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21 August 2019
San Francisco Man Sentenced to More Than Five Years in Prison for Assaulting A U.S. Postal Worker and Possessing Ammunition as A Convicted FelonRead the Press Release
SAN FRANCISCO – Herman Murillo was sentenced today to 63 months in prison for assaulting a U.S. Postal Service (USPS) letter carrier and illegally possessing ammunition as a convicted felon, announced United States Attorney David L. Anderson and Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives (ATF) Special Agent in Charge Rayfield Roundtree. The sentence was handed down by the Honorable Maxine M. Chesney, Senior U.S. District Judge.
Murillo, 35, of San Francisco, pleaded guilty to the charges on April 24, 2019. According to his plea agreement, Murillo admitted that on January 14, 2019, he approached a USPS letter carrier delivering mail in his neighborhood, pulled out a 9mm semiautomatic pistol loaded with six rounds of Wolf 9mm ammunition, and pointed it directly at the letter carrier.
A federal grand jury indicted Murillo on March 19, 2019, charging him with one count of being a felon in possession of ammunition, in violation of 18 U.S.C. § 922(g)(1), and one count of assaulting a federal employee, in violation of 18 U.S.C. § 111(b). Murillo pleaded guilty to both counts.
Judge Chesney also sentenced the defendant to a three-year period of supervised release to begin at the conclusion of his prison term.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Briggs Matheson is prosecuting the case with the assistance of Margoth Turcios. The prosecution is the result of an investigation by the ATF and the San Francisco Police Department.
Rigby Man Sentenced to 25 Years in Prison for Producing Child PornographyRead the Press Release
POCATELLO – Joseph Lavern Harris, 32, of Rigby, Idaho, was sentenced yesterday in U.S. District Court to 300 months in prison, for sexual exploitation of a minor child, U.S. Attorney Bart M. Davis announced. U.S. District Judge B. Lynn Winmill ordered that Harris serve a lifetime of supervised release, following his prison sentence. Harris pleaded guilty on March 26, 2019.
According to court records, on February 26, 2018, state investigators responded to allegations of child abuse at a residence in Jefferson County, Idaho, where Harris resided. A subsequent investigation discovered that Harris had produced child pornography by sexually abusing a four-year-old child. Investigators obtained a search warrant for Harris’s electronic devices and discovered images of the sexual abuse taken on his phone. In court, Harris admitted that he created the images.
At sentencing, Judge Winmill also ordered Harris to forfeit the cell phone used in the commission of the offense. As a result of his conviction, Harris will be required to register as a sex offender.
The case was investigated by Homeland Security Investigations in Idaho Falls and the Jefferson County Sherriff’s Office.
The case was brought as part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative launched in May 2006 by the Department of Justice to combat the growing epidemic of child sexual exploitation and abuse. As part of Project Safe Childhood, the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Idaho and the Idaho Attorney General’s Office partner to marshal federal, state, and local resources to locate, apprehend, and prosecute individuals who sexually exploit children, and to identify and rescue victims.
For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit www.usdoj.gov/psc.
For more information about internet safety education, please visit www.usdoj.gov/psc and click on the tab “resources.”
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Red Lake Woman Sentenced to 46 Months in Prison for Assaulting BoyfriendRead the Press Release
United States Attorney Erica H. MacDonald announced the sentencing of MISHAUN ARYN NEADEAU, 30, to 46 months in prison for assault resulting in serious bodily injury. NEADEAU, who pleaded guilty on May 28, 2019, was sentenced before Senior Judge Paul A. Magnuson in U.S. District Court in Saint Paul, Minnesota.
According to the defendant’s guilty plea and documents filed in court, on November 11, 2018, NEADEAU called her boyfriend into the home in which they were staying and shot him twice with a handgun, once in his arm and once in his back. After law enforcement was notified of the assault, officers with the Red Lake Tribal Police Department found NEADEAU walking alone on a road carrying a plastic bag containing a scale and 27 grams of methamphetamine. NEADEAU was arrested and taken to the Red Lake Jail where she wrote two letters, one to the victim and the other to a relative of the victim. In those letters, which were intercepted by Red Lake Jail staff, NEADEAU asked that the victim sign an affidavit advocating that the Red Lake Tribal Court charges against NEADEAU be dropped. NEADEAU expressed her concern that otherwise, the “FEDS” might take on her case.
This case was the result of an investigation conducted by the Red Lake Tribal Police Department and the FBI Headwaters Safe Trails Task Force.
Assistant U.S. Attorneys Alexander D. Chiquoine and Deidre Y. Aanstad prosecuted the case.
Defendant Information:
MISHAUN ARYN NEADEAU, 30
Red Lake, Minn.
Convicted:
- Assault resulting in serious bodily injury, 1 count
Sentenced:
- 46 months in prison
- Three years of supervised release
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United States Attorney’s Office, District of Minnesota: (612) 664-5600
Raleigh Man Sentenced to 80 Months for Illegally Receiving Child PornographyRead the Press Release
RALEIGH – Robert J. Higdon, Jr., the United States Attorney for the Eastern District of North Carolina, announces that United States District Judge Louise W. Flanagan sentenced MICHAEL AHMED, 33, of Raleigh to 80 months’ imprisonment, followed by 10 years of supervised released.
On January 29, 2019, AHMED, pursuant to a Waiver of Indictment and with a written Plea Agreement, pled guilty to a Criminal Information which charged AHMED with Receipt of Child Pornography that concluded on March 14, 2018.
On December 3, 2017, officers with the Cary Police Department (CPD) in Cary, North Carolina, were conducting an online investigation on the BitTorrent1 network searching for individuals sharing child pornography (CP). Officers identified an IP address sharing CP, and they successfully downloaded 83 files of suspected CP. Officers continued to connect to the IP address on multiple occasions through February 18, 2018, and successfully downloaded several files of known CP. Officers were able to determine that the IP address was assigned to a residence in Apex, North Carolina, owned by the parents of AHMED. The Department of Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) was contacted and HSI agents obtained a search warrant for the residence.
On March 14, 2018, HSI agents and members of the Wake County Sheriff’s Office (WCSO) in Raleigh, North Carolina, executed a search warrant of AHMED’s Apex residence. During the search, agents seized a Dell desktop computer, an LG cellphone, multiple hard drives, and micro SD cards. AHMED was present and agreed to speak with law enforcement. During the interview, AHMED admitted to downloading CP using BitTorrent. AHMED stated he was aware BitTorrent was a file sharing program; however, he never intentionally shared CP. AHMED stated he preferred girls ages 14 and older and admitted to using the search terms “young and teen” when searching for CP online. AHMED stated he would download CP, save it to a file on his computer, and then delete it from his computer by placing it in the recycling bin.
An HSI forensics agent analyzed AHMED’s hard drives and found 2,463 image files and 93 video files which depicted CP. Multiple files contained sadistic or masochistic conduct, bestiality, prepubescent minors, and infants/toddlers. Multiple videos in the defendant’s collection were more than 5 minutes long. The recovered images were sent to the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children (NCMEC) for identification. NCMEC identified 101 known series in AHMED’s collection. AHMED’s collection contained a total of 9,438 image files of CP.
Based on the investigation, AHMED used BitTorrent, a peer to peer file sharing program, on his computer to receive CP. As such, by using BitTorrent he is also responsible for distributing CP. Additionally, AHMED’s collection of CP contained images and videos which depicted sadistic/masochistic conduct, bestiality, prepubescent minors, and infants/toddlers. AHMED is accountable for the possession of 9,438 image files of CP.
This case was part of the Project Safe Childhood initiative, a national program aimed at ensuring that criminals exploiting children are effectively prosecuted by making full use of all available law enforcement resources at every level. For more information about this important national project, Project Safe Childhood, go to www.projectsafechildhood.gov.
The investigation of this case was conducted by the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) and the Cary Police Department. Assistant United States Attorney Daniel W. Smith prosecuted the case for the government.
Raleigh Man Sentenced to 33 Months for Illegally Possessing a FirearmRead the Press Release
RALEIGH – United States Attorney Robert J. Higdon, Jr. announced that yesterday in federal court, United States District Judge Louise W. Flanagan sentenced SAMUELLE BRESHAUN CORBETT 28, of Raleigh, North Carolina, to 32 months’ imprisonment, followed by 3 years of supervised released.
On September 6, 2018, CORBETT was named in a one-count Indictment charging him with possession of a firearm by a convicted felon. On February 25, 2019, CORBETT pled guilty to the sole count.
On June 20, 2018, an officer with the Raleigh Police Department (RPD) approached a vehicle that was parked in the Ugly Monkey Bar’s parking lot. As the officer approached, he observed the vehicle’s front passenger, CORBETT, reach toward the floorboard. The officer also detected an odor of marijuana emanating from the vehicle and observed a .22 caliber revolver at CORBETT’S feet. CORBETT was removed from the vehicle and placed into custody. The revolver was loaded with 3 rounds of ammunition.
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.
The investigation of this case was conducted by the Raleigh Police Department, and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives. Assistant United States Attorney Daniel W. Smith prosecuted the case for the government.
Project Parkersburg Update: Two Men Plead Guilty to Methamphetamine ConspiracyRead the Press Release
CHARLESTON, W.Va. – Two Project Parkersburg defendants pled guilty to federal methamphetamine charges, announced United States Attorney Mike Stuart. Todd Land, 41, of Phoenix, Arizona pled guilty to conspiracy to distribute more than 500 grams of methamphetamine. Marshall Polan, 31, of Parkersburg, pled guilty to conspiracy to distribute a quantity of methamphetamine.
“As a result of Project Parkersburg, we seized 121 pounds of ICE methamphetamine and significant amounts of a smorgasbord of other drugs,” said United States Attorney Mike Stuart. “We’ve shuttered this drug trafficking organization and we’re holding drug dealers like Land and Polan accountable.”
Land admitted that he facilitated a transaction between Parkersburg methamphetamine dealers and an individual in Phoenix, Arizona to transport a large drug shipment from Arizona to Dayton, Ohio where the drugs were to be divided for distribution in Dayton and in Parkersburg. When the shipment was delayed, Land traveled to Dayton where he mediated a dispute between the transporter and the methamphetamine dealers. On September 19, 2018, police intercepted the shipment during a traffic stop of the transporter, Troy Pastorino. The shipment contained 121 pounds of pure methamphetamine and approximately 6 kilograms (13.2 pounds) of cocaine.
Polan admitted that he was a member of the conspiracy whose role was to sell methamphetamine to users in the Parkersburg area.
Land faces 10 years to life in prison and Polan faces up to 20 years in prison when they are sentenced on December 4, 2019. Pastorino pled guilty in February 2019 and also faces 10 years to life in federal prison when he is sentenced on January 23, 2020.
Land and Polan were prosecuted as part of Project Parkersburg – a major takedown and dismantling of a multi-state drug trafficking organization responsible for distributing methamphetamine and heroin. Stuart commended the investigative efforts of the FBI, the Parkersburg Police Department, the Dayton Police Department, the Parkersburg Narcotics and Violent Crimes Task Force as well as assistance from the Arizona Department of Public Safety. The long-term, joint investigation resulted in at least 29 individuals being charged in federal and state court, the seizure of 121 pounds of ICE methamphetamine, 6 kilograms of cocaine, 217 grams of heroin, and 290 grams of fentanyl.
United States District Judge Irene C. Berger presided over the hearing. Assistant United States Attorney Joshua Hanks is handling the prosecution.
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Port Clinton physician indicted for prescribing thousands of doses of powerful painkillers, such as fentanyl and oxycodone, without regard to medical necessityRead the Press Release
A Port Clinton physician was indicted in federal court for allegedly prescribing thousands of doses powerful painkillers such as fentanyl, oxycodone, hydrocodone, morphine, and other drugs, without regard to medical necessity, as well as healthcare fraud.
William R. Bauer, 82, was indicted on 200 counts of distribution of controlled substances and 14 counts of healthcare fraud.
According to the indictment:
Bauer, between 2007 through this year, repeatedly prescribed controlled substances outside the usual course of professional practice and not for a legitimate medical purpose. This included the following conduct: performing inadequate examinations and gathering inadequate medical histories; failing to establish an objective pain diagnosis; failing to consider non-opioid treatment options; prescribing high doses of opioids to patients without regard to any improvement in pain level, function or quality of life; failing to consider a patient’s state of addiction; ignoring signs and warnings that patient family members were stealing substances prescribed to the patients; ignored warning letters about improper prescribing; patients running out of pills from overuse and frequently requesting early refills, and other actions, according to the indictment.
The indictment details approximately 200 times that Bauer improperly distributed controlled substances to seven patients between 2015 and 2018. The substances allegedly improperly distributed include fentanyl, oxycodone, hydrocodone, tramadol, methadone and others.
In addition to overprescribing opioids and other controlled substances to patients, Bauer also regularly administered epidural injections and trigger point injections involving large cumulative doses of methylprednisolone without medical necessity.
These injections failed to meet procedural requirements because he did not use an adequate level of imaging to monitor the placement of needles in the spine. By failing to use appropriate imaging, Bauer could not determine if the injection was properly administered and thus reimbursable by insurance. The imaging he did use did document improper needle placement, rendering the injections ineffective for its stated purpose and, therefore, fraudulently billed to insurers, according to the indictment.
If convicted, the defendant’s sentence will be determined by the Court after reviewing factors unique to this case, including the defendant’s prior criminal record, if any, the defendant’s role in the offense and the characteristics of the violation. In all cases the sentence will not exceed the statutory maximum and in most cases it will be less than the maximum.
“This physician is accused of recklessly prescribing thousands of doses of fentanyl and other painkillers to people for no legitimate medical purpose,” U.S. Attorney Justin Herdman. “We will pursue doctors who flood our streets with pills and patches just as aggressively as we do the cartels and drug traffickers who seek to profit from the drug epidemic here in Ohio.”
“Physicians take an oath to do no harm, but Dr. Bauer pursued greed over his oath,” said FBI Special Agent in Charge Eric B. Smith. “The FBI will continue efforts to root out physicians that are contributing to the daily addiction epidemic we face and hold them accountable.”
