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18 July 2019
Three New York Men Charged with Hobbs Act RobberyRead the Press Release
Bangor, Maine: United States Attorney Halsey B. Frank announced that Andre Muller, 48; Robert Holland, 39; and Hector Munoz, 57, all of New York, New York, were arrested in New York this week and charged by indictment in Maine with conspiracy to commit Hobbs Act robbery. Munoz was also charged with attempted Hobbs Act robbery.
The indictment alleges that in July 2016, the defendants and others conspired to steal controlled substances from a residence in Rangeley, Maine. Munoz and an unnamed conspirator entered the residence armed with knives and a baseball bat.
If convicted, the defendants face up to 20 years in prison and a $250,000 fine.
An indictment is merely an accusation and a defendant is presumed to be innocent unless proven guilty in a court of law beyond a reasonable doubt
The case was investigated by the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration; the Franklin County Sheriff’s Office; the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives; the Maine State Police, and the Rangeley Police Department, with assistance provided by the Maine Office of the Attorney General.
Syrian Man Indicted on Terrorism Charges After Planning Attack on Christian ChurchRead the Press Release
PITTSBURGH – A federal grand jury on July 17 returned a three-count indictment (the Indictment) against Mustafa Mousab Alowemer, 21, of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, in connection with his planned attack on a Christian church in Pittsburgh, United States Attorney Scott W. Brady announced today. The Indictment charges Alowemer with one count of attempting to provide material support and resources to the Islamic State of Iraq and al-Sham (ISIS), a designated foreign terrorist organization, and two counts of distributing information relating to an explosive, destructive device, or weapon of mass destruction.
Alowemer was initially arrested on a Complaint on June 19, 2019, and appeared before Chief U.S. Magistrate Judge Cynthia Reed Eddy. Alowemer was ordered detained and has been in federal custody since his arrest.
As alleged in the Indictment and complaint:
The FBI Pittsburgh JTTF investigation of Alowemer revealed that Alowemer plotted to bomb a church located on the North Side of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania (the Church), using a weapon of mass destruction (i.e., an explosive device). According to Alowemer, his motivation to detonate a device at the Church was to support the cause of ISIS and to inspire other ISIS supporters in the United States to join together and commit similar acts in the name of ISIS. Alowemer also targeted the Church in order to "take revenge for our [ISIS] brothers in Nigeria." Alowemer was aware that numerous people in the proximity of the Church could be killed by the explosion.
According to the complaint, Alowemer was born in Daraa, Syria, and has resided in the United States since August 2016.
In furtherance of the plot to bomb the Church, in May 2019, Alowemer distributed multiple instructional documents related to the construction and use of explosives and improvised explosive devices (IEDs) to an individual Alowemer believed to be a fellow ISIS supporter, but who was in fact an FBI employee. Alowemer distributed these documents with the intent that the information be used in the assembly of a destructive device and in furtherance of conducting an attack in support of ISIS. In or around June 2019, Alowemer purchased several items with the belief that they were necessary to assemble a destructive device and with the
intention that they be used to construct the explosives that would be detonated in the vicinity of the Church.
Between April 16 and June 11, Alowemer met four times in person with an FBI Undercover Employee (UCE) and/or an FBI Confidential Human Source (CHS). At the June 11 meeting with the UCE and CHS, Alowemer provided additional details about the bomb plot and provided the materials, including boxes of nails, he had purchased for construction of the device. Alowemer provided two printed copies of detailed Google satellite maps, which included hand-written markings identifying the Church and routes of arrival and escape. Alowemer also wrote and provided a 10-point handwritten plan ("Confirmation of this operation") outlining details related to his plot to personally deliver explosives in a backpack. Alowemer expressed a desire to meet one more time to conduct planning and coordination prior to carrying out the attempted bombing in July 2019. That meeting was later scheduled for June 19 in the Pittsburgh area, at which time Alowemer was arrested.
The charges in the indictment are merely allegations, and the defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.
If convicted, each count has a 20-year maximum term of imprisonment. 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.
Members of the FBI’s Joint Terrorism Task Force who were directly involved in this investigation include: FBI, U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement(ICE)/U.S. Citizen and Immigration Services(USCIS)/Homeland Security Investigations(HSI), Internal Revenue Service – Criminal Investigation, United States Secret Service, United States Postal Inspection Service, Pennsylvania State Police, Allegheny County Police Department, Pittsburgh Bureau of Police, Allegheny County Port Authority Police, Allegheny County Probation, University of Pittsburgh Police Department, and UPMC Police Security.
The case is being prosecuted by the Western District of Pennsylvania’s National Security Coordinator Assistant U.S. Attorney Soo C. Song, with assistance from Trial Attorney Brenda Sue Thornton of the Department of Justice’s National Security Division’s Counterterrorism Section.
Statesville Man Sentenced to Eight Years for Possessing A Stolen FirearmRead the Press Release
STATESVILLE, N.C. – United States Attorney Andrew Murray announced today that Curtis Lee Rucker, Jr. 36, of Statesville, was sentenced to 96 months in prison and three years of supervised release for illegally possessing a stolen firearm, with which he assaulted a female victim. U.S. District Judge Kenneth D. Bell presided over Rucker’s sentencing.
Vince Pallozzi, Special Agent in Charge of the U.S. Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF), Charlotte Field Division, and Chief David W. Addison of the Statesville Police Department join U.S. Attorney Murray in making today’s announcement.
According to court records, plea documents and statements made in court, on June 30, 2018, in the early hours of the morning, the Statesville Police Department received a 9-1-1 call for a domestic disturbance at the Times Gas Station, located at 1205 E. Garner Bagnal Blvd. in Statesville. Court records show that the caller told the 9-1-1 operator that a male was assaulting a female with a firearm. Officers arrived at the scene and observed an individual, later identified as Rucker, matching the caller’s description. Officers arrested Rucker, and located nearby a firearm, loaded with two rounds of ammunition.
According to court records, officers spoke with two witnesses at the gas station who identified Rucker as the individual possessing the firearm. The witnesses stated that Rucker assaulted the female victim with the firearm, and that during the assault the magazine fell from the firearm. Rucker reinserted the magazine into the firearm and proceeded to chase the victim. Rucker eventually discarded the firearm where it was later located by law enforcement. Surveillance video from the gas station shows Rucker exiting a vehicle at the gas station, assaulting the victim, striking her in the head with his firearm, and causing her to fall on the ground. Once on the ground, Rucker pointed the firearm in the victim’s direction, and proceeded to kick and chase the victim around the vehicle, with the firearm pointed in her direction. Law enforcement later determined that the seized firearm was a black Ruger LCP .380 handgun, which had been reported as stolen.
In February 2019, Rucker pleaded guilty to possession of a firearm by a felon. Rucker, who was convicted in 2015 for felon in possession of a firearm in State court, is prohibited from possessing a firearm or ammunition.
Rucker has been 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.
In making today’s announcement U.S. Attorney Murray thanked the ATF and the Statesville Police Department for their investigation of this case.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Sanjeev Bhasker, of the U.S. Attorney’s Office in Charlotte, prosecuted the case.
This case has been brought as part of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), the U.S. Justice Department’s program to reduce violent crime. The PSN approach emphasizes coordination between state and federal prosecutors and all levels of law enforcement to address gun crime, especially felons illegally possessing firearms and ammunition and violent and drug crimes that involve the use of firearms.
St. Louis Man Sentenced to 10 Years for Aggravated Assault on a Federal Law Enforcement Officer and Brandishing a Firearm in Furtherance of a Crime of ViolenceRead the Press Release
St. Louis, MO – Myron Cornelius Wilson, Jr., 27, of St. Louis, was sentenced today to a term of 120 months imprisonment by United States District Judge Henry E. Autrey. In March 2019, Wilson pled guilty to one count of aggravated assault on a federal law enforcement officer and one count of brandishing a firearm in furtherance of a crime of violence.
According to court documents, on April 17, 2018, members of the Federal Bureau of Investigations Most Violent Offenders Unit (along with detectives with the St. Louis County Police Department) executed a search warrant in the 4100 block of Camellia in the City of St. Louis. Upon arrival at the residence, investigators observed a number of individuals seated in or near the porch area. As investigators arrived, the individuals scattered, with a number of them retreating into the residence. When FBI Task Force Officers and Special Agents approached wearing tactical vests clearly identifying them as “POLICE,” Myron Wilson, Jr. fled towards the rear entrance of the residence. Wilson then pointed a handgun at FBI personnel. FBI agents and task force officers defended themselves and others by discharging their weapons, striking Wilson and ending the threat he posed.
Wilson appeared in court in a wheelchair. He is paralyzed from the waist down as a result of this incident. Information presented at sentencing revealed that Wilson had also been shot by police in 2010 after he refused multiple commands to drop a weapon he was holding.
United States Attorney Jeff Jensen reiterated his commitment to combatting violent crime by stating, “Myron Wilson is a dangerous felon who has repeatedly demonstrated his willingness to carry guns and to use those guns against law enforcement officers and others. His conduct left agents with no choice but to protect themselves and the community.”
“From a young age, Myron Wilson repeatedly engaged in violent encounters with law enforcement demonstrating his blatant disregard for the law,” said Alicia Corder, Acting Special Agent in Charge of FBI St. Louis Division. “Today he was held accountable for his actions.”
The Federal Bureau of Investigation investigated this case.
South Lake Tahoe Man Charged in Firearms and Narcotics CrimesRead the Press Release
SACRAMENTO, Calif. — A federal grand jury returned a two-count indictment today against Christopher Louis Wadstein, 31, of South Lake Tahoe, charging him with being a felon in possession of a firearm and possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine, U.S. Attorney McGregor W. Scott announced.
According to court documents, in May 2018, burglars stole several firearms from a car parked outside a hotel in South Lake Tahoe. Not long after the theft, officers received information that the firearms were in Wadstein’s possession. Officers were able to locate a car Wadstein had rented and searched it, finding a backpack with five handguns and ammunition in it. The firearms were later confirmed to have been among those stolen from the car outside the hotel. Following his arrest, Wadstein later admitted to having received the guns and ammunition, and to stashing them in his car. Wadstein has two prior state felony convictions for endangering public safety while fleeing from the police, and one felony conviction for being a felon in possession of a firearm. Because of these convictions, Wadstein is prohibited from possessing firearms.
Wadstein was charged in El Dorado County Superior Court for his possession of the firearms, but fled before his preliminary hearing. The court issued a bench warrant for his failure to appear.
In May 2019, the South Lake Tahoe Police Department received information that Wadstein had returned to Northern California. On May 21, 2019, officers were able to locate his vehicle within Sacramento County and attempted to make a traffic stop. Instead, Wadstein fled, leading police on a high speed pursuit, during which Wadstein collided with numerous other drivers, drove the wrong way down several streets, exceeded 100 mph on surface roads, and tried to ram law enforcement vehicles. One collision caused Wadstein’s vehicle to catch fire and he was forced to abandon it, fleeing on foot. As he ran, he scattered a bag of methamphetamine he was carrying. Ultimately, he was unable to escape police on foot and surrendered. Officers later recovered approximately 335 grams of methamphetamine from the ground where Wadstein had discarded it.
This case is the product of an investigation by the South Lake Tahoe Police Department, the Bismarck Police Department, the El Dorado County District Attorney’s Office, the California Highway Patrol, and the Federal Bureau of Investigation. Assistant U.S. Attorney James R. Conolly is prosecuting the case.
If convicted of the count of being a felon in possession of a firearm, Wadstein faces a statutory maximum sentence of 10 years in prison and a $250,000 fine. If convicted of the possession of methamphetamine with the intent to distribute count, he faces a maximum statutory penalty of 40 years in prison and a $5 million fine. Any sentence, however, would be determined at the discretion of the court after consideration of any applicable statutory factors and the Federal Sentencing Guidelines, which take into account a number of variables. The charges are only allegations; the defendant is presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt.
This case is part of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), a program bringing together all levels of law enforcement and the communities they serve to reduce violent crime and make our neighborhoods safer for everyone. The Department of Justice reinvigorated PSN in 2017 as part of the Department’s renewed focus on targeting violent criminals, directing all U.S. Attorney’s Offices to work in partnership with federal, state, local, and tribal law enforcement and the local community to develop effective, locally based strategies to reduce violent crime.
Seafood Processor Pleads Guilty to Selling Foreign Crab Meat Falsely Labeled as Blue Crab from U.S.Read the Press Release
NEWPORT NEWS, Va. – A Poquson man pleaded guilty today to his participation in a lucrative conspiracy to violate the Lacey Act and falsely labelling millions of dollars-worth of foreign crab meat as “Product of USA”.
“As I stated when his father was convicted, the Caseys conspired to replace Atlantic Blue Crab with crab meat from Indonesia, China, Thailand, Vietnam, and Central and South America,” said G. Zachary Terwilliger, U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of Virginia. “Casey falsely labeled nearly 400,000 pounds of crab meat with a retail value in the millions of dollars. This fraud causes real financial harm to the fragile, maritime economies here in the region, and threatens to tarnish the good name of the watermen and women who have worked this estuary for generations. We are committed to working with our federal and state partners to ensure compliance with the Lacey Act, and to enforce our nation’s environmental laws that are in place to protect consumers from similar fraud schemes.”
According to court documents, Michael P. Casey, 42, was the Vice President for Marketing and Operations of Casey’s Seafood Inc., a wholesale processor of crab meat and other seafood. He pleaded guilty to conspiring with James R. Casey and others to substitute foreign crab meat for Atlantic blue crab. James Casey, the owner and President of Casey’s Seafood, also pleaded guilty and was sentenced in January to a 48-month term of imprisonment.
“By illegally mislabeling hundreds of thousands of pounds of crab meat, the defendant intentionally undermined the local crab processing industry – defrauding customers and, in turn, damaging the public’s trust in an industry that is important to the local economy," said Jeffrey Bossert Clark, Assistant Attorney General for Environment and Natural Resources Division. “Mr. Casey’s actions are an affront to those who play by the rules when selling blue crab, and The Department will continue to work closely with its partners to prosecute criminals who flout the rule of law.”
As part of the plea, Michael Casey admitted to knowing that Casey’s Seafood employees were directed to unpack foreign crab meat from containers and re-package that meat into containers bearing the company name and which were labeled “Product of USA.” falsely labeling more than 183 tons of crab meat, which was then sold to grocery stores and independent retailers. Casey also admitted to aiding and abetting James Casey in selling at least 367,765 pounds of crab meat falsely labeled “Product of USA,” with a total wholesale value of approximately $4,324,916.
