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Thursday 23 May 2019
U.S. Attorney's Office Announces Continued Efforts to Make Communities Safer Through Targeted Strategies to Combat Violent CrimeRead the Press Release
CHICAGO — With the summer months approaching, John R. Lausch, Jr., United States Attorney for the Northern District of Illinois, today announced continued progress in combating violent crime through a series of targeted strategies as part of the revitalized Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN) initiative.
The Department of Justice recently strengthened and enhanced PSN, an evidence-based program that serves as the centerpiece of the Department’s violent crime reduction strategy. In the Northern District of Illinois, U.S. Attorney Lausch has deployed the enhanced PSN program to attack a broad range of violent crime issues facing the district. Northern District of Illinois prosecutors target criminal organizations, leading to prosecutions of complex racketeering and drug trafficking enterprises, while also removing the most violent offenders from the community through prosecution of individual violent crime, drug, and firearm possession cases. PSN resources are also invested in local prevention and reentry programs that seek to implement lasting reductions in crime through community engagement.
“Anyone thinking of engaging in gun violence or trafficking dangerous narcotics in Chicago this summer needs to know that a federal prosecution could await them,” said U.S. Attorney Lausch. “A primary goal of our office is to reduce violent crime, and we will continue to use every available federal law enforcement tool to keep people safe this summer and beyond.”
The PSN program has enabled the U.S. Attorney’s Office to sustain and expand upon significant increases in the prosecution of violent crime and gun offenders. For example, in the first seven months of the 2019 Fiscal Year (FY),[1] the U.S. Attorney’s Office charged more federal firearm offenses than were charged in each of the entire fiscal years of 2004 through 2016. The number of charged firearm defendants in 2019 will likely substantially exceed the numbers charged in 2018 and 2017, which saw the most and second-most firearm defendants, respectively, in more than a decade.
Crime statistics from the Chicago Police Department (CPD) reveal significant reductions in violent crime in Chicago this year. In the first four months of 2019, violent crime in Chicago was down 10%, according to CPD statistics. CPD reported double-digit reductions in murders, robberies, burglaries, and carjackings, compared to the same four-month period in 2018. Shooting incidents were down 8% in that period, which also marked a 41% reduction compared to 2016.
“We are working closer than ever with our federal, state, and local law enforcement partners to increase prosecutions of trigger-pullers and carjackers, and those who illegally use and possess firearms,” said U.S. Attorney Lausch. “While we are making progress, we realize that a great deal of work remains to be done, especially in the summer months ahead.”
Enforcement Actions
The U.S. Attorney’s Office works closely with U.S. law enforcement agencies, including the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF), Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA), Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), Homeland Security Investigations (HSI), Postal Inspection Service (USPIS), Internal Revenue Service (IRS) and U.S. Marshals Service (USMS) to investigate and prosecute violent offenders. State and local partners in this effort include CPD, Illinois State Police (ISP), Illinois Department of Corrections (IDOC), Cook County State’s Attorney’s Office, Cook County Sheriff’s Office, and numerous county and local departments throughout the district.
As part of these efforts, law enforcement in the Northern District frequently use an important tool for investigating violent crime and firearms cases: ATF’s National Integrated Ballistic Information Network (NIBIN). NIBIN is the only national network that allows for the capture and comparison of ballistic evidence to aid in solving and preventing violent crimes involving firearms. NIBIN is a proven investigative and intelligence tool that can link firearms from multiple crime scenes, allowing law enforcement to quickly disrupt shooting cycles.
Thus far in Fiscal Year 2019, the U.S. Attorney’s Office has prosecuted hundreds of defendants for firearms offenses, drug trafficking, and other violent crimes.
- Racketeering Prosecutions
- “Combating violent street gangs is a top priority in our office,” said U.S. Attorney Lausch.
- This month, racketeering and murder charges were unsealed against four alleged members of a Chicago street gang known as the Milwaukee Kings. The charges allege that each of the defendants committed murder, while one of them also committed two attempted murders. The defendants have pleaded not guilty to the charges. The U.S. Attorney’s Office worked closely in the investigation with FBI and CPD.
- Racketeering charges were also brought this month against LUIS CONTRERAS, of Chicago, for allegedly committing murder to maintain and increase his position in the Latin Saints street gang. The indictment alleges that members of the Latin Saints boasted about the gang on social media and intimidated rival gang members through acts of violence. Arraignment is set for May 23, 2019. ATF, HSI and CPD led the probe.
- Last month, two alleged members of the Evans Mob street gang were charged with committing murder in aid of racketeering. The indictment describes the Evans Mob as a criminal organization whose members and associates engaged in numerous acts of violence, including murder, attempted murder and assault, to acquire and preserve the gang’s territory on Chicago’s South Side. The defendants have pleaded not guilty. The case was investigated by ATF and CPD.
- In October 2018, a joint federal and state investigation resulted in racketeering and murder charges against five alleged members of a Chicago street gang faction known as the Goonie Boss. The federal indictment alleges that Goonie members and their associates terrorized the Englewood neighborhood on Chicago’s South Side and were responsible for eleven murders. The defendants have pleaded not guilty. The case was investigated by FBI and CPD.
- Firearm Trafficking and Firearm Theft Prosecutions
- “Straw purchasers and firearms traffickers enable unlawful possession of guns and the violence that may follow,” said U.S. Attorney Lausch. “We will continue to work with our law enforcement partners to hold accountable those who engage in illicit firearm transactions.”
- Earlier this month, a federal jury in Chicago convicted OMRAN ISMAIL, of Burbank, of conspiring to straw purchase several handguns on behalf of someone else. Ismail faces up to ten years in prison when he is sentenced later this year. HSI, CPD, and U.S. Customs and Border Protection participated in the probe.
- In February 2019, four defendants were charged as part of an investigation that disrupted a Missouri-to-Chicago firearms pipeline. The probe, led by ATF and CPD, revealed that two Missouri residents brought numerous handguns to Chicago and supplied them to a convicted felon for eventual sale on the streets. The defendants have pleaded not guilty. One of the defendants who allegedly purchased some of the guns in Chicago, DERRICK CLAIBORNE, was also charged in a separate federal indictment with possessing multiple firearms and fentanyl-laced heroin in his residence in the South Loop neighborhood of Chicago. Claiborne has pleaded not guilty in that case.
- In December 2018, JYMIL CAMPBELL, a convicted felon from Chicago, was sentenced to six and a half years in prison for illegally selling more than a dozen firearms in the city’s North Lawndale neighborhood. Campbell sold ten handguns, three rifles, and four large-capacity magazines for $8,700. Unbeknownst to Campbell, the two buyers were confidential informants working on behalf of law enforcement. ATF led the probe.
- In October 2018, MONICA NAVEJAR, of Chicago, was indicted on firearm charges for conspiring to “straw purchase” handguns in Indiana on behalf of a convicted felon in Chicago. The charges accuse Navejar of purchasing the guns from licensed dealers in Indiana and falsely certifying on federal forms that she was the actual buyer. Navejar pleaded not guilty. ATF, FBI, and CPD conducted the probe.
- Carjacking Prosecutions
- “Our message to would-be carjackers this summer is simple: Committing a senseless act of violence like carjacking could earn you a stay in federal prison for a long time,” said U.S. Attorney Lausch.
- Earlier this month, four teenagers were indicted on carjacking or weapons offenses in connection with a vehicle theft at gunpoint in Chicago’s Edgewater neighborhood. Three of the defendants were charged with using, carrying and brandishing a firearm in connection with a violent crime - an offense punishable by a maximum sentence of life in prison. Arraignments are set for May 29, 2019. The probe was led by FBI and CPD, with assistance from the Cook County State’s Attorney’s Office.
- In February 2019, the U.S. Attorney’s Office announced federal carjacking charges against five individuals in connection with violent carjackings in Chicago or the suburbs. The defendants have pleaded not guilty. The investigations were conducted by CPD, ATF and FBI, with assistance from ISP and the Cook County State’s Attorney’s Office.
- Illegal Possession of Firearm Prosecutions
“If you are a felon and you are thinking about picking up a gun this summer, you should expect to be prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law, and face the possibility of going to federal prison for a long time,” said U.S. Attorney Lausch.
The U.S. Attorney’s Office has brought numerous firearm cases as part of PSN and the recent addition of its Gun Crimes Prosecution Team strategy, which was created to enhance the prosecution of illegal firearm cases in certain police districts in Chicago. Working collaboratively with federal and local law enforcement, and state prosecutors, the team focuses on charging Chicago’s most dangerous criminals quickly after arrest, endeavoring to disrupt the cycle of violence in the neighborhoods most in need. As noted above, over the past two years and during the current fiscal year, the U.S. Attorney’s Office has increased its prosecution of illegal possession and illegal use of firearms cases – charging more gun defendants in each of the past two years than in any single year in more than a decade. More than 175 individuals have been charged with federal gun crimes thus far in FY 2019, according to preliminary data – an increase of over 80% from the number of firearm defendants charged federally during the same period in 2018.
“Our goal as prosecutors is not simply to bring more cases against more defendants, but to reduce the number of homicides and shootings in the Northern District. We work with our law enforcement partners to identify cases that will have the greatest impact on the communities most plagued by violence, and where prosecutions and federal prison time are most likely to disrupt cycles of shootings and retaliation,” said U.S. Attorney Lausch. “We recognize there are presently far too many gun crimes in the Chicago area, and we have increased our enforcement efforts in order to charge as many impactful cases as possible.”
Examples of felon-in-possession sentencings in federal court during FY19 include:
- GLENN WATKINS, of Chicago, was sentenced to six and a half years in prison for illegally possessing a .380-caliber semiautomatic handgun in the city’s Hermosa neighborhood. Watkins was arrested in May 2017 for a traffic violation. After being taken into custody, CPD officers discovered that Watkins had hidden the gun inside a cloth holster that was tied to his testicles with a white shoelace.
- KEESHON SAMSON, of Chicago, was sentenced to nearly six years in prison for illegally possessing a loaded semiautomatic handgun in the city’s South Chicago neighborhood. The gun had been reported stolen in a burglary of a licensed firearms dealer a month earlier. At the time he possessed the gun, Samson was on probation for a kidnapping offense. CPD and ATF led the probe.
- IESHA STANCIEL, of Willowbrook, was sentenced to six years in prison for illegally possessing two firearms in DuPage County. Stanciel also threatened an individual who was cooperating with law enforcement in the case. In a message on the cooperating individual’s Facebook page, Stanciel posted emojis of a handgun and referred to the individual as a “snitch.” FBI and ATF led the probe, with assistance from the Cook County Sheriff’s Office and Bolingbrook Police Department.
- LUIS REYNOSO, of Chicago, was sentenced to more than seven years in prison for illegally possessing two loaded semi-automatic handguns in a park in the Little Village neighborhood of Chicago. Reynoso had previously been convicted of multiple felonies, including attempted murder. The probe was conducted by FBI and CPD.
- MICHAEL SMITH, of Chicago, was sentenced to five and a half years in prison for illegally possessing a semiautomatic handgun with an obliterated serial number on the city’s Near West Side. CPD officers observed Smith retrieve the gun from a parked vehicle and place it in his waistband. When officers approached, Smith ran but was apprehended on the second-floor porch of a nearby residence. At the time of the offense, Smith was on probation for a felony narcotics conviction.
- DIANTE DAVIS, of Chicago, was sentenced to ten years in prison for brandishing a loaded handgun while dealing drugs in Chicago’s Homan Square neighborhood. During a deal with an undercover law enforcement officer, Davis pointed the gun at the officer and accused him of working for law enforcement, saying, “You’re probably recording me right now.” As it turned out, the drug deal was indeed surreptitiously recorded by law enforcement. Davis was arrested, and the undercover officer was not harmed. DEA and CPD led the investigation, with assistance from ISP.
- Two days after being released from custody for a felony conviction, DAVID HOLLY, of Chicago, was arrested for illegally possessing a loaded handgun on a street on Chicago’s Far South Side. He was convicted after a bench trial and sentenced to five years in federal prison. CPD led the probe.
- Narcotics Trafficking Prosecutions
The U.S. Attorney’s Office targets traffickers who bring illegal drugs into Illinois from other states or countries, with a particular focus on traffickers who use guns, violence and threats of violence to protect and promote their illegal businesses. The office also investigates and prosecutes dealers who distribute powerful opioids like fentanyl and heroin.
“Fentanyl is a dangerously potent drug,” said U.S. Attorney Lausch. “Anyone who sells fentanyl on the streets of Chicago this summer will endure the full weight of law enforcement, and that includes a possible federal prosecution.”
The U.S. Attorney’s Office often works directly with the Cook County State’s Attorney’s Office to ensure that individuals trafficking drugs are charged with appropriate offenses in either federal or state court. Examples of recent federal prosecutions include:
- This month, eleven individuals, including a woman and two of her sons, were charged as part of a federal drug and gun investigation in Chicago. During the multi-year probe, law enforcement seized 29 firearms and associated ammunition, a machete and sheath, approximately a kilogram of cocaine, and 78 pounds of marijuana. Law enforcement also seized from one of the defendants a Rolex watch and two necklaces. Attached to the necklaces were 14-carat gold pendants with the initials “LAFA” written in diamonds. The initials are an apparent reference to the defendant’s suspected affiliation with LAFA, a Chicago street gang. Arraignments have not yet been scheduled. FBI and CPD led the investigation, with assistance by IRS, Cook County Sheriff’s Department, Evergreen Park Police Department, Joliet Police Department, Orland Park Police Department, and Bolingbrook Police Department.
- Ten defendants were charged in March 2019 as part of a multi-year federal probe into drug trafficking in the East Garfield Park neighborhood of Chicago. Law enforcement seized approximately 13 pounds of suspected methamphetamines, a half-kilogram of suspected heroin, approximately 13,000 pills of suspected ecstasy, and 18 firearms. The defendants have pleaded not guilty. The investigation was led by ATF and CPD, with assistance from ISP.
- In March 2019, 35 individuals were charged as part of a joint federal and state investigation into heroin and fentanyl trafficking on the West Side of Chicago. Many of the defendants allegedly distributed heroin and fentanyl-laced heroin to customers in the Chicago area, with drivers dispatched to make drug deliveries after customers placed orders on a telephone hotline. The defendants have pleaded not guilty. The investigation was jointly conducted by the Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Force (OCDETF) and the Chicago High Intensity Drug Trafficking Task Force (HIDTA). The task forces, which are comprised of agents and officers from the above-mentioned federal, state and local law enforcement agencies, identify, disrupt and dismantle the most serious drug trafficking organizations.
- In December 2018, a father and son from Chicago were among 18 individuals charged as part of an investigation into cocaine trafficking. The defendants allegedly distributed cocaine to hundreds of customers in the Chicago area, with drivers dispatched to make door-to-door deliveries. The defendants have pleaded not guilty. The OCDETF investigation was led by FBI and DEA, with the assistance of police departments from Evanston, Skokie, Lincolnwood, Palatine, and Des Plaines.
- In “Operation Dirty Ice,” 12 individuals were charged with trafficking heroin on the West Side of Chicago. During the probe, authorities seized one and a half kilograms of heroin, a half-kilogram of crack cocaine, more than $892,000 in illicit cash proceeds, and a stolen handgun. The defendants have pleaded not guilty. The OCDETF investigation was led by FBI and CPD, with assistance from IRS and ISP.
- Sales of fentanyl and fentanyl-laced heroin were the target of a joint federal and state investigation that resulted in charges against more than 25 individuals. The federal charges described drug sales in the Tri-Taylor, Humboldt Park and West Garfield Park neighborhoods on Chicago’s West Side, as well as deals in the Chatham neighborhood on the city’s South Side. The defendants have pleaded not guilty. The probe was led by CPD, with assistance from numerous federal agents assigned to a HIDTA task force.
Community Partnerships
The revitalized PSN program continues to invest resources in many violence-prevention initiatives. Members of the U.S. Attorney’s Office have participated in parolee forums and youth outreach forums, and these efforts will continue this summer.
The monthly parolee forums, also known as offender notification meetings, rotate among various Chicago neighborhoods. Recent parolees who have moved back into the neighborhoods are offered the chance to make an informed choice not to engage in further criminal activity. Researchers at Yale University found that ex-offenders who attend a forum are 30% less likely to commit a new offense than those who did not attend a forum.
The quarterly youth forums assist children aged 13-17 to identify a path other than gang membership. The youth forums are conducted in partnership with CPD, the Cook County Juvenile Temporary Detention Center, and the University of Chicago Crime Lab, which tracks the progress of the children to assess results.
Two Mexican Nationals Indicted for Transporting Approximately 14,800 Counterfeit Oxycodone Pills Containing FentanylRead the Press Release
SACRAMENTO, Calif. — A federal grand jury returned a two-count indictment Thursday against Ivan Lopez, 34, of Mexico, and Erick Olivas Lopez, 39, of Mexico, charging them with conspiracy and possession with intent to distribute at least 400 grams of a substance containing fentanyl, U.S. Attorney McGregor W. Scott announced.