“It’s a terrible betrayal of the public-trust when professionals like Dr. William Bauer are engaged in corrupt practices, to include the diversion of controlled substances,” said Acting Special Agent in Charge Keith Martin. “DEA and our law enforcement partners will continue to seek-out drug-dealing physicians and other corrupt health-care practitioners and bring them to justice.”
“Every pill mill that we shut down is a win for addiction recovery efforts in our communities,” Ohio Attorney General Dave Yost said. “My office and our partners at the local, state and federal levels are determined to root out these operations so they can be held accountable for their roles in this crisis.”
This case was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation, the Drug Enforcement Administration, the Department of Health and Human Services – Office of Inspector General and the Ohio Attorney General’s Office. The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Gene Crawford and Executive Assistant U.S. Attorney Ava R. Dustin.
An indictment is only a charge and is not evidence of guilt. Defendants are entitled to a fair trial in which it will be the government’s burden to prove guilt beyond a reasonable doubt.
Pittsburgh Felon Charged with Illegally Possessing Multiple Drugs and Four Firearms, Including One Concealed in a Child’s Toy BoxRead the Press Release
PITTSBURGH, PA – A former resident of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania has been indicted by a federal grand jury in Pittsburgh on charges of federal drug and firearms violations, United States Attorney Scott W. Brady announced today.
The four-count Indictment names Edward Johnson, 32, as the sole defendant.
According to the Indictment, on September 20, 2018 Johnson possessed with intent to distribute 28 grams or more of cocaine base, commonly referred to as crack, as well as quantities of heroin, fentanyl, and ketamine. In addition to the narcotics violations, the Indictment alleges that Johnson unlawfully possessed two pistols in furtherance of the drug offense, after having sustained a prior felony conviction. The Indictment further alleges that, on July 25, 2019, Johnson unlawfully possessed two additional firearms, including an AR-pistol, which according to a Criminal Complaint that was filed on July 25, 2019, was concealed in a child’s toy box. Federal law prohibits anyone who has been convicted of a crime punishable by a term of imprisonment exceeding one year from possessing a firearm or ammunition.
The law provides for a maximum total sentence of life in prison, a maximum total fine of $6,750,000, or both. Under the Federal Sentencing Guidelines, the actual sentence imposed would be based upon the seriousness of the offenses and the prior criminal history, if any, of the defendant. The defendant remains in custody, pending the resolution of this case.
Assistant United States Attorney Rebecca L. Silinski is prosecuting this case on behalf of the government.
The Drug Enforcement Administration, Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives, the Federal Bureau of Investigation, and the Pittsburgh Bureau of Police conducted the investigation leading to the Indictment in this case. This case was brought under 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.
An indictment is an accusation. A defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.
Philadelphia Man Sentenced to 5 Years in Prison for Drug and Gun Law ViolationsRead the Press Release
JOHNSTOWN, Pa. – A resident of Philadelphia, Pa., has been sentenced in federal court to five years (60 months) in prison and four years of supervised release on his conviction of violating federal narcotics and firearms laws, United States Attorney Scott W. Brady announced today.
United States District Judge Kim R. Gibson imposed the sentence on Robert L. Green, 41.
According to information presented to the court, on July 27, 2018, Green possessed with intent to distribute more than 28 grams of cocaine base, commonly known as "crack," and a quantity of fentanyl. Also, on July 27, 2018, he was found in possession of a Harrington & Richardson .32 caliber revolver and a Smith & Wesson .380 caliber handgun. On April 12, 2004, Green was convicted in the Court of Common Pleas of Philadelphia County, Pa., of robbery, which is a crime punishable by imprisonment for a term exceeding one year. Federal law prohibits persons who have been convicted of a crime punishable by a term of imprisonment exceeding one year from possessing firearms.
Assistant United States Attorney Arnold P. Bernard, Jr. prosecuted this case on behalf of the government.
U.S. Attorney Brady commended the Laurel Highlands Resident Agency of the Federal Bureau of Investigation and the Johnstown Police Department for the investigation that led to the successful prosecution of Green.
This case was brought as part of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), the centerpiece of the Department of Justice’s violent crime reduction efforts. PSN is an evidence-based program proven to be effective at reducing violent crime. Through PSN, a broad spectrum of stakeholders work together to identify the most pressing violent crime problems in the community and develop comprehensive solutions to address them. As part of this strategy, PSN focuses enforcement efforts on the most violent offenders and partners with locally based prevention and reentry programs for lasting reductions in crime.
Pennsylvania Man and California Woman Charged with Drug and Firearms CrimesRead the Press Release
SYRACUSE, NEW YORK – Kyle Leeper, 35, of Pennsylvania and Arlene Rodriguez, 35, of Almonte, California appeared today in federal court in Syracuse on an indictment charging them with conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute and distribution of methamphetamine, and firearms offenses, announced United States Attorney Grant C. Jaquith, James N. Hendricks, Special Agent in Charge of the Albany Field Office of the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), and Ray Donovan, Special Agent in Charge of the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA), New York Field Division.
The indictment unsealed today charges Leeper and Rodriguez with conspiring to distribute and possess with intent to distribute methamphetamine in Cortland, New York, and elsewhere. The indictment also charges both defendants with using and carrying a firearm in connection with drug trafficking crimes, and charges Kyle Leeper with being a prohibited person in possession of a firearm and ammunition.
The drug conspiracy charge and drug possession charge against both Leeper and Rodriguez carry minimum sentences of 10 years, and a maximum sentence of life imprisonment, as well a fine of up to ten million dollars, and a term of supervised release of at least five years, and up to life. If convicted of the charge of using and carrying a firearm in connection with a drug trafficking crime, Leeper and Rodriguez could be sentenced to a mandatory consecutive sentence of five years in prison. If convicted of being a prohibited person in possession of a firearm and ammunition, Kyle Leeper could be sentenced to up to ten years in prison and a fine of up to $250,000.00. 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 charges in the indictment are merely accusations. The defendants are presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.
Kyle Leeper and Arlene Rodriguez were arraigned today in Syracuse, New York, before United States Magistrate Judge Therese Wiley-Dancks and were ordered detained pending a trial before United States District Court Judge David N. Hurd.
This case is being investigated by the United States Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA), the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), the United States Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF), and the Cortland County (New York) Sheriff’s Department, and is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Richard Southwick and Thomas Sutcliffe, with assistance from the Cortland County District Attorney’s Office.
Omaha Man Sentenced for Sex TraffickingRead the Press Release
COUNCIL BLUFFS, Iowa - United States Attorney Marc Krickbaum announced on August 20, 2019, Terrance Terrell Jackson, Sr., age 40, was sentenced to seven years in prison to be followed by seven years of supervised release for sex trafficking involving force. United States District Court Judge Rebecca Goodgame Ebinger sentenced Jackson.
The conviction was the result of an investigation conducted by the Federal Bureau of Investigation’s Child Exploitation Task Force. On May 11, 2018, an undercover law enforcement officer responded to an advertisement on an internet website offering sexual services from a person identified as “Savannah.” A meeting was arranged between “Savannah” and the undercover officer at a hotel in Lincoln, Nebraska. “Savannah” arrived at the agreed to location and was arrested by law enforcement.
Law enforcement determined Jackson had placed the ad that offered the services of “Savannah” and had driven her to Lincoln, Nebraska to meet the undercover officer. Investigation revealed Jackson had been offering the services of “Savannah” by placing ads on internet web sites beginning in late 2017. When a date was arranged, Jackson transported “Savannah” to the agreed to location, including locations in Omaha, Nebraska and Council Bluffs, Iowa for acts of prostitution. The investigation determined Jackson had physically assaulted “Savannah” to ensure she would participate in acts of prostitution, having injured her seriously enough to have her hospitalized on several occasions.
The investigation was done by the FBI’s Child Exploitation Task Force; Lincoln, Nebraska, Police Department; Omaha, Nebraska, Police Department; and the Council Bluffs, Iowa, Police Department. The case was prosecuted by the United States Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of Iowa.
Ohio Man Convicted of $2 Million Investment Fraud SchemeRead the Press Release
BOSTON – An Ohio man was convicted yesterday in connection with a decade-long investment fraud scheme in which he defrauded more than 40 people of more than $2 million, and concealed more than 20 vehicles purchased with victim funds.
Stephan Kuljko Jr., 60, of Stow, Ohio, was convicted by a federal jury after a two-week trial of four counts of wire fraud and one count of obstruction of justice. U.S. Senior District Judge Mark L. Wolf scheduled sentencing for Nov. 6, 2019.
From 2006 through 2017, Kuljko spun a false story about himself as a wealthy man who won millions in the Ohio Lottery that he turned into hundreds of millions by investing in a Texas oil business and casinos. Kuljko solicited money from people by telling them that his vast fortune had been frozen in a bank account because of problems with the IRS, and that he needed money to pay for lawyers and to travel around the world to try to free up those funds. Kuljko operated his scheme mostly behind the scenes, using an associate in Arizona to solicit funds. Victims were promised huge returns, in many cases more than a million dollars for providing tens of thousands to assist Kuljko. The scheme also involved soliciting money to obtain and market what Kuljko represented as an extremely valuable, large uncut emerald. As with his other representations, the emerald deal was fictitious. In fact, the evidence at trial established that Kuljko had never won the lottery or invested in any Texas oil venture, had no bank account nor hundreds of millions of dollars, and the IRS was not tying up any of his money. Kuljko instead worked out of his home, buying and selling things like used snow blowers and rototillers.
The maximum sentence under the mail and wire fraud statutes is 20 years in prison, three years of supervised release and a $250,000 fine or twice the gross gain/loss, whichever is greater. The maximum sentence under the obstruction of justice statute is 10 years in prison, three years of supervised release and a $250,000 fine or twice the amount of the criminally derived property in the transaction, whichever is greater. Sentences are imposed by a federal district court judge based upon the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors.
United States Attorney Andrew E. Lelling and Joseph Bonavolonta, Special Agent in Charge of the Federal Bureau of Investigation, Boston Field Division, made the announcement today. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Victor A. Wild and Mark J. Balthazard of Lelling’s Securities and Financial Fraud Unit prosecuted the case.
Nineteen Charged in Heroin ConspiracyRead the Press Release
OKLAHOMA CITY – Nineteen individuals have been charged in an indictment unsealed today with conspiring to distribute multiple kilograms of heroin and methamphetamine from sources in Mexico and elsewhere, announced U.S. Attorney Timothy J. Downing. As of today, federal, state, local, and tribal law enforcement officers have arrested 17 of these defendants as part of an operation that involved executing fourteen search warrants and seizing firearms, illegal drugs, and U.S. currency.
"Consistent with this administration’s prioritization of opioid enforcement, the U.S. Attorney’s Office will work closely with law enforcement to keep heroin off of Oklahoma streets," said U.S. Attorney Downing. "I could not be more pleased about this successful series of arrests and the cooperation among law enforcement that makes an operation of this sort possible."
"Today is a great day for the citizens of Oklahoma," said Clyde E. Shelley, Jr., Special Agent-in-Charge of the Dallas Field Division of the Drug Enforcement Administration. "The DEA, along with partners from numerous federal, state, local, and tribal law enforcement agencies, have dismantled a heroin trafficking organization responsible for distributing large amounts of this dangerous drug across the state of Oklahoma."
John P. Scott, Assistant Special Agent-in-Charge of DEA’s Oklahoma District, said: "This case is a perfect example of the outstanding collaboration and partnerships that the law enforcement community has here in the state of Oklahoma. This case was developed over the last two years, spanning multiple states and judicial districts. It would not have been possible without the efforts of the case agents, task force officers, and prosecutors who work tirelessly to rid our community of those determined to make money off of selling drugs that devastate communities and destroy lives."
The defendants charged in the indictment are:
- Juan Rocha-Teran, 33
- Daniel Gonzalez-Herrera, 28
- Victor Legorreta-Torres, 33
- Angel Artemio Gonzalez, 20
- Nicole Burkhammer, 24
- Samuel Purkhiser, 29
- Brittany Blake, 29
- Carlos De Leon, 29
- Mariano Contreras-Acosta, 51
- Edward Owens, 35
- Joshua Keenan Williams, 28
- Neri Estuardo Sanchez-Mijangos
- Kelsey Taylor, 22
- Jeff Burke, 30
- Christian Dusenberry, 23
- Damon Colclasure, 44
- Haylee Butler, 23
- Weston Guinn, 32
- Rosalynn Zaragoza, 19
Defendants Rocha-Teran, Gonzalez-Herrera, Legorreta-Torres, Artemio Gonzalez, De Leon, and Sanchez-Mijangos are citizens of Mexico.
According to the indictment, from December 2015 to the present, each defendant was a member of a conspiracy that distributed one kilogram or more of heroin and 500 grams or more of methamphetamine. It is alleged that Rocha-Teran, Legorreta-Torres, Artemio Gonzalez, De Leon, Contreras-Acosta, and Sanchez-Mijangos acquired multiple kilogram and pound quantities of heroin and methamphetamine from sources in California, Nevada, Mexico, Texas, and elsewhere for re-distribution in the Oklahoma City area. Certain conspirators allegedly stored the drugs at specific addresses in Oklahoma City. They are alleged to have used coded language in cell phone conversations to facilitate the distribution.
In addition to one count of conspiracy, the indictment charges various defendants in 37 counts of possession with intent to distribute, 17 counts of using a telephone to facilitate a drug felony, and four counts of maintaining a premises for the purpose of distributing drugs.
On August 20, officers from a variety of federal, state, local, and tribal law enforcement agencies executed a coordinated series of arrests and searches in Oklahoma and Nevada. Including first responders, more than 200 personnel were involved in the operation. The August 20 takedown resulted in 14 arrests in various parts of Oklahoma. One additional defendant was arrested today. All fifteen of these defendants are being arraigned this afternoon at 1:00, 2:00, and 3:00 before U.S. Magistrate Judge Shon T. Erwin. In addition, Contreras-Acosta was arrested on August 6 in Texas and is being held in the Dallas County Jail, and De Leon was arrested on August 14 in Oklahoma City and is been held in the Oklahoma County Jail.
