal prison, followed by five years of supervised release, for possession with intent to distribute five kilograms or more of cocaine. On May 8, 2019, a federal jury convicted Lee after a three-day trial.
The sentence was announced by United States Attorney for the District of Maryland Robert K. Hur; Assistant Special Agent in Charge Don A. Hibbert of the Drug Enforcement Administration, Baltimore District Office; Special Agent in Charge Kelly R. Jackson of the Internal Revenue Service - Criminal Investigation, Washington, D.C. Field Office; Commissioner Michael Harrison of the Baltimore Police Department; Chief Melissa R. Hyatt of the Baltimore County Police Department; and Baltimore City Sheriff John W. Anderson.
According to the evidence presented at trial, on October 3, 2018, law enforcement recorded a telephone call between Lee and a DEA confidential source posing as a Mexican cartel drug trafficker. During the call, Lee used coded language to arrange to purchase heroin and cocaine from the confidential source, and agreed to have a face-to-face meeting with the confidential source in approximately eight days. On October 9, 2018, the source and Lee exchanged messages and agreed to meet on October 12, 2018, at a mall in McLean, Virginia.
On October 12, Lee and the source met at the agreed-upon location. Law enforcement investigators recorded the meeting. During the meeting, Lee requested as many kilograms of cocaine as he could get, but stated that he would need the cocaine on consignment because he was out of money. Lee and the source negotiated a price of $25,500 per kilogram of cocaine. After several other calls and messages, Lee agreed to purchase three kilograms of cocaine and to receive four more kilograms on consignment. Lee and the source agreed to meet on October 24, 2018.
On October 24, 2018, Lee and the source met at a hotel in Hanover, Maryland. Lee was carrying a white shopping bag containing cash, which he showed to the source in the hotel lobby, in expectation of receiving seven kilograms of cocaine. The source and Lee left the hotel and walked to an undercover vehicle. On the back seat of the vehicle was a brown designer backpack that contained six kilograms of cocaine and one kilogram of sham cocaine. Lee inspected the cocaine in the backpack, placed the shopping bag of cash on the back seat of the vehicle, took the backpack, and walked away. Law enforcement officers then arrested Lee. The shopping bag was found to contain $75,000 in cash, not the $76,500 that had been negotiated.
United States Attorney Robert K. Hur praised the DEA, the IRS-CI, Baltimore Police Department, the Baltimore County Police Department, and the Baltimore City Sheriff’s Office for their work in the investigation and recognized the Morgan County (West Virginia) Sheriff’s Office for its assistance. Mr. Hur thanked Assistant U.S. Attorneys James G. Warwick and Joan C. Mathias, who prosecuted the case.
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Associate of Violent White Supremacist Gang Pleads Guilty to Federal Kidnapping ChargeRead the Press Release
Anchorage, Alaska – U.S. Attorney Bryan Schroder announced today that Beau Cook, 32, an associate of a white supremacist gang known as the 1488s, has pleaded guilty to a federal kidnapping charge arising from the August 2017 beating, kidnapping, and murder of Michael Staton, aka “Steak Knife.”
In March 2019, Cook, along with other 1488s members and associates including Filthy Fuhrer, (formerly Timothy Lobdell), Roy Naughton, Glen Baldwin, Craig King, and Colter O’Dell, was charged with murder in aid of racketeering, kidnapping in aid of racketeering, assault in aid of racketeering, kidnapping, and conspiracy to commit assault and kidnapping in aid of racketeering. Two other key members, Nicholas M. Kozorra and Dustin J. Clowers, previously pleaded guilty to murder in aid of racketeering.
According to the plea agreement, on Aug. 3, 2017, Cook was instructed to prepare a room inside a Wasilla duplex where Staton, a known member of the 1488s, would be assaulted. Cook prepared one of the bedrooms by lining it with plastic on the floor and partway up the walls to conceal evidence of the beating that was expected to occur. Staton was brought to the duplex, already beaten and his hands bound, and was brought into the prepared room where he was further beaten by several 1488s members and associates. A large knife was then heated up using a blowtorch, which was used to burn off Staton’s 1488 membership tattoo. Cook was present in the room and witnessed the beating and patch burning of Staton. After the beating and depatching, Staton was still alive and was rolled up in the plastic and the carpet from the bedroom. Cook helped load Staton into the back of vehicle, in which Staton was driven away. Cook later cleaned up the area where Staton had been beaten and was given a shot of heroin as compensation for his role.
Cook faces a maximum sentence of up to life in prison and a fine of up to $250,000, or both, on the kidnapping charge. Under the Federal Sentencing Guidelines, the actual sentence imposed will be based upon the seriousness of the offense and the criminal history, if any, of the defendant.
The FBI and AST Alaska Bureau of Investigation Special Crimes Investigation Unit and Technical Crimes Unit, the Statewide Drug Enforcement Unit (SDEU) Mat-Su Drug Unit, AST ‘B’ Detachment Major Crimes Unit and Criminal Suppression Unit, and AST’s participation in the Task Force Officer program led the investigation. This case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorneys William Taylor and James Klugman of the District of Alaska and Trial Attorney Chad McHenry of Department of Justice’s Organized Crime and Gang Section (OCGS).
220 Months' Imprisonment for Macon Man Guilty of Conspiring to Distribute Nearly One Kilo of MethRead the Press Release
MACON – A Macon man was sentenced to 220 months in prison today after admitting he conspired to possess with intent to distribute nearly one kilo of methamphetamine, said Charles “Charlie” Peeler, the United States Attorney for the Middle District of Georgia. Donald Frederick Meeks, 36, of Macon, Georgia, was sentenced on August 7, 2019 by U.S. District Judge Marc Treadwell. Mr. Meeks pleaded guilty to one count of Conspiracy to Distribute Methamphetamine in his signed plea agreement, filed on August 30, 2018.
On June 9, 2017, a Confidential Informant (CI) advised U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) agents that Mr. Meeks was traveling from Macon to an apartment complex in Norcross, Georgia to obtain methamphetamine. When agents attempted to detain Mr. Meeks following his return to his Fulton Mill Road residence in Macon, Mr. Meeks fled the scene carrying a backpack. He was captured. Inside the backpack was 990.80 grams of methamphetamine. Mr. Meeks had another 5.01 grams in his left front pocket. A federal search warrant of his residence uncovered three rifles, a pistol, and an additional 28.66 grams of methamphetamine.
“From behind bars for the next 18 years, this individual will have the opportunity to reflect on his decision to become a drug dealer in Middle Georgia,” said U.S. Attorney Charlie Peeler. “Methamphetamine ruins the lives of the people who choose to sell it and the people who choose to take it. Rest assured: Our office will continue to work hand-in-hand with law enforcement to hold those peddling this poison accountable for their crimes.”
The case was investigated by the DEA. Assistant U.S. Attorney Charles Calhoun prosecuted the case for the Government. Questions can be directed to Pamela Lightsey, Public Information Officer, United States Attorney’s Office, at (478) 621-2603 or Melissa Hodges, Public Affairs Director (Contractor), United States Attorney’s Office, at (478) 765-2362.
16-Member Drug Trafficking Organization with ties to Grape Street Crips Gang Indicted in Operation “Grapes of Wrath”Read the Press Release
Memphis, TN –In July 2019, a federal grand jury charged 16 individuals with conspiracy to possess various controlled substances with intent to distribute; possession of several types of controlled substances with intent to distribute; and several criminal violations of federal firearms laws. U.S. Attorney D. Michael Dunavant announced the unsealing of the superseding indictment today.
The investigation of this case focused on the Grape Street Crips street gang in Memphis, and was known as Operation "Grapes of Wrath." ATF began investigating various shootings in the Memphis area in the Summer of 2018, and together with DEA and other law enforcement partners, developed suspects in connection with drug distribution, specifically the distribution of heroin and methamphetamine.
The defendants charged in the indictment are:
Travon Allen a/k/a "Little Y," 30, Los Angeles, California
Ozene Benson, 27, Memphis, Tennessee
Vincent Boykin a/k/a "Veto," 31, Memphis, Tennessee
Antwan Brown, 31, Memphis, Tennessee
Christopher Brown, 29, Memphis, Tennessee
Lonnell Davis, 41, Memphis, Tennessee
Clifton Graves, 35, Memphis, Tennessee
Preston Hampton a/k/a "Grape da Shooter," 26, Memphis, Tennessee
Amber Howe, 31, Memphis, Tennessee
Claude Cordell Irby, 23, Memphis, Tennessee
Eddie Johnson a/k/a "Eddie Grape," 36, Memphis, Tennessee
Lapheal Johnson a/k/a "Peaches," 25, Jackson, Tennessee
Tionna Jones, 24, Memphis, Tennessee
Terrell Kennedy, 34, Memphis, Tennessee
Antonio Lurry, 37, Memphis, Tennessee
Tarzell Worles a/k/a "Snugg," 26, Memphis, TennesseeCount 1 of the indictment charges all of the defendants with conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute 50 grams or more of methamphetamine. This drug conspiracy operated from December 1, 2018 until May 30, 2019.