“Seafood fraud undermines the economic viability of U.S. and global fisheries, deceives consumers, and threatens the health of those who consume tainted or misidentified seafood products,” said James Landon, Director of NOAA's Office of Law Enforcement. “This case is a great example of investigative cooperation by state and federal law enforcement to strengthen seafood fraud detection and safeguard the industry and consumers.”
A significant decline in Atlantic blue crab (Callinectes sapidus) harvests that began in 2010 made it increasingly expensive to purchase live Atlantic blue crab and increasingly difficult to profit from the labor-intensive process of picking meat from live-harvested blue crab. As part of his guilty plea, Casey admitted that, because of this decline, he and the company could not and did not process sufficient quantities of Atlantic blue crab to meet customer demands. To make up the shortfall, the co-conspirators used foreign crab meat to fulfill customer orders. During the periods when the company did not process blue crab—which sometimes lasted three months—the co-conspirators purchased crab meat (not live crabs) from Indonesia, China, Thailand, Vietnam, and other foreign locales.
“U.S. consumers expect the origin of their seafood to be correctly identified. When sellers attempt to deceive the public about their product’s origins, they put the public’s health at risk by introducing seafood of unknown origin,” said Special Agent in Charge Mark S. McCormack, FDA Office of Criminal Investigations Metro Washington Office. “When sellers are deceptive about their products’ origins, they deprive the public of important information about their purchasing decisions. We will continue to investigate and bring to justice those who put profits above fair dealing.”
The crab meat from Indonesia, China, Thailand, and Vietnam included meat from Portunus pelagicus, Portunus haanii, and Ovalipes punctatus, which are all Indo-West Pacific species of crab that do not live in the continental waters of the United States. The company also purchased crab meat (not live crabs) from Central American sources, which did include Atlantic blue crab, Callinectes sapidus, but also included other species such as Callinectes bocourti, Callinectes bellicosis, Callinectes toxotes, and Callinectes arcuatus.
As part of the guilty plea, Casey further admitted that beginning at least as early as 2010, and continuing through June 17, 2015, he was aware that company employees had been directed to unpack foreign crab meat from suppliers’ containers, comingle it with domestic blue crab and/or other types of crab, and re-pack that crab meat into Casey’s Seafood containers, all of which were labeled “Product of USA”.
As part of the plea, Casey admitted that part of the conspiracy was to purchase discounted foreign crab meat, some of which was referred to as “distressed” because it was approaching or beyond its posted “best used by” dates. Casey admitted to knowing that company employees “re-conditioned” the “distressed” crab meat by re-pasteurizing it, and then packaging the “re-conditioned” meat into the company’s containers, which were labeled and sold as blue crab and “Product of USA.” Casey also was aware that employees placed labels with “Product of USA” on containers that concealed labels marked as “Product of China” and “Product of Brazil”.
Casey pleaded guilty to conspiring to violate the Lacey Act and faces a maximum penalty of five years in prison when sentenced on November 14. Actual sentences for federal crimes are typically less than the maximum penalties. A federal district court judge will determine any sentence after taking into account the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors.
This case was part of an ongoing effort by the Department of Commerce’s National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration Office of Law Enforcement, in coordination with the Food and Drug Administration Office of Criminal Investigations, the Virginia Marine Police, and the Department of Justice to detect, deter, and prosecute those engaged in the false labeling of crab meat.
G. Zachary Terwilliger, U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of Virginia, Jeffrey Bossert Clark, Assistant Attorney General for Environment and Natural Resources Division, Logan Gregory, Special Agent in Charge for NOAA’s Office of Law Enforcement’s Northeast Division, Mark S. McCormack, Special Agent in Charge, FDA Office of Criminal Investigations, Metro Washington Field Office, and Michael K. Lamonea, Assistant Special Agent in Charge of U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s (ICE) Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) Norfolk, made the announcement after U.S. Magistrate Judge Douglas E. Miller accepted the plea. Assistant U.S. Attorney Eric M. Hurt and Trial Attorney Gary Donner of the Justice Department’s Environmental and Natural Resources Division are prosecuting this case.
A copy of this press release is located on the website of the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of Virginia. Related court documents and information are located on the website of the District Court for the Eastern District of Virginia or on PACER by searching for Case No. 4:19-cr-67.
Seafood Processor Pleads Guilty to Selling Foreign Crab Meat Falsely Labeled as Blue Crab from USARead the Press Release
Michael P. Casey of Poquoson, Virginia, pleaded guilty today in federal court in Newport News, Virginia, on charges stemming from his participation in a lucrative conspiracy to falsely label millions of dollars-worth of foreign crab meat as “Product of USA.”
“By illegally mislabeling hundreds of thousands of pounds of crab meat, the defendant intentionally undermined the local crab processing industry – defrauding customers and, in turn, damaging the public’s trust in an industry that is important to the local economy,” said Assistant Attorney General Jeffrey Bossert Clark for the Justice Department's Environment and Natural Resources Division. “Mr. Casey’s actions are an affront to those who play by the rules when selling blue crab, and The Department will continue to work closely with its partners to prosecute criminals who flout the rule of law.”
“As I stated when his father was convicted, the Caseys conspired to replace Atlantic Blue Crab with crab meat from Indonesia, China, Thailand, Vietnam, and Central and South America,” said G. Zachary Terwilliger, U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of Virginia. “Casey falsely labeled nearly 400,000 pounds of crab meat with a retail value in the millions of dollars. This fraud causes real financial harm to the fragile, maritime economies here in the region, and threatens to tarnish the good name of the watermen and women who have worked this estuary for generations. We are committed to working with our federal and state partners to ensure compliance with the Lacey Act, and to enforce our nation’s environmental laws that are in place to protect consumers from similar fraud schemes.”
“Seafood fraud undermines the economic viability of U.S. and global fisheries, deceives consumers, and threatens the health of those who consume tainted or misidentified seafood products,” said James Landon, Director of NOAA's Office of Law Enforcement. “This case is a great example of investigative cooperation by state and federal law enforcement to strengthen seafood fraud detection and safeguard the industry and consumers.”
“U.S. consumers expect the origin of their seafood to be correctly identified. When sellers attempt to deceive the public about their product’s origins, they put the public’s health at risk by introducing seafood of unknown origin,” said Special Agent in Charge Mark S. McCormack, FDA Office of Criminal Investigations Metro Washington Office. “When sellers are deceptive about their products’ origins, they deprive the public of important information about their purchasing decisions. We will continue to investigate and bring to justice those who put profits above fair dealing.”
Casey was the Vice President for Marketing and Operations of Casey’s Seafood Inc., a wholesale processor of crab meat and other seafood. He pleaded guilty to conspiring with James R. Casey and others to substitute foreign crab meat for Atlantic blue crab. James Casey, the owner and President of Casey’s Seafood, also pleaded guilty and was sentenced in January to a 48-month term of imprisonment.
As part of the plea, Michael Casey admitted to knowing that Casey’s Seafood employees were directed to unpack foreign crab meat from containers and re-package that meat into containers bearing the company name and which were labeled “Product of USA.” falsely labeling more than 183 tons of crab meat, which was then sold to grocery stores and independent retailers. Casey also admitted to aiding and abetting James Casey in selling at least 367,765 pounds of crab meat falsely labeled “Product of USA,” with a total wholesale value of approximately $4,324,916.
A significant decline in Atlantic blue crab (Callinectes sapidus) harvests that began in 2010 made it increasingly expensive to purchase live Atlantic blue crab and increasingly difficult to profit from the labor-intensive process of picking meat from live-harvested blue crab. As part of his guilty plea, Casey admitted that, because of this decline, he and the company could not and did not process sufficient quantities of Atlantic blue crab to meet customer demands. To make up the shortfall, the co-conspirators used foreign crab meat to fulfill customer orders. During the periods when the company did not process blue crab—which sometimes lasted three months—the co-conspirators purchased crab meat (not live crabs) from Indonesia, China, Thailand, Vietnam, and other foreign locales.
The crab meat from Indonesia, China, Thailand, and Vietnam included meat from Portunus pelagicus, Portunus haanii, and Ovalipes punctatus, which are all Indo-West Pacific species of crab that do not live in the continental waters of the United States. The company also purchased crab meat (not live crabs) from Central American sources, which did include Atlantic blue crab, Callinectes sapidus, but also included other species such as Callinectes bocourti, Callinectes bellicosis, Callinectes toxotes, and Callinectes arcuatus.
As part of the guilty plea, Casey further admitted that beginning at least as early as 2010, and continuing through June 17, 2015, he was aware that company employees had been directed to unpack foreign crab meat from suppliers’ containers, comingle it with domestic blue crab and/or other types of crab, and re-pack that crab meat into Casey’s Seafood containers, all of which were labeled “Product of USA.”
As part of the plea, Casey admitted that part of the conspiracy was to purchase discounted foreign crab meat, some of which was referred to as “distressed” because it was approaching or beyond its posted “best used by” dates. Casey admitted to knowing that company employees “re-conditioned” the “distressed” crab meat by re-pasteurizing it, and then packaging the “re-conditioned” meat into the company’s containers, which were labeled and sold as blue crab and “Product of USA.” Casey also was aware that employees placed labels with “Product of USA” on containers that concealed labels marked as “Product of China” and “Product of Brazil.”
This case was part of an ongoing effort by the Department of Commerce’s National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration Office of Law Enforcement, in coordination with the Food and Drug Administration, the Department of Homeland Security – Office of Investigations, the Virginia Marine Police, and the Department of Justice to detect, deter, and prosecute those engaged in the false labeling of crab meat.
The guilty plea took place before U.S. Magistrate Judge Douglas E. Miller in Newport News. Sentencing will take place on Nov. 14, 2019. The maximum sentence for conspiracy to falsely label crab meat is five years in prison and a fine of up to half the gross gain of the offense.
The investigation is continuing. This prosecution is being handled by the Justice Department’s Environmental Crimes Section and the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of Virginia. The government is represented by Assistant United States Attorney Eric Hurt and Trial Attorney Gary N. Donner.
San Jose Man Pleads Guilty to Illegally Possessing Firearm as A Convicted FelonRead the Press Release
SAN JOSE– Michael Anthony Lamb pleaded guilty in federal court today to being a felon in possession of a firearm, announced U.S. Attorney David L. Anderson and Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives (ATF) Special Agent in Charge Rayfield Roundtree. The guilty plea was accepted by the Honorable Lucy H. Koh, U.S. District Judge.
According to his plea agreement, Lamb, 28, of San Jose, admitted that on February 6, 2018, he was drinking beer out of a beer can while sitting on a planter box on a VTA light rail platform in San Jose when he noticed two law enforcement officers approaching him. Lamb saw one of the officers wave at him and ask him to approach. Instead, Lamb picked up his backpack and ran. Lamb admitted that he ran because he knew he would get in trouble were he to be arrested. Specifically, Lamb knew he was a convicted felon who was not entitled to possess a firearm and still he had in his possession a loaded 9mm Kel-Tec PF-9 pistol with seven full-metal jacket 9mm ammunition rounds in the magazine. He also had in his possession approximately four grams of cocaine and a jar containing approximately 53 grams of marijuana buds. While running away, Lamb heard the officers order him to stop. Instead of stopping, Lamb continued to run, threw the loaded gun into some nearby bushes, and threw his backpack aside. Shortly thereafter, an officer arrested Lamb. Also, his firearm and backpack were recovered.
On June 27, 2019, Lamb was charged by information with one count of being a felon in possession of a firearm and ammunition, in violation of 18 U.S.C. § 922(g)(1). Lamb pleaded guilty to the charge.
Lamb has been in custody since March 11, 2019. Judge Koh scheduled his sentencing hearing for January 15, 2020. Lamb faces a statutory maximum sentence of ten years in prison and a fine of up to $250,000. In addition, Judge Koh also may order that defendant serve an additional period of supervised release of up to three years. However, any sentence will be imposed by the court only after consideration of the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and the federal statute governing the imposition of a sentence, 18 U.S.C. § 3553.
Assistant United States Attorney Jeff Nedrow is prosecuting the case with the assistance of Susan Kreider. The prosecution is the result of an investigation conducted by the ATF and the Santa Clara County Sheriff’s Office.
School Bus Driver Who Endangered 25 Navajo Children by Driving While Intoxicated Sentenced to 18 Months in Federal PrisonRead the Press Release
ALBUQUERQUE – Duane Aaron Skeet, 49, an enrolled member of the Navajo Nation who resides in Chichiltah, NM, was sentenced yesterday in federal court in Albuquerque, NM for his conviction on a felony child abuse charge. Skeet was sentenced to 18 months in federal prison followed by a year of supervised release for endangering the lives and health of 25 Navajo children who were under his care while he was operating a school bus under the influence of alcohol.
Skeet previously pleaded guilty to this child abuse offense on March 26, 2019. In his plea agreement, Skeet admitted that on the afternoon of Sept. 24, 2018, while he was employed as a school bus driver by the Bureau of Indian Education, he consumed alcohol before arriving for work at the Chi Chi Tah Jones Ranch School, which is located on the Navajo Indian Reservation. Skeet acknowledged that he was intoxicated as he drove away from the school in a school bus with 25 Navajo children, ranging from five to 12 years in age, on board.
According to court records, due to Skeet’s intoxicated state, the school bus swerved from side to side on the roadway. Skeet continued driving the school bus in a damaged condition after hitting an embankment; almost flipped the bus while taking a sharp turn at a high rate of speed; and almost drove off a bridge near a canyon. At times, children were thrown back and forth inside of the bus, although none suffered bodily harm. Skeet’s bus route lasted almost 1 hour and covered approximately twenty-five miles with eight stops along at which children were dropped off, fortunately without injury.
The Window Rock office of the Navajo Nation Division of Public Safety investigated this case with the assistance of the McKinley County Sheriff’s Office and the New Mexico State Police. Assistant U.S. Attorney David P. Cowen prosecuted the case.
Registered Sex Offender Sent to Prison for Trafficking AgainRead the Press Release
HOUSTON – A 45-year-old Houston man has been ordered to prison following his second conviction related to sex trafficking of minors, announced U.S. Attorney Ryan K. Patrick.