According to court documents, on April 25, 2019, the defendants were found in possession of approximately 14,799 fentanyl-laced counterfeit oxycodone pills, weighing approximately 1.6 kilograms, during a traffic stop in Sacramento.
This case is the product of an investigation by the Tri-County Drug Enforcement Team (TRIDENT), the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration, and the California Highway Patrol. Assistant United States Attorney David W. Spencer is prosecuting the case.
If convicted, Lopez and Olivas Lopez each face a minimum statutory penalty of 10 years and a maximum of life in prison and a $10 million fine. Any sentence, however, would be determined at the discretion of the court after consideration of any applicable statutory factors and the Federal Sentencing Guidelines, which take into account a number of variables. The charges are only allegations; the defendants are presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt.
Twin Falls Man Sentenced to Nearly 30 Years in Federal Prison for Gun and Drug Charges and Shooting at Shoshone Police OfficerRead the Press Release
BOISE – Jesus Javier Malagon, 32, of Twin Falls, has been sentenced to 355 months in prison on federal drug and gun charges, as well as shooting at a Shoshone City police officer, U.S. Attorney Bart M. Davis announced. In February of this year, a Boise jury found Malagon guilty of the charges after a weeklong trial. He was sentenced yesterday by U.S. District Judge B. Lynn Winmill at the Federal Courthouse in Boise. In addition to nearly thirty years in prison, Malagon was sentenced to 4 years of supervised release.
The case stemmed from a January 30, 2018, traffic stop of Malagon by a Shoshone City police officer. At the time of the stop, Malagon possessed a large quantity of marijuana, a digital scale, drug packaging items and two loaded handguns. Malagon fled from the officer at a high-speed. The officer pursued. Malagon eventually crashed his vehicle, resulting in significant injuries to himself. When the officer approached Malagon after the crash, Malagon shot a 9-millimeter handgun at the officer. The officer, who was not injured, immediately returned fire, striking Malagon multiple times. Malagon suffered non-life threatening injuries from the shooting. During a subsequent search of Malagon’s vehicle, investigators found the 9-millimeter handgun, a .38-caliber revolver, multiple pounds of marijuana, and other items showing that Malagon was distributing marijuana. Malagon had previously been convicted of manufacturing marijuana, a felony, and was prohibited from possessing firearms.
The case was investigated by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, Shoshone City Police Department, Gooding County Sheriff’s Office, and the Critical Incident Task Force, which includes the Idaho State Police, Twin Falls County Sheriff’s Office, and Twin Falls City Police Department.
This case was prosecuted as part of the Department of Justice’s Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN) program. PSN is the centerpiece of the Department of Justice’s violent crime reduction efforts. PSN is an evidence-based program proven to be effective at reducing violent crime. Through PSN, a broad spectrum of stakeholders work together to identify the most pressing violent crime problems in the community and develop comprehensive solutions to address them. As part of this strategy, PSN focuses enforcement efforts on the most violent offenders and partners with locally based prevention and reentry programs for lasting reductions in crime.
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Tulare County Man Indicted on Methamphetamine Trafficking ChargesRead the Press Release
FRESNO, Calif. — A federal grand jury returned a three-count indictment today against Alejandro Cabrera-Gallegos, 37, of Porterville, charging him with distribution of methamphetamine and possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine, U.S. Attorney McGregor W. Scott announced.
According to court documents, on May 2, 2019, Cabrera distributed one pound of methamphetamine to an individual in Tulare County. On May 14, 2019, Cabrera was arrested in Tulare County attempting to distribute five pounds of methamphetamine. An additional one pound of methamphetamine was seized during a search warrant executed at Cabrera’s residence in Porterville on May 14, 2019.
This case is the product of an investigation by the Drug Enforcement Administration and the Porterville Police Department. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Kathleen Servatius and Katherine Schuh are prosecuting the case.
If convicted, Cabrera faces a mandatory minimum statutory penalty of 10 years in prison, a maximum statutory penalty of life in prison, and a $10 million fine. Any sentence, however, would be determined at the discretion of the court after consideration of any applicable statutory factors and the Federal Sentencing Guidelines, which take into account a number of variables. The charges are only allegations; the defendant is presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt.
Three defendants sentenced for conspiring to send nearly 14 kilograms of 100% pure methamphetamine from California to GeorgiaRead the Press Release
ATLANTA - Yadira Gomez-Gonzalez has been sentenced for conspiracy to possess with the intent to distribute methamphetamine. Gomez-Gonzalez is the last of three defendants whose drug ring was infiltrated by undercover DEA agents when they attempted to send nearly 14 kilograms of 100% pure methamphetamine from California to Georgia.
“This drug trafficking ring affected countless people with the methamphetamine they were sending across the country,” said U.S. Attorney Byung J. “BJay” Pak. “Thankfully our law enforcement partners penetrated this tight-knit group and have removed this poison from our streets.”
Robert J. Murphy, Special Agent in Charge of the Atlanta DEA office stated, “These individuals established a very lucrative methamphetamine smuggling operation in Atlanta that was crushed by the men and women of DEA. DEA along with its partners will continue to fight those predators who distribute poison in our community.
According to U.S. Attorney Pak, the charges and other information presented in court: DEA agents identified Gomez-Gonzalez and her husband, Fernando Herrera-Rojas, as drug smugglers looking for tractor-trailer drivers to haul drugs between Los Angeles, California and Atlanta, Georgia. An undercover agent, acting as a long-haul trucker, volunteered for the job and negotiated the terms of the transportation and payment with Gomez-Gonzalez and Herrera-Rojas.
After coordinating by phone with Gomez-Gonzalez and Herrera-Rojas, the undercover agent collected nearly 14 kilograms of 100% pure methamphetamine from Reynaldo Gonzalez-Arreola in Commerce, California. All three defendants were arrested after the undercover agent delivered the drugs to Gomez-Gonzalez and Herrera-Rojas in the Atlanta area. Agents also seized $23,890 and a firearm from Gonzalez-Arreola’s home in Los Angeles. Gomez-Gonzalez’s arrest thwarted a separate shipment of drugs she was attempting to coordinate from McAllen, Texas to the Atlanta area.
Members of the conspiracy who have been sentenced by U.S. District Judge Leigh Martin May are:
- Yadira Gomez-Gonzalez, 34, of Kennesaw, Georgia was sentenced to 14 years in prison to be followed by five years of supervised release. Gomez-Gonzalez was convicted on these charges on September 14, 2018, after she pleaded guilty.
- Fernando Herrera-Rojas, 35, of Kennesaw, Georgia, was sentenced to eight years in prison, to be followed by five years of supervised release. Herrera-Rojas pleaded guilty to conspiracy to possess with the intent to distribute methamphetamine on September 14, 2018, and was sentenced on March 29, 2019.
- Reynaldo Gonzalez-Arreola, 32, of Los Angeles, California, was sentenced to 14 years in prison, to be followed by five years of supervised release. Gonzalez-Arreola pleaded guilty to conspiracy to possess with the intent to distribute methamphetamine on January 3, 2019, and was sentenced on March 19, 2019.
All three defendants will be deported to Mexico following their sentence of imprisonment.
This prosecution was brought as a part of the Department of Justice’s Organized Crime and Drug Enforcement Task Force (OCDETF) program, the centerpiece of the Department of Justice’s drug supply reduction strategy. OCDETF was established in 1982 to conduct comprehensive, multilevel attacks on major drug trafficking and money laundering organizations. Today, OCDETF combines the resources and expertise of its member federal agencies in cooperation with state and local law enforcement. The principal mission of the OCDETF program is to identify, disrupt, and dismantle the most serious drug trafficking and money laundering organizations and those primarily responsible for the nation’s drug supply.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Nicholas Hartigan prosecuted the case.
The U.S. Attorney’s Office in Atlanta recommends parents and children learn about the dangers of drugs at the following web site: www.justthinktwice.gov.
For further information please contact the U.S. Attorney’s Public Affairs Office at [email protected] or (404) 581-6016. The Internet address for the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Northern District of Georgia is http://www.justice.gov/usao-ndga.
Texas Man Sentenced as Drug Mule in Large-Scale Cocaine Trafficking SchemeRead the Press Release
CORPUS CHRISTI, Texas – A 35-year-old resident of Conroe has been sentenced to federal prison following his conviction for large-scale cocaine trafficking, announced U.S. Attorney Ryan K. Patrick.
Perry Clark pleaded guilty Feb. 21, 2019.
Today, U.S. District Judge Nelva Gonzales Ramos ordered Clark to serve a total of 40 months in federal prison to be immediately followed by two years of supervised release. In handing down the sentence, the court mentioned Clark’s complete lack of criminal history, but noted the significant quantity of cocaine in this case.
On Jan. 9, 2019, Clark entered the U.S. Border Patrol Checkpoint located near Sarita, at which time a canine officer alerted to Clark’s vehicle. Border Patrol (BP) agents searched the vehicle and discovered 14 bundles containing approximately 15 kilograms of cocaine.
Clark admitted to agents with the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) that he knew he was transporting narcotics, that he had done so on numerous other occasions and that he was to be paid $5,000 for delivering the cocaine to Houston.
Clark will remain in custody pending transfer to a U.S. Bureau of Prisons facility to be determined in the near future.
The DEA conducted the investigation in conjunction with BP. Assistant U.S. Attorney Joel Dunn is prosecuting the case.
Ten Defendants Convicted and Sentenced for Their Roles in Multi-State Identity Theft, Credit Card Fraud, and Money Laundering Ring Netting more than $1.5 million in ProfitsRead the Press Release
The last two of 10 defendants were sentenced for their participation in a multi-state identity theft, credit card fraud, and money laundering scheme.
Ariana Fajardo Orshan, U.S. Attorney for the Southern District of Florida, and Anthony Salisbury, Special Agent in Charge, U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s Homeland Security Investigation (ICE-HSI), Miami Field Office, made the announcement.
According to stipulated facts filed in court and statements made in court, Noe Reina De La Cruz, 28, of Doral, Raul Gil-Rodriguez, 36, formerly of Paramus, New Jersey, Ney Antonio Lopez De La Cruz, 25, of Doral, Domingo Reyes, 41, formerly of Doral and New York, New York, Yousef Michi, 35, of New York, New York, Esteban Ochoa, 35, of New York, New York, Vantroy Sanchez, 40, of New York, New York, Jeffrey Batista, 28, of New York, New York, Carlos David Franco, 32, of Miami, and Pedro De La Cruz, 49, of New York, New York, used the personal identifying information of other individuals to open credit card accounts without the victims’ knowledge or consent. The conspirators used the fraudulently obtained credit cards to purchase electronics, purchase home goods, purchase designer shoes, purchase Rolex watches, travel across the country and abroad, pay for spa services, and pay for medical procedures – such as Lasik surgery – for themselves and others.
For example, according to court documents, on or about March 30, 2017, Noe Reina De La Cruz used a Citibank credit card account number ending in 4669, issued to victim “E.R.,” without the permission and authority of “E.R.,” to purchase items including a Rolex watch, totaling approximately $14,065. On another occasion, on or about May 11, 2017, Noe Reina De La Cruz used a credit card bearing the name “S.D.,” encoded with Citibank account number ending in 3349, issued to identity theft victim “D.A.,” to purchase items and spa services at the Acqualina Resort and Spa in Sunny Isles Beach, which totaled approximately $1,299. The indictment further alleges that, on or about Mary 12, 2017, Raul Gil-Rodriguez used a Citibank credit card account number ending in 2766, issued to identity theft victim “P.L.,” to purchase eye surgery totaling approximately $5,000. Noe Reina De La Cruz also used fraud proceeds and laundered funds to purchase property in Davie that was valued at more than $600,000.
Some conspirators also resold fraudulently obtained electronics, such as Apple products and Nest thermostats, for a percentage of their face value, to Yousef Michi and Carlos David Franco, in order to obtain cash, checks, or wire transfers to Royal Elite Investments Corp., a shell company that Noe Reina De La Cruz controlled, and to companies operated by Raul Gil-Rodriguez.
Gil-Rodriguez and Reyes were the final two defendants sentenced in this case. U.S. District Judge Marcia G. Cooke previously imposed sentences ranging from probation for one defendant to 97 months in prison for the two leaders of the ring, Noe Reina De La Cruz and Raul Gil-Rodriguez. In addition to their terms of incarceration, the defendants were sentenced to pay restitution, special assessments, and forfeiture money judgments that totaled more than $1.5 million.
U.S. Attorney Fajardo Orshan commended the special agents of ICE-HSI Miami Field Office and ICE-HSI New York Field Office who conducted the investigation. Assistant U.S. Attorney Lisa H. Miller prosecuted the case, and Assistant U.S. Attorneys Nalina Sombuntham and Nicole Grosnoff are handling the asset forfeiture component of the case.
Related court documents and information may be found on the website of the District Court for the Southern District of Florida at www.flsd.uscourts.gov or on http://pacer.flsd.uscourts.gov.
Syracuse Man Sentenced for Distributing Crack CocaineRead the Press Release
SYRACUSE, NEW YORK – Damion Anderson, age 48, of Syracuse, was sentenced today in federal court in Syracuse to serve 12 months in prison, followed by 3 years of supervised release, after previously pleading guilty to possession with intent to distribute and distributing crack cocaine, announced United States Attorney Grant C. Jaquith, John B. DeVito, Special Agent in Charge of the New York Field Division of the U.S. Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF), and Chief of Police Kenton T. Buckner, Syracuse Police Department.
In previously pleading guilty, Anderson admitted that on November 8, 2018, he conspired with one or more other people to sell crack cocaine in Syracuse and that he engaged in a sale of less than 2.8 net grams of crack cocaine on that day. This case was part of a targeted drug suppression and enforcement operation conducted jointly by the United States Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives (ATF) and the Syracuse Police Department.
This case was investigated by the Syracuse Police Department and U.S. Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF), with assistance from the United States Marshals Service, and was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Michael F. Perry.
Southern Oregon Man Sentenced to 46 Months in Federal Prison for Interstate Trafficking of MarijuanaRead the Press Release
PORTLAND, Ore.—Daniel Stewart Gregg, 67, of Ashland, Oregon, was sentenced today to 46 months in federal prison and two years’ supervised release for engaging in a conspiracy to traffic Oregon-grown marijuana across state lines.
According to court documents, in 2015, Illinois law enforcement seized a 354-pound load of marijuana originating in Southern Oregon, valued at approximately $885,000. Following the seizure, investigators seized more than $153,000 from the courier’s residence in North Carolina. Further investigation revealed that Gregg had coordinated this shipment and other later out-of-state shipments of marijuana.
On June 8, 2018, Gregg waived indictment and pleaded guilty to a single count of conspiring to distribute a controlled substance.
Gregg has a long history with controlled substances. He was convicted of marijuana possession in 1970 and 1975, of distributing a hallucinogen in 2004 for which he served 15 months in federal prison and of selling marijuana in 2012.
This case was investigated by the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA), Homeland Security Investigations, Internal Revenue Service, Medford Police Department and prosecuted by Julia E. Jarrett and Steven T. Mygrant, Assistant U.S. Attorneys for the District of Oregon.
This case was brought as part of the Justice Department’s Organized Crime and Drug Enforcement Task Force (OCDETF) program, the centerpiece of the department’s strategy for reducing the availability of drugs in the U.S. OCDETF was established in 1982 to mount a comprehensive attack on drug trafficking by disrupting and dismantling major drug trafficking and money laundering organizations. Today, OCDETF combines the resources and expertise of its member federal agencies in coordination with state and local law enforcement.
Sex Offender Sentenced to 12 Years in Federal Prison for Possession of Child PornographyRead the Press Release
Baltimore, Maryland – U.S. District Judge Catherine C. Blake today sentenced Michael Gene Reed, age 40, of Dundalk, Maryland, to 12 years in prison, followed by lifetime supervised release, for possession of child pornography and for violating his supervised release on a previous federal sex offense conviction. Upon his release from prison, Reed must again register as a sex offender in the places where he resides, where he is an employee, and where he is a student, under the Sex Offender Registration and Notification Act (SORNA).
The sentence was announced by United States Attorney for the District of Maryland Robert K. Hur; Acting Special Agent in Charge Cardell T. Morant of U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s (ICE) Homeland Security Investigations (HSI); and Acting Special Agent in Charge Jennifer L. Moore of the Federal Bureau of Investigation, Baltimore Field Office; Chief Terrence B. Sheridan of the Baltimore County Police Department; and Baltimore County State’s Attorney Scott Shellenberger.
According to his plea agreement, on February 24, 2009, Reed was convicted of traveling with intent to engage in illicit sexual conduct and possession of child pornography in U.S. District Court in the District of Columbia. Reed was sentenced to 90 months in prison, followed by 15 years of supervised release, and was required to register as a sex offender upon his release. Reed was released from prison on December 24, 2014, and began his supervised release.
