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20 August 2019
Macomb Mother Pleads Guilty to Wire Fraud Charges Related to Fraudulent Adoption SchemeRead the Press Release
A Macomb County woman pleaded guilty today on charges of wire fraud in connection to an adoption fraud scheme, announced United States Attorney Matthew Schneider.
Schneider was joined in the announcement by FBI Acting Special Agent in Charge Rainer S. Drolshagen.
Pleading guilty was Tara Lynn Lee, 38, of New Haven, Michigan.
According to court records, Lee operated in Michigan under the name Always Hope Pregnancy and Education Center. Neither Lee nor her organization were licensed by the State of Michigan to facilitate adoptions or match birth mothers to adoptive families. Yet from 2014 to 2018, Lee repeatedly paired birth mothers with adoptive parents. Lee represented herself to adoptive parents as a licensed social worker with a legitimate adoption agency.
During today’s plea hearing, Lee admitted that on several occasions, she matched more than one set of adoptive parents to a birth mother. Other times, Lee matched adoptive parents with birth mothers that did not exist, were not pregnant, or had not decided to place their child into adoption. Lee requested and received payment from prospective adoptive parents for these fraudulent matches. In her plea agreement, Lee admitted to causing a loss over $250,000.
A sentencing date has been set for November 19, 2019 at 11:30 am before United States District Judge Bernard A. Friedman. Lee’s advisory sentencing guideline range is 97-121 months, and Judge Friedman will determine the ultimate sentence imposed.
A webpage has been created to provide case related information to those affected by the offenses. Please visit www.justice.gov/usaeo-edmi and click the link titled U.S. v. Tara Lee.
The case was investigated by the Detroit FBI, and it is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Sara Woodward.
Luzerne County Man Sentenced to Seven Years’ Imprisonment for Distributing Heroin and FentanylRead the Press Release
SCRANTON - The United States Attorney’s Office for the Middle District of Pennsylvania announced that Jeffrey Abney, age 29, of Sugar Notch, Pennsylvania, was sentenced on August 15, 2019, by U.S. District Court Judge Malachy E. Mannion, to seven years’ imprisonment and three years on supervised release for distribution and possession with intent to distribute heroin and fentanyl.
According to United States Attorney David J. Freed, Abney previously pleaded guilty and admitted to distributing heroin and fentanyl in the Luzerne County area. In July 2018, investigators made a number of purchases of packets containing heroin laced with fentanyl from Abney, and then obtained a search warrant for Abney’s residence in Sugar Notch, where additional amounts of heroin and fentanyl were found.
The investigation was conducted by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms, who were assisted by the Kingston Police Department. Assistant United States Attorney Robert J. O’Hara prosecuted the case.
This case is 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. The Department of Justice reinvigorated PSN in 2017 as part of the Department’s renewed focus on targeting violent criminals, directing all U.S. Attorney’s Offices to work in partnership with federal, state, local and tribal enforcement and the local community to develop effective, locally-based strategies to reduce crime.
This case was also brought as part of a district wide initiative to combat the nationwide epidemic regarding the use and distribution of heroin. Led by the United States Attorney’s Office, the Heroin Initiative targets heroin traffickers operating in the Middle District of Pennsylvania and is part of a coordinated effort among federal, state and local law enforcement agencies to locate, apprehend, and prosecute individuals who commit heroin related offenses.
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Lockport Man Indicted on Cocaine ConspiracyRead the Press Release
CONTACT: Barbara Burns
PHONE: (716) 843-5817
FAX #: (716) 551-3051BUFFALO, N.Y. - U.S. Attorney James P. Kennedy, Jr. announced today that a federal grand jury has returned an indictment charging Gilberto Marchese, a/k/a, Noel, 38 of Lockport, NY, with conspiracy to distribute cocaine, attempted possession with intent to distribute of cocaine, possession with intent to distribute, and distribution of, cocaine, and maintaining a drug-involved premises. The charges carry a mandatory minimum penalty of five years in prison, a maximum of 40 years, and a $5,000,000 fine.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Justin G. Bish, who is handling the case, stated that according to the indictment, between December 2015 and March 27, 2019, the defendant conspired with other individuals to sell cocaine in the Lockport, NY area. In addition, Marchese is accused of using the residence at 150 Grand Street in Lockport, for the purpose of manufacturing, distributing, and using cocaine.
Marchese was arraigned before U.S. Magistrate Judge Michael J. Roemer and released on conditions.
The indictment is the culmination of an investigation by Homeland Security Investigations, under the direction of Special Agent-in-Charge Kevin Kelly, and the Niagara County Drug Task Force, under the direction of Niagara County Sheriff James Voutour.
The fact that a defendant has been charged with a crime is merely an accusation and the defendant is presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty.
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Lewis County Man Sentenced to 101 Months on Drug and Firearms ConvictionsRead the Press Release
SYRACUSE, NEW YORK – Victor Ehlers, age 37, of Lyons Falls, New York, and Lowville, New York, was sentenced today to serve 101 months in prison, followed by a 3 year term of supervised release, for possessing methamphetamine with intent to distribute it, possession of a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime, and possession of firearms and ammunition by a drug user.
The announcement was made by United States Attorney Grant C. Jaquith, Ray Donovan, Special Agent in Charge of the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA), New York Field Division, and New York State Police Superintendent Keith Corlett.
In March 2018, Ehlers manufactured and sold methamphetamine out of his home in Lyons Falls, New York. Ehlers kept multiple firearms in his home, among other reasons to further his drug trafficking activities. Included among Ehlers’s firearms were a machinegun and silencers in operating condition.
This case was investigated by the DEA, the New York State Police-Community Narcotics Enforcement Team (NYSP-CNET), the United States Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF), and the Lewis County Sheriff’s Office, and was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Michael D. Gadarian, with assistance from the Lewis County District Attorney’s Office.
Justice Department Sues to Block Sabre's Acquisition of FarelogixRead the Press Release
The Department of Justice filed a civil antitrust lawsuit today seeking to block Sabre Corporation’s $360 million acquisition of Farelogix, Inc. The Department said that Sabre and Farelogix compete head-to-head to provide booking services to airlines. Booking services are IT solutions that allow airlines to sell tickets and ancillary products through traditional brick-and-mortar and online travel agencies to the traveling public. The Department said that the acquisition would eliminate competition that has substantially benefitted airlines and consumers.
The Antitrust Division’s lawsuit alleges that the transaction would allow Sabre, the largest booking services provider in the United States, to eliminate a disruptive competitor that has introduced new technology to the travel industry and is poised to grow significantly.
“Sabre’s proposed acquisition of Farelogix is a dominant firm’s attempt to take out a disruptive competitor that has been an important source of competition and innovation,” said Assistant Attorney General Makan Delrahim of the Justice Department’s Antitrust Division. “If allowed to proceed, the acquisition would likely result in higher prices, reduced quality, and less innovation for airlines and, ultimately, traveling American consumers.”
As alleged in the complaint, Sabre is the dominant provider of booking services in the United States with over 50 percent of airline bookings through travel agencies. Sabre operates a global distribution system, or GDS, which is a digital platform that provides booking services to airlines in addition to other functionality. For many years, Sabre has operated outdated technology and resisted innovation. Farelogix is an innovative technology company that has stepped in to address the needs of airlines and their customers.
As alleged in the complaint, Farelogix has injected much-needed competition and innovation into stagnant booking services markets. Airlines have successfully leveraged their ability to turn to Farelogix to negotiate lower fees with Sabre and the other GDSs, and to reduce their reliance on GDSs for booking services. Farelogix has also pioneered the development of new technology that empowers airlines to make a wider array of offers to travelers who book tickets through travel agencies. This new technology enables airlines to make more varied and personalized offers to consumers who book through travel agents, including bundles of ancillary products such as wi-fi, lounge passes, entertainment options, and meals – choices not available to travelers through Sabre’s legacy technology.
According to the complaint, filed in the U.S. District Court for the District of Delaware, Sabre executives have acknowledged that acquiring Farelogix would eliminate a competitive threat and further entrench Sabre in booking services. For example, on the day Sabre announced its intention to buy Farelogix, Sabre’s chief sales officer texted a colleague that one major U.S. airline would “hate” it. The colleague replied, “Why, because it entrenches us more?” Similarly, a Farelogix executive observed that buying the company would allow Sabre to “tak[e] out a strong competitor vs. continued competition and price pressure.”
As alleged in the complaint, Sabre’s attempt to acquire Farelogix follows many other attempts by Sabre to neutralize its competitor, including a campaign to “shut down Farelogix.” Indeed, Farelogix has long complained about Sabre’s tactics, alleging that Sabre has sought to stifle competition. For example, in 2013, Farelogix’s CEO alleged that “Sabre has wielded its monopoly power in an attempt to destroy Farelogix and prevent competition. . . .” And just last year, Farelogix’s CEO told European antitrust authorities that Sabre and the other two major GDSs “continue to leverage significant market power to preserve their market position and stifle innovation.” Now that Farelogix has gained a foothold in booking services and is poised to grow, Sabre seeks to eliminate this scrappy competitor once and for all by acquiring it.
Sabre Corp. is a Delaware corporation headquartered in Southlake, Texas. Sabre operates the largest global distribution system in the United States. Sabre’s 2018 revenues were approximately $3.9 billion.
Farelogix, Inc. is a Delaware corporation headquartered in Miami, Florida. Farelogix offers a next-generation booking services solution, known as Open Connect. In 2018, Farelogix earned approximately $42 million in revenues.
Jury Convicts Armed Bank Robber After Two-Day TrialRead the Press Release
ALBANY – The final defendant charged in the armed robbery of an Albany, Georgia bank was found guilty by a federal jury late Tuesday afternoon following a two-day trial, said Charles “Charlie” Peeler, the United States Attorney for the Middle District of Georgia. Shataz Hampton, 25, of Albany, was found guilty of one count Bank Robbery and one count Brandishing a Firearm. Mr. Hampton’s trial began on Monday, August 19, 2019 and was presided over by U.S. District Judge Leslie Gardner. Earlier this year, Mr. Hampton’s co-defendant, Kamilyah Whitlock, 25, of Albany, was found guilty by a citizen jury on the same criminal charges following a four-day trial in February. The penalty for these crimes are a maximum 25 years for Bank Robbery and a maximum of life in prison for Brandishing a Firearm. Ms. Whitlock will be sentenced on September 4, 2019 at 10 a.m. A sentencing date has not been set for Mr. Hampton. Mr. Hampton and Ms. Whitlock were masked and armed when they robbed The Renasant Bank on North Westover Boulevard in Albany, Georgia on November 6, 2017. There were more than a dozen customers and employees inside.
“The citizens of Southwest Georgia will not stand for violence in their community. With this final conviction, both offenders will be held accountable for their crimes” said U.S. Attorney Charlie Peeler. “I want to thank the investigators with the Albany Police Department and the FBI for their work in this case.”
The case was investigated by the Albany Police Department and the FBI. Assistant U.S. Attorney Leah McEwen is prosecuting the case for the Government. Questions can be directed to Pamela Lightsey, Public Information Officer, United States Attorney’s Office, at (478) 621-2603 or Melissa Hodges, Public Affairs Director (Contractor), United States Attorney’s Office, at (478) 765-2362.
Johnson City Man Pleads Guilty to Sexually Exploiting a Child and Child Pornography OffensesRead the Press Release
SYRACUSE, NEW YORK – Michael Rushmer, age 47, of Johnson City, New York, pled guilty today to one count of sexual exploitation of a child, one count of distribution of child pornography, and one count of possession of child pornography, announced United States Attorney Grant C. Jaquith and James N. Hendricks, Special Agent in Charge of the Albany Field Office of the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI).
As part of his guilty plea Rushmer admitted that he created sexually explicit images and videos of a minor (including secretly recording the victim engaged in sexual acts), and that he distributed some of those images and videos to other persons over the internet. Rushmer further admitted that he also possessed hundreds of images and videos depicting child pornography on his electronic devices, some of which included children under the age of 12.
Sentencing is scheduled for December 17, 2019 in Binghamton before Senior United States District Judge Thomas J. McAvoy. Rushmer faces a minimum sentence of 15 years and up to 30 years in prison for the sexual exploitation of a child, between 5 and 20 years in prison for his distribution of child pornography, and up to 20 years in prison for his possession of child pornography. Rushmer will also be required to spend at least 5 years, and up to a lifetime term on post-imprisonment supervised release. 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.
This case was investigated by the FBI, the Johnson City Police Department, the Broome County Sheriff’s Department, and the Broome County District Attorney’s Office, and is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Michael D. Gadarian and Sahar Amandolare.