Defendants Angel Artemio Gonzalez and Rosalynn Zaragoza have not been apprehended and are considered fugitives. Law enforcement believes Artemio Gonzalez is in the Ontario, California, area and that Zaragoza is in the Oklahoma City area.
In the course of arresting defendants, law enforcement officers have seized a total of more than 16 pounds of heroin, more than three pounds of methamphetamine, eight firearms, and approximately $30,000 in U.S. currency. The amount of heroin seized is the equivalent of approximately 30,000 individual doses.
The following agencies assisted in bringing these defendants into custody and searching locations associated with them:- Broken Arrow Police Department
- Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms & Explosives
- Bureau of Indian Affairs
- Canadian County Sheriff’s Office
- Chickasaw Nation Lighthorse Police Department
- Choctaw Police Department
- Duncan Police Department
- Edmond Police Department
- El Reno Police Department
- Grady County Sheriff’s Office
- Mesquite, TX Police Department
- Moore Police Department
- Norman Police Department
- Oklahoma Bureau of Narcotics
- Oklahoma City Police Department
- Oklahoma County District Attorney’s Office
- Oklahoma County Sheriff’s Office
- Oklahoma District 18 Task Force
- Oklahoma District 21 Task Force
- Oklahoma District 23 Task Force
- Oklahoma Highway Patrol
- Ontario, California, Police Department, Career Criminal Division
- Oregon State Police
- Rogers County District Attorney’s Office
- Seminole Nation Lighthorse Police Department
- Texas Department of Public Safety
- Tulsa County Sheriff’s Office
- Tulsa Police Department
- U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (Enforcement and Removal Operations)
- U.S. Marshals Service
- Yukon Police Department
If found guilty of conspiracy, each defendant faces up to life in prison and a minimum mandatory sentence of ten years, as well as supervised release of up to life and a fine of up to $10,000,000. Convictions on counts charging possession with intent to distribute would carry maximum sentences of 20 years, 40 years, or life, depending on the drug amounts alleged in each count. Each count of using a telephone to facilitate a drug felony would carry a maximum sentence of four years upon conviction. And a conviction on the counts charging maintaining a drug-involved premises would carry a maximum sentence of 20 years.
This indictment is the result of an investigation by the Drug Enforcement Administration. The case is part of the Department of Justice’s Organized Crime and Drug Enforcement Task Force ("OCDETF"), which coordinates the investigation and federal prosecution of the highest priority drug trafficking organizations. This prosecution also falls within the parameters of the Western Oklahoma Opioid Enforcement Team, which brings together federal, state, and tribal law enforcement to focus on attacking illegal opioids, such as heroin. The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorneys David P. Petermann and Matthew P. Anderson.
The public is reminded that these charges are merely allegations and that each defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt. Reference is made to public filings for more information.New Orleans Man Pleads Guilty for Armed Robbery SpreeRead the Press Release
NEW ORLEANS – U.S. Attorney Peter G. Strasser announced that JAMES RAIFORD, age 26, of New Orleans, pleaded guilty on Tuesday, August 20, 2019 to five counts of violating the Hobbs Act by committing and attempting to commit robberies of local New Orleans businesses. RAIFORD also pleaded guilty to two counts of possessing a firearm in furtherance of a crime of violence.
Agents with the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives and the New Orleans Police Department conducted an investigation into armed robberies occurring at various businesses located in New Orleans, Louisiana during April of 2018. On April 17, 2018, RAIFORD robbed the Boost Mobile cellular telephone store located at 7058 Read Boulevard, while in possession of a firearm. On April 19, 2018, RAIFORD robbed the Boost Mobile cellular telephone store located at 5741 Crowder Boulevard, while in possession of a firearm. On April 19, 2018, RAIFORD robbed the Dollar General store located at 11020 Morrison Road, while in possession of a firearm. On April 24, 2018, RAIFORD robbed the Kwik Pik gas station and convenience store located at 10040 Morrison Road, while in possession of a firearm. The last robbery occurred on April 25, 2018, at the Boost Mobile cellular telephone store located at 2277 St. Claude Avenue. RAIFORD was in possession of a firearm during the robbery.
NOPD detectives identified RAIFORD from surveillance camera footage recovered from the stores. A search of RAIFORD’s cellular telephone showed that RAIFORD researched the robberies after he committed them.
The Honorable Wendy B. Vitter, United States Judge of the Eastern District of Louisiana, will sentence RAIFORD on November 12, 2019. For violating the Hobbs Act, RAIFORD faces a maximum penalty of 20 years, a fine up to $250,000.00, at least 3 years of supervised release, and a mandatory special assessment of $100.00. As it relates to possession of firearm during and in relation to a crime of violence, RAIFORD faces a mandatory minimum sentence of 120 months, to run consecutive to the sentence that the court will impose for violating the Hobbs Act, a fine up to $250,000.00., a period of supervised release up to 5 years, and a mandatory special assessment of $100.00.
This case was brought as part of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), a program that has been historically successful in bringing together all levels of law enforcement to reduce violent crime and make our neighborhoods safe for everyone. Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN) is the centerpiece of the Department of Justice’s violent crime reduction efforts. PSN is an evidence-based program proven to be effective at reducing violent crime. Through PSN, a broad spectrum of stakeholders work together to identify the most pressing violent crime problems in the community and develop comprehensive solutions to address them. As part of this strategy, PSN focuses enforcement efforts on the most violent offenders and partners with locally based prevention and reentry programs for lasting reductions in crime.
U.S. Attorney Peter G. Strasser praised the work of the New Orleans Department and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, and Firearms in investigating this matter. Assistant United States Attorney Brittany L. Reed is in charge of the prosecution.
New Orleans East Resident Sentenced in Conspiracy to Sell Heroin and FentanylRead the Press Release
NEW ORLEANS - U.S. Attorney Peter G. Strasser announced that LANCE STOVALL, a/k/a “Lele,” a/k/a “Allen,” age 29, of New Orleans, was sentenced today after pleading guilty to conspiring to distribute 100 grams or more of heroin and a quantity of fentanyl.
United States District Judge Sarah S. Vance sentenced STOVALL to 108 months of imprisonment followed by 4 years of supervised release.
According to court records, during the timeframe of the charged drug conspiracy, STOVALL conspired with codefendants Jonathan LAWRENCE, Brandon HALL, Dwayne LABRANCH, Aloysius KORIEOCHA, Brian MAXSON, Donald MARCELIN, Vonzo MAGEE, and others, to distribute heroin and fentanyl throughout the New Orleans area. These individuals were members of a drug-trafficking organization that operated primarily in the Eastside Hollygrove neighborhood of New Orleans. Collectively, the group referred to their neighborhood as “The Zoo,” a name derived from a popular rap song and video filmed in the neighborhood. Each of the eight defendants has been linked to drug activity in Eastside Hollygrove through law enforcement controlled purchases, Title III wire and electronic interceptions, witness statements, drug seizures, and other evidence. Each of the eight defendants in this case has pleaded guilty. Thus far, MARCELIN, KORIEOCHA, HALL, LABRANCH, and STOVALL have been sentenced.
U.S. Attorney Strasser praised the work of the FBI New Orleans Gang Task Force (NOGFT), which led this investigation and was assisted by the Drug Enforcement Administration, New Orleans Police Department, St. Tammany Parish Sheriff’s Office, Jefferson Parish Sheriff’s Office, and the Orleans Parish District Attorney’s Office. Assistant United States Attorneys Brandon S. Long, David Haller, and Edward Rivera are in charge of the prosecution.
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New Castle Doctor Pleads Guilty to Illegally Prescribing and Distributing Oxycodone, Fentanyl, and Opana ERRead the Press Release
PITTSBURGH - A resident of New Castle, Pennsylvania pleaded guilty in federal court to charges of unlawfully prescribing and distributing controlled substances, United States Attorney Scott W. Brady announced today.
Dr. Thomas A. Ranieri, 66, pleaded guilty to 14 counts before United States District Judge David S. Cercone.
In connection with the guilty plea, the court was advised that Ranieri was a physician who previously practiced as an anesthesiologist and pain doctor in clinics located in New Castle, Pennsylvania and multiple locations in Ohio. From January 2, 2013 to June 26, 2013, Dr. Ranieri prescribed and distributed quantities of Schedule II controlled substances (i.e., Oxycodone, Fentanyl, and Opana ER) outside the usual course of professional practice and without a legitimate medical purpose.
Judge Cercone scheduled sentencing for January 14, 2020 at 11:30 a.m. The law provides for a total per count sentence of 20 years in prison, a fine of $1,000,000, or both. Under the Federal Sentencing Guidelines, the actual sentence imposed is based upon the seriousness of the offenses and the prior criminal history, if any, of the defendant.
Pending sentencing, the court continued Ranieri on bond.
Assistant United States Attorney Stephanie L. Haines and Colin J. Callahan are prosecuting this case on behalf of the government.
The Federal Bureau of Investigation, Health and Human Services Office of Inspector General, Internal Revenue Service - Criminal Investigation, and the Pennsylvania Office of Attorney General Medicaid Fraud Control Section conducted the investigation that led to the prosecution of Ranieri.
Morris County Man Admits Possessing Bombs and Being Felon in Possession of GunsRead the Press Release
NEWARK, N.J. – A Morris County, New Jersey, man admitted today possessing bombs, precursor materials, and being a felon in possession of guns, U.S. Attorney Craig Carpenito announced.
Christopher Faschan, 31, of Landing, New Jersey, pleaded guilty before U.S. District Judge Brian R. Martinotti in Newark federal court to an information charging him with one count of unlawful possession of destructive devices and one count of being a felon in possession of firearms and ammunition.
According to documents filed in this case and statements made in court:
On Feb. 1, 2019, Faschan drove to the home of a person identified in court documents as “Individual 1” in Stanhope, New Jersey, and displayed what he claimed to be a bomb. Shortly thereafter, Faschan detonated the bomb in the area of Lake Lackawanna in Stanhope.
On Feb. 4, 2019, law enforcement agents interviewed Faschan, who said that he had ignited the bomb. He described it as two pounds in weight and explained how he used and mixed Potassium Perchlorate, Aluminum Powder, and Tannerite to make several bombs that were in his home.
Law enforcement agents executed a court-authorized search of Faschan’s home and recovered a cache of weapons, ammunition, and firearms, including:
Firearms, Ammunition, and Large Capacity Magazines
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9mm Smith and Wesson semi-automatic, Model 5, high-capacity handgun;
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9mm Fabrique Nationale Herstal semi-automatic handgun, Model FNX-9;
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Mossberg 12-Gauge shotgun, Model 500;
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Savage .22 Caliber long rifle, Model 64;
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Sturm Ruger .22 Caliber handgun, Model Mark 1;
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.556 Caliber ammunition magazine with a 100-round capacity;
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Numerous pistol magazines loaded with 9mm hollow-point rounds.
Explosive Devices and Precursor Materials
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Device One, which contained explosive material inside a black container with BB fragmentation, and a green fuse protruding from the device in order to initiate the destructive device;
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Device Two, which contained several containers of lighter fluid affixed around explosive material in the center with a fuse protruding from the device.
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Four plastic containers labeled “exploding targets” containing a substance that appears to be Ammonium Nitrate;
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One package labeled “Thermite” containing separated chemicals;
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One container containing dark-colored powder labeled “Indian Dark;”
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One unlabeled plastic bag containing fine, dark-colored powder;
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One clear plastic container labeled “German Ecartk aluminum powder,”
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One plastic container labeled “Potassium Perchlorate;”
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Three mason jars containing a white substance labelled “KC104;”
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One package of Hobby Fuse;
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Two plastic containers containing sphere-shaped, gray energetic pellets;
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One red and white can labeled “FFg super fine black rifle powder;”
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Thirteen homemade MSeries pyrotechnic devices;
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Four improvised pyrotechnic shot shells;
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One Box labelled “10 flash banger rounds 37MM” containing 17 pyrotechnic shot shells;
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One plastic container containing suspected black powder;
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One plastic container containing dark colored fine powder;
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One bag containing electrical initiators.
U.S. Attorney Carpenito credited special agents of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, under the direction of Special Agent in Charge Charlie J. Patterson in Newark; special agents of the FBI, under the direction of Special Agent in Charge Gregory W. Ehrie in Newark; officers of the Byram Police Department, under the direction of Chief Peter J. Zabita; the Roxbury Police Department, under the direction of Chief Marc Palanchi; the Sussex County Prosecutor’s Office, under the direction of Prosecutor Francis A. Koch; officers of the Morris County Sheriff’s Office, under the direction of Sheriff James M. Gannon; and officers of the Morris County Prosecutor’s Office, under the direction of Prosecutor Frederic M. Knapp, with the investigation leading to the charges.
The counts of possession of a destructive device and possession of firearms by a previously convicted felon each carry a maximum penalty of 10 years in prison and a $250,000 fine. Sentencing is scheduled for Nov. 25, 2019.
The government is represented by Assistant U.S. Attorney Dean C. Sovolos of the U.S. Attorney’s Office National Security Unit.
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Michigan Man Sentenced to Federal Prison for Heroin ConspiracyRead the Press Release
A man traveling from Detroit, Michigan to Mason City, IA to deliver heroin was sentenced Tuesday, August 20, 2019 to more than 10 years in federal prison.
Keith Bernard Tucker, age 51, from Detroit, Michigan received the prison term after pleading guilty to conspiracy to distribute 100 grams or more of heroin, possession with intent to distribute 100 grams or more of heroin, possession of a firearm in furtherance of drug trafficking crime, and possession of a firearm by a drug user.
At his plea hearing held on March 20, 2019 before United States Magistrate Judge Mark A. Roberts, Tucker admitted he was traveling from Detroit, MI to Mason City, IA in a rental car on December 31, 2018 when he was stopped by law enforcement. He admitted at the time of the traffic stop to having a firearm in the vehicle. Law enforcement located approximately 297.9 grams of heroin in a backpack in the trunk of Tucker’s rental car. Tucker admitted to owning the heroin and admitted his intention to deliver the heroin to Mason City residents. After being arrested, law enforcement discovered a tissue with marijuana in Tucker’s sock. Tucker admitted to being under the influence of marijuana while possessing a firearm.