Reed admitted that on June 25, 2017 and December 27, 2017, Reed reported to Maryland’s Sex Offender Registry that he resided in an apartment in Dundalk. However, as of November 2017, Reed resided at a rowhome three miles away from his reported residence, with his girlfriend and her minor daughter. Reed did not report to his probation officer that he had moved or that he was living with a minor, as required by the terms of his supervised release.
As detailed in his plea agreement, Reed also participated in an online anonymous chatroom service that does not require user registration. Users can access chatrooms by entering the name of the room and creating a nickname for themselves. Once in the room, users can chat and share images with one another. Reed admitted that on February 14 and November 17, 2017, Reed joined chatrooms using the names “kinkfan” and “pedoperv,” respectively. On each occasion, Reed shared an image with the other users in the chatroom, specifically, an image of two minor girls engaged in sexually suggestive behavior, and an image of an adult male sexually abusing a prepubescent girl.
On January 11, 2018, law enforcement executed a search warrant at Reed’s girlfriend’s rowhome. Reed admitted to law enforcement that he used his work cellphone to chat on the anonymous site, and that he did not report his new address because he did not want his girlfriend’s daughter and her father to learn about his prior conviction. Reed also possessed images documenting the sexual abuse of prepubescent minors.
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 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 individuals who sexually exploit children, and to identify and rescue victims. For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit www.justice.gov/psc. For more information about Internet safety education, please visit www.justice.gov/psc and click on the "Resources" tab on the left of the page.
United States Attorney Robert K. Hur commended the FBI, HSI-Baltimore, the Baltimore County Police Department, and the Baltimore County State’s Attorney’s Office for their work in the investigation, and thanked the Baltimore City Police Department for its assistance. Mr. Hur thanked Assistant U.S. Attorney Zachary A. Myers, who prosecuted the federal case.
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Serial Fraudster Convicted of Participating in Lottery ScamRead the Press Release
NORFOLK, Va. – A woman with a criminal history that includes previously participating in a fake lottery scam, pleaded guilty today to fraud charges related to her role in a recent Jamaican lottery scam.
“Kochuga and her co-conspirators lied, cheated, and stole from their victims out of greed,” said G. Zachary Terwilliger, U.S. Attorney of the Eastern District of Virginia. “The financial and emotional harm these scams cause elderly victims and their family members can be utterly devastating. This prosecution should stand as a warning to others considering scamming vulnerable victims: We will not tolerate this criminal activity and will continue to prosecute these cases federally.”
According to court documents, Nena Kerny Kochuga, 44, of Virginia Beach, received tens of thousands of dollars from victims around the United States. These victims had been contacted over the phone and told by conspirators that they had won a multi-million dollar lottery. The conspirators would then tell the victims that, in order to receive their winnings, they had to mail or wire money for taxes to Kochuga in Virginia Beach. Kochuga would keep a portion of the money for herself, and wire the rest of the money to conspirators in Jamaica and other countries. Prior to this criminal conduct, Kochuga had been convicted for the same exact scheme in Virginia Beach Circuit Court.
“The U.S. Postal Inspection Service will continue to work tirelessly to ensure that the Postal Service is not used to perpetuate predatory schemes that target vulnerable victims,” said Peter R. Rendina, Inspector in Charge, U.S. Postal Inspection Service, Washington Division. “We are committed to protecting our customers from being defrauded of everything they’ve worked so hard to attain.”
Kochuga pleaded guilty to mail fraud and faces a maximum penalty of 20 years in prison when sentenced on September 30. Actual sentences for federal crimes are typically less than the maximum penalties. A federal district court judge will determine any sentence after taking into account the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors.
G. Zachary Terwilliger, U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of Virginia, and Peter R. Rendina, Inspector in Charge of the Washington Division of the U.S. Postal Inspection Service, made the announcement after Senior U.S. District Judge Robert G. Doumar accepted the plea. Assistant U.S. Attorney Elizabeth M. Yusi is prosecuting the case.
A copy of this press release is located on the website of the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of Virginia. Related court documents and information are located on the website of the District Court for the Eastern District of Virginia or on PACER by searching for Case No. 2:19-cr-22.
Second Nashville Man Indicted for 2016 Robbery/MurderRead the Press Release
NASHVILLE, Tenn. – May 23, 2019 – A superseding indictment returned yesterday charged Christopher Brazelton, 24, of Nashville, Tennessee, with conspiring to commit and committing Hobbs Act Robbery; using, carrying, brandishing and discharging a firearm resulting in death; conspiring to tamper with a witness; and being a convicted felon in possession of a firearm, announced U.S. Attorney Don Cochran for the Middle District of Tennessee. Brandon Hunt-Clark, 22, also of Nashville, was previously indicted last month in connection with this case.
According to the indictment, these charges resulted from the robbery and murder of Justin Lawton, who was found shot to death in Nashville on December 14, 2016. The indictment also charges that Hunt-Clark and Brazelton conspired with unnamed others to tamper with a witness who had knowledge of that robbery and murder.
Both defendants are in custody and if convicted, face up to life in prison.
This case was investigated by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms & Explosives and the Metropolitan Nashville Police Department. Assistant U.S. Attorney Sunny A.M. Koshy is prosecuting the case.
The charges in the indictment are merely accusations. Each defendant is presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.
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Sacramento Area Attorney Indicted for Filing False Tax ReturnsRead the Press Release
SACRAMENTO, Calif. — A federal grand jury returned an indictment today against Scott Norris Johnson, 57, of Carmichael, charging him with three counts of making and subscribing a false tax return, U.S. Attorney McGregor W. Scott and Principal Deputy Assistant Attorney General Richard E. Zuckerman of the Justice Department’s Tax Division announced.
According to the indictment, Johnson owned and operated Disabled Access Prevents Injury Inc. (DAPI), a legal services corporation. First using DAPI, and later using a law firm, Johnson filed thousands of lawsuits in the Eastern District of California and elsewhere. Johnson named himself as the plaintiff in the lawsuits and made claims under the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990, the California Disabled Persons Act, and the California Unruh Civil Rights Act.
Under the Small Business Job Protection Act of 1996, payments related to lawsuit settlements or awards are taxable unless they were paid on account of personal physical injury or physical sickness. Johnson, however, allegedly materially underreported the taxable income he received from lawsuit settlements and awards on his income tax returns for tax years 2012, 2013, and 2014. By understating his income on his tax returns, Johnson and DAPI paid little to no income tax for tax years 2012, 2013 and 2014.
This case is the product of an investigation by the Internal Revenue Service Criminal Investigation. Assistant U.S. Attorney Katherine T. Lydon and Trial Attorney Tim Russo of the Tax Division are prosecuting the case.
If convicted, Johnson faces a maximum statutory penalty of three years in prison and a $250,000 fine for each count. Any sentence, however, would be determined at the discretion of the court after consideration of any applicable statutory factors and the Federal Sentencing Guidelines, which take into account a number of variables. The charges are only allegations; the defendant is presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt.
Rochester Woman Going to Jail for Beating A Woman Who Testified Against Her Brother in Sex Trafficking TrialRead the Press Release
CONTACT: Barbara Burns
PHONE: (716) 843-5817
FAX #: (716) 551-3051ROCHESTER, N.Y.-U.S. Attorney James P. Kennedy, Jr. announced today that Shykeila Russell, 30, of Rochester, NY, who was convicted of witness intimidation, was sentenced to serve 12 months and a day in prison by U.S. District Judge David G. Larimer.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Melissa M. Marangola, who is handling the case, stated that in September 2017, an individual identified as L.T., testified in a federal jury trial against the defendant’s brother Stephen Jones. Jones was subsequently convicted of sex trafficking and sentenced to serve 25 years in prison.
On July 27, 2018, Russell physically assaulted L.T. as retaliation for L.T.’s testimony during the federal jury trial. The defendant observed L.T. walking down the street with a small child. Russell approached and stated, “my brother is doing 25 years and you think you can just walk around like nothing happened.” The defendant then punched L.T. repeatedly in the head, causing bruising and pain.
The sentencing is the result of an investigation by the Federal Bureau of Investigation, Child Exploitation Task Force, under the direction of Special Agent-in-Charge Gary Loeffert.
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Rhode Island Man Arrested for Somerville Armed Bank RobberyRead the Press Release
BOSTON – A Rhode Island man was arrested and charged today in federal court in Boston in connection with an armed bank robbery in Somerville on May 1, 2019, that resulted in shots fired.
Daniel Rosado, 32, of Providence, R.I., was charged with one count of armed bank robbery, one count of brandishing and discharging a firearm during a crime of violence, and one count of being a felon in possession of a firearm. Rosado will appear in federal court in Boston later today.
“Today’s arrest and charges put an end to a three week search for a dangerous and reckless individual,” said U.S. Attorney Andrew E. Lelling. “No one should feel afraid to do the everyday, basic American errands we all need to do. But on May 1, it’s alleged that one man callously threatened the lives of dozens of innocent people who were doing just that. By not just brandishing, but actually discharging his weapon – twice – the alleged defendant instilled fear and endangered the lives of members of our community for his own greed and selfishness. My office is committed to prosecuting violent individuals to the fullest extent of the law.”
“As alleged, Mr. Rosado terrorized bank employees, shot at a Somerville police officer, and put the lives of innocent bystanders at risk,” said Joseph R. Bonavolonta, Special Agent in Charge of the Federal Bureau of Investigation, Boston Field Office. “The FBI’s Violent Crimes Task Force is extremely grateful that we were able to apprehend him before anyone got hurt. Thanks to the extraordinary courage of a concerned citizen, who attempted to tackle Rosado, causing him to drop his backpack, we were able to determine his identity. This case demonstrates our commitment to bringing to justice those who commit violent acts against our fellow law enforcement officers and hard-working citizens.”
“I commend all the partner agencies involved in this investigation, and would like to recognize the MSP Troopers, our K9 teams and the Air Wing crew who took part in the initial search for the suspect, our Troopers who serve on the FBI’s Violent Crimes task force who assisted in the subsequent investigation, and our State Police Crime Lab personnel who helped develop forensic evidence vital to the identification of the suspect,” said Colonel Kerry A. Gilpin, Superintendent of the Massachusetts State Police. “Their diligence and that of our federal and local law enforcement partners, and the partnership among our agencies, are why this case was solved.”
“I would like to thank our federal and state partners for their collaboration in this investigation,” said Somerville Police Chief David Fallon. “Violent acts, such as the one which took place on the morning of May 1, 2019, here in Somerville, recklessly endanger the lives of the public and the police. This investigation is a great example of collaboration between law enforcement agencies in our combined efforts to protect our communities.”
According to the charging document, on May 1, 2019, a man, later identified as Rosado, entered the Middlesex Federal Savings Bank in Somerville, brandished a handgun, fired a shot into the ceiling, and pointed the firearm at customers and bank employees. It is alleged that Rosado yelled: “Get down!”, “Everybody on the ground!”, “Second Drawer, Hurry Up!”, “Give me money or I’ll shoot!” Customers and bank employees laid on the floor, while the robber approached a teller window, threw a backpack at the teller, and demanded money.
While the teller filled the backpack with money, a customer exited the bank and flagged down a marked police cruiser occupied by a uniformed Somerville Police officer. The officer entered the bank, pointed his gun at the robber, and ordered him to freeze. In response, it is alleged that Rosado faced the officer, pointed his gun in the officer’s direction, and fired one shot. The officer shot back. During the exchange of gunfire, Rosado exited the bank and fled on foot, and the officer chased after him on foot.
According to the charging document, as Rosado fled down College Avenue, a bystander, noticing that Rosado was being pursued by a police officer, attempted to tackle Rosado, which caused Rosado to drop his backpack. Rosado kept running, and witnesses eventually lost sight of him.
Upon review of the backpack, law enforcement found a Webley revolver, loaded with four unfired rounds of ammunition, and two cartridge casings, as well as more than $500.
Further investigation, including forensic analysis of the backpack, linked the DNA profile found on the backpack to Rosado. A subsequent review of Rosado’s driver’s license photo matched the images of the robber captured on video surveillance at Middlesex Bank.
According to court records, Rosado has prior felony convictions, such as negligent operation of a motor vehicle, larceny from a person and witness intimidation, and assault by means of a dangerous weapon. Due to these prior convictions, Rosado is prohibited from possessing a firearm or ammunition.
The charge of armed bank robbery provides for a sentence of no greater than 25 years in prison, five years of supervised release, and a fine of $250,000; the charge of brandishing and discharging a firearm during a crime of violence provides for a mandatory minimum seven year sentence for brandishing and a mandatory minimum 10 year sentence for discharging and up to life in prison, to be served consecutive to any other sentence imposed, and a fine of $250,000. The charge of being a felon in possession of a firearm provides for a sentence of no greater than 10 years in prison, three years of supervised release, and a fine of $250,000. Sentences are imposed by a federal district court judge based upon the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors.
U.S. Attorney Lelling; FBI SAC Bonavolonta; Colonel Gilpin; and Somerville Police Chief Fallon made the announcement today. Valuable assistance was provided by the United States Attorney’s Office for the District of Rhode Island and the Providence (R.I.) Police Department. Assistant U.S. Attorney Lindsey E. Weinstein of Lelling’s Major Crimes Unit is prosecuting the case.
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.
Red Terror Human Rights Abuser Sentenced for Naturalization FraudRead the Press Release
ALEXANDRIA, Va. – A naturalized U.S. citizen residing in Alexandria was sentenced today to 3 years in prison for having fraudulently obtained United States citizenship.
“Negussie hid his past atrocities as a human rights abuser and lied his way into the United States,” said G. Zachary Terwilliger, U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of Virginia. “United States citizenship and the protections and privileges that accompany it is not intended for those who persecute their fellow man. My thanks to the prosecutors and law enforcement agents and officers for their outstanding work on this case.”
According to court documents, Mergia Negussie Habteyes, 58, participated in the persecution of detainees at a makeshift prison from 1977 to 1978 during the “Red Terror,” a campaign of brutal violence during which Ethiopia’s ruling military council, the Derg, and its affiliates arrested, extra-judicially imprisoned, interrogated, and tortured tens of thousands of members, perceived members, and supporters of political opposition groups. Negussie tortured detainees on account of their political opinion by beating them with belts, rods, and other objects, causing in many instances permanent scarring and injury. During these beatings, Negussie questioned the detainees about their affiliation with the Ethiopian People’s Revolutionary Party (EPRP) and opposition activities of the EPRP, which was the Derg’s primary political opponent at the time.
Negussie came to the United States in 1999 after telling a series of lies to United States immigration officials in the course of obtaining authority to enter the United States as a refugee. He ultimately became a naturalized United States citizen in 2008. During his sworn naturalization interview, he falsely stated that he had never persecuted persons because of their political opinion, and he failed to disclose that he had committed a crime or offense for which he was not arrested. Additionally, Negussie falsely stated that he had never given false or misleading information to any United States government official while applying for any immigration benefit and that he had never lied to United States immigration officials to gain entry or admission into the United States.
Negussie’s materially false representations in sworn statements to U.S. immigration officials resulted in his procurement of naturalization contrary to law. In addition to sentencing Negussie to a period of incarceration, Negussie’s U.S. citizenship was also revoked.
The case was investigated by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s (ICE) Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) Washington, D.C. with the support of the Human Rights Violators and War Crimes Center (HRVWCC). Established in 2009, the HRVWCC furthers the government’s efforts to identify, locate, and prosecute human rights abusers in the United States, including those who are known or suspected to have participated in persecution, war crimes, genocide, torture, extrajudicial killings, female genital mutilation, or the use or recruitment of child soldiers. The HRVWCC leverages the expertise of a select group of agents, lawyers, intelligence and research specialists, historians, and analysts who direct the government’s broader enforcement efforts against these offenders. The HRVWCC comprises ICE HSI’s Human Rights Violators and War Crimes Unit, ICE’s Human Rights Law Section, the FBI’s International Human Rights Unit, and the Justice Department’s Human Rights and Special Prosecutions Section (HRSP).
G. Zachary Terwilliger, U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of Virginia, Brian A. Benczkowski, Assistant Attorney General of the Justice Department’s Criminal Division, and Patrick J. Lechleitner, Special Agent in Charge of ICE HSI Washington, D.C., made the announcement after sentencing from Senior U.S. District Judge T.S. Ellis, III. Assistant U.S. Attorney Alexander E. Blanchard and HRSP Trial Attorney Jamie B. Perry prosecuted the case.
Members of the public who have information about former human rights violators in the United States are urged to contact U.S. law enforcement through the Human Rights and Special Prosecutions Section at [email protected] or toll-free at 1-800-813-5863, or through the HSI tip line at 1-866-DHS-2-ICE or its online tip form at www.ice.gov/exec/forms/hsi-tips/tips.asp.
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 is 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-305.