This case is being prosecuted as part of Project Safe Childhood. Launched in May 2006 by the Department of Justice, Project Safe Childhood is led by United States Attorneys’ Offices and the Criminal Division’s Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section (CEOS), and is designed to marshal 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 https://www.justice.gov/psc
International Law Enforcement Cooperation Leads to Brazilian Takedown of Significant Human SmugglersRead the Press Release
Earlier today, extensive coordination and cooperation efforts between United States and Brazilian law enforcement and prosecution authorities culminated in the Brazil Federal Police (DPF) conducting a significant enforcement operation to disrupt and dismantle a transnational criminal organization. The human smuggling organization targeted is alleged to be responsible for the illicit smuggling of scores of individuals from East Africa and the Middle East, into Brazil, and ultimately to the United States. The enforcement operation included the execution of multiple search warrants and the arrests of three prolific, Brazil-based human smugglers on Brazilian charges: Abdifatah Hussein Ahmed (a Somalian national); Abdessalem Martani (an Algerian national); and Mohsen Khademi Manesh (an Iranian national).
“We commend today’s efforts by our Brazilian counterparts to take decisive action under their recently enacted human smuggling laws against criminal networks that threaten the national security of Brazil, the United States and other nations,” said Assistant Attorney General Brian A. Benczkowski of the Justice Department’s Criminal Division. “Such collaborative efforts with our foreign law enforcement partners show our collective resolve to hold international human smugglers to account to the fullest extent of the law.”
Assistance provided by U.S. authorities was coordinated under the Extraterritorial Criminal Travel Strike Force (ECT) program, a joint partnership between the Justice Department, Criminal Division’s Human Rights and Special Prosecutions Section (HRSP) and U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s Homeland Security Investigations (HSI). The ECT program focuses on human smuggling networks that may present particular national security or public safety risks, or present grave humanitarian concerns. ECT has dedicated investigative, intelligence and prosecutorial resources. ECT coordinates and receives assistance from other U.S. government agencies and foreign law enforcement authorities.
HSI Boston led U.S. investigative support efforts, working in concert with HSI Brasilia, HSI San Diego, the HSI Human Smuggling Unit ECT program, Enforcement and Removal Operations, the International Organized Crime Intelligence and Operations Center, the HSI Liaison to the U.S. Department of Defense, U.S. Southern Command, Operation CITADEL, BITMAP, and the National Targeting Center – Investigations. The Justice Department, both Criminal Division’s HRSP and the Office of International Affairs, provided significant legal and other assistance in this matter.
International Drug Conspiracy Sends Galveston Man to Federal PrisonRead the Press Release
CORPUS CHRISTI, Texas – A 24-year-old Galveston resident has been sentenced in Corpus Christi federal court for conspiring to possess with intent to distribute almost six kilograms of pure methamphetamine, announced U.S. Attorney Ryan K. Patrick. Francisco Javier Castillo Jr. pleaded guilty Nov. 15, 2018.
Today, Senior U.S. District Judge John D. Rainey handed Castillo a 157-month sentence to be immediately followed by four years of supervised release. At the hearing, additional evidence was also provided that detailed Castillo’s role within the drug trafficking organization. In handing down the sentence, the court concluded Castillo was a manager or supervisor in a criminal organization that imported methamphetamine from Mexico and that the lengthy sentence was appropriate given the amount of methamphetamine involved.
Authorities had determined Castillo was part of a drug trafficking organization responsible for importing kilograms of methamphetamine into the United States from Mexico. Castillo was responsible for recruiting individuals to drive vehicles loaded with narcotics across the international border. He also supervised the individuals as they drove the narcotics to their ultimate destination within the United States.
He was ultimately found responsible for the importation and transfer of 5.95 kilograms of pure methamphetamine.
He has been and will remain in custody pending transfer to a U.S. Bureau of Prisons facility to be determined in the near future.
The Drug Enforcement Administration conducted the investigation with the assistance of Border Patrol. Assistant U.S. Attorney Robert D. Thorpe Jr. prosecuted the case.
Inscription House Man Sentenced to Prison for AssaultRead the Press Release
PHOENIX, Ariz. – This week, Eric Kinney, of Inscription House, Ariz., was sentenced by U.S. District Judge Steven P. Logan to 24 months of imprisonment followed by three years of supervised release. Kinney had previously pleaded guilty to assault with a dangerous weapon.
On August 9, 2018, Kinney went into the victim’s house with an axe. Once inside, Kinney pushed the victim against a wall while holding the axe in a threatening manner. The assault occurred on the Navajo Nation Indian Reservation, and Kinney is an enrolled member of the Navajo Nation.
The investigation in this case was conducted by the Navajo Nation Division of Public Safety and the Federal Bureau of Investigation. The prosecution was handled by Assistant U.S. Attorney Alexander Samuels, District of Arizona, Phoenix.
Illegal Alien indicted on reentry chargeRead the Press Release
ELKINS, WEST VIRGINIA – Omar Antonio Murillo-Bonilla, a citizen of Honduras, was indicted by a federal grand jury today for an immigration violation, United States Attorney Bill Powell announced.Murillo-Bonilla, age 32, was indicted on one count of “Reentry of Removed Alien.” Murillo-Bonilla is accused of reentering the country illegally after being removed twice before. The crime allegedly occurred in August 2019 in Jefferson County.
Murillo-Bonilla faces up to two years incarceration and a fine of up to $250,000. Under the Federal Sentencing Guidelines, the actual sentence imposed will be based upon the seriousness of the offenses and the prior criminal history, if any, of the defendant.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Jeffrey A. Finucane is prosecuting the case on behalf of the government. The Department of Homeland Security Immigrations and Customs Enforcement and the Jefferson County Sheriff’s Office investigated.
An indictment is merely an accusation. A defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.
Hundreds of Fugitives Arrested, Firearms and Illegal Drugs Seized During Violent Crime InitiativeRead the Press Release
U.S. Attorney Tim Garrison (right) was joined by Missouri Governor Mike Parson and law enforcement officials to announce the results of Operation Triple Beam and discuss efforts to combat violent crime.KANSAS CITY, Mo. – Operation Triple Beam, an initiative led by the U.S. Marshals Service to track down some of the metropolitan area’s most violent and persistent offenders, resulted in hundreds of arrests and the seizure of dozens of firearms and illegal drugs. Results of the 10-week initiative were announced today by U.S. Attorney Tim Garrison, U.S. Marshal Mark James, and Missouri Governor Mike Parson.
“Operation Triple Beam brought a laser focus by all levels of law enforcement – federal, state, and local – to combat violent crime by targeting the worst offenders,” Garrison said. “Armed and dangerous fugitives were located, arrested, and taken off the street to face justice in state and federal court.
“We are marshaling federal resources to combat intolerable levels of violent crime, and working closely with our partners at the state and local level,” Garrison added. This week, three prosecutors from the Missouri Attorney General’s Office were designated as new Special Assistant U.S. Attorneys to prosecute violent offenders in federal court in Kansas City, Mo.
During Operation Triple Beam, which ran from late May to the middle of August, law enforcement officers made 355 state and federal arrests for outstanding warrants, violent crimes, and drugs. Many of the arrestees were among the most violent and active offenders in the Kansas City metropolitan area, and many of these fugitives had multiple outstanding warrants from more than one agency.
Law enforcement officers seized 69 firearms, more than 2,000 rounds of ammunition, and 4.4 kilograms of illegal drugs (including methamphetamine, heroin, cocaine, and marijuana). Many of those apprehended during Operation Triple Beam now face new charges for drugs and firearms possession in both state and federal courts.
“I want to thank the brave and dedicated officers, deputies, and agents who worked tirelessly around the clock to go after and bring these predators to justice,” James said. “The violence terrorizing our communities and neighborhoods must stop, but law enforcement cannot do it alone. We need citizens to pick up the phone and call the Crime Stoppers hotline. The reward has been increased to $25,000 and TIPS remain completely anonymous.
“The United States Marshals Service in conjunction with our local, state, and federal partners will not rest while violent criminals victimize our community,” James said. “If you’re a fugitive, surrender now.”
The goal of Operation Triple Beam was to apply resistance to the overall spike in violent crime and gun-related violence that peaks during the summer months. The operation focused on individual violent offenders and gang members who have shown a propensity to commit repeated violent acts against persons. Departments with proactive units were asked to target their enforcement activities under this initiative with a focus on arresting subjects who are involved in drug trafficking activities and the illegal possession/use of firearms. The intent was to remove subjects from the street who are responsible for fueling violent crime in the community and to seize illegally possessed drugs and firearms that are at the center of their violent activities.
The arrest types were as follows: drugs-117, weapons-71, burglary-25, assault-22, vehicle theft-17, fraud-14, robbery-10, homicide-8, sexual offenses-6, sexual assault-4, arson-1, failure to register as a sex offender-1, other crimes-59.
The U.S. Marshals Service provided equipment, training, investigative expertise, and overtime to assist local agencies in the endeavor. Operation Triple Beam included the Kansas City, Mo., and Independence, Mo., police departments, the sheriff’s departments from Platte, Clay, Jackson and Cass counties, the Missouri State Highway Patrol, the FBI, the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, and the Drug Enforcement Administration.
The U.S. Marshals Midwest Violent Fugitive Task Force-Kansas City Division operates in conjunction with members of the Kansas City, Mo., Police Department, the Independence, Mo., Police Department, the Jackson County, Mo., Sheriff’s Department, the Missouri State Highway Patrol, and other federal law enforcement partners. The task force objectives are to seek out and arrest fugitives charged with violent crimes, drug offenses, sex offenses, and other serious felonies. Nationally, the U.S. Marshals Service fugitive programs are carried out with local law enforcement in 94 district offices, 67 local fugitive task forces, eight regional task forces, as well as a growing network of offices in foreign countries.
TIPS Hotline
Tips can be submitted anonymously to the Greater Kansas City Crime Stoppers via the TIPS hotline at 816-474-8477, on the internet at KCcrimestoppers.com or on the free mobile app available at P3Tips.com. Tips can also be submitted to the U.S. Marshals service directly and anonymously by downloading the USMS Tips app to your Apple or Android device. It can also be accessed online at https://www.usmarshals.gov/tips/index.html.
Project Safe Neighborhoods
Operation Triple Beam is part of a strategy to combat violent crime and drug trafficking in the Western District of Missouri in support of the district’s renewed Project Safe Neighborhoods program.
Project Safe Neighborhoods is a nationwide initiative that brings together federal, state, and local law enforcement officials, prosecutors, and community leaders to identify the most pressing violent crime problems in a community and develop comprehensive solutions to address them. Project Safe Neighborhoods empowers each U.S. Attorney’s Office to develop targeted, localized violent crime reduction strategies, tailoring solutions to each individual community with the resources of the Department of Justice and the cooperation of community members.
The Project Safe Neighborhoods effort in this district consists of the federal and local law enforcement agencies, as well as the Kansas City Crime Commission, and several prominent members of our community with law enforcement experience, including former Kansas City Police Department officials, former federal prosecutors, retired federal agents, and former U.S. Attorneys.
Human Trafficker Sentenced to 24 Months in Federal PrisonRead the Press Release
United States Attorney Richard W. Moore of the Southern District of Alabama announces that on August 15, 2019, United States District Court Terry F. Moorer sentenced Tee-Henry Wulu Currens, 22, to 24 months in federal prison for the violation of 18 United States Code 2421-- Transporting Any Individual in Interstate Commerce Intending to that Individual Engage in Prostitution. Judge Moorer considered Currens’s actions on the day he was arrested, as well as his conduct during his interview with a United States Probation Officer, which necessitated extra jail security in order to ensure her safety.
United States Attorney Moore said, “I want to congratulate both the Robertsdale Police Department and the Department of Homeland Security in Mobile for successfully pursuing this case. These human trafficking cases are often difficult to investigate and to prosecute but the Robertsdale Police Department and HSI stepped up on this case and did the hard work to bring this trafficker to justice. We do not have to accept that some people in our society will become sexual slaves. Both law enforcement and our community have a role to play in disrupting the traffickers’ trade.”
According to documents filed in connection with his guilty plea, in January 2019, Currens first met the female victim while she was working as a prostitute in Jacksonville, Florida, initially becoming her client. Soon after, Currens volunteered to work as his victim’s driver and provide her with security. The victim told investigators that Currens became abusive, controlling, and forced her to meet with clients, and Currens would subsequently keep all the money from the trafficking event. The victim stated that Currens would force her to have sex with clients and that he would physically beat her if she refused to be trafficked.
On or about March 1, 2019, Currens drove the victim from Panama City, Florida to the Mobile, Alabama area for the purpose of trafficking her during Mardi Gras celebrations.
On March 02, 2019, the Robertsdale Police Department received a 911 call from the victim, who had managed to get away from Currens during a stop at a local gas station. The victim reported that she had been kidnapped by Currens out of Florida and brought to Alabama to engage in prostitution. Upon their arrival, Robertsdale Police noted the victim was visibly upset and had bruising on her head, face, and legs consistent with assault.
