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Friday 24 May 2019
New Orleans Man Sentenced for Bank Robberies During Which Guns Were Placed at the Head of A Security Guard and A Bank TellerRead the Press Release
NEW ORLEANS – U.S. Attorney Peter G. Strasser announced that Chief United States District Judge Nannette Jolivette Brown sentenced BRYSON TUESNO on May 23, 2019 to 15 years of imprisonment, to be followed by three years of supervised release, for robbing two banks while armed. During the course of these robberies, guns were placed at the head of a bank security guard and a bank teller both of whom testified that they thought they would be killed.
TUESNO, age 24, of New Orleans, and DWAYNE WINANS JR., a/k/a “Butter,” age 25, also of New Orleans were convicted on April 26, 2018, after a four-day jury trial. The jury found TUESNO and WINANS guilty of robbing, on August 15, 2016, both the Regions Bank located at 3836 Elysian Fields Avenue in New Orleans and the Gulf Coast Bank located at 1900 Oak Harbor Boulevard in Slidell. The men were also convicted of two counts of using firearms during the commission of those crimes.
The jury also found WINANS guilty of committing two carjackings, on August 12, 2016, in New Orleans, and two counts of using firearms during the commission of those crimes. WINANS and TUESNO used one of the carjacked vehicles as a getaway car during the Regions Bank and Gulf Coast bank robberies. WINANS was sentenced last month to 30 years of imprisonment for these crimes.
U.S. Attorney Strasser praised the work of the Federal Bureau of Investigation. Assistant United States Attorneys David Howard Sinkman, Michael E. McMahon, and Jeffrey Sandman prosecuted the case.
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New Jersey Man Pleads Guilty in $3M Federal Bribery CaseRead the Press Release
WILMINGTON, Del. – David C. Weiss, United States Attorney for the District of Delaware, announced that Stephen Williams, of Neptune, New Jersey, pled guilty in federal court today to bribery in connection with programs receiving federal funds. Williams is the co-defendant of Crystal Martin, the Delaware State University (“DSU”) administrator who pled guilty to the same bribery scheme in April 2019. Williams’ sentencing is scheduled for September 6, 2019 before the Honorable Richard G. Andrews, United States District Judge for the District of Delaware. Williams faces a maximum penalty of 10 years of imprisonment.
According to court documents and statements made in open court, between 2013 and 2017, Williams was the mastermind of a bribery scheme at DSU. Williams recruited students to pay him a fee to change their student registration status from out-of-state residency to in-state residency. After students paid him their fee, Williams helped create forged residency documents, such as leases, and then delivered the forged documents to his co-defendant Martin to place in the students’ files, justifying the residency changes that Martin recorded in the university’s computer system. Williams paid Martin a percentage of the fee he collected from each student whose residency was changed, amounting to approximately $70,000 over the course of four years. Williams also paid DSU students to recruit others interested in having their registration status changed. While the total amount that Williams profited from his scheme remains unknown, the estimated cost of reduced tuition payments to DSU during this four-year-period exceeded $3 million.
U.S. Attorney Weiss stated, “The defendant created and ran a four-year scheme that defrauded Delaware State University. In so doing, he encouraged hundreds of people, and most importantly his co-defendant Martin, to break the law. Further, he deprived his own alma mater and Delaware taxpayers of the rightful tuition proceeds for Delaware State University so that he could personally profit. Defendants who repeatedly break the law for their own personal gain at the expense of Delaware citizens must be held accountable.”
"The FBI is committed to protecting the public trust. When individuals conspire to defraud public institutions, the FBI will aggressively pursue those who seek to financially gain from their illegal schemes," said Jennifer L. Moore, Acting Special Agent in Charge of the Baltimore Division. "The investigation and subsequent prosecution of the defendants revealed they had engaged in a pervasive pattern of fraud and corruption, betraying the university, its students and our community. The cooperation among law enforcement agencies in Delaware led to the dismantlement of the defendants’ enterprise and I applaud the efforts of the investigators and prosecutors."
“Tracking down those who cheat the Federal student aid program will always be a priority of our office,” said Geoffrey Wood, Special Agent in Charge of the U.S. Department of Education Office of Inspector General’s Eastern Region. “That’s why I’m proud of the work of OIG special agents and our law enforcement partners in holding Mr. Williams accountable for his criminal actions and we’ll continue to work together to protect Federal education funds from this type of fraud.”
This case was investigated by FBI Baltimore Division's Wilmington Office, the U.S. Department of Education Office of Inspector General, and Delaware State Police, with assistance from the Delaware Department of Justice’s Office of Civil Rights and Public Trust. The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Laura D. Hatcher and Whitney Cloud.
New Haven Crack Dealer Sentenced to More Than 5 Years in Federal PrisonRead the Press Release
John H. Durham, United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut, today announced that on May 22, 2019, MALCOLM NEWTON, also known as “Biggie,” 25, of New Haven, was sentenced by U.S. District Judge Vanessa L. Bryant in Hartford to 66 months of imprisonment, followed by four years of supervised release, for distributing crack cocaine in New Haven.
According to court documents and statements made in court, in June 2017, the FBI’s New Haven Safe Streets/Gang Task Force initiated an investigation into a New Haven drug trafficking organization. The investigation, which included physical surveillance, 13 controlled purchases of narcotics, and court-authorized wiretaps on multiple phones, revealed that members of the organization were distributing crack cocaine and oxycodone in the New Haven area.
Newton distributed crack cocaine on behalf of the organization numerous times between November 2017 and February 2018.
Newton and several other members of the organization were arrested on federal criminal complaints on February 6, 2018. At the time of his arrest, Newton was on state probation. A search of his residence on that date revealed five firearms, and small quantities of crack cocaine and oxycodone packaged for street sale.
On February 8, 2018, a grand jury in New Haven returned a 30-count indictment charging Newtown and 18 other individuals with various offenses.
Newton has been detained since his arrest. On February 22, 2019, he pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy to distribute, and to possess with intent to distribute, 28 grams or more of cocaine base (“crack”).
This matter is being investigated by the FBI’s New Haven Safe Streets/Gang Task Force, which includes members from the New Haven Police Department, Milford Police Department, West Haven Police Department and Connecticut Department of Correction. The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Patrick F. Caruso and David C. Nelson.
Myrtle Beach Armed Robber and Get-Away Driver Sentenced to Federal PrisonRead the Press Release
Florence, South Carolina ---- United States Attorney Sherri A. Lydon announced today that Jeremy Lamar Hayes, 29, and Kennedy Boggs, 26, were sentenced in federal court in Florence on federal robbery and gun charges. Hayes previously pleaded guilty to two counts of Hobbs Act Robbery (robbery affecting commerce) and two counts of Brandishing a Firearm during a Crime of Violence. Boggs pleaded guilty to one count of Conspiracy to Commit Hobbs Act Robbery and one count of Aiding and Abetting the Brandishing of a Firearm during a Crime of Violence. Chief United States District Judge R. Bryan Harwell sentenced Hayes to 240 months in federal prison, followed by 5 years of court-ordered supervision. He sentenced Boggs to 108 months in federal prison, followed by 5 years of court-ordered supervision. There is no parole in the federal system.
Evidence presented to the court showed that on January 29, 2018, officers from the Myrtle Beach Police Department (MBPD) responded to an armed robbery at a dry cleaner in Myrtle Beach, South Carolina. Hayes entered the location, presented a firearm, and demanded money from the register and the victim’s wallet. Hayes took money from the register, the victim’s wallet and cell phone, and the store phone and then fled in a vehicle.
The next day, MBPD officers responded to an armed robbery at a restaurant in Myrtle Beach, South Carolina. Hayes entered the location, presented a firearm, and demanded money from the register. Hayes took cash from the register and an employee’s cell phone. Hayes then forced employees to lay on the ground and count while Hayes exited the store and fled in a vehicle.
After the restaurant robbery, MBPD located a vehicle matching the description of the get-away vehicle. The driver, Kennedy Boggs, failed to stop, and after a pursuit, both Boggs and Hayes were detained. MBPD found in the vehicle clothing matching the description of clothing worn by Hayes during the robberies. Hayes’ fingerprint was also located at the scene of the restaurant robbery. Boggs admitted that she had driven Hayes to the robberies and that during the vehicle pursuit, the firearm was thrown out of the car window. Officers later recovered the firearm.
The charges against Hayes and Boggs were the result of an investigation by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF), the Myrtle Beach Police Department, the Surfside Beach Police Department, the Horry County Police Department, the Randolph County Sheriff’s Office (NC), and the Guilford County Sheriff’s Office (NC). This case was prosecuted as part of the joint federal, state, and local Project CeaseFire initiative, which aggressively prosecutes firearm cases. Project CeaseFire is part of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), a crime reduction strategy originally launched in 2001 that has been historically successful in bringing together all levels of law enforcement to reduce violent crime and make our neighborhoods safer for everyone. Turning the tide of rising violent crime in America is a top priority for the Department of Justice, which has reinstituted PSN and directed all U.S. Attorney’s Offices to develop a district crime reduction strategy. Assistant United States Attorney Lauren Hummel of the Florence office prosecuted the case.
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Madera County Woman Pleads Guilty to Aiding and Abetting Production of Child PornographyRead the Press Release
FRESNO, Calif. — A Madera County woman pleaded guilty today to sexual exploitation of children, announced Assistant Attorney General Brian A. Benczkowski of the Justice Department’s Criminal Division and U.S. Attorney McGregor W. Scott.
Ashley Maddox, 32, pleaded guilty to one count of aiding and abetting the production of child pornography before U.S. District Judge Dale A. Drozd.
According to court documents, in June 2017, Maddox came to the attention of law enforcement during a child pornography investigation of a man in Florida. An examination of the Florida man’s electronic devices revealed that between November 2015 and April 2016, he and Maddox had communicated, via the internet and on their cellphones, about their mutual sexual interest in minors. Maddox requested that he send her images and video recordings that depicted the Florida man sexually abusing a prepubescent minor victim. Maddox received from him over 20 images and videos that depicted the minor victim engaged in sexually explicit conduct. Maddox also created and sent to this individual images and videos depicting a prepubescent minor.
This case is the product of an investigation by the Central California Internet Crimes Against Children (ICAC) task force, a federally and state-funded task force with agents from federal, state, and local agencies. The Central California ICAC investigates online child exploitation crimes, including child pornography, enticement, and sex trafficking. Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) agents in Fresno, California and Fort Pierce, Florida investigated this case. The Madera County Sheriff’s Office assisted early in the investigation. Trial Attorney Nadia Prinz of the Criminal Division’s Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section (CEOS) and Assistant U.S. Attorney David Gappa of the Eastern District of California are prosecuting the case.
Maddox is scheduled to be sentenced by Judge Drozd on August 26 in Fresno. She faces a minimum statutory penalty of 15 years in prison and a maximum of 30 years in prison, up to a $250,000 fine, and up to a lifetime of supervised release. The actual sentence, however, will 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.
This case was brought as part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative launched in May 2006 by the Department of Justice to combat the growing epidemic of child sexual exploitation and abuse. Led by the United States Attorneys’ Offices and the Criminal Division’s Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section, Project Safe Childhood marshals federal, state, and local resources to locate, apprehend, and prosecute those who sexually exploit children, and to identify and rescue victims. For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit www.usdoj.gov/psc. Click on the “resources” tab for information about internet safety education.
Madera County Woman Pleads Guilty to Aiding and Abetting Production of Child PornographyRead the Press Release
A Madera County woman pleaded guilty to aiding and abetting the production of child pornography today, announced Assistant Attorney General Brian A. Benczkowski of the Justice Department’s Criminal Division and U.S. Attorney McGregor Scott of the Eastern District of California.
Ashley Maddox, 32, pleaded guilty to one count of aiding and abetting the production of child pornography before U.S. District Court Judge Dale A. Drozd. Sentencing is set for August 26.
According to admissions made in connection with her guilty plea, Maddox was initially identified in the course of a child pornography investigation into a separate target in Florida. An examination of the Florida target’s electronic devices revealed that between November 2015 and April 2016, he and Maddox had communicated via the internet and mobile-based applications about their mutual sexual interest in minors. In the course of these communications, Maddox requested that this individual send her images and video recordings which depicted the Florida man sexually abusing a prepubescent minor victim. Maddox received from him over 20 images and videos that depicted the minor victim engaged in sexually explicit conduct. Maddox also created and sent to this individual images and videos depicting a prepubescent minor.
This case is the product of an investigation by the Central California Internet Crimes Against Children (ICAC) task force, a federally and state-funded task force with agents from federal, state and local agencies. The Central California ICAC investigates online child exploitation crimes, including child pornography, enticement and sex trafficking. Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) agents in Fresno, California, and Fort Pierce, Florida, investigated this case. The Madera County Sheriff’s Office assisted early in the investigation.
This case was brought as part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative to combat the growing epidemic of child sexual exploitation and abuse launched in May 2006 by the Department of Justice. Led by U.S. Attorneys’ Offices and CEOS, Project Safe Childhood marshals federal, state and local resources to better locate, apprehend and prosecute individuals who exploit children via the Internet, as well as to identify and rescue victims. For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit www.justice.gov/psc.
Man from Acoma Pueblo Charged with Involuntary Manslaughter After Deadly Car CrashRead the Press Release
ALBUQUERQUE – Mateo L. Maestas, 21, of Acoma Pueblo, N.M., appeared in federal court on Thursday on charges of involuntary manslaughter following a deadly automobile accident earlier this year.