Ronnie Presley, originally from Wichita, Kansas, pleaded guilty March 14, 2019.
Today, U.S. District Judge Alfred Bennett considered Presley’s criminal history, his actions as they related to the exploitation of the minor victim as well as his personal history. The court then imposed a 270-month sentence to be followed by 20 years of supervised release. He will again be ordered to register as a sex offender.
In handing down the lengthy sentence, Judge Bennett noted that while Presley did not perpetrate acts of violence upon the minor victim, her sexual exploitation constituted repeated acts of violence. The court commented that this victim is somebody’s daughter, sister and granddaughter and should not have been caused to engage in commercial sex for anyone’s benefit.
Presley was previously convicted Oct. 4, 2012, of conspiracy to commit sex trafficking, coercion and enticement, and transportation as part of Operation Total Exposure. He was later sentenced to 96 months in prison.
While on supervised release for those offenses, a federal grand jury indicted him in 2017 for similar offenses. Once released from prison for the 2012 conviction, Presley had violated his supervised release and was sentenced to 11 months imprisonment.
While serving that sentence, Presley continued to cause a minor female to engage in commercial sex. Via jail calls and communications with third parties, Presley continued to control the minor victim. In one particular instance, the minor went to the detention facility where Presley was incarcerated and added money to his commissary account.
Presley 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 led the investigation as part of the Human Trafficking Rescue Alliance (HTRA).
HTRA law enforcement includes members of the Houston Police Department, FBI, Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s Homeland Security Investigations, Texas Attorney General’s Office, IRS-Criminal Investigation, Department of Labor, Department of State, Texas Alcoholic and Beverage Commission, Texas Department of Public Safety, Coast Guard and sheriff’s offices in Harris and Montgomery counties in coordination with District Attorney’s offices in Harris, Montgomery and Fort Bend Counties.
Established in 2004, the United States Attorney’s office in Houston formed HTRA to combine resources with federal, state and local enforcement agencies and prosecutors, as well as non-governmental service organizations to target human traffickers while providing necessary services to those that the traffickers victimized. Since its inception, HTRA has been recognized as both a national and international model in identifying and assisting victims of human trafficking and prosecuting those engaged in trafficking offenses.
Assistant U.S. Attorneys Sherri L. Zack and Kimberly A. Leo prosecuted the case.
Registered Sex Offender Enters Guilty Plea in “Sextortion” CaseRead the Press Release
United States Attorney Erica H. MacDonald today announced the guilty plea of DYLAN MATTHEW DELING, a/k/a “Jason Keens,” a/k/a “Dylan Nash,” 20, to one count of production of child pornography and one count of extortion. DELING entered his guilty plea today before Judge Wilhelmina M. Wright in U.S. District Court in St. Paul, Minnesota.
“Young people are faced with online threats and abuse unlike ever before. Sadly, law enforcement is seeing an increase in these types of cases– the sly tactics, the coercion, the threats, are all tools employed by online predators such as Mr. Deling,” said U.S. Attorney Erica MacDonald. “Our stance is aggressive when it comes to the investigation and prosecution of these cases and we will remain proactive in our efforts to build awareness around the issue of sextortion.”
According to the defendant’s guilty plea and documents filed in court, between October 2017 and August 2, 2018, DELING used multiple social media and chat platforms, including Snapchat, Facebook, Instagram, Kik, and Skype, as well as text messages to carry out his sextortion scheme. Sextortion is the act of extorting sexually explicit images and videos from a victim by threatening to reveal a victim’s sexually explicit chats, images, or videos, or through threats of harm to the victim or the victim’s loved ones. In the course of his scheme, DELING sextorted more than 40 minor girls whom he knew to be or believed were between 11 and 17 years old.
According to the defendant’s guilty plea and documents filed in court, DELING, using multiple usernames and accounts, employed several different techniques to attempt to and to obtain child pornography from minor girls. One technique DELING used was offering compliments and expressions of affection to the minor girls to persuade them into creating sexually explicit images of themselves. In many instances, DELING threatened to and actually did disseminate sexually explicit images of the girls to their friends and family if the girls refused to provide him with sexually explicit images. In other instances, DELING threatened to send his associates to rape, kidnap, injure, or kill the girls or their loved ones. To underscore his threats, DELING sent screenshots of maps of the girls’ residences, family members’ contact information, and other identifying information to the girls, as well as posting the information online. In at least one instance, DELING obtained sexually explicit images through a friend of one of the girls.
This case is the result of an investigation conducted by the FBI, in coordination with multiple state and local law enforcement agencies inside and outside of Minnesota.
This case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Miranda E Dugi.
Defendant Information:
DYLAN MATTHEW DELING, a/k/a “Jason Keens,” a/k/a “Dylan Nash,” 20
Fairmont, Minn.
Convicted:
- Production of child pornography, 1 count
- Interstate communication with intent to extort, 1 count
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United States Attorney’s Office, District of Minnesota: (612) 664-5600
Pittsburgh Man Sentenced to 23 Years in Prison for Running Drug Trafficking Ring and Distributing Heroin and Fentanyl Resulting in Two Deaths and One Non-Fatal OverdoseRead the Press Release
PITTSBURGH, Pa – A former resident of Pittsburgh, PA was sentenced to 23 years (276 months) in prison and six years of supervised release for violating federal narcotics laws, including three charges of distribution of heroin and fentanyl resulting in serious bodily injury and death, United States Attorney Scott W. Brady announced today.
Senior United States District Judge Arthur Schwab imposed the sentence on Justin McBride, 27, on counts of Conspiracy To Possess With The Intent To Distribute 40 Grams or More of Fentanyl and 100 Grams or More of Heroin, Possession With The Intent To Distribute Heroin and Fentanyl, Maintaining a Drug Involved Premises, and Distribution of Fentanyl resulting in the death of victim E.B. McBride previously, as part of the plea, accepted responsibility for distribution resulting in the death of victim T.B. and the serious bodily injury overdose of victim J.B.
According to information presented to the court, Brad and Greg Reed, Justin McBride, Richard Ruby, and Antoinette McBride operated a family-run heroin and fentanyl ring in the City of Pittsburgh and Allegheny County from 2014 – 2017. Brad and Greg Reed ran the operation out of a home on Lytle Street in Pittsburgh while Justin McBride and Antoinette McBride utilized a location in Munhall, PA, and Richard Ruby at a residence on Glenwood Avenue in Pittsburgh. Utilizing these locations and others, members of this drug trafficking ring sold to hundreds of drug customers in Allegheny County. On October 4, 2016, Justin McBride distributed fentanyl to victim, E.B. who later died of acute fentanyl toxicity. On January 30, 2017, Justin McBride distributed a mixture of heroin and fentanyl to victim T.B. who later died of a combined drug toxicity of heroin and fentanyl. Pittsburgh Police Narcotics and Vice detectives were able to use victim T.B.’s phone in order to set up an undercover purchase of narcotics from Justin McBride. On January 31, Justin McBride was arrested attempting to deliver heroin and fentanyl to an undercover Pittsburgh Police Narcotics and Vice detective. On July 8, 2017, Justin McBride delivered fentanyl to victim J.B. who overdosed on the fentanyl, but was revived by EMS personnel using Narcan.
Co-defendant Richard Ruby was previously sentenced to 12½ years on a separate, but related indictment and a concurrent five-year sentence on this Indictment. Co-defendant Antoinette McBride was sentenced to time-served of one year and two months and three years of supervised release. Co-defendants Greg and Brad Reed were previously sentenced to 13 years and 16 years and three years of supervised release, respectively. Justin McBride’s sentence is believed to be the longest sentence imposed in the Western District of Pennsylvania for distribution of heroin or fentanyl resulting in serious bodily injury and death.
Assistant United States Attorneys Timothy Lanni and Heidi Grogan are prosecuting this case on behalf of the government.
The Federal Bureau of Investigation – Western District of Pennsylvania Opioid Task Force, Pittsburgh Bureau of Police – Narcotics and Vice Division, and West Mifflin Police Department conducted the investigation leading to the guilty pleas and sentences in this case. The FBI Opioid Task Force is comprised of FBI Special Agents and state and local Task Force Officers, including officers from the Pittsburgh Bureau of Police, Allegheny County Sheriff’s Department, Allegheny County Police, Port Authority Police, Munhall Police Department, Sto-Rox Police Department, and the Pennsylvania Attorney General’s Office.
Pharmaceutical Distributor & Executives, Pharmacists Charged with Unlawfully Distributing PainkillersRead the Press Release
CINCINNATI – A federal grand jury has charged a pharmaceutical distributor, two of its former officials and two pharmacists with conspiring to distribute controlled substances in an indictment returned here yesterday.
Four individuals have been charged, including Miami-Luken’s former president and compliance officer and two West Virginia pharmacists.
Those charged include:
- Anthony Rattini, 71, of Colorado Springs, Colo., the former president of Miami-Luken;
- James Barclay, 72, of Springboro, Ohio, the former compliance officer of Miami-Luken;
- Devonna Miller-West, 49, of Oceana, W.Va., a pharmacist who owned and operated Westside Pharmacy in Oceana, Wva.; and
- Samuel “Randy” Ballengee, 54, of Lovely, Ky., a pharmacist who owned and operated Tug Valley Pharmacy in Williamson, Wva.
Benjamin C. Glassman, United States Attorney for the Southern District of Ohio, Keith Martin, Acting Special Agent in Charge, Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) and Lamont Pugh III, Special Agent in Charge, U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Office of Inspector General announced the charges.
Miami-Luken supplied pharmaceuticals to more than 200 pharmacies in Ohio, West Virginia, Indiana and Tennessee.
From 2008 until 2015, the company generated more than $173 million in consolidated sales per year. More than 70 percent of the profits came from wholesale distribution.
According to the indictment, Rattini, Barclay and Miami-Luken sought to enrich themselves by distributing millions of painkillers to doctors and pharmacies in rural Appalachia, where the opioid epidemic was at its peak.
The distributor and its officials allegedly continued to distribute millions of pills to Westside, Tug Valley and other pharmacies even after being advised by the DEA of their responsibilities as a wholesaler to ensure drugs were not being diverted and to report suspicious orders.
It is alleged they filled suspicious orders placed by Miller-West, Ballengee and others.
For example, Rattini, Barclay and Miami-Luken allegedly ignored obvious signs of abuse by distributing more than 2.3 million oxycodone pills and 2.6 hydrocodone pills to Miller-West’s pharmacy in a town of approximately 1,394 people.
Ballengee’s pharmacy allegedly received more than 120,000 painkiller pills from Miami-Luken in one month. From 2008 through 2014, Miami-Luken distributed more than 6 million hydrocodone pills to Tug Valley Pharmacy.
The wholesaler allegedly provided another 2.2 million pills from 2012 through 2014 to another pharmacy that had been cut off from other wholesalers.
From 2008 through 2011, Miami-Luken allegedly distributed more than 3.7 million hydrocodone pills to a pharmacy in Kermit, W.Va., a town of 400 people.
Each of the defendants and Miami-Luken, Inc. is charged with conspiring to illegally distribute controlled substances, a crime punishable by up to 20 years in prison.
U.S. Attorney Glassman commended the investigation of this case by the DEA and HHS-OIG, as well as Assistant United States Attorneys Timothy D. Oakley and Maritsa A. Flaherty, who are prosecuting the case.
An indictment merely contains allegations, and the defendants are presumed innocent unless proven guilty in a court of law.
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Penn Hills Man Sentenced to 15 Years for Role in Multi-District Drug Distribution NetworkRead the Press Release
PITTSBURGH - A resident of Penn Hills, Pennsylvania, has been sentenced in federal court to 15 years (180 months) in prison, followed by 10 years of supervised release, on his conviction of violating federal narcotics laws, United States Attorney Scott W. Brady announced today.
United States District Judge Nora Barry Fischer imposed the sentence on Angelo Massie, 41, of Penn Hills, Pennsylvania. According to information presented to the Court, from in and around November 2015, and continuing thereafter to in and around September 2016, Massie conspired with others to distribute and possess with intent to distribute more than one kilogram of heroin, a Schedule I controlled substance.
The indictments from August 2016 were the result of an investigation, which utilized Title III wiretap intercepts and other investigative techniques that established the existence of several overlapping and interrelated drug distribution networks with tentacles in the Western District of Pennsylvania, Northern District of Ohio, Eastern District of Michigan, and the District of the Virgin Islands. The FBI Greater Pittsburgh Safe Streets Task Force’s focus began in early 2015 on a drug trafficking organization operating on Pittsburgh’s North Side and thereafter they were able to track drug suppliers beyond the borders of their own district and across the Caribbean Sea.
Assistant United States Attorney Yvonne M. Saadi is prosecuting this case on behalf of the government.
The Allegheny County District Attorney Narcotics Enforcement Team – Narcotics, Firearms, & Violent Crime Task Force, as well as the Pennsylvania Office of the Attorney General – Bureau of Criminal Investigations, Organized Crime Section – Western Regional Office contributed significantly to the investigation, which resulted in the instant sentence.
This case grew out of a federally administered Organized Crime and Drug Enforcement Task Force (OCDETF) investigation that resulted in several federal indictments in August of 2016. The OCDETF task force is headed by the Federal Bureau of Investigation and is comprised of members drawn from the FBI Greater Pittsburgh Safe Streets Task Force including the Pittsburgh Bureau of Police, Wilkinsburg Police Department, Allegheny County Sheriff’s Office, and the Allegheny County Police Department. Substantial assistance was provided by FBI San Juan, Puerto Rico (St. Thomas Resident Agency, U.S. Virgin Islands) and the United States Postal Inspection Service. Numerous other FBI field offices, including Detroit, Cleveland, New York, and Atlanta, in addition to the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, and Firearms, also assisted with this investigation. The OCDETF program supplies critical federal funding and coordination that allows federal and state agencies to work together to successfully identify, investigate, and prosecute major interstate and international drug trafficking organizations and other criminal enterprises.