Currens made post Miranda statements to law enforcement and admitted to the victim’s account of how the two had met. Currens also admitted that the two were from Florida and travelling to Mobile for the purpose of having the victim engage in prostitution. He stated they had argued while in Florida, where the victim had asked that he leave, but Currens refused.The Robertsdale Police Department, along with Department of Homeland Security, Mobile Field Office, investigated this case. “Human trafficking is a form of modern-day slavery, and the threats and abuse inflicted on these particular victims only adds to the heinous nature of the crime,” said Special Agent in Charge of Homeland Security Investigations Atlanta Nick S. Annan. “HSI is committed to working with our law enforcement partners to find and prosecute criminal traffickers while ensuring the victims of this terrible crime are rescued and get the care they need.”
Locally, The Rose Center in Mobile, is a drop-in center specializing in providing services and resources for victims of human trafficking. Alabama Director Crystal Yarbrough commented, “Today was a major victory for the women in our community who have had their voices silenced for far too long. Today the judge demonstrated that violence against women and the objectification of women will not be tolerated. This is an exciting day!”
Assistant United States Attorney Christopher Baugh prosecuted the case for the United States Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of Alabama.
Houston Personal Injury Attorneys and Case Runners IndictedRead the Press Release
HOUSTON – A 21-count superseding indictment has been unsealed alleging conspiracy, witness tampering, obstruction of justice and multiple tax violations in a barratry scheme, announced U.S. Attorney Ryan K. Patrick.
Houston personal injury attorneys Jeffrey Stern, Deborah Bradley and Richard Plezia are charged with conspiracy and tax violations along with legal-assistant Frederick Morris and clinic-owner Lamont Ratcliff. Stern is also charged with witness tampering and obstruction of justice.
Stern made his initial appearance yesterday and was temporarily ordered into custody pending a detention hearing set for Aug. 22, at 1:00 p.m. Bradley and Ratcliff were permitted release upon posting bond. Plezia is expected to make his initial appearance later this week.
Morris made his initial appearance earlier and has since pleaded guilty. He was permitted to remain on bond.
The charges against Stern and his alleged co-conspirators stem from a long-running criminal scheme to evade taxes. Stern also allegedly obtained his personal injury cases through barratry - the illegal practice of soliciting law firm clients by paying kickbacks to middlemen known as “case runners.”
Stern and his co-conspirators sought to enrich themselves by illegally recruiting clients through the payment and receipt of illegal kickbacks in order to generate personal injury cases and legal fees, according to the charges. They allegedly worked to conceal and disguise the payments and hide their resulting income from the IRS by filing false documents with them. These allegedly included tax returns, 1099 forms and an offer in compromise that falsely reported material information including amounts of income, expenses and taxes due and owing.
Once Stern became aware of the investigation, he allegedly worked to obstruct justice by ordering others to destroy subpoenaed documents and instructing co-conspirators not to cooperate.
According to the indictment, Stern employed multiple devices to disguise his illegal kickback payments to case runners as legitimate referral fees paid to attorneys or as other types of legitimate payments that would be deductible under the tax laws. Stern allegedly funneled kickback payments to case runners Ratcliff and Marcus Esquivel (charged in a separate case) through the accounts of Bradley and Plezia. The charges allege Stern claimed the payments were legitimate referral fees to Bradley and Plezia rather than illegal kickbacks to Ratcliff and Esquivel.
The indictment also alleges Stern wrote referral fee checks in the names of attorneys who never received the checks. Instead, Morris would allegedly cash the checks with forged endorsements at check-cashing locations and use the funds to pay illegal kickbacks owed to himself and other case runners for Stern’s referrals.
Stern allegedly also filed 1099 forms that falsely reported to the IRS the nature of the payments and to whom they were made. On his tax returns, Stern falsely reported the illegal, non-deductible kickback payments as legitimate, deductible business expenses, which greatly reduced his tax burden, according to the charges.
Bradley and Plezia allegedly filed false tax returns to facilitate the scheme. Ratcliff failed to report many of the kickback payments he received as income on his company’s tax returns, according to the charges. Stern and Morris also allegedly caused another attorney to file false tax returns and a false offer in compromise with the IRS to help cover-up the scheme.
All defendants are charged with conspiracy to defraud the United States. If convicted, they each face up to five years in prison. For willfully filing a false tax return, Stern, Ratcliff and Bradley face another three years of imprisonment. Aiding and assisting in the preparation and presentation of false tax returns carries another potential three-year-term, for which Stern and Morris are charged. If convicted of witness tampering or obstruction of justice, Stern could be sentenced up to 20 and 10 years, respectively.
Morris entered a guilty plea Aug. 8, 2019, to the conspiracy. He is set for sentencing in February 2020.
IRS - Criminal Investigation conducted the investigation. Assistant U.S. Attorney Robert S. Johnson is prosecuting the case.
An indictment is a formal accusation of criminal conduct, not evidence.
A defendant is presumed innocent unless convicted through due process of law.Housing Authority Member Indicted for BriberyRead the Press Release
McALLEN, Texas – A La Joya Housing Authority Board member has been arrested on charges of federal program bribery regarding a city public relations contract, announced U.S. Attorney Ryan K. Patrick.
Sylvia Garces Valdez was taken into custody yesterday after which she made her initial appearance before U.S. Magistrate Judge Peter Ormsby. She is set for trial Oct. 8, 2019.
According to the indictment, from June to approximately November 2018, Valdez agreed to give more than $5,000 to someone with the intent to influence an elected official for the City of La Joya. The purpose of the alleged bribe was for their influence in granting a public relations contract to Valdez.
If convicted, she faces up to 10 years in federal prison. The government is also seeking forfeiture of $10,000.
The FBI and Department of Housing and Urban Development—Office of the Inspector General conducted the investigation. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Sarina S. DiPiazza and Roberto Lopez Jr. are prosecuting the case.
An indictment is a formal accusation of criminal conduct, not evidence.
A defendant is presumed innocent unless and until convicted through due process of law.
Honduran Man Sentenced for Illegally Using Social Security Number to Obtain EmploymentRead the Press Release
NEW ORLEANS, LOUISIANA – United States Attorney Peter G. Strasser announced that OLIVER MARTINEZ-CASTRO, age 19, a native of Honduras, was sentenced today after previously pleading guilty to illegally using a Social Security number in order to obtain employment, in violation of Title 42, United States Code, Section 408(a)(7)(B).
United States District Court Judge Wendy B. Vitter sentenced MARTINEZ-CASTRO to time served (2 months of imprisonment), and a $100 special assessment fee. The defendant will be surrendered to the custody of Immigration and Customs Enforcement for removal proceedings.
According to court documents, on June 14, 2019, MARTINEZ-CASTRO submitted a fraudulent Form I-9 application in order to obtain employment with a local company. He attested on the form that he was someone else and that he was a United States citizen. He used a fraudulent Social Security card in the name of the other person which also contained that person’s actual Social Security number as verification. In order to finalize employment with that company, he was required to take a safety course at another location on June 18, 2019. He once again provided the fraudulent Social Security card as proof of his identity, but an employee suspected the card was fraudulent and alerted Customs and Border Protection. Subsequent record checks confirmed his real identity as well as the fact that he was in the country illegally.
U.S. Attorney Strasser praised the work of United States Customs and Border Protection and Social Security Administration agents in investigating this matter. Assistant United States Attorney Jon Maestri is in charge of the prosecution.
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Hartselle Man Sentenced to 12 ½ Years in Prison for Distributing Substance Laced with FentanylRead the Press Release
BIRMINGHAM –A federal judge yesterday sentenced a Hartselle man for distributing a substance laced with fentanyl, announced U.S. Attorney Jay E. Town and Drug Enforcement Administration Assistant Special Agent in Charge Clay Morris.
U.S. District Judge R. David Proctor sentenced Michael Anthony Sain, 32, to 151 months in prison. Sain pled guilty in November 2018, to one-count of unlawfully distributing a substance containing detectable amounts of fentanyl that caused serious bodily injury to an individual, resulting from the use of the substance.
“The battle to save our young people from overdosing on fentanyl and other dangerous drugs is one we must win,” Assistant United States Attorney Robert Becher said. “The drug dealers in North Alabama need to know that we will prosecute them vigorously and that they will spend a substantial portion of their lives behind bars.”
“Time and time again we have warned drug dealers that we will relentlessly and aggressively bring them to justice in order to protect our children and communities,” Morris said. “Today, we have another example of a drug dealer who did not heed our warnings. “Prison awaits those who deal with destruction and we will not sit idly by."
DEA investigated the case, which Assistant U.S. Attorney Robert Becher, Sr. prosecuted.
Harrison County man indicted on firearms chargesRead the Press Release
ELKINS, WEST VIRGINIA – Matthew Scott Collins, of Stonewood, West Virginia, was indicted by a federal grand jury today on firearms charges, United States Attorney Bill Powell announced.
Collins, age 36, was indicted on one count of “Unlawful Possession of a Firearm,” one count of “Possession of Stolen Firearm,” and one count of “Possession of Unregistered Silencer.” Collins, a person prohibited from having a firearm, is accused of having a .22 caliber rifle, a 9mm pistol, and a .223 caliber rifle in Barbour County in July 2018. All three firearms are stolen. Collins is also accused of having an unregistered .300 caliber silencer.
Collins faces up to 10 years incarceration and a fine of up to $250,000 for each of the unlawful possession and the stolen firearm counts. He also faces up to 10 years incarceration and a fine of up to $10,000 fine for the silencer count. Under the Federal Sentencing Guidelines, the actual sentence imposed will be based upon the seriousness of the offenses and the prior criminal history, if any, of the defendant.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Stephen D. Warner is prosecuting the case on behalf of the government. The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives investigated.
An indictment is merely an accusation. A defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.
Hardy County man indicted for heroin, fentanyl, methamphetamine, suboxone, and firearms chargesRead the Press Release
ELKINS, WEST VIRGINIA – Timothy Juston Wimer, of Old Fields, West Virginia, was indicted by a federal grand jury today for drug distribution and firearms charges, United States Attorney Bill Powell announced.
Wimer, age 35, is charged with one count of “Possession with Intent to Distribute Heroin,” two counts of “Possession with Intent to Distribute Fentanyl,” two counts of “Possession with Intent to Distribute Methamphetamine,” one count of “Possession with Intent to Distribute Buprenorphine,” one count of “Unlawful Possession of a Firearm,” and one count of “Possession of a Firearm in Furtherance of a Drug Crime.” Wimer is accused of distributing heroin, methamphetamine, fentanyl and buprenorphine (suboxone) in January and February 2019. Wimer, who is prohibited from possessing a firearm, is also accused of having a .32 caliber pistol in February 2019. The crimes occurred in Hardy and Hampshire Counties.
Wimer faces up to 20 years incarceration and a fine of up to $1,000,000 for each of the drug counts. He faces up to 10 years incarceration and a fine of up to $250,000 for the unlawful possession count, and at least five years incarceration and a fine of up to $250,000 for the firearm in furtherance of a drug crime count. Under the Federal Sentencing Guidelines, the actual sentence imposed will be based upon the seriousness of the offenses and the prior criminal history, if any, of the defendant.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Stephen D. Warner is prosecuting the case on behalf of the government. The West Virginia State Police investigated.
An indictment is merely an accusation. A defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.
Founder of Mantria Corp. Sentenced to 22 Years for Operating $54 Million Ponzi SchemeRead the Press Release
PHILADELPHIA – United States Attorney William M. McSwain announced that Troy Wragg, 37, of Philadelphia, PA was sentenced today to 22 years in prison and $54 million restitution by United States District Judge Joel H. Slomsky for perpetrating two fraud schemes.
The defendant was the founder of Mantria Corporation, based in Bala Cynwyd, PA. From 2005 until 2009, Wragg received approximately $54 million in funds from investors across the United States with the false promise that they would earn 50% or higher returns on their investments. The defendant told the victim investors that Mantria was a very successful company with investments in real estate and green energy. In reality, however, Mantria was a Ponzi scheme which used new investor funds to pay “earnings” to earlier investors.
Wragg obtained these large investments through co-defendant Wayde McKelvy, who ran unlicensed investment clubs in Colorado. In addition to advising the victims to invest their retirement savings in Mantria, Wragg and McKelvy coached the victims to obtain home equity loans, credit card loans, and other loans to raise even more funds to invest in Mantria. Thus, when the Mantria Ponzi scheme collapsed, many of the victims were left financially devastated.
While on bail pending sentencing for the Mantria fraud, Wragg brazenly committed a second fraud scheme. The defendant solicited an investment in an online video dating service, known as LUVR, with the false representation that the company was about to be purchased by a well-known internet entrepreneur. In reality, no such deal ever existed and the victim lost her entire investment.
“Wragg and his co-conspirators talked a big game about their bogus trash-to-green-energy business, but it was all a lie. And when he was caught in this lie, he just couldn’t help himself and decided to scam yet another innocent investor,” said U.S. Attorney McSwain. “The defendant is clearly a danger to the public and deserves to be in prison for a very long time. My office thanks the Court for delivering an appropriate sentence.”
Wragg pleaded guilty to both fraud schemes. Co-defendant Amanda Knorr also pleaded guilty to her role in the Mantria fraud and was sentenced in April 2019 to 30 months’ in prison. Co-defendant Wayde McKelvy was convicted on all counts at trial in October 2018. The Court has not yet set a sentencing date for McKelvy.