According to a criminal complaint, Maestas was driving while intoxicated in Cibola County on April 16, 2019, when he crashed his car into another vehicle occupied by a woman and two children. The woman died from injuries sustained in the crash. She was an enrolled member of the Laguna Indian Tribe. Maestas is an enrolled member of the Acoma Indian Tribe.
Maestas is currently in custody. He faces up to 8 years in prison if convicted of involuntary manslaughter.
The Bureau of Indian Affairs investigated this case. Assistant U.S. Attorney Elisa C. Dimas is prosecuting the case.
Long Beach Man Sentenced to Almost Four Years in Prison for Trafficking Counterfeit Prescription DrugsRead the Press Release
Gulfport, Miss. – Robert Ashton Kerns, 23, of Long Beach, Mississippi, was sentenced today by U.S. District Judge Sul Ozerden to 46 months in federal prison, followed by 3 years of supervised release, for possession with intent to distribute fentanyl and fentanyl analogues, announced U.S. Attorney Mike Hurst and Special Agent in Charge Brad L. Byerley with the Drug Enforcement Administration.
On April 17, 2018, officers with the Gulfport Police Department were dispatched to a Sonic Drive-In after a report of a man passed out in the driver’s seat of a running vehicle. The man was Kerns and he was in possession of approximately 300 dosage units of oxycodone, an opiate painkiller, and over 1,500 dosage units of Xanax, a benzodiazepene. After lab testing, it was determined that the substances were counterfeit and contained fentanyl and fentanyl analogues, a powerful opiate which is deadly in relatively small amounts.
On June 12, 2018, Kerns was charged in a federal criminal indictment. He pled guilty on March 1, 2019 to one count of possession with intent to distribute fentanyl and fentanyl analogues.
The case was investigated by the Gulfport Police Department and the Drug Enforcement Administration. It was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney John Meynardie.
Loan Broker Sentenced to Nine Years in Federal Prison for Bank Fraud Conspiracy to Fraudulently Obtain More Than $100 Million in Sba-Backed Business LoansRead the Press Release
Baltimore, Maryland – U.S. District Judge Catherine C. Blake today sentenced Loren Young Park, age 52, formerly of Falls Church, Virginia, to nine years in federal prison, followed by four years of supervised release, for conspiracy to commit bank fraud, in connection with a scheme to fraudulently obtain business loans guaranteed by the Small Business Administration (SBA), with resulting losses of more than $100 million. Loren Park was a fugitive for eight years and was extradited from South Korea to face these charges.
The sentence was announced by United States Attorney for the District of Maryland Robert K. Hur; Small Business Administration Inspector General Hannibal “Mike” Ware; Postal Inspector in Charge Peter R. Rendina of the U.S. Postal Inspection Service - Washington Division; and Acting Special Agent in Charge Jennifer L. Moore of the Federal Bureau of Investigation.
“Our financial system is based on trust,” said U.S. Attorney Robert K. Hur. “Loren Park and his co-conspirators lied during every aspect of the loan process, cheating taxpayers and lenders, causing more than $100 million in losses, and hurting the chances of future small business owners to obtain loans. I am grateful for the patience and diligence of our law enforcement partners to get Loren Park back from South Korea and bring him to justice.”
According to his plea agreement and other court documents, Loren Park and his brother, Joon Park, owned and operated Jade Capital. Jade Capital brokered small business loans, among other services, for clients and on behalf of Loren Park, Joon Park, and their family. According to the plea agreement, Loren and Joon Park and others under their direction encouraged prospective borrowers using the services of Jade Capital to apply for business loans through the SBA’s Section 7(a) program, which guaranteed 75% to 90% of qualified loans made by banks and other commercial lending institutions. Under this program, the principals of the small business seeking the loan were required to invest a certain amount of their own money, called an equity injection, before they qualified for a loan. The banks and other lending institutions making the loan bore the risk of payment default only up to the percentage of the loan not guaranteed by the SBA.
Loren Park admitted that from 2003 until October 2011, he and others under his direction, including Nick Park (no relation), Joo Hyuk “John” Lee, Sang Hyun Kim, and In Jung Ham, submitted SBA loan applications and supporting documentation to loan originators and underwriters on behalf of their clients that contained fraudulent documents, including: bank statements for borrowers that were altered to make it look like the borrowers had more cash to inject into the business they were buying than they in fact did; counterfeit cashiers’ checks and fake gift letters that made it look like the borrowers had more assets at their disposal to use as down payments than they did; fabricated resumes that made it look like the borrowers had more experience running the businesses they sought to purchase than they did; fake tax returns that made it look like the borrowers had greater income than they did; phony interim financial statements that made other businesses the borrowers owned look more profitable than they were; and a number of other misrepresentations.
Loren and Joon Park charged a loan brokerage fee to both the financial institutions and the borrowers for assembling and submitting loan application packages that resulted in the issuance of SBA-guaranteed loans. The fees charged to borrowers were hidden from the financial institutions underwriting the loans. The Parks also had undisclosed ownership interests in businesses involved in some of the transactions and received loan proceeds, unbeknownst to the lenders, in a number of transactions. In one instance, the Parks did not have an ownership interest in a company involved in a transaction but persuaded the seller to assign some of the loan proceeds to them and then converted those proceeds to their own personal use.
Loren Park was on a business trip to South Korea when he learned that he had been indicted in this case. Loren Park had intended to return to the United States, but after learning that he had been indicted, he chose not to return and not face the charges pending against him. Subsequently, he also made several public information requests to the FBI, from South Korea, requesting his criminal record in order to determine whether there were still charges pending against him.
On June 20, 2013, co-defendant Joon Park, a/k/a “Joon Pak” and “Joon Paik,” age 48, of Falls Church Virginia, was sentenced to 188 months in prison, followed by four years of supervised release, and was ordered to pay a money judgment of $91,449,700 and forfeit all the property involved in the offense.
Five other co-defendants were sentenced to between a year and a day in prison and 51 months in prison and were ordered to pay restitution of between $216,472.92 and $3,593,432. In addition, the co-defendants were ordered to pay money judgments of between $11,832,000 and $18,764,900.
United States Attorney Robert K. Hur thanked the SBA Office of Inspector General, the U.S. Postal Inspection Service, and the FBI for their work in the investigation. Mr. Hur praised Assistant U.S. Attorneys Leo J. Wise and Martin J. Clarke, who prosecuted the case.
Law enforcement and other community leaders honored by U.S. Attorney at awards ceremonyRead the Press Release
MARTINSBURG, WEST VIRGINIA – Five law enforcement representatives and one community leader were recognized today for their outstanding work in the greater Martinsburg area.
United States Attorney Bill Powell recognized the Eastern Panhandle Drug & Violent Crimes Task Force, Martinsburg Police Chief Maury Richards, three Berkeley County Sheriff’s Deputies, and Berkeley County Recovery Resource Center Coordinator Kevin Knowles with U.S. Attorney Awards for their contributions to create safer communities.
“While there are so many individual who do so much for our community, it is a great honor to be able to make these awards to this distinguished group of recipients. They have all gone above and beyond in their particular fields and represent the very best of us. I raised my family and live in this community and I know our community is better because of these honorees,” said Powell.
The Eastern Panhandle Drug & Violent Crimes Task Force was recognized for its work in bringing five indictments that included 13 defendants, two of whom were MS-13 gang members, to fruition. Operation Triton, an OCDEFT investigation, seized nearly 13 kilos of cocaine, more than $115,000 in cash, and 11 firearms. These cases were a product of a drug investigation that began in 2016 with over two dozen cocaine buys from Miguel Cruz-Polanco, a citizen of El Salvador, and confirmed member of MS-13.
Cpl. Trampus Boyles and Sgt. Theodore Snyder, both with the Berkeley County Sheriff’s Office, made significant investigative contributions to this case and many other opioid-related cases in the Eastern Panhandle. They are dedicated and unwavering deputies fighting the surge of drugs in Berkeley County and beyond, and recognized individually.
Chief Maury Richards of the Martinsburg Police Department was honored for his dedication to changing the state of the opioid epidemic in the Eastern Panhandle of West Virginia. Chief Richards spent 24 years with the Chicago Police Department, but his biggest contribution to law enforcement would come with the formation of the Martinsburg Initiative, a comprehensive and innovative approach to the drug epidemic. The initiative is a partnership between the Martinsburg Police Department and Berkeley County Schools that is focusing on at-risk children with a history of childhood trauma to help build resiliency and provide for a much brighter, drug-free future.
Deputy Tyler Dopson, with the Berkeley County Sheriff’s Office, was recognized for his heroism and quick actions to save the life of a 4-year-old shooting victim in Martinsburg in March of 2018. Deputy Dopson heard the call come over the radio and knew that he had chest wound seals in his cruiser that could help. He arrived on scene and immediately applied two of the seals to both the front and the back of the child’s wound. Based on the investigation performed by the Martinsburg City Police, it was determined the four-year-old girl was shot in the chest with a 9mm pistol. In the days following the incident, the officers were informed by medics that the young girl may "fully recover" from her injuries, due to the usage of the chest wound seals.
Kevin Knowles, the coordinator for the Berkeley County Recovery Resource Center, is working diligently every day to ensure that Berkeley County, the county in the Northern District of West Virginia with the most overdoses last year, can change its own course. Knowles has worked tirelessly over the past three years to develop partnerships with treatment centers, law enforcement, businesses and community leaders to create and maintain resources for those who are affected by the drug epidemic. Not only is he working to provide solutions for addicts and their families, he is also working to create educational partnerships for prevention in the schools, parents, and community groups.
The ceremony was held in Chief U.S. District Judge Gina M. Groh’s courtroom and included remarks from U.S. Attorney Bill Powell and the presence of many local, state and federal law enforcement leaders from throughout West Virginia.
Other ceremonies are planned in Wheeling and Clarksburg to honor more recipients of the U.S. Attorney Awards.
Kansas Zoos Receive Tiger Pelts Seized from Wildlife TraffickersRead the Press Release
WICHITA, KAN. – Zoos in Topeka and Wichita are receiving tiger and lion pelts that federal agents seized from wildlife traffickers, U.S. Attorney Stephen McAllister said today.
McAllister said his office donated the pelts to the Topeka Zoo and the Sedgwick County Zoo. The pelts were seized by agents of the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service who were enforcing federal laws aimed at protecting endangered animals and disrupting the global black market for hides and other parts of protected wildlife.
“Poachers, wildlife smugglers and black market merchants are stealing our last chance to protect and preserve creatures of awesome strength and beauty,” McAllister said. “Once these animals go, they will be gone forever. They are a precious natural resource that the federal government protects, including by criminal prosecution of illegal traffickers.”
The Department of Justice’s Environment and Natural Resources Division (ENRD), together with United States Attorneys’ Offices across the country, is responsible for prosecuting international wildlife trafficking crimes, primarily under the Endangered Species Act (ESA) and the Lacey Act, as well as crimes related to wildlife trafficking, such as smuggling, money laundering, and criminal conspiracy.
Wildlife items forfeited or abandoned to the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service are stored in a 22,000-square-foot office and warehouse located northeast of Denver that is called the National Wildlife Repository. Many of the items are donated to educational facilities and nonprofit organizations to aid in teaching about endangered species.
McAllister said the tiger pelts came from the wildlife depository. Fish and Wildlife Service agents used some of them in a sting operation in Wichita in 2018. A Wichita man pleaded guilty to making a deal to pay $8,000 to have two tiger pelts delivered to him. Agents retrieved the tiger pelts and seized a lion pelt from his home when they arrested him.
McAllister said the Justice Department estimates the international illegal trade in wildlife generates as much as $23 billion annually. In Kansas in recent years, federal agents have investigated wildlife trafficking cases including deer and elk that had been poached by guides and hunters, eagle feathers that were being unlawfully sold and Asian leopard cats unlawfully imported to Kansas. Federal prosecutors across the country also have pursued cases involving native turtles being exported to other countries.
For more information, see https://www.fws.gov/wildliferepository/ and https://www.justice.gov/enrd/wildlife-trafficking and https://www.fws.gov/eaglerepository/ .
Judge Sentences Pittsburgh Crack Conspirator to 10+ Years in Federal PrisonRead the Press Release
PITTSBURGH - A resident of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania has been sentenced in federal court to 10 years and 10 months (130 months) in prison, followed by eight years of supervised release, on charges of violating federal narcotics laws, United States Attorney Scott W. Brady announced today.
Chief United States District Judge Joy Flowers Conti imposed the sentence on David Kendrick, 44, of Pittsburgh, PA.
According to information presentenced to the court, from in and around January 2016, and continuing thereafter to in and around May 2016, Kendrick conspired with others to distribute and possess with intent to distribute cocaine base, in the form commonly known as crack, a Schedule II controlled substance.
Assistant United States Attorneys Cindy K. Chung prosecuted this case on behalf of the government.
U.S. Attorney Scott W. Brady commended the federally administered Organized Crime and Drug Enforcement Task Force (OCDETF) for conducting the investigation leading to the successful prosecution of David Kendrick. The task force is headed by the Drug Enforcement Administration and is comprised of members drawn from the Pennsylvania Office of the Attorney General, Ambridge Police Department, New Brighton Police Department, Beaver Police Department, Aliquippa Police Department, Moon Township Police Department, Wilkinsburg Police Department, West Mifflin Police Department, Allegheny County Police Department, Duquesne Police Department, Munhall Police Department, Allegheny County Sheriff’s Office, Pittsburgh Bureau of Police, and the Pennsylvania State Police. 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.