Tucker was sentenced in Cedar Rapids by United States District Court Judge C.J. Williams. Tucker was sentenced to 120 months’ imprisonment and fined $400. He must also serve a 4-year term of supervised release after the prison term. There is no parole in the federal system.
The case was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Jack Lammers and investigated by the Floyd County Sheriff’s Department, the Mason City Police Department, Iowa Department of Narcotics Enforcement, and the North Central Iowa Drug Task Force.
Court file information at https://ecf.iand.uscourts.gov/cgi-bin/login.pl.
The case file number is 19-CR-2003.
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Man Sentenced to 90 Months for Distributing Methamphetamine in Eau ClaireRead the Press Release
MADISON, WIS. – Scott C. Blader, United States Attorney for the Western District of Wisconsin, announced that Todd Anderson, 38, Centerville, Minnesota, was sentenced on Friday, August 16, by U.S. District Judge James D. Peterson to 90 months in federal prison for distributing methamphetamine. Anderson pleaded guilty to this charge on April 30, 2019.
In July 2018, the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA), the Eau Claire Police Department, and the West Central Drug Task Force were conducting a joint investigation into methamphetamine trafficking in Eau Claire. Officers received information identifying Manuel Small as an individual selling methamphetamine out of an Eau Claire motel room, and providing a description of Small’s source of methamphetamine. Officers were surveilling Small’s motel room on July 30, 2018, when Anderson arrived at the room, went in for a short time, then drove off. Anderson matched the description of Small’s drug source, and was arrested minutes later at a nearby gas station. In the meantime, other officers executed a search warrant at Small’s motel room and found over 50 grams of methamphetamine packaged for resale. Anderson confirmed that he delivered two ounces of methamphetamine to Small, and that he had been supplying Small one to two ounces of methamphetamine daily for about a month.
Small was arrested the same day, and charged in a separate federal indictment. He pleaded guilty April 17, and was sentenced on August 8 to seven years in federal prison.
The charges against Todd Anderson and Manuel Small were the result of a joint investigation conducted by the West Central Drug Task Force, the Eau Claire Police Department and DEA. The prosecution of the case has been handled by Assistant U.S. Attorney Laura A. Przybylinski Finn.
MS-13 Defendant Admits to Being Shooter in 2006 MurderRead the Press Release
COLUMBUS, Ohio – A defendant in the MS-13 racketeering case has pleaded guilty in U.S. District Court and accepted responsibility for his involvement in multiple homicides, including the murder of a former confidential informant.
Juan Jose Jimenez-Montufar (also known as Chele Trece), 35, of Columbus, pleaded guilty today to one count of conspiracy to commit racketeering and two counts of murder in aid of racketeering.
Benjamin C. Glassman, United States Attorney for the Southern District of Ohio, Todd A. Wickerham, Special Agent in Charge, Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), Cincinnati Division, Rebecca Adducci, Detroit Field Office Director, U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) Enforcement and Removal Operations, Franklin County Sheriff Dallas Baldwin and Interim Columbus Police Chief Thomas Quinlan announced the plea entered into today before Chief U.S. District Judge Edmund A. Sargus, Jr.
Jimenez-Montufar is one of 23 individuals charged in a second superseding indictment in February 2018 who are alleged to be members and associates of MS-13 in Columbus.
The defendants are charged in a racketeering conspiracy, which includes five murders as well as attempted murder, extortion, money laundering, drug trafficking, assault, obstruction of justice, witness intimidation, weapons offenses and immigration-related violations.
The second superseding indictment alleges that the defendants committed a host of overt acts in furtherance of the conspiracy, including: 1) the December 2006 murder of Jose Mendez, a confidential informant, in Perry County; 2) the November 2008 murder of Ramon Ramos on Lockbourne Road in Columbus; 3) the mid-2015 murder of Carlos Serrano-Ramos, a suspected rival gang member, near Innis Road in Columbus; 4) the November 2015 murder of Wilson Villeda near Innis Road in Columbus; and 5) the December 2016 murder of Salvador Martinez-Diaz, a suspected rival gang member, on Melroy Avenue in Columbus.
As part of his plea, Jimenez-Montufar admitted to being the shooter who killed Jose Mendez in 2006. At that time, Mendez was a confidential informant working with law enforcement agencies in the Columbus area. In December 2006, Jimenez-Montufar and other MS-13 members drove Mendez to a remote location east of Columbus to murder him. Jimenez-Montufar shot Mendez in the head and left his body in Perry County.
Jimenez-Montufar’s plea also details that the defendant participated in other homicides, assaulted victims, set fire to an extortion victim’s car, and took part in drug trafficking, extortion and money laundering.
Jimenez-Montufar faces up to life in prison.
U.S. Attorney Glassman commended the investigation of this case by the FBI, ICE, Columbus Division of Police and Franklin County Sheriff’s Office, and the assistance of the Ohio Bureau of Criminal Investigation (BCI) and Homeland Security Investigations (HSI), as well as Assistant United States Attorneys Brian J. Martinez and Jessica H. Kim, who are prosecuting the case.
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Louis "the Coin" Colavecchio Sentenced to Prison for Counterfeiting $100 BillsRead the Press Release
PROVIDENCE – A 77 year-old Rhode Island man nicknamed “The Coin,” having previously been convicted of, among other things, counterfeiting massive amounts of slugs used in slot machines in numerous gaming venues and casinos from which he is now banned, was sentenced today to 15 months in federal prison for counterfeiting $100 bills.
Louis “The Coin” Colavecchio, of Cranston, was arrested in December 2018, when a six-month U.S. Secret Service undercover investigation concluded with agents executing federally authorized search warrants and seizing from Colavecchio’s then Coventry residence $29,000 in counterfeit $100 bills, a mechanical printing press, images of $100 bills, a computer, and other counterfeiting materials.
Colavecchio pled guilty on March 19, 2019, to intent to defraud and possess counterfeit obligations.
According to court documents, prior to his arrest on December 7, 2018, Colavecchio boasted to others that he was already working on a defense should he be arrested again for counterfeiting. If caught, Colavecchio told others he would claim that he was working as a counterfeit deterrence specialist.
In addition to being convicted in 1997 and sentenced to 27-months in federal prison for counterfeiting casino tokens in a massive operation that targeted all of the Atlantic City casinos in New Jersey and the Foxwoods Casino in Connecticut, Colavecchio has since been convicted of larceny; of obtaining money under false pretenses, after he was caught stealing $100,000 from his 92-year-old aunt; resisting arrest; and for cultivating kilograms of marijuana.
According to court documents, in 2015, Colavecchio published an autobiography detailing his life of crime, including his self-described interaction and activities with the Patriarca Crime Family.
Colavecchio’s sentence, imposed by U.S. District Court Judge John J. McConnell, Jr., is announced by United States Attorney Aaron L. Weisman and Special Agent in Charge of the U.S. Secret Service Stephen Marks.
The case was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Gerard B. Sullivan.
United States Attorney Aaron L. Weisman and Special Agent in Charge Stephen Marks thank the Coventry and Pawtucket Police Departments for their assistance executing court-authorized search warrants in this matter.
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Littleton Man Sentenced to 60 Months for Participating in Fentanyl Trafficking ConspiracyRead the Press Release
CONCORD – United States Attorney Scott W. Murray announced that Keith Baker, 24, of Littleton, New Hampshire, was sentenced to 60 months for participating in a conspiracy to distribute fentanyl.
According to court documents and statements made in court, during an ongoing drug trafficking investigation that included wiretaps of certain telephones, investigators learned that on April 8, 2018, Baker intended to travel from New Hampshire to a location in Massachusetts to purchase fentanyl. The Woodstock, New Hampshire, Police Department later seized approximately 41.3 grams of fentanyl from a vehicle in which the defendant was a passenger. The investigation revealed that from February 23, 2018, and continuing through April 8, 2018, Baker ordered fentanyl from drug distributors in Massachusetts on various occasions. He then redistributed that fentanyl to customers in New Hampshire.
Baker previously pleaded guilty on March 7, 2019.
“Fentanyl trafficking has caused grave harm to communities throughout New Hampshire,” said U.S. Attorney Murray. “In order to protect the health and safety of our citizens, we will continue to work closely with all of our law enforcement partners identify, arrest, and prosecute those who bring this deadly substance into the Granite State.”
“Fentanyl is causing great damage to our communities,” said DEA Special Agent in Charge Brian D. Boyle. “Those who distribute fentanyl are endangering the safety of the citizens of New Hampshire. This investigation demonstrates the strength of collaborative local, county and state law enforcement efforts in New Hampshire.”
The case was a collaborative investigation that involved the Drug Enforcement Administration; the New Hampshire State Police; the Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Office; the Nashua Police Department; the Massachusetts State Police; the Massachusetts Attorney General’s Office; the New Hampshire Attorney General’s Office; the Essex County District Attorney’s Office; the Internal Revenue Service; Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s Homeland Security Investigations; United States Customs and Border Protection Boston Field Office; the United States Marshals Service; the United States Department of State’s Diplomatic Security Service; the Manchester Police Department; the Lisbon Police Department; the Littleton Police Department; the Seabrook Police Department; the Haverhill (MA) Police Department; the Methuen (MA) Police Department; the Lowell (MA) Police Department; and the Maine State Police.
The case is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorneys Georgiana L. Konesky, Seth R. Aframe and Debra M. Walsh.
This investigation was conducted by the Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Force (OCDETF). The OCDETF program is a federal multi-agency, multi-jurisdictional task force that supplies supplemental federal funding to federal and state agencies involved in the identification, investigation, and prosecution of major drug trafficking organizations.
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Leader of Large-Scale Marijuana Conspiracy Sentenced to PrisonRead the Press Release
NORFOLK, Va. – A Virginia Beach man was sentenced today to five years in prison and ordered to pay a $300,000 forfeiture judgment for his involvement in a large scale marijuana distribution enterprise.
According to court documents, Jamil Taylor-Kamara, 23, was one of two leaders who shipped large quantities of marijuana from California to the Hampton Roads area for further distribution. The packages of marijuana were often shipped using a Ship ‘n Click account through the U.S. Postal Service. During the conspiracy, 222 packages were shipped containing approximately 750 pounds of marijuana. On one occasion, Taylor-Kamara and a co-conspirator were arrested in Illinois transporting 256 pounds of marijuana. The proceeds from the marijuana were sent back to California by depositing the money in various bank accounts in Virginia and then the money withdrawn from those accounts in California.
G. Zachary Terwilliger, U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of Virginia, Jesse R. Fong, Special Agent in Charge for the Drug Enforcement Administration’s (DEA) Washington Field Division, Kelly R. Jackson, Special Agent in Charge, Washington, D.C. Field Office, IRS-Criminal Investigation (IRS-CI), and Peter R. Rendina, Inspector in Charge of the Washington Division of the U.S. Postal Inspection Service, made the announcement after sentencing by Senior U.S. District Judge Henry Coke Morgan, Jr. Assistant U.S. Attorneys William D. Muhr and Kevin Hudson prosecuted the case.
A copy of this press release is located on the website of the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of Virginia. Related court documents and information are located on the website of the District Court for the Eastern District of Virginia or on PACER by searching for Case No. 2:19-cr-42.
Leader of Jamestown Drug Organization Pleads Guilty to Selling CocaineRead 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 Sigfredo Martinez, 47, of Celeron, NY, pleaded guilty before U.S. District Judge Richard J. Arcara to conspiracy to distribute one kilogram or more of heroin. The charge carries a mandatory minimum penalty of 10 years in prison, a maximum of life, and a $10,000,000 fine.
Assistant U.S. Attorneys Laura A. Higgins and Jeremiah E. Lenihan, who are handling the case, stated that beginning in early 2016, the defendant led a drug organization responsible for distributing heroin and cocaine in the Jamestown, NY area. The defendant appointed co-defendant Bryan Ferrer-Vazquez to be responsible for the “day shift” transactions, while his co-defendant, Alex Mercado, distributed during the “night shift.”
Every few days, Martinez would distribute a couple hundred bundles of heroin each to Ferrer-Vazquez and Mercado who were then tasked with distributing the heroin to smaller dealers and users. The proceeds were collected by an uncharged co-conspirator, who turned over the proceeds to the defendant. Martinez utilized a second uncharged co-conspirator to distribute quantities of cocaine and heroin.
Between February 11, 2016, and March 2, 2017, investigators conducted at least eight controlled purchases of heroin or cocaine from Ferrer-Vazquez and Mercado.
On April 6, 2017, a federal search warrant was executed at Martinez’s residence at 32 E. Duquesne Street in Celeron. Investigators seized nine cellphones, two electronic tablets, a laptop computer, a notebook, and a GPS device.
The same day, another search warrant was executed at 385 Buffalo Street in Jamestown. Investigators seized 19 cellphones, a quantity of suspected cocaine, a quantity of suspected heroin, $2,994 U.S. currency, three ledger notebooks, and a scale. A loaded semi-automatic handgun was found in the detached garage.
The FBI Cryptanalysis & Racketeering Records Unit performed an analysis on the ledgers and several loose pieces of paper recovered. The analysis determined that the organization was distributing “bundles” of heroin for a price of $75-80. Further, the analysis found that “on January 28, 2016 and between June 22, 2016 and April 5, 2017, the business distributed a minimum total of 8,106 bundles of heroin to approximately 28 separate accounts for a minimum total of $83,150.” 8,000 bundles equates to approximately eight kilograms of heroin.
Bryan Ferrer-Vazquez and Alex Mercado were previously convicted. Ferrer-Vazquez is awaiting sentencing. Mercado was sentenced to serve 120 months in prison.
The plea is the result of an investigation by the Drug Enforcement Administration, under the direction of Special Agent-in-Charge Ray Donovan, New York Field Division, the Jamestown Police Department, under the direction of Chief Harry Snellings, and the Southern Tier Regional Drug Task Force.
Sentencing is scheduled for November 26, 2019, at 12:30 p.m. before Judge Arcara.