The case was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation with assistance from the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission, the Colorado Division of Securities, the Arizona Division of Securities, the Tennessee Department of Financial Institutions, and the Upper Darby Township Police Department. The case was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorneys Robert J. Livermore and Sarah M. Wolfe.
Fort Wayne Man Sentenced to 204 Months in PrisonRead the Press Release
FORT WAYNE – Dorrion Jefferson, age 35, of Fort Wayne, Indiana, was sentenced by U.S. District Court Judge Holly Brady after pleading guilty to possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine, announced United States Attorney Thomas L. Kirsch II.
Jefferson was sentenced to 204 months in prison, followed by 5 years of supervised release.
According to documents in the case, a confidential informant and an undercover agent made several controlled buys of heroin and cocaine from Mr. Jefferson. Jefferson also agreed to deliver four ounces of methamphetamine to the undercover agent. He was stopped by law enforcement prior to the transaction with over 100 grams of methamphetamine inside the vehicle. Due to his prior drug dealing convictions, Jefferson was sentenced as a career offender under the sentencing guidelines.
This case was investigated by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives, and Indiana State Police with the assistance of the DHS Customs and Border Protection Agency and the Drug Enforcement Administration. The case was handled by Assistant United States Attorney Stacey R. Speith.
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Former Western Carolina University Student and Two Co-Conspirators Are Sentenced to Prison for Attempting to Rob Rival Marijuana Dealer at Gun PointRead the Press Release
ASHEVILLE, N.C. – U.S. Attorney Andrew Murray announced that a former Western Carolina University student and his two co-conspirators were sentenced to prison today on armed robbery charges, for attempting to rob a rival marijuana dealer at gunpoint. U.S. District Judge Martin Reidinger presided over the sentencing hearings.
Vincent C. Pallozzi, Special Agent in Charge of the U.S. Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF), Charlotte Field Division, and Sheriff Chip Hall of the Jackson County Sheriff’s Office, join U.S. Attorney Murray in making today’s announcement.
Jonathan Keenan Berkley, 22, of Charlotte, sentenced to 72 months in prison; Kendrick Tyrone Davis, 22, also of Charlotte, was ordered to serve 51 months in prison; and Sawyer Drew Doxtad, 22, of Denton, N.C., was sentenced to 48 months in prison. In addition to the prison terms imposed, Judge Reidinger ordered each defendant to serve three years under court supervision upon completion of their prison terms, and to pay $38,258.75 as restitution.
According to filed court documents and today’s sentencing hearings, Doxtad was a student at Western Carolina University (the University) in the fall semester of 2017. During that time, Doxtad resided in an apartment in Sylva, N.C., and engaged in distributing marijuana in and around the University. Sometime in September 2017, Doxtad met Berkley, who was not an enrolled student at the University, and Berkley moved into Doxtad’s apartment. Soon thereafter, the third co-conspirator, Davis, also moved into Doxtad’s apartment. According to court records, the three men engaged in dealing marijuana together.
As described in court documents, Doxtad and Berkley used a social media chat group called “Wheestaylit” to identify local marijuana customers. Another individual, identified in court documents as J.R., was also a marijuana dealer in the area and a user of the same chat group. According to court records, J.R. had posted on the chat group a picture of him with multiple pounds of marijuana. Berkley, Doxtad and Davis conspired to rob J.R. of his marijuana and sell it to their own customers.
According to court records, on October 24, 2017, Davis and Doxtad purchased a shotgun from an area pawnshop with the intent of using it to rob J.R. The same day, Doxtad and Berkley contacted J.R. pretending to be interested in purchasing marijuana from him, and arranged to meet him at an apartment in Cullowhee, N.C. Berkley, Davis, and Doxtad arrived at the apartment later that evening and attempted to rob J.R. of the marijuana. Over the course of the robbery, Berkley, who was holding the shotgun, discharged it, injuring an individual inside the apartment. The three men fled the scene.
Each of the three defendants previously pleaded guilty to attempted robbery by force. They are currently in federal custody and will be transferred to the custody of the Federal Bureau of Prisons upon designation of a federal facility. All federal sentences are served without the possibility of parole.
U.S. Attorney Murray thanked the ATF and the Jackson County Sheriff’s Office for their investigation of this case.
The U.S. Attorney’s Office in Asheville prosecuted the case.
Former Sergeant for Gates County Sheriff's Office Sentenced for Stealing Firearms and Drugs from Criminal CasesRead 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 BRANDON SCOTT HAWKS, 35, of Ayden, North Carolina, to 48 months’ imprisonment, followed by 3 years of supervised released.
On February 12, 2019, HAWKS, pled guilty to two counts of possession of a stolen firearm. An investigation by the North Carolina State Bureau of Investigation (SBI) revealed that between roughly 2014 and 2017, HAWKS stole firearms and drugs from traffic stops that he made while employed as a Sergeant with the Gates County Sheriff’s Office. Additionally, HAWKS stole or mishandled various types and amounts of illegal drugs including heroin, fentanyl, oxycodone, cocaine base (crack), cocaine, methamphetamine, buprenorphine, alprazolam, morphine, cathinone, and marijuana. Investigators discovered many of these drugs in his house and patrol car.
Mr. Higdon commented: “There is nothing more discouraging or disruptive to the proper enforcement of the law than an officer who violates the public trust by engaging in criminal conduct. But, that is just what Brandon Scott Hawks did; and his sentence reflects the seriousness of his crime. Fortunately, however, the vast majority of our officers understand and honor their commitment to abide by the law themselves. And our prosecution of law enforcement officers who fail to do so serves to preserve the reputation of all the others and to strengthen the public’s confidence in our law enforcement system.”
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.
This case is also part of 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 on a sustained basis in those communities to reduce the violence crime rate, drug trafficking, and crimes against law enforcement.
The investigation of this case was conducted by the State Bureau of Investigation. Assistant United States Attorney Robert J. Dodson prosecuted the case for the government.
Former Jacksonville Man Convicted for Preparing, Filing False Tax ReturnsRead the Press Release
SPRINGFIELD, Ill. – A jury has convicted a former Jacksonville, Ill., resident for aiding and assisting in the preparation of false income tax returns and for filing false tax returns. On Friday afternoon, Aug. 16, 2019, a jury deliberated approximately two hours before returning guilty verdicts on all charges against West Mpetshi (ma-pet-shē). Sentencing is scheduled on Dec. 13, 2019, before U.S. District Judge Sue E. Myerscough.
During the two weeks of trial, which began on Aug. 5, the government presented evidence that in 2015 and 2016, Mpetshi, 38, was living in Jacksonville and was employed at Cargill Meat Solutions Corp., in Beardstown, Ill. The defendant was not a licensed tax preparer but used the tax preparation software program TurboTax at his home to prepare returns for himself and others, including fellow Cargill employees who were French-speaking. Mpetshi was born in the Democratic Republic of Congo, a French-speaking country in southern Africa.
Mpetshi typically charged $250 to $300 to prepare and submit a tax return. Individuals would generally provide income information to Mpetshi who required payment up front. Mpetshi then prepared the return and added false deductions and credits for education or moving expenses which resulted in higher refunds paid to the taxpayer. Taxpayers were not provided copies of their filed returns.
Mpetshi, currently of Carbon Cliff, Ill., will remain on bond pending sentencing. Each of the 30 counts charged carries a maximum statutory penalty of up to three years in prison and a fine of up to $100,000.
At trial, the government was represented by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Gregory K. Harris and Patrick D. Hansen. The IRS, Criminal Investigation Division, investigated the charges.
Former Harrisburg Man Sentenced to More Than Nineteen Years’ Imprisonment for Firearm and Drug-Trafficking OffenseRead the Press Release
HARRISBURG—The United States Attorney’s Office for the Middle District of Pennsylvania announced that Kevin L. Moody, age 28, formerly of Harrisburg, Pennsylvania, was sentenced on August 15, 2019, by United States District Judge Sylvia H. Rambo to 235 months’ imprisonment to be followed by three years of supervised release for possessing firearms in furtherance of drug trafficking.
According to United States Attorney David J. Freed, Moody previously pleaded guilty to possessing five handguns in furtherance of a conspiracy to distribute crack cocaine and marijuana.
This case is part of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), a program bringing together all levels of law enforcement and the communities they serve to reduce violent crime and make our neighborhoods safer for everyone. The Department of Justice reinvigorated PSN in 2017 as part of the Department’s renewed focus on targeting violent criminals, directing all U.S. Attorney’s Offices to work in partnership with federal, state, local, and tribal law enforcement and the local community to develop effective, locally-based strategies to reduce violent crime.
The investigation was conducted by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives and the Harrisburg City Police Department. Assistant U.S. Attorney Carlo D. Marchioli prosecuted the case.
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Former Fugitive Pleads Guilty to Firearms ChargeRead the Press Release
A former fugitive from Arkansas who was arrested in Delaware County pleaded guilty to a federal firearms charge, announced U.S. Attorney Trent Shores.
Levi Owen Handle, 30, of Gravette, Arkansas, pleaded guilty today in U.S. District Court to being a fugitive in possession of firearms. A Mossberg 12-gauge shotgun and a Ruger .22 caliber pistol were discovered in Handle’s vehicle during his arrest.
On June 14, 2019, an individual contacted authorities after hearing a gunshot the previous night and discovering Handle’s vehicle on private property in Jay. When a Delaware County Sheriff’s Office deputy questioned Handle, he initially refused to provide his name and attempted to flee on foot. He was eventually subdued and handcuffed. After the deputy ran a check on Handle, he was placed under arrest for multiple active warrants and for attempting to escape arrest for a felony. Handle faces charges in Arkansas for making terroristic threats, domestic battery, violating a no-contact order, and failure to appear.
“Federal law prohibits nine categories of people from possessing firearms, including fugitives, felons, and convicted domestic abusers,” said U.S. Attorney Shores. “It is my experience as a career prosecutor that when prohibited persons possess guns, bad things can happen. That’s why cases like this one are important to prosecute. Levi Handle was a fugitive who was fleeing allegations of domestic abuse and terroristic threats in Arkansas. I commend the Delaware County Sheriff’s Office and Assistant U.S. Attorney Victor Régal for their diligence in pursuing this case and holding Levi Handle accountable.”
Federal law has long barred convicted felons and fugitives, as well as individuals subject to certain domestic violence protective orders or convicted of domestic violence misdemeanors, from possessing firearms. Research shows that abusers with a gun in the home are five times more likely to kill their partners than abusers who do not have that same access to a firearm.
Also prohibited are aliens unlawfully in the United States, those dishonorably discharged from military service, individuals with certain mental illness diagnoses, and those who are unlawful users of controlled substances. Individuals are also prohibited from purchasing firearms on behalf of anyone who fits within the above categories.
The Delaware County Sheriff’s Office and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives conducted the investigation. Assistant U.S. Attorney Victor A.S. Régal is prosecuting the case
Former CEO of Virginia-Based Defense Contractor Agrees to Pay $20 Million to Settle False Claims Act Allegations Related to Fraudulent Procurement of Small Business ContractsRead the Press Release
WASHINGTON – Luke Hillier, the majority owner and former Chief Executive Officer of Virginia-based defense contractor ADS, Inc., has agreed to pay the United States $20 million to settle allegations that he violated the False Claims Act by fraudulently obtaining federal set-aside contracts reserved for small businesses that his company was ineligible to receive, the Department of Justice announced today.
“Small businesses serve a vital role in our communities and in the American economy,” said Assistant Attorney General Jody Hunt of the Department of Justice’s Civil Division. “We will not hesitate to take action against those who fraudulently obtain contracts intended for small businesses.”
“This action reflects the government’s steadfast commitment to hold individuals accountable who knowingly participate in schemes that take advantage of small businesses and set-aside contracts to which they are not entitled under the law,” said U.S. Attorney for the District of Columbia Jessie K. Liu. “The government expects people to be truthful in their dealings with the government, and the United States will investigate and pursue those that fail to live up to that expectation.”
In order to qualify as a small business, companies must satisfy defined eligibility criteria, including requirements concerning size, ownership, and operational control. The government alleged that Hillier caused ADS to falsely represent that it qualified as a small business concern when it failed to do so, including due to its alleged affiliations with a number of other entities. The United States alleged that, as a result of Hillier’s representations, his company was awarded numerous small business set-aside contracts for which it was ineligible.
The government previously resolved related claims against ADS for $16 million, and Charles Salle, the former general counsel of ADS, has agreed to pay $225,000 to resolve claims arising from his role in the alleged scheme. The government has also obtained recoveries from other related entities that were involved in the alleged fraudulent scheme. The combined settlements, totaling more than $36 million, rank as the largest False Claims Act recovery based on allegations of small business contracting fraud.
“The settlements in this matter demonstrate the excellent results stemming from the joint efforts of federal agencies, including the Small Business Administration, working with the Department of Justice in responding to allegations of fraud perpetrated by participants in SBA’s procurement programs,” said SBA General Counsel Christopher M. Pilkerton.