Jackson Man Sentenced Under Project EJECT to 18 Months in Prison for Illegally Possessing Stolen FirearmRead the Press Release
Jackson, Miss. – Tommy Robert Spells, also known as Thomas Spell, 32, of Jackson, was sentenced today by U.S. District Carlton W. Reeves to 18 months in federal prison, followed by three years of supervised release, for being a felon in possession of a firearm, announced U.S. Attorney Mike Hurst and Special Agent in Charge Christopher Freeze with the Federal Bureau of Investigation. Spells was also ordered to pay a $1,000 fine.
On July 24, 2018, Jackson Police officers conducted a traffic stop on a vehicle driven by Spells after he made an illegal U-turn at the intersection of Highway 80 and Robinson Street in Jackson. Spells, a convicted felon, was found to be in possession of a Hi-Point .45 caliber pistol, which was later determined to be stolen. Spells was previously convicted of statutory rape in Hinds County.
This case was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation and the Jackson Police Department. 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.
Jackson County Man Sentenced to Federal Prison for Child Pornography CrimeRead the Press Release
CHARLESTON, W.Va. – A Jackson County man was sentenced to eight years in federal prison for a child pornography crime, announced United States Attorney Mike Stuart. Connor Anthony Putillion, 23, of Ripley, previously entered his guilty plea in January 2019 to one count of attempted receipt of child pornography. Stuart commended the investigation conducted by the Jackson County Sheriff’s Department.
“These are horrendous crimes,” said United States Attorney Mike Stuart. “Guys like Putillion that prey on innocent children need to be locked up.”
Putillion admitted to asking a 13-year-old minor to send him sexually explicit photographs via Snapchat, although the minor never complied with his repeated requests. Putillion admitted that he had previously driven the same 13-year-old minor from West Virginia to Virginia, where he groped her genital area over her clothing. Putillion had at least one other video of suspected child pornography on this cell phone.
Following his release from prison, Putillion will spend 25 years on federal supervised release. He will also be required to register as a sex offender.
Assistant United States Attorneys Jennifer Rada Herrald and Emily Wasserman handled the prosecution. United States District Judge Joseph R. Goodwin handed down today’s sentence.
This case was prosecuted as part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative of the Department of Justice to combat the growing epidemic of child sexual exploitation and abuse. Led by the United States Attorney’s Offices and the Criminal Division’s Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section, Project Safe Childhood marshals federal, state, and local resources to locate, apprehend, and prosecute those who sexually exploit children, and to identify and rescue victims. For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit www.justice.gov/psc.
Follow us on Twitter: @SDWVNews and @USAttyStuart
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Informational: Federal Court arraignmentsRead the Press Release
The U.S. Attorney’s Office announced that the following persons were arraigned or appeared this week before U.S. Magistrate judges on indictments handed down by the Grand Jury or on criminal complaints. The charging documents are merely accusations and defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty:
Appearing in Billings before U.S. Magistrate Judge Timothy J. Cavan and pleading not guilty on May 20 was:
Christopher Lee Minor, 33, of Billings, on charges of prohibited person in possession of a firearm. If convicted of the most serious crime, Minor faces a maximum 10 years in prison, a $250,000 fine and three years of supervised release. Minor was detained. The case was investigated by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives. Pacer case reference. 19-72.
Appearing on May 21:
Matthew Robert-Jefferson Miller, 31, of Billings, on charges of prohibited person in possession of a firearm. If convicted of the most serious crime, Miller faces a maximum 10 years in prison, a $250,000 fine and three years of supervised release. Miller was detained. The case was investigated by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives. Pacer case reference. 19-71.
Thomas Kent Stevens, 29, of Billings, on charges of production of child pornography and possession of child porn. If convicted of the most serious crime, Stevens faces a minimum 15 years to 30 years in prison, a $250,000 fine and five years to life of supervised release. Stevens was detained. The case was investigated by the FBI. Pacer case reference. 19-55.
Appearing in Great Falls before U.S. Magistrate Judge John T. Johnston and pleading not guilty on May 22 was:
Christopher Harwood Mason, 55, of Browning, on charges of assault by striking, beating or wounding. If convicted of the most serious crime, Mason faces a maximum one year in prison, a $100,000 fine and one year of supervised release. Mason was released pending further proceedings. The case was investigated by the Glacier County Sheriff’s Office and the Blackfeet Law Enforcement Services. Pacer case reference. 19-31.
Appearing before U.S. District Judge Brian M. Morris and pleading not guilty on May 23 was:
Pascasio Proano-Dominguez, 48, of Mexico, on charges of illegal reentry. If convicted of the most serious crime, Proano-Dominguez faces a maximum two years in prison, a $250,000 fine and three years of supervised release. He was detained pending further proceedings. The case was investigated by the U.S. Border Patrol and U.S. Customs and Border Protection. Pacer case reference. 19-39.
Appearing in Missoula before U.S. Magistrate Judge Jeremiah C. Lynch on a complaint on May 20 was:
Robert David Barclay Jr., of Pocatello, Idaho, on charges of possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine. If convicted of the most serious crime, Barclay faces a minimum mandatory five years to 40 years in prison, a $5 million fine and four years of supervised release. Barclay was detained pending further proceedings. The case was investigated by the Missouri River Drug Task Force and the FBI’s Montana Regional Violent Crime Task Force. Pacer case reference. 19-34.
Appearing on May 22 was:
Barbara Brown, 29, of Missoula, on charges of conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute methamphetamine, possession with intent to distribute meth and possession of a firearm during a drug trafficking offense. If convicted of the most serious crime, Brown faces a minimum mandatory 10 years to life in prison, a $10 million fine and a minimum five years of supervised release. Brown was detained pending further proceedings. The case was investigated by the Drug Enforcement Administration, Homeland Security Investigations and the Missoula High Intensity Drug Trafficking Area Task Force. Pacer case reference. 19-23.
If any of the above cases are of interest to your media organization and the community it serves, we encourage you to monitor the progress of the case regularly through the U.S. District Court calendar and the PACER system.
To establish a PACER account, which will allow you to review documents filed in the case, please go to, http://www.pacer.gov/register.html. To access the district court’s calendar, please go to https://ecf.mtd.uscourts.gov/cgi-bin/PublicCalendar.pl.
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Gretna Woman Pleads Guilty to Filing False Tax ReturnRead the Press Release
NEW ORLEANS - U.S. Attorney Peter G. Strasser announced that PATRICIA HARGIS, age 70, of Gretna pleaded guilty yesterday to filing a false federal income tax return, a crime punishable by up to three years’ imprisonment. HARGIS admitted to intentionally understating her income in each return for the years 2011 through 2015, causing her taxes to be understated by a total of approximately $110,810. Judge Mary Ann Vial Lemmon scheduled sentencing for September 19, 2019.
U.S. Attorney Strasser praised the work of the Internal Revenue Service - Criminal Investigation and the Federal Bureau of Investigation in investigating this matter. Assistant United States Attorneys Chandra Menon and Andre J. Lagarde are in charge of the prosecution.
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Forty-two Individuals Arrested in One of the Largest Black Market Marijuana Takedowns in Colorado HistoryRead the Press Release
DENVER – Forty-two people were arrested over the last three days in one of the largest black market marijuana enforcement actions in Colorado history, announced U.S. Attorney Jason Dunn, DEA Denver Division Special Agent in Charge William T. McDermott, 18th Judicial District Attorney George Brauchler and 17th Judicial District Attorney Dave Young. During the last two years more than 250 locations have been searched.
This week law enforcement conducted additional searches and began making arrests on Wednesday, May 22, 2019. Of those arrested as of Friday morning, 26 were state defendants and 16 were federal defendants. The federal defendants charged with offenses involving 100 or more marijuana plants face a minimum mandatory sentence of five years imprisonment and a maximum of 40 years imprisonment. The federal defendants charged with offenses involving 1,000 or more marijuana plants face a minimum mandatory sentence of 10 years imprisonment and a maximum of life in prison.
The law enforcement action identified marijuana grows in homes across the Metro Denver area. Eight businesses were also searched. The total number of search warrants executed, by county, include the following:
- 120 were in Adams County
- 63 were in Arapahoe County
- 22 were in Weld County
- 17 were in Jefferson County
- 7 were in Denver County
- 22 were in Douglas County
- 3 were in El Paso County
- 1 was in Broomfield County
From the locations searched, over 80,000 marijuana plants and 4,500 pounds of finished marijuana product were seized.
In addition to the criminal prosecutions there are federal asset forfeiture actions pending, including:
- 41 homes
- $2,160,776.89 in U.S. currency
- 25 vehicles
- 3 jewelry items
Marijuana is a Schedule I narcotic and illegal under federal law. The marijuana subject to this law enforcement action was destined for the black market, which has dramatically increased in Colorado in recent years.
This investigation began in the summer of 2016, when investigators from the North Metro Task Force began investigating a network of marijuana cultivators involved in the distribution of large amounts of marijuana. The grows were found in the basements of newer houses in fairly upscale neighborhoods. The grow areas are generally in sealed basement rooms. Large commercial charcoal air filters are often used to remove marijuana odor. Some growers vent air late at night to prevent investigators and neighbors from detecting the odor.
Five percent of the grow locations involved the bypass of the electrical meter, which greatly decreases the amount of electricity for which a marijuana grow home is billed, making it more difficult for law enforcement to identify the grow homes by reviewing electrical use data, but increasing the public safety risk.
“Colorado has become the epicenter of black market marijuana in the United States,” said United States Attorney Jason Dunn. “It’s impacting communities, it’s impacting neighborhoods, and it’s impacting public safety. But this investigation may be just the tip of the iceberg. We will therefore continue to pursue black market growers and prosecute them to the full extent of the law.”
“Unfortunately Colorado is no longer known for its beautiful mountains and scenery,” said DEA Denver Division Special Agent in Charge William T. McDermott. “Now it is known for marijuana and other illegal manufacturing and distribution of controlled substances. This investigation highlights that law enforcement and prosecutors are committed to the rule of law and ensuring Colorado returns to its former standing.”
This case was investigated by the North Metro Task Force, the DEA, the 18th Judicial District Attorney and the 17th Judicial District Attorney, with support from the following law enforcement agencies: U.S. Marshals Service, FBI, HSI, ATF, IRS, West Metro Drug Task Force, Front Range Task Force, Thornton Police Department, Westminster Police Department, Adams County Sheriff, Broomfield Police Department, Commerce City Police Department, Northglenn Police Department, Brighton Police Department, Federal Heights Police Department, Aurora Police Department, Jefferson County Sheriff, Arapahoe County Sheriff, Arvada Police Department, Wheat Ridge Police Department, Golden Police Department, Lakewood Police Department, Denver Police Department, Weld County Sheriff, Firestone Police Department, Frederick Police Department, Parker Police Department, Castle Rock Police Department, Colorado Bureau of Investigation, Douglas County Sheriff, Mountain View Police Department, Englewood Police Department, Colorado Attorney General’s Office, Colorado State Patrol, Colorado Springs Police Department, Fort Collins Police Department, National Guard, Pueblo Police Department, El Paso County Sheriff, Pueblo County Sheriff, Teller County Sheriff, Longmont Police Department, and the High Intensity Drug Trafficking Area (HIDTA).
Federal defendants are being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Aaron Teitelbaum and Barbara Skalla. The related forfeiture matters are being handled by Assistant United States Attorneys Elizabeth Young and Tonya Andrews.
The defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty.
Federal Criminal Case Nos: 19-cr-130, 19-cr-0177, 19-cr-0195, 19-cr-119, 19-cr-0113, 19-cr-0112, 19-cr-083
Federal Forfeiture Case Nos: 18-cv-00121, 18-cv-01880, 18-cv-01344, 18-cv-02064,18-cv-02734, 19-cv-00257
Former Station Square Club Owner and Heroin Trafficker Pleads Guilty Again to Drug TraffickingRead the Press Release
PITTSBURGH – A former resident of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, pleaded guilty to one count of possession with intent to distribute cocaine, United States Attorney Scott W. Brady announced today.
Vernon Jackson, 49, pleaded guilty yesterday in front of U.S. District Judge Joy Flowers Conti.
According to information provided to the court, on or about March 8, 2018, detectives from the City of Pittsburgh Narcotics and Vice Unit executed a search warrant at Vernon Jackson’s residence at on Pioneer Avenue in the City’s Brookline neighborhood. Jackson was the only occupant at the home at the time of the search. Detectives recovered multiple bags of cocaine, two digital scales, and drug packaging material from the kitchen of the home. Jackson was on federal supervised release at the time of execution of the search warrant for a prior federal conviction for heroin trafficking.
Judge Conti scheduled sentencing for Sept. 10, 2019. The law provides for a maximum total sentence of not more than 30 years in prison, a fine not to exceed $2,000,000 or both. Under the Federal Sentencing Guidelines, the actual sentence imposed would be based upon the seriousness of the offense and the prior criminal history, if any, of the defendant. Defendant is detained and will be continued to be detained pending sentence.
Assistant United States Attorney Timothy M. Lanni is prosecuting this case on behalf of the government.