Count 2 of the indictment charges Tarzell Worles ("Snugg"), Amber Howe, Antonio Lurry, Christopher Brown, and Clifton Graves with conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute one kilogram or more of heroin. This drug conspiracy operated from March of 2018 through April 4, 2019.
Count 3 of the indictment charges Tarzell Worles ("Snugg") and Amber Howe with possession of fentanyl with intent to distribute on January 30, 2019.
Count 4 of the indictment charges Tarzell Worles ("Snugg") and Amber Howe with possession of heroin with intent to distribute on January 30, 2019
Count 5 of the indictment charges Tarzell Worles ("Snugg") with conspiracy to possess MDMA with intent to distribute. According to the indictment, this conspiracy operated from December 1, 2018, through April 4, 2019.
Count 6 of the indictment charges Tarzell Worles ("Snugg") with possession of MDMA with intent to distribute on April 4, 2019.
Count 7 of the indictment charges Clifton Graves, an unlawful user of marijuana and promethazine, with illegally possessing 10 Winchester 12 gauge shotgun shells, 139 Winchester .40 caliber bullets, 12 Hornady .40 caliber bullets, 27 Speer .357 caliber bullets, and 31 Hornady .380 caliber bullets on February 18, 2019. Federal law prohibits unlawful users of narcotics from possessing firearms or ammunition that have moved in or affected interstate commerce.
Count 8 of the indictment charges Clifton Graves, an unlawful user of marijuana and promethazine, with illegally possessing a Ruger LCR revolver and a Sig Sauer 516 semi-automatic rifle on February 18, 2019.
Count 9 of the indictment charges Vincent Boykin ("Veto") and Travon Allen ("Little Y") with possessing 50 grams or more of methamphetamine with intent to distribute from March 18, 2019 until April 24, 2019.
Count 10 of the indictment charges Vincent Boykin ("Veto") with possession 50 grams or more of methamphetamine with intent to distribute on April 24, 2019.
Count 11 of the indictment charges Ozene Benson and Antwan Brown with possession 50 grams or more methamphetamine with intent to distribute on May 30, 2019.
United States Attorney D. Michael Dunavant said: "As long as organized crime and drug distribution conspiracies by street gangs continue to threaten and harm our communities with addiction and violence, this office will continue to aggressively prosecute them for any and all violations of federal law. Gang members and drug dealers beware: your continued lawlessness will land your name on a federal indictment, and will secure your future in a federal prison."
This prosecution is part of an investigation conducted by the Organized Crime and Drug Enforcement Task Force (OCDETF). OCDETF is a joint federal, state, and local cooperative approach to combat drug trafficking organizations and organized criminal enterprises, targeting national and regional level drug trafficking organizations, and coordinating the necessary law enforcement entities and resources to disrupt or dismantle the targeted criminal organization and seize their assets.
This case is also part of the Domestic Cartel Initiative, a DEA-led initiative that seeks to dismantle and prosecute domestic drug organizations and violent gangs that operate in multiple states and jurisdictions.
If convicted of the conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute 50 grams or more of methamphetamine charged in Count 1, the defendants face a mandatory minimum sentence of 10 years imprisonment and a maximum sentence of life imprisonment, and a $10,000,000 fine. Count 2, which involves a conspiracy to possess one kilogram or more of heroin with intent to distribute, carries the same penalty as Count 1. If convicted of Counts 3, 4, 5, or 6, the defendants face up to of 20 years imprisonment and a $1,000,000 fine. The defendants face a maximum of 10 years imprisonment and $250,000 fine on counts 7 and 8.
This case was investigated by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives (ATF), U.S. Postal Inspection Service, Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA), Shelby County Sheriff's Office Narcotics Division, Memphis Police Department Organized Crime Unit, Bartlett Police Department, and West Tennessee Drug Task Force.
Special Assistant United States Attorney Joseph Griffith and Assistant United States Attorney Mark Erskine are prosecuting this case on behalf of the government.
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Tuesday 6 August 2019
Vermont Correctional Officer Sentenced to Federal Prison After Conviction for Smuggling Buprenorphine into Correctional FacilityRead the Press Release
The Office of the United States Attorney for the District of Vermont stated that on August 5, 2019, United States District Judge William K. Sessions III sentenced Grant Vance, a former correctional officer at Northern State Correctional Facility in Newport, Vermont, to three months of incarceration. Also on August 5, 2019, Judge Sessions sentenced Gregory Paradis, an inmate with whom Vance conspired, to 15 months of incarceration.
According to court records, between 2003 and 2018, Vance was employed as a Correctional Officer at Northern State Correctional Facility in Newport, Vermont, where Paradis was an inmate. During the summer of 2017, administrators at Northern State Correctional Facility (“NSCF”) began an investigation into the smuggling of controlled substances into NSCF. Administrators spoke with six confidential informants who all stated that Vance was smuggling buprenorphine into NSCF. Vance routinely brought the buprenorphine into the facility on Thursdays, obscuring it within a hollowed-out marker of the same type used by NSCF staff.
On Thursday, June 28, 2018, a federal search warrant for the defendant’s person was executed as he arrived at NSCF. In Vance’s possession was a marker containing 61 buprenorphine strips. According to inmates, a single strip of buprenorphine could be sold for as much as $600 within NSCF. Vance received the buprenorphine by mail from former inmates and family of current inmates. Postal records detailed seven packages being sent to his P.O. Box during the year leading up to his arrest. After smuggling the buprenorphine into NSCF, he gave it to Paradis, who then distributed it to other inmates. Vance also smuggled cigarettes and marijuana into the facility.
United States Attorney Christina E. Nolan commended the collaborative efforts of the Federal Bureau of Investigation, the Vermont State Police, and the Vermont Department of Corrections.
The United States was represented by Assistant U.S. Attorney Nate Burris. Vance was represented by Assistant Federal Public Defender David McColgin. Paradis was represented by Attorney Maryanne Kampmann.
U.S. Attorney’s Office to Take Part in 36th Annual National Night OutRead the Press Release
PITTSBURGH – U.S. Attorney Scott W. Brady and U.S. Attorney’s Office employees will join law enforcement, community leaders and residents on Tuesday, August 6th at locations across western Pennsylvania from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. to celebrate the 36th annual National Night Out crime and drug prevention event.
National Night Out is a community-building and crime prevention campaign that promotes collaborative law enforcement-community partnerships and neighborhood camaraderie. Thousands of communities nationwide will participate in neighborhood block parties, festivals, cookouts, safety demonstrations, seminars, and activities that heighten crime and drug prevention awareness and generate support for and participation in local anticrime efforts. Events such as these help to strengthen neighborhood spirit, police-community partnerships, and demonstrate a shared commitment for strong and safe communities.
U.S. Attorney Brady will visit community events in Pittsburgh’s Homewood, Hill District, Hazelwood and North Side neighborhoods. Office staff will attend events in Allegheny, Beaver, Butler and Erie Counties.
"For 36 years, National Night Out has rallied neighborhood residents, law enforcement and community leaders in the common goal of strengthening relationships to help prevent and deter crime in our local community. I am proud to stand with my colleagues and my neighbors to support safer streets and work together to drive out crime," said U.S. Attorney Brady.
According to George C. Spencer, Sr., President of the Greater Pittsburgh Area chapter of MAD DADS, "Events like National Night Out enhance MAD DADS’ efforts to organize street patrols and implement community-based programs that help maintain safer neighborhoods and communities."
National Night Out organizers are expecting over 16,000 communities and 38 million people nationwide to take part in community events on Tuesday.
For more information on National Night Out events in western Pennsylvania, please visit the official website of your local municipality.
U.S. Attorney's Office to Take Part in 36th Annual National Night OutRead the Press Release
LAS VEGAS, Nev. – United States Attorney Nicholas A. Trutanich will join law enforcement, community leaders, and residents on Tuesday, August 6th at the Multi-Purpose Center, 1316 Sackett St., in Las Vegas, from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m., to celebrate the 36th annual National Night Out crime and drug prevention event. In northern Nevada, the Carson City Sheriff’s Office will host National Night Out from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m., at Mills Park, 1111 E. William St, in Carson City.
National Night Out is a community-building and crime prevention campaign that promotes collaborative law enforcement-community partnerships and neighborhood camaraderie. Thousands of communities nationwide will participate in neighborhood block parties, festivals, cookouts, safety demonstrations, seminars, and activities that heighten crime and drug prevention awareness and generate support for and participation in local anticrime efforts. Events such as these help to strengthen neighborhood spirit, police-community partnerships, and demonstrate a shared commitment for strong and safe communities.