"When individuals knowingly make misrepresentations to gain access to federal contracts set aside for small businesses, they will be held accountable,” said Inspector General Hannibal “Mike” Ware. “These settlements send a strong message that allegations of wrongdoing will find their way into the open and will be investigated. I want to thank the Department of Justice and our law enforcement partners for their support and dedication in this case.”
“GSA contractors must be honest and forthcoming when doing business with the federal government,” said GSA Inspector General Carol Fortine Ochoa. “GSA OIG and its partners will aggressively pursue those who fraudulently obtain government contracts intended for truly small businesses.”
The settlement announced today resolves a lawsuit filed under the whistleblower provision of the False Claims Act, which permits private parties to file suit on behalf of the United States for false claims and share in a portion of the government’s recovery. The lawsuit was filed by Ameliorate Partners LLP in federal district court in the District of Columbia and is captioned United States ex rel. Ameliorate Partners, LLP v. ADS Tactical, Inc. et al., Case No. 13-cv-1880 (D.D.C.). Ameliorate Partners will receive $3.6 million from the settlement with Hillier.
This matter was handled by the Civil Division’s Commercial Litigation Branch and the U.S. Attorneys’ Offices for the District of Columbia and for the Eastern District of Virginia, with assistance from the Small Business Administration’s Office of Inspector General and the General Services Administration’s Office of Inspector General.
The claims resolved by the settlement are allegations only, and there has been no determination of liability.
Former CEO of Virginia-Based Defense Contractor Agrees to Pay $20 Million to Settle False Claims Act Allegations Related to Fraudulent Procurement of Small Business ContractsRead the Press Release
Luke Hillier, the majority owner and former Chief Executive Officer of Virginia-based defense contractor ADS, Inc., has agreed to pay the United States $20 million to settle allegations that he violated the False Claims Act by fraudulently obtaining federal set-aside contracts reserved for small businesses that his company was ineligible to receive, the Department of Justice announced today.
“Small businesses serve a vital role in our communities and in the American economy,” said Assistant Attorney General Jody Hunt of the Department of Justice’s Civil Division. “We will not hesitate to take action against those who fraudulently obtain contracts intended for small businesses.”
“This action reflects the government’s steadfast commitment to hold individuals accountable who knowingly participate in schemes that take advantage of small businesses and set-aside contracts to which they are not entitled under the law,” said U.S. Attorney for the District of Columbia Jessie K. Liu. “The government expects people to be truthful in their dealings with the government, and the United States will investigate and pursue those that fail to live up to that expectation.”
In order to qualify as a small business, companies must satisfy defined eligibility criteria, including requirements concerning size, ownership, and operational control. The government alleged that Hillier caused ADS to falsely represent that it qualified as a small business concern when it failed to do so, including due to its alleged affiliations with a number of other entities. The United States alleged that, as a result of Hillier’s representations, his company was awarded numerous small business set-aside contracts for which it was ineligible.
The government previously resolved related claims against ADS for $16 million, and Charles Salle, the former general counsel of ADS, has agreed to pay $225,000 to resolve claims arising from his role in the alleged scheme. The government has also obtained recoveries from other related entities that were involved in the alleged fraudulent scheme. The combined settlements, totaling more than $36 million, rank as the largest False Claims Act recovery based on allegations of small business contracting fraud.
“The settlements in this matter demonstrate the excellent results stemming from the joint efforts of federal agencies, including the Small Business Administration, working with the Department of Justice in responding to allegations of fraud perpetrated by participants in SBA’s procurement programs,” said SBA General Counsel Christopher M. Pilkerton.
“When individuals knowingly make misrepresentations to gain access to federal contracts set aside for small businesses, they will be held accountable,” said Inspector General Hannibal “Mike” Ware. “These settlements send a strong message that allegations of wrongdoing will find their way into the open and will be investigated. I want to thank the Department of Justice and our law enforcement partners for their support and dedication in this case.”
“GSA contractors must be honest and forthcoming when doing business with the federal government,” said GSA Inspector General Carol Fortine Ochoa. “GSA OIG and its partners will aggressively pursue those who fraudulently obtain government contracts intended for truly small businesses.”
The settlement announced today resolves a lawsuit filed under the whistleblower provision of the False Claims Act, which permits private parties to file suit on behalf of the United States for false claims and share in a portion of the government’s recovery. The lawsuit was filed by Ameliorate Partners LLP in federal district court in the District of Columbia and is captioned United States ex rel. Ameliorate Partners, LLP v. ADS Tactical, Inc. et al., Case No. 13-cv-1880 (D.D.C.). Ameliorate Partners will receive $3.6 million from the settlement with Hillier.
This matter was handled by the Civil Division’s Commercial Litigation Branch and the U.S. Attorneys’ Offices for the District of Columbia and for the Eastern District of Virginia, with assistance from the Small Business Administration’s Office of Inspector General and the General Services Administration’s Office of Inspector General.
The claims resolved by the settlement are allegations only, and there has been no determination of liability.
Former Bank Executive Found Guilty in $15 Million Construction Loan Fraud SchemeRead the Press Release
A former Kansas bank executive was found guilty by a federal jury yesterday for his participation in a bank fraud scheme to obtain a $15 million construction loan for certain bank customers based upon false and fraudulent representations. The loan was shared among 26 Kansas banks.
Assistant Attorney General Brian A. Benczkowski of the Justice Department’s Criminal Division, Special Agent in Charge Justin R. Bundy of the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation Office of Inspector General’s (FDIC-OIG) Kansas City Regional Office, Special Agent in Charge Timothy R. Langan of the FBI’s Kansas City Field Office and Special Agent in Charge Catherine Huber of the Federal Housing Finance Agency Office of Inspector General’s (FHFA-OIG) Central Region Office made the announcement.
Troy A. Gregory, 52, of Lawrence, Kansas, was found guilty of four counts of bank fraud and two counts of false statements, as charged in a November 2017 indictment. The jury failed to reach a verdict as to one count of conspiracy. Sentencing is scheduled for Jan. 28, 2020, before U.S. District Judge Carlos Murguia of the District of Kansas, who presided over the trial.
According to the evidence submitted at trial, Gregory was a bank executive and loan officer who had made millions of dollars in loans to a group of borrowers who were struggling to make payments on the loans. Beginning in approximately late 2007, Gregory began the process of making a $15.2 million construction loan to build an apartment complex to that same group of borrowers. Gregory’s bank shared this loan with 25 other Kansas banks. Gregory made and caused others to make false statements to the banks about the strength of the borrowers, the debt status of the apartment property and the existence of approximately $1.7 million in certificates of deposit for collateral on the loan, all to get the loan approved. Instead of using the loan funds promised for building the apartments, Gregory immediately diverted over $1 million of the loan to pay for part of the certificates of deposit pledged as collateral, pay off debt on the apartment property, and make payments on unrelated loans, the evidence showed. Other Kansas banks that shared in this loan would not have participated in the loan without the false representations and promises. The banks ultimately wrote off millions of dollars on the $15.2 million construction loan, the evidence showed.
The FDIC-OIG, IRS-CI, FBI and FHFA-OIG are investigating this matter. Trial Attorney Andrew R. Tyler and Senior Litigation Counsel David A. Bybee of the Criminal Division’s Fraud Section are prosecuting the case.
Former Bank Executive Found Guilty in $15 Million Construction Loan FraudRead the Press Release
WASHINGTON – A former Kansas bank executive was found guilty by a federal jury yesterday for his participation in a bank fraud scheme to obtain a $15 million construction loan for certain bank customers based upon false and fraudulent representations. The loan was shared among 26 Kansas banks.
Assistant Attorney General Brian A. Benczkowski of the Justice Department’s Criminal Division, Special Agent in Charge Justin R. Bundy of the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation Office of Inspector General’s (FDIC-OIG) Kansas City Regional Office, Special Agent in Charge Timothy R. Langan of the FBI’s Kansas City Field Office and Special Agent in Charge Catherine Huber of the Federal Housing Finance Agency Office of Inspector General’s (FHFA-OIG) Central Region Office made the announcement.
Troy A. Gregory, 52, of Lawrence, Kansas, was found guilty of four counts of bank fraud and two counts of false statements, as charged in a November 2017 indictment. The jury failed to reach a verdict as to one count of conspiracy. Sentencing is scheduled for Jan. 28, 2020, before U.S. District Judge Carlos Murguia of the District of Kansas, who presided over the trial.
According to the evidence submitted at trial, Gregory was a bank executive and loan officer who had made millions of dollars in loans to a group of borrowers who were struggling to make payments on the loans. Beginning in approximately late 2007, Gregory began the process of making a $15.2 million construction loan to build an apartment complex to that same group of borrowers. Gregory’s bank shared this loan with 25 other Kansas banks. Gregory made and caused others to make false statements to the banks about the strength of the borrowers, the debt status of the apartment property and the existence of approximately $1.7 million in certificates of deposit for collateral on the loan, all to get the loan approved. Instead of using the loan funds promised for building the apartments, Gregory immediately diverted over $1 million of the loan to pay for part of the certificates of deposit pledged as collateral, pay off debt on the apartment property, and make payments on unrelated loans, the evidence showed. Other Kansas banks that shared in this loan would not have participated in the loan without the false representations and promises. The banks ultimately wrote off millions of dollars on the $15.2 million construction loan, the evidence showed.
The FDIC-OIG, IRS-CI, FBI and FHFA-OIG are investigating this matter. Trial Attorney Andrew R. Tyler and Senior Litigation Counsel David A. Bybee of the Criminal Division’s Fraud Section are prosecuting the case.
Florida woman receives 5 years imprisonment for credit card fraud and identity theftRead the Press Release
Indianapolis – United States Attorney Josh J. Minkler announced that Ana Alvarez, 55, of Miami, Florida, was sentenced to 5 years of imprisonment after being convicted of 13 counts of credit card fraud and identity theft.
Alvarez was part of a ring of thieves who traveled from Florida to Indiana to commit credit card fraud. Alvarez and her co-defendants purchased compromised credit and debit card numbers on the Internet and used skimming devices to steal credit and debit card account information from victims in Central Indiana. Once Alvarez and her co-defendants were in possession of the stolen account information, they used the information to make more than $50,000 in purchases in Central Indiana.
“The U.S. Attorney’s Office is committed to prosecuting those individuals who engage in fraudulent activity, specifically those individuals like Alvarez, who brazenly travel across state lines to commit credit card fraud and identity theft,” said Minkler.
This case was jointly investigated by the United States Secret Service, Carmel Police Department, Noblesville Police Department and Westfield Police Department.
“Credit Card Fraud and Identity theft investigations remain a top priority for the Secret Service,” said Andrew Campion, Assistant Special Agent in Charge of the U.S. Secret Service Indianapolis Field Office. “We are committed to protecting our nation’s financial institutions and the citizens of Indiana. I would like to thank the U.S. Attorney’s Office, Carmel Police Department, the Noblesville Police Department and the Westfield Police Department for their cooperation and partnership in this case.”
According to Assistant United States Attorneys Bradley P. Shepard and Kathryn E. Olivier, who prosecuted this case for the government, Alvarez must also serve 3 years of supervised release following her sentence and pay $52,632.15 in restitution.
In October 2017, United States Attorney Josh J. Minkler announced a Strategic Plan designed to shape and strengthen the District’s response to its most significant public safety challenges. This prosecution demonstrates the Office’s firm commitment to prosecuting those who engage in fraudulent activity using identity fraud. See United States Attorney’s Office, Southern District of Indiana Strategic Plan 4.4 and 4.5
Film Producers, Former Banker Charged in Movie Financing Fraud SchemeRead the Press Release
Two film producers and a former Wells Fargo Bank employee arrested on fraud and money laundering charges in connection with a scheme to steal money from investors and producers seeking financing for motion pictures and theater performances.
Ariana Fajardo Orshan, United States Attorney for the Southern District of Florida, and George L. Piro, Special Agent in Charge, Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), made the announcement.
According to the indictment, Benjamin McConley, 37, of South Florida, and Jason Van Eman, 41, of Oklahoma, held themselves out as film producers and financiers. In those roles, McConley and Van Eman offered to provide financing to investors and producers seeking funds to produce motion pictures, theater performances, and other projects. McConley and Van Eman promised the victims that, in exchange for the victims’ cash contribution, McConley would match the contribution and use the combined funds to secure financing from financial institutions in South Florida and elsewhere. The indictment charges McConley and Van Eman with: conspiracy to commit wire fraud, in violation of Title 18, United States Code, Section 1349; wire fraud, in violation of Title 18, United States Code, Section 1343; conspiracy to commit money laundering, in violation of Title 18, United States Code, Section 1956(h); and money laundering, in violation of Title 18, United States Code, Section 1957.
South Florida resident and former Wells Fargo Bank employee Benjamin Rafael, 30 years old, was arrested on the same charges on August 17, 2019.
The indictment also alleges that McConley and Van Eman entered into false and fraudulent short-term loan agreements with third-party lenders who were willing to provide low-interest bridge loans to McConley and Van Eman on behalf of investors and producers.