Former Pharmacist Pleads Guilty to Obtaining Controlled Substances Under False PretensesRead the Press Release
CONCORD, N.H. - Frank E. Styles, Jr., 62, of Exeter, pleaded guilty in federal court to obtaining controlled substances under false pretenses, United States Attorney Scott W. Murray announced today.
According to court documents and statements made in court, from at least January 25, 2016, through November 29, 2016, while employed as a pharmacist at a pharmacy in Stratham, New Hampshire, Styles altered various records relating to prescriptions he filled in order to obtain controlled substances. During that time period, Styles altered the records associated with approximately 77 prescriptions in this manner, diverting approximately 564 pills containing controlled substances for his own use.
The defendant is scheduled to be sentenced on August 30, 2019.
“Pharmacists and other health care workers who have access to controlled substances hold positions of trust,” said U.S. Attorney Murray. “Those who abuse this trust in order to divert drugs for improper purposes should understand that their actions will have serious consequences.”
This matter was investigated by the Drug Enforcement Administration. The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Georgiana L. Konesky.
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Former NYPD Detective Sentenced to 2 Years in Prison for Obstructing Narcotics InvestigationRead the Press Release
Geoffrey S. Berman, United States Attorney for the Southern District of New York, announced that former New York City Police Department (“NYPD”) detective SAED RABAH was sentenced to 24 months in prison for knowingly providing misinformation to a federal law enforcement officer in order to obstruct a narcotics investigation. RABAH pled guilty December 14, 2018, and was sentenced today by U.S. District Judge Vincent L. Briccetti.
Manhattan U.S. Attorney Geoffrey S. Berman said: “As an NYPD detective, Saed Rabah’s first duty was to uphold the law, not befriend known drug dealers and assist in their criminal enterprises. Now Rabah, a convicted corrupt former police officer, will serve time alongside criminals he and his colleagues arrested.”
According to the Information and a previously filed criminal Complaint:
The target of a narcotics investigation was a cooperator in another court proceeding, and RABAH was his handler. Despite his obligation as a cooperator to engage in no further criminal conduct, the target continued to operate a sophisticated narcotics distribution business. In May 2016, RABAH was contacted by law enforcement and informed that the target was under investigation for narcotics-related offenses. In September 2016, RABAH was again contacted by law enforcement, this time about whether RABAH had a phone number for the target. RABAH waited to respond and, when he did, intentionally provided a phone number for the target that RABAH knew the target was no longer using, rather than providing the target’s active phone number through which RABAH and the target were regularly communicating.
As alleged in the Complaint, RABAH’s obstruction of the investigation was only one component of his corrupt relationship with the target. RABAH and the target traveled to Las Vegas together in July 2016. Moreover, RABAH warned the target when RABAH observed one of the target’s employees make a drug delivery in a manner that RABAH believed could have drawn the attention of law enforcement.
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In addition to the prison term, RABAH, 46, of Brooklyn, New York, was sentenced to one year of supervised release and ordered to forfeit $10,000.
Mr. Berman praised the outstanding investigative work of the Drug Enforcement Administration’s (“DEA”) Westchester Tactical Diversion Squad, comprising agents and officers of the DEA, Yonkers Police Department, Orangetown Police Department, NYPD, Westchester County Police Department, Putnam County Sheriff’s Office, Rockland County Sheriff’s Office, New Windsor Police Department, and the Woodbury Police Department. He also thanked the Special Agents of the United States Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of New York for their assistance.
This case is being handled by the Office’s White Plains Division. Assistant United States Attorney Celia V. Cohen is in charge of the prosecution.
Former FEMA Employee Charged with Stealing Government PropertyRead the Press Release
St. Thomas, USVI –United States Attorney Gretchen C.F. Shappert for the District of the Virgin Islands announced today that Duane Woods, Jr. has been indicted for Receiving Stolen Government Property and Grand Larceny. According to the indictment, Woods, who worked for FEMA at the time, converted FEMA property to his own use, including a generator, phones, monitors, and iPads.
This case is being investigated by the Department of Homeland Security-OIG and the Federal Bureau of Investigations. It is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Nathan Brooks.
United States Attorney Shappert reminds the public that an indictment is merely a formal charging document, and it is not evidence of guilt. Every defendant is presumed innocent until and unless found guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.
Five Indicted in Connection with Maryland-to-Virginia Heroin Pipeline that Resulted in Fatal OverdoseRead the Press Release
Harrisonburg, VIRGINIA – A federal grand jury returned a six-count indictment this week charging five individuals in connection with heroin trafficking from Maryland into Shenandoah County, Virginia that caused one fatal and one non-fatal overdose, United States Attorney Thomas T. Cullen announced today.
In an indictment returned under seal on Tuesday, May 21, 2019 and unsealed this week after arrests were made, the grand jury has charged the following:
Craig Allen Kidwell, 52, and Norman Lynda Kidwell, 54, both of Mount Jackson, Va., were each charged with one count of conspiracy to distribute and possess with the intent to distribute 100 grams or more of a substance containing a detectable amount of heroin resulting in death and resulting in serious bodily injury and one count of distribution and possession with the intent to distribute resulting in the death of J.H. and the serious bodily injury of J.W.
James Harold Lichliter, 52, of Mauretown, Va., Stacy Allen Marston, 42, of Woodstock, Va., and Jonathan Dale Neice, 42, of Woodstock, Va., were each charged with one count of distribution and possession with the intent to distribute resulting in the death of J.H. and the serious bodily injury of J.W.
“Over the last two years, more Americans have died from fatal opioid overdoses than the total number of troops killed during the Vietnam War,” U.S. Attorney Cullen stated. “In order to mitigate this public health crisis, we will aggressively prosecute street dealers and corrupt health-care providers whose unlawful activities directly result in harm to others. I am particularly grateful for the hard work and determination of our state and local partners in Shenandoah County in bringing everyone involved in this deadly distribution chain to justice. I also appreciate the valuable assistance provided by our federal partners in Maryland in this case, including the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Maryland and the Drug Enforcement Administration.”
“The resulting indictments should serve as a warning of what will happen to those who make it their business to exploit and profit from the members of our community. We will remain relentless with our local partners in holding drug dealers accountable for poisoning our citizens,” stated Special Agent in Charge Jesse R. Fong of the Drug Enforcement Administration Washington Division
According to the indictment, beginning around June 2017 a Maryland-based drug-trafficking network began selling controlled substances to Virginia-based drug traffickers, who, in turn, transported those drugs to Shenandoah County for redistribution.
Defendants Craig Kidwell and his wife Norma Kidwell are alleged to have repeatedly traveled from their home in Shenandoah County to Maryland to obtain heroin from the Maryland-based drug-trafficking organization. At times, the heroin Craig Kidwell and Norma Kidwell obtained from their Maryland-based source was mixed with other drugs, such as fentanyl and acetyl fentanyl.
After obtaining heroin, Craig Kidwell and Norma Kidwell transported the drugs back to Shenandoah County where the drugs were redistributed to others, including, but not limited to, co-defendants Lichliter, Marston, and Neice, who redistributed the drugs to others around Shenandoah County.
As claimed in the indictment, as a direct result of the defendants’ drug distribution activities, two overdoses occurred, one of which resulted in the death of victim J.H.
The investigation of the case was conducted by the Drug Enforcement Administration, Virginia State Police, Shenandoah County Sheriff’s Office, and Woodstock Police Department with the assistance of the Shenandoah County Commonwealth’s Attorney’s Office and the United States Attorney’s Office for the District of Maryland. Assistant United States Attorney Grayson A. Hoffman will prosecute the case for the United States.
A Grand Jury Indictment is only a charge and not evidence of guilt. The defendants are entitled to a fair trial with the burden on the government to prove guilt beyond a reasonable doubt.
Former Los Alamos National Laboratory Scientist Charged with Making False Official Statements About His Contacts and Involvement with a Chinese Government ProgramRead the Press Release
ALBUQUERQUE – Turab Lookman, 67, of Santa Fe, N.M., made an initial appearance in federal court today on charges of making false official statements about his involvement with a program established by the Chinese government to recruit people with access to and knowledge of foreign technology and intellectual property.
The FBI arrested Lookman yesterday after a grand jury indicted him on Wednesday on three counts of making false official statements about being recruited by and applying to participate in China’s Thousand Talents Program for personal compensation. The indictment alleges that Lookman made false statements about his involvement with China’s Thousand Talents Program on an employment questionnaire, in a debriefing with a Los Alamos National Laboratory counterintelligence officer, and to an investigator from the National Background Investigation Bureau/Office of Personnel Management.
An indictment is only an accusation and a defendant is presumed innocent until proven guilty. Lookman is currently in custody pending a detention hearing on Tuesday. He faces up to 5 years in prison if convicted.
The Federal Bureau of Investigation investigated this case with support from Los Alamos National Laboratory. Assistant U.S. Attorney George C. Kraehe is prosecuting the case.
Federal Jury Convicts Man from San Felipe Pueblo of Sexually Abusing Child in Indian CountryRead the Press Release
ALBUQUERQUE – Tyrone Coriz, 48, of San Felipe Pueblo, N.M., was convicted by a federal jury on Wednesday of two counts of aggravated sexual abuse of a child in Indian Country. Coriz faces a mandatory sentence of life imprisonment based on his previous conviction for another federal sex crime in 1992.
According to the evidence at trial, Coriz committed aggravated sexual abuse involving two different sex acts against the same victim between November 1, 2015, and December 27, 2015. Coriz lived in the same home as the victim and other family members. He committed these offenses at night while other household members were sleeping. Coriz committed the abuse while covering the mouth of the victim and telling her to be quiet. Two other previous victims testified that Coriz also abused them in similar ways at various times over more than twenty years. Some of the victims also testified to witnessing Coriz sexually and physically abuse other victims.
Coriz is currently in custody awaiting sentencing at a later date. He was previously convicted of abusive sexual contact against a different victim in 1992. Coriz faces a mandatory term of life imprisonment based on this prior conviction.
The Bureau of Indian Affairs and Federal Bureau of Investigation investigated this case with assistance from the Santa Ana Police Department. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Nicholas Marshall and Kyle Nayback are prosecuting the case.
East Bay Felon Sentenced to over 7½ Years in Prison for Possessing A Firearm and AmmunitionRead the Press Release
OAKLAND– Laron Jamal Johnson was sentenced to 91 months in prison today for being a felon in possession of a firearm and ammunition, for possession of marijuana with intent to distribute, and for violating the terms of his supervised release, announced United States Attorney David L. Anderson and Federal Bureau of Investigation Special Agent in Charge John F. Bennett. The sentence was handed down by the Honorable Jon S. Tigar, United States District Judge.
Johnson, 31, of San Leandro, pleaded guilty to the firearm and drug charges on March 8, 2019. In pleading guilty, Johnson admitted that on September 22, 2018, he was traveling in Oakland and was in possession of a Glock .40 caliber handgun, 13 rounds of ammunition, and 100 grams of marijuana that he intended to distribute. At the time, Johnson was a convicted felon and was not eligible to possess a firearm or ammunition. Johnson further admitted that on the same day, he was subject to the conditions of a court order setting the conditions for his release from prison as a result of a previous drug-related weapons conviction. On March 8, 2019, Johnson admitted that his possession of a gun and possession of marijuana with intent to distribute violated the terms of his supervised release.
On December 13, 2018, a federal grand jury indicted Johnson, charging him with being a felon in possession of a firearm, in violation of 18 U.S.C. § 922(g), and being in possession of marijuana with the intent to distribute, in violation of 21 U.S.C. § 841. Johnson pleaded guilty to both counts. Judge Tigar ordered Johnson to serve the combined 91 month prison term for the two crimes and for Johnson’s violation of the terms of his supervised release.
In addition to the prison term, Judge Tigar ordered Johnson to serve a three-year term of supervised release to begin at the conclusion of his prison term. Judge Tigar ordered that Johnson will be subject to being searched, with or without suspicion, during his three year term of supervised release.
Assistant United States Attorney Thomas R. Green is prosecuting the case with the assistance of Jessica Rodriguez. The prosecution is the result of an investigation by the FBI.
Drug Ring Leader Sentenced to 27 Years in Prison for Drugs and MurdersRead the Press Release
St. Louis, MO – U.S. District Judge Rodney W. Sippel sentenced Dionne Lamont Gatling, a/k/a “Cuffy,” 53, of St. Charles, MO, to 27 years in prison for drug trafficking charges and the use of firearms in furtherance of drug trafficking resulting in death.
According to court documents, Gatling was the leader and organizer of the Gatling Drug Trafficking Organization. The organization brought heroin, cocaine, methamphetamine and other drugs to the St. Louis area for distribution from 2009 to 2014.
As leader and organizer, Gatling ordered the murders of Theodis Howard and Terrance Morgan, two individuals Gatling suspected as individuals cooperating with law enforcement. Specifically, Gatling organized the 2010 murder of Howard and ordered it in retaliation for Howard providing information to law enforcement regarding Gatling’s brother’s drug trafficking activities. Similarly, Gatling directed Andre Rush, another conspirator, to kill Morgan in 2013 in order to prevent Morgan from cooperating with federal law enforcement officers investigating Gatling’s drug trafficking organization.
Following today’s sentence, U.S. Attorney Jeff Jensen highlighted the coordinated determination of the investigative and prosecution team, “This investigative team is comprised of true professionals. But, when someone harms a witness, it becomes deeply personal to all of us. In murdering two men who knew about his criminal acts, Mr. Gatling took aim at the very foundation of the justice system. These investigators ensured that his actions failed. Today’s sentence is a testament to their tenacity.”