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Lake County Sheriff’s Office Deputy Charged with Civil Rights Offenses for Shooting an Unarmed Person and Lying to InvestigatorsRead the Press Release
A Lake County Sheriff’s Office Deputy, Richard Palmer, 58, was indicted today on charges that he used unreasonable force by shooting an unarmed woman and misleading state investigators about the circumstances of his actions, announced Assistant Attorney General Eric Dreiband of the Department of Justice’s Civil Rights Division and FBI Special Agent in Charge Rachel Rojas of FBI’s Jacksonville Division.
According to the indictment, on Oct. 11, 2016, Palmer, while on duty as a Lake County Sheriff’s Office Deputy, shot a woman whose hands were visible and empty. Palmer’s actions resulted in bodily injury to her. Palmer later misled investigators by falsely justifying the shooting, claiming that the woman’s left hand was in her pocket, that the woman was pulling her left hand out of her pocket, and that he saw a dark object in her left hand.
Palmer faces a maximum statutory penalty of 10 years in prison for his use of unreasonable force, 20 years in prison for his false statements, and fines. An indictment is merely an accusation, and a defendant is presumed innocent unless proven guilty.
The case was investigated by the FBI’s Jacksonville Division. Special Legal Counsel Mark Blumberg and Trial Attorneys Maura White and Anna Gotfryd of the Justice Department’s Civil Rights Division are prosecuting the case.
Kenner Resident Indicted on Child Pornography ChargesRead the Press Release
NEW ORLEANS – United States Attorney Peter G. Strasser announced that ANDREW J. SMITH (“SMITH”), age 22, of Kenner, Louisiana, was indicted by a federal grand jury on August 15, 2019, and charged with Possession of Child Pornography. SMITH was arrested by Special Agents with Homeland Security Investigations (“HSI”) on Monday, August 19, 2019. SMITH appeared before U.S. Magistrate Judge Dana M. Douglas, who detained him pending a detention hearing on Tuesday, August 20, 2019.
According to the Indictment, SMITH knowingly possessed pre-pubescent images and videos depicting the sexual victimization of children and those illegal depictions were found on SMITH’s LG phone.
U. S. Attorney Strasser reiterated that the Indictment is merely a charge and that the guilt of the defendant must be proven beyond a reasonable doubt.
If convicted, SMITH faces maximum penalty up to twenty (20) years, followed by up to a life term of supervised release, and a $250,000.00 fine.
This case was brought as part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative launched in May 2006 by the Department of Justice to combat the growing epidemic of child sexual exploitation and abuse. Led by the United States Attorneys’ Offices and the Criminal Division’s Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section, Project Safe Childhood marshals federal, state, and local resources to locate, apprehend, and prosecute individuals who sexually exploit children, and to identify and rescue victims. For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit www.usdoj.gov/psc. For more information about internet safety education, please visit www.usdoj.gov/psc and click on the tab “resources.”
U.S. Attorney Strasser praised the work of the U. S. Department of Homeland Security, Homeland Security Investigations, the Louisiana Bureau of Investigation, the Kenner Police Department, and Jefferson Parish Sheriff’s Office in investigating this matter. The prosecution of this case is being handled by Project Safe Childhood Coordinator and Supervisor of the Financial Crimes Unit, Assistant U. S. Attorney Brian M. Klebba.
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Judge Sentences Altoona Man for Possessing Child PornographyRead the Press Release
JOHNSTOWN, Pa. -A resident of Altoona, Pa., has been sentenced in federal court in Johnstown to two years (24 months) in prison and 10 years supervised release on his conviction of possession of child pornography, United States Attorney Scott W. Brady announced today.
United States District Judge Kim R. Gibson imposed the sentence on John F. Boslet, 54.
According to information presented to the court, on Aug. 8, 2013, Boslet knowingly possessed images as computer graphic files containing child pornography, which had been shipped and transported in interstate or foreign commerce by means of a computer.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Arnold P. Bernard, Jr. prosecuted this case on behalf of the government.
Mr. Brady commended the Department of Homeland Security Investigations for their investigation that led to the successful prosecution of Boslet.
This case was brought as part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative launched in May 2006 by the Department of Justice to combat the growing epidemic of child sexual exploitation and abuse. Led by the United States Attorneys’ Offices and the Criminal Division’s Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section, Project Safe Childhood marshals federal, state, and local resources to locate, apprehend, and prosecute individuals who sexually exploit children, and to identify and rescue victims. For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit www.justice.gov/psc.
Jamaican national living in Cleveland indicted on fentanyl and firearms chargesRead the Press Release
A Jamaican national living in Cleveland was indicted on fentanyl and firearms charges.
Steven Al-Jay Hinds, 28, was indicted with one count of possession with intent to distribute a controlled substance and one count of possession of firearms by an alien illegally in the U.S.
Hinds possessed fentanyl and the fentanyl analogue 4-ANPP, as well as a North American Arms .22 Derringer, a Smith & Wesson .357 revolver and ammunition on June 18, 2019. Hinds was prohibited from having a firearm because he was in the country illegally, according to the indictment.
If convicted, the defendant’s sentence will be determined by the Court after review of factors unique to this case, including the defendant’s prior criminal record, if any, the defendant’s role in the offense and the characteristics of the violation. In all cases, the sentence will not exceed the statutory maximum and, in most cases, it will be less than the maximum.
The case was investigated by the Drug Enforcement Administration. It is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Segev Phillips.
An indictment is only a charge and is not evidence of guilt. A defendant is entitled to a fair trial in which it will be the government’s burden to prove guilt beyond a reasonable doubt.
Iowa Woman Indicted on Fentanyl and Heroin Conspiracy ChargesRead the Press Release
NORFOLK, Va. – A federal grand jury returned an indictment today charging an Iowa woman with conspiracy to distribute fentanyl and heroin.
According to the indictment, Latosha Prather, 36, of Des Moines, served as the out-of-state heroin and fentanyl supplier for Hampton Roads regional supplier Michelle Best.
According to the indictment, in December 2017, K.R. fatally overdosed from fentanyl supplied directly by Christopher Bardall. That fentanyl supply was traced to Bardall’s supplier, Darin Milligan, who obtained it from regional supplier Michelle Best. Prather, who operated a home-based child daycare service in Des Moines, supplied Best with multiple kilograms of fentanyl and heroin from her home in September 2017. In January 2018, Prather travelled from Des Moines to Virginia Beach where she sold another kilogram of heroin and fentanyl to Best in a Walmart parking lot located off Virginia Beach Boulevard. The investigative team conducted several controlled purchases of heroin and fentanyl from Milligan and Best in early 2018, and in March 2018, the investigative team arrested Best and seized over $41,000 in cash, five firearms, and approximately 382 grams of a mixture of fentanyl and heroin. To date, the investigative team has traced at least $65,000 in cash deposits from Best to Prather.
Prather is charged with 10 counts including conspiracy to distribute and possess with intent to distribute fentanyl and heroin, interstate travel in aid of racketeering, and various distribution and possession with intent to distribute charges. If convicted, she faces a mandatory minimum of 10 years in prison and a maximum penalty of life in prison. Actual sentences for federal crimes are typically less than the maximum penalties. A federal district court judge will determine any sentence after taking into account the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors.
This case is part of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), which is the centerpiece of the Department of Justice’s violent crime reduction efforts. PSN is an evidence-based program proven to be effective at reducing violent crime. Through PSN, a broad spectrum of stakeholders work together to identify the most pressing violent crime problems in the community and develop comprehensive solutions to address them. As part of this strategy, PSN focuses enforcement efforts on the most violent offenders and partners with locally based prevention and reentry programs for lasting reductions in crime.
G. Zachary Terwilliger, U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of Virginia, Mark Herring, Attorney General of Virginia, Jesse R. Fong, Special Agent in Charge for the Drug Enforcement Administration’s (DEA) Washington Field Division, and James A. Cervera, Chief of Virginia Beach Police made the announcement after Prather’s arrest. Assistant U.S. Attorneys John F. Butler, Andrew C. Bosse, and Special Assistant U.S. Attorney Kristin Bird are prosecuting the case.
A copy of this press release is located on the website of the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of Virginia. Related court documents and information are located on the website of the District Court for the Eastern District of Virginia or on PACER by searching for Case No. 2:19-cr-138 and 2:18-cr-147.
An indictment contains allegations that a defendant has committed a crime. Every defendant is presumed to be innocent until and unless proven guilty in court.
Illegal Alien from Mexico Being Smuggled Through Mississippi Sentenced to 15 Months in Federal Prison for Unlawfully Reentering United StatesRead the Press Release
Gulfport, Miss. – Jose Valdez-Santana, 46, an illegal alien from Mexico, was sentenced yesterday by Senior U.S. District Judge Louis Guirola, Jr. to 15 months in federal prison, followed by one year of supervised release, for unlawful reentry by an alien after removal, announced U.S. Attorney Mike Hurst, Jere T. Miles, Special Agent in Charge of U.S. Immigration & Customs Enforcement's Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) in New Orleans, and Gregory K. Bovino, Chief Patrol Agent of the U.S. Border Patrol’s New Orleans Sector.
Upon release from his federal prison sentence, Valdez-Santana will remain in the administrative detention custody of the U.S. Department of Homeland Security, Immigration & Customs Enforcement. Valdez-Santana will face removal proceedings to remove him from the United States back to his home nation of Mexico. As a result of this felony conviction, if Valdez-Santana were to unlawfully return to the U.S., he could face up to ten years in federal prison. Valdez-Santana pled guilty before Judge Guirola on May 9, 2019.
On April 4, 2019, a Biloxi Police officer conducted a traffic stop on a Dodge Caravan on I-10. The officer encountered the driver who was a citizen of Honduras and was illegally present in the United States. The officer observed seven Hispanic passengers, five males and two females. Since the officer did not speak Spanish, he contacted the Department of Homeland Security’s Blue Lightning Operations Center, and two Homeland Security Investigations Special Agents responded to the traffic stop. All occupants of the vehicle were determined to be illegally present in the U.S. and were transported to the U.S. Border Patrol office in Gulfport, for further processing. After interviewing all occupants, it was determined that they were being smuggled from Houston, Texas to Maryland. Further investigation revealed that three of the passengers, including Valdez-Santana, were aliens who had unlawfully returned after they had been formally removed from the United States.
Valdez-Santana was first encountered by federal officials in 2009, near Joliet, Illinois, where he was serving a 3-year prison sentence with the Illinois Department of Corrections for a state offense of “Aggravated Driving Under the Influence.” An immigration detainer was placed on Valdez-Santana pending completion of his state prison sentence. In 2011, he was removed from the United States. He was encountered again by federal officials in 2017, and again removed from the United States.
The other two illegal aliens who had returned to the United States, after having been formally removed, were separately prosecuted, convicted and given prison sentences, to be followed by Immigration & Customs Enforcement removal proceedings.
The driver of the vehicle pled guilty and was convicted of unlawful transportation of an alien within the United States. He is awaiting sentencing on that charge.
U.S. Attorney Hurst praised the teamwork and cooperation exhibited by the Biloxi Police Department, the Department of Homeland Security, Immigration & Customs Enforcement, Customs & Border Protection, the U.S. Border Patrol, and Homeland Security Investigations. Assistant United States Attorney Stan Harris was the prosecutor for the case.
Houston Men Sentenced for Stealing Firearms from FFLRead the Press Release
HOUSTON – A 28-year-old Houston man has been ordered to federal prison following his conviction of one count of aiding and abetting the burglary of a federal firearm licensee (FFL), announced U.S. Attorney Ryan K. Patrick.
Robert Louis Thomas pleaded guilty Oct. 16, 2018.
Today, U.S. District Judge George C. Hanks ordered him to serve 62 months which will be immediately followed by three years of supervised release. He was further ordered to pay $14,624 in restitution.
In imposing the sentence, Judge Hanks noted this is a very serious crime and that there are still guns on the street because of what Thomas and others did.
Co-defendants Cedric Howard Duncan, 32, and Charles Bernard Byrd, 28, both also of Houston, pleaded guilty to the same charge and were previously sentenced to 36 months and 42 months, respectively
On Dec. 18, 2017. Thomas and Duncan burglarized Big Bucks Gun and Pawn, an FFL located at 2201 Bypass 35 N in Alvin. They gained access by using a sledgehammer to break a hole in the wall and ultimately stole 13 firearms.
Byrd admitted he was the get-away driver. He also acknowledged selling 11 of the firearms that ended up in his trunk. The other two firearms were recovered shortly following the burglary after they were abandoned near a dumpster.
All three men have been and will remain in custody pending transfer to a U.S. Bureau of Prisons facility to be determined in the near future.
The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives and police departments in Alvin and Houston conducted the investigation. Assistant U.S. Attorney Jennie Basile is prosecuting the case.
The case was brought as part of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), a program that has been historically successful in bringing together all levels of law enforcement to reduce violent crime and make our neighborhoods safer for everyone.
Honduran National Pleads Guilty to Illegal Re-EntryRead the Press Release
NEW ORLEANS – U.S. Attorney Peter Strasser announced that OMAR ELI PEREZ-MURCIA (“MURCIA”), age 35, pleaded guilty on Tuesday, August 20, 2018 to a one-count indictment for illegal reentry of a removed alien in violation of Title 8, United States Code, Section 1326(a).
According to documents signed by the defendant and filed in open court, MURCIA admitted to being a citizen of Honduras, and being illegally present in the United States. He further admitted to illegally re-entering the United States after being deported in 2006. Sentencing is scheduled for November 12, 2019 before U.S. District Judge Wendy B. Vitter.
U.S. Attorney Strasser praised the work of the United States Department of Homeland Security in investigating this matter. Assistant U. S. Attorney Carter K. D. Guice, Jr. is in charge of the prosecution.
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Greensburg Man Pleads Guilty in Cocaine Trafficking RingRead the Press Release
PITTSBURGH - A resident of Greensburg, Pennsylvania, pleaded guilty in federal court to a charge of violating federal narcotics laws, United States Attorney Scott W. Brady announced today.
Thomas Ohler, 38, pleaded guilty to one count before Chief United States District Judge Mark R. Hornak.
In connection with the guilty plea, the court was advised that during 2015 and 2016, Ohler obtained multi-ounce quantities of cocaine from Jamie Lightfoot, Jr., which was thereafter sold by Ohler to various customers.