According to the indictment, in order to lure investors, producers, and lenders, McConley and Van Eman executed false and fraudulent “funding agreements,” which guaranteed that the victims’ cash contributions or loans would be “matched” dollar-for-dollar by McConley. McConley and Van Eman further assured the victims that their monies would be held in a secure bank account and would not be transferred without the victims’ consent.
The funding agreements required McConley to deposit funds into the secure bank account shortly after the victims provided their contribution or loan. To that end, Van Eman instructed victims to transfer money to bank accounts that were actually controlled by McConley and his co-conspirators. According to the funding agreements, McConley and Van Eman were to apply for a line of credit from the bank using the monies held in the secure bank account as collateral.
In some instances, the funding agreements required the prompt return of the victims’ funds, plus interest, once the bank associated with the purportedly secure account authorized a line of credit. In other instances, the line of credit was to be used to finance the victims’ projects, pay production costs, and cover other expenses associated with the projects. During the course of the alleged scheme, McConley and Van Eman falsely and fraudulently assured victims that lines of credit had been applied for and approved by the financial institutions associated with the purportedly secure bank accounts.
At times, McConley and Van Eman promised that victims’ contributions or loans would be secured by a financial guarantee called a “performance bond.” McConley and Van Eman claimed they would pay for the performance bonds to be issued by a third-party insurance company.
According to the indictment, victims relied on McConley and Van Eman’s false and fraudulent representations and promises concerning the return of their funds and the protections afforded by the funding agreements and performance bonds.
As alleged, based on these false representations and promises, and at Van Eman’s direction, victims sent tens of millions of dollars to accounts controlled by McConley and his co-conspirators. In truth, McConley never “matched” the victims’ contributions or loans as promised in the funding agreements. Neither McConley nor Van Eman applied for lines of credit on behalf of victims. Neither McConley nor Van Eman paid for or otherwise secured performance bonds on behalf of victims.
Instead of fulfilling their promises to victims, it is alleged that McConley and Van Eman stole the victims’ money by transferring funds from the purportedly secure bank accounts to McConley and Van Eman’s personal and corporate bank accounts, often within days of the victims’ contributions or loans.
It is alleged that McConley and Van Eman directed Benjamin Rafael, 30, of Miami, a one-time Wells Fargo Bank employee to falsely assure victims about the security of their funds. During the course of the scheme, Rafael falsely told victims that their contributions or loans had been “matched” and that McConley and Van Eman had applied for lines of credit at Wells Fargo Bank as promised in the funding agreements.
According to the indictment, up to and after his termination from Wells Fargo Bank in June 2015, Rafael routinely sent false and fraudulent emails to victims from his Wells Fargo Bank and personal email accounts. Following Rafael’s termination from Wells Fargo Bank, McConley and Van Eman falsely assured victims that Rafael was still a bank employee.
McConley, Van Eman, and Rafael also created and transmitted false and fraudulent bank documents, including purported bank letters, account signature cards, and deposit account balance summaries.
When victims demanded the return of their money, McConley and Van Eman usually refused to return the victims’ funds as promised in the funding agreements, often blaming bank “compliance” issues. As a result, several victims filed civil lawsuits and other legal actions against McConley and Van Eman in Florida, California, and Texas.
During the pendency of the lawsuits and legal actions, McConley and Van Eman continued to lure victims with false and fraudulent promises and documents. In order to resolve the various lawsuits and legal actions filed by earlier victims, and to pay attorneys’ fees, McConley and Van Eman directed later victims’ funds to the earlier victims and attorneys; all without the later victims’ knowledge or authorization. In order to conceal from the public news of the lawsuits and legal actions, McConley and Van Eman engaged an “online reputation management” firm to “suppress” or hide negative information about them.
Throughout the course of the charged scheme, McConley, Van Eman, and Rafael used stolen money to purchase luxury automobiles, personal watercraft, real estate, jewelry, home furnishings, designer clothes, hotel accommodations, and private and commercial air travel.
On August 19, 2019, McConley and Rafael made their initial appearances on the charges before United States Magistrate Lisette M. Reid in Miami, Florida. Van Eman previously made his initial appearance on August 16, 2019, in Tulsa, Oklahoma.
If convicted, the defendants can be sentenced to up to 20 years in prison on the wire fraud conspiracy and wire fraud charges, and up to 10 years in prison on each of the money laundering conspiracy and money laundering charges.
U.S. Attorney Fajardo Orshan commended the investigative efforts of the FBI Miami Field Division and thanked FBI Tulsa Resident Agency, Oklahoma Field Office, for its assistance. The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Christopher Browne and Maurice Johnson. Assistant U.S. Attorney Adrienne Rosen is responsible for the asset forfeiture component of the case.
An indictment contains mere allegations. A defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty in a court of law.
A copy of this press release may be found on the website of the United States Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of Florida at www.usdoj.gov/usao/fls. Related court documents and information may be found on the website of the District Court for the Southern District of Florida at www.flsd.uscourts.gov or on http://pacer.flsd.uscourts.gov.
Festus Doctor and His Company Plead Guilty to Health Care FraudRead the Press Release
St. Louis, MO – Antoine Adem, M.D., 49, of Festus, MO, and his company, Midwest Cardiovascular, Inc., plead guilty to their involvement in a healthcare fraud scheme. Adem appeared in federal court before U.S. District Judge Audrey G. Fleissig who accepted the guilty pleas and set sentencing for November 19, 2019.
According to court documents, from January 2014 to December 2018, Dr. Adem and Midwest Cardiovascular submitted or caused to be submitted numerous false and fraudulent claims to Medicare and Medicaid. The reimbursement claims falsely indicated that Dr. Adem performed two vein procedures on patients on two different days, when he actually performed the two procedures on the same day. As a result, Dr. Adem and Midwest Cardiovascular received about $2000 more per patient than he would have received if he had informed Medicare and other insurers that the two vein procedures were performed on the same day. As a result of these fraudulent claims, Medicare paid Dr. Adem and Midwest Cardiovascular $149,199, more than they were entitled to receive.
Adem faces a penalty up to 10 years’ imprisonment and a fine of $250,000. Midwest Cardiovascular faces a fine of $500,000. In determining the actual sentences, a judge is required to consider the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines, which provide recommended sentencing ranges.
This case was investigated by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services – Office of the Inspector General and the U.S. Secret Service. Assistant U.S. Attorney Dorothy McMurtry is handling the case for the U.S. Attorney’s Office.
Fayetteville Doctor Arrested on Charges of Wire Fraud, Mail Fraud, Making False Statements, and Involuntary ManslaughterRead the Press Release
Fayetteville, Arkansas – Duane (DAK) Kees, United States Attorney for the Western District of Arkansas and Michael Missal, Inspector General of the Department of Veterans Affairs, announced today that Robert Morris Levy was arrested on federal charges stemming from a year-long investigation. A federal grand jury in the Western District of Arkansas indicted Levy on twelve counts of wire fraud, twelve counts of mail fraud, four counts of making false statements in certain matters, and three counts of involuntary manslaughter.
According to the Indictment, Levy held a medical license issued by the Mississippi State Board of Medical Licensure issued in 1997. In 2005, the Veterans Health Care System of the Ozarks (“Fayetteville VA”) hired Levy to serve as the Chief of Pathology and Laboratory Medical Services, a position he held until his termination in 2018.
In 2015, Levy was interviewed by an administrative fact-finding panel regarding reports that Levy was under the influence of alcohol while on duty. Levy denied the allegations. In 2016, Levy appeared to be intoxicated while on duty, and a subsequent drug and alcohol test revealed Levy’s blood alcohol content was .396.0 mg/dL. As a result, the Fayetteville VA summarily suspended Levy’s privileges to practice medicine and issued Levy a written notice of removal and revocation of clinical privileges. Levy acknowledged that the pending proposed removal and revocation of clinical privileges was “due to unprofessional conduct related to high blood alcohol content while on duty” and in July 2016, Levy voluntarily entered a three-month in-patient treatment program, which he completed in October 2016.
Toward the end of the treatment program, Levy executed a contract with the Mississippi Physician Health Program and the Mississippi State Board of Medical Licensure in anticipation of returning to practice medicine at the Fayetteville VA. In the contract, Levy agreed to maintain sobriety to ensure his ability to practice medicine with reasonable skill and safety to patients. Levy agreed to “abstain completely from the use of . . . alcohol and other mood-altering substances” and to submit to random urine and/or blood drug screens. Non-compliance would potentially subject Levy to loss of his medical license and, in turn, his employment by the Fayetteville VA. Levy returned to work at the Fayetteville VA in October 2016.
As part of the contract, Levy randomly provided urine specimens and blood samples for drug testing from November 2016 through June 2018. Each blood sample and urine specimen tested was reported negative for the presence of drugs and alcohol. On twelve occasions beginning in June 2017 and continuing through 2018, while Levy was contractually obligated to submit to random drug and alcohol screens, Levy purchased for personal consumption 2-methyl-2-butanol (2M-2B), a chemical substance that enables a person to achieve a state of intoxication but is not detectable in routine drug and alcohol testing methodology.
The Indictment charges that Levy devised a scheme to defraud the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) and to obtain money and property from the VA in the form of salary, benefits, and performance awards he would not have received had the VA known Levy was intentionally concealing his non-compliance with the drug and alcohol testing program. In furtherance of this scheme, Levy concealed a material fact and made material false and fraudulent representations.
The Indictment also alleges that Levy twice made false statements to a special agent of the Office of the Inspector General of the Department of Veterans Affairs. The Indictment further alleges that Levy made false statements in health care matters by entering information in a patient’s medical records that Levy knew to be false and by making a false statement during a grievance hearing related to his employment.
Finally, the Indictment charges Levy with three counts of involuntary manslaughter for causing the death of three patients through entering incorrect and misleading diagnoses and, on two occasions, by falsifying entries in the patients’ medical records to state that a second pathologist concurred with the diagnosis Levy had made. The Indictment alleges that the incorrect and misleading diagnoses rendered by Levy caused the deaths of three veterans.
Duane (DAK) Kees, the United States Attorney for the Western District of Arkansas stated, “This indictment should remind us all that this country has a responsibility to care for those who have served us honorably. When that trust is violated through criminal conduct, those responsible must be held accountable. Our veterans deserve nothing less.”
“The arrest of Dr. Levy was accomplished as a result of the strong leadership of the US Attorney’s Office and the extensive work of special agents of the VA Office of Inspector General, supported by the medical expertise of the OIG’s healthcare inspection professionals,” stated Michael Missal, Inspector General of the Department of Veterans Affairs. “These charges send a clear signal that anyone entrusted with the care of veterans will be held accountable for placing them at risk by working while impaired or through other misconduct. Our thoughts are with the veterans and their families affected by Dr. Levy’s actions.”
United States Magistrate Judge Erin L. Wiedemann presided over Levy’s arraignment today.
The Department of Veterans Affairs Office of Inspector General is conducting the investigation and Assistant United States Attorneys Kyra Jenner and Bryan Achorn are prosecuting the case for the United States.
An Indictment is merely an accusation. An arrest warrant represents a finding of probable cause. A person is presumed innocent unless or until he or she is proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.
Egg Harbor Township Man Sentenced to Eight Years in Prison for Receiving Child PornographyRead the Press Release
TRENTON, N.J. – An Atlantic County, New Jersey, man was sentenced today to 96 months in prison for receiving images of child sexual abuse, U.S. Attorney Craig Carpenito announced.
Matthew Wolny, 41, of Egg Harbor Township, New Jersey, previously pleaded guilty before U.S. District Judge Brian R. Martinotti to an information charging him with one count of receipt of child pornography. Judge Martinotti imposed the sentence today in Trenton federal court.
According to documents filed in this case and statements made in court:In September 2013, Wolny, who was then living in Jackson, New Jersey, used a peer-to-peer file sharing software, which he had installed on his computer, to download video files containing images of child sexual abuse from the internet to his computer hard drive.
In addition to the prison term, Judge Martinotti sentenced Wolny to 10 years of supervised release.
U.S. Attorney Carpenito credited special agents of Homeland Security Investigations (HSI), under the direction of Brian Michael, and the Ocean County Prosecutor’s Office, under the direction of Prosecutor Bradley D. Billhimer, with the investigation leading to today’s sentencing.
The government is represented by Assistant U.S. Attorney Molly Lorber of the U.S. Attorney’s Office’s Camden Office.
Defense counsel: Jack Wenik Esq., Newark
Edmond Township Man Sentenced to 1½ Years for Distribution of Furanyl Fentanyl and Counterfeit Prescription DrugsRead the Press Release
Bangor, Maine: United States Attorney Halsey B. Frank announced that James Cox, 55, of Edmond Township, Maine, was sentenced today in U.S. District Court by Judge John A. Woodcock, Jr. to 1½ years in prison and three years of supervised release for distributing furanyl fentanyl and counterfeit drugs. Cox pleaded guilty on February 26, 2019.