Ontario Woman Pleads Guilty to Smuggling Two Aliens into the United States in LewistonRead 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 Mary Ann Langridge, 63, of Toronto, Ontario, pleaded guilty before U.S. District Judge Lawrence J. Vilardo to attempted transportation within the United States of an illegal alien for private financial gain. The charge carries a maximum penalty of 10 years in prison, and a $250,000 fine.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Jonathan P. Cantil, who is handling the case, stated that on May 21, 2019, Rosa Guadelupe Lopez-Gonsalez, a Mexican citizen, and Leonardo Jiminez-De La Rosa, a Dominican Republic citizen, entered the United States at a boat dock in Lewiston, NY, without authorization and in violation of the law. Langridge met Lopez-Gonsalez and Jiminez-De La Rosa at the boat dock and attempted to transport the two aliens to the Seneca Niagara Casino in Niagara Falls, NY via automobile. The defendant participated in this offense in exchange for $500.00 United States currency.
Rosa Guadelupe Lopez-Gonsalez and Leonardo Jiminez-De La Rosa are facing immigration proceedings.
The plea is the result of plea is the result of an investigation by U.S. Border Patrol, under the direction of Patrol Agent-in-Charge Josh Barrett.
Sentencing is scheduled for December 12, 2019, before Judge Vilardo.
Oakland Man Sentenced to 30 Months in Prison for Possessing Explosive DeviceRead the Press Release
OAKLAND – Giovonni Gaines was sentenced today to 30 months in prison for possession of an unregistered firearm, announced United States Attorney David L. Anderson and Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) Special Agent In Charge John F. Bennett. The sentence was handed down by the Hon. Yvonne Gonzalez Rogers, U.S. District Judge.
Gaines, 23, of Oakland, pleaded guilty to the charge on April 4, 2019. According to his plea agreement, weeks before July 23, 2018, Gaines bought an explosive device from somebody in his neighborhood. The device was comprised of a metallic substance capped at both ends, was one inch in diameter, was six inches long, and contained an explosive charge. On July 23, 2018, he traveled by bicycle with the device in a backpack to a protest near the 1900 block of Broadway in Oakland. There were approximately 1000 people and dozens of law enforcement officers present. Gaines saw officers from the Oakland Police Department clashing with some protesters and took the device out of his backpack. He lit the device and handed it to a juvenile near him. Gaines admitted he instructed the juvenile to throw the device toward law enforcement officers to create a distraction and disrupt the officers’ efforts to maintain a peaceful protest. The juvenile threw the device and it exploded. Gaines acknowledged that he heard the blast and later learned the explosion injured approximately ten officers and caused damage to Oakland Police Department property.
On December 21, 2018, Gaines was charged by Information with one count of possessing an unregistered firearm, in violation of 26 U.S.C. § 5861(d). Gaines pleaded guilty to the charge.
In addition to the prison term, Judge Gonzalez Rogers sentenced the defendant to a three-year period of supervised release. Judge Gonzalez Rogers ordered the defendant to surrender on a date in September to begin serving his prison term.
The case is being prosecuted by the Special Prosecutions and National Security Unit of the U.S. Attorney’s Office in San Francisco and investigated by the FBI.
Nine men indicted on federal charges in child sex trafficking stingRead the Press Release
BRUNSWICK, GA: Nine men snared in a child sex trafficking sting have been indicted on federal charges.
Operation Do You Know Your Neighbor, coordinated by the Georgia Bureau of Investigation’s Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force in late March, targeted adults who were seeking children for indecent purposes, said Bobby L. Christine, U.S. Attorney for the Southern District of Georgia.
“It’s always troubling that there are adults who seek to prey on underage children for their own gratification,” Christine said. “Anyone with such disturbing proclivities should be reminded that our law enforcement agencies are diligent in their efforts to find them and prevent the exploitation of innocent children.”
Those indicted on federal charges in the sting include:
Daven Jones, 29, of Jacksonville, is charged with Attempted Coercion and Enticement; Travel with Intent to Engage in Illicit Sexual Activity; and Attempted Transfer of Obscene Matter to a Minor;
John Torrance, 35, of Naples, Fla., is charged with Attempted Coercion and Enticement; Travel with Intent to Engage in Illicit Sexual Activity; and Attempted Transfer of Obscene Matter to a Minor;
Joshua Weaver, 34, of St. Marys, Ga., is charged with Attempted Coercion and Enticement, and Attempted Transfer of Obscene Matter to a Minor;
Dylan Wescott, 27, of Orange Park, Fla., is charged with Attempted Coercion and Enticement, and Travel with Intent to Engage in Illicit Sexual Activity;
Charles Barreras, 48, of Kingsland, Ga., charged with Attempted Coercion and Enticement;
Matthew Coffey, 37, of Brunswick, Ga., is charged with Attempted Coercion and Enticement;
Alvaro Hernandez, 35, of Bristol, Ga., is charged with Attempted Coercion and Enticement;
Marquise Little, 22, of Kingsland, Ga., is charged with Attempted Coercion and Enticement; and,
Trevor Rountree, 28, of Orange Park, Fla., is charged with Attempted Coercion and Enticement.
Charges in the indictments carry possible penalties of 10 years to life in prison.
“The success of this operation comes from the strong partnership NCIS shares with the Georgia Bureau of Investigation and the Camden County Sheriff’s Office,” said NCIS Southeast Field Office Special Agent in Charge Matt Lascell. “We are dedicated to combating child sexual crimes that endanger Department of the Navy families and the citizens of Georgia.”
Camden County Sheriff Jim Proctor said, “The investigation conducted by federal, state and local agencies is an example of how a cooperative effort by law enforcement protects the youth from those who attempt to prey upon the children of our communities.“
Indictments contain only charges. All defendants are considered innocent unless and until proven guilty in court.
The sting was set up by the Naval Criminal Investigative Service and the GBI’s Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force for the purpose of identifying adults who were seeking out children for indecent purposes. Other agencies participating in the investigation included the Camden County Sheriff’s Office, the Kingsland Police Department, the Effingham County Sheriff’s Office and the Savannah Police Department.
The cases are being prosecuted for the United States by Assistant U.S. Attorney Marcela Mateo and Special Assistant U.S. Attorney Katelyn Semales.
New Orleans Man Sentenced for Violating Federal Gun Control ActRead the Press Release
NEW ORLEANS – U.S. Attorney Peter G. Strasser announced that CHARLES BROWN, age 30, of New Orleans, was sentenced on Thursday, July 11, 2019 for being a felon in possession of a firearm.
According to court documents, CHARLES BROWN had another individual purchase a firearm for him from the Jefferson Gun Outlet on or about July 27, 2018. That same day, BROWN was stopped in a vehicle while he was in possession of that firearm. BROWN was prohibited from possessing firearms because of a felony conviction.
U.S. District Court Judge Vitter sentenced BROWN to 30 months imprisonment, 3 years of supervised release following imprisonment, and a mandatory special assessment of $100.00.
Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN) is the centerpiece of the Department of Justice’s violent crime reduction efforts. PSN is an evidence-based program proven to be effective at reducing violent crime. Through PSN, a broad spectrum of stakeholders work together to identify the most pressing violent crime problems in the community and develop comprehensive solutions to address them. As part of this strategy, PSN focuses enforcement efforts on the most violent offenders and partners with locally based prevention and reentry programs for lasting reductions in crime.
U. S. Attorney Strasser praised the work of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives and the Jefferson Parish Sheriff’s Office in investigating this matter. The case is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Maria M. Carboni.
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Montgomery County Personal Injury Attorney Charged with Mail FraudRead the Press Release
PHILADELPHIA – United States Attorney William M. McSwain announced that Neil I. Mittin, age 64, of Huntingdon Valley, Pennsylvania was charged by Information with one count of mail fraud. The defendant was an attorney who worked for approximately 38 years as an associate for a Philadelphia, Pennsylvania law firm (“the Law Firm”). The Law Firm specialized in representing plaintiffs in personal injury matters while also representing individuals in other types of legal matters.
As detailed in the Information, over the course of approximately a decade, from 2008 through 2018, Mittin engaged in a scheme to steal numerous personal injury and other legal matters from the Law Firm by removing them from the Law Firm and referring them to outside attorneys. The clients of the Law Firm whose matters Mittin stole did not ask him to refer their matters to outside attorneys, and often did not know or understand that Mittin was referring their matters to outside attorneys. The defendant concealed his conduct from the Law Firm by closing the files for those matters and making it appear in the records of the Law Firm that there was no settlement or resolution and that the cases were not viable.
Following the fraudulent referrals, the other outside attorneys to whom Mittin referred these matters then undertook the representation of the former clients of the Law Firm and attempted to resolve the matters with a settlement or a trial. If the matter was resolved successfully, those attorneys paid Mittin a referral fee, on average, of between 33 and 40 percent of the contingency fees obtained by the attorneys plus reimbursement of the costs incurred by the Law Firm before Mittin had referred the cases to the other attorneys. The defendant pocketed the payments from the outside firms, including the reimbursement for costs incurred by the Law Firm, and did not disclose to the Law Firm that the matters were resolved in this fashion.
The personal injury and other legal matters that the defendant referred to other lawyers generated approximately $10,800,000 in financial recoveries for the former clients of the Law Firm. As a result of this scheme, Mittin defrauded the Law Firm of approximately $4,200,000 in legal fees and costs, including the share of those fees and costs that he obtained from the outside lawyers.
“Attorneys of any kind, public or private, take an oath to act in accordance with the law – they are and should be held to a high standard of conduct,” said U.S. Attorney McSwain. “As alleged, the defendant defrauded his employer of millions of dollars, which is illegal conduct for an employee in any line of work, but is especially egregious for a lawyer.”
“Mittin allegedly diverted millions of dollars of business from his longtime employer, for his own benefit,” said Michael T. Harpster, Special Agent in Charge of the FBI’s Philadelphia Division. “Anyone willing to break the law and commit such fraud will be investigated and properly held accountable.”
If convicted, the defendant faces a maximum possible sentence of 20 years in prison.
The case was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation, and is being prosecuted by Deputy United States Attorney Louis D. Lappen.
An indictment, information, or criminal complaint is an accusation. A defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.
Mission Man Charged with Failure to Register as a Sex OffenderRead the Press Release
United States Attorney Ron Parsons announced that a Mission, South Dakota, man has been indicted by a federal grand jury for Failure to Register as a Sex Offender.
Adrian Fast Dog, age 40, was indicted on July 16, 2019. He appeared before U.S. Magistrate Judge Mark A. Moreno on July 17, 2019, and pled not guilty to the Indictment.
The maximum penalty upon conviction is 10 years in federal prison and/or a $250,000 fine, a lifetime of supervised release, and $100 to the Federal Crime Victims Fund. Restitution may also be ordered.
The Indictment alleges that between February 1, 2019, and April 9, 2019, Fast Dog failed to register as a sex offender and update his sex offender registration as required.
The charge is merely an accusation and Fast Dog is presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty.
The investigation is being conducted by the U.S. Marshals Service. Assistant U.S. Attorney Cameron J. Cook is prosecuting the case.
Fast Dog was remanded to the custody of the U.S. Marshals Service pending trial. A trial date has not been set.
Milwaukee Man Sentenced to 21 Months for Credit Card FraudRead the Press Release
MADISON, WIS. – Scott C. Blader, United States Attorney for the Western District of Wisconsin, announced that Gregory Bethea, 51, Milwaukee, was sentenced yesterday by U.S. District Judge William M. Conley to 21 months in federal prison for credit card fraud. Bethea was also ordered to pay $62,888.48 in restitution to Discover Financial Services.
In April 2014, law enforcement was contacted by a Sam’s Club and Walmart fraud investigator, who requested assistance with an ongoing credit card fraud investigation. Review of surveillance camera footage from Walmart and Sam’s Club stores helped law enforcement identify Bethea as the person using fraudulently obtained credit cards to purchase merchandise at retailers throughout Wisconsin and Michigan. Bethea purchased various items with the fraudulent credit cards, including food items, iPads, video gaming systems, clothing, computers, and electronics.
The charge against Bethea was the result of an investigation conducted by the U.S. Secret Service. The prosecution of the case has been handled by Assistant U.S. Attorney Julie Pfluger.
Milford Man Sentenced to 30 Months in Federal Prison for Defrauding Elderly IndividiualRead the Press Release
John H. Durham, United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut, announced that CHRISTOPHER J. SAKELARAKIS, 35, of Milford, was sentenced today by U.S. District Judge Janet C. Hall in New Haven to 30 months of imprisonment, followed by three years of supervised release, for an investment scheme that defrauded an elderly victim of $60,000.
According to court documents and statements made in court, Sakelarakis held himself out as having the necessary qualifications, experience and abilities to provide investment services to an elderly victim-investor. Sakelarakis falsely represented to the victim that he had a number of investment clients, that he was making a substantial profit including by day trading, and that he had a contact in an investment firm who provided him with stock tips. Sakelarakis also represented that he would invest in stocks, options and other financial instruments on behalf of the victim and that his compensation would be a commission on 10 percent of the profits.
In October 2017, the victim provided Sakelarakis with a $60,000 check. The funds were more than half of what the victim had saved for retirement. Within days after receiving and depositing the check, Sakelarakis withdrew $30,000 in cash, and then made additional cash withdrawals, including several large withdrawals at ATMs. Sakelarakis spent a portion of the funds at stores such as Armani Exchange, Foot Locker, Macy’s and Gamestop. In October and November 2017, Sakelarakis made several false representations in e-mails to the victim-investor relating to the status of the “investments” and the victim’s account. No funds were ever returned to the victim.
Judge Hall ordered Sakelarakis to pay full restitution, plus interest, to the victim.
Sakelarakis was arrested on October 15, 2018. On December 27, he pleaded guilty to one count of wire fraud.
Sakelarakis, who is released on a $60,000 bond, is required to report to prison on September 4, 2019.
This matter was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation, Wilton Police Department and Greenwich Police Department, with the assistance of the Connecticut Department of Banking. The case was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Michael S. McGarry and Law Student Intern Evan Marlow.
U.S. Attorney Durham noted that this case has been brought as part of the Justice Department’s Elder Justice Initiative (EJI). To learn more about EJI, please visit www.justice.gov/elderjustice.
Mexican National Man Pleads Guilty and is Sentenced for Immigration CrimeRead the Press Release
CHARLESTON, W.Va. – A Mexican national man pled guilty to the felony offense of Reentry of a Removed Alien, announced United States Attorney Mike Stuart. Eric Armando Vega-Covarrubias, 38, was immediately sentenced to a “time served” sentence, having served nearly four months in federal custody. Stuart commended the investigative efforts of the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE).