Judge Hornak scheduled sentencing for January 10, 2020 at 1:30 p.m. The law provides for a total sentence of not less than 5 years to a maximum of 40 years in prison, a fine not to exceed $5,000,000, or both. Under the Federal Sentencing Guidelines, the actual sentence imposed is based upon the seriousness of the offense and the prior criminal history, if any, of the defendant.
Assistant United States Attorneys Timothy M. Lanni and Shaun E. Sweeney are prosecuting this case on behalf of the government.
The Federal Bureau of Investigation and the Pennsylvania State Police, with assistance from the South Strabane Police Department, the Elizabeth Borough Police Department, the Penn Hills Police Department and the Perryopolis Police Department conducted the investigation that led to the prosecution of Thomas Ohler.
The investigation was funded by the federal Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Force Program (OCDETF). The OCDETF program supplies critical federal funding and coordination that allows federal and state agencies to work together to successfully identify, investigate, and prosecute major interstate and international drug trafficking organizations and other criminal enterprises.
Georgia Tech professor pleads guilty to defrauding the National Science FoundationRead the Press Release
ATLANTA - Maysam Ghovanloo has pleaded guilty to violating the federal wire fraud statute in furtherance of a scheme to defraud the National Science Foundation. Ghovanloo owned Bionic Sciences, Inc. (BSI), and was a professor at Georgia Tech.
“Federal grants awarded to develop new medical instruments require meticulous and truthful records be kept of how those dollars are applied,” said U.S. Attorney Byung J. “BJay” Pak. “These funds are designed to help bring new innovations to fulfillment, and hopefully also into the medical arena, where they can be used for wellness.”
“The Small Business Innovation Research Program is a valuable tool in advancing NSF’s mission to promote the progress of science by increasing opportunities for small businesses to undertake cutting-edge scientific research, and it is essential to protect the integrity of this program. The NSF Office of Inspector General is committed to vigorously pursuing oversight of these taxpayer funds and I commend the U.S. Attorney’s Office and our investigative partners for their support in this effort,” said Allison C. Lerner, Inspector General of the National Science Foundation (NSF).
According to U.S. Attorney Pak, the charges and other information presented in court: Dr. Ghovanloo was a tenured full professor at Georgia Tech, and he owned and operated a Georgia corporation called Bionic Sciences, Inc. Dr. Ghovanloo and BSI received federal grants through Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) programs sponsored by NSF. To be eligible for SBIR grant funds, Dr. Ghovanloo and BSI were required to meet program-eligibility requirements, adhere to award terms and conditions, and provide only truthful information in all documents submitted to NSF. But Dr. Ghovanloo submitted certifications that contained materially false and fraudulent statements and omissions, followed by electronic payment requests to NSF.
As part of this guilty plea, Dr. Ghovanloo paid a lump sum of $40,000 in restitution and was barred from doing business with the federal government for a period of three years. In addition, Dr. Ghovanloo resigned from his position at Georgia Tech, effective June 21, 2019.
Sentencing for Maysam Ghovanloo, 46, of Atlanta, Georgia, is scheduled for November 5, 2019, at 10:30 a.m., before U.S. District Judge Steve C. Jones.
This case is being investigated by Special Agents of the National Science Foundation Office of Inspector General and the Department of Health and Human Services Office of Inspector General.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Russell Phillips is 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.
Garfield Heights woman indicted for making straw purchase of firearm; her brother previously indicted on firearms chargeRead the Press Release
A Garfield Heights woman was indicted for making a straw purchase of a firearm earlier this year.
Sarah Werman, 32, was indicted on one count of making a false statement in the acquisition of a firearm.
Werman stated on March 14, 2019 at Fin Feather Fur Outfitters in Middleburg Heights that she was the actual buyer of a Ruger 9 mm pistol, when, in fact, she was not the actual buyer of the firearm, according to the indictment.
Her brother, Alfred Werman, 29, also of Garfield Heights, was indicted earlier this year on charges of being a felon in possession of a firearm.
Alfred Werman possessed a Sig Sauer .40-caliber pistol and 45 rounds of ammunition on May 20, 2019, despite having previously been convicted of burglary, according to the indictment.
If convicted, the defendant’s sentence will be determined by the Court after reviewing factors unique to this case, including the defendant’s prior criminal record, if any, the defendant’s role in the offense and the characteristics of the violation. In all cases the sentence will not exceed the statutory maximum and in most cases it will be less than the maximum.
These cases were investigated by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives. It is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Margaret Kane.
An indictment is only a charge and is not evidence of guilt. Defendants are entitled to a fair trial in which it will be the government’s burden to prove guilt beyond a reasonable doubt.
Four Paterson, New Jersey, Men Charged with Stealing $450,000 in Checks from Dozens of Mail Collection BoxesRead the Press Release
NEWARK, N.J. – Four Paterson, New Jersey, men are charged for their roles in a scheme to break into U.S. Postal Service (USPS) mail collection boxes throughout northern New Jersey and steal the mail – particularly, checks – inside, U.S. Attorney Craig Carpenito announced today.
Aneuris Henriquez-Lopez, 24, Eleazer Peralta, 19, Fernando Santiago, 26, and Rikinson Rodriguez-Sanchez, 25, are each charged by complaint with one count of conspiracy to commit bank fraud. Henriquez-Lopez, Peralta and Santiago were arrested today and are scheduled to make their initial appearances this afternoon before U.S. Magistrate Court Judge James B. Clark III in Newark federal court. Rodriguez-Sanchez remains at large.
According to documents filed in this case and statements made in court:
The defendants allegedly stole checks from USPS mail collection boxes in Passaic, Bergen, Morris, Essex, and Middlesex counties, and elsewhere, and fraudulently deposited those checks into various bank accounts, often within a day of being stolen. Some of the mail collection boxes were broken into with the use of pry bars, usually late at night.
The conspiracy to commit bank fraud charge carries a maximum penalty of 30 years in prison and a $1 million fine.
U.S. Attorney Carpenito credited postal inspectors of the U.S. Postal Inspection Service, Newark Division, under the direction of Inspector-in-Charge James Buthorn, with the investigation leading to today’s charges. He also thanked the U.S. Secret Service and U.S. Marshals Service for their assistance with the investigation.
The government is represented by Assistant U.S. Attorney Andrew Macurdy of the U.S. Attorney’s Office Criminal Division in Newark.
The charges and allegations in the complaint are merely accusations, and the defendants are presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.
Fort Dodge Man Pleads Guilty to Meth and Gun OffensesRead the Press Release
A man who conspired to distribute methamphetamine and possessed firearms in furtherance of his drug trafficking pled guilty August 15, 2019, in federal court in Sioux City.
Matthew Guthrie, age 34, from Fort Dodge, Iowa, was convicted of one count of conspiracy to distribute methamphetamine and one count of possession of firearms in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime.
At the plea hearing, Guthrie admitted that from January 2019 through April 16, 2019 he and others distributed more than 500 grams of methamphetamine in the Fort Dodge area. On three separate occasions Guthrie distributed a total of more than 100 grams of pure methamphetamine to an individual cooperating with law enforcement. During a later search of Guthrie’s residence, law enforcement seized four firearms (two of which were loaded), methamphetamine, drug paraphernalia, scales, a drug ledger, and other items indicative of drug distribution.
Sentencing before United States District Court Chief Judge Leonard T. Strand will be set after a presentence report is prepared. Guthrie remains in custody of the United States Marshal pending sentencing. On the conspiracy conviction, Guthrie faces a mandatory minimum sentence of 10 years’ imprisonment and a possible maximum sentence of life imprisonment, a $10,000,000 fine, and at least five years of supervised release following any imprisonment. On the firearm conviction, Guthrie faces a mandatory minimum sentence of 5 years’ imprisonment which must be served consecutive to any term of imprisonment imposed on the conspiracy conviction, and a possible maximum sentence of life imprisonment, a $250,000 fine and no more than five years of supervised release.
The case is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Shawn S. Wehde and was investigated by Iowa Division of Narcotics Enforcement, Webster County Drug Task Force, Carroll County, Iowa Sheriff’s Office, and the Iowa Division of Criminalistics Laboratory.
Court file information at https://ecf.iand.uscourts.gov/cgi-bin/login.pl.
The case file number is 19-3019. Follow us on Twitter @USAO_NDIA.
Forsyth County man arrested for soliciting child pornography from teenage girls on SnapchatRead the Press Release
ATLANTA, Ga. – Edward “Eddie” Okenica has been charged on a criminal complaint alleging he produced, received, and possessed child pornography, and committed related charges.
“Okenica allegedly produced, received, and collected images portraying the sexual exploitation and abuse of young teenage girls,” said U.S. Attorney Byung J. “BJay” Pak. “The allegations in this case are heinous, but it also serves as a reminder that parents must be aware of their children’s social media activity. Predators continue to prey on our youth through social media more than any other method.”
“Sextortion remains a huge threat to our youth. Unfortunately once a child’s image is shared online it can never be brought back,” said Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) Special Agent in Charge Nick S. Annan. “HSI remains committed to both aggressively investigating those who try to prey on our children as well as working diligently to try and educate both parents and their children of the dangers that exist in this digital world.”
According to U.S. Attorney Pak, and the other information presented in the federal complaint: Federal agents determined that since at least November 2018, Eddie Okenica had contacted minor girls using a Snapchat account and allegedly solicited nude photographs or videos from these children. Agents determined that Okenica contacted dozens of teenage girls across the country using Snapchat and successfully persuaded them to send him nude photographs and videos. In some instances, Okenica offered to pay the minors for these materials.
Investigators uncovered evidence that Okenica also allegedly threatened to publicly expose at least three of the victims if they refused to send him the nude photographs and videos. Okenica, for example, threatened to send nude photographs of a 12-year-old girl to all her Instagram friends if she did not comply with his demands.
Edward “Eddie” Okenica, 23, of Cumming, Georgia, was arrested on August 14, 2019, and made his initial appearance before U.S. Magistrate Judge Janet F. King.
Members of the public are reminded that a complaint only contains charges. The defendant is presumed innocent of the charges and it will be the government’s burden to prove the defendant’s guilt beyond a reasonable doubt at trial.
Anyone with information, or who may have been a victim in this case, please contact U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s Homeland Security Investigations at 404-346-2831.
This case is being investigated by the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s Homeland Security Investigations and the Forsyth County Sheriff’s Office.
Assistant U.S. Attorneys Alex R. Sistla and Erin Sanders, are prosecuting the case.
This case is being brought as part of Project Safe Childhood. In February 2006, the Attorney General launched Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative designed to protect children from online exploitation and abuse. Led by the United States Attorney’s Offices around the country, Project Safe Childhood marshals federal, state and local resources to apprehend and prosecute individuals who exploit children. For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit www.projectsafechildhood.gov.
For further information please contact the U.S. Attorney’s Public Affairs Office at [email protected] or (404) 581-6016. The Internet address for the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Northern District of Georgia is http://www.justice.gov/usao-ndga.
Former President of Massachusetts State Police Union and Union’s Former Lobbyist Charged with Fraud and ObstructionRead the Press Release
BOSTON – The former President of the State Police Association of Massachusetts and the union’s former Massachusetts lobbyist were arrested today on charges of fraud and obstruction of justice.
Dana A. Pullman, 57, of Worcester, and Anne M. Lynch, 68, of Hull, were charged in a criminal complaint with wire fraud, honest services wire fraud, conspiracy to commit wire fraud and honest services wire fraud and obstruction of justice. The defendants will appear at 1:00 pm today in federal court in Boston.
According to the charging documents, the State Police Association of Massachusetts (SPAM) was an association consisting of more than 1,500 troopers and sergeants from the Massachusetts State Police (MSP). SPAM acted as the exclusive bargaining agent between its members and the Commonwealth of Massachusetts regarding the terms and conditions of SPAM members’ employment. Pullman, who was an MSP trooper from 1987 to at least 2018, was the President of SPAM from 2012 until his resignation on Sept. 28, 2018. Lynch’s lobbying firm represented SPAM during the same time period, in exchange for monthly retainer payments.
It is alleged that, from at least 2012 until Pullman resigned as the President of SPAM in September 2018, Pullman, Lynch and others were involved in a conspiracy to defraud SPAM members and the Commonwealth of Massachusetts of their right to honest services from Pullman through fraud and deceit. This included illegal bribes and kickbacks that Pullman received from Lynch and her firm. Pullman, Lynch and others were also allegedly involved in a scheme to defraud two different companies that sought to do business with the Commonwealth.
In addition, Pullman is also charged with wire fraud in connection with his alleged embezzlement and misuse of SPAM funds for personal use by (1) submitting expense reimbursement checks to SPAM without receipts; (2) circumventing and bypassing SPAM’s governing Executive Board; and (3) using a debit card tied to a SPAM bank account. Specifically, Pullman used the SPAM debit card to pay for thousands of dollars of meals, flowers, travel, and gifts for an individual with whom Pullman was having a romantic relationship.
The charges of fraud and conspiracy each provide for a sentence of up to 20 years in prison, three years of supervised release, and fine of $250,000 or twice the gross gain or loss, whichever is greater. The charge of obstruction of justice provides for a sentence of up to 10 years in prison, three years of supervised release and a $250,000 fine. Sentences are imposed by a federal district court judge based upon the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors.
United States Attorney Andrew E. Lelling; Joseph Bonavolonta, Special Agent in Charge of the Federal Bureau of Investigation, Boston Field Division; and Kristina O’Connell, Special Agent in Charge of the Internal Revenue Service’s Criminal Investigation in Boston, made the announcement today. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Kristina E. Barclay and Neil J. Gallagher Jr. of Lelling’s Public Corruption Unit are prosecuting the case.
The details contained in the complaint are allegations. The defendants are presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.
Former Pollock correctional officer sentenced to 2 years in federal prison for briberyRead the Press Release
ALEXANDRIA, La. – United States Attorney David C. Joseph announced that a former corrections officer at the Federal Correctional Complex in Pollock, Louisiana, was sentenced Tuesday to 24 months in prison and two years of supervised release for accepting bribes to smuggle contraband to prisoners.