Saint Louis Metropolitan Police Department Chief John Hayden echoed Jensen’s sentiments stating, “I am thankful for the successful collaboration with our federal partners as we work toward the shared interest of safety in the City of St. Louis.”
“Our mission at the Drug Enforcement Administration is to take down drug trafficking organizations at their highest level and that is exactly what we were able to do in this case,” said Special Agent in Charge William J. Callahan of the DEA St. Louis Division. “Unfortunately, violence and crime is part of the drug trade, which is why we will continue to work day and night to get these dangerous and greedy people off our streets.”
This case was investigated by the St. Louis Metropolitan Police Department; the Drug Enforcement Administration; the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives; and the Internal Revenue Service.
Dominican National Indicted on Identity Theft ChargesRead the Press Release
BOSTON – A Dominical national was arrested yesterday and charged in federal court in Boston with identity theft.
Marlon Suazo Santos, 30, a Dominican national residing in Dorchester, was indicted on two counts of false representation of a Social Security number and one count of aggravated identity theft. Suazo is in state custody but will appear in federal court in Boston for an initial appearance and arraignment at a later date.
According to the indictment, Suazo fraudulently used a Social Security number that was not his when applying for a learner’s permit and driver’s license with the Massachusetts Registry of Motor Vehicles in 2017.
The charge of false representation of a Social Security number provides for a sentence of no greater than five years in prison, three years of supervised release and a fine of $250,000. The charge of aggravated identity theft provides for a mandatory sentence of two years in prison, to be served consecutive to any other sentence imposed, one year of supervised release and a fine of $250,000. Sentences are imposed by a federal district court judge based upon the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors.
United States Attorney Andrew E. Lelling and Peter C. Fitzhugh, Special Agent in Charge of Homeland Security Investigations in Boston, made the announcement today. Assistant U.S. Attorney Bill Abely, Deputy Chief of Lelling’s Major Crimes Unit, is prosecuting the case
The details contained in the indictment are allegations. The defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.
Dominican National Charged with Unlawful ReentryRead the Press Release
BOSTON – A Dominican national was charged yesterday in federal court in Boston with illegally reentering the United States after being deported.
Diostene Pimental, 41, a Dominican national formerly residing in Boston, was indicted on one count of unlawfully re-entering the United States after being deported.
According to the indictment, Pimental was removed in November 2012 and subsequently re-entered the United States without permission. The indictment further alleges that Pimental was deported after being convicted of an aggravated felony.
Pimental faces a sentence of no greater than 20 years in prison, up to three years of supervised release, and a fine of up to $250,000. Pimental will be subject to deportation proceedings. Sentences are imposed by a federal district court judge based upon the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors.
United States Attorney Andrew E. Lelling and Marcos D. Charles, Acting Field Office Director, Enforcement and Removal Operations, U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement, Boston, made the announcement today. Assistant U.S. Attorney Bill Abely, Deputy Chief of Lelling’s Major Crimes Unit, is prosecuting the case.
The details contained in the indictment are allegations. The defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.
District Man Pleads Guilty to Federal Firearms OffenseRead the Press Release
WASHINGTON – Michael Wells, 48, of Washington, D.C., pled guilty yesterday to a federal firearms charge stemming from his possession of a loaded firearm on March 23, 2018, in the 600 block of Raleigh Place, Southeast, announced U.S. Attorney Jessie K. Liu and Peter Newsham, Chief of the Metropolitan Police Department (MPD).
Wells pled guilty in the U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia to one count of unlawful possession of a firearm and ammunition by a person convicted of a crime punishable by imprisonment for a term exceeding one year and one count of possession of phencyclidine (PCP). He will be sentenced on September 11, 2019, by the Honorable Richard J. Leon. Wells faces a statutory maximum penalty of 10 years of incarceration.
According to the government’s evidence, on March 23, 2018, at approximately 5:00 p.m., MPD was conducting drug enforcement operations in the 600 block of Raleigh Place, Southeast. Officers observed Wells purchase PCP from another individual. Wells, along with others, were stopped by police. In Wells’ left jacket pocket, law enforcement recovered a wet PCP cigarette, and inside of his backpack, they located a RG14 six-cylinder loaded revolver as well as 23 .22 caliber bullets.
Wells has previously been convicted of a number of felonies, including the same charge—Unlawful Possession of a Firearm—out of U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia in 2000. Wells has also been convicted previously of several narcotics trafficking offenses out of D.C. Superior Court.
In announcing the plea, U.S. Attorney Liu and Chief Newsham, commended the work of the MPD officers who investigated the case. They also acknowledged the efforts of those who worked on the case from the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Columbia, including Assistant U.S. Attorney Gregory Rosen.
Connecticut Resident Admits Violating Sex Offender Registration LawsRead the Press Release
John H. Durham, United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut, announced that ISIAH DUNCAN, 36, pleaded guilty today before U.S. District Stefan R. Underhill in Bridgeport to violating the Sex Offender Registration and Notification Act.
The Sex Offender Registration and Notification Act (“SORNA”), which was passed by Congress in 2006 as part of the Adam Walsh Act, provides a comprehensive set of minimum standards for sex offender registration and notification in the U.S. and seeks to strengthen the nationwide network of sex offender registration and notification programs. In part, SORNA requires registered sex offenders to register and keep their registration current in each jurisdiction in which they reside, work, or go to school.
According to court documents and statements made in court, Duncan has two convictions, in 2013 and 2014, for New York Class A misdemeanor sex offenses that required him to register as a sexual offender. In September 2014, Duncan registered with the New York Sex Offender Registry (“NYSOR”). In December 2015, after an address verification letter that NYSOR sent to Duncan was returned as undeliverable, Duncan was convicted in New York state court of failing as a sex offender to report a change in address/status. On December 17, 2015, Duncan completed a NYSOR change of address form for his new address in New York.
On August 24, 2018, Duncan was arrested at his girlfriend’s apartment in Stamford on an unrelated Connecticut warrant. At the time of his arrest, Duncan possessed a Connecticut Department of Social Services card in his name that was issued in August 2017, and a “Park City Resident” card from the City of Bridgeport with his name, photo, date of birth, and a Bridgeport address. Duncan had failed to notify NYSOR of his change of residence and never contacted the Connecticut Sex Offender Registry.
The investigation further revealed that Duncan received Connecticut medical and food assistance while residing in Stamford and Bridgeport.
Judge Underhill scheduled sentencing for August 16, 2019, at which time Duncan faces a maximum term of imprisonment of 10 years.
Duncan is released on a $50,000 bond pending sentencing.
This matter is being investigated by the U.S. Marshals Service and prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Hal Chen.
Colombian National Sentenced for Illegal Reentry, Immigration Document FraudRead the Press Release
BOSTON – A Colombian national was sentenced in federal court in Boston for illegally reentering the United States after deportation and immigration document fraud.
Guillermo Pineda Suarez, 57, was sentenced by U.S. District Court Judge F. Dennis Saylor IV to 21 months in prison, 14 months deemed served, and three years of supervised release. Pineda Suarez will be subject to deportation proceedings upon completion of his sentence. On March 1, 2019, he pleaded guilty to one count of illegal reentry of a deported alien, one count of possession and use of a false immigration document, and one count of false statements in an immigration document.
On May 22, 2014, Pineda Suarez made a false statement under oath in a United States Citizenship and Immigration Services Form I-9 Employment Eligibility Verification Form and used a counterfeit United States of America Permanent Resident Card. On March 15, 2018, Pineda Suarez was encountered by law enforcement in Boston and determined to be unlawfully present in the United States. Pineda Suarez was previously deported on Nov. 9, 2001.
United States Attorney Andrew E. Lelling; Peter C. Fitzhugh, Special Agent in Charge of Homeland Security Investigations in Boston; and Marcos D. Charles, Acting Field Office Director, Boston, U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s Enforcement and Removal Operations, made the announcement today. Assistant U.S. Attorney Elianna J. Nuzum of Lelling’s Major Crimes Unit prosecuted the case.
Choctaw Tribal Member Sentenced to 11 Years in Prison for Voluntary ManslaughterRead the Press Release
Jackson, Miss. – Keyshawn Willis, 23, of Conehatta, Mississippi, was sentenced today by Chief United States District Judge Daniel P. Jordan III to 132 months in prison, followed by three years of supervised release, for voluntary manslaughter, announced U.S. Attorney Mike Hurst and Special Agent in Charge Christopher Freeze with the Federal Bureau of Investigation. Willis was also ordered to pay a $1500 fine.
Willis entered a guilty plea before Judge Jordan on July 6, 2018 to one count of voluntary manslaughter for his role in the death of a Choctaw man. On November 2, 2017, four members of the Mississippi Band of Choctaw Indians assaulted and killed another Tribal member in the Tucker Community.
Willis’ co-defendants, Jerome Steve and Keenan Martin each pled guilty to second degree murder and were sentenced in March 2019. They both received a prison sentence of 45 years followed by five years of supervised release. A fourth defendant, Monte Isaac, died while awaiting sentencing.
The case was prosecuted by Deputy Criminal Chief Patrick Lemon, Assistant United States Attorney Erin Chalk and Special Assistant United States Attorney Kevin Payne. It was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation and the Choctaw Police Department
Charleston Man Sentenced on Federal Firearms Charge and Violating Terms of His Supervised ReleaseRead the Press Release
CHARLESTON, W.Va. – A Charleston man was sentenced on federal firearms charge, said United States Attorney Mike Stuart. Michael D. Williams, 50, was sentenced to 72 months in prison for being a felon in possession of a firearm and violating the terms of his supervised release. The investigation was conducted by the Charleston Police Department, with assistance from the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF).
Williams previously pled guilty to being a felon in possession of a firearm. On October 13, 2018, Williams got in an altercation at the Transit Mall in downtown Charleston and pulled a firearm on an individual. An officer from the Charleston Police Department witnessed the altercation and arrested Williams. Williams was on supervised release for a prior federal conviction for conspiracy to commit arson.
Senior United States District Judge John T. Copenhaver, Jr. imposed the sentence. Assistant United States Attorney Steve Loew handled the prosecution.
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.
Follow us on Twitter: @SDWVNews and @USAttyStuart
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Charleston Man Pleads Guilty to Federal Drug and Gun ChargesRead the Press Release
CHARLESTON, W.Va. – A Charleston man pled guilty to a federal drug and firearm charges, announced United States Attorney Mike Stuart. Randall Lee Patton, 26, pled guilty to aiding and abetting the distribution of methamphetamine and possession of a firearm by a felon before Senior United States District Judge John T. Copenhaver, Jr. Stuart commended the investigation conducted by the Metropolitan Drug Enforcement Network Team (MDENT), Nitro Police Department, Charleston Police Department, South Charleston Police Department, Kanawha County Sheriff’s Department, and the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA).
“These cases just keep coming – felons with guns dealing drugs,” said United States Attorney Mike Stuart. “And we just keep prosecuting them to keep our communities safe.”
At public court hearings, it was established that on August 2, 2018, Christian Ryan Bowles brought over a pound of pure methamphetamine to Patton’s house on Garrison Avenue in Charleston. Bowles supplied Patton with 34 grams of Bowles’ methamphetamine. Patton then had his neighbor, George Ray Breckenridge, transport the 34 grams of methamphetamine to a confidential police informant in Dunbar, West Virginia.
Further, on January 12, 2019, police investigators executed a search warrant at an apartment where Patton was staying on South Pinch Road in Pinch, West Virginia. The investigators found Patton exiting his room where a Kel-Tech pistol was lying on the nightstand. Patton was prohibited from possessing firearms because of his prior felony conviction for unlawful wounding. Patton was arrested and searched incident to arrest, and investigators found he was carrying over 4 grams of methamphetamine for resale.
Patton faces up to 50 years in federal prison when he is sentenced on August 21, 2019. Assistant United States Attorney Drew O. Inman is handling the prosecution.
This case is being prosecuted as part of the Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN) program, the centerpiece of the Department of Justice’s violent crime reduction efforts. PSN is an evidence-based program proven to be effective at reducing violent crime. Through PSN, a broad spectrum of stakeholders work together to identify the most pressing violent crime problems in the community and develop comprehensive solutions to address them. As part of this strategy, PSN focuses enforcement efforts on the most violent offenders and partners with locally based prevention and reentry programs for lasting reductions in crime.
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Carriere Man Sentenced to over 7 Years in Prison for Accessing Child PornographyRead the Press Release
Gulfport, Mississippi. – Darryl Wayne Griffin, Sr., 55, of Carriere, Mississippi, was sentenced today by U.S. District Judge Sul Ozerden to 87 months in prison, followed by a lifetime of supervised release, for accessing with intent to view visual depictions of minors engaged in sexually explicit conduct, announced U.S. Attorney Mike Hurst and Christopher Freeze, Special Agent in Charge of the Federal Bureau of Investigation in Mississippi. Griffin was also ordered to pay a $5,000 fine, $3,000 in restitution, and a $5,000 special assessment under the Justice for Victims of Trafficking Act of 2015.
In January 2018, an electronic service provider identified internet protocol uploads by an account user of child sexual abuse imagery. After the images were received by the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children, the FBI conducted an investigation into the email and user name associated with the account. Thereafter, a federal search warrant was executed at the residence of Darryl Wayne Griffin, Sr. A subsequent forensic examination of Griffin’s cell phone revealed the defendant had accessed with intent to view numerous images of minors, to include those under 12 years of age, engaged in sexually explicit conduct.