Queens Attorney Convicted of Scheme to Bribe A Witness in Double Homicide Trial on Long IslandRead the Press Release
John Scarpa, Jr., an attorney admitted to practice law in the State of New York since 1982, was convicted today by a federal jury in Brooklyn of both counts of use of interstate facilities in aid of racketeering and conspiracy to do the same, stemming from his scheme to bribe a witness in a double homicide trial in State Supreme Court in Suffolk County. The verdict followed a four-day trial before United States District Judge Carol Bagley Amon. When sentenced, Scarpa faces up to 10 years’ imprisonment.
Richard P. Donoghue, United States Attorney for the Eastern District of New York, and William F. Sweeney, Jr., Assistant Director-in-Charge, Federal Bureau of Investigation, New York Field Office (FBI), announced the verdict.
“The jury saw through Scarpa’s corrupt scheme to help his client avoid responsibility for murder by bribing a witness to give false testimony,” stated United States Attorney Donoghue. “With today’s verdict, the defendant will now face prison and disbarment for attempting to undermine the criminal justice system and violating the law he was sworn to uphold as an attorney.” Mr. Donoghue thanked the Queens County District Attorney’s Office for its assistance during the investigation.
The evidence at trial established that in early 2015, Scarpa plotted with co-conspirator Charles Gallman to bribe a convicted murderer to testify in support of Scarpa’s client, Reginald Ross, who was charged with the execution-style killings of two men. Court-authorized intercepted communications, obtained during an investigation conducted by the Queens County District Attorney’s Office, revealed that Scarpa and Gallman planned to bribe Luis Cherry to testify falsely at trial that he alone had committed the second of the two murders, and that Ross was innocent. Gallman promised to help Cherry with the appeal of his own murder conviction, and to spread word in the prison system that Cherry had not informed against Ross. After meeting with Cherry at Downstate Correctional Facility, Gallman reported to Scarpa, “Anything we need, he’s willing.” Scarpa asked, “So this guy is willing to do whatever?” Gallman replied, “Whatever you need, John. Whatever you need…. I got a bunch of stuff I wrote down that he wants.” Scarpa called Cherry as a witness at Ross’s trial, and Cherry testified falsely. Notwithstanding that false testimony, the judge returned guilty verdicts on both murders.
Gallman pleaded guilty in November 2018 to conspiring to violate the Travel Act by bribing a witness to testify falsely, and conspiring to make false statements to the Bureau of Prisons in a separate scheme. He was sentenced on March 7, 2019 to three years’ imprisonment.
The government’s case is being handled by the Office’s Organized Crime and Gangs Section. Assistant United States Attorneys Lindsay K. Gerdes, Andrey Spektor and Keith D. Edelman are in charge of the prosecution.
The Defendant:
JOHN SCARPA, JR.
Age: 66
Hauppauge, New YorkE.D.N.Y. Docket No. 18-CR-123 S1 (CBA)
Private Charter Aviation Broker Arrested for Wire Fraud and Aggravated Identity TheftRead the Press Release
Geoffrey S. Berman, the United States Attorney for the Southern District of New York, William F. Sweeney Jr., the Assistant Director-in-Charge of the New York Field Division of the Federal Bureau of Investigation (“FBI”), and James P. O’Neill, Commissioner of the New York City Police Department (“NYPD”), announced the arrest of TOMER OSOVITZKI, a/k/a “Tom Osovitzki,” for wire fraud and aggravated identity theft. OSOVITZKI was arrested earlier today in Aventura, Florida, and was presented in the Southern District of Florida.
Manhattan U.S. Attorney Geoffrey S. Berman said: “As alleged, Tomer Osovitzki manipulated the approval system for credit cards to push charges through that he knew were unauthorized and would have been declined. Additionally, Osovitzki allegedly used his clients’ credit card account information to make unapproved charges. Now, Osovitzki and his company are grounded and he must answer for his crimes.”
FBI Assistant Director William F. Sweeney Jr. said: “The FBI works each day trying to thwart these types of complex financial crimes. There were victims harmed by Osovitzki’s alleged scheme, since he used his clients’ credit cards to pay for flights they didn’t purchase. Fraudsters seem to forget there is a paper trail when it comes to financial transactions and they will eventually get caught.”
NYPD Commissioner James P. O’Neill said: “These charges reflect how eager criminals are to exploit a victim’s personal information and profit through fraud. I commend the NYPD detectives, FBI agents, and prosecutors of the US Attorney’s Office for the Southern District for their efforts and cooperation in this investigation into wire fraud and aggravated identity theft. Together, we will continue to be relentless in fighting crime that impacts the people we serve wherever, and however, it occurs.”
According to the allegations in the Complaint unsealed today[1]:
OSOVITZKI was the founder and president of a company that was in the business of brokering airline and private charter flights (“Osovitzki’s Company”). OSOVITZKI perpetrated a scheme to defraud aircraft charter companies and other merchants, a credit card company (the “Credit Card Company”), and credit card payment processors of more than $2.1 million by, among other things, inducing or causing aircraft charter companies, other merchants, the Credit Card Company and credit card payment processors to process credit card transactions under the false pretense that they had been approved by the Credit Card Company.
From March 2017 through March 2018, OSOVITZKI and agents of Osovitzki’s Company repeatedly used credit cards issued by the Credit Card Company to OSOVITZKI, his wife, and his mother, as payment for aircraft charter flights and other goods and services. These transactions were or would have been declined by the Credit Card Company had they been processed normally through a credit card point-of-sale device, because the cards had been cancelled by the Credit Card Company, or because the accounts did not have sufficient available credit. OSOVITZKI and agents of Osovitzki’s Company provided fraudulent authorization codes to the merchants in order to dupe them into processing “force-post” transactions. OSOVITZKI told the merchants that he had obtained these authorization codes from the Credit Card Company. This was not true. However, based on these false representations, merchants conducted “force-post” transactions. Because the authorization codes had not in fact been provided by the Credit Card Company, the transactions were later declined.
Osovitzki’s Company also used credit card account numbers belonging to its customers to pay for more than $1.3 million of charter flights those customers had not requested, authorized, or utilized, including at least one flight for which OSOVITZKI was a listed passenger.
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OSOVITZKI, 42, of Aventura, Florida, has been charged with one count of wire fraud, which carries a maximum sentence of 20 years in prison, and one count of aggravated identity theft, which carries a mandatory minimum consecutive sentence of two years in prison. The maximum potential sentence in this case is prescribed by Congress and is provided here for informational purposes only, as any sentencing of OSOVITZKI will be determined by a judge.
If you believe you were a victim of this crime, including a victim entitled to restitution, and you wish to provide information to law enforcement and/or receive notice of future developments in the case or additional information, please contact the Victim/Witness Unit at the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of New York at (866) 874-8900. For additional information, go to: http://www.usdoj.gov/usao/nys/victimwitness.html
Mr. Berman praised the investigative work of the FBI and the NYPD.
This case is being prosecuted by the Office’s General Crimes Division. Assistant U.S. Attorney Jeffrey C. Coffman is in charge of the prosecution.
The charges in the Complaint are merely accusations, and OSOVITZKI is 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 below constitute only allegations, and every fact described should be treated as an allegation.
Previously Convicted Felon Sentenced for Possession of FirearmRead the Press Release
RICHMOND, Va. – A Richmond man who is a previously convicted felon was sentenced today to 7 years in prison for being a felon in possession of a firearm.
According to court documents, Antonio Patterson, 28, was observed by Richmond Police speeding in a car. After the officers attempted to stop the vehicle, Patterson led the officers on a high-speed chase before he drove his car into a median and ran from the vehicle on foot before he was apprehended a short distance away. A search of the car revealed a 9mm handgun equipped with an extended 30-round magazine. The officers also recovered a large amount of marijuana in the trunk of the car. Patterson admitted to possessing the firearm after being convicted of a felony.
This case is part of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), which is the centerpiece of the Department of Justice’s violent crime reduction efforts. PSN is an evidence-based program proven to be effective at reducing violent crime. Through PSN, a broad spectrum of stakeholders work together to identify the most pressing violent crime problems in the community and develop comprehensive solutions to address them. As part of this strategy, PSN focuses enforcement efforts on the most violent offenders and partners with locally based prevention and reentry programs for lasting reductions in crime.
G. Zachary Terwilliger, U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of Virginia, and Ashan M. Benedict, Special Agent in Charge of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives’ (ATF) Washington Field Division, made the announcement after sentencing by Senior U.S. District Judge Robert E. Payne. Assistant U.S. Attorney Peter S. Duffey prosecuted the case.
The Richmond Police Department provide significant assistance with this prosecution.
A copy of this press release is located on the website of the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of Virginia. Related court documents and information are located on the website of the District Court for the Eastern District of Virginia or on PACER by searching for Case No. 3:18-cr-146.
President and CEO of Las Vegas Investment Company Sentenced to 50 Years in Prison for Running $1.5 Billion Ponzi SchemeRead the Press Release
The former president and CEO of MRI International Inc. (MRI), a purported investment company and medical collections business located in Las Vegas, Nevada, and Tokyo, Japan, was sentenced to 50 years in prison today for his role in a $1.5 billion Ponzi scheme.
Assistant Attorney General Brian A. Benczkowski of the Justice Department’s Criminal Division, U.S. Attorney Nicholas A. Trutanich of the District of Nevada and Special Agent in Charge Aaron C. Rouse of the FBI’s Las Vegas Division made the announcement.
Edwin Fujinaga, 72, of Las Vegas, was sentenced by Chief Judge Gloria Navarro of the U.S. District Court for the District of Nevada, who also sentenced Fujinaga to three years of supervised release, ordered restitution in the amount of $1,129,409,449 and forfeiture in the amount of $813,297,912.65. In November 2018, after a five-week trial, Fujinaga, was found guilty of eight counts of mail fraud, nine counts of wire fraud and three counts of money laundering in connection with his Ponzi scheme.
According to evidence presented during trial, from 2000 until approximately 2013, Fujinaga fraudulently solicited over $1 billion in investments in MRI from over 10,000 Japanese victims who resided in Japan. The victims would wire their funds from Japan to bank accounts in Las Vegas under Fujinaga’s control. Fujinaga approved and disseminated marketing materials that promised investors that their funds would only be used for purchasing medical claims and that an escrow agent would ensure that MRI used investor funds for only that purpose. In truth, Fujinaga spent less than two percent of investor funds to purchase medical claims. Instead, Fujinaga used the vast majority of new investors’ funds to pay off old investors. He used the balance of investors’ funds for impermissible business and lavish personal expenses, such as a private jet; a mansion on a Las Vegas golf course; real estate in Beverly Hills, California wine country and Hawaii; and Bentley, McLaren and Bugatti luxury cars. When the Japanese government revoked MRI’s license to market securities in April 2013, MRI owed its investors more than $1.5 billion. Victims traveled from Japan and other locations to testify about the funds they gave to Fujinaga. Some victims lost their life savings to the scheme.
Co-defendants Junzo Suzuki, 70, and Paul Suzuki, 40, were extradited from Japan in April 2019, and are currently awaiting trial.
The case was investigated by the FBI. The Criminal Division’s Office of International Affairs, the Securities and Exchange Commission, the Financial Services Agency of Japan, the Japanese Ministry of Justice and the Japanese Ministry of Foreign Affairs provided assistance in this matter. The case is being prosecuted by Trial Attorneys William Johnston and Danny Nguyen of the Criminal Division’s Fraud Section and Assistant U.S. Attorney Tony Lopez of the District of Nevada. Forfeiture is being handled by Assistant U.S. Attorney Daniel Hollingsworth of the District of Nevada.
President and CEO of Las Vegas Investment Company Sentenced to 50 Years in Prison for Running $1.5 Billion Ponzi SchemeRead the Press Release
LAS VEGAS, Nev. – The former president and CEO of MRI International Inc. (MRI), a purported investment company and medical collections business located in Las Vegas, Nevada, and Tokyo, Japan, was sentenced to 50 years in prison today for his role in a $1.5 billion Ponzi scheme.
Assistant Attorney General Brian A. Benczkowski of the Justice Department’s Criminal Division, U.S. Attorney Nicholas A. Trutanich of the District of Nevada and Special Agent in Charge Aaron C. Rouse of the FBI’s Las Vegas Division made the announcement.
Edwin Fujinaga, 72, of Las Vegas, was sentenced by Chief Judge Gloria Navarro of the U.S. District Court for the District of Nevada, who also sentenced Fujinaga to three years of supervised release, ordered restitution in the amount of $1,129,409,449 and forfeiture in the amount of $813,297,912.65. In November 2018, after a five-week trial, Fujinaga, was found guilty of eight counts of mail fraud, nine counts of wire fraud and three counts of money laundering in connection with his Ponzi scheme.
According to evidence presented during trial, from 2000 until approximately 2013, Fujinaga fraudulently solicited over $1 billion in investments in MRI from over 10,000 Japanese victims who resided in Japan. The victims would wire their funds from Japan to bank accounts in Las Vegas under Fujinaga’s control. Fujinaga approved and disseminated marketing materials that promised investors that their funds would only be used for purchasing medical claims and that an escrow agent would ensure that MRI used investor funds for only that purpose. In truth, Fujinaga spent less than two percent of investor funds to purchase medical claims. Instead, Fujinaga used the vast majority of new investors’ funds to pay off old investors. He used the balance of investors’ funds for impermissible business and lavish personal expenses, such as a private jet; a mansion on a Las Vegas golf course; real estate in Beverly Hills, California wine country and Hawaii; and Bentley, McLaren and Bugatti luxury cars. When the Japanese government revoked MRI’s license to market securities in April 2013, MRI owed its investors more than $1.5 billion. Victims traveled from Japan and other locations to testify about the funds they gave to Fujinaga. Some victims lost their life savings to the scheme.
Co-defendants Junzo Suzuki, 70, and Paul Suzuki, 40, were extradited from Japan in April 2019, and are currently awaiting trial.
The case was investigated by the FBI. The Criminal Division’s Office of International Affairs, the Securities and Exchange Commission, the Financial Services Agency of Japan, the Japanese Ministry of Justice and the Japanese Ministry of Foreign Affairs provided assistance in this matter. The case is being prosecuted by Trial Attorneys William Johnston and Danny Nguyen of the Criminal Division’s Fraud Section and Assistant U.S. Attorney Tony Lopez of the District of Nevada. Forfeiture is being handled by Assistant U.S. Attorney Daniel Hollingsworth of the District of Nevada.
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Paisley Man Sentenced to Ten Years for Attempting to Entice A Minor to Engage in Sexual ActivityRead the Press Release
Jacksonville, Florida – U.S. District Judge Timothy J. Corrigan has sentenced Jason Cole Shreve (27, Paisley) to 10 years in federal prison, followed by 15 years of supervised release, for attempted enticement and coercion of a minor to engage in sexual activity. The court also ordered $168,915 in restitution to victims of child pornography.
Shreve had pleaded guilty on February 12, 2019.
According to court documents, between May 26 and 27, 2015, Shreve engaged in email and text communications with an undercover agent whom he believed to be the mother of a 14-year-old girl. Shreve was advised and acknowledged the child was a minor, yet provided explicit details regarding the sexual activities he wanted to engage in, and discussed traveling to the mother’s home to engage in sex with the minor.
On May 27, 2015, Shreve traveled to Jacksonville to meet the child and was arrested by officers from the Jacksonville Sheriff’s Office. After his arrest, Shreve admitted to engaging in the email and text conversations.
“This predator shared child pornography on social media applications and traveled to a meeting where he thought he was going to sexually abuse a young child,” said HSI Tampa Special Agent in Charge James C. Spero. “Instead he was stopped by law enforcement and will now be held accountable for those crimes.”
This case was investigated by the Jacksonville Sheriff’s Office and Homeland Security Investigations. It was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Ashley Washington.
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 United States Attorneys’ Offices and the Criminal Division’s Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section (CEOS), Project Safe Childhood marshals federal, state, and local resources to locate, apprehend, and prosecute individuals who sexually exploit children, and to identify and rescue victims. For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit www.justice.gov/psc.
Orlando Resident Arrested for Distributing Drugs That Resulted in Overdose DeathRead the Press Release
Orlando, Florida – United States Attorney Maria Chapa Lopez announces the unsealing of a criminal complaint and arrest warrant charging Jonathan Bohn a/k/a “Jonah” (35, Orlando) with distribution of a controlled substance that resulted in death. If convicted, Bohn faces a maximum penalty of life in federal prison.
According to the criminal complaint, on December 16, 2017, Bohn sold a victim a controlled substance that contained fentanyl. After the victim ingested the narcotic, the victim’s daughter found the victim unresponsive in their residence. The Orange County Medical Examiner’s office subsequently determined that the victim’s cause of death was fentanyl and cocaine intoxication.
A criminal complaint is merely a formal charge that a defendant has committed one or more violations of federal criminal law, and every defendant is presumed innocent unless, and until, proven guilty.