Byron A. Wyatt, 39, of Marksville, Louisiana, was sentenced by U.S. District Judge Dee D. Drell. He was previously found guilty of the offense on April 5, 2018, after a three-day trial.
Wyatt worked as a corrections officer at the Federal Correctional Complex in Pollock where he accepted thousands of dollars in bribes from a prisoner in 2014, in exchange for smuggling contraband into the prison. Wyatt smuggled items into the prison such as tobacco, cell phones, pills and marijuana. The defendant would make contact with the inmate to set up the transfer. Individuals outside of the prison would then pay the defendant and supply him with the contraband items to deliver.
The U.S. Department of Justice Office of Inspector General conducted the investigation. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Earl M. Campbell and Tiffany E. Fields prosecuted the case.
Florida Man Pleads Guilty to Extensive Cyberstalking and Threats CampaignRead the Press Release
A Florida man who was charged with conducting an extensive cyberstalking campaign that targeted his former schoolmate, a 30-year-old Massachusetts woman, pleaded guilty yesterday in federal court in Boston. The victim’s name is being withheld to protect her privacy.
Byron A. Cardozo, 35, who previously resided in Jacksonville and Tamarac, Florida, pleaded guilty to one count of cyberstalking and one count of making interstate threats. Judge Allison D. Burroughs scheduled the sentencing hearing for Nov. 12. Cardozo was arrested in August 2018 and has been held in custody since.
Assistant Attorney General Brian A. Benczkowski of the Justice Department’s Criminal Division, U.S. Attorney Andrew Lelling of the District of Massachusetts, and Special Agent in Charge Joseph R. Bonavolonta of the FBI’s Boston Field Office made the announcement.
According to the indictment to which Carozo pleaded guilty, Cardozo engaged in an 18-month-long, multi-faceted cyberstalking and threats campaign targeting the victim. He launched his campaign in February 2017, shortly after the victim wrote, and had published in an online magazine, an essay describing a one-time, traumatic sexual encounter she had with Cardozo when she was approximately 13 and he was approximately 17 and they attended the same school in Florida. She used pseudonyms for Cardozo and others in the essay. He then sent hundreds of online communications, many of which he made in the “comments” section to the essay and on the victim’s personal website. In those communications, Cardozo claimed that the victim had fabricated her claims about the coercive nature of the 2001 sexual encounter, he provided graphic descriptions of his purported consensual sexual encounter with the victim, and he described how he continued to masturbate to the victim’s photographs. Cardozo also made express and implicit threats to injure the victim.
At other times, he also apologized to her for the traumatic sexual experience in 2001, asked for forgiveness, expressed his love for her, and made veiled threats to commit suicide “because of you.” Cardozo continued to harass and threaten the victim despite the fact that she had obtained a state court order in April 2017, forbidding him from communication with her.
The investigation was conducted by the FBI’s Boston Field Office. Senior Trial Attorney Mona Sedky of the Criminal Division’s Computer Crime and Intellectual Property Section and Assistant U.S. Attorney Amy Harman Burkart, Chief of Lelling’s Cybercrime Unit in the District of Massachusetts, are prosecuting the case.
Florida Man Pleads Guilty to Extensive Cyberstalking and Threats CampaignRead the Press Release
BOSTON – A Florida man pleaded guilty yesterday in federal court in Boston to cyberstalking and threatening his former schoolmate, a 30-year-old Massachusetts woman.
Byron A. Cardozo, 35, who previously resided in Jacksonville and Tamarac, Fla., pleaded guilty to one count of cyberstalking and one count of making interstate threats. U.S. District Court Judge Allison D. Burroughs scheduled sentencing for Nov. 12, 2019. Cardozo was arrested in August 2018 and has been in custody since.
Cardozo engaged in an 18-month-long, multi-faceted cyberstalking and threats campaign targeting his former schoolmate. He launched his campaign in February 2017, shortly after the victim wrote and published an essay in an online magazine describing a one-time, traumatic sexual encounter she had with Cardozo when she was approximately 13-years-old and he was approximately 17-years-old while they attended the same school in Florida. The victim used pseudonyms for Cardozo and others in the essay. In response, Cardozo sent hundreds of online communications, many of which he made in the “comments” section to the essay and on the victim’s personal website, where he claimed that the victim fabricated her claims about the coercive nature of the 2001 sexual encounter. Cardozo provided graphic descriptions of his purported consensual sexual encounter with the victim, and he described how he continued to masturbate to the victim’s photographs. Cardozo also made express and implicit threats to injure the victim. At other times, he also apologized to her for the traumatic sexual experience in 2001, asked for forgiveness, expressed his love for her, and made veiled threats to commit suicide “because of you.” Cardozo continued to harass and threaten the victim despite the fact that she had obtained a state court order in April 2017, forbidding him from communicating with her.
The charges of cyberstalking and making interstate threats each provide for a sentence of up to five years in prison, three years of supervised release and a fine of $250,000. Sentences are imposed by a federal district court judge based upon the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors.
United States Attorney Andrew E. Lelling; Assistant Attorney General Brian Benczkowski of the Justice Department’s Criminal Division; and Joseph Bonavolonta, Special Agent in Charge Federal Bureau of Investigation, Boston Field Office, made the announcement. Assistant U.S. Attorney Amy Harman Burkart, Chief of Lelling’s Cyber Crime Unit, and Senior Trial Attorney Mona Sedky of the Criminal Division’s Computer Crime and Intellectual Property Section are prosecuting the case.
Five Fraudsters Indicted for Million Dollar Scheme Targeting Thousands of U.S. Servicemembers and VeteransRead the Press Release
WASHINGTON – A 14-count indictment has been unsealed today in San Antonio, Texas, charging five individuals with coordinating an identify-theft and fraud scheme targeting servicemembers and veterans. The charged defendants, who were based both in the Philippines and the United States, are alleged to have used the stolen personal identifying information (PII) of thousands of military members to access Department of Defense and Veterans Affairs benefits sites and steal millions of dollars.
The defendants, Robert Wayne Boling Jr., Fredrick Brown, Trorice Crawford, Allan Albert Kerr, and Jongmin Seok, were charged with multiple counts of conspiracy, wire fraud, and aggravated identify theft based on their alleged leading roles in the theft and exploitation of victim PII to conduct their fraud scheme. Boling (a U.S. citizen), Kerr (an Australian citizen), and Seok (a South Korean citizen) were arrested in the Philippines. Brown and Crawford, both U.S. citizens, were arrested in Las Vegas and San Diego respectively. Brown has been detained pending trial. Crawford is awaiting a detention hearing.
“The crimes charged today are reprehensible and will not be tolerated by the Department of Justice. These defendants are alleged to have illegally defrauded some of America’s most honorable citizens, our elderly and disabled veterans and servicemembers,” said Attorney General William P. Barr. “Through today’s action, the Department is honoring our pledge to target elder fraud schemes, especially those committed by foreign actors using sophisticated means, and to protect the veterans of our great country. I am proud of the quick and effective work done on this case by our Consumer Protection Branch and the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Western District of Texas, with strong investigative support from the Departments of Defense and Veterans Affairs. We all will continue to work together to ensure that our veterans and servicemembers are protected from fraud.”
“Our message is pretty simple,” said U.S. Attorney Bash. “It doesn’t matter where on this planet you reside. If you target our veterans, we’re coming for you. Our veterans were willing to risk everything to protect this Nation from foreign threats. Now it’s our turn to seek justice for them.”
“The compromise of personally identifiable information can significantly harm our service members, veterans and their families and we will aggressively investigate such matters,” said Glenn A. Fine, Principal Deputy Inspector General, performing the duties of the Inspector General of the Department of Defense Office of Inspector General. “This indictment and the coordinated actions of our criminal investigative component, the Defense Criminal Investigative Service, demonstrate our commitment to swift action against those who attempt to enrich themselves through identify theft, money laundering, and conspiracy. The DoD OIG, working in partnership with the Department of Justice, will continue to identify, disrupt, and bring to justice those who threaten military members, retirees, and veterans through fraud and corruption.”
“VA is working with DoD to identify any instances of compromised VA benefits accounts,” said James Hutton, VA assistant secretary for public and intergovernmental affairs. “Just as importantly, VA has taken steps to protect Veterans’ data and are instituting additional protective measures.”
According to the indictment, the defendants’ identity-theft and fraud scheme began in 2014 when Brown, then a civilian employee at a U.S. Army installation, stole thousands of military members’ PII, including names, dates of birth, social security numbers, and Department of Defense identification numbers. Brown is alleged to have then provided the stolen information to Boling, who exploited the information in various ways together with his Philippines-based co-defendants Kerr and Seok.
As asserted in the indictment, Boling, Kerr, and Seok specifically used the stolen information to compromise a Department of Defense portal designed to enable military members to access benefits information online. Once through the portal, the defendants are alleged to have accessed benefits information. Access to these detailed records enabled the defendants to steal or attempt to steal millions of dollars from military members’ bank accounts. The defendants also stole veterans’ benefits payments. After the defendants had compromised military members’ bank accounts and veterans’ benefits payments, Boling allegedly worked with Crawford to recruit individuals who would accept the deposit of stolen funds into their bank accounts and then send the funds through international wire remittance services to the defendants and others. Evidence of the defendants’ scheme was detected earlier this year, advancing the investigation that led to the indictment.
The unsealed indictment was announced today in San Antonio by U.S. Attorney John Bash of the Western District of Texas, Deputy Assistant Attorney General David Morrell, and Director Gustav Eyler of the Department of Justice’s Consumer Protection Branch.
The Departments of Defense and Veterans Affairs are coordinating with the Department of Justice to notify and provide resources to the thousands of identified victims. Announcements also will follow regarding steps taken to secure military members’ information and benefits from theft and fraud.
An indictment merely alleges that crimes have been committed. All defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt.
The United States is represented by Trial Attorneys Ehren Reynolds and Yolanda McCray Jones of the Department of Justice’s Consumer Protection Branch and Assistant United States Attorney Joseph Blackwell of the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Western District of Texas. The matter was investigated by agents of the Defense Criminal Investigative Service, and counsel Matthew Freund, along with substantial investigative support from the U.S. Postal Inspection Service, the U.S. Army Criminal Investigation Command, and the Veterans Benefits Administration’s Benefits Protection and Remediation Division. The U.S. Department of State’s Diplomatic Security Service, Philippine law enforcement partners, and the U.S. Attorneys’ Offices for the District of Nevada, the Southern District of California, and the Eastern District of Virginia also provided assistance. Resources from the Department of Justice’s Servicemembers and Veterans Initiative and its Transnational Elder Fraud Strike Force aided in the matter’s investigation and prosecution.
Since President Trump signed the bipartisan Elder Abuse Prevention and Prosecution Act (EAPPA) into law, the Department of Justice has participated in hundreds of enforcement actions in criminal and civil cases that targeted or disproportionately affected seniors. In particular, this past March, the Department announced the largest elder fraud enforcement action in American history, charging more than 260 defendants in a nationwide elder fraud sweep. The Department has likewise conducted hundreds of trainings and outreach sessions across the country since the passage of the Act.
Additional information about the Consumer Protection Branch and its enforcement efforts can be found at www.justice.gov/civil/consumer-protection-branch. For more information about the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Western District of Texas, visit its website at https://www.justice.gov/usao-wdtx. Information about the Department of Justice’s Elder Fraud Initiative is available at www.justice.gov/elderjustice; information on the Servicemember and Veterans Initiative is at https://www.justice.gov/servicemembers.
Five Fraudsters Indicted for Million Dollar Scheme Targeting Thousands of U.S. Servicemembers and VeteransRead the Press Release
A 14-count indictment has been unsealed today in San Antonio, Texas, charging five individuals with coordinating an identify-theft and fraud scheme targeting servicemembers and veterans. The charged defendants, who were based both in the Philippines and the United States, are alleged to have used the stolen personal identifying information (PII) of thousands of military members to access Department of Defense and Veterans Affairs benefits sites and steal millions of dollars.
The defendants, Robert Wayne Boling Jr., Fredrick Brown, Trorice Crawford, Allan Albert Kerr, and Jongmin Seok, were charged with multiple counts of conspiracy, wire fraud, and aggravated identify theft based on their alleged leading roles in the theft and exploitation of victim PII to conduct their fraud scheme. Boling (a U.S. citizen), Kerr (an Australian citizen), and Seok (a South Korean citizen) were arrested in the Philippines. Brown and Crawford, both U.S. citizens, were arrested in Las Vegas and San Diego respectively. Brown has been detained pending trial. Crawford is awaiting a detention hearing.
“The crimes charged today are reprehensible and will not be tolerated by the Department of Justice. These defendants are alleged to have illegally defrauded some of America’s most honorable citizens, our elderly and disabled veterans and servicemembers,” said Attorney General William P. Barr. “Through today’s action, the Department is honoring our pledge to target elder fraud schemes, especially those committed by foreign actors using sophisticated means, and to protect the veterans of our great country. I am proud of the quick and effective work done on this case by our Consumer Protection Branch and the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Western District of Texas, with strong investigative support from the Departments of Defense and Veterans Affairs. We all will continue to work together to ensure that our veterans and servicemembers are protected from fraud.”
“Our message is pretty simple,” said U.S. Attorney Bash. “It doesn’t matter where on this planet you reside. If you target our veterans, we’re coming for you. Our veterans were willing to risk everything to protect this Nation from foreign threats. Now it’s our turn to seek justice for them.”
“The compromise of personally identifiable information can significantly harm our service members, veterans and their families and we will aggressively investigate such matters,” said Glenn A. Fine, Principal Deputy Inspector General, performing the duties of the Inspector General of the Department of Defense Office of Inspector General. “This indictment and the coordinated actions of our criminal investigative component, the Defense Criminal Investigative Service, demonstrate our commitment to swift action against those who attempt to enrich themselves through identify theft, money laundering, and conspiracy. The DoD OIG, working in partnership with the Department of Justice, will continue to identify, disrupt, and bring to justice those who threaten military members, retirees, and veterans through fraud and corruption.”