On December 12, 2018, Griffin was charged in a federal criminal indictment. He pled guilty before Judge Ozerden on February 26, 2019.
This case was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation and prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Andrea Jones. It was brought as part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative to combat the growing epidemic of child sexual exploitation and abuse launched in May 2006 by the Department of Justice. Led by U.S. Attorneys' Offices and the Criminal Division's Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section (CEOS), Project Safe Childhood marshals federal, state and local resources to better locate, apprehend and prosecute individuals who exploit children via the Internet as well as to identify and rescue victims. For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit www.projectsafechildhood.gov.
Camden Man Convicted of Robbing Two Banks, Attempting to Rob A ThirdRead the Press Release
CAMDEN, N.J. – A Camden man was convicted today of robbing two banks, and attempting to rob a third bank over a 10-day period in July 2018, U.S. Attorney Craig Carpenito announced.
Anthony L. Livingston, 48, was convicted of two counts of bank robbery, and one count of attempted bank robbery following a one-week trial before U.S. District Judge Renee Marie Bumb in Camden federal court. The jury deliberated less than three hours before returning the guilty verdicts.
According to documents filed in this case and the evidence at trial:
On July 14, 2018, Livingston entered the Gloucester Township PNC Bank wearing sunglasses and a hat. He presented a demand note to the teller and then left the bank with the stolen cash.
On July 24, 2018, Livingston attempted to recruit a homeless man to rob the Stratford PNC Bank on his behalf. Livingston instructed the man on how to rob the bank, gave him a demand note to show to the teller, and drove the man to the bank. The man walked into the bank and told the employee that he had been sent there to rob the bank and that he did not want to do it, and that the bank should call the police because the person who had sent him was waiting for him outside.
Four hours later, Livingston recruited co-defendant Laque Hunter to rob the Collingswood Ocean First bank on his behalf, and drove Hunter to the bank. Hunter robbed the bank with a demand note. Livingston served as the getaway driver, and the two split the proceeds. Hunter pleaded guilty on April 2, 29019, and is awaiting sentencing.
At the time of these crimes, Livingston was on federal supervised release. On July 13, 2018, one day before the first bank robbery, Livingston completed a 220-month term of imprisonment for having robbed eight banks in southern New Jersey in 2000 and 2001.
Each count on which Livingston was convicted carries a maximum potential penalty of 20 years in prison and a $250,000 fine, or twice the gross gain or loss from the offense. Sentencing is scheduled for Sept. 5, 2019.
U.S. Attorney Carpenito credited special agents of the FBI-Cherry Hill, under the direction of Special Agent in Charge Michael Harpster in Philadelphia; the Camden County Police Department, under the direction of Chief J. Scott Thomson; the Camden County Prosecutor’s Office, under the direction of Prosecutor Mary Eva Colalillo; the Camden County Sheriff’s Office, under the direction of Sheriff Gilbert “Whip” Wilson; the Collingswood Police Department, under the direction of Chief Kevin J. Carey; the Gloucester Township Police Department, under the direction of Chief W. Harry Earle; and the Stratford Police Department, under the direction of Chief Ronald M. Morello, with the investigation leading to today’s conviction.
The government is represented by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Kristen M. Harberg and Patrick C. Askin of the Camden Office.
Defense counsel: John B. Brennan Esq., Marlton, New Jersey
CEO of Payment-Processing Company Convicted in Overbilling Fraud SchemeRead the Press Release
Geoffrey S. Berman, the United States Attorney for the Southern District of New York, announced the conviction in Manhattan federal court of MICHAEL MENDLOWITZ, the former CEO and part owner of a payment-processing company that operated under various names, including Commerce Payment Systems (“CPS”), for defrauding its merchant customers. The jury convicted MENDLOWITZ yesterday for wire fraud and conspiracy to commit wire fraud following a four-week trial before U.S. District Judge Vernon S. Broderick. Richard Hart, a CPS sales manager, previously pled guilty before Judge Broderick to one count of conspiracy to commit an offense against the United States.
U.S. Attorney Geoffrey S. Berman said: “Michael Mendlowitz preyed on small business owners, defrauding thousands of them. Small businesses are entitled to be dealt with fairly and billed at the rates that are actually promised. Mendlowitz’s victims got sold a bill of goods and were duped into overpaying.”
According to the allegations contained in the Indictment and Superseding Indictment, and the evidence presented in Court during the trial:
MENDLOWITZ and Hart operated a fraud scheme through a payment-processing company that operated under various names, including CPS. MENDLOWITZ and Hart lured in customers with false claims of “no hidden fees” and false promises that specified rates and fees were “guaranteed for life.” In truth, however, CPS customers, including thousands of small businesses located throughout the country, were charged all manner of hidden and increased rates and fees. In furtherance of the fraud, MENDLOWITZ directed senior employees of CPS to significantly increase rates on customer accounts with no disclosure to customers that they would in fact be charged those increased rates. In addition, MENDLOWITZ deleted three pages from the customers’ contracts that contained terms and conditions that directly contradicted representations made to customers during the sales process. As part of the fraud scheme, MENDLOWITZ falsely told representatives of CPS’s parent company that those terms and conditions had been provided to customers.
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MENDLOWITZ, 44, of Woodmere, New York, was found guilty of one count of conspiracy to commit wire fraud and one count of wire fraud, each of which carries a maximum term of 20 years in prison. Hart, 39, of East Meadow, New York, pled guilty to one count of conspiracy to commit an offense against the United States, which carries a maximum term of five years in prison. The maximum potential sentences are prescribed by Congress and are provided here for informational purposes only, as any sentencing of the defendants will be determined by the judge.
Mr. Berman praised the outstanding investigative work of the U.S. Postal Inspection Service.
The prosecution of this case is being handled by the Office’s Complex Frauds and Cybercrime Unit. Assistant United States Attorneys David Abramowicz, Jilan Kamal, Dina McLeod, and David Raymond Lewis are in charge of the prosecution.
Buffalo Man Indicted for Lying to A Grand Jury About A Murder InvestigationRead the Press Release
CONTACT: Barbara Burns
PHONE: (716) 843-5817
FAX #: (716) 551-3051BUFFALO, N.Y. - U.S. Attorney James P. Kennedy, Jr. announced today that a federal grand jury has returned an indictment charging Demetrius Lowry, a/k/a Little D, 24, of Buffalo, NY, with false declarations before the grand jury, and obstruction of justice. The charges carry a maximum penalty of 20 years in prison.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Paul C. Parisi, who is handling the case, stated that according to the indictment, Jaquan Sullivan was shot and killed on December 5, 2015, in the vicinity of Parkdale Avenue in Buffalo. On December 8, 2015, Lowry was interviewed by Buffalo Police Homicide detectives. In two written statements, the defendant provided details of the shooting, including the identity of the person who shot Sullivan.
On December 17, 2015, Lowry sent a text message to the Buffalo Police Confidential Tip Line stating that the information he had previously provided was “totally wrong,” and he did not know who was involved in the shooting. On February 18, 2016, detectives interviewed the defendant about the tip-line message and Lowry signed a written statement admitting that the tip-line message was not true.
On July 12, 2018, law enforcement officers assigned to the FBI interviewed the defendant once again about the shooting death of Jaquan Sullivan. Lowry gave information about the identity of the shooter which was different from the information he gave to Buffalo Police detectives on December 8, 2015.
On July 31, 2018, the defendant, while under oath and testifying in a proceeding before a Federal Grand Jury, denied writing and signing the two statements when interviewed by Buffalo Police Homicide detectives on December 8, 2015, about the death of Jaquan Sullivan. Lowry also denied writing and signing a statement on February 18, 2016, in which he admitted that the message he sent to the tip line was not true. In addition, the defendant stated that he was never interviewed by a detective on February 18. Lowry testified that he did speak with the FBI in July 2018 but stated he was not asked about the murder of Jaquan Sullivan.
The defendant was arraigned before U.S. Magistrate Judge Michael J. Roemer and was released on conditions.
The indictment is the result of an investigation by the Buffalo Police Department, under the direction of Commissioner Byron Lockwood, the Federal Bureau of Investigation, under the direction of Special Agent-in-Charge Gary Loeffert, and the Erie County Sheriff’s Office, under the direction of Sheriff Timothy Howard.
The fact that a defendant has been charged with a crime is merely an accusation and the defendant is presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty.
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Brooklyn Man Pleads Guilty to Threatening to Assault and Murder a United States SenatorRead the Press Release
Earlier today, in federal court in Brooklyn, Michael Brogan pleaded guilty to threatening to assault and murder a United States Senator. The proceeding was held before United States Magistrate Judge Robert M. Levy. When sentenced, Brogan faces up to 10 years in prison.
Richard P. Donoghue, United States Attorney for the Eastern District of New York, and Matthew R. Verderosa, Chief, United States Capitol Police, announced the guilty plea.
“Brogan threatened to assault and murder a sitting United States Senator to silence the Senator and interfere with the performance of the Senator’s official duties,” stated United States Attorney Donoghue. “The Department of Justice stands ready to vigorously prosecute those who seek to subvert our constitutional system and intimidate elected officials through threats of violence.”
“I greatly appreciate the hard work of our investigators for addressing these threats so quickly, and that of the U.S. Attorney’s staff for prosecuting this case,” stated Chief Verderosa.
On December 4, 2018, Brogan telephoned and left a threatening voice-message at the Washington, D.C. office of a United States Senator. The threats were made to discourage the Senator from criticizing the President, as well as in retaliation for the Senator’s position regarding reproductive rights. In the voice-message Brogan stated, “you watch your [expletive] cause . . . . I’m going to put a bullet in ya.” Brogan said when he traveled to Washington, “. . . I got your [expletive] mark you stupid [expletive]. You and your constant lambasting of President Trump. Oh, reproductive rights, reproductive rights.” Brogan concluded with, “you watch your [expletive]. If I see you on the streets, I’m gonna [expletive] light you up with [expletive] bullets.”
The government’s case is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Phil Selden.
The Defendant:
MICHAEL BROGAN
Age: 51
Brooklyn, New YorkE.D.N.Y. Docket No. 19-CR-207 (NGG)
Boston Man Charged with Being A Felon in Possession of A Firearm and AmmunitionRead the Press Release
BOSTON – A Boston man was arrested yesterday and charged in federal court in Boston with illegally possessing a firearm and ammunition.
Rahshjeem Benson, 36, was charged with being a felon in possession of a firearm and ammunition. Benson appeared in federal court in Boston today, and was ordered detained pending a detention hearing scheduled for May 31, 2019.
According to court documents, on April 5, 2019, Benson possessed a Charter Arms Bulldog Pug .44 SPL caliber revolver, and five Smith & Wesson .44 caliber SPL cartridges. Due to a prior felony conviction, Benson is prohibited from possessing firearms or ammunition.
The charge of being a felon in possession of a firearm and ammunition provides for a sentence of no greater than 10 years in prison, up to three years of supervised release, and a fine of up to $250,000. Sentences are imposed by a federal district court judge based on the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors.
United States Attorney Andrew E. Lelling; Kelly Brady, Special Agent in Charge of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, Boston Field Division; and Boston Police Commissioner William Gross made the announcement today. Assistant U.S. Attorney Elianna Nuzum of Lelling’s Major Crimes Unit is prosecuting the case.
This case is part of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), the centerpiece of the Department of Justice’s violent crime reduction efforts. PSN is an evidence-based program proven to be effective at reducing violent crime. Through PSN, a broad spectrum of stakeholders work together to identify the most pressing violent crime problems in the community and develop comprehensive solutions to address them. As part of this strategy, PSN focuses enforcement efforts on the most violent offenders and partners with locally based prevention and reentry programs for lasting reductions in crime.
The details contained in the charging documents are allegations. The defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.
Armed Drug Dealer Sentenced in Federal CourtRead the Press Release
United States Attorney Richard W. Moore of the Southern District of Alabama announced that James Jerome Reed, 36, of Eight Mile, Alabama was sentenced in federal court to a term of 160 months imprisonment for his involvement in drug distribution and firearms violations. Reed, having been previously convicted of drug felonies in Mobile County Circuit Court, pled guilty to the charges of being a convicted felon in possession of a firearm, possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine, and using, carrying, or possessing a firearm during or in relation to a drug trafficking felony in September of 2018. United States District Court Judge William H. Steele imposed the sentence following a hearing conducted on May 21, 2019.
The judge ordered that Reed serve 100 months imprisonment on the drug charge and the felon in possession charge, with the sentences running concurrently. As for the remaining gun charge, the judge ordered that Reed serve 60 months imprisonment consecutively as required by the statute, for a total term of 160 months behind bars. When he is released from custody, Reed will serve a total of 5 years on supervised release. He was also ordered to pay $300 in special mandatory assessments, but no fine was imposed.
The case was investigated by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, and the Mobile Police Department. It was prosecuted in the United States Attorney’s Office by Assistant United States Attorney Gloria Bedwell.
Alabama Husband and Wife Business Owners Plead Guilty to Payroll Tax FraudRead the Press Release
A Crane Hill couple pleaded guilty yesterday in the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Alabama to failing to pay over employment taxes to the Internal Revenue Service (IRS), announced Principal Deputy Assistant Attorney General Richard E. Zuckerman of the Justice Department’s Tax Division and U.S. Attorney Jay E. Town for the Northern District of Alabama.