This case is a part of the Middle District of Florida’s anti-opioid strategy to combat opioid trafficking and abuse. It was investigated by the Orange County Sheriff’s Office and the Drug Enforcement Administration. It will be prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Sean P. Shecter.
Oregon Man Sentenced to 15 Months in Federal Prison for Hate Crime Targeting Eugene ChurchRead the Press Release
EUGENE, Ore.—Benjamin Jaramillo Hernandez, 69, of Eugene, Oregon, was sentenced today to 15 months in federal prison and three years’ supervised release for committing a hate crime targeting St. Mary Catholic Church in Eugene in September 2018 and illegally possessing ammunition. The announcement was made by Assistant Attorney General Eric Dreiband of Department of Justice’s Civil Rights Division and U.S. Attorney Billy J. Williams of the District of Oregon.
“Threats of violence and hateful intimidation will not be tolerated by the Department of Justice,” said Assistant Attorney General Dreiband. “As demonstrated by this case, the Civil Rights Division will vigorously prosecute those who violate the right of individuals or entire communities to freely exercise their religious beliefs.”
“Mr. Hernandez used intimidation and threats of violence to terrorize a single congregation, but the harm from hate crimes like this extends beyond the specific individuals or group targeted. These crimes threaten the security, freedom and well-being of entire communities,” said U.S. Attorney Williams. “No conviction can reverse the harm caused by Mr. Hernandez, but we hope it provides some measure of justice to St. Mary parishioners and the entire Eugene community.”
“Our right to worship freely and without fear is fundamental to life in America,” said Renn Cannon, Special Agent in Charge of the FBI in Oregon. “Whatever your faith, the FBI and our partners will work to protect your right to express your beliefs and live in peace.”
According to court documents, on Sept. 9, 2018, Hernandez was escorted from St. Mary property following an angry outburst during the sacrament of communion. Five days later, on September 14, a church employee reported to the Eugene Police Department that someone had dispensed pepper spray on the exterior door handles and through the mail slot of the St. Mary office front door. Employees reported burning sensations in their fingers and respiratory distress. A Eugene police officer and FBI agent identified Hernandez in church surveillance footage as the person responsible for both incidents.
On Sept. 16, 2018, Hernandez was again spotted near St. Mary. A witness saw Hernandez across the street from the church when he stopped near the Eugene Public Library and shouted at the witness, “I’ve got something for you right here,” while pointing to a bag he was carrying.
A few days later, on Sept. 20, St. Mary employees reported finding a threatening note and seven 10mm Sig hollow point bullets left in the office. The note threatened the church with “2 MP5s w/ 50 rounds each,” a type of submachine gun. The note concluded: “Eugene is going on the [expletive] map.”
A Eugene police officer again reviewed church surveillance footage and identified Hernandez as the individual who dropped off the note and bullets. On September 21, 2018, Eugene Police arrested Hernandez at the Eugene Public Library. During a search of Hernandez’s person, officers located a partially empty can of pepper spray, three .410 shotgun shells, and thirteen 10mm Sig hollow point bullets. The 10mm bullets were the same brand and caliber as the bullets left at St. Mary with the threatening note.
On Feb. 12, 2019, Hernandez pleaded guilty to a two-count information charging him with obstruction or attempted obstruction of persons in the free exercise of their religious beliefs and unlawful possession of ammunition.
St. Mary Catholic Church staff and parishioners have reported that Hernandez’s threats have left staff and churchgoers physically injured, frightened, concerned about their own safety and unable to participate freely in the exercise of their religious beliefs. The harassment has not only affected individual parishioners, but the parish as a whole. Multiple members of the St. Mary community have reported that the church has experienced a drop in attendance and in weekly collections after Hernandez’s conduct.
This case was investigated by the Eugene Police Department and the FBI and prosecuted by Gavin W. Bruce, Assistant U.S. Attorney for the District of Oregon, and Cameron Bell, Trial Attorney for the Civil Rights Division.
For more information about the Department of Justice’s work to combat and prevent hate crimes, visit www.justice.gov/hatecrimes: a one-stop portal with links to department hate crimes resources for law enforcement, media, researchers, victims, advocacy groups, and other organizations and individuals.
Oregon Man Sentenced to 15 Months in Federal Prison for Hate Crime Targeting Eugene ChurchRead the Press Release
Benjamin Jaramillo Hernandez, 70, of Eugene, Oregon, was sentenced yesterday to 15 months in federal prison and three years’ supervised release for committing a hate crime targeting St. Mary Catholic Church in Eugene in September 2018 and illegally possessing ammunition. The announcement was made by Assistant Attorney General Eric Dreiband of Department of Justice’s Civil Rights Division and U.S. Attorney Billy J. Williams of the District of Oregon.
“Threats of violence and hateful intimidation will not be tolerated by the Department of Justice,” said Assistant Attorney General Eric Dreiband. “As demonstrated by this case, the Civil Rights Division will vigorously prosecute those who violate the right of individuals or entire communities to freely exercise their religious beliefs.”
“Mr. Hernandez used intimidation and threats of violence to terrorize a single congregation, but the harm from hate crimes like this extends beyond the specific individuals or group targeted. These crimes threaten the security, freedom and well-being of entire communities,” said Billy J. Williams, U.S. Attorney for the District of Oregon. “No conviction can reverse the harm caused by Mr. Hernandez, but we hope it provides some measure of justice to St. Mary parishioners and the entire Eugene community.”
“Our right to worship freely and without fear is fundamental to life in America,” said Renn Cannon, Special Agent in Charge of the FBI in Oregon. “Whatever your faith, the FBI and our partners will work to protect your right to express your beliefs and live in peace.”
According to court documents, on Sept. 9, 2018, Hernandez was escorted from St. Mary property following an angry outburst during the sacrament of communion. Five days later, on September 14, a church employee reported to the Eugene Police Department that someone had dispensed pepper spray on the exterior door handles and through the mail slot of the St. Mary office front door. Employees reported burning sensations in their fingers and respiratory distress. A Eugene police officer and FBI agent identified Hernandez in church surveillance footage as the person responsible for both incidents.
On Sept. 16, 2018, Hernandez was again spotted near St. Mary. A witness saw Hernandez across the street from the church when he stopped near the Eugene Public Library and shouted at the witness, “I’ve got something for you right here,” while pointing to a bag he was carrying.
A few days later, on September 20, St. Mary employees reported finding a threatening note and seven 10mm Sig hollow point bullets left in the office. The note threatened the church with “2 MP5s w/ 50 rounds each,” a type of submachine gun. The note concluded: “Eugene is going on the [expletive] map.”
A Eugene police officer again reviewed church surveillance footage and identified Hernandez as the individual who dropped off the note and bullets. On Sept. 21, 2018, Eugene Police arrested Hernandez at the Eugene Public Library. During a search of Hernandez’s person, officers located a partially empty can of pepper spray, three .410 shotgun shells, and thirteen 10mm Sig hollow point bullets. The 10mm bullets were the same brand and caliber as the bullets left at St. Mary with the threatening note.
On Feb. 12, 2019, Hernandez pleaded guilty to a two-count Information charging him with obstruction or attempted obstruction of persons in the free exercise of their religious beliefs and unlawful possession of ammunition.
St. Mary Catholic Church staff and parishioners have reported that Hernandez’s threats have left staff and churchgoers physically injured, frightened, concerned about their own safety and unable to participate freely in the exercise of their religious beliefs. The harassment has not only affected individual parishioners, but the parish as a whole. Multiple members of the St. Mary community have reported that the church has experienced a drop in attendance and in weekly collections after Hernandez’s conduct.
This case was investigated by the Eugene Police Department and the FBI and prosecuted by Gavin W. Bruce, Assistant U.S. Attorney for the District of Oregon, and Cameron Bell, Trial Attorney for the Civil Rights Division.
For more information about Department of Justice’s work to combat and prevent hate crimes, visit www.justice.gov/hatecrimes: a one-stop portal with links to Department of Justice hate crimes resources for law enforcement, media, researchers, victims, advocacy groups, and other organizations and individuals.
Ontario Woman Charged with Smuggling Two Aliens into the United States in LewistonRead the Press Release
CONTACT: Barbara Burns
PHONE: (716) 843-5817
FAX #: (716) 551-3051BUFFALO, N.Y.-U.S. Attorney James P. Kennedy, Jr. announced today that Mary Ann Langridge, 63, of Toronto, Ontario, was arrested and charged by criminal complaint with aiding and abetting alien smuggling. The charge carries a minimum penalty of three years in prison, a maximum of 10 years, and a $250,000 fine.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Jonathan P. Cantil, who is handling the case, stated that according to the complaint, on May 21, 2019, a U.S. Border Patrol agent, after receiving a report of a suspicious vehicle operating in the area of Lewiston Landing in Lewiston, NY, located the vehicle, which was unoccupied, and began surveillance of the area. The agent spotted the defendant standing on the upper terrace area of Lewiston Landing waving toward a vessel which was on the Niagara River near the Lewiston Landing docks. There were occupants on board the vessel. As the vessel began to approach the woman on the dock, the agent began to approach the dock area along with other Border Patrol Agents. As the vessel reached the dock, it appeared that the occupants saw the agents approaching them, and pushed back onto the river and began to travel south away from Lewiston Landing.
The agents left the immediate area but continued to observe the vessel from another area where they couldn’t be seen. As the woman remained standing on the dock, the vessel returned, and without docking or tying-off the vessel, two individuals stepped off the vessel and on to the dock. The vessel then left the area, heading toward Canada.
An agent approached the woman, identified as the defendant, and the two individuals, identified as Rosa Guadelupe Lopez-Gomez and Leonardo Jimenez-De La Rosa. Lopez-Gomez and Jimenez-De La Rosa claimed to be citizens of Mexico and the Dominican Republic respectively, but did not have immigration documents which would allow them to be legally present in the United States. Langridge was placed under arrest for aiding and abetting alien smuggling.
The defendant made an initial appearance this afternoon before U.S. Magistrate Judge Michael J. Roemer and is being held pending a detention hearing on May 24, 2019.
The criminal complaint is the result of plea is the result of an investigation by U.S. Border Patrol, under the direction of Patrol Agent-in-Charge Josh Barrett.
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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New Jersey Man Pleads Guilty to Passport FraudRead 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 Sukha Singh Boyal, 52, of New Jersey, pleaded guilty before Chief U.S. District Judge Frank P. Geraci, Jr. to making a false statement in a passport application. The charge carries a maximum penalty of 10 years in prison and a $250,000 fine.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Wei Xiang, who is handling the case, stated that in 1999, the defendant was a citizen of India but an alien in the United States. Boyal wanted to travel to India but did not possess a valid Indian passport. As a result, he purchased a false United Kingdom passport under the name of “Kamal Jeet” and used that false passport to fly from Newark, New Jersey, through Frankfurt, Germany, to New Delhi, India, whereupon he was refused entry into India and returned to the United States.
In May 2007, Boyal filed an N-400 application for naturalization with the U.S. Department of Homeland Security, Citizenship and Immigration Services. During his naturalization interview, the defendant acknowledged his prior use of the “Kamal Jeet” name. The defendant naturalized on April 16, 2009.
On July 15, 2009, in Buffalo, Boyal submitted an application for a U.S. passport with the U.S. Department of State. In response to the question, “have you ever used a different name?” the defendant wrote, “none.” Boyal signed the application, declaring under penalty of perjury that the statements he made on the application were true and correct.
The plea is the result of an investigation by Homeland Security Investigations, under the direction of Special Agent-in-Charge Kevin Kelly, and the Diplomatic Security Service, U.S. Department of State, under the direction of Special Agent-in-Charge Kenneth M. Haynes.
Sentencing is scheduled for August 15, 2019, at 3pm before Judge Geraci.
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New Haven Property Owner Pleads Guilty to Illegal Asbestos RemovalRead the Press Release
John H. Durham, United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut, and Tyler C. Amon, Special Agent in Charge of EPA’s Criminal Investigation Division in New England, today announced that ALEKS RAKAJ, 46, of Trumbull, pleaded guilty yesterday in New Haven federal court to one count of illegal asbestos removal in violation of the Clean Air Act.
According to court documents and statements made in court, Aleks Rakaj and his two cousins purchased a commercial property located at 206-220 Wallace Street in New Haven. Prior to purchasing the property, the realtor informed Rakaj and his cousins that the property contained asbestos. Shortly after the purchase was completed, Rakaj and his cousins failed to abide by laws and regulations concerning asbestos removal, resulting in exposure of those who were at the site to the negative health effects of asbestos.
On November 20, 2015, inspectors from the City of New Haven Health Department, conducting an unannounced inspection, discovered the illegal asbestos removal project at 206-220 Wallace Street. The inspection revealed multiple instances of illegal removal of asbestos-containing “air cell” pipe wrap and asbestos-containing “mag block” tank and boiler insulation. The workers failed to abide by legally required safety measures, failed to perform necessary wetting and failed to dispose of the asbestos-containing waste material at appropriate disposal sites. Inspectors also observed and photographed 100-150 standard garbage bags filled with unlabeled, unwetted asbestos-containing material.
Rakaj is scheduled to be sentenced by U.S. District Judge Janet Bond Arterton on August 14, 2019, at which time Rakaj faces a maximum term of imprisonment of five years, as well as various fines.
Rakaj’s cousins, Rezart Rakaj, of Ansonia, and Kliton Rakaj, of Monroe, previously pleaded guilty to the same offense. On April 1, 2019, they were each sentenced to one year of probation, a fine of $9,500, and 50 hours of community service.
“The illegal removal of asbestos insulation and the associated removal of scrap pipe and boilers from old buildings continues to be a problem throughout the Northeast,” said EPA-CID Special Agent in Charge Amon. “Inhalation of asbestos fibers can result in lung cancer and it therefore poses significant health risks to all exposed. EPA will continue to hold accountable those who commit such offenses.”
This investigation is being conducted by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Criminal Investigation Division, with the assistance of the City of New Haven Health Department and U.S. Department of Labor, Occupational Safety and Health Administration. The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Sarala V. Nagala and Elena L. Coronado.
New Haven Man Pleads Guilty to Federal Firearm and Drug Offenses, Violating Supervised ReleaseRead the Press Release
John H. Durham, United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut, announced that QIYON REED, also known as “Quiyon Reed” and “Gutter,” 35, of New Haven, pleaded guilty today before U.S. District Judge Kari A. Dooley in Bridgeport to firearm and drug offenses, and also admitted that he violated the conditions of his supervised release from a prior federal conviction.
According to court documents and statements made in court, on January 29, 2013, Reed was sentenced in New Haven federal court to 70 months of imprisonment, followed by four years of supervised release, for distributing heroin. He was released from federal prison on October 27, 2017.
On September 12, 2018, New Haven police officers executed a state search warrant at Reed’s New Haven residence and seized a loaded Heritage Manufacturing Stealth C-2000 nine-millimeter, semi-automatic handgun; a loaded Smith & Wesson MP9 Shield nine-millimeter, semi-automatic handgun; a box of .45 caliber ammunition; approximately one gram of cocaine packaged for distribution, and items used to process and package narcotics for distribution.
In addition to his prior federal conviction, Reed’s criminal history includes state convictions for possession and sale of narcotics and for carrying a dangerous weapon.
It is a violation of federal law for a person previously convicted of a felony offense to possess a firearm or ammunition that has moved in interstate or foreign commerce.
Reed pleaded guilty to one count of possession of firearms by a convicted felon, an offense that carries a maximum term of imprisonment of 10 years, and one count of possession with intent to distribute, and distribution of, cocaine, an offense that carries a maximum term of imprisonment of 20 years. He also faces additional penalties for violating the conditions of his supervised release from his 2013 federal conviction.
Judge Dooley scheduled sentencing for August 20, 2019.
Reed has been detained since his arrest on related state charges on September 12, 2018.
This matter has been investigated by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, the Drug Enforcement Administration and the New Haven Police Department. The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Elena L. Coronado and Marc H. Silverman.
This case is part of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), a program bringing together all levels of law enforcement and the communities they serve to reduce violent crime and make neighborhoods safer for everyone.
Mississippi Accountant Sentenced to Five Years in Prison for Tax FraudRead the Press Release
A locally prominent certified public accountant (CPA) was sentenced today to five years in prison in Hattiesburg, Mississippi, announced Principal Deputy Assistant Attorney General Richard E. Zuckerman and United States Attorney Mike Hurst for the Southern District of Mississippi.
“Today’s prison sentence for CPA Nicholson should serve as a reminder that the Department of Justice will prosecute fraudulent tax return preparers, who violate this nation’s tax laws, and that the penalties for such conduct include significant prison time,” stated Principal Deputy Assistant Attorney General Zuckerman.
“Carl Nicholson abused his position of trust as a CPA and defrauded Mississippians and American taxpayers. This case illustrates that no one is above the law, that our tax laws will be vigorously enforced, and that justice will always be done in the Southern District of Mississippi,” said U.S. Attorney Mike Hurst.