“VA is working with DoD to identify any instances of compromised VA benefits accounts,” said James Hutton, VA assistant secretary for public and intergovernmental affairs. “Just as importantly, VA has taken steps to protect Veterans’ data and are instituting additional protective measures.”
According to the indictment, the defendants’ identity-theft and fraud scheme began in 2014 when Brown, then a civilian employee at a U.S. Army installation, stole thousands of military members’ PII, including names, dates of birth, social security numbers, and Department of Defense identification numbers. Brown is alleged to have then provided the stolen information to Boling, who exploited the information in various ways together with his Philippines-based co-defendants Kerr and Seok.
As asserted in the indictment, Boling, Kerr, and Seok specifically used the stolen information to compromise a Department of Defense portal designed to enable military members to access benefits information online. Once through the portal, the defendants are alleged to have accessed benefits information. Access to these detailed records enabled the defendants to steal or attempt to steal millions of dollars from military members’ bank accounts. The defendants also stole veterans’ benefits payments. After the defendants had compromised military members’ bank accounts and veterans’ benefits payments, Boling allegedly worked with Crawford to recruit individuals who would accept the deposit of stolen funds into their bank accounts and then send the funds through international wire remittance services to the defendants and others. Evidence of the defendants’ scheme was detected earlier this year, advancing the investigation that led to the indictment.
The unsealed indictment was announced today in San Antonio by U.S. Attorney John Bash of the Western District of Texas, Deputy Assistant Attorney General David Morrell, and Director Gustav Eyler of the Department of Justice’s Consumer Protection Branch.
The Departments of Defense and Veterans Affairs are coordinating with the Department of Justice to notify and provide resources to the thousands of identified victims. Announcements also will follow regarding steps taken to secure military members’ information and benefits from theft and fraud.
An indictment merely alleges that crimes have been committed. All defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt.
The United States is represented by Trial Attorneys Ehren Reynolds and Yolanda McCray Jones of the Department of Justice’s Consumer Protection Branch and Assistant United States Attorney Joseph Blackwell of the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Western District of Texas. The matter was investigated by agents of the Defense Criminal Investigative Service, and counsel Matthew Freund, along with substantial investigative support from the U.S. Postal Inspection Service, the U.S. Army Criminal Investigation Command, and the Veterans Benefits Administration’s Benefits Protection and Remediation Division. The U.S. Department of State’s Diplomatic Security Service, Philippine law enforcement partners, and the U.S. Attorneys’ Offices for the District of Nevada, the Southern District of California, and the Eastern District of Virginia also provided assistance. Resources from the Department of Justice’s Servicemembers and Veterans Initiative and its Transnational Elder Fraud Strike Force aided in the matter’s investigation and prosecution.
Since President Trump signed the bipartisan Elder Abuse Prevention and Prosecution Act (EAPPA) into law, the Department of Justice has participated in hundreds of enforcement actions in criminal and civil cases that targeted or disproportionately affected seniors. In particular, this past March, the Department announced the largest elder fraud enforcement action in American history, charging more than 260 defendants in a nationwide elder fraud sweep. The Department has likewise conducted hundreds of trainings and outreach sessions across the country since the passage of the Act.
Additional information about the Consumer Protection Branch and its enforcement efforts can be found at www.justice.gov/civil/consumer-protection-branch. For more information about the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Western District of Texas, visit its website at https://www.justice.gov/usao-wdtx. Information about the Department of Justice’s Elder Fraud Initiative is available at www.justice.gov/elderjustice; information on the Servicemember and Veterans Initiative is at https://www.justice.gov/servicemembers.
Federal inmate charged with using a cell phone to post Facebook live videos from prisonRead the Press Release
ATLANTA – Brian J. Wilson, an inmate in Atlanta’s U.S. Penitentiary has been charged with possessing a contraband cell phone that he used to post photographs to and live stream content onto a social media platform from his prison cell.
“The proliferation of contraband cell phones in federal prisons has reached epidemic proportions,” said U.S. Attorney Byung J. “BJay” Pak. “Inmates tempted to use a phone in Atlanta’s federal prison – when we catch you using a cell phone from prison, it will equal more cell time in prison.”
“Unauthorized cell phones in prisons are often used to conduct further illegal activity and can create serious security concerns,” said Chis Hacker, Special Agent in Charge of FBI Atlanta. “We will continue to use our resources and investigate how contraband is smuggled into any federal prison.”
According to U.S. Attorney Pak, the charges, and other information presented in court: the United States Penitentiary in Atlanta, Georgia (“USP Atlanta”) is a medium-security federal prison for male inmates operated by the Federal Bureau of Prisons.
On or about March 24, 2015, Wilson was sentenced to ten years of imprisonment after incurring a conviction for possession of a stolen firearm. Since approximately May 3, 2018, Wilson has been an inmate at USP Atlanta, with a scheduled release date of November 28, 2022.
As an inmate, Wilson possessed a cell phone in USP Atlanta. From approximately late-May to July 2019, Wilson used a cell phone to post images to and to live stream content onto a social media platform from his prison cell. In fact, Wilson posted a photograph onto his Facebook account of himself holding a cell phone while in his prison cell.
Brian J. Wilson, 32, of Atlanta, Georgia, has been charged via criminal information with possessing a contraband cell phone in prison.
Members of the public are reminded that the information only contains charges. The defendant is presumed innocent of the charges and it will be the government’s burden to prove the defendant’s guilt beyond a reasonable doubt at trial.
The FBI and the Bureau of Prisons are investigating this case.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Jeffrey W. Davis, Chief of the Public Integrity and Special Matters Section, and Assistant U.S. Attorney Carolyn Cain Burch 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.
Federal Jury Convicts Michigan Man of Impersonating an Assistant United States AttorneyRead the Press Release
CHARLESTON, W.Va. – A federal jury found a Michigan man guilty today on charges of impersonating an Assistant United States Attorney. After a two-day trial, the jury convicted Joseph Ziegler, 55, on two counts of impersonating a federal officer or employee.
According to court records and evidence presented at trial, in April 2019, in an attempt to avoid an arrest or charge for Driving Under the Influence (DUI), Ziegler told Deputies with the Clay County Sheriff’s Office and Clay County Prosecuting Attorney Jim Samples that he was a U.S. Attorney on assignment by Mike Stuart. Ziegler also told towing company employees that he was a Federal Prosecutor and would prosecute the towing company if the company did not return the vehicle Ziegler was driving, despite Ziegler not having any proof of ownership.
“Clearly not the type of person that could ever work for me. First - not smart. Second - an absolute fraudster. Finally - an absolute fake,” said United States Attorney Mike Stuart. “Impersonating a federal officer is a serious offense that we will prosecute every time. It can be potentially dangerous to the public and we will not tolerate it. If you want to work for me, you need to work hard, study hard, get awesome grades and be prepared to work even harder. My team doesn’t fake its way through. It is the best and toughest United States Attorney’s Office in the nation. I want to thank Clay County Prosecuting Attorney Jim Samples and the Clay County Sheriff’s Office for their work in this case. I commend the work of Stefan Hasselblad and Monica Coleman, the real Assistant United States Attorneys on assignment by me, as well as the rest of our trial team.”
Ziegler faces 3 years in prison when sentenced on December 2, 2019.
The Clay County Sheriff’s Office conducted the investigation. Assistant United States Attorneys Stefan Hasselblad and Monica Coleman prosecuted the case. Senior United States District Judge David A. Faber presided over the trial.
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Federal Inmate Admits Illegally Possessing BuprenorphineRead the Press Release
JOHNSTOWN, Pa. – An inmate at the Federal Correctional Institution in Loretto, Pa. pleaded guilty in federal court in Johnstown to a charge of possession of a prohibited object in prison, United States Attorney Scott W. Brady announced today.
David Smeltzer, 37, pleaded guilty to the indictment before United States District Judge Kim R. Gibson.
In connection with the guilty plea, on August 5, 2018, Smeltzer possessed a quantity of Buprenorphine.
Judge Gibson scheduled sentencing for December 19, 2019, at 1:30 p.m. The law provides for a maximum sentence of 20 years in prison and a fine of $250,000 or both. Under the Federal Sentencing Guidelines, the actual sentence imposed would be based upon the seriousness of the offense and the prior criminal history of the defendant.
Assistant United States Attorney Arnold P. Bernard, Jr. is prosecuting this case on behalf of the government.
The Laurel Highlands Resident Agency of the Federal Bureau of Investigation and the Federal Correctional Institution, Special Investigative Staff, conducted the investigation that led to the prosecution of Smeltzer.
Federal Authorities Seek Additional Information in Child Exploitation InvestigationRead the Press Release
PHILADELPHIA – United States Attorney William M. McSwain and Special Agent in Charge Michael T. Harpster of the FBI’s Philadelphia Division announced that their offices and law enforcement partners are asking for the public's assistance to identify potential victims of Robert Dean Caesar, 56, most recently of Oxford, Pennsylvania. Caesar, who is currently in federal custody, was charged by indictment on November 15, 2018 with production, receipt, and possession of child pornography. He is expected to go on trial beginning September 30, 2019.
The Indictment alleges that on or about each of two separate dates (September 16, 2017 and December 30, 2017), Caesar manufactured child pornography. The Indictment further alleges that Caesar received child pornography on December 20, 2017, and possessed child pornography on January 18, 2018.
Caesar, who most recently resided in Oxford, Pennsylvania, has also lived in Philadelphia, Norristown, Cranberry Township, and Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania; Richland, New York; and Silverthorne, Colorado.
If you have information regarding the pending prosecution, or you believe you or someone you know may have been victimized by Robert Dean Caesar, the FBI requests that you contact the Philadelphia Division at 215-418-4000 or go to www.fbi.gov/RobertCaesar. Identified victims may be eligible for certain services and rights under federal and/or state law.
If convicted as charged, the defendant faces a maximum possible sentence of 100 years’ imprisonment, a mandatory minimum term of 15 years’ imprisonment, supervised release for a minimum term of five years and a lifetime maximum term, a $1,000,000 dollar fine, mandatory restitution, and up to $20,400 in special assessments.
This case was brought as part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative to combat the growing epidemic of child sexual exploitation and abuse launched in May 2006 by the Department of Justice. Led by United States Attorneys' Offices and the Criminal Division's Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section (CEOS), Project Safe Childhood marshals federal, state and local resources to better locate, apprehend and prosecute individuals who exploit children via the Internet, as well as to identify and rescue victims. For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit www.projectsafechildhood.gov.
The case is being investigated by the Pennsylvania State Police – Avondale Barracks, the Cranberry Township Police Department, and the Federal Bureau of Investigation, with assistance from the Chester County District Attorney’s Office and the Butler County District Attorney’s Office, and is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Seth Schlessinger.
An indictment, information, or criminal complaint is an accusation. A defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.
East Aurora Woman Pleads Guilty to Attempting to Hire A Hitman on the Dark Web to Cripple Her Ex-BoyfriendRead 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 Yanyan Lesser, 48, of East Aurora, NY, pleaded guilty before Senior U.S. District Judge William M. Skretny to transmitting in interstate or foreign commerce a communication containing a threat to injure another person. The charge carries a maximum penalty of five years in prison and a $250,000 fine.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Wei Xiang, who is handling the case, stated that via a website on the dark web, the defendant, using the screenname “Tree1,” solicited what she believed to be a hitman to commit a crippling assault against G.Z., a former boyfriend in Florida. In her solicitation, Lesser posted the following messages:
• On February 14, 2019, the defendant posted, “Because of a business dispute, I would like to give this guy a lesson. Give him a good beating and legs broken, waist broken and even cripple the mark of his legs.” The defendant also shared an image of a person’s lower back with the words “broken waist” written on it; • On February 16, 2019, the defendant posted, “Please give him a good beating and let he always walk in wheelchair;”
• On February 18, 2019, the defendant posted, “And also give him good beating of his body, and must be broken his legs to make him walk by wheelchair or crutches forever;”
• On February 19, 2019, the defendant posted, “Make the crippling be permanent, so that Chinese guy will always walk in wheelchair” and “must be broken his legs that he will never heal and never be back to normal, so that he always walk in wheelchair. Remember: crippling! Robbery!”An unknown subject on the dark web site initially responded to Lesser’s job request on February 14, 2019, urging the defendant to prepare funds for payment. The subject stated: “Sometimes kids or trolls do jokes and are not serious about their job.” On February 16, 2019, Lesser transferred 1.26 bitcoins (approximately $4,577) to a bitcoin address to pay for the beating. On February 19, 2019, the defendant transferred an additional .694 bitcoins (approximately $2,707) to pay for the crippling. Lesser made cash withdrawals in East Aurora relating to these transactions on February 15 and 18, 2019.
The plea is the result of an investigation by Homeland Security Investigations, under the direction of Special Agent-in-Charge Kevin Kelly. Additional assistance was provided by HSI St. Paul, Minnesota, and HSI Orlando, Florida.
Sentencing is scheduled for December 4, 2019, at 9:00 a.m. before Judge Skretny.
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Colorado Man Sentenced to Prison for Conspiracy to Distribute a Controlled Substance and Firearm OffenseRead the Press Release
COUNCIL BLUFFS, Iowa - United States Attorney Marc Krickbaum announced on August 20, 2019, Chad Alan Soderman, age 43, was sentenced by United States District Court Judge Rebecca Goodgame Ebinger for Conspiracy to Distribute a Controlled Substance and Possession of a Firearm During a Drug Trafficking Crime. Soderman was sentenced to 120 months of imprisonment for the drug charge and 60 months of imprisonment for the gun charge. The time will run consecutively. He will serve a term of supervised release for five years when released from prison.
On July 7, 2018, while driving from Colorado to Minnesota, two-time convicted felon Chad Alan Soderman was stopped by an Iowa State Patrol Trooper in Pottawattamie County for speeding. Soderman’s vehicle was found to have contained 223.2 grams of methamphetamine, 576.4 grams of marijuana, a loaded 9mm pistol, 61 rounds of 9mm ammunition, a digital scale, and $3,417 in cash.
This case was investigated by the Iowa State Patrol, Council Bluffs Police Department, Southwest Iowa Narcotics Enforcement Task Force, and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives. The case was prosecuted by the United States Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of Iowa.