According to court records, on October 12, 2017, Cox offered to sell Percocet to a person working with law enforcement, but instead sold the person pills containing furanyl fentanyl, but not Percocet. On February 3, 2018, Cox offered to sell oxycodone to the person, but instead sold the person counterfeit pills that contained carfentanil, but not oxycodone.
The case was investigated by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration’s Office of Criminal Investigations, the Maine Drug Enforcement Agency, the Maine State Police, the Hancock County Sheriff’s Office, and Ellsworth Police Department and prosecuted as part of the Department of Justice’s Strategy to Combat the Opioid Epidemic.
Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) Targets Methamphetamine in Three States with Operation Crystal MountainRead the Press Release
Memphis, TN – The United States Drug Enforcement Administration this week announced the conclusion of Operation Crystal Mountain, a sweeping enforcement action spanning three states. DEA special agents, working closely with their state and local counterparts throughout Kentucky, Tennessee, and West Virginia targeted Mexican drug cartels, drug trafficking organizations and other individuals involved in the manufacturing and distribution of methamphetamine. More than 800 pounds of methamphetamine were interdicted or seized during the operation.
"Everyone has a right to live in safety. The amount of drugs and weapons we’ve taken off the street with this operation, along with the number of drug dealers that we’ve locked up, represents a small victory in our on-going fight for safer communities for us all," D. Christopher Evans, Special Agent in Charge of DEA’s Louisville Division Office said. "While America’s opioid crisis may dominate headlines, Operation Crystal Mountain should serve as a reminder that methamphetamine is a problem that has never gone away. The dedicated men and women of DEA, working closely with state and local law enforcement, are relentless in their efforts to rid our neighborhoods of dangerous drugs and bring to justice those who distribute them, wherever they may be."
U.S. Attorney D. Michael Dunavant said: "Unfortunately, Methamphetamine that is trafficked into and through West Tennessee is increasing in dangerous purity, and has resurged to destroy individuals, families, and communities. Drug trafficking organizations that profit from the pain, addiction, violence and death caused by these dangerous substances will be disrupted and dismantled by this operation, and we are proud to stand with DEA in this critical regional enforcement action that will save lives."
Operation Crystal Mountain is the culmination of several investigations that began earlier this year. Since January, DEA special agents from the Louisville Field Division, with support from state and local law enforcement agencies across the region, have arrested 235 individuals on federal drug-related charges and seized more than $800,000.00 in cash and 52 firearms, as well as significant quantities of heroin, fentanyl, and other drugs. During this same timeframe, DEA assisted its state and local counterparts with the arrest of 140 additional offenders on state-level drug charges.
While the opioid epidemic has ravaged the nation, several large swaths of the U.S. see meth as their primary drug threat. The majority of the methamphetamine in the U.S. is produced in Mexico and trafficked by Mexican drug trafficking organizations. However, DEA continues to work to disrupt and dismantle all components of both foreign and domestic organizations which produce and traffic methamphetamine.
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Dominican National Who Illegally Reentered U.S. is SentencedRead the Press Release
John H. Durham, United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut, announced that OLIVER JOAN UBIERA MALENO, 36, a citizen of the Dominican Republic last residing in Danbury, was sentenced today by U.S. District Judge Victor A. Bolden in Bridgeport to approximately 16 months of imprisonment, time already served, for illegally reentering the U.S. after being deported.
According to court documents and statements made in court, in July 2002, Ubiera Maleno, who at the time was a lawful permanent resident of the U.S., was sentenced in federal court in Alaska to 37 months of imprisonment for possessing with intent to distribute a controlled substance. In December 2003, he was sentenced in state court in Harris County, Texas, to 15 years of imprisonment for possessing with intent to deliver 400 grams or more cocaine. Ubiera Maleno was removed to the Dominican Republic in August 2009 after he had served the federal sentence and a portion of the Texas sentence.
On April 19, 2018, the Danbury Police Department arrested Ubiera Maleno for drug distribution offenses.
Ubiera Maleno has been detained since his arrest. On May 1, 2019, he pleaded guilty to one count of illegal reentry by a removed alien.
The state charges against Ubiera Maleno are pending.
This matter was investigated by the U.S. Department of Homeland Security, Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), Enforcement and Removal Operations. The case was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Hal Chen.
District Man Sentenced to Six Years in Prison for Metro Transit RobberiesRead the Press Release
WASHINGTON – Jordan Lassiter, 21, of Washington, D.C., was sentenced today to six years in prison for robbing commuters on the Metro Transit system in two separate incidents in February and March 2019, U.S. Attorney Jessie K. Liu announced today.
Lassiter was sentenced by the Honorable J. Michael Ryan, in the Superior Court of the District of Columbia. Once Lassiter is released from prison, he will be placed on supervised release for three years. Judge Ryan denied the defendant’s request to be sentenced under the District’s Youth Rehabilitation Act. Lassiter also received an additional 30-day sentence for committing a domestic violence assault.
Lassiter pleaded guilty in May 2019 to one count of attempted robbery. He subsequently pleaded guilty on his sentencing date to one count of assault with intent to rob. According to the government’s evidence, on February 19, 2019, at approximately 10:37 pm, Lassiter and an accomplice boarded a Metro Bus heading northbound on Georgia Avenue, NW. Lassiter and his accomplice sat near the victim, a commuter returning home from work in downtown Washington, D.C., near the front of the bus. A few minutes later, the victim got off the bus at the intersection of Georgia Avenue, NW, and Webster Street, NW, and Lassiter and his accomplice followed. After following the victim on foot to the back of his residence, Lassiter and his accomplice ran up behind the victim, punched him in the right eye, and delivered at least four knee strikes to the victim’s head. The victim stumbled into the rear of his residence, but Lassiter and his accomplice pursued, continuing to punch and kick the victim as he fell to the ground. Lassiter and his accomplice stole the victim’s wallet, cell phone, ear buds, and jacket, then fled the scene.
A month later, on March 16, 2019, at approximately 3:42 p.m., the second commuter victim was standing alone on the outdoor platform of the Fort Totten Metro station, at 550 Galloway Street, NW, waiting for a northbound Red Line Metro train. Lassiter and two accomplices approached and confronted the victim, with Lassiter standing so close to the victim that their bodies were nearly touching. Lassiter asked the victim if he was scared, and then demanded the victim’s cell phone. After obtaining the cell phone, Lassiter forced the victim to tell Lassiter the phone’s passcode. Lassiter then told the victim to get on the next train and not to call the police. Lassiter pointed at the next Red Line train arriving at the station, which was going in the opposite direction as the victim intended to travel, and ordered the victim to board. One of Lassiter’s accomplices held the train’s door open while Lassiter escorted the victim onto the train. Lassiter and his accomplices remained at Fort Totten while the train with the victim on it left the station.
In announcing the sentencing, U.S. Attorney Liu commended the work of those who investigated the case from the Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) and the Metro Transit Police Department (MTPD). She also acknowledged the efforts of those who investigated and prosecuted the case at the U.S. Attorney’s Office, including Assistant U.S. Attorney Mark Hobel of the Major Crimes Section, and Assistant U.S. Attorney Emma McArthur of the Sex Offense and Domestic Violence Section, who prosecuted Lassiter’s domestic violence case.
Denver Men Sentenced to more than 20 Years in Federal Prison for Robberies and CarjackingsRead the Press Release
DENVER – United States Attorney Jason R. Dunn announced that two Denver men were sentenced to more than 20 years, each, for violent robberies and two carjackings that occurred in November 2017. Thierry Shaqur Roberson was sentenced to serve 252 months (21 years) in federal prison for two liquor store robberies and a bank robbery. The other defendant, Blake Aaron Newton was sentenced to serve 238 months (24 years) in federal prison for two carjackings and a convenience store robbery. Both defendants appeared at their sentencing hearings in custody last week, and were remanded at its conclusion.
According to court documents and evidence presented during sentencing of the first case, Thierry Roberson robbed John’s Liquor Store in Denver on November 17, 2017, Pat’s Liquor Store on November 19, 2017, and then, ten days later, robbed the Sunflower Bank. Roberson used a gun in each robbery with other co-defendants. During the Sunflower Bank robbery, Roberson wore a blonde wig, a long purple dress with black pants, and a black stocking cap. Tellers gave the bank robbers thousands of dollars in cash, along with a G.P.S. tracking device. Denver police responded, tracking the G.P.S. device to an alley. SWAT and K-9 officers conducted a yard-to-yard search and found Defendant Roberson and a co-defendant hiding in some shrubbery on South Ogden Street.
In the second matter, Blake Newton carjacked a food delivery driver on November 5, 2017, in Cherry Creek. Newton pointed a silver handgun at the driver, demanded money, and took the driver’s car. Two days later, Newton got into a car accident with his girlfriend and newborn child. He got out of the crashed car and pointed a gun at a couple driving a tan Lexus sedan, ordering them out of the car and onto the ground. Newton’s girlfriend put a car seat into the Lexus sedan. Newton, his girlfriend, and their baby then sped away in the Lexus sedan. The next day, on November 8, 2017, Newton robbed a Circle K convenience store in Greenwood Village. He pointed a silver and black handgun at the cashier who handed him $69.00. Newton fled in a Lexus sedan. Law enforcement caught up with Newton ten days later in Council Bluffs, Iowa, where they were able to detain him after a struggle.
“The defendants in these cases became more brazen and more dangerous with each passing crime,” said United States Attorney Jason Dunn. “I’m thankful to our federal and local law enforcement partners who were able to get these men off the streets and make our communities safer.”
“The recent sentencings of Blake Aaron Newton and Thierry Roberson illustrate the FBI’s commitment to working with its law enforcement partners to address violent crime in our community, including bank robberies,” said FBI Special Agent in Charge Dean Phillips. “These investigations, which spanned several months, were a collaborative effort between local and federal law enforcement. The community is safer with these suspects behind bars. These sentencings should send a message to those contemplating bank robbery that they will be aggressively investigated and prosecuted to the full extent of the law.”
These cases were investigated by the Denver Division of the FBI. The defendants were prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Kurt Bohn.
Sentencing in the Thierry matter was conducted by U.S. District Court Judge R. Brooke Jackson. Sentencing in the Newton matter was conducted by U.S. District Court Judge Christine M. Arguello.
CASE NUMBERS: 17-cr-483 and 17-cr-486
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DEA Target Methamphetamine in Three States with Operation Crystal MountainRead the Press Release
LOUISVILLE, KY – The United States Drug Enforcement Administration this week announced the conclusion of Operation Crystal Mountain, a sweeping enforcement action spanning three states. DEA special agents, working closely with their state and local counterparts throughout Kentucky, Tennessee, and West Virginia targeted Mexican drug cartels, drug trafficking organizations and other individuals involved in the manufacturing and distribution of methamphetamine. More than 800 pounds of methamphetamine were interdicted or seized during the operation.
“Everyone has a right to live in safety. The amount of drugs and weapons we’ve taken off the street with this operation, along with the number of drug dealers that we’ve locked up, represents a small victory in our on-going fight for safer communities for us all,” D. Christopher Evans, Special Agent in Charge of DEA’s Louisville Division Office said. “While America’s opioid crisis may dominate headlines, Operation Crystal Mountain should serve as a reminder that methamphetamine is a problem that has never gone away. The dedicated men and women of DEA, working closely with state and local law enforcement, are relentless in their efforts to rid our neighborhoods of dangerous drugs and bring to justice those who distribute them, wherever they may be.”
“The Eastern District of Tennessee continues to support and work with our law enforcement partners to combat the meth scourge in our region,” said U.S. Attorney J. Douglas Overbey. “It is only with our combined efforts that we can effectively fight this menace that continues to destroy the lives and families of our citizens.”
Operation Crystal Mountain is the culmination of several investigations that began earlier this year. Since January, DEA special agents from the Louisville Field Division, with support from state and local law enforcement agencies across the region, have arrested 235 individuals on federal drug-related charges and seized more than $800,000.00 in cash and 52 firearms, as well as significant quantities of heroin, fentanyl, and other drugs. During this same timeframe, DEA assisted its state and local counterparts with the arrest of 140 additional offenders on state-level drug charges.
While the opioid epidemic has ravaged the nation, several large swaths of the U.S. see meth as their primary drug threat. The majority of the methamphetamine in the U.S. is produced in Mexico and trafficked by Mexican DTOs. However, DEA continues to work to disrupt and dismantle all components of both foreign and domestic organizations which produce and traffic methamphetamine.
Convicted Sex Offender Sentenced on New Child Porn ChargeRead the Press Release
CORPUS CHRISTI, Texas - A 54-year-old Corpus Christi resident and registered sex offender has been ordered to federal prison for possession of child pornography, announced U.S. Attorney Ryan K. Patrick. Robert Kirby Anderson aka Bobby Bonez pleaded guilty April 15, 2019.