On Feb. 8, 2019, a jury convicted Carl Nicholson of conspiracy to defraud the United States as well as six counts of aiding in the preparation of false tax returns and four counts of filing false tax returns. According to court documents and evidence presented at trial, from 2012 to 2014, Nicholson conspired with a client to falsely classify $740,000 of personal payments as business expenses and filed false tax returns on the client’s behalf with the Internal Revenue Service (IRS). Nicholson was also found guilty of filing his own false personal income tax returns for 2012 through 2015. Specifically, he falsely claimed expenses, failed to report embezzlement income, and under-reported the gain on the sale of his accounting firm Nicholson & Company.
In addition to the term of imprisonment, U.S. District Court Judge Keith Starrett ordered Nicholson to serve three years of supervised release, to pay a $25,000 fine and to pay restitution of $629,432 to the IRS.
Principal Deputy Assistant Attorney General Zuckerman and United States Attorney Hurst thanked special agents of IRS-Criminal Investigation and investigators with the Mississippi Auditor’s Office, who investigated the case, and Assistant United States Attorney Jay Golden and Trial Attorney Kim Shartar of the Tax Division, who prosecuted the case.
Additional information about the Tax Division and its enforcement efforts may be found on the division’s website.
May Grand JuryRead the Press Release
United States Attorney Joe Kelly announced the federal Grand Jury for the District of Nebraska has returned 29 indictments charging 32 defendants. Indictments are charging documents that contain one or more individual counts that are merely accusations, and every defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.
* Pedro Aguirre-Ortiz, age 25, is charged in a four-count Indictment. Count I of the Indictment charges the defendant with distribution of 50 grams or more of methamphetamine (actual) on October 16, 2018. The maximum possible penalty if convicted is Life imprisonment, $10,000,000 fine, 5-year term of supervised release, and a $100 special assessment. Counts II, III and IV of the Indictment charge the defendant with distribution of cocaine. The maximum possible penalty for each if convicted is 20 years’ imprisonment, $1,000,000 fine, 3-year term of supervised release, and a $100 special assessment.
* Agustin Argueta Saenz, age 46, is charged with illegal reentry after deportation following a felony conviction on or about April 22, 2019. The maximum possible penalty if convicted is 10 years’ imprisonment, a $250,000 fine, a 3-year term of supervised release, and a $100 special assessment.
* Antonio Bertucci, age 28, of Macy, Nebraska, is charged in a three-count Indictment. Count I of the Indictment charges the defendant with felon in possession of ammunition on or about February 2, 2019. The maximum possible penalty if convicted is 10 years’ imprisonment, a $250,000 fine, a 3-year term of supervised release, and a $100 special assessment. Count II of the Indictment charges the defendant with possession of ammunition after a conviction for domestic violence on or about February 2, 2019. The maximum possible penalty if convicted is 10 years’ imprisonment, a $250,000 fine, a 3-year term of supervised release, and a $100 special assessment. Count III of the Indictment charges the defendant with domestic assault by a habitual offender on or about February 2, 2019. The maximum possible penalty if convicted is 5 years’ imprisonment, a $250,000 fine, a 3-year term of supervised release, and a $100 special assessment.
* Cristobal Calixto-Angel, age 35, is charged with illegal reentry after deportation on or about August 20, 2018, following an aggravated felony conviction. The maximum possible penalty if convicted is 20 years’ imprisonment, a $250,000 fine, a 3-year term of supervised release, and a $100 special assessment.
* Jose Ivan Contreras-Gomez, age 30, is charged in a five-count Indictment. Count I of the Indictment charges the defendant with possession with intent to distribute of 50 grams or more of methamphetamine (actual) on September 5, 2018. The maximum possible penalty if convicted is Life imprisonment, $10,000,000 fine, 5-year term of supervised release, and a $100 special assessment. Count II of the Indictment charges the defendant with distribution of cocaine on August 16, 2018. The maximum possible penalty if convicted is 20 years’ imprisonment, $1,000,000 fine, 3-year term of supervised release, and a $100 special assessment. Count III of the Indictment charges the defendant with distribution of cocaine on August 30, 2018. The maximum possible penalty if convicted is 20 years’ imprisonment, $1,000,000 fine, 3-year term of supervised release, and a $100 special assessment. Count IV of the Indictment charges the defendant with possession with intent to distribute of 500 grams or more of cocaine on April 25, 2019. The maximum possible penalty if convicted is 40 years’ imprisonment, $15,000,000 fine, 4-year term of supervised release, and a $100 special assessment. Count V of the Indictment charges the defendant with possession of a firearm during a drug trafficking offense on or about April 25, 2019. The maximum possible penalty if convicted is Life consecutive imprisonment, $250,000 fine, a 5-year term of supervised release, and $100 special assessment. There is also an allegation to forfeit United States currency seized on or about April 25, 2019.
* Anthony Jordan Cook, age 28, of Walthill, Nebraska, is charged in a two-count Indictment. Count I of the Indictment charges the defendant with assault of an intimate partner by strangulation or suffocation on or about March 19, 2019. The maximum possible penalty if convicted is 10 years’ imprisonment, a $250,000 fine, a 3-year term of supervised release, and a $100 special assessment. Count II of the Indictment charges the defendant with domestic assault by a habitual offender on or about March 19, 2019. The maximum possible penalty if convicted is 5 years’ imprisonment, a $250,000 fine, a 3-year term of supervised release, and a $100 special assessment.
* Luis Alberto Dias Solis, age 40, is charged with illegal reentry after deportation on or about March 5, 2019. The maximum possible penalty if convicted is 2 years’ imprisonment, a $250,000 fine, a 1-year term of supervised release, and a $100 special assessment.
* Trent Duckworth, age 31, is charged with felon in possession of ammunition on or about April 29, 2018. The maximum possible penalty if convicted is 10 years’ imprisonment, a $250,000 fine, a 3-year term of supervised release, and a $100 special assessment.
* Pedro Gerardo Escobar Oxlaj, age 35, is charged with illegal reentry after deportation on or about April 14, 2019. The maximum possible penalty if convicted is 2 years’ imprisonment, a $250,000 fine, a 1-year term of supervised release, and a $100 special assessment.
* Billy Fang, age 28, Marvin Moua, age 34, and Meng Her, age 37, are charged with conspiracy to distribute and possess with intent to distribute 500 grams or more of methamphetamine, psilocybin, and marijuana on February 1, 2019 and continuing to on or about May 2, 2019. The maximum possible penalty if convicted is Life imprisonment, $10,000,000 fine, 5-year term of supervised release, and a $100 special assessment.
* Santiago Figueroa-Perez, age 46, is charged in a three-count Indictment. Count I of the Indictment charges the defendant with false representation of a social security number on or about September 22, 2018. The maximum possible penalty if convicted is 5 years’ imprisonment, a $250,000 fine, a 3-year term of supervised release, and a $100 special assessment. Count II of the Indictment charges the defendant with falsely claiming to be a U.S. citizen for employment on or about September 22, 2018. The maximum possible penalty if convicted is 5 years’ imprisonment, a $250,000 fine, a 3-year term of supervised release, and a $100 special assessment. Count III of the Indictment charges the defendant with illegal reentry after deportation on or about April 25, 2019. The maximum possible penalty if convicted is 2 years’ imprisonment, a $250,000 fine, a 1-year term of supervised release, and a $100 special assessment.
* Todd Fundermann, age 36, of Loveland, Colorado, is charged in a two-count Indictment. Count I of the Indictment charges the defendant with possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine on or about April 1, 2019. The maximum possible penalty if convicted is 20 years’ imprisonment, $1,000,000 fine, 3-year term of supervised release, and a $100 special assessment. Count II of the Indictment charges the defendant with felon in possession of a firearm on or about April 1, 2019. The maximum possible penalty if convicted is 10 years’ imprisonment, $250,000 fine, a 3-year term of supervised release, and $100 special assessment.
* Diego Garcia-Bernabe, age 33, is charged with illegal reentry after deportation on or about April 17, 2019. The maximum possible penalty if convicted is 2 years’ imprisonment, a $250,000 fine, a 1-year term of supervised release, and a $100 special assessment.
* Juan Carlos Guzman, age 28, of Grand Island, Nebraska, is charged with possession with intent to distribute 50 grams or more of methamphetamine (actual) on or about December 21, 2018. The maximum possible penalty if convicted is Life imprisonment, $10,000,000 fine, 5-year term of supervised release, and a $100 special assessment.
* Thomas N. Keller, age 36, of Decatur, Nebraska, is charged with felon in possession of ammunition on or about May 4, 2019. The maximum possible penalty if convicted is 10 years’ imprisonment, a $250,000 fine, a 3-year term of supervised release, and a $100 special assessment.
* Dennis Chebon Kibowen, age 24, of Council Bluffs, Iowa, is charged with false claim of citizenship on or about March 13, 2018. The maximum possible penalty if convicted is 5 years’ imprisonment, a $250,000 fine, a 3-year term of supervised release, and a $100 special assessment.
* Alexander M. Kingston, a/k/a Alexander M. Caron, age 27, is charged in a two-count Indictment. Count I of the Indictment charges the defendant with enticement of a minor on or about March 29, 2019. The maximum possible penalty if convicted is 10 years’ to Life imprisonment, a $250,000 fine, a 5-year to Life term of supervised release, $100 special assessment and a $5,000 additional special assessment. Count II of the Indictment charges the defendant with travel with intent to engage in illicit sexual conduct on or about April 19, 2019. The maximum possible penalty if convicted is 30 years’ imprisonment, a $250,000 fine, a 5-year to Life term of supervised release, $100 special assessment and a $5,000 special assessment.
* Timothy J. Kirsch, age 35, of Omaha, is charged in a four-count Indictment. Count I of the Indictment charges the defendant with sexual exploitation of children with a prior conviction on or about December 14, 2018 and January 20, 2019. The maximum possible penalty if convicted is a minimum of 25 years’ to 50 years’ imprisonment, a $250,000 fine, a 5-year to Life term of supervised release, $100 special assessment and a $5,000 additional special assessment. Count II of the Indictment charges the defendant with enticement on or about December 14, 2018 and January 20, 2019. The maximum possible penalty if convicted is 10 years’ to Life imprisonment, a $250,000 fine, a 5-year to Life term of supervised release, $100 special assessment and a $5,000 special assessment. Count III of the Indictment charges the defendant with receipt of child pornography, with a prior conviction, on or about December 14, 2018 and January 20, 2019. The maximum possible penalty if convicted is 15 to 40 years’ imprisonment, a $250,000 fine, a 5-year to Life term of supervised release, $100 special assessment and a $5,000 special assessment. Count IV of the Indictment charges the defendant with possession of child pornography, with a prior conviction, on or about December 14, 2018 and January 20, 2019. The maximum possible penalty if convicted is 10 to 20 years’ imprisonment, a $250,000 fine, a 5-year to Life term of supervised release, $100 special assessment and a $5,000 special assessment.
* Gerardo Lugo-Para, age 31, is charged with illegal reentry after deportation following a felony conviction on or about April 28, 2019. The maximum possible penalty if convicted is 10 years’ imprisonment, a $250,000 fine, a 3-year term of supervised release, and a $100 special assessment.
* Orlando Miranda De La Cruz, age 35, is charged with illegal reentry after deportation on or about May 13, 2019. The maximum possible penalty if convicted is 2 years’ imprisonment, a $250,000 fine, a 1-year term of supervised release, and a $100 special assessment.
* Katerina Parker, age 26, is charged with false declarations before a Grand Jury on or about April 17, 2019. The maximum possible penalty if convicted is 5 years’ imprisonment, a $250,000 fine, a 3-year term of supervised release, and a $100 special assessment.
* Antonio Robinson, age 32, is charged with possession with intent to distribute 50 grams or more of methamphetamine (actual) on or about March 21, 2019. The maximum possible penalty if convicted is Life imprisonment, $10,000,000 fine, 5-year term of supervised release, and a $100 special assessment.
* Jesus Efrain Ron-Torres, age 27, is charged with illegal reentry after deportation on or about May 10, 2019. The maximum possible penalty if convicted is 2 years’ imprisonment, a $250,000 fine, a 1-year term of supervised release, and a $100 special assessment.
* Nereus S. Sutko, age 38, of Omaha, is charged in a ten-count Indictment. Counts I-X of the Indictment charge the defendant with Healthcare Fraud on or about October 30, 2014 and continuing through November 29, 2017. The maximum possible penalty if convicted is 10 years’ imprisonment on each count, a $250,000 fine on each count, a 3-year term of supervised release on each count, and a $100 special assessment on each count.
* Rose Marie Tatum Terry, age 57, of David City, Nebraska, is charged in a three-count Indictment. Count I of the Indictment charges the defendant with false statement in application and use of a passport on or about May 14, 2016. The maximum possible penalty if convicted is 10 years’ imprisonment, a $250,000 fine, a 3-year term of supervised release, and a $100 special assessment. Count II of the Indictment charges the defendant with fraudulent use of social security number on or about March 7, 2018. The maximum possible penalty if convicted is 5 years’ imprisonment, a $250,000 fine, a 3-year term of supervised release, and a $100 special assessment. Count III of the Indictment charges the defendant with fraudulent use of social security number on or about May 2, 2018. The maximum possible penalty if convicted is 5 years’ imprisonment, a $250,000 fine, a 3-year term of supervised release, and a $100 special assessment.
* Miguel Tercero-Bernabe, age 43, is charged with illegal reentry after deportation following a felony conviction on or about April 19, 2019. The maximum possible penalty if convicted is 10 years’ imprisonment, a $250,000 fine, a 3-year term of supervised release, and a $100 special assessment.
* Maria Tziquin-Calvo, age 38, is charged in a three-count Indictment. Count I of the Indictment charges the defendant with false representation of a social security number on or about November 8, 2017. The maximum possible penalty if convicted is 5 years’ imprisonment, a $250,000 fine, a 3-year term of supervised release, and a $100 special assessment. Count II of the Indictment charges the defendant with falsely claiming to be a U.S. citizen for employment on or about November 8, 2017. The maximum possible penalty if convicted is 5 years’ imprisonment, a $250,000 fine, a 3-year term of supervised release, and a $100 special assessment. Count III of the Indictment charges the defendant with illegal reentry after deportation on or about February 2, 2018. The maximum possible penalty if convicted is 2 years’ imprisonment, a $250,000 fine, a 1-year term of supervised release, and a $100 special assessment.
* Justin Zambrowski, age 42, of Scottsbluff, and Rachael Wasserburgr, age 23, of Box Elder, South Dakota, are charged with possession with intent to distribute 50 grams or more of methamphetamine on or about March 20, 2019. The maximum possible penalty if convicted is 40 years’ imprisonment, $5,000,000 fine, 4-year term of supervised release, and a $100 special assessment.
* Sarah Waugh, age 29, of North Platte, Nebraska, is charged with possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine on or about March 13, 2019. The maximum possible penalty if convicted is 20 years’ imprisonment, $1,000,000 fine, 3-year term of supervised release, and a $100 special assessment.
Man Sentenced for Lying in Bankruptcy ProceedingRead the Press Release
MADISON, WIS. – Scott C. Blader, United States Attorney for the Western District of Wisconsin, announced that Daniel Doyle, 56, Sanford, South Carolina, formerly of Sun Prairie, Wisconsin, was sentenced yesterday by U.S. District Judge James D. Peterson to one year of probation for fraudulently making false statements under oath in a bankruptcy proceeding. Daniel Doyle pleaded guilty to this felony charge on March 6, 2019.
In March 2014, Doyle filed a bankruptcy petition and schedules that omitted the facts that Doyle had a wife, that she was dying of cancer, and that he was the beneficiary of her life insurance policy worth approximately $250,000. At the creditors meeting, Doyle continued the concealment and lied under oath, indicating that he was not going to receive a life insurance payment after his wife’s death.
After Doyle’s debts were discharged, he filed a claim on the life insurance policy and collected over $250,000. A few months later, the U.S. Trustee received an anonymous call indicating that Doyle received $200,000 in insurance proceeds after his wife’s death, and that he waited until the bankruptcy case had concluded to file a claim. The U.S. Trustee filed a motion to reopen the bankruptcy proceedings, and ultimately, Doyle admitted he lied and agreed to a voluntary dismissal.
In sentencing Doyle, Judge Peterson indicated his hope that other debtors would be deterred by knowing that there are criminal consequences if you try and defraud the bankruptcy court.
The charge against Daniel Doyle was the result of an investigation conducted by the Federal Bureau of Investigation and IRS Criminal Investigation, with the assistance of the Office of the U.S. Trustee. The prosecution of the case has been handled by Assistant U.S. Attorney Laura A. Przybylinski Finn.
Madison Man Sentenced to 6 Years for Possessing 4 Kilograms of CocaineRead the Press Release
MADISON, WIS. – Scott C. Blader, United States Attorney for the Western District of Wisconsin, announced that Edward Bartlett, 30, Madison, Wisconsin, was sentenced today by U.S. District Judge William M. Conley to six years in federal prison for possessing four kilograms of cocaine with the intent to distribute. Bartlett pleaded guilty to this charge on March 7, 2019, and agreed to forfeit his rights to a 2014 Maserati.