“Vega-Covarrubias had two prior removals from two different states,” said United States Attorney Mike Stuart. “Let’s hope he doesn’t illegally reenter our country a fourth time.”
On March 25, 2019, Vega-Covarrubias was found in South Charleston, West Virginia by members of ICE who were conducting a field operation. ICE agents identified defendant get in a car and begin to drive away. The agents stopped the car. When defendant was stopped in his vehicle, he gave ICE agents a Mexican voter card and admitted being in the United States illegally. Vega-Covarrubias was arrested and ICE agents matched his fingerprints to previous removals from the United States. ICE agents spoke to defendant to confirm his identity. Vega-Covarrubias again admitted being in the United States illegally. Vega-Covarrubias had no identification documents permitting him legal status in the United States.
Fingerprinting matched Vega-Covarrubias to two prior removals from the United States. His previous removals were in 2012 from Atlanta, Georgia and in 2016 from Williston, North Dakota. In both cases, Vega-Covarrubias was found by immigration judges to be in the United States illegally and he was deported to Mexico. He had not obtained permission to legally enter the United States and had not sought legal status or citizenship. Vega-Covarrubias further admitted to ICE agents that he was a Mexican citizen.
United States District Judge Joseph R. Goodwin presided over the hearing. Assistant United States Attorney Erik S. Goes handled the prosecution.
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Meridian Man Sentenced Under Project EJECT to over 3 Years in Prison for Illegally Possessing FirearmsRead the Press Release
Jackson, Miss. – Patrick Emanuel Battle, Sr., 48, of Meridian, was sentenced today by U.S. District Court Judge Carlton W. Reeves to 42 months in federal prison, followed by three years of supervised release, for being a felon in possession of firearms, announced U.S. Attorney Mike Hurst and Kirk Thielhorn, Special Agent in Charge of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives. Battle was also ordered to pay a $1,200 fine.
On November 15, 2018, deputies with the Lauderdale County Sheriff’s Office executed a search warrant at Battle’s home after they received information and pictures showing that Battle, a previously-convicted felon, was illegally in possession of multiple firearms. As a result of the search, five weapons, including a semi-automatic shotgun equipped with a large magazine, were found in the home. Battle has prior felony convictions for burglary of an automobile, possession of marijuana, and aggravated assault.
This case was investigated by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives. It is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Charles W. Kirkham.
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.
Men Plead Guilty in $1 Million Prime Bank SchemeRead the Press Release
ALEXANDRIA, Va. – Two Michigan men pleaded guilty today for their roles in an advanced fee scheme involving phony Standby Letters of Credit supposedly issued by European banks.
According to court documents, Samuel John Abraham, 62, of Novi, and Kenneth Ross Thomas, 52, of Westland, conspired to defraud individuals and businesses desperate for credit by promising to arrange substantial lines of credit from European banks. In exchange for an up-front deposit of approximately $150,000 into an escrow account, Abraham, operating as Advanced Funding Group, using aliases such as “J. Samuel Ibrahim” and “Jamal S. Ibrahim,” and also posing as an attorney calling himself “John Wynn,” claimed that he could “lease” for clients a Standby Letter of Credit (SBLC) from a European Bank in the “face amount” of approximately $100 million. Of this large sum, clients were promised they could simply keep approximately $20 million as a “non-recourse loan.” A supposed “monetizer” would then use the remainder of the funds over the course of the year-long lease of the SBLC in order to engage in lucrative overseas trades (also known as “platform trading”), which would supposedly generate profits sufficient to repay the entire SBLC.
As part of the scheme, clients were directed to wire money to Escrow Agent Kenneth Thomas of “K. Thomas and Company Escrow Services.” In reality, the money was wired to the personal checking account of Kenneth Thomas, whose true profession was acting as Abraham’s chauffer and as a designer of cat towers. Thomas promptly provided most of the money to Abraham. According to the Superseding Indictment, Abraham then spent large sums of the money gambling at the Motor City Casino in Detroit, and on vehicles and a condominium. According to the Superseding Indictment, Abraham took in approximately $1million in proceeds from the fraud. Victims resided in Virginia, Arizona, Nevada, and other locations.
Standby Letters of Credit as marketed by the defendants do not exist and have long been the subject of public service announcements by the FBI and the Securities and Exchange Commission. Abraham has a prior federal conviction and also a permanent injunction entered against him by the SEC for operating the same scheme.
Thomas and Abraham pleaded guilty to conspiracy to commit wire fraud, and Abraham pleaded guilty to an additional count of wire fraud. Thomas and Abraham each face a maximum penalty of 20 years in prison when sentenced on October 4. Actual sentences for federal crimes are typically less than the maximum penalties. A federal district court judge will determine any sentence after taking into account the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors.
G. Zachary Terwilliger, U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of Virginia, and Charles Dayoub, Acting Special Agent in Charge, Criminal Division, FBI Washington Field Office, made the announcement after U.S. District Judge Leonie M. Brinkema accepted the plea. Special Assistant U.S. Attorney Russell L. Carlberg and Assistant U.S. Attorney Kimberly R. Pedersen are prosecuting the case.
A copy of this press release is located on the website of the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of Virginia. Related court documents and information are located on the website of the District Court for the Eastern District of Virginia or on PACER by searching for Case No. 1:19-cr-111.
Melissa Ashley Sentenced for Embezzlement of $32,000 in Social Security FundsRead the Press Release
The Office of the United States Attorney for the District of Vermont stated that Melissa Ashley, 42, of Plattsburgh, New York, was sentenced today for embezzlement of Social Security funds over a three-year period. United States District Judge Christina Reiss sentenced Ashley to time-served, restitution in the amount of $32,066.64, and three years of supervised release.
According to court records, from at least 2010 to 2017, Ashley was the designated representative payee for receipt of Supplemental Security Income on behalf of her minor daughter. As representative payee, Ashley was obligated to use the SSI funds for the support and care of her daughter. In January 2014, Ashley’s daughter was removed from her care and taken into the custody of the Vermont Department of Children and Families. Ashley’s daughter eventually moved into a foster home, and never returned to Ashley’s custody. Nevertheless, Ashley did not inform the Social Security Administration that her daughter was no longer in her care, and continued to receive SSI benefits for the next three years.
This matter was investigated by the Social Security Administration, Office of Inspector General.
The government was represented by First Assistant U.S. Attorney Kevin J. Doyle. Ashley was represented by Steven L. Barth of the Federal Defender’s Office.
Maryland Man Facing Federal Indictment for Threatening a Member of CongressRead the Press Release
Baltimore, Maryland – A federal grand jury has indicted Darryl Albert Varnum, age 42, of Westminster, Maryland, on the federal charge of threatening a federal official. The indictment was returned on July 17, 2019, and Varnum will have his arraignment and detention hearing on August 5, 2019 in U.S. District Court in Baltimore.
The indictment was announced by United States Attorney for the District of Maryland Robert K. Hur and Chief Steven A. Sund of the U.S. Capitol Police.
United States Attorney for the District of Maryland Robert K. Hur stated, “We take these types of violent threats extremely seriously. The investigation began immediately upon learning of the threats. Mr. Varnum was charged federally by criminal complaint and arrested on July 8th.”
According to the one-count indictment, on June 26, 2019, Varnum allegedly threatened to murder a member of the U.S. House of Representatives, with intent to impede, intimidate, and retaliate against that person on account of the performance of that person’s duties as a member of U.S. House of Representatives.
Varnum was arrested on July 8, 2019, on a federal criminal complaint. On July 10, 2019, U.S. Magistrate Judge Beth P. Gesner ordered that Varnum complete a 28-day inpatient program at the Shoemaker Center in Sykesville, Maryland, and return to the court at the conclusion of the program.
If convicted, Varnum faces a maximum sentence of 10 years in federal prison.
An indictment is not a finding of guilt. An individual charged by indictment is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty at some later criminal proceedings.
United States Attorney Robert K. Hur commended the U.S. Capitol Police for its work in the investigation. Mr. Hur thanked Assistant U.S. Attorney Kathleen O. Gavin, who is prosecuting the case.
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Martin Man Sentenced to 10 Years in Prison for Abusive Sexual ContactRead the Press Release
United States Attorney Ron Parsons announced that a Martin, South Dakota, man convicted of Abusive Sexual Contact was sentenced by Chief Judge Jeffrey L. Viken, U.S. District Court.
Eugene Dubray, age 28, was sentenced on July 16, 2019, to 10 years in federal prison, followed by 5 years of supervised release, and ordered to pay a $100 special assessment to the Federal Crime Victims Fund.
Dubray was indicted by a federal grand jury in February 2018. The charge related to Dubray forcibly engaging in sexual contact with a seven-year old victim in the laundry room area of a house at Sunrise Housing.
This case was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation and the Oglala Sioux Tribe Department of Public Safety. Assistant U.S. Attorney Megan Poppen prosecuted the case.
Dubray was immediately turned over to the custody of the U.S. Marshals Service.
Man Sentenced to Prison for Drug Trafficking ConspiracyRead the Press Release
RICHMOND, Va. – An Emporia man was sentenced today to more than 15 1/2 years in prison for his role in a multi-kilograms cocaine ring in Emporia.
According to court documents, Rondell Lundy, 32, entered into a conspiracy to distribute cocaine beginning in 2013 to 2017. From February 2017 through June 28, 2017, FBI agents monitored a court-ordered wiretap on several cellular telephones being used by conspiracy leader Deron Powell. Lundy was intercepted on numerous occasions speaking with Powell, and others, negotiating for the purchase of cocaine. Federal and state law enforcement conducted surveillance of Powell, as well as various residences in the Emporia area, and corroborated Lundy’s involvement in a conspiracy to distribute the cocaine. Intercepted recorded calls confirmed that Powell planned to purchase kilogram quantities of cocaine for approximately $35,000, and on one occasion, agreed to sell half of that kilogram to Lundy. As part of the plea agreement, Lundy admitted he is responsible for distributing four and one-half kilograms of cocaine.
The case was investigated by the FBI’s Richmond Area Violent Enterprises Task Force, as part of the Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Force’s (OCDETF), Operation Bulls Eye. The OCDETF program is a federal multi-agency, multi-jurisdictional task force that supplies supplemental federal funding to federal and state agencies involved in the identification, investigation, and prosecution of major drug trafficking organizations. The principal mission of the OCDETF program is to identify, disrupt and dismantle the most serious drug trafficking, weapons trafficking and money laundering organizations, and those primarily responsible for the nation’s illegal drug supply.
G. Zachary Terwilliger, U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of Virginia, David W. Archey, Special Agent in Charge of the FBI’s Richmond Field Office, Jesse R. Fong, Special Agent in Charge for the Drug Enforcement Administration’s (DEA) Washington Field Division, Ricky Pinksaw, Chief of the Emporia Police Department, William T. Jarratt Jr., Sheriff of the Greensville County Sheriff’s Office, and Colonel Gary T. Settle, Superintendent of the Virginia State Police, made the announcement after sentencing by Senior U.S. District Judge Robert E. Payne. Assistant U.S. Attorney Peter S. Duffey prosecuted the case.
A copy of this press release is located on the website of the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of Virginia. Related court documents and information are located on the website of the District Court for the Eastern District of Virginia or on PACER by searching for Case No. 3:19-cr-14.
Man Sentenced for Two Robberies at Gunpoint and Firearms ViolationsRead the Press Release
NEW ORLEANS – U.S. Attorney Peter G. Strasser announced that STEPHAN MITCHEL THOMAS, age 24, of Tangipahoa Parish, Louisiana, was sentenced today for federal firearms violations and Hobbs Act robberies.
According to court documents, THOMAS and others robbed drug dealers at gunpoint on July 11, 2016 and on September 1, 2016. For this conduct, THOMAS pleaded guilty to two counts of Hobbs Act robbery and one count of brandishing a firearm during a crime of violence. THOMAS also pleaded guilty to possessing a firearm silencer, a short-barrel rifle, and a sawed-off shotgun, without registering these firearms in the National Firearms Registration and Transfer Record.
U.S. District Judge Ivan L.R. Lemelle sentenced THOMAS to 113 months of imprisonment, 5 years of supervised release after imprisonment, and a mandatory special assessment of $600.
Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN) is the centerpiece of the Department of Justice’s violent crime reduction efforts. PSN is an evidence-based program proven to be effective at reducing violent crime. Through PSN, a broad spectrum of stakeholders work together to identify the most pressing violent crime problems in the community and develop comprehensive solutions to address them. As part of this strategy, PSN focuses enforcement efforts on the most violent offenders and partners with locally based prevention and reentry programs for lasting reductions in crime.
U.S. Attorney Strasser praised the work of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives, the Hammond Police Department, St. Tammany Parish Sheriff’s Office, and the
MCI-Cedar Junction Inmate Sentenced on Drug ChargesRead the Press Release
BOSTON – An MCI-Cedar Junction inmate was sentenced today in federal court in Boston in connection with smuggling drugs into the facility.
William Guillemette, 39, an inmate at Massachusetts Correctional Institute – Cedar Junction (MCI-CJ) in South Walpole, was sentenced by U.S. District Court Judge Indira Talwani to 18 months in prison to be served consecutive to the state sentence he is currently serving and three years of supervised release. In April 2019, Guillemette pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy to distribute Suboxone and Alprazolam.
In September 2018, William Guillemette was indicted along with his mother, Margaret Guillemette, 58; his wife, Lisa Guillemette, 42; and Chad Connors, 42, also an MCI-CJ inmate.
William Guillemette and Chad Connors were inmates housed at MCI-CJ’s Departmental Disciplinary Unit (DDU). Connors was involved in a romantic relationship Christine Ramos, a nurse assigned to the DDU. At Connors’ request, Ramos agreed to smuggle contraband, including controlled substances, into MCI-CJ. In order to do this, Ramos opened two P.O. Boxes through a third party. Connors sent letters and money to Ramos at these P.O. Boxes and, at William Guillemette’s direction, Lisa and Margaret Guillemette, obtained and sent Suboxone and Alprazolam to the P.O. Boxes. Ramos subsequently smuggled the drugs into the DDU and delivered them to Connors. William Guillemette and Connors distributed the drugs to other inmates, who sent checks to Lisa and Margaret Guillemette as payment for the drugs. Suboxone and Alprazolam are Schedule III and Schedule IV controlled substances, respectively.