Today, Senior U.S. District Judge John D. Rainey sentenced Anderson to 140 months in prison. At the hearing, the court heard Anderson possessed pornographic images of children on three different devices. Anderson had also altered children’s coloring books by adding captions above the cartoon children requesting to engage in sexual acts with him. Additionally, the court heard that Anderson, a registered sex offender since the late 1990s, had been staying in a residence with a minor child at the time of his arrest.
Anderson was further ordered to serve 10 years on supervised release following completion of his prison term, during which time he will have to comply with numerous requirements designed to restrict his access to children and the internet. He will also be ordered to continue registering as a sex offender.
In October 2018, an alert private citizen found a cell phone that had apparently been accidentally dropped in a parking lot. The citizen attempted to access the contacts on the phone to determine its owner, at which time she saw the pornographic images of children. The phone was turned over to local law enforcement and eventually linked directly to Anderson.
When law enforcement attempted to arrest him at the address he claimed as his residence on his sex offender registration documents, they found him not living there. Authorities located him within 24 hours where he was found to be alone in the home with a young child.
Within two weeks of the his discovered lost phone, Anderson was in custody. At the time of his arrest, he was in possession of a new phone. It was also forensically analyzed and found to contain more than 500 images of child pornography collected in just the previous two weeks.
Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s Homeland Security Investigations and Corpus Christi Police Department’s – Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force conducted the investigation with the assistance of the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Brittany L. Jensen is prosecuting the case, which 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."
Cohoes Mayor Pleads Guilty to Stealing Campaign ContributionsRead the Press Release
ALBANY, NEW YORK – Shawn Morse, age 52, the Mayor of Cohoes, New York, pled guilty today to a wire fraud scheme to defraud his supporters by stealing campaign contributions for his personal benefit.
The announcement was made by United States Attorney Grant C. Jaquith and James N. Hendricks, Special Agent in Charge of the Albany Field Office of the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI).
During the guilty plea, Morse admitted that he and his campaign treasurer, Ralph Signoracci, solicited and received contributions to his political committee the “Friends of Shawn Morse” and a political action committee. Signoracci then provided some of those funds to Morse for his personal use including an August 2015 contribution of $500 Morse used to pay a personal bill. In total, as part of the scheme, Morse personally obtained $12,250 in political contributions from at least 10 victims to pay personal expenses at hotels, restaurants, and retailers.
As part of the scheme, Signoracci concealed the nature of the fraudulent expenditures by falsely reporting their purpose or by not reporting or disclosing them on campaign disclosure reports, as was required of local candidates for public office. Signoracci pled guilty to conspiracy to commit wire fraud on March 7, 2019.
“Our democracy depends on honesty by public officials. Stealing campaign funds frustrates the freedom of speech so important to the integrity of elections, undermines public faith in the process and outcome, and betrays the trust of donors. No one is above the law, and we will continue to hold accountable politicians who put personal enrichment above public good,” said United States Attorney Jaquith.
"Public trust must be something that is cherished by all who serve in positions of public office," said James N. Hendricks, Special Agent in Charge of the Federal Bureau of Investigation's (FBI) Albany Division. "Sadly, Mr. Morse abused his position for personal gain. Today’s plea announcement should send a clear signal that the FBI will vigorously investigate any public official who attempts to use their position to enrich themselves.”
Morse pled guilty to one count of wire fraud, and faces up to 20 years in prison, a term of post-release supervision of up to 3 years, and fine of up to $250,000, when he is sentenced by Senior United States District Judge Thomas J. McAvoy on December 10, 2019. 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.
This case was investigated by the FBI and is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Megan Kinsella Kistler.
Chicago Man Sentenced to 154 Months in PrisonRead the Press Release
HAMMOND – Vincent E. Prunty, age 35, of Chicago, Illinois was sentenced before U.S. District Court Judge James T. Moody for wire fraud, mail fraud, and aggravated identity theft, announced U.S. Attorney Kirsch.
Prunty was sentenced to 154 months in prison, 2 years of supervised release, and ordered to pay over $180,000 in restitution to various financial institutions and retailers.
Prunty pled guilty to wire fraud, mail fraud, and aggravated identity theft. According to documents in this case, Prunty’s scheme involved the theft of the personal identifying information of victims in more than 10 states and Canada. Prunty and co-defendants stole some of the victims’ information from a hospital in Arizona. The stolen records included birth dates, social security numbers, addresses, telephone numbers, employment information, insurance carriers, treating physicians, and information about the people the victims listed as emergency contacts. Prunty and others opened fraudulent credit cards, bank accounts, and retail credit accounts on-line. In some instances, Prunty added himself as an authorized user on existing victim accounts.
The case was the result of an investigation by the U.S. Postal Inspection Service. This case was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Toi Denise Houston.
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Casa Blanca Man Sentenced to over 6 Years for Possessing Methamphetamine with Intent to DistributeRead the Press Release
PHOENIX, Ariz. – This week, Jaysen Reuben Lopez, 26, of Casa Blanca, Ariz., was sentenced by U.S. District Judge Dominic W. Lanza to six and a half years in prison followed by four years of supervised release. Lopez previously pleaded guilty to possessing methamphetamine with the intent to distribute.
On December 5, 2018, Gila River Police Officers found Lopez on the Gila River Indian Reservation, asleep in his vehicle with a bag containing 141 grams of methamphetamine. Lopez is a member of the Gila River Indian Community.
The investigation in this case was conducted by the Gila River Police Department. The prosecution was handled by Raynette Logan, Assistant U.S. Attorney, District of Arizona, Phoenix.
Carjacking Spree Sends Texas Man to Federal PrisonRead the Press Release
LAREDO, Texas – A 26-year-old Houston man been ordered to prison in Laredo federal court after admitting to a three-city carjacking spree, announced U.S. Attorney Ryan K. Patrick.
Daniel Farhan Nimri pleaded guilty March 18, 2019, admitting he committed a one-day, three-city carjacking spree that began in Houston and ended in Laredo.
Today, U.S. District Judge Diana Saldaña handed Nimri a 60-month sentence to be immediately followed by three years of supervised release. He was also ordered to pay $8,000 in restitution to one of the victims.
On the morning of April 6, 2015, a woman had just loaded groceries in her van in the parking lot of an HEB in Houston. At that time, Nimri climbed in and pushed the driver out of the van, dragging her for a short distance. He fled and drove to San Antonio.
There, he parked at an apartment complex and waited. Shortly thereafter, he saw another woman walking towards her car. He rushed to her, forced the car keys from her and stole her car. Nimri then drove that car to a truck stop in Laredo.
His next attack was on a man fueling his Ford Explorer. Nimri walked up behind the victim and hit him over the head with an aluminum baseball bat. After the man collapsed, Nimri drove away in his vehicle. Bystanders alerted a nearby policeman who attempted to stop Nimri. He then led several police vehicles on a high-speed chase in North Laredo, eventually crashing the stolen Explorer against concrete embankment. Officers pulled Nimri from the vehicle and arrested him.
Nimri has been and will remain in custody pending transfer to a U.S. Bureau of Prisons facility to be determined in the near future.
The FBI conducted the investigation with the assistance of police departments in Laredo, San Antonio and Houston. Assistant U.S. Attorneys April Ayers-Perez, Homero Ramirez and Christopher dos Santos prosecuted the case.
Canadian National Sentenced for Conspiring to Traffic Drugs Through the St. Louis AreaRead the Press Release
St. Louis, MO – Harpreet Mann, 41, of Vancouver, Canada, was sentenced to 84 months in prison for his participation in a multi-defendant drug conspiracy. Mann appeared today before U.S. District Judge Henry A. Autrey and was ordered deportation to Canada after completing his sentence.
According to court documents, Mann’s drug trafficking organization was responsible for trafficking multi-kilogram amounts of marijuana, cocaine and methamphetamine through packages in the mail to St. Louis and other areas in the United States. After the completion of two wiretaps in January 2016, investigators executed six federal search warrants and seized 14 weapons, approximately $60,000, one kilogram of methamphetamine, one kilogram of cocaine and three kilograms of marijuana.
Because of this investigation, seven defendants were federally indicted through the Eastern District of Missouri. Mann was on the run for nearly a year after the Indictment. Mann also has an active warrant in Canada for possession of 3 kilograms of cocaine in March 2018.
Co-defendant James T. Bell is awaiting trial; co-defendant Daniel Gene Bigham is awaiting sentencing; the remaining co-defendants have been sentenced— Lamar White (20 months), Jeffrey Scott Cotton (20 months), Alex Smith (5 years’ probation), and Terra Cotton (SAIL Program).
The Drug Enforcement Administration, Crystal City Police Department and the United States Marshals Service investigated the case.
Bronx, NY Man Pleads Guilty in Bank Fraud SchemeRead the Press Release
JOHNSTOWN, Pa. – A resident of Bronx, NY, pleaded guilty in federal court to a charge of conspiracy, United States Attorney Scott W. Brady announced today.
Nathaniel C. Graham, 27, pleaded guilty to one count of the indictment before United States District Judge Kim R. Gibson.
According to information presented to the court, from March 21 to March 28, 2017, Graham, along with others, conspired to commit bank fraud. Specifically, Anthony Sass and Jacob Gunther used a fraudulent Pennsylvania Driver License to open a checking and savings account at S&T Bank in Gallitzin, PA. A fraudulent personal loan for $40,000 was obtained and deposited into the accounts. Sass and Gunther received $15,000 of the loan proceeds in cash. On March 28, 2017, Graham travelled from New York to the S&T Bank with Sass and Gunther to retrieve the balance of the loan proceeds.
Judge Gibson scheduled sentencing for Dec. 19, 2019, at 10:00 a.m. The law provides for a maximum total sentence of 30 years in prison, a fine of $1,000,000, or both. Under the Federal Sentencing Guidelines, the actual sentence imposed would be based upon the seriousness of the offense and the prior criminal history, if any, of the defendant.
Assistant United States Attorney Maureen Sheehan-Balchon is prosecuting this case on behalf of the government.
The Laurel Highlands Resident Agency of the Federal Bureau of Investigation conducted the investigation that led to the prosecution of Graham.
Brandon Man Sentenced to 12 Months and a Day in Prison Under Project EJECT for Illegally Possessing a FirearmRead the Press Release
Jackson, Miss. – Ryan Storm Irwin, 26, of Brandon, was sentenced today by U.S. District Court Judge Carlton W. Reeves to 12 months and a day in federal prison, followed by 3 years of supervised release, for being a felon in possession of a firearm, announced U.S. Attorney Mike Hurst and Kirk Thielhorn, Special Agent in Charge of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives. Irwin was also ordered to pay a $1,000.00 fine.
On February 18, 2018, special agents with the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives encountered Irwin alone in a vehicle in Jackson. As a result of a consent search, a shotgun was found in the vehicle. Irwin has a prior felony conviction for grand larceny.
This case was investigated by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives. It is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Lynn Murray.
This case is part of Project EJECT, an initiative by the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of Mississippi under the U.S. Department of Justice’s Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN). EJECT is a holistic, multi-disciplinary approach to fighting and reducing violent crime through prosecution, prevention, re-entry and awareness. EJECT stands for "Empower Justice Expel Crime Together." PSN is bringing together all levels of law enforcement and the communities they serve to reduce violent crime and make our neighborhoods safer for everyone. Former Attorney General Jeff Sessions reinvigorated PSN in 2017 as part of the Department’s renewed focus on targeting violent criminals, directing all U.S. Attorney’s Offices to work in partnership with federal, state, local, and tribal law enforcement and the local community to develop effective, locally-based strategies to reduce violent crime.
Bedford Man Charged for Failure to Pay Payroll TaxesRead the Press Release
WILLIAMSPORT - The United States Attorney’s Office for the Middle District of Pennsylvania announced that Michael Boggs, age 39, of Bedford, Pennsylvania, was charged on August 16, 2019, in a criminal information for failure to pay employment taxes to the Internal Revenue Service.
According to United States Attorney David J. Freed, Boggs was the owner of Meadowview Manor Services, LLC, an assisted living center in Mifflin County, PA. The criminal information alleges that from 2014 through 2016, Boggs withheld payroll taxes from his employees but never remitted the monies collected to the IRS. Payroll taxes include both the employees’ portion of the income tax on their wages, and taxes owed by an employer directly to the IRS for Medicare and Social Security under the Federal Insurance Contributions Act (FICA).
The case was investigated by the Internal Revenue Service. Assistant United States Attorney Geoffrey W. MacArthur is prosecuting the case.
Criminal Informations are only allegations. All persons charged are presumed to be innocent unless and until found guilty in court.
A sentence following a finding of guilt is imposed by the Judge after consideration of the applicable federal sentencing statutes and the Federal Sentencing Guidelines.
Boggs faces a maximum sentence of five years in prison and fine of $10,000. Under the Federal Sentencing Guidelines, the Judge is also required to consider and weigh a number of factors, including the nature, circumstances and seriousness of the offense; the history and characteristics of the defendant; and the need to punish the defendant, protect the public and provide for the defendant's educational, vocational and medical needs. For these reasons, the statutory maximum penalty for the offense is not an accurate indicator of the potential sentence for a specific defendant.
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