“Annual events like National Night Out provide incredible opportunities to celebrate partnerships, renew energy, and enhance understanding about community-law enforcement concerns,” said U.S. Attorney Trutanich. “The more time officers spend interacting with community members, the deeper their understanding of the challenges facing those communities and the stronger their commitment to making them even better.”
“Reducing violent crime and promoting safety in American communities is a major focus of the Justice Department and U.S. Attorneys across the country,” said Deputy Attorney General Jeffrey A. Rosen. “National Night Out is an opportunity to strengthen the bonds, the respect, and the camaraderie between neighbors and law enforcement officers. These relationships make our country stronger and safer.”
National Night Out organizers are expecting over 16,000 communities and 38 million people nationwide to take part in community events on Tuesday.
Due to Nevada’s high temperatures in August, some law enforcement agencies host National Night Out in October. For more information on National Night Out events in Nevada, please visit the official website of your local police department.
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U.S. Attorney Kennedy to Take Part in 36th Annual National Night OutRead the Press Release
CONTACT: Barbara Burns
PHONE: (716) 843-5817
FAX #: (716) 551-3051NIAGARA FALLS, NY – U.S. Attorney James P. Kennedy, Jr. will join law enforcement, community leaders and residents TONIGHT Tuesday, August 6th at the Annual Crime Night Out sponsored by the Niagara Falls Block Club Council to celebrate the 36th annual National Night Out crime and drug prevention event. The event will be held at St Paul's Lutheran Church at the corner of 18th and Cleveland in Niagara Falls.
National Night Out is a community-building and crime prevention campaign that promotes collaborative law enforcement-community partnerships and neighborhood camaraderie. Thousands of communities nationwide will participate in neighborhood block parties, festivals, cookouts, safety demonstrations, seminars, and activities that heighten crime and drug prevention awareness and generate support for and participation in local anticrime efforts. Events such as these help to strengthen neighborhood spirit, police-community partnerships, and demonstrate a shared commitment for strong and safe communities.
“For 36 years, National Night Out has rallied neighborhood residents, law enforcement and community leaders in the common goal of strengthening relationships to help prevent and deter crime in our local community. I am proud to stand with my colleagues and my neighbors to support safer streets and work together to drive out crime,” said U.S. Attorney Kennedy.
In addition, USAO Law Enforcement Coordinator Samuel L. Palmiere will be taking part in National Night Out activities in the Town of Tonawanda.
National Night Out organizers are expecting over 16,000 communities and 38 million people nationwide to take part in community events on Tuesday.
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U.S. Attorney Hyslop to Take Part in 36th Annual National Night OutRead the Press Release
Spokane – William D. Hyslop, U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of Washington, will be joining Spokane Police Chief Craig Meidl and other law enforcement, community leaders, and residents on Tuesday, August 6th to celebrate the 36th annual National Night Out crime and drug prevention event.
National Night Out is a community-building and crime prevention campaign that promotes collaborative law enforcement-community partnerships and neighborhood camaraderie. Thousands of communities nationwide will participate in neighborhood block parties, festivals, cookouts, safety demonstrations, seminars, and activities that heighten crime and drug prevention awareness and generate support for and participation in local anticrime efforts. Events such as these help to strengthen neighborhood spirit, police-community partnerships, and demonstrate a shared commitment for strong and safe communities.
“Reducing violent crime and promoting safety in American communities is a major focus of the Justice Department and U.S. Attorneys across the country,” said Deputy Attorney General Jeffrey A. Rosen. “National Night Out is an opportunity to strengthen the bonds, the respect, and the camaraderie between neighbors and law enforcement officers. These relationships make our country stronger and safer.”
United States Attorney Hyslop said, “For 36 years, National Night Out has rallied neighborhood residents, law enforcement and community leaders in the common goal of strengthening relationships to help prevent and deter crime in our local community. I’m told that Spokane has one of the highest participation rates, if not the highest participation, in the State. There are approximately 90 parties signed up to host parties within the city limits, which does not include Spokane County. I am proud to stand with my colleagues and my neighbors to support safer streets and work together to drive out crime.”
National Night Out organizers are expecting over 16,000 communities and 38 million people nationwide to take part in community events on Tuesday.
Two Essex County Men Charged After Authorities Find Large Quantity of Methamphetamine in Their ResidenceRead the Press Release
NEWARK, N.J. – Two West Orange, New Jersey, men are charged with federal narcotics offenses after an investigation revealed a large quantity of methamphetamine and other narcotics in their residence, U.S. Attorney Craig Carpenito announced today.
Brian Cheda-Hackembruch, 23, is charged with conspiracy to distribute over 500 grams of methamphetamine and maintaining a drug-involved premises. Eduardo Martinez, 39, is charged with possession of methamphetamine. Both defendants appeared this afternoon before U.S. Magistrate Judge Steven C. Mannion in Newark federal court.
According to documents filed in this case and statements made in court:
As part of an investigation beginning in May 2019, law enforcement officers observed multiple individuals coming and going from Cheda-Hackembruch’s residence, in a manner consistent with narcotics activity. A search of the residence on July 29, 2019, discovered 4,322.8 grams of methamphetamine, 74 grams of marijuana, 96 fluid ounces of Gamma Butyrolactone (GBL) and bank statements suggesting that Cheda-Hackembruch’s bank account contained over $500,000. Law enforcement searched Martinez’s room and discovered an additional 38 grams of methamphetamine. Officers also located packaging materials, scales, and items consistent with methamphetamine processing.
The count of conspiracy to distribute methamphetamine carries a maximum penalty of life in prison and a fine of up to $10 million. The count of maintaining a drug-involved premises count carries a maximum penalty of 20 years in prison, a $500,000 fine, and a civil penalty up to $250,000. The count of possession of methamphetamine count carries a maximum penalty of one year in prison and a $100,000 fine.
U.S. Attorney Carpenito credited officers of the Essex County Sheriff’s Office, under the direction of Sheriff Armando Fontoura, with the investigation leading to the charges.
The government is represented by Special Assistant U.S. Attorney Shawn Barnes of the U.S. Attorney’s Office Narcotics/OCDETF Unit in Newark.
The charges and allegations in the complaint are merely accusations, and the defendants are presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.
Defense counsel:
Cheda-Hackembruch: Eric Mark Esq., Newark
Martinez: TBD
Two Buffalo Women Indicted, Charged with Cocaine ConspiracyRead the Press Release
CONTACT: Barbara Burns
PHONE: (716) 843-5817
FAX #: (716) 551-3051BUFFALO, N.Y. - U.S. Attorney James P. Kennedy, Jr. announced today that a federal grand jury has returned an indictment charging Maylin Santiago, 25, and Rosa Merced, 39, both of Buffalo, NY, with conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute 500 grams or more of cocaine, and possession and attempted possession of more than 500 grams of cocaine with intent to distribute. The charges carry a mandatory minimum five years in prison, a maximum penalty of 40 years, and a $5,000,000 fine.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Charles J. Volkert, Jr., who is handling the case, stated that according to the indictment, between November 2017 and April 2018, the defendants conspired to possess and sell cocaine. On at least two occasions in March 2019, Santiago and Merced obtained or attempted to obtain postal packages from Puerto Rico that contained kilograms of cocaine. Additionally, in January 2018, Santiago sold cocaine to an individual working with the Drug Enforcement Administration.
Santiago and Merced were arraigned before U.S. Magistrate Judge H. Kenneth Schroder and released on conditions.
The indictment 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; the United States Postal Inspection Service, under the direction of Inspector-in-Charge Joseph W. Cronin of the Boston Division; the New York State Police, under the direction of Major Edward Kennedy; and the Buffalo Police Department, under the direction of Commissioner Byron Lockwood.
The fact that a defendant has been charged with a crime is merely an accusation and the defendant is presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty.
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Two Armed Carjackers Are Sentenced to PrisonRead the Press Release
CHARLOTTE, N.C. – De’Asion Malik Coleman, 21, and Marquise Tyrelle Sharpe-Tall, 21, both of Charlotte, were sentenced to prison today on carjacking and firearms offenses, announced the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Western District of North Carolina. U.S. District Judge Robert J. Conrad, Jr. sentenced Coleman to 130 months in prison and three years of supervised release. Sharpe-Tall was sentenced to 141 months in prison, followed by three years of supervised release.
Vincent C. Pallozzi, Special Agent in Charge of the U.S. Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF), Charlotte Field Division, and Chief Kerr Putney of the Charlotte Mecklenburg Police Department (CMPD) join the U.S. Attorney’s Office in making today’s announcement.
According to court documents and today’s sentencing hearing, on November 5, 2017, around 10:00 p.m., Coleman and Sharpe-Tall carjacked a 2010 Nissan Versa, while the vehicle was parked outside a store at 6140 The Plaza, in Charlotte. A male victim, identified as “J.B.” was sitting in the passenger seat of the vehicle. Court records show that Coleman opened the vehicle’s driver side door and pointed a firearm at the victim. Sharpe-Tall opened the passenger door, grabbed the victim by the neck, pulled him out of the vehicle, and punched him several times. The two men then drove off in the stolen vehicle.