Chad Connors and Lisa Guillemette previously pleaded guilty and are awaiting sentencing. Margaret Guillemette pleaded guilty and was sentenced to time served (five days), two years of supervised release and 200 hours of community service. Ramos pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy to distribute Suboxone and Alprazolam and was sentenced two years of probation.
United States Attorney Andrew E. Lelling; Joseph R. Bonavolonta, Special Agent in Charge of the Federal Bureau of Investigation, Boston Field Division; Commissioner Carol Mici of the Massachusetts Department of Correction; and Joseph W. Cronin, Inspector in Charge of the U.S. Postal Inspection Service’s Boston Division, made the announcement today.
Local Inmate Sentenced to 10 Years for Threatening Anthrax UseRead the Press Release
PENSACOLA, FLORIDA –Justin B. Lane, 35, was sentenced to 10 years in federal prison today after pleading guilty to mailing threatening communications to state prosecutors in Central Florida and threatening to use a weapon of mass destruction. The sentence was announced by Lawrence Keefe, United States Attorney for the Northern District of Florida.
In August 2017, while incarcerated on other matters in the Santa Rosa Correctional Institution in Milton, Florida, Lane mailed two letters to the Polk County State Attorney’s Office threatening to use anthrax. The two letters contained a white powdery substance that Lane claimed to be anthrax, and the letters stated that whoever opened the letters was going to die. The letters were opened by support staff in the state prosecutor’s office and biothreat protocols were initiated for fear of danger to life. Lane was sentenced as a career offender based on previous convictions, including a prior conviction for engaging in similar acts in West Palm Beach. The federal sentence imposed on Lane today will be served consecutively to all sentences Lane is currently serving.
"This office takes seriously any threat against citizens, and especially against those who are sworn to uphold the law," U.S. Attorney Keefe said.
This case resulted from an investigation by the Federal Bureau of Investigation and the Florida Department of Law Enforcement. Assistant United States Attorney David L. Goldberg prosecuted the case.
"While we determined that the mailings did not contain harmful substances, both of these incidents required significant law enforcement response, which comes at a cost to taxpayers and limits resources for actual emergencies," said Rachel Rojas, Special Agent in Charge of the FBI Jacksonville Division. "This case demonstrates the commitment of the FBI and our law enforcement partners to fully investigate threatening behavior directed toward disrupting the justice system."
The United States Attorney's Office for the Northern District of Florida is one of 94 offices that serve as the nation’s principal litigators under the direction of the Attorney General. To access available public court documents online, please visit the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Florida website. For more information about the United States Attorney’s Office, Northern District of Florida, visit http://www.justice.gov/usao/fln/index.html
Liberian National Attempting to Gain Legal Status Convicted of Presenting Perjured Documents, Making False StatementRead the Press Release
PROVIDENCE – An international soccer player from Liberia has been convicted by a federal court jury in Providence of lying to immigration officials and providing false information on immigration documents in an attempt to gain legal status in the United States.
The jury convicted Prince Mark Boley, 30, of presentation of a perjured immigration document and false statements, announced United States Attorney Aaron L. Weisman, Denis C. Riordan, District Director for U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services District 1, and Homeland Security Investigations Special Agent in Charge Peter C. Fitzhugh.
The Court declared a mistrial on a charge of marriage fraud to evade deportation after the jury was unable to reach a unanimous verdict on that charge.
According to the government’s evidence presented at trial, Boley entered the United States on a non-immigrant six-month visa on July 24, 2015, valid until January 23, 2016. It was extended for six months to July 2016.
In December 2015, Boley was introduced to a Rhode Island woman by his niece who, at a later date on behalf of Boley, asked the woman if she would marry Boley in order for him to obtain a green card and legal status in the United States. The woman agreed, and they were married in a civil ceremony on May 13, 2016. A marriage license and marriage certificate were filed in Lincoln, the town in which the woman resided. Boley continued to live at his Providence residence.
In September 2016, Boley and the woman signed and submitted U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) forms as Boley sought to obtain permanent legal status in the United States, based on marriage to a U.S. citizen. Both stated on their respective forms that their home address was the woman’s Lincoln residence. Their signatures certified truthfulness under penalty of perjury.
On June 8, 2017, as part of the standard immigration application process, Boley and the woman were interviewed in person, at times separately, by a USCIS officer. Both reported that they were then living together in a Harrisville, R.I. residence. During her interview with the USCIS officer, in an attempt to establish that the two had a relationship, the woman allowed the officer to review text messages on her cell phone between her and Boley. While the agent was reviewing the text messages, a new text arrived from someone other than Boley indicating she had sexual relations with someone other than Boley. The woman admitted to the agent to recently having had sex with that individual.
Due to inconsistencies in information developed by USCIS and the text message viewed by the officer, the USCIS interviewer suspected fraud and turned the matter over to the USCIS Fraud Unit. The fraud unit’s investigation included a visit to the Harrisville residence where they found little or no proof that the two were living together as a married couple. The matter was then referred to Immigration and Custom Enforcement (ICE) criminal investigators.
At trial, the woman testified that her marriage to Boley was a sham, and that she married Boley solely for the purpose of him obtaining a green card. She testified that she and Boley did not live together and never had a physical relationship, but that Boley did take steps to create a paper trail that he resided with her, such as having some of his mail sent to her address where he did not live.
A neighbor who lived across the hall from the woman testified that Boley never lived at the residence.
Boley is scheduled to be sentenced on November 7, 2019, by U.S. District Court Chief Judge William E. Smith, who presided over the three-day trial.
Presentation of a perjured immigration document and false statements are punishable by statutory penalties of up to 5 years imprisonment, 3 years supervised release, and a fine of $250,000.
The case is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Zechariah Chafee.
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Lafayette felon sentenced for illegal possession of firearmRead the Press Release
LAFAYETTE, La. – Nicholas Joseph Felix, 27, of Lafayette, was sentenced today to 37 months in prison and three years of supervised release by U.S. District Judge James D. Cain Jr. for possession of a firearm by a convicted felon, announced U.S. Attorney David C. Joseph. Felix pleaded guilty on March 11, 2019.
During a traffic stop of Felix’s vehicle on May 6, 2018, Lafayette police officers approached the vehicle and encountered the smell of burnt marijuana. They searched his vehicle and found a Charter Arms, Model Bulldog, .44 Special revolver in the trunk. Nicholas Felix has two prior felony convictions for aggravated battery and obstruction of justice. Under federal law, it is illegal for anyone who has been convicted of a felony to be in possession of a firearm or ammunition.
The ATF and Lafayette Police Department conducted the investigation. Assistant U.S. Attorney Danny Siefker prosecuted the case.
Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN) is the centerpiece of the Department of Justice’s violent crime reduction efforts. Project Safe Neighborhoods is an evidence-based program proven to be effective at reducing violent crime. Through PSN, a broad spectrum of stakeholders work together to identify the most pressing violent crime problems in the community and develop comprehensive solutions to address them. As part of this strategy, PSN focuses enforcement efforts on the most violent offenders and partners with locally based prevention and reentry programs for lasting reductions in crime.
Lafayette business owner sentenced for stealing nearly $300,000 from three finance companiesRead the Press Release
LAFAYETTE, La. – United States Attorney David C. Joseph announced today that Leonard Espree, 56, formerly of Lafayette, was sentenced to 20 months in prison and five years of supervised release by U.S. District Judge James D. Cain Jr. for stealing nearly $300,000 from three finance companies. Espree was also ordered to pay $294,292.12 restitution. He pleaded guilty April 3, 2019.
Leonard Espree was the owner and operator of Ameritek Office Solutions in Lafayette, which sold and serviced office equipment. Espree submitted false documentation in the names of existing local businesses to three finance companies in 2015 and 2016 to obtain payment for office equipment supposedly supplied to these businesses. The three companies approved eight of the transactions for which Espree received a total of $294,292.12. However, Espree never sold or delivered equipment to any of the businesses.
The FBI investigated the case. Assistant U.S. Attorney David J. Ayo prosecuted the case.
Ky Feds Applaud Progress in Fight Alongside State Partners in Reducing Od DeathsRead the Press Release
One overdose death is too many in Kentucky
LOUISVILLE, Ky. – United States Attorneys Russell Coleman and Robert M. Duncan, Jr. applauded the work today of federal, state, and local law enforcement and health professionals as the overdose death rate in Kentucky took a significant dip with 233 fewer drug fatalities in 2018 than there were in 2017. While the decrease marks an improvement 1,333 Kentuckians lost to dangerous drugs are far too many in any state.
Federal prosecutors will continue to work hand-in-hand with state and local law enforcement agencies to have a significant impact in the fight against heroin and meth in Kentucky. Federal prosecutors sitting in the Eastern and Western Districts are actively prosecuting overdose cases where as little as one pill has caused death or serious bodily injury. U.S. Attorney’s Coleman and Duncan acknowledge treatment and prevention efforts are key in solving the crisis, however, enforcement will also remain a vital deterrent.
“Today’s announcement of a 15% decrease in the number overdose deaths in the Commonwealth is certainly positive news and a step in the right direction,” said United States Attorney Robert M. Duncan, Jr. “However, we all recognize there is still work to be done. We remain committed to using all available tools to combat this crisis, including vigorously prosecuting unlawful opioid traffickers, partnering to conduct community outreach and education, and encouraging those needing help to seek treatment.”
“We’re not there yet,” said U.S. Attorney Russell Coleman. “But lives saved last year demonstrates that unity of effort amongst federal, state, and local law enforcement is gaining ground in this fight.”
The Eastern and Western District United States Attorney’s Offices are actively pursuing the cartels that supply the majority of illegal synthetic opioids, like Fentanyl, to the Commonwealth. In addition both offices have Heroin Education Action Teams (USA HEAT) that are aimed at reducing the harm to Kentucky families and communities caused by heroin/opiate abuse by increasing community understanding of this epidemic. USA HEAT is a partnership between the United States Attorney’s Office for the Eastern and Western District of Kentucky and families who have lost a loved one to opiate overdose. These courageous moms, dads, brothers, sisters and children share their story in order to help others avoid the grief of losing a family member to a drug overdose. The Eastern District of Kentucky also utilizes Operation Synthetic Opioid Surge (SOS) in Fayette County dedicated to reducing access to illicit fentanyl.
The Appalachian Regional Prescription Opioid Strike Force (ARPO Strike Force), a joint law enforcement is also bringing dividends on the enforcement front. ARPO brings together the resources and expertise of the Health Care Fraud Unit in the Criminal Division’s Fraud Section (HCF Unit), the U.S. Attorney’s Offices for nine federal districts in five states, as well as law enforcement partners at the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Office of the Inspector General (HHS-OIG) and U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA). The mission of the ARPO Strike Force is to identify and investigate health care fraud schemes in the Appalachian region and surrounding areas, and to effectively and efficiently prosecute medical professionals and others involved in the illegal prescription and distribution of opioids.
Both districts also utilize Appalachia HIDTA task forces, with the mission to enhance and coordinate drug enforcement efforts of local, state and federal law enforcement agencies within areas designated as High Intensity Drug Trafficking Areas by pursuing the disruption/dismantlement of Drug Trafficking Organizations, particularly as it relates to the specific drug threat of the Appalachian region.
Killingly Restaurant to Make Changes to Comply with Americans with Disabilities ActRead the Press Release
John H. Durham, United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut, today announced that the U.S. Attorney’s Office has reached a settlement agreement with the Golden Greek Restaurant and Pub in Killingly to resolve allegations that the restaurant was not operating in compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990 (“ADA”).
The settlement agreement resolves an ADA complaint filed by an individual with disabilities alleging that the Golden Greek was not accessible for individuals with physical disabilities. The restaurant is in the process of making the changes required by the settlement agreement, including adding accessible parking spaces, creating accessible entrances to the restaurant and patio area, and renovating the restaurant’s restrooms to make them accessible for individuals with disabilities. The restaurant will also implement new policies providing curbside carry out service for individuals with mobility disabilities and table service to individuals in wheelchairs in the restaurant’s bar area. The Golden Greek will continue to make improvements over the next 22 months.
Under federal law, private entities that own or operate places of “public accommodation,” including restaurants and bars, are prohibited from discriminating on the basis of disability. The ADA authorizes the U.S. Department of Justice to investigate complaints and undertake periodic reviews of compliance of covered entities. The Justice Department is also authorized to commence a civil lawsuit in federal court in any case that involves a pattern or practice of discrimination or that raises issues of general public importance, and to seek injunctive relief, monetary damages, and civil penalties.
U.S. Attorney Durham noted that the ownership of the Golden Greek has worked cooperatively and collaboratively with the U.S. Attorney’s Office to address the ADA issues complained of without the need for litigation.
“The Americans with Disabilities Act ensures that individuals are able to access and enjoy the state’s restaurants, bars, and other places of public accommodation,” stated U.S. Attorney Durham. “The U.S. Attorney’s Office is committed to enforcing the ADA in order to ensure that places of public accommodation in the State of Connecticut are accessible for individuals with disabilities. We appreciate that the Golden Greek has agreed to take the steps outlined in the settlement agreement in order to greatly increase the accessibility of its facility,” said U.S. Attorney Durham.
Any member of the public who wishes to file a complaint alleging that any place of public accommodation or public entity in Connecticut is not accessible to persons with disabilities may contact the U.S. Attorney’s Office at 203-821-3700.
Additional information about the ADA can be found at www.ada.gov, or by calling the Justice Department’s toll-free information line at (800) 514-0301 and (800) 514-0383 (TTY). More information about the Civil Rights Division and the laws it enforces is available at www.justice.gov/crt.
This matter was handled by Assistant U.S. Attorney Jessica H. Soufer of the District of Connecticut in coordination with the Disability Rights Section of the U.S. Department of Justice Civil Rights Division.
KY Feds Applaud Progress in Fight Alongside State Partners in Reducing OD DeathsRead the Press Release
LOUISVILLE, Ky. – United States Attorneys Russell Coleman and Robert M. Duncan, Jr. applauded the work today of federal, state, and local law enforcement and health professionals as the overdose death rate in Kentucky took a significant dip with 233 fewer drug fatalities in 2018 than there were in 2017. While the decrease marks an improvement 1,333 Kentuckians lost to dangerous drugs are far too many in any state.