On April 17, 2018, Madison police officers observed Bartlett driving a Maserati near an apartment complex in Fitchburg, Wisconsin. Based on their investigation, the Madison police officers believed that the Maserati likely contained a large amount of cocaine. As they approached the Maserati, Bartlett attempted to drive out of a parking lot but crashed into a Madison police car with two officers inside. Bartlett then fled on foot but was arrested after a brief chase. The cocaine was found in the Maserati.
In imposing the sentence, Judge Conley noted that Bartlett was part of a large-scale drug trafficking ring and recently had purchased the Maserati using cash. Judge Conley also noted that Bartlett had a prior felony conviction for cocaine trafficking.
The charge against Bartlett is the result of an investigation by the Dane County Narcotics Task Force, Wisconsin Department of Justice Division of Criminal Investigation, and Drug Enforcement Administration. The prosecution of this case has been handled by Assistant U.S. Attorney Aaron D. Wegner.
Macedonia man who defrauded elderly people out of nearly $575,000 sentenced to more than six years in prisonRead the Press Release
A Macedonia man who claimed to be a financial planner but defrauded three elderly people out of nearly $575,000 was sentenced to more than six years in prison.
William E. Callam, 61, was sentenced to 78 months in prison and ordered to pay $574,146 in restitution. He previously pleaded guilty to one count of wire fraud and four counts of mail fraud.
“The conduct of this defendant is reprehensible. He stole the life savings of three elderly people to feed his own greed and lifestyle,” U.S. Attorney Justin Herdman said. “The Justice Department is committed to protecting older Americans and holding accountable anyone who would defraud them.”
“Callam will be serving a significant amount of time behind bars for victimizing elderly folks out of their life savings,” FBI Special Agent in Charge Eric Smith said. “The FBI will continue efforts to hold criminals accountable for preying on others for their own greed.”
According to court documents:
Callam held himself out as a financial planner and investment advisor. He operated Blackstone Real Estate Group LLC.
Callam represented to three people from Lake County that Blackstone was in the business of financing loans for the purpose of rehabilitating commercial property, with the loans secured by mortgages on the property. He promised investors safe investments with an annual return of six percent, and stated the investments were very liquid.
Callam caused investors to liquidate their annuities, insurance policies and other retirement assets to invest those funds in Blackstone. He created false statements purporting to reflect investors’ earnings. Instead, he used their money to maintain his personal lifestyle and enrich himself and family members.
A married couple was defrauded out of $381,571 while another person was defrauded out of $192,575 as a result of Callam’s scheme.
Callam has a history of defrauding people. He was convicted in 2007 of defrauding two senior citizens out of $68,000. Later that year he was convicted of defrauding four other people out of $49,000 in a similar scheme. He was later convicted of defrauding another person out of $55,000, according to court documents.
Callam targeted the victims in the most recent case because they were elderly and trusted him. As a result of his fraud, the victims cannot pay for medical care, struggle to pay for prescription medication and other bills, and have suffered emotional stress, according to court documents.
This case was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Megan Miller following an investigation by the FBI.
Mississippi Accountant Sentenced to Five Years in Prison for Tax FraudRead the Press Release
WASHINGTON – A locally prominent certified public accountant (CPA) was sentenced today to five years in prison in Hattiesburg, Mississippi, announced Principal Deputy Assistant Attorney General Richard E. Zuckerman and United States Attorney Mike Hurst for the Southern District of Mississippi.
“Today’s prison sentence for CPA Nicholson should serve as a reminder that the Department of Justice will prosecute fraudulent tax return preparers, who violate this nation’s tax laws, and that the penalties for such conduct include significant prison time,” stated Principal Deputy Assistant Attorney General Zuckerman.
“Carl Nicholson abused his position of trust as a CPA and defrauded Mississippians and American taxpayers. This case illustrates that no one is above the law, that our tax laws will be vigorously enforced, and that justice will always be done in the Southern District of Mississippi,” said U.S. Attorney Mike Hurst.
On Feb. 8, 2019, a jury convicted Carl Nicholson of conspiracy to defraud the United States as well as six counts of aiding in the preparation of false tax returns and four counts of filing false tax returns. According to court documents and evidence presented at trial, from 2012 to 2014, Nicholson conspired with a client to falsely classify $740,000 of personal payments as business expenses and filed false tax returns on the client’s behalf with the Internal Revenue Service (IRS). Nicholson was also found guilty of filing his own false personal income tax returns for 2012 through 2015. Specifically, he falsely claimed expenses, failed to report embezzlement income, and under-reported the gain on the sale of his accounting firm Nicholson & Company.
In addition to the term of imprisonment, U.S. District Court Judge Keith Starrett ordered Nicholson to serve three years of supervised release, to pay a $25,000 fine and to pay restitution of $629,432 to the IRS.
Principal Deputy Assistant Attorney General Zuckerman and United States Attorney Hurst thanked special agents of IRS-Criminal Investigation and investigators with the Mississippi Auditor’s Office, who investigated the case, and Assistant United States Attorney Jay Golden and Trial Attorney Kim Shartar of the Tax Division, who prosecuted the case.
Lumberton Man Sentenced to over Seven Years Following Multiple Firearms ArrestsRead the Press Release
NEW BERN — The United States Attorney for the Eastern District of North Carolina, Robert J. Higdon, Jr., announced that today, United States District Judge Louise W. Flanagan sentenced Frederick Beverly, 41, of Lumberton to 87 months’ imprisonment, followed by 3 years of supervised release. Beverly pled guilty to one count of possession of a firearm by a convicted felon on January 29, 2019.
On January 19, 2017, a team of law enforcement consisting of members of the Lumberton Police Department, U.S. Marshal’s Service, Robeson County Sheriff’s Office, and North Carolina State Highway Patrol successfully located BEVERLY’s vehicle in Robeson County and arrested BEVERLY. Under BEVERLY’s seat, officers found a Hi-Point .45 caliber semi-automatic handgun.
At sentencing, it was noted that BEVERLY was found in possession of firearms on two additional occasions following his January 2017 arrest. On September 19, 2017, and again on March 16, 2018, officers of the Lumberton Police Department conducted traffic stops of vehicles which BEVERLY drove or in which he was a passenger and found BEVERLY to be in possession of handguns.
This case is part of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), a program bringing together all levels of law enforcement and the communities they serve to reduce violent crime and make our neighborhoods safer for everyone. Since 2017, the United States Department of Justice has reinvigorated the PSN program and has targeted violent criminals, directing all U.S. Attorney’s Offices to work in partnership with federal, state, local, and tribal law enforcement and the local community to develop effective, locally-based strategies to reduce violent crime.
That effort has been implemented through the Take Back North Carolina Initiative of The United States Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of North Carolina. This initiative emphasizes the regional assignment of federal prosecutors to work with law enforcement and District Attorney’s Offices on a sustained basis in those communities to reduce the violent crime rate, drug trafficking, and crimes against law enforcement.
The investigation of this case was conducted by the Lumberton Police Department and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms & Explosives (ATF), with additional assistance from the Robeson County Sheriff’s Office, North Carolina State Highway Patrol, and U.S. Marshals Service. Assistant United States Attorney Jake D. Pugh represented the government.
Long Island Federal Jury Convicts MS-13 Gang Associate of Murder, Racketeering and Assault ChargesRead the Press Release
A federal jury in Central Islip returned a guilty verdict today against Jose Suarez, an associate of the Sailors Locos Salvatruchas Westside (Sailors) clique of La Mara Salvatrucha, also known as the MS-13, a transnational criminal organization. Suarez was convicted of racketeering, murder, assault and related conspiracy, firearms and accessory after the fact charges in connection with the January 30, 2017 murder of Esteban Alvarado-Bonilla and the shooting of a female employee at a deli in Central Islip, and the December 18, 2016 assault of a man outside a restaurant in Brentwood. The verdict followed a three-week trial before United States Circuit Judge Joseph F. Bianco. When sentenced, Suarez faces a mandatory sentence of life in prison.
Richard P. Donoghue, United States Attorney for the Eastern District of New York, William F. Sweeney, Jr., Assistant Director-in-Charge, Federal Bureau of Investigation, New York Field Office (FBI), Geraldine Hart, Commissioner, Suffolk County Police Department (SCPD), and Patrick J. Ryder, Commissioner, Nassau County Police Department (NCPD), announced the verdict.
“Suarez has been held responsible for the execution-style murder of a suspected gang rival and violent assaults, ruthless crimes that reflect the danger to our communities posed by MS-13,” stated United States Attorney Donoghue. “By his actions the defendant sought status within the gang, and with today’s verdict, what he has found instead is a mandatory sentence of life in prison. I commend our prosecutors and the FBI Long Island Gang Task Force for their outstanding work bringing the defendant to justice and their commitment to eradicating MS-13.”
“MS-13 attacks, assaults and murders simply to be as violent as they can. The gang members associated with this case and Mr. Suarez didn’t give a second thought to the life they took, the harm they caused or the terror they created in a community,” stated FBI Assistant Director-in-Charge Sweeney. “The partners of the FBI Long Island Gang Task Force are fully committed to collaborating and dedicating all necessary resources as we continue to eradicate violent gang members from our communities.”
“This guilty verdict ensures that a violent MS-13 associate will face life in prison for his heinous crimes dating back to 2016,” stated SCPD Commissioner Hart. “This case highlights the dangers this gang poses and reinforces our need to continue to work with our law enforcement partners to rid our communities of gang violence. I would like to thank the Eastern District of New York and our partners at the FBI Long Island Gang Task Force for their partnership and perseverance in holding gang members and their associates accountable for their crimes.”
“The combined efforts of associated law enforcement agencies and its dedicated investigators bring to justice defendant Jose Suarez, thus ending a wave of terror by way of the murder of one individual and assaults of two others,” stated NCPD Commissioner Ryder. “This conviction removes another MS-13 gang member from the streets of Nassau County and its communities, thus making them a safer place. We will continue our zero tolerance approach to end all illegal gang activity. Congratulations to all for a job well done.”
The evidence at trial established that, on January 30, 2017, a member of the Sailors clique saw Alvarado-Bonilla inside El Campesino Deli in Central Islip. Believing that Alvarado-Bonilla was a rival gang member, the Sailors clique devised a plan to kill him. Suarez drove MS-13 member Mario Aguilar-Lopez and an MS-13 associate to a street near the deli and parked. The MS-13 associate entered the deli and confirmed that Alvarado-Bonilla was there. Aguilar-Lopez then entered the deli, approached Alvarado-Bonilla from behind and shot him multiple times, killing him. One of the bullets traveled through Alvarado-Bonilla’s head and struck, in the chest, a female employee of the deli who was standing directly in front of him. Aguilar-Lopez ran out of the deli and back to the car where Suarez was waiting, and the two then fled the scene. The store employee was taken to a local hospital for treatment and survived.
Aguilar-Lopez pleaded guilty to the murder of Alvarado-Bonilla and wounding of the female deli employee, and is awaiting sentencing.
The government’s evidence at trial also established that on December 18, 2016, Suarez and several other MS-13 members and associates assaulted two men outside the Super Taco restaurant in Brentwood, seriously injuring one of the men. The victims were attacked because one of them had disrespected the MS-13.
Today’s trial conviction is the latest in a series of federal prosecutions by the United States Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of New York targeting members of the MS-13, a violent international criminal organization. The MS-13’s leadership is based in El Salvador and Honduras, but the gang has thousands of members across the United States, comprised primarily of immigrants from Central America. With numerous branches, or “cliques,” the MS-13 is the largest and most violent street gang on Long Island. Since 2003, hundreds of MS-13 members, including dozens of clique leaders, have been convicted of federal felony charges in the Eastern District of New York. A majority of those MS-13 members have been convicted of federal racketeering charges for participating in murders, attempted murders and assaults. Since 2010, this Office has obtained indictments charging MS-13 members with carrying out more than 45 murders in the Eastern District of New York, and has convicted dozens of MS-13 leaders and members in connection with those murders. These prosecutions are the product of investigations led by the FBI’s Long Island Gang Task Force, comprising agents and officers of the FBI, SCPD, NCPD, Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, Nassau County Sheriff’s Department, Suffolk County Probation, Suffolk County Sheriff’s Office, Rockville Centre Police Department and the New York State Police.
The government’s case is being handled by the Office’s Long Island Criminal Division. Assistant United States Attorneys Raymond A. Tierney and Michael T. Keilty are in charge of the prosecution.
The Defendant:
JOSE SUAREZ (also known as “Chompira”)
Age: 24
Central Islip, New YorkE.D.N.Y. Docket No. 16-CR-403 (JFB)
Local Man Heads to Prison After Answering “Casual Encounter” Ad in CraigslistRead the Press Release
BROWNSVILLE, Texas –A 52-year-old resident of McAllen has been ordered to prison following his conviction of enticement of a child, announced U.S. Attorney Ryan K. Patrick.
Juan Carlos Bautista began trial Jan. 30, 2019. However, after opening statements and testimony of four government witness, he decided to enter a guilty plea the same day.
Today, U.S. District Judge Fernando Rodriguez Jr. sentenced Bautista to a 120-month-term of federal imprisonment. He was further ordered to serve 10 years on supervised release following completion of his prison term, during which time he will have to comply with numerous requirements designed to restrict his access to children and the internet. Bautista will also be ordered to register as a sex offender.
On Jan. 19, 2017, law enforcement placed an advertisement on the Brownsville Craigslist website under “casual encounters” section. Bautista responded to the ad via email expressing an interest in pursuing a sexual relationship with a 13-year-old minor female.
Bautista made arrangements to meet who he thought was the young female in Harlingen for the purpose of a sexual encounter. He was taken into custody upon his arrival Feb. 8, 2017.
Bautista will remain in custody pending transfer to a U.S. Bureau of Prisons facility to be determined in the near future.
Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s Homeland Security Investigations conducted the investigation in conjunction with the Rio Grande Valley Child Exploitation and Investigation Task Force.
Assistant U.S. Attorneys Ana Cano and Jose A. Esquivel Jr. are prosecuting the case, which was brought as part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative launched in May 2006 by the Department of Justice to combat the growing epidemic of child sexual exploitation and abuse. Led by the United States Attorneys' Offices and the Criminal Division's Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section, Project Safe Childhood marshals federal, state and local resources to locate, apprehend and prosecute individuals who sexually exploit children, and to identify and rescue victims. For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit www.usdoj.gov/psc. For more information about internet safety education, please visit www.usdoj.gov/psc and click on the tab "resources."
Lady Lake Man Pleads Guilty to Producing Child Pornography of 6-Year-Old GirlRead the Press Release
Ocala, Florida – Brian Alan Jones (36, Lady Lake) today pleaded guilty to sexual exploitation of a child under 12 years of age. He faces a minimum mandatory penalty of 15 years, and up to 30 years, in federal prison. A sentencing date has not yet been set.
According to court documents, Jones produced sexually explicit images of a 6-year-old girl who was under his supervision. He took explicit photographs of the victim on his cellphone and sent them to an undercover officer posing as a pedophile. The victim resided with her mother and Jones, who were allegedly dating at the time of this crime.
Jones also admitted to sending another undercover officer sexually explicit videos depicting young children having sexual intercourse with adult men. Jones’s cellphone was later found to contain more than 100 images of the child victim and over 70 images of other child pornography or child erotica.
This case was investigated by Homeland Security Investigations. It is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Michael P. Felicetta.
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 United States Attorneys’ Offices and the Criminal Division’s Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section (CEOS), Project Safe Childhood marshals federal, state, and local resources to locate, apprehend, and prosecute individuals who sexually exploit children, and to identify and rescue victims. For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit www.justice.gov/psc.
Kalispell man gets 12 years in prison for meth, firearms crimesRead the Press Release
BILLINGS—A Kalispell man who admitted drug trafficking and firearms crimes after law enforcement seized meth from his Billings hotel room last year was sentenced today to 12 years in prison and to five years of supervised release, U.S. Attorney Kurt Alme said.
Christopher Scott Hurst, 30, pleaded guilty in December to possession with intent to distribute meth and to possession of a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime.
U.S. District Judge Susan P. Watters presided.
Prosecutors said in court records that Hurst was arrested on Feb. 27, 2018 at a Billings hotel. Agents with the Eastern Montana High Intensity Drug Trafficking Area Task Force served a search warrant on Hurst’s room and seized about a half-ounce of meth and $1,488 cash. After the search, hotel staff found a handgun that had been missed in the initial search.
Hurst told investigators that he had been getting meth, heroin and cocaine from two persons in California and that these persons had been bringing large quantities of drugs to Billings for months. Hurst also admitted he had been getting four to eight ounces of meth almost every day for months.