Court records show that the victim called 911 and reported the carjacking. CMPD officers located the stolen vehicle and began to follow it. Coleman and Sharpe-Tall attempted to evade the police. After crashing the vehicle, the two men proceeded to flee on foot, but were taken into custody shortly thereafter.
In September 2018, both defendants pleaded guilty to carjacking and brandishing a firearm during, in relation to, and in furtherance of a crime of violence. They are currently in custody and will be transferred to custody of the Federal Bureau of Prisons upon designation of a federal facility. All federal sentences are served without the possibility of parole.
The investigation was handled by ATF and CMPD. Assistant U.S. Attorney Erik Lindahl of the U.S. Attorney’s Office in Charlotte prosecuted the case.
Three Massachusetts Women Charged with Attempting to Smuggle Marijuana into the United StatesRead the Press Release
CONTACT: Barbara Burns
PHONE: (716) 843-5817
FAX #: (716) 551-3051BUFFALO, N.Y. U.S. Attorney James P. Kennedy, Jr. announced today that Briha K. Younger, 25, Jenae R. Johnson, 28, both of Boston, MA, and Micaela G. Ratcliffe, 28, of Dorchester, MA, were arrested and charged by criminal complaint with smuggling of goods into the United States, importation of a controlled substance, and possession of a controlled substance. The charges carry a maximum of 20 years in prison and a $250,000.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Jeremiah E. Lenihan, who is handling the case, stated that according to the complaint, on Monday, August 5, 2019, at approximately 8:15 a.m., the defendants attempted to enter the United States from Canada at the Lewiston Queenston Bridge Port of Entry in Lewiston, NY. The defendants all gave a negative declaration when asked if there was any marijuana and/or contraband in the vehicle. A Customs and Border Protection office noted that Ratcliffe had a record for a prior incident involving travel with marijuana and referred the defendants for a secondary inspection.
The defendants once again gave a negative declaration for narcotics. However, when a CBP officer searched Younger’s purse, multiple rolled joints containing suspected marijuana were recovered. During a subsequent search of the vehicle, officers found commercial packaged marijuana and marijuana products in multiple bags, that the investigation suggested had been lawfully purchased at marijuana dispensaries in Canada. All three defendants were arrested at the scene.
Younger, Johnson, and Ratcliffe made an initial appearance this afternoon before U.S. Magistrate Judge Michael J. Roemer and were released on conditions.
“The possession of marijuana and its importation into the United States remain federal crimes,” noted U.S. Attorney Kennedy. “The fact that it may have been lawfully purchased in Canada does not change that. To those who may ask what’s the harm here? My response is simple. In the last two weeks right here in Erie County, two different individuals have been charged with manslaughter for having been involved in fatal car crashes while driving under the influence of marijuana. The first victim was a woman who was struck by a drugged driver while walking down a sidewalk. The second victim was a woman who was watching television in her living room when a drugged driver plowed his car into her apartment and killed her. If this office, together with our federal partners, can help to save the lives of innocent potential future victims by curbing the flow of marijuana into our community and/or by letting the public know of the significant legal consequences that flow from being charged with a violation of federal law, then we will not hesitate to act. Such actions are undertaken not only enhance the safety of our community but quite possibly to prevent today’s marijuana possessor or importer from either becoming or supplying tomorrow’s manslaughter defendant. Regardless of the law in Canada—or even New York State—the public must be aware that the manufacture, possession, distribution, or importation of marijuana remain federal crimes.”
The complaint is the result of an investigation by Customs and Border Protection, under the direction of Director of Field Operations Rose Brophy, and Homeland Security Investigations, under the direction of Special Agent-in-Charge Kevin Kelly.
The fact that defendants have been charged with a crime is merely an accusation and the defendants are presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty.
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Swissvale Man Charged with Heroin PossessionRead the Press Release
PITTSBURGH - A resident of Allegheny County has been indicted by a federal grand jury in Pittsburgh on a charge of violating federal narcotics laws, United States Attorney Scott W. Brady announced today.
The one-count Indictment named Tyler Caldwell, 33, formerly of Swissvale, as the sole defendant.
According to the Indictment presented to the court, on May 9, 2019, Caldwell intentionally possessed with the intent to distribute heroin.
The law provides for a maximum total sentence of 20 years in prison, a fine of $1,000,000, or both. Under the Federal Sentencing Guidelines, the actual sentence imposed would be based upon the seriousness of the offense and the prior criminal history, if any, of the defendant.
Assistant United States Attorney Nicole Vasquez Schmitt is prosecuting this case on behalf of the government.
The Federal Bureau of Investigation’s Western Pennsylvania Opioid Task Force conducted the investigation leading to the Indictment in this case.
An indictment is an accusation. A defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.
Suspended City Commissioner Maddox & Associate Carter-Smith Plead Guilty to Corruption & Tax ChargesRead the Press Release
TALLAHASSEE, FLORIDA – Suspended Tallahassee City Commissioner Scott Charles Maddox and business associate Janice Paige Carter-Smith today each pleaded guilty to two honest services fraud counts and one tax fraud conspiracy count arising from a 47-count indictment. Maddox and Carter-Smith face up to 45 years in federal prison followed by supervised release, as well as $750,000 in fines. In addition, Maddox and Carter-Smith agreed to forfeit all interest in any property which was derived from proceeds of the crimes to which the defendants pled guilty and to a forfeiture money judgment in an amount to be determined by the Court.
The plea agreements were negotiated by the office of United States Attorney for the Northern District of Florida Lawrence Keefe and the Public Integrity Section of the United States Department of Justice, and accepted by Senior United States District Judge Robert Hinkle. Maddox and Carter-Smith will be sentenced on November 19, 2019, at 10:00 a.m. at the U.S. Courthouse in Tallahassee.
"Public office is the highest form of public trust, and the pattern of criminal activity by these defendants violated the sacred trust of the people. When Maddox should have been looking out for the best interest of the citizens of Tallahassee, he was instead lining his own pocket with Carter-Smith’s help. This U.S. Attorney’s Office places the utmost priority on rooting out and pursuing public corruption, and will continue to do so in order to restore the public’s trust in its government and elected officials," Keefe said.
Maddox and Carter-Smith pleaded guilty to one count each of honest services wire fraud, honest services mail fraud, and conspiracy to defraud the United States. In the statement of facts filed in support of his plea agreement, Maddox admits to having taken large sums of money in exchange for favorable actions on various issues that came before the City of Tallahassee. He participated in a scheme to defraud and deprive the City of Tallahassee and its citizens of its right to honest services through bribery. Carter-Smith admitted to participating with Maddox in these criminal acts.
A federal grand jury indicted Maddox and Carter-Smith in December, and a superseding indictment in May added defendant John Thomas Burnette in various counts.
"Abusing one's position for personal gain is a blatant disregard to the oath that every government employee takes," said Rachel L. Rojas of the FBI Jacksonville Division. "Corrupt public officials undermine the integrity of our government and violate the public’s trust, and rooting them out is among the most complex, tedious and significant work that the FBI does for the American public. The FBI and our law enforcement partners will continue to work together to ensure those who commit fraud and corruption are brought to justice."
The guilty plea acknowledges the allegations contained in the indictment that Maddox and Carter-Smith conspired to operate two companies, Governance Inc. and Governance Services LLC, as one entity they referred to as "Governance." Governance was part of a racketeering enterprise that accepted bribes and extorted money from Governance clients under color of Maddox’s office through fear of the economic harm Maddox could inflict through his influential position as a City Commissioner. Maddox and Carter-Smith pleaded guilty to charges of defrauding a bank of more than $250,000 through two fraudulent short sales of real property, lying to federal agents about Governance and other matters, and violating federal tax laws by conspiring to interfere with the IRS and filing false tax returns.
The investigation was conducted by the Federal Bureau of Investigation and the Internal Revenue Service – Criminal Investigation. The case against Maddox and Carter-Smith was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Stephen M. Kunz, Gary K. Milligan, and Andrew J. Grogan of the Northern District of Florida, and Trial Attorneys Simon J. Cataldo, Peter M. Nothstein, and Rosaleen T. O’Gara of the Department of Justice, Criminal Division’s Public Integrity Section.
The United States Attorney’s Office for the Northern District of Florida is one of 94 offices that serve as the nation’s principal litigators under the direction of the Attorney General. To access public court documents online, please visit the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Florida website. For more information about the United States Attorney’s Office, Northern District of Florida, visit http://www.justice.gov/usao/fln/index.html.
Salvadoran National Sentenced for Failing to Register as A Sex Offender and Unlawful ReentryRead the Press Release
BOSTON – A previously deported Salvadoran national was sentenced in federal court in Boston today for failure to register as a sex offender and unlawful reentry of a deported alien.