Federal prosecutors will continue to work hand-in-hand with state and local law enforcement agencies to have a significant impact in the fight against heroin and meth in Kentucky. Federal prosecutors sitting in the Eastern and Western Districts are actively prosecuting overdose cases where as little as one pill has caused death or serious bodily injury. U.S. Attorney’s Coleman and Duncan acknowledge treatment and prevention efforts are key in solving the crisis, however, enforcement will also remain a vital deterrent.
“Today’s announcement of a 15% decrease in the number overdose deaths in the Commonwealth is certainly positive news and a step in the right direction,” said United States Attorney Robert M. Duncan, Jr. “However, we all recognize there is still work to be done. We remain committed to using all available tools to combat this crisis, including vigorously prosecuting unlawful opioid traffickers, partnering to conduct community outreach and education, and encouraging those needing help to seek treatment.”
“We’re not there yet,” said U.S. Attorney Russell Coleman. “But lives saved last year demonstrates that unity of effort amongst federal, state, and local law enforcement is gaining ground in this fight.”
The Eastern and Western District United States Attorney’s Offices are actively pursuing the cartels that supply the majority of illegal synthetic opioids, like Fentanyl, to the Commonwealth. In addition both offices have Heroin Education Action Teams (USA HEAT) that are aimed at reducing the harm to Kentucky families and communities caused by heroin/opiate abuse by increasing community understanding of this epidemic. USA HEAT is a partnership between the United States Attorney’s Office for the Eastern and Western District of Kentucky and families who have lost a loved one to opiate overdose. These courageous moms, dads, brothers, sisters and children share their story in order to help others avoid the grief of losing a family member to a drug overdose. The Eastern District of Kentucky also utilizes Operation Synthetic Opioid Surge (SOS) in Fayette County dedicated to reducing access to illicit fentanyl.
The Appalachian Regional Prescription Opioid Strike Force (ARPO Strike Force), a joint law enforcement is also bringing dividends on the enforcement front. ARPO brings together the resources and expertise of the Health Care Fraud Unit in the Criminal Division’s Fraud Section (HCF Unit), the U.S. Attorney’s Offices for nine federal districts in five states, as well as law enforcement partners at the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Office of the Inspector General (HHS-OIG) and U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA). The mission of the ARPO Strike Force is to identify and investigate health care fraud schemes in the Appalachian region and surrounding areas, and to effectively and efficiently prosecute medical professionals and others involved in the illegal prescription and distribution of opioids.
Both districts also utilize Appalachia HIDTA task forces, with the mission to enhance and coordinate drug enforcement efforts of local, state and federal law enforcement agencies within areas designated as High Intensity Drug Trafficking Areas by pursuing the disruption/dismantlement of Drug Trafficking Organizations, particularly as it relates to the specific drug threat of the Appalachian region.
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Justice Department Launches National Public Safety Partnership with Amarillo Police DepartmentRead the Press Release
Today, officials from the Department of Justice's Bureau of Justice Assistance, the United States Attorney's Office's Northern District of Texas, the Amarillo Police Department and other law enforcement agencies convened in Amarillo, TX to kick off Amarillo’s National Public Safety Partnership (PSP) with a listening session.
Last month, Attorney General William Barr announced the selection of the Amarillo Police Department as one of ten FY 2019 PSP sites where the Justice Department will work collaboratively to provide training and technical assistance in areas such as crime analytics, emerging technology and community engagement. This Justice Department program is a three-year engagement that seeks to leverage department assets in support of a local jurisdictions' commitment to drive down violent crime.
Since 2017, the Justice Department has directed nearly $14.9 million in customized training and technical assistance to help build crime fighting capacity in PSP sites, including $6.6 million to support the FY 2019 sites through FY 2022. PSP seeks to bring law enforcement stakeholders together to work collaboratively in reducing violent crime attributed to felonious firearm use, drug trafficking and human trafficking.
“Today our team is on-site in Amarillo to collaborate with local law enforcement officials in their mission to improve public safety and drive down violent crime,” said Jon Adler, Director of the Bureau of Justice Assistance. "Through the Public Safety Partnership, we are committed to fulfilling the Attorney General's priority of supporting local law enforcement combat violent gangs, felonious firearms use and drug trafficking," added Adler.
“Our Project Safe Neighborhoods partnership with state and local law enforcement in Amarillo has already proven enormously successful,” said U.S. Attorney for the Northern District of Texas Erin Nealy Cox. “I’m confident that by bringing even more federal resources to bear here, we can make a significant dent in the crime occurring in the Panhandle.”
Since 2017, the Justice Department has worked with more than 30 local jurisdictions under the nationwide PSP program. Many participating cities have already seen dramatic reductions in violent crime. New Orleans ended 2018 with 146 murders, the lowest number of murders since the early 1970s. In Milwaukee, homicides declined in 2018 for a third straight year after hitting a deadly peak in 2015.
Agencies in attendance at this meeting will include the U.S. Attorney’s Office, Northern District of Texas; the Office of Justice Programs; the Federal Bureau of Investigation; the U.S. Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms & Explosives; the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration; the U.S. Marshals Service; Amarillo Police Department; the Texas Department of Public Safety; the Potter County Sheriff’s Office; the Potter County District Attorney’s Office; the Potter County Attorney’s Office; the Randall County Sheriff’s Office; the Randal County District Attorney’s Office; and Mayor Ginger Nelson’s Office.
For more information about PSP, visit https://www.nationalpublicsafetypartnership.org.
Jury Convicts Twiggs County Meth TraffickerRead the Press Release
MACON – A Twiggs County woman is facing a maximum of life in prison after a jury found her guilty for attempting to sell more than 300 grams of methamphetamine, said U.S. Attorney Charles “Charlie” Peeler. Tiffany Sauls, 25, of Danville, Georgia, was convicted on July 16, 2019 for one count of Possession with Intent to Distribute Methamphetamine following a two-day trial before the Honorable Marc Treadwell. It took the jury only an hour and a half to return the guilty verdict. She will be sentenced October 22, 2019.
According to the facts presented at trial, Ms. Sauls was arrested on September 29, 2018, in Twiggs County along I-16 during a traffic stop. Officers smelled marijuana and, during the legal search, located 302.61 grams of methamphetamine with 99% purity. A digital scale as well as baggies were found during the search. A witness testified that Ms. Sauls bragged about hitting the “lottery” when she picked up the drugs from her Atlanta supplier.
“Be assured, Ms. Sauls did not win the lottery when she attempted to distribute more than three-hundred grams of methamphetamine in our state. She has earned significant prison time for her crimes,” said U.S. Attorney Charlie Peeler. “The consequences of trafficking this illegal, deadly poison are severe, and we will continue to prosecute those who endanger our communities. I want to thank the Twiggs County Sheriff’s Office for their work in this case.”
The case was investigated by the Twiggs County Sheriff’s Office, the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration, and the Georgia Bureau of Investigation. Assistant U.S. Attorneys C. Shanelle Booker and Steven Ouzts are 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.
July Grand JuryRead the Press Release
United States Attorney Joe Kelly announced the federal Grand Jury for the District of Nebraska has returned 15 indictments charging 15 defendants. Indictments are charging documents that contain one or more individual counts that are merely accusations, and every defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.
* Severiano Barrera Roman, age 28, is charged with illegal reentry after deportation following a felony conviction on or about June 25, 2019. The maximum possible penalty if convicted is 10 years’ imprisonment, a $250,000 fine, a 3-year term of supervised release, and a $100 special assessment.
* Ruben Estuardo Cambara Cambara, age 40, is charged with illegal reentry after deportation on or about June 25, 2019. The maximum possible penalty if convicted is 2 years’ imprisonment, a $250,000 fine, a 1-year term of supervised release, and a $100 special assessment.
* Julio Carias Munoz, age 52, is charged with illegal reentry after deportation on or about July 12, 2019. The maximum possible penalty if convicted is 2 years’ imprisonment, a $250,000 fine, a 1-year term of supervised release, and a $100 special assessment.
* Ramon Grijalba-Lopez, age 33, is charged with illegal reentry after deportation on or about July 10, 2019. The maximum possible penalty if convicted is 2 years’ imprisonment, a $250,000 fine, a 1-year term of supervised release, and a $100 special assessment.
* Michael G. Hymes, age 39, is charged with Bank Robbery by force from an employee at Creighton Federal Credit Union in the approximate amount of $4,000.00 on or about July 15, 2018. The maximum possible penalty if convicted is 20 years’ imprisonment, a $250,000 fine, a 3-year term of supervised release, and a $100 special assessment.
* Noe Juarez-Garcia, age 36, is charged with illegal reentry after deportation on or about June 28, 2019, following an aggravated felony conviction. The maximum possible penalty if convicted is 20 years’ imprisonment, a $250,000 fine, a 3-year term of supervised release, and a $100 special assessment.
* Luis Maria-Aguado, age 32, is charged with kidnapping on or about May 6, 2019. The maximum possible penalty if convicted is Life imprisonment, a $250,000 fine, a 5-year term of supervised release, and a $100 special assessment.
* Alexis Martinez-Chino, age 24, is charged with illegal reentry after deportation on or about June 18, 2019. The maximum possible penalty if convicted is 2 years’ imprisonment, a $250,000 fine, a 1-year term of supervised release, and a $100 special assessment.
* Martin Trujillo Munoz, age 26, is charged with illegal reentry after deportation on or about June 19, 2019. The maximum possible penalty if convicted is 2 years’ imprisonment, a $250,000 fine, a 1-year term of supervised release, and a $100 special assessment.
* Jason David Oetter, age 47, is charged with possession with intent to distribute 50 grams or more of methamphetamine (actual) on April 29, 2019. The maximum possible penalty if convicted is Life imprisonment, $10,000,000 fine, 5-year term of supervised release, and a $100 special assessment.
* Jose Ivan Rodriguez Pacheco, age 35, is charged in a two-count Indictment. Count I charges the defendant with fraud, misuse of visas, permits and other documents beginning on or about September 9, 2014. The maximum possible penalty if convicted is 5 years’ imprisonment, a $250,000 fine, a 3-year term of supervised release, and a $100 special assessment. Count II charges the defendant with falsely representing a social security number on or about September 9, 2014. The maximum possible penalty if convicted is 5 years’ imprisonment, a $250,000 fine, a 3-year term of supervised release, and a $100 special assessment.
* Tapia Santos Diaz, age 32, is charged with illegal reentry after deportation on or about July 6, 2019. The maximum possible penalty if convicted is 2 years’ imprisonment, a $250,000 fine, a 1-year term of supervised release, and a $100 special assessment.
* Miguel Angel Simon-Martinez, age 23, is charged with illegal reentry after deportation on or about July 9, 2019. The maximum possible penalty if convicted is 2 years’ imprisonment, a $250,000 fine, a 1-year term of supervised release, and a $100 special assessment.
* Kenneth Wayne Smith, age 42, is charged with possession with intent to distribute 5 grams or more of methamphetamine (actual) on May 24, 2019. The maximum possible penalty if convicted is 40 years’ imprisonment, $5,000,000 fine, 4-year term of supervised release, and a $100 special assessment.
* Russell Eugene Westerfield a/k/a Russell E. Ritter-Westerfield, a/k/a Russell Ugene Westerfield, a/k/a Russell Eugene Ritter, age 42, is charged with conspiracy to distribute and possess with intent to distribute 50 grams or more of methamphetamine, (actual) and 500 grams or more of methamphetamine (mixture) beginning on or about August 1, 2017 and continuing to on or about September 27, 2018. The maximum possible penalty if convicted is Life imprisonment, $10,000,000 fine, 5-year term of supervised release, and a $100 special assessment.
Jackson Man Pleads Guilty under Project EJECT to Illegally Possessing GunRead the Press Release
Jackson, Miss. – Johnny Jerome Morgan, 38, of Jackson, pled guilty today before U.S. District Court Judge Henry T. Wingate to being a convicted 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.
On December 30, 2018, Jackson police officers responded to a call requesting assistance from a woman to enter her residence to retrieve her belongings. The woman needed police assistance because her boyfriend, Johnny Jerome Morgan, was inside and she was afraid that he might hurt her when he realized she was leaving. The woman alerted the officers that Morgan was a convicted felon and had an assault rifle inside the residence. Morgan was inside the residence when police entered. The officers found the assault rifle where the woman told them it would be. Morgan denied owning or possessing the rifle, but evidence in the form of pictures, witness statements and a recorded phone call all indicated that Morgan purchased the rifle a few years earlier.
Morgan was indicted by a federal grand jury on April 3, 2019. He will be sentenced by Judge Wingate on October 16, 2019, and faces a maximum penalty of ten years in prison and a $250,000 fine.
The case was investigated by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives. It is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Charles W. Kirkham.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.
Individual Arrested for Defrauding Investors in Stock Trading SchemeRead the Press Release
A criminal complaint was unsealed today in federal court in Brooklyn charging Garrett O’Rourke, also known as “Jonathan Banks,” with engaging in a fraudulent scheme to artificially control the price and volume of AVI Group Inc., a publicly-traded company listed under the OTC ticker symbol “AVOP,” by making false and misleading statements to investors. AVOP purported to be a holding company focusing on acquisitions and joint ventures, including the development of dental equipment, a “vape superstore” and lighting technology. O’Rourke was arrested yesterday at John F. Kennedy International Airport, made his initial appearance this afternoon before United States Magistrate Judge Steven M. Gold and was released on a $1 million bond.
Richard P. Donoghue, United States Attorney for the Eastern District of New York, and William F. Sweeney, Jr., Assistant Director-in-Charge, Federal Bureau of Investigation, New York Field Office (FBI), announced the charges.
According to court filings, between April 2016 and June 2017, O’Rourke engaged in a securities fraud conspiracy to mislead investors into purchasing shares of AVOP by claiming, among other things, that he and his co-conspirators worked for Marketwise Report, a purported investment advising firm located in Florida that offered stock advice to clients. In reality, O’Rourke and his co-conspirators did not work for this fictitious entity and instead worked in call rooms based in Florida and Medellin, Colombia. O’Rourke and his co-conspirators made misrepresentations and false statements to induce investors to purchase and retain AVOP stock in order to profit for themselves. By persuading numerous investors to purchase AVOP stock, O’Rourke and his co-conspirators were able to “pump” AVOP’s stock price. Then, once the stock price had artificially increased, a co-conspirator “dumped” over $2 million in shares at the artificially inflated prices and shared the profits from the sale with O’Rourke and other co-conspirators.