According to court documents, Walter Michael Williams and Amy Butler Williams operated Dixie Steel Erectors (DSE), a commercial construction business in Hanceville, Alabama. Mr. Williams, president and owner of DSE, and Ms. Williams, bookkeeper and office manager of DSE, were responsible for withholding and paying over DSE’s payroll taxes. During 2012 and 2013, the couple withheld payroll taxes from the pay of DSE’s employees, but willfully failed to pay over the withheld amounts to the Internal Revenue Service (IRS). During the same period, the couple caused DSE to make thousands of dollars of expenditures for their personal benefit. The couple’s employment tax fraud caused a loss of approximately $503,000 to the IRS.
In addition, Mr. Williams has not filed personal income tax returns with the IRS since 2009.
Ms. Williams has not filed such returns since 2013.
Sentencing is scheduled for Sept. 23, 2019. Mr. and Ms. Williams each face a maximum sentence of five years in prison, as well as a period of supervised release, restitution, and monetary penalties.
Principal Deputy Assistant Attorney General Zuckerman and U.S. Attorney Town commended special agents of IRS-Criminal Investigation, who conducted the investigation, and Tax Division Trial Attorney Allison Garnett and Assistant United States Attorney Melissa Atwood, who are prosecuting the case.
Additional information about the Tax Division and its enforcement efforts may be found on the division’s website.
3 Charged in Million-Dollar Elder Fraud SchemeRead the Press Release
Geoffrey S. Berman, the United States Attorney for the Southern District of New York, and Gregory W. Ehrie, Special Agent-in-Charge of the Newark Field Office of the Federal Bureau of Investigation (“FBI”), announced the unsealing of a criminal Complaint in Manhattan federal court charging GUNJIT MALHOTRA, GURJEET SINGH, and JAS PAL with participating in a conspiracy that for several years exploited elderly victims by remotely accessing their computers and convincing victims to pay for computer support services they did not need, and which were never actually provided. The conspiracy netted at least $1.3 million for the conspirators. MALHOTRA and PAL were arrested yesterday and were presented before Magistrate Judge Debra Freeman. SINGH was arrested yesterday in St. Louis, Missouri, and will be presented before a magistrate judge today.
U.S. Attorney Geoffrey S. Berman said: “As alleged, these defendants devised a sophisticated scheme that involved accessing victims’ computers to charge them for unnecessary repairs or repair services they never performed. By targeting the elderly, the defendants took advantage of some of our society’s must vulnerable members, and they now face criminal consequences for their alleged predatory conduct.”
FBI Special Agent-in-Charge Gregory W. Ehrie said: “The scheme charged is the latest scam to victimize unsuspecting people who are just looking for assistance. The FBI is constantly on the lookout for criminals posing as legitimate businesses but we want the public to be more aware, as well. Make sure you are calling a reputable company at the number listed on their website, not through a random pop-up on the computer or from a robo-call left on your voicemail. And, above all, report anything suspicious to law enforcement.”
According to the allegations in the Complaint unsealed today in Manhattan federal court[1]:
MALHOTRA, SINGH, PAL, and others engaged in a scheme in which they and their co-conspirators purported to provide computer repair services to victims located throughout the United States, many of whom are elderly. The defendants and their co-conspirators provided their victims’ false and misleading information to extract payment for computer repair services. For example, the defendants and their co-conspirators: (i) claimed to be associated with major technology software companies when, in fact, they were not; (ii) promised to provide computer services when none were provided; and (iii) represented that computer repair services were needed when they knew that was false. As part of their scheme, the defendants and their co-conspirators accessed their victims’ computers and caused them to freeze or, in other instances, installed software on their victims’ computers and caused their victims’ email accounts to send emails that thanked the perpetrators for providing computer services. In connection with the scheme, the defendants and others established several companies. The victims typically sent payments to those companies via private and commercial interstate mail carrier, among other methods. In total, the defendants and their co-conspirators have obtained from their victims more than $1.3 million.
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MALHOTRA, 30, of Ghaziabad, India, SINGH, 22 of Queens, New York, and PAL, 54, of Queens, New York, have each been charged with one count of conspiracy to commit mail fraud, which carries a maximum sentence of 20 years in prison, and one count of conspiracy to access a protected computer in furtherance of fraud, which carries a maximum sentence of five years in prison. SINGH was also charged with aggravated identity theft, which carries a mandatory minimum sentence of two years in prison. The maximum potential sentences are prescribed by Congress and are provided here for informational purposes only, as any sentencing of the defendants will be determined by the judge.
Mr. Berman praised the outstanding investigative work of the FBI in this investigation.
This case is being handled by the Office’s General Crimes Unit. Assistant United States Attorney Ryan B. Finkel is in charge of the prosecution.
The charges contained in the Complaint are merely accusations, and the defendants are presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.
[1] As the introductory phrase signifies, the entirety of the text of the Complaint and the description of the Complaint set forth herein constitute only allegations, and every fact described should be treated as an allegation.
Thursday 23 May 2019
Wilmington Area Drug Dealer Receives More Than 13 Years in Federal PrisonRead the Press Release
RALEIGH — The United States Attorney for the Eastern District of North Carolina, Robert J. Higdon, Jr., announces that United States District Judge James C. Dever III sentenced DETRICK DAYE, 23, of Wilmington to 162 months of imprisonment followed by 3 years of supervised release. On November 5, 2018, DAYE pled guilty to conspiracy to distribute and possess with the intent to distribute a quantity of heroin and a quantity of fentanyl, six (6) counts of distribution of a quantity of heroin, and possession with intent to distribution of a quantity of heroin and a quantity of fentanyl.
According to the investigation, the New Hanover County Sheriff’s Office and the Federal Bureau of Investigation’s Safe Streets Task Force began investigating a drug trafficking organization, in which DAYE was a member, due to a series of opioid overdoses in the New Hanover County area.
Between September 2017 and December 2017, the New Hanover County Sheriff’s Office made six controlled purchases of either heroin or a heroin/fentanyl mixture from DAYE at various location in Wilmington. On December 7, 2017, after the final controlled purchase, DAYE was arrested. Law enforcement conducted a search of his residence and found a quantity of a heroin/fentanyl mixture. According to law enforcement, DAYE was a validated gang member.
This case is part of the Take Back North Carolina Initiative of The United States Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of North Carolina. This initiative emphasizes the regional assignment of federal prosecutors to work with law enforcement and District Attorney’s Offices on a sustained basis in those communities to reduce the violent crime rate, drug trafficking, and crimes against law enforcement.
This investigation was conducted by the FBI Safe Streets Task Force and the New Hanover County Narcotics Unit. Assistant United States Attorney Timothy M. Severo handled the prosecution of this case for the government.
Wilbur Man Sentenced to over 11 Years in Federal Prison for Cyberstalking and Illegally Possessing FirearmsRead the Press Release
Spokane – Joseph H. Harrington, United States Attorney for the Eastern District of Washington, announced that Thomas Martin Roberts, age 52, of Wilbur, Washington, was sentenced today after having pleaded guilty on June 12, 2018, to being a felon in possession of a firearm and ammunition, possessing an unregistered firearm and cyberstalking. United States District Judge Rosanna Malouf Peterson sentenced Roberts to a 137-month term of imprisonment, to be followed by a three-year term of court supervision after he is released from federal prison.
According to information disclosed during court proceedings, on April 19, 2015, the Wilbur Police Department (WPD) was notified that a woman discovered two GPS tracking devices on her two vehicles and that Roberts always seemed to know where she was. The female had multiple domestic violence no contact orders against Roberts and was scheduled to appear in court on April 20, 2015, to testify that Roberts had violated one of the no contact orders. On April 20, 2015, WPD removed one of the GPS devices from the female’s vehicle and placed the device in the WPD station. Later that evening or in the early morning hours the next day, the police station was burglarized and the GPS device and a Taser were stolen. WPD also received information that in the early morning hours of April 21, 2015, an individual wearing a hoodie sweatshirt removed the GPS tracking device from the second vehicle parked outside the female’s residence. After obtaining a state warrant to search Roberts’ residence, investigators found and seized a Winchester, model 70, .270 caliber rifle, .223 caliber AR magazines, and multiple rounds of ammunition. Roberts had prior convictions for second degree assault, harassment-threat to kill, residential burglary, and first degree burglary and was prohibited from possessing a firearm and ammunition. After learning that Roberts also had a room at another residence, the Lincoln County Sheriff’s Office (LCSO) obtained a warrant to search that location, finding and seizing a sawed-off shotgun and nine other firearms, 5,500 rounds of ammunition, and evidence that Roberts had purchased two portable GPS tracking devices in 2014. Further investigation revealed that Roberts had been tracking the female’s vehicles and had sent her text messages indicating he knew where she was.
Joseph H. Harrington said, “This case sends a clear message that the United States Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of Washington and our federal, state and local law enforcement partners are firmly committed to protecting the public and aggressively pursuing individuals who engage in cyberstalking and the illegal possession of firearms and ammunition. I commend the law enforcement officers of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, Lincoln County Sheriff’s Office, Okanogan County Sheriff’s Office and Wilbur Police Department who investigated this case.”
This case was prosecuted under the Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN) program. PSN is a federal, state, and local law enforcement collaboration to identify, investigate, and prosecute individuals responsible for violent crimes in our neighborhoods. The U.S. Attorney’s Office is partnering with federal, state, local, and tribal law enforcement to specifically identify the criminals responsible for violent crime in the Eastern District of Washington and pursue criminal prosecution.
This case was investigated by the Spokane Resident Offices of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, the Lincoln County Sheriff’s Office, Okanogan County Sheriff’s Office and Wilbur Police Department. This case was prosecuted by Earl A. Hicks, an Assistant United States Attorney for the Eastern District of Washington.
WikiLeaks Founder Julian Assange Charged in 18-Count Superseding IndictmentRead the Press Release
A federal grand jury returned an 18-count superseding indictment today charging Julian P. Assange, 47, the founder of WikiLeaks, with offenses that relate to Assange’s alleged role in one of the largest compromises of classified information in the history of the United States. Assistant Attorney General for National Security John C. Demers, U.S. Attorney G. Zachary Terwilliger for the Eastern District of Virginia, Assistant Director John Brown of the FBI’s Counterintelligence Division and Acting Assistant Director in Charge Timothy Dunham of the FBI’s Washington Field Office made the announcement.
The superseding indictment alleges that Assange was complicit with Chelsea Manning, a former intelligence analyst in the U.S. Army, in unlawfully obtaining and disclosing classified documents related to the national defense. Specifically, the superseding indictment alleges that Assange conspired with Manning; obtained from Manning and aided and abetted her in obtaining classified information with reason to believe that the information was to be used to the injury of the United States or the advantage of a foreign nation; received and attempted to receive classified information having reason to believe that such materials would be obtained, taken, made, and disposed of by a person contrary to law; and aided and abetted Manning in communicating classified documents to Assange.
After agreeing to receive classified documents from Manning and aiding, abetting, and causing Manning to provide classified documents, the superseding indictment charges that Assange then published on WikiLeaks classified documents that contained the unredacted names of human sources who provided information to United States forces in Iraq and Afghanistan, and to U.S. State Department diplomats around the world. These human sources included local Afghans and Iraqis, journalists, religious leaders, human rights advocates, and political dissidents from repressive regimes. According to the superseding indictment, Assange’s actions risked serious harm to United States national security to the benefit of our adversaries and put the unredacted named human sources at a grave and imminent risk of serious physical harm and/or arbitrary detention.
The superseding indictment alleges that beginning in late 2009, Assange and WikiLeaks actively solicited United States classified information, including by publishing a list of “Most Wanted Leaks” that sought, among other things, classified documents. Manning responded to Assange’s solicitations by using access granted to her as an intelligence analyst to search for United States classified documents, and provided to Assange and WikiLeaks databases containing approximately 90,000 Afghanistan war-related significant activity reports, 400,000 Iraq war-related significant activities reports, 800 Guantanamo Bay detainee assessment briefs, and 250,000 U.S. Department of State cables.
Many of these documents were classified at the Secret level, meaning that their unauthorized disclosure could cause serious damage to United States national security. Manning also provided rules of engagement files for the Iraq war, most of which were also classified at the Secret level and which delineated the circumstances and limitations under which United States forces would initiate or conduct combat engagement with other forces.
The superseding indictment alleges that Manning and Assange engaged in real-time discussions regarding Manning’s transmission of classified records to Assange. The discussions also reflect that Assange actively encouraged Manning to provide more information and agreed to crack a password hash stored on U.S. Department of Defense computers connected to the Secret Internet Protocol Network (SIPRNet), a United States government network used for classified documents and communications. Assange is also charged with conspiracy to commit computer intrusion for agreeing to crack that password hash.
Assange is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt. If convicted, he faces a maximum penalty of 10 years in prison on each count except for conspiracy to commit computer intrusion, for which he faces a maximum penalty of five years in prison. Actual sentences for federal crimes are typically less than the maximum penalties. A federal district court judge will determine any sentence after taking into account the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors.
First Assistant U.S. Attorney Tracy Doherty-McCormick, Assistant U.S. Attorneys Kellen S. Dwyer, Thomas W. Traxler and Gordon D. Kromberg, and Trial Attorneys Matthew R. Walczewski and Nicholas O. Hunter of the Justice Department’s National Security Division are prosecuting the case.