Oscar Alfaro, 47, who is currently in state custody in connection with sexual assault charges stemming from a 2016 incident in Newbury, was sentenced by U.S. District Court Judge Richard G. Stearns to 33 months in prison and five years of supervised release. Alfaro will also be subject to deportation. In April 2019, Alfaro pleaded guilty to one count of failure to register as a sex offender and one count of unlawful reentry of a deported alien.
In 2008, Alfaro was convicted in Virginia state court of taking indecent liberties with a child. As a result, Alfaro is required to register as a sex offender in any jurisdiction where he lives or works. After serving a sentence for his 2008 conviction, Alfaro was deported.
At some point following his deportation, Alfaro illegally reentered the United States. In March 2016, it was reported that Alfaro had committed an indecent assault and battery, which qualifies as a sex offense under Massachusetts state law. After the assault was reported, Alfaro left Massachusetts. The U.S. Marshals Service located and apprehended Alfaro in Virginia in November 2017 and returned him to Massachusetts to face state sexual assault charges.
United States Attorney Andrew E. Lelling and John Gibbons, United States Marshal for the District of Massachusetts, made the announcement today. Valuable assistance was provided by the Essex County District Attorney’s Office and the Newbury and Rowley Police Departments. Assistant U.S. Attorney Anne Paruti, Lelling’s Project Safe Childhood Coordinator and a member of the Major Crimes Unit, prosecuted 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/.
Post Falls Woman Admits to Hiring HitmanRead the Press Release
COEUR D’ALENE – Katrina (Katie) Lynn Danforth, 32, of Post Falls, Idaho, pled guilty this week to two counts of use of interstate commerce facilities in the commission of murder for hire, U.S. Attorney Bart M. Davis announced. Danforth was indicted by a federal grand jury in Coeur d’Alene on December 18, 2018.
According to court records, Danforth admitted that in October 2018 she agreed to pay a “hitman” to murder someone. During October and November 2018, she met in person with the hitman, called him on the phone and mailed him a thank you card with a $2,500 cash down payment. The hitman was actually an undercover police officer and Danforth was arrested. Danforth has remained in custody since her arrest in December 2018.
Sentencing for Danforth is set for December 2, 2019 before U.S. District Judge B. Lynn Winmill at the federal courthouse in Coeur d’Alene.
Each count of use of interstate commerce facilities in the commission of murder for hire is punishable by up to ten years in federal prison, a fine of up to $250,000, and a term of supervised release of up to three years.
This case was investigated by the North Idaho Violent Crime Task Force (NIVCTF). The NIVCTF is a FBI sponsored task force comprised of law enforcement from the Kootenai County Sheriff’s Office, Post Falls Police Department, Idaho Department of Correction, and Homeland Security Investigations.
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Philadelphia Man Admits to Armed Robbery of New Jersey BankRead the Press Release
CAMDEN, N.J. – A Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, man today admitted robbing a bank in Carneys Point, New Jersey, in July 2018 while brandishing a firearm, U.S. Attorney Craig Carpenito announced.
Antwaine Thomas, 40, of Philadelphia, pleaded guilty before U.S. District Judge Joseph H. Rodriguez in Camden federal court to an indictment charging him with armed bank robbery and brandishing a firearm during a bank robbery.
According to documents filed in this case and statements made in court:
Thomas admitted that on July 30, 2018, he and a co-conspirator walked into the Fulton Bank in Carneys Point, and that he pointed a loaded handgun at four bank employees while demanding cash. Thomas and the co-conspirator took $66,000 from the bank and fled. Thomas was arrested several hours later, and he was captured on surveillance video in a nearby residential area, ditching the cash, gun, and his clothing.
The armed bank robbery charge carries a maximum potential penalty of 25 years in prison and a $250,000 fine, or twice the gross gain or loss from the offense. The brandishing a firearm charge carries a mandatory minimum sentence of seven years which must be served consecutively to any other sentence imposed. Sentencing is scheduled for Nov. 12, 2019.
U.S. Attorney Carpenito credited special agents of the FBI, Philadelphia Division, under the direction of Special Agent in Charge Michael Harpster; the Salem County Prosecutor’s Office, under the direction of Salem County Prosecutor John T. Lenahan; officers of the Carneys Point Police Department, under the direction of Chief of Police Gerald A. Krivda; and officers of the Penns Grove Police Department, under the direction of Chief John T. Stranahan, Sr., with the investigation leading to today’s guilty plea.
The government is represented by Assistant U.S. Attorney Kristen M. Harberg of the United States Attorney’s Office in Camden.
Defense Counsel: Robert C. Wolf, Esq., Westmont, New Jersey
Passadumkeag Man Sentenced to Three Years for Conspiracy to Distribute Heroin, Fentanyl and CrackRead the Press Release
Bangor, Maine: United States Attorney Halsey B. Frank announced that Jason Mannix, a/k/a “Boston,” 40, of Passadumkeag, Maine, was sentenced in U.S. District Court by Judge John A Woodcock, Jr. to three years in prison and three years of supervised release for conspiracy to distribute heroin, fentanyl and cocaine base, commonly known as “crack.” He pled guilty on March 25, 2019.
According to court records, between January 2016 and February 2017, Mannix conspired with others to acquire heroin, fentanyl and crack in Waterbury, Connecticut and to distribute it in the greater Bangor area. Mannix facilitated the drug dealing activities of other conspirators.
The case was investigated by the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration and the Maine Drug Enforcement Agency. This case was prosecuted as part of the Department of Justice’s Strategy to Combat the Opioid Epidemic.
O’Neill Man Sentenced to 210 Months for Distributing MethamphetamineRead the Press Release
United States Attorney Joe Kelly announced that Thad N. Junge, 41, of O’Neill, Nebraska, was sentenced Monday in federal court in Omaha for conspiring to distribute and distributing methamphetamine. Senior United States District Court Judge Laurie Smith Camp sentenced Junge to 210 months’ imprisonment. There is no parole in the federal system. After his release from prison, Junge will be on supervised release for 10 years.
Junge was convicted after a jury trial. The evidence at trial demonstrated that a confidential informant purchased 3.3 grams of methamphetamine from Junge at his residence in O’Neill. Witnesses testified at trial to purchasing varying amounts of methamphetamine from Junge for distribution to others. Junge had a prior conviction on August 29, 2011 in the District Court of Holt County, Nebraska, for possession of a controlled substance with intent to distribute.
This case was investigated by the Nebraska State Patrol.
Orlando Woman Convicted of Drug OffensesRead the Press Release
Orlando, Florida – A federal jury today found Deborah Carmona Antonsanti (43, Orlando) guilty of conspiracy to possess with the intent to distribute more than 500 grams of cocaine and possession with the intent to distribute more than 500 grams of cocaine. Carmona Antonsanti faces a maximum penalty of 40 years in federal prison on each count. Her sentencing hearing is scheduled for November 20, 2019.
Carmona Antonsanti was indicted on April 4, 2019, along with her husband, Jerry Sanchez Carrasquillo, who pleaded guilty on July 29, 2019.
According to evidence presented at trial, Carmona Antonsanti and Sanchez Carrasquillo worked together to receive a package containing more than a kilogram of cocaine, which was sent from Puerto Rico. Carmona Antonsanti and Sanchez Carrasquillo were arrested as part of an operation involving an undercover officer disguised as a delivery person. As part of the arrest, the agents recovered a set of keys and a receipt to a nearby storage unit. The agents located an additional 247 grams of cocaine, inside a bag with the fingerprints of both Carmona Antonsanti and Sanchez Carrasquillo, from inside the storage unit.
This case was investigated by the Department of Homeland Security, Homeland Security Investigations and the Orange County Sheriff’s Office. It is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Vincent S. Chiu.
Orlando Man Pleads Guilty to Orchestrating Multi-Million Dollar Investment Fraud SchemeRead the Press Release
Orlando, Florida – Andres Fernandez (37, Orlando) has pleaded guilty to 12 counts of wire fraud. He faces a maximum penalty of 20 years in federal prison on each count. His sentencing hearing is scheduled for October 30, 2019.
According to court documents, Fernandez orchestrated an investment scheme that defrauded at least 50 victims out of millions of dollars. Fernandez solicited individuals to invest in concert events that he claimed were being produced by his companies, Kadaae Entertainment Corporation and Kadaae LLC. He told victims that their investment would be used to fund specific concert events from artists, including Julio Iglesias and Pitbull, and promised a return on investment of up to 100 percent. Fernandez used fake contracts and other false documents to convince victims that he and his companies were under contract to produce the events. In fact, neither Fernandez nor his companies were involved in most of the events he had solicited to victims. Fernandez used portions of the funds sent by investors for his own personal use and to pay fraudulent “investment returns” to earlier investors.