“As alleged in the complaint, O’Rourke supervised a call room in Florida where he and his co-conspirator fraudsters fleeced investors by spinning false claims about a publicly traded stock in a classic pump and dump scheme designed to line their own pockets,” stated United States Attorney Donoghue. “The defendant’s arrest demonstrates this Office’s commitment to protecting the investing public and vigorously prosecuting those who undermine the integrity of the financial markets.” Mr. Donoghue expressed his grateful appreciation to the Securities and Exchange Commission, both the New York and Boston Regional Offices, for their assistance with the investigation.
“It’s important for investors to know these pump-and-dump schemes still exist,” stated FBI Assistant Director-in-Charge Sweeney. “While O’Rourke faces charges for the crimes he allegedly committed, there are others out there who seek to take advantage of people who unwittingly invest more than their hard-earned money on lies they’re sold. We urge the general public to exercise due diligence with any investment they plan to make, and to look out for friends and family who might be easily swindled by crooks who are up to no good.”
The charges in the complaint are allegations and the defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.
The government’s case is being handled by the Office’s Business & Securities Fraud Section. Assistant United States Attorney Hiral D. Mehta is in charge of the prosecution.
The Defendant:
GARRETT O’ROURKE (also known as “Jonathan Banks”)
Age: 31
Miami Beach, FloridaE.D.N.Y. Docket No. 19-MJ-644
Indianapolis Man Sentenced to 30 Years for Role in Jennings County Robbery and Murder CaseRead the Press Release
INDIANAPOLIS - United States Attorney Josh J. Minkler, announced today an Indianapolis man was sentenced for his role in the murder and robbery of Scott D. Maxie, the owner of a federally licensed gun store near North Vernon, Indiana. Darion Dashon Harris 24, was sentenced to 30 years in federal prison by U. S. District Judge Sarah Evans Barker at the federal courthouse in Indianapolis.
"This type of violence is something no family or community should have to face," said Minkler. "Judge Barker sent a loud and clear message that gun violence will not be tolerated in the Southern District of Indiana and those committing violent crimes will be held accountable."
On September 20, 2014, Harris, along with Darryl Worthen and Dejuan Worthen traveled from Indianapolis to North Vernon to see what inventory was inside the Muscatatuck Outdoors Gun Shop and made plans to rob the owner, Scott Maxie. They drove back to Indianapolis only to return the following day to commit the robbery.
After returning to the gun store on September 21, 2014, one of the defendants disconnected a security camera inside the gun shop. During the robbery, Darryl Worthen shot and killed Maxey with a semiautomatic handgun. While Maxie lay dying, all the defendants stole 45 firearms from the gun shop and returned to Indianapolis. Once home with the guns, the defendants sold and distributed many of the firearms and kept several for themselves.
At the sentencing hearing, Assistant United States Attorney Barry D. Glickman told the Court "this was a senseless, cold and brutal robbery and murder of a kind, decent and gentle soul."
This case was the result of an investigation by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, Indiana State Police, Indianapolis Metropolitan Police Department, Jennings County Sheriff’s Department and the Jennings County Prosecutor’s Office.
"Violent crime will not be tolerated in this community," said Jennings County Prosecuting Attorney Brian Belding. "The individuals responsible should be punished to the fullest extent of the law. The decision to have these individuals charged federally was made after thoughtful consultation with the family members. My goal was that the individuals responsible for this heinous act serve the maximum sentence under the law. This was accomplished under the federal sentencing guidelines. My heart goes out to Mr. Maxie’s family, friends, and loved ones."
According to Assistant U.S. Attorneys Barry D. Glickman and William L. McCoskey, who prosecuted this case for the government, Harris must serve three years of supervised release after his sentence.
Harris’ co-defendant Darryl Worthen was sentenced by Judge Barker to 60 years’ imprisonment in November of 2015. The remaining defendant, DeJuan Worthen, has filed a petition to enter a plea of guilty and will enter his plea before and be sentenced by Judge Barker at a date to be announced.
Houston Woman Pleads Guilty in Methamphetamine-Trafficking ConspiracyRead the Press Release
NEW ORLEANS - U.S. Attorney Peter G. Strasser announced that ANGEL RENEE VIDAURE, age 38, of Houston, pled guilty on Wednesday, July 17, 2019 to conspiring to distribute and possess with the intent to distribute 500 grams or more of a mixture containing methamphetamine. For this offense, she faces a mandatory minimum sentence of ten years in prison, a maximum life sentence, a fine of up to $10,000,000, and at least five years of supervised release.
VIDAURE was one of 11 defendants charged in a 23-count federal indictment. Specifically, the indictment alleges that VIDAURE conspired to sell large quantities of methamphetamine with codefendants Stefen Daigle, Peter Giandalone, Paul Melancon, Jeffrey Clines, Jacob Higginbotham, James Hatch, Eulalio Torres-Cadenas, Delio Alfredo Lopez-Lopez, Lindsey Lopez, and Julien Polk. The indictment also alleges a number of individual acts of distributing and possessing with intent to distribute methamphetamine, as well as firearm offenses. Law enforcement developed evidence against this group of defendants using controlled purchases of methamphetamine, traffic stops and seizures, consensually recorded text messages and phone calls, search warrants, cooperator information, and self-incriminating statements.
U.S. District Judge Susie Morgan set sentencing for VIDAURE on October 22, 2019.
U.S. Attorney Strasser praised the work of the United States Postal Inspection Service, Louisiana State Police, Jefferson Parish Sheriff’s Office, Texas Department of Public Safety, Texas Highway Patrol, Montgomery County (Texas) Sheriff’s Office, Immigration and Customs Enforcement, AMTRAK Police, and the Orleans Parish District Attorney’s Office. Assistant United States Attorney Brandon S. Long is in charge of the prosecution.
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Honduran National Sentenced for Illegal Re-entryRead the Press Release
NEW ORLEANS – U.S. Attorney Peter G. Strasser announced that DANILO ORLANDO GARCIA HERNANDEZ, age 33, a citizen of Honduras, was sentenced onn Wednesday, July 17, 2019 after pleading guilty to a one-count Bill of Information for illegally re-entering the United States in violation of Title 8, United States Code, Section 1326(a).
According to court documents, GARCIA HERNANDEZ was found in the United States on or about May 1, 2019, after having been previously removed therefrom on or about August 18, 2008. GARCIA HERNANDEZ pled guilty as charged today and United States District Court Judge Susie Morgan sentenced GARCIA HERNANDEZ to time served and a $100 special assessment fee. The defendant will be surrendered to the custody of Immigration and Customs Enforcement for removal proceedings.
U.S. Attorney Strasser praised the work of the United States Department of Homeland Security, Customs and Border Protection in investigating this matter. Assistant United States Attorney Julia K. Evans is in charge of the prosecution.
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Hartford Man Pleads Guilty to Federal Firearm ChargeRead the Press Release
John H. Durham, United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut, today announced that ANTHONY PENA, 25, of Hartford, pleaded guilty yesterday before U.S. District Judge Janet Bond Arterton in New Haven to one count of unlawful possession of a firearm by a felon.
According to court documents and statements made in court, on June 24, 2018, acting on informant information, members of the Hartford Police Department responded to the area of 862 Albany Avenue. There, they found Mr. Pena in the driver’s seat of a parked vehicle. A search of the vehicle revealed a loaded Glock 21 .45 caliber firearm with an extended magazine. The firearm had been reported stolen in North Carolina in 2012.
In May 2012, Pena was convicted in state court of robbery in the first degree and conspiracy to commit robbery in the first degree. In May 2014, he was convicted of failure to appear in the first degree.
Judge Arterton scheduled sentencing for October 9, 2019, at which time Pena faces a maximum term of imprisonment of 10 years.
Pena has been detained since his federal arrest on June 24, 2018.
This matter is being investigated by the FBI’s Connecticut Violent Crime Task Force and the Hartford Police Department. The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Jennifer R. Laraia.
This case is part of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), a program bringing together all levels of law enforcement and the communities they serve to reduce violent crime and make neighborhoods safer for everyone.
Hartford Man Charged with Being Felon in Possession of ExplosivesRead the Press Release
United States Attorney Ron Parsons announced that a Hartford, South Dakota, man has been indicted by a federal grand jury for Felon in Possession of Explosives and Unlicensed Receipt of Explosive Materials.
Gerald “Jerry” Eldon Gosmire, age 60, was indicted on July 9, 2019. He appeared before U.S. Magistrate Judge Veronica L. Duffy on July 17, 2019, and pled not guilty to the Indictment.
The maximum penalty upon conviction is up to 10 years in federal prison and/or a $250,000 fine, 3 years of supervised release, and $100 to the Federal Crime Victims Fund per count. Restitution may also be ordered.
The Indictment alleges that on or about November 27, 2018, Gosmire, having been convicted of a crime punishable by imprisonment exceeding one year, and knowing he was not licensed or permitted to transport explosives, knowingly possessed and transported explosive materials.
The charges are merely accusations and Gosmire is presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty.
The investigation is being conducted by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives. Assistant U.S. Attorney Jeffrey C. Clapper is prosecuting the case.
Gosmire was remanded to the custody of the U.S. Marshals Service pending trial. A trial date has not been set.
Harrisburg Man Indicted for Illegal Possession of A MachinegunRead the Press Release
HARRISBURG - The United States Attorney’s Office for the Middle District of Pennsylvania announced today that Jacob Soto, age 22, of Harrisburg, Pennsylvania, was indicted on July 17, 2019, by a federal grand jury for illegal possession of a machinegun.
According to United States Attorney David J. Freed, the indictment alleges that Soto possessed a semiautomatic pistol equipped with a Glock-Compatible Auto Switch in Harrisburg on December 11, 2018.
The case was investigated by the Harrisburg City Police Department and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives. Assistant U.S. Attorney Johnny Baer is prosecuting the case.
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.
Indictments and Criminal Informations are only allegations. All persons charged are presumed to be innocent unless and until found guilty in court.
A sentence following a finding of guilt is imposed by the Judge after consideration of the applicable federal sentencing statutes and the Federal Sentencing Guidelines.
The maximum penalty under federal law for this offense is a term of 10 years imprisonment, a term of supervised release following imprisonment, and a fine. Under the Federal Sentencing Guidelines, the Judge is also required to consider and weigh a number of factors, including the nature, circumstances and seriousness of the offense; the history and characteristics of the defendant; and the need to punish the defendant, protect the public and provide for the defendant's educational, vocational and medical needs. For these reasons, the statutory maximum penalty for the offense is not an accurate indicator of the potential sentence for a specific defendant.
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Grand Jury Returns IndictmentsRead the Press Release
MADISON, WIS. -- A federal grand jury in the Western District of Wisconsin, sitting in Madison, returned the following indictments yesterday. You are advised that a charge is merely an accusation and that a defendant is presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty.
Madison Man Charged with Distributing Heroin
Anthony Nance, 29, Madison, Wisconsin, is charged with four counts of distributing heroin and two counts of possessing heroin with the intent to distribute. The indictment alleges that he committed these offenses in April and June 2019. One of the counts alleges that he possessed 100 grams or more of heroin, and one count alleges he possessed 500 grams or more of heroin.
If convicted, Nance faces a mandatory minimum five years to a maximum of 40 years in federal prison on the counts alleging 100 grams and 500 grams or more of heroin, and 20 years on the other four counts.
The charges against him are the result of an investigation by the Dane County Narcotics Task Force. Assistant U.S. Attorney Aaron Wegner is handling the prosecution.
La Crosse Man Charged with Distributing Heroin
David Wims, 40, La Crosse, Wisconsin, is charged with distributing heroin and with possessing heroin with intent to distribute. The indictment alleges that he distributed heroin on May 9, 2019, and he possessed heroin with intent to distribute on June 5, 2019.
If convicted, Wims faces a maximum penalty of 20 years in federal prison on each count. The charges against him are the result of an investigation by the La Crosse Police Department and Wisconsin Department of Justice Division of Criminal Investigation. Assistant U.S. Attorney Diane Schlipper is handling the prosecution.
Madison Man Charged with Gun Crimes
Travis L. Hicks, 24, Madison, Wisconsin, is charged with two counts of being a felon in possession of a firearm. The indictment alleges that on from January 21 to January 22, 2019, he possessed a 7.62 caliber firearm, and from January 22, 2019 to March 5, 2019, he possessed a 9mm pistol.
If convicted, Hicks faces a maximum penalty of 10 years in federal prison on each charge. The charges against him are the result of an investigation by the Madison Police Department and Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives. Assistant U.S. Attorney Corey Stephan is handling the prosecution.
Eau Claire Man Charged with Illegally Possessing a Firearm
Lamont Davis, 30, Eau Claire, Wisconsin, is charged with being a felon in possession of a firearm. The indictment alleges that on July 3, 2019, he possessed a 9mm pistol.
If convicted, Davis faces a maximum penalty of 10 years in federal prison. The charge against him are the result of an investigation by the Eau Claire Police Department and Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives. Assistant U.S. Attorney Julie Pfluger is handling the prosecution.
Tomah Man Charged with Being a Felon in Possession of a Loaded Firearm
Isaac Morales, 43, Tomah, Wisconsin, is charged with being a felon in possession of a firearm. The indictment alleges that on February 15, 2019, he possessed a loaded 9mm pistol and 9mm ammunition.
If convicted, Morales faces a maximum penalty of 10 years in federal prison. The charge against him are the result of an investigation by the Monroe County Sheriff’s Office and Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives. Assistant U.S. Attorney Rita Rumbelow is handling the prosecution.
Madison Man Charged with Illegally Possessing a Firearm
Malcolm Whiteside, 27, Madison, Wisconsin, is charged with being a felon in possession of a firearm. The indictment alleges that on July 9, 2019, he possessed a 9mm handgun.
If convicted, Whiteside faces a maximum penalty of 10 years in federal prison. The charge against him are the result of an investigation by the Madison Police Department and Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives. Assistant U.S. Attorney Rita Rumbelow is handling the prosecution.
The indictment against Hicks, Davis, Morales, and Whiteside have been brought as part of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), the U.S. Justice Department’s program to reduce violent crime. The PSN approach emphasizes coordination between state and federal prosecutors and all levels of law enforcement to address gun crime, especially felons illegally possessing firearms and ammunition, and violent crimes and drug crimes that involve the use of firearms.