An indictment contains allegations that a defendant has committed a crime. Every defendant is presumed to be innocent until and unless proven guilty in court.
WikiLeaks Founder Charged in 18-Count Superseding IndictmentRead the Press Release
ALEXANDRIA, Va. – A federal grand jury returned an 18-count superseding indictment today charging Julian P. Assange, 47, the founder of WikiLeaks, with offenses that relate to Assange’s alleged role in one of the largest compromises of classified information in the history of the United States.
The superseding indictment alleges that Assange was complicit with Chelsea Manning, a former intelligence analyst in the U.S. Army, in unlawfully obtaining and disclosing classified documents related to the national defense. Specifically, the superseding indictment alleges that Assange conspired with Manning; obtained from Manning and aided and abetted her in obtaining classified information with reason to believe that the information was to be used to the injury of the United States or the advantage of a foreign nation; received and attempted to receive classified information having reason to believe that such materials would be obtained, taken, made, and disposed of by a person contrary to law; and aided and abetted Manning in communicating classified documents to Assange.
After agreeing to receive classified documents from Manning and aiding, abetting, and causing Manning to provide classified documents, the superseding indictment charges that Assange then published on WikiLeaks classified documents that contained the unredacted names of human sources who provided information to United States forces in Iraq and Afghanistan, and to U.S. State Department diplomats around the world. These human sources included local Afghans and Iraqis, journalists, religious leaders, human rights advocates, and political dissidents from repressive regimes. According to the superseding indictment, Assange’s actions risked serious harm to United States national security to the benefit of our adversaries and put the unredacted named human sources at a grave and imminent risk of serious physical harm and/or arbitrary detention.
The superseding indictment alleges that beginning in late 2009, Assange and WikiLeaks actively solicited United States classified information, including by publishing a list of “Most Wanted Leaks” that sought, among other things, classified documents. Manning responded to Assange’s solicitations by using access granted to her as an intelligence analyst to search for United States classified documents, and provided to Assange and WikiLeaks databases containing approximately 90,000 Afghanistan war-related significant activity reports, 400,000 Iraq war-related significant activities reports, 800 Guantanamo Bay detainee assessment briefs, and 250,000 U.S. Department of State cables.
Many of these documents were classified at the Secret level, meaning that their unauthorized disclosure could cause serious damage to United States national security. Manning also provided rules of engagement files for the Iraq war, most of which were also classified at the Secret level and which delineated the circumstances and limitations under which United States forces would initiate or conduct combat engagement with other forces.
The superseding indictment alleges that Manning and Assange engaged in real-time discussions regarding Manning’s transmission of classified records to Assange. The discussions also reflect that Assange actively encouraged Manning to provide more information and agreed to crack a password hash stored on U.S. Department of Defense computers connected to the Secret Internet Protocol Network (SIPRNet), a United States government network used for classified documents and communications. Assange is also charged with conspiracy to commit computer intrusion for agreeing to crack that password hash.
Assange is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt. If convicted, he faces a maximum penalty of 10 years in prison on each count except for conspiracy to commit computer intrusion, for which he faces a maximum penalty of five years in prison. Actual sentences for federal crimes are typically less than the maximum penalties. A federal district court judge will determine any sentence after taking into account the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors.
G. Zachary Terwilliger, U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of Virginia, John C. Demers, Assistant Attorney General for National Security, and Timothy Dunham, Acting Assistant Director in Charge of the FBI’s Washington Field Office, made the announcement. First Assistant U.S. Attorney Tracy Doherty-McCormick, Assistant U.S. Attorneys Kellen S. Dwyer, Thomas W. Traxler and Gordon D. Kromberg, and Trial Attorneys Matthew R. Walczewski and Nicholas O. Hunter of the Justice Department’s National Security Division are prosecuting the case.
Assange is currently serving a sentence in the United Kingdom for failure to surrender to U.K. authorities in 2012. Assange’s extradition to the United States is being handled by the Department of Justice’s Office of International Affairs.
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. 1:18-cr-111.
An indictment contains allegations that a defendant has committed a crime. Every defendant is presumed to be innocent until and unless proven guilty in court.
West Seneca Man Previously Convicted of Sexually Abusing A Child Pleads Guilty to Child Pornography ChargeRead 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 Justin Wheeler, 27, of West Seneca, NY, pleaded guilty before U.S. District Judge Lawrence J. Vilardo to possession of child pornography involving a prepubescent minor by a person having a prior conviction for aggravated sexual abuse, sexual abuse, or abusive sexual conduct involving a minor. The charge carries a mandatory minimum penalty of 10 years in prison, a maximum of 20 years, and a $250,000 fine.
Special Assistant U.S. Attorney Jeremy Murray, who is handling the case, stated that on October 31, 2017, New York State Parole conducted a search of the defendant’s bedroom pursuant to Wheeler’s New York State court ordered search conditions. The defendant was on parole for a 2013 conviction for attempted rape in the first degree, a conviction which stemmed from his sexual abuse of a 12-year-old girl. During the search, parole officers seized a Samsung cellular telephone from the defendant’s bedroom. A search warrant was executed on the phone, which was found to contain 90 images and 269 videos of child pornography. Some of the images and videos included prepubescent minors and depictions of violence.
The plea is the result of an investigation by Homeland Security Investigations, under the direction of Special Agent-in-Charge Kevin Kelly.
Sentencing is scheduled for October 1, 2019, before Judge Vilardo.
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United States Files Complaint against Long Island Company to Stop Distribution of Adulterated Dietary SupplementsRead the Press Release
CENTRAL ISLIP, N.Y. – The United States filed a civil complaint against defendants Confidence USA Inc., of Port Washington, New York, the company’s president Helen Chian, and manager Jim Chao to prevent the distribution of adulterated dietary supplements in violation of federal law, the Department of Justice announced today. The defendants make and distribute more than 50 dietary supplements under brand names that include Confidence USA, American Best, USA Natural and The Herbal Store.
The complaint, filed in U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of New York, seeks a permanent injunction to prevent the defendants from marketing dietary supplements without following current good manufacturing practices (cGMPs). The complaint alleges that multiple inspections by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) repeatedly showed that the defendants failed to verify the identity of each dietary ingredient used in the manufacture of their supplements, and also failed to verify that their products met specifications for purity, strength, composition and contamination limits.
Dietary supplements not prepared, packed and held in conformance with cGMP regulations are adulterated in violation of the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act. According to the Department of Justice’s complaint, FDA issued a warning letter to Confidence USA in 2011 regarding deficiencies at the company. United States Marshals previously seized certain Confidence USA products in connection with a 2012 complaint alleging that the products were adulterated.
“Millions of Americans take dietary supplements and trust that these products are safe,” stated United States Attorney Richard P. Donoghue of the Eastern District of New York. “This Office is committed to protecting those consumers and holding dietary supplement manufacturers and distributors to current safety standards. Today’s filing demonstrates that we will take action to enforce those standards and keep the public safe.”
“Dietary supplement makers put consumers’ health at risk by distributing products without first verifying that those products actually are what they claim to be,” stated Assistant Attorney General Jody Hunt of the Department of Justice’s Civil Division. “The Department of Justice will continue to work with the FDA to make sure that dietary supplement manufacturers meet the legal standards necessary to ensure the quality of such products.”
“Ensuring product integrity is a priority for the FDA,” stated Melinda Plaisier, Associate Commissioner for Regulatory Affairs at the Food and Drug Administration. “Consumers should be able to expect that the dietary supplements they purchase meet quality standards and contain only what they are supposed to, in the correct amounts. The FDA will continue to take swift action against companies that sell adulterated dietary supplements.”
A complaint is a set of allegations that, if the case were to proceed to trial, the government would need to prove by a preponderance of the evidence.
The case is being handled by Trial Attorney Douglas Ross of the Civil Division’s Consumer Protection Branch, with the assistance of Assistant United States Attorneys Robert Schumacher and John Vagelatos from the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of New York, and Associate Chief Counsel for Enforcement Jennifer Argabright of the FDA’s Office of General Counsel.
For more information about the Consumer Protection Branch and its enforcement efforts, visit its website at https://www.justice.gov/civil/consumer-protection-branch. For more information about the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of New York, visit its website at https://www.justice.gov/usao-edny.
E.D.N.Y. Docket No. 19-CV-3073 (JMA)
Un hombre de Oregón condenado a 15 meses de cárcel federal por un delito de odio con una iglesia en Eugene como objetivoRead the Press Release
Benjamín Jaramillo Hernández, de 70 años, de Eugene, Oregón, fue condenado ayer a 15 meses de cárcel federal y tres años de libertad vigilada por el delito de odio que cometió contra la iglesia católica St. Mary Catholic Church en Eugene en septiembre del 2018 y por la posesión ilícita de municiones. Eric Dreiband, el Fiscal General Auxiliar de la División de Derechos Civiles, y Billy J. Williams, el Fiscal Federal para el Distrito de Oregón lo anunciaron.
«El Departamento de Justicia no tolerará amenazas de violencia e intimidación odiosa», declaró el Fiscal General Auxiliar Eric Dreiband. «Tal y como se ha demostrado en este caso, la División de Derechos Civiles enjuiciará activamente a cualquier persona que vulnere el derecho de individuos o comunidades enteras al libre ejercicio de sus creencias religiosas».
«El Sr. Hernández empleó intimidación y amenazas de violencia para aterrorizar una congregación, pero el daño provocado por delitos de odio como este se extiende más allá de individuos específicos o los grupos que son el objetivo del mismo. Estos delitos amenazan la seguridad, la libertad y el bienestar de comunidades enteras», dijo Billy J. Williams, el Fiscal Federal para el Distrito de Oregón. «Ninguna condena puede revertir el daño causado por el Sr. Hernández, pero esperamos que ofrezca cierto sentido de justicia a los feligreses de St. Mary y a la comunidad entera de Eugene».
«Nuestro derecho a rezar de manera libre y sin miedo es fundamental en la vida en los Estados Unidos», comentó Renn Cannon, el Agente Especial Encargado del FBI en Oregón. «Sea cual sea su religión, el FBI y nuestros socios trabajaremos para proteger su derecho a expresar sus creencias y a vivir en paz».
Según los documentos judiciales, el 9 de septiembre del 2018, Hernández fue escoltado fuera de la propiedad de St. Mary tras un ataque de ira durante el sacramento de la comunión. Cinco días más tarde, el 14 de septiembre, un empleado de la iglesia informó a la Policía de Eugene que alguien había dispensado aerosol de pimienta en los mangos de las puertas exteriores y en la ranura para el correo de la puerta principal de la oficina de St. Mary. Los empleados declararon sentir una sensación de ardor en sus dedos y dificultades para respirar. Un policía de Eugene y un agente del FBI identificaron a Hernández en unas videosecuencias de vigilancia de la iglesia como la persona responsable de los dos incidentes.
El 16 de septiembre del 2018, a Hernández lo vieron nuevamente cerca de St. Mary. Un testigo vio a Hernández al otro lado de la calle de la iglesia cuando paró cerca de la Biblioteca Municipal de Eugene y gritó al testigo, «Aquí tengo algo para tí», mientras señalaba a una bolsa que llevaba consigo.
Varios días más tarde, el 20 de septiembre, los empleados de St. Mary avisaron que habían encontrado una nota amenazante y siete balas explosivas de una Sig de 10mm en la oficina. La nota amenazaba a la iglesia con «2 MP5 con 50 cartuchos cada uno», un tipo de metralleta. La nota concluyó así: «A Eugene lo van a poner en el [palabrota] mapa».
Un policía de Eugene revisó nuevamente las videosecuencias de vigilancia de la iglesia e identificó a Hernández como el individuo que había dejado la nota y las balas. El 21 de septiembre del 2018, Hernández fue detenido por la Policía de Eugene en la Biblioteca Municipal de Eugene. Durante un registro de Hernández, los agentes hallaron una lata parcialmente vacía de aerosol de pimienta, tres cartuchos de una escopeta .410 y 13 balas explosivas de una Sig de 10mm. Las balas de 10mm eran de la misma marca y el mismo calibre que las balas que se encontraron en St. Mary junto con la nota amenazante.
El 12 de febrero del 2019, Hernández se declaró culpable ante la lectura formal de dos cargos de obstrucción o intento a obstrucción al libre ejercicio de creencias religiosas y la posesión ilícita de municiones.
El personal y los feligreses de St. Mary Catholic Church han declarado que las amenazas de Hernández los han dañado físicamente y los ha dejado asustados y preocupados por su propia seguridad y sin la posibilidad de participar libremente en el ejercicio de sus creencias religiosas. El acoso ha afectado no solo a feligreses individuales sino a la parroquia completa. Varios miembros de la comunidad de St. Mary han declarado que la iglesia ha sufrido una baja en asistencia y en los donativos semanales tras la conducta de Hernández.
Este caso fue investigado por la Policía de Eugene y el FBI y enjuiciado por Gavin W. Bruce, un Fiscal Federal Auxiliar de la Fiscalía Federal de Oregón, Cameron Bell, un Abogado de Litigios de la División de Derechos Civiles.
Para más información sobre el trabajo del Departamento de Justicia por combatir y prevenir los delitos de odio, vaya a www.justice.gov/hatecrimes: es un único portal con enlaces a recursos del Departamento de Justicia relacionados con delitos de odio para la policía, los medios de comunicación, investigadores, víctimas, grupos de apoyo y otras organizaciones y personas.