This case was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation. It is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Nathan W. Hill.
Operation Results in Federal Indictment Against 22 Defendants in Drug Trafficking Conspiracy Involving Louisiana State Penitentiary Inmates, Former Angola Guards, and OthersRead the Press Release
United States Attorney Brandon J. Fremin announced today the recent unsealing of a federal grand jury indictment charging twenty-two defendants in Operation Jellystone, an extensive federal, state, and local investigation aimed at dismantling a large-scale cocaine, heroin, marijuana, and methamphetamine trafficking network based in the Louisiana State Penitentiary at Angola, with suppliers in East Baton Rouge Parish, Louisiana, and Colton, California.
According to the indictment, which was filed under seal in July 2019 and recently unsealed by the Court, the defendants allegedly engaged in extensive drug trafficking with substantial amounts of cocaine, heroin, marijuana, and methamphetamine being smuggled into Angola for distribution to dealers and users within Angola. The charged defendants are listed below, and each faces significant terms of imprisonment, fines, and the forfeiture of proceeds from the illegal activity:
Arthur Basaldua, a/k/a/ “Yogi,” “Big Bro,” “Big Mex,” and “Mex,” age 41, an inmate at Angola, is charged with conspiracy to distribute controlled substances; possession with intent to distribute 50 grams or more of methamphetamine; aiding and abetting unlawful travel in aid of a racketeering enterprise; and unlawful use of communication facilities.
Deanthony Ford, a/k/a D’Anthony Ford,” “D,” “Dee,” and “D Ant,” age 32, an inmate at Angola, is charged with conspiracy to distribute controlled substances and possession with intent to distribute 50 grams or more of methamphetamine.
Nelson Tippen, age 39, an inmate at Angola, is charged with conspiracy to distribute controlled substances and possession with intent to distribute 50 grams or more of methamphetamine.
Kevin Narcisse, age 34, an inmate at Angola, is charged with conspiracy to distribute controlled substances; possession with intent to distribute 50 grams or more of methamphetamine; and unlawful use of communication facilities.
Dudley Melancon, a/k/a “Murder,” age 31, an inmate at Angola, is charged with conspiracy to distribute controlled substances and possession with intent to distribute 50 grams or more of methamphetamine.
Joshua Gonzalez, a/k/a “Joshua Gonzales” and “Ro,” age 35, an inmate at Angola, is charged with conspiracy to distribute controlled substances; possession with intent to distribute 50 grams or more of methamphetamine; and unlawful use of communication facilities.
Jared Graham, age 30, an inmate at Angola, is charged with conspiracy to distribute controlled substances; possession with intent to distribute 50 grams or more of methamphetamine; and unlawful use of communication facilities.
Jeffery Day, a/k/a “JD,” “Ray,” and “Ray Ray,” age 34, a former correctional officer at Angola, is charged with conspiracy to distribute controlled substances.
Tommy Carter, Jr., a/k/a “TJ,” age 31, a former correctional officer at Angola, is charged with conspiracy to distribute controlled substances and possession with intent to distribute 50 grams or more of methamphetamine.
April Mathews, age 25, a former correctional officer at Angola, is charged with conspiracy to distribute controlled substances.
Precious Shelvin, a/k/a “Precious Shelby,” age 33, a former correctional officer at Angola, is charged with conspiracy to distribute controlled substances.
Tichina Williams, age 24, a former correctional officer at Angola, is charged with conspiracy to distribute controlled substances.
Michael Augustine, age 39, of Erath, Louisiana, is charged with conspiracy to distribute controlled substances and unlawful use of communication facilities.
Xavier Johnson, a/k/a “Ziggy” and “Zigg,” age 34, of Baton Rouge, Louisiana, is charged with conspiracy to distribute controlled substances; possession with intent to distribute 50 grams or more of methamphetamine; and possession of a firearm and ammunition by a convicted felon.
Manuel Cadena, a/k/a “Joker,” age 38, of Colton, California, is charged with conspiracy to distribute controlled substances and possession with intent to distribute 50 grams or more of methamphetamine.
Michael Cadena, a/k/a “Mikey,” age 29, of Hesperia, California, is charged with conspiracy to distribute controlled substances.
Edgar Ochoa, a/k/a “Edgar Ochoa Contreras,” age 35, of Riverside, California, is charged with conspiracy to distribute controlled substances.
Ismael Ochoa, a/k/a “Diablo” and “Ismael Contreras Ochoa,” age 32, of Riverside, California, is charged with conspiracy to distribute controlled substances and unlawful travel in aid of a racketeering enterprise.
Quindale Smothers, age 23, of Lafayette, Louisiana, is charged with conspiracy to distribute controlled substances.
Eryka Daniels, a/k/a “Mookie,” age 35, of Baton Rouge, Louisiana, is charged with conspiracy to distribute controlled substances.
Adrienne Capizzo, age 32, of Westwego, Louisiana, is charged with conspiracy to distribute controlled substances and unlawful use of communication facilities.
Evelyn Valdes, a/k/a “Eve,” age 42, of Denham Springs, Louisiana, is charged with conspiracy to distribute controlled substances.
U.S. Attorney Brandon J. Fremin stated, “This indictment disrupts a drug distribution conspiracy which brought significant amounts of cocaine, heroin, marijuana, and methamphetamine into our district. Those charged include inmates at Angola serving either life or other significant terms of imprisonment, former Angola guards, and drug suppliers from California. We will continue our work with federal, state, and local law enforcement, throughout the country, to dismantle criminal networks, and bring offenders to justice in order to protect our citizens and promote respect for the law. I want to thank our prosecutor, the FBI, the United States Postal Inspection Service, the West Feliciana Sheriff, and the Louisiana Department of Corrections who worked tirelessly, and in constant coordination, to advance the goal of eliminating opioids and other harmful drugs from our district.”
Larry Karl, Acting Special Agent in Charge of the FBI New Orleans Field Office, stated, “The FBI, in coordination with our federal, state, and local law enforcement partners, executed numerous arrest warrants in Louisiana and California on charges related to a drug conspiracy at Angola Prison. These arrests exemplify partnerships and cooperation across all agencies, especially from Angola Prison’s Investigations Division, the U.S. Postal Inspection Service, West Feliciana Parish Sheriff’s Office, and the Louisiana Department of Corrections. The FBI New Orleans Field Office will continue to aggressively investigate federal violations of malfeasance, corruption, and illegal activity within all of our correctional facilities.”
“This indictment should serve as a warning to street criminals and corrupt public servants that our nation’s mail system is not for trafficking contraband,” said Inspector in Charge Adrian Gonzalez, U.S. Postal Inspection Service, Houston Division. “Postal Inspectors are committed to safeguarding postal customers and Postal Service employees by working with our law enforcement partners to eliminate these prohibited substances from the U.S. Mail.”
West Feliciana Parish Sheriff J. Austin Daniel said, “We reached out to the U.S. Attorney’s Office for assistance during the course of this investigation and greatly appreciate their help and cooperation between agencies. Removing drugs and drug traffickers from our community is another way we protect and serve. Thank you to all who put their time and immense effort into Operation Jellystone to keep our citizens safe.”
"We continue to crackdown and fight contraband in our prisons,” said Department of Public Safety and Corrections Secretary Jimmy Le Blanc. “We are appreciative of our partnership during this investigation with the U.S. Attorney, the FBI, and the West Feliciana Parish Sheriff’s Office, which resulted in the arrests and indictments of these individuals, particularly those who chose to betray the public’s trust. This is not a reflection of the many hard working men and women in our Department who are dedicated to keeping our prisons and our public safe."
This matter is being investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation and the United States Postal Inspection Service, with assistance from the Louisiana Department of Corrections and West Feliciana Parish Sheriff’s Office. This matter is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Paul L. Pugliese.
The investigation that led to this indictment is another effort by the Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Force (OCDETF) Program that was established in 1982 to mount a comprehensive attack against organized drug traffickers. Today, the OCDETF Program is the centerpiece of the United States Attorney General’s drug strategy to reduce the availability of drugs by disrupting and dismantling major drug trafficking organizations and money laundering organizations and related criminal enterprises. The OCDETF Program operates nationwide and combines the resources and unique expertise of numerous federal, state, and local agencies in a coordinated attack against major drug trafficking and money laundering organizations.
NOTE: An indictment is an accusation by a grand jury. The defendants are presumed innocent until and unless adjudicated guilty at trial or through a guilty plea.
Operation Independence Day Leads to Federal Charges for Eight Men Attempting to Meet Minors for SexRead the Press Release
FAIRVIEW HEIGHTS, ILL. – Eight men were federally indicted today after attempting to have sex with children under the age of 18, U.S. Attorney Steven D. Weinhoeft announced today. The cases are part of "Operation Independence Day," a nationwide initiative to combat child sex trafficking.
"Those who exploit children gain access to kids through various means, including social media apps. Cases like these remind us that serious dangers are no further away than a child’s cell phone," U.S. Attorney Weinhoeft said. "The beginning of the new school year is a great opportunity for parents to take a closer look at their children’s internet activities and start a conversation about how to stay safe online."
This year, Operation Independence Day consisted of 161 law enforcement operations executed during the month of July throughout all 56 FBI field offices. In addition to working with U.S. Attorney’s Offices, the FBI collaborated on the initiative with the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children and over 400 federal, state, local, and tribal agencies who participate in the FBI’s child exploitation and human trafficking task forces. More information about Operation Independence Day is available at www.fbi.gov/oid2019.
The Department of Justice announced today that the FBI-led initiative resulted in the recovery or identification of 103 child victims and the arrest of 67 sex traffickers nationwide. In Southern Illinois, Operation Independence Day led to the arrest and indictment of eight men. U.S. Attorney Weinhoeft said, "Sex trafficking and child exploitation continue to impact our communities, and we will aggressively enforce the law against those who would prey upon children."
Earlier today, the following eight men were indicted in the Benton Division of the United States District Court for the Southern District of Illinois, each separately charged with attempting to entice a minor to engage in illicit sexual acts:
• Lawrence A. Bangs, 39, of Herrin, Illinois
• Jesse A. Cantu, 43, of Mt. Vernon, Illinois
• Jorge L. Leal, 34, of Marion, Illinois
• Bret M. Feldscher, 27, of Herrin, Illinois
• Neal J. Keane, 28, of Tucson, Arizona
• James M. Davis, 63, of St. Louis, Missouri
• Hank D. Yoast, 46, of Herrin, Illinois
• Rick E. Garner, 43, of Sesser, Illinois.
The men were all charged from July 19-21 in connection with an online, undercover investigation. No actual minors were harmed. Each of the offenses is alleged to have occurred in Williamson County, Illinois. If convicted, the defendants each face a minimum penalty of 10 years imprisonment and could receive as much as life behind bars. The offense also carries a possible lifetime term of supervised release and a fine of up to $250,000.
Pending trial, all eight men will be held without bond or released on electronic monitoring and other strict conditions mandated by the Adam Walsh Act.
An indictment is merely a charge against a defendant. Under the law, a defendant is presumed to be innocent of the charge until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt to the satisfaction of a jury.
These cases fall under the umbrella of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative launched in 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 https://www.justice.gov/psc. For more information about internet safety education, please visit https://www.justice.gov/psc and click on the tab "resources."
The investigation was conducted by the FBI, with the assistance of the United States Marshals Service, the Williamson County Sheriff’s Department, and the Herrin Police Department.
Ohio Woman Pleads Guilty to Distributing MethamphetamineRead the Press Release
CHARLESTON, W.Va. – A Columbus, Ohio, woman pled guilty to a federal drug trafficking offense today, announced United States Attorney Mike Stuart. Brandy Yvette Hodge, also known as “Jazz” or “Jazmine,” 27, pled guilty to distribution of methamphetamine before United States District Judge Joseph R. Goodwin. Stuart commended the investigation conducted by the Drug Enforcement Administration and the Jackson County Sherriff’s Office.
“Going to prison for committing crimes for a boyfriend is not too smart,” said United States Attorney Mike Stuart. “The drug mules and distributors from places outside West Virginia are being prosecuted as quickly as we can process the cases and, in every instance, I push for the longest sentence permissible under the law.”
Based on information presented in public court records and hearings, Hodge began trafficking methamphetamine and heroin from Columbus to Jackson County, West Virginia, around January of this year, supplying multiple drug dealers. Police investigators subsequently arranged and executed six undercover buys of ounces of methamphetamine from Hodge on February 21, February 26, March 1, March 4, March 7, and March 13. Hodge admitted to selling at least around 40 ounces of methamphetamine in her plea agreement. Based on recorded jail calls and other evidence, investigators believe Hodge’s boyfriend was directing Hodge’s drug trafficking while he was incarcerated in Ohio.
Hodge faces up to 40 years in federal prison when she is sentenced on September 16, 2019. Assistant United States Attorney Drew O. Inman is handling the prosecution.
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North Miami Beach Resident Sentenced to over 7 Years in Prison for $3.5 Million Fraud Scheme Targeting Orthodox Jewish CommunityRead the Press Release
Ariana Fajardo Orshan, U.S. Attorney for the Southern District of Florida, George L. Piro, Special Agent in Charge, Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), Miami Field Office, and Rick Swearingen, Commissioner, Florida Department of Law Enforcement (FDLE), announced that on August 6, 2019, Shayeh Dov, 49 years old, of North Miami Beach, Florida, was sentenced to eighty-seven (87) months in prison, three years of supervised release and ordered to pay $3,087,972 in restitution to victims by Senior U.S. District William J. Zloch.
According to court documents, Dov pled guilty on February 7, 2019, before U.S. Magistrate Judge Patrick M. Hunt, to the sole count of an Information that charged him with Conspiracy to Commit Wire Fraud, in violation of Title 18, United States Code, Section 1349 (Case No. 19-60006-CR-ZLOCH). Dov’s guilty plea was accepted on February 20, 2019, by U.S. District Judge William J. Zloch.
According to the court record, beginning in May 2012, and continuing through May 2019, Dov was the mastermind behind an affinity fraud scheme that targeted members of the Orthodox Jewish community in South Florida and New York. Dov exploited the community’s close bonds of trust to obtain money for fraudulent investments. Dov presented investment opportunities in distressed or foreclosed mortgage notes through companies he owned and/or operated, including P&S Inc., Notez LLC, and Notes LLC. The mortgage note properties were located in Broward, Miami-Dade and other counties throughout the State of Florida, as well as other states. Dov would oftentimes engage investors in a legitimate transaction(s) and then conduct a fraudulent transaction.
Dov bought, sold and offered investors mortgage notes at a discount because these notes were attached to delinquent and/or foreclosed real estate. Dov used high pressure sales tactics to sell these discounted notes. Dov falsely claimed he maintained inside connections to financial institutions and told investors that they had a very limited window to purchase the notes, in order to induce individuals to invest.
Information in court records further revealed that the fraudulent transactions further involved selling notes to investors that Dov and/or the aforementioned companies did not own and were not actually for sale. Dov also would purport to sell notes that he previously sold to other purchasers years ago that were not available for sale. In at least one instance, Dov sold the same note to two different investors approximately five days apart.
In addition, Dov directed investors to wire the monies to bank accounts he controlled. The investors’ funds were used to pay Dov’s personal and travel expenses, including gambling, mortgage payments, luxury automobile loans, and, in limited circumstances, to pay back previous note investors who were defrauded. The monies were not, however, used to purchase the mortgage notes that were promised to investors.
U.S. Attorney Fajardo Orshan commended the investigative efforts of the FBI and FDLE in this matter. The case was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Randy Katz.
Related court documents and information may be found on the website of the District Court for the Southern District of Florida at www.flsd.uscourts.gov or on http://pacer.flsd.uscourts.gov.
North Carolina Man Pleads Guilty to Scheme to Defraud Consumers of Legal Advice and ServicesRead the Press Release
Geoffrey S. Berman, the United States Attorney for the Southern District of New York, announced today that JOHN LAMBERT, a/k/a “Eric Pope,” pled guilty this afternoon before U.S. District Judge Valerie E. Caproni to one count of conspiracy to commit wire fraud, in connection with a scheme to defraud consumers of legal advice and services.
U.S. Attorney Geoffrey S. Berman said: “John Lambert represented himself to clients as a prominent New York attorney with a law degree from an elite law school. But Lambert’s de facto career was one of a grifter: he had never been to law school and certainly wasn’t an attorney. Today, Lambert admitted to his crimes and faces time in prison for his misdeeds.”
According to the Information and other documents filed in the case, as well as statements made during the plea proceedings:
From August 2016 through April 2018, LAMBERT perpetrated a scheme to defraud consumers of legal advice and services, by falsely representing, through web-based platforms for freelancing services, websites, emails, phones calls, and other means, that he was an experienced attorney who had attended an elite law school, when in fact he was not an attorney and had never attended law school. Having misled his victims into believing that he was a highly qualified attorney, LAMBERT then provided legal advice and services to his victims, in exchange for which his victims paid him money.
LAMBERT’s victims included at least six individuals and corporations who paid him money for purported legal advice and services. The victims hired LAMBERT to provide legal advice and services on a wide range of subjects, including issues with their credit reports, drafting a will, corporate and intellectual property law, and a dispute with a former employee. One of the victims withdrew money from his 401(k) account to pay LAMBERT.
LAMBERT used the alias “Eric Pope” when communicating with the victims, and falsely represented to at least some of them that he was an attorney at a law firm called “Pope and Dunn;” had attended an elite law school; was an expert in corporate, finance, and property law; had worked with hundreds of clients, including “tech moguls” and “entrepreneurs,” in the United States and Europe; and was located in New York City. But LAMBERT was not and had never been an attorney, and was not located in New York City.
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LAMBERT, 23, of Bristol, Tennessee, pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy to commit wire fraud, which carries a maximum sentence of 20 years in prison. The maximum potential sentence in this case is prescribed by Congress and is provided here for informational purposes only, as any sentencing of the defendant will be determined by the judge. LAMBERT is scheduled to be sentenced by Judge Caproni on November 18, 2019.
Mr. Berman praised the outstanding investigative work of Special Agents from the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of New York and the FBI.
The prosecution of this case is being handled by the Office’s General Crimes Unit. Assistant United States Attorney Benjamin Woodside Schrier is in charge of the prosecution.
Newark Man Indicted in Pittsburgh on Drug ChargeRead the Press Release
PITTSBURGH, Pa - A resident of Newark, New Jersey has been indicted by a federal grand jury in Pittsburgh on charges of violating the federal narcotics laws, United States Attorney Scott W. Brady announced today.
The one-count Indictment, returned on July 30 and unsealed yesterday, named Herbert L. Felder, age 50, as the sole defendant.
According to the Indictment, in and around December 2018, and continuing to on or about May 1, 2019, the defendant conspired to possess with intent to distribute and distribute 400 grams or more of a mixture and substance containing fentanyl, a Schedule II controlled substance, and 100 grams or more of a mixture and substance containing heroin, a Schedule I controlled substance.
The law provides for a maximum total sentence of not less than 10 years to a maximum of life in prison, a fine of up to $10,000,000, or both. Under the Federal Sentencing Guidelines, the actual sentence imposed would be based upon the seriousness of the offense and the prior criminal history, if any, of the defendant.
Assistant United States Attorney Jerome A. Moschetta is prosecuting this case on behalf of the government.
The Federal Bureau of Investigation and the Pennsylvania State Police conducted the investigation leading to the Indictment in this case.
An indictment is an accusation. A defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.
Nashua Man Pleads Guilty to Fentanyl TraffickingRead the Press Release
CONCORD - Spencer O. Katsohis, 27, of Nashua, pleaded guilty in federal court to possession of fentanyl with intent to distribute, United States Attorney Scott W. Murray announced today.
According to court documents and statements made in court, on October 3, 2018, members of the Nashua Police stopped a vehicle, driven by Katsohis, for traffic violations. During the traffic stop, officers recovered over 15 grams of fentanyl. Katsohis was arrested and admitted to knowingly distributing fentanyl.
On January 30, 2019, Katsohis was arrested at his home and officers recovered additional fentanyl and drug paraphernalia.
Katsohis is scheduled to be sentenced on November 12, 2019.
“Even small amounts of fentanyl can be lethal,” said U.S. Attorney Murray. “Fentanyl traffickers have caused great harm to the health and safety of New Hampshire citizens. Through Operation S.O.S., we are working in close partnership with our local law enforcement colleagues to identify and prosecute those who are distributing this deadly drug in the Granite State.”
This case is part of Operation Synthetic Opioid Surge (S.O.S.). In July of 2018, Attorney General Jeff Sessions announced the creation of S.O.S., which is being implemented in the District of New Hampshire and nine other federal districts. The goal of S.O.S. is to combat the large number of overdoses and deaths associated with fentanyl and other synthetic opioids. In New Hampshire, the U.S. Attorney’s Office is focusing its efforts on prosecuting synthetic opioid trafficking cases arising in Hillsborough County, which includes Manchester and Nashua.
This matter was investigated by the Nashua Police Department. The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Joachim H. Barth.
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Mississippi Man Pleads Guilty to Federal Hate Crime for CrossburningRead the Press Release
WASHINGTON – The Department of Justice announced that Graham Williamson pleaded guilty yesterday to federal charges related to the commission of a crossburning on Oct. 24, 2017, in Seminary, Mississippi. Specifically, Williamson, 38, pleaded guilty to one count of interference with housing rights, a federal civil rights violation, and one count of conspiring to use fire to commit a federal felony.
In his plea, Williamson admitted that he and a co-conspirator planned and carried out a racially motivated crossburning in a predominantly African-American residential area of Seminary, Mississippi. Specifically, Williamson admitted that he and the co-conspirator constructed a cross using materials from in and around the co-conspirator’s residence, placed the cross near the home of African-American residents of that area, including the home of a juvenile victim identified as M.H., and lit the cross on fire. Williamson further admitted that he built and burned the cross to threaten, frighten, and intimidate M.H. and other African-American residents because of their race and color of their skin, and because those individuals lived in the Keys Hill area of Seminary, Mississippi. Williamson acknowledged that he knew burning crosses have historically been used to threaten, frighten, and intimidate African-Americans.
Williamson faces a maximum total sentence of 30 years in prison and a $500,000 fine on the two charges. Sentencing has been scheduled for Nov. 5.
“The defendant used a violent symbol of racial intimidation to threaten these victims and inspire fear, while they resided in the security of their own homes,” said Assistant Attorney General Eric Dreiband of the Civil Rights Division. “The Department of Justice does not tolerate these hateful and historically egregious acts, and will continue to vigorously prosecute criminals who violate the civil rights of peaceful community members.”
“Those who commit criminal acts based on race to intimidate and scare our fellow citizens will face swift and certain justice from this U.S. Attorney’s Office. These types of hateful actions have no place in our communities, and we will continue to fight for and uphold the civil rights of all throughout our State,” said Mike Hurst, U.S. Attorney for the Southern District of Mississippi.
“Crimes motivated by hate are intended to intimidate their victims and spread fear in the community, undermining societal values,” said FBI Jackson Division Special Agent in Charge Michelle A. Sutphin. “The FBI will continue its aggressive investigations of acts like these in pursuit of justice for the victims and the integrity of civil rights for all.”
This case was investigated by the FBI Jackson Division’s Hattiesburg Resident Agency. Assistant U.S. Attorney Candace Gregory Mayberry for the Southern District of Mississippi and Trial Attorney Julia Gegenheimer from the Justice Department’s Civil Rights Division are prosecuting the case.
Mississippi Man Pleads Guilty to Federal Hate Crime for CrossburningRead the Press Release
The Department of Justice announced that Graham Williamson pleaded guilty yesterday to federal charges related to the commission of a crossburning on Oct. 24, 2017, in Seminary, Mississippi. Specifically, Williamson, 38, pleaded guilty to one count of interference with housing rights, a federal civil rights violation, and one count of conspiring to use fire to commit a federal felony.
In his plea, Williamson admitted that he and a co-conspirator planned and carried out a racially motivated crossburning in a predominantly African-American residential area of Seminary, Mississippi. Specifically, Williamson admitted that he and the co-conspirator constructed a cross using materials from in and around the co-conspirator’s residence, placed the cross near the home of African-American residents of that area, including the home of a juvenile victim identified as M.H., and lit the cross on fire. Williamson further admitted that he built and burned the cross to threaten, frighten, and intimidate M.H. and other African-American residents because of their race and color of their skin, and because those individuals lived in the Keys Hill area of Seminary, Mississippi. Williamson acknowledged that he knew burning crosses have historically been used to threaten, frighten, and intimidate African-Americans.
Williamson faces a maximum total sentence of 30 years in prison and a $500,000 fine on the two charges. Sentencing has been scheduled for Nov. 5.
“The defendant used a violent symbol of racial intimidation to threaten these victims and inspire fear, while they resided in the security of their own homes,” said Assistant Attorney General Eric Dreiband of the Civil Rights Division. “The Department of Justice does not tolerate these hateful and historically egregious acts, and will continue to vigorously prosecute criminals who violate the civil rights of peaceful community members.”
“Those who commit criminal acts based on race to intimidate and scare our fellow citizens will face swift and certain justice from this U.S. Attorney’s Office. These types of hateful actions have no place in our communities, and we will continue to fight for and uphold the civil rights of all throughout our State,” said Mike Hurst, U.S. Attorney for the Southern District of Mississippi.
“Crimes motivated by hate are intended to intimidate their victims and spread fear in the community, undermining societal values,” said FBI Jackson Division Special Agent in Charge Michelle A. Sutphin. “The FBI will continue its aggressive investigations of acts like these in pursuit of justice for the victims and the integrity of civil rights for all.”
This case was investigated by the FBI Jackson Division’s Hattiesburg Resident Agency. Assistant U.S. Attorney Candace Gregory Mayberry for the Southern District of Mississippi and Trial Attorney Julia Gegenheimer from the Justice Department’s Civil Rights Division are prosecuting the case.
For more information about Department of Justice’s work to combat and prevent hate crimes, visit www.justice.gov/hatecrimes: a one-stop portal with links to Department of Justice hate crimes resources for law enforcement, media, researchers, victims, advocacy groups, and other organizations and individuals.