In addition, a witness who was familiar with Hurst’s activities told agents he had repeatedly seen Hurst with firearms and meth and that Hurst had traded firearms for meth on several occasions.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Colin Rubich prosecuted the case, which was investigated by the FBI, EMHIDTA and Billings Police Department.
The case is part of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), which is the centerpiece of the Department of Justice’s violent crime reduction efforts. PSN is an evidence-based program proven to be effective at reducing violent crime. Through PSN, a broad spectrum of stakeholders work together to identify the most pressing violent crime problems in the community and develop comprehensive solutions to address them. As part of this strategy, PSN focuses enforcement efforts on the most violent offenders and partners with locally based prevention and reentry programs for lasting reductions in crime.
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Indian National Arrested for Transporting Illegal AliensRead the Press Release
SYRACUSE, NEW YORK – Jaswinder Singh age 30, of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, has been charged in federal court in Syracuse with transporting aliens in the United States, knowing or in reckless disregard of the fact that the aliens were in the United States illegally, announced United States Attorney Grant C. Jaquith and U.S. Border Patrol Swanton Sector Chief Patrol Agent Robert Garcia.
A criminal complaint filed in United States District Court charges Singh with transporting two aliens who were without lawful status in the United States, and alleges that he received approximately $2,200 as payment for his services. The complaint further alleges that an agent from the United States Border Patrol stopped Singh’s vehicle in St. Lawrence County near the Canadian border, after a U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) Air and Marine Unit helicopter spotted multiple people entering a vehicle in the area after crossing the St. Lawrence River from Canada into the United States.
The charge filed against Singh carries a maximum sentence of 10 years in prison, a fine of up to $250,000, and a term of supervised release of up to 3 years. A defendant’s sentence is imposed by a judge based on the particular statute the defendant is charged with violating, the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other factors.
The defendant was arraigned before United States Magistrate Judge David E. Peebles, and ordered detained pending resolution of the charges.
The charges in the complaint are merely accusations. The defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.
This case is being investigated by the United States Border Patrol with assistance from U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) Air and Marine Operations (AMO), and is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Michael F. Perry.
Illegal Alien Sentenced on Gun Possession 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 Gregorio Salinas-Guzman, a native of Mexico living in Lyndonville, NY, who was convicted of being alien in possession of a firearm, was sentenced to serve 30 months in prison by U.S. District Judge Richard J. Arcara.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Seth T. Molisani, who is handling the case, stated that the defendant is a native and citizen of Mexico with no lawful status in the United States. On March 15, 2018, the defendant was arrested following the execution of a search warrant at his residence on Alps Road in Lyndonville. Inside the residence, the Orleans County Major Felony Crime Task Force, assisted by Immigration and Customs Enforcement, recovered two 20 gauge shotguns; a rifle; a .22 caliber revolver; 207 rounds of ammunition; shotgun slugs; and 15 rounds of shotgun shells. Investigators also recovered a counterfeit Social Security card and a fraudulent Permanent Resident Card in the defendant’s name.
The sentencing is the result of plea is the result of an investigation by the Orleans County Major Felony Crime Task Force, under the direction of Sheriff Randy Bower, and Immigration and Customs Enforcement, Enforcement and Removal Operations, under the direction of Thomas E. Feely, Director of Field Operations.
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Illegal Alien Sentenced After Fourth Illegal Reentry into United StatesRead the Press Release
RICHMOND, Va. – A Mexican man who has been deported at taxpayer expense on three previous occasions was sentenced today to nearly two years in prison for his fourth illegal reentry into the United States.
According to court documents, Isidoro Gonzalez-Ferretiz, 35, first illegally entered the United States sometime in 2008. In August 2008, he was voluntarily removed to Mexico. Sometime later, Gonzalez-Ferretiz again illegally entered the United States and was found by authorities in February 2014. That same year, Gonzalez-Ferretiz was convicted of theft from a motor vehicle in Pennsylvania. In June 2014, Gonzalez-Ferretiz was again deported back to Mexico. Sometime later, Gonzalez-Ferretiz illegally entered the United States for the third time. In 2017, he was convicted for driving while intoxicated, and in March 2018 was again deported back to Mexico at taxpayer expense. After the March 2018 removal, Gonzalez-Ferretiz illegally entered the United States for a fourth time and was found by authorities in Henrico County in September 2018.
Gonzalez-Ferretiz, who was sentenced to 21 months in prison, will be deported at taxpayer expense for a fourth time after the completion of his prison sentence.
G. Zachary Terwilliger, U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of Virginia, and Lyle A. Boelens, Acting Field Office Director for U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s (ICE) Enforcement and Removal Operations (ERO) Washington, D.C., made the announcement after sentencing by Senior U.S. District Judge Robert E. Payne. Assistant U.S. Attorney Heather H. Mansfield prosecuted the case.
A copy of this press release is located on the website of the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of Virginia. Related court documents and information are located on the website of the District Court for the Eastern District of Virginia or on PACER by searching for Case No. 3:18-cr-117.
Illegal Alien Charged in Money Laundering Conspiracy and for Firearms ViolationRead the Press Release
CORPUS CHRISTI, Texas – A federal grand jury has returned a two-count indictment against a 31-year-old Mexican citizen who illegally resided in Mission, announced U.S. Attorney Ryan K. Patrick. Abraham Barajas-Alcantar was originally arrested by criminal complaint April 30, 2019. A grand jury has now indicted him for conspiracy to conduct financial transactions and being an alien illegally in possession of firearms. He had already been in custody on the original charges, but will make an appearance on the indictment before a U.S. magistrate judge in the near future. The indictment alleges Barajas-Alcantar conspired to conduct financial transactions and transported, transmitted and transferred the proceeds of the drug trafficking from May 28, 2014, to Nov. 1, 2017. He is further charged with being an alien from Mexico, illegally and unlawfully in the United States, who knowingly possessed six firearms which had previously traveled in interstate or foreign commerce. The charges allege a money laundering conspiracy which focuses on a number of methods drug traffickers use to launder proceeds from the delivery and sale of narcotics. Specifically, in this case, Barajas allegedly purchased aircraft, aircraft engines and aircraft parts with drug proceeds and shipped them to his business in McAllen. From there, Barajas shipped the merchandise to Mexico for his customers, according to the allegations. The charges further allege drug proceeds were then sent to Barajas in the form of bulk cash and through the funneling of cash deposits via banks. Barajas-Alcantar allegedly had accounts or had access to or controlled accounts in those financial institutions. This activity combined the traditional methods of bulk cash smuggling and the use of funnel accounts with trade-based money laundering through the purchase of aircraft and related equipment with drug proceeds for shipment to drug traffickers in Mexico, according to the charges. If convicted of the money laundering conspiracy offense, Barajas-Alcantar faces up to 20 years in federal prison, while the firearms offense carries a potential 20 year-term of imprisonment. Both convicted also have a potential $250,000 fine. The Drug Enforcement Administration and IRS – Criminal Investigation conducted the investigation. Assistant U.S. Attorney Kenneth Cusick is prosecuting the case. An indictment is a formal accusation of criminal conduct, not evidence. A defendant is presumed innocent unless and until convicted through due process of law.Holyoke Man Pleads Guilty to Threatening to Murder Federal Law Enforcement OfficerRead the Press Release
BOSTON - A Holyoke man pleaded guilty yesterday in federal court in Boston to threatening to murder a federal law enforcement officer.
Carlos Maldonado, 30, pleaded guilty to threatening to murder a federal law enforcement officer in retaliation for the federal officer’s performance of his official duties. U.S. District Court Judge Denise J. Casper scheduled sentencing for June 19, 2019. Maldonado was charged on April 26, 2019.
Maldonado is presently serving a 42-month federal sentence, a compilation of a 30-month sentence as a result of his conviction for cocaine distribution in 2016, and a consecutive 12-month sentence for his violation of supervised release conditions related to a prior conviction for distributing heroin in 2014.
If convicted on the charge of threatening a federal law enforcement officer, Maldonado faces a sentence of no greater than 10 years in prison, three years of supervised release, and a $250,000 fine. Sentences are imposed by a federal district court judge based upon the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors.
United States Attorney Andrew E. Lelling and Joseph R. Bonavolonta, Special Agent in Charge of the Federal Bureau of Investigation, Boston Field Division, made the announcement. Assistant U.S. Attorney Greg A. Friedholm of Lelling’s Worcester Branch Office is prosecuting the case.
Hartford Man Who Sold Fentanyl to Southington Overdose Victim Pleads GuiltyRead the Press Release
John H. Durham, United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut, announced that EDGARDO RIVERA, also known as “Eggy,” 27, of Hartford, waived his right to be indicted and pleaded guilty today before U.S. District Judge Kari A. Dooley in Bridgeport to fentanyl distribution and firearm possession offenses.
This matter stems from an ongoing statewide initiative targeting narcotics dealers who distribute heroin, fentanyl or opioids that cause death or serious injury to users.
According to court documents and statements made in court, on July 17, 2017, the Southington Police Department and emergency medical personnel responded to a Southington residence on a report of an unresponsive male. At the residence, medical personnel pronounced a male victim deceased of a suspected drug overdose. Investigators collected bags, which were later found to contain fentanyl, from the scene.
The Office of the Chief Medical Examiner subsequently determined the victim’s cause of death to be “acute fentanyl toxicity.”
The investigation revealed that the victim purchased fentanyl from Rivera the day before the victim died from ingesting the drug.
In May and June 2018, law enforcement conducted controlled purchases of fentanyl and heroin from Rivera.
Rivera was arrested on federal criminal complaint on October 5, 2018. At the time of his arrest, he was found in possession of approximately 300 grams of controlled substances containing heroin and fentanyl, a loaded 9mm pistol, and more than $14,000 in cash.
Rivera pleaded guilty to one count of possession with intent to distribute, and distribution of, 40 grams or more of fentanyl, and one count of possession of a firearm in furtherance of a narcotics trafficking offense. Judge Dooley scheduled sentencing for August 21, 2019, at which time Rivera faces a prison term of at least 10 years.
Rivera is detained pending sentencing.
This investigation is being conducted by the Drug Enforcement Administration’s New Haven Task Force, U.S. Marshals Service and Southington Police Department. The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Douglas P. Morabito.
Harrison County man sentenced for role in methamphetamine distribution operations in Harrison, Marion, and Monongalia CountiesRead the Press Release
CLARKSBURG, WEST VIRGINIA – Christopher Conley, of Clarksburg, West Virginia, was sentenced today to 14 months incarceration for his role in a methamphetamine distribution operation, United States Attorney Bill Powell announced.
Conley, age 35, pled guilty to one count of “Unlawful Possession of a Firearm” in January 2019. Conley, being a person prohibited from having a firearm, admitted to having a 9mm pistol in April 2018 in Harrison County.This case was brought as part of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN). Project Safe Neighborhoods 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.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Zelda E. Wesley prosecuted the case on behalf of the government. The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives and the Greater Harrison Drug & Violent Crimes Task Force, a HIDTA-funded initiative, investigated.
The investigation was funded in part by the federal Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Force Program (OCDETF). The OCDETF program supplies critical federal funding and coordination that allows federal and state agencies to work together to successfully identify, investigate, and prosecute major interstate and international drug trafficking organizations and other criminal enterprises.
U.S. District Judge Thomas S. Kleeh presided.
Harnett County Nine Trey Blood Sentenced for Illegally Possessing FirearmsRead the Press Release
RALEIGH – Robert J. Higdon, Jr., the United States Attorney for the Eastern District of North Carolina, announces that Chief United States District Judge Terrence W. Boyle sentenced TYRESE QUINTARIUS PEGUES, 19, of Lillington to 27 months’ imprisonment, followed by 3 years of supervised released.
On November 27, 2018, PEGUES was named in a one-count Indictment charging him with Possession of a Firearm by a Convicted Felon. On February 19, 2019, PEGUES pled guilty to the charge.
On August 25, 2018, a call was placed to the Harnett County Sheriff’s Office in Lillington, North Carolina, concerning shots fired at a residence in Heritage Village. Deputies responded and identified the address in question as 1346 Heritage Way. Deputies noted bullet holes in the house and in a vehicle, and they then made entry through the unsecured front door. Once inside, they observed firearms, currency, a small quantity of marijuana and a $10 bill in a jar, and packaging material in the kitchen and in a bedroom in plain view. A .380 caliber handgun was located in one of the bedrooms with the slide locked back. Shell casings for a .380 caliber firearm were located outside the residence.
After securing a search warrant, an inspection of the residence recovered a total of three firearms, including an AR-15 assault weapon containing two thirty-round magazines taped together on the couch in the living room. Paperwork identifying PEGUES was recovered from one of bedrooms. The bedroom identified as belonging to PEGUES contained the .380 caliber handgun and a set of digital scales. The gun was reported stolen.
On August 28, 2018, PEGUES was arrested. He declined to provide any information on that date, but did provide a statement on August 29, 2018. PEGUES admitted shooting at a vehicle in self-defense after seeing a vehicle drive by slowly and a known individual raise what appeared to be a firearm. Thereafter, PEGUES went inside to retrieve the AR-15 and returned to the porch. PEGUES denied any involvement with the marijuana found inside the residence.
This case is part of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), a program bringing together all levels of law enforcement and the communities they serve to reduce violent crime and make our neighborhoods safer for everyone. Since 2017 the United States Department of Justice has reinvigorated the PSN program and has targeted violent criminals, directing all U.S. Attorney’s Offices to work in partnership with federal, state, local, and tribal law enforcement and the local community to develop effective, locally-based strategies to reduce violent crime.
That effort has been implemented through the Take Back North Carolina Initiative of the United States Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of North Carolina. This initiative emphasizes the regional assignment of federal prosecutors to work with law enforcement and District Attorney’s Offices on a sustained basis in those communities to reduce the violence crime rate, drug trafficking, and crimes against law enforcement.
The investigation of this case was conducted by the Harnett County Sheriff’s Office.
Assistant United States Attorney Daniel W. Smith prosecuted the case for the government.
Garryowen man admits involuntary manslaughter, assault charges in vehicle crashRead the Press Release
BILLINGS – A Garryowen man this week admitted involuntary manslaughter and assault charges stemming from an August 2018 vehicle crash that killed one passenger and injured two other passengers on the Crow Reservation, U.S. Attorney Kurt Alme said.
Gus Oldbear III, 20, pleaded guilty on May 21 to involuntary manslaughter and to two counts of assault resulting in serious bodily injury.
U.S. District Judge Susan P. Watters presided. Oldbear faces a maximum 10 years in prison, a $250,000 fine and three years of supervised release on the assault charge and a maximum eight years in prison, a $250,000 fine and three years of supervised release on the manslaughter charge. Watters released Oldbear pending sentencing.
Prosecution evidence in court records said that Oldbear was driving a truck on a secondary highway between Wyola and Lodge Grass at about 4 a.m. on Aug. 10, 2018 when it left the road, hit a ditch and rolled. One of the three passengers in the truck died as a result of the crash, while the other two suffered serious injuries.
Oldbear and the three passengers, and an additional person, had been drinking and driving around most of the day on Aug. 9 and evening of Aug. 10. The additional person was dropped off in Wyola immediately before the crash. Oldbear admitted in an interview that he had been drinking but claimed that the cause of the crash was him falling asleep. A blood test taken from Oldbear at the time of crash determined he had a blood-alcohol concentration of .123 percent.
An autopsy performed on deceased person confirmed the cause of death was blunt force trauma caused by the crash. Both of the surviving passengers suffered spinal fractures and other fractures and lacerations.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Lori Suek prosecuted the case, which was investigated by the FBI.
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Four people indicted for their roles in conspiracy to distribute 16 pounds of methamphetamineRead the Press Release
A nine-count indictment was filed charging four people for their roles in a conspiracy to distribute 16 pounds of methamphetamine.
Indicted are: Rafael Smith, 47, of Covington, Virginia; Robert Coore, 46, a Jamaican national; Shuree Jefferson, 41, of Garfield Heights, and Jeffrey Westmoreland, 30, of Rock Creek.
All four are charged with conspiracy to distribute and possess with intent to distribute methamphetamine, as well as additional charges of possession or distribution of methamphetamine. Coore is also charged with illegal reentry, as he was in the United States on March 20, 2019, after having been deported to Jamaica on January 25, 2018.
According to court documents:
Coore and Smith met numerous times in March and April 2019 with an undercover agent at locations in Beachwood, Independence, Brooklyn, Cleveland and elsewhere to sell large amounts of methamphetamine.
Coore stated he traveled to California to arrange for bulk shipments of drugs to the Cleveland area. Coore and Smith requested the undercover agent’s help in locating a warehouse with a loading dock and town motor capable of offloading a tractor trailer upon arrival in Northeast Ohio.
Coore was arrested on April 23 with four pounds of methamphetamine. A search of a residence in Aurora resulted in the arrest of Smith, and seizure of approximately three pounds of methamphetamine.
Prosecutors are seeking to forfeit $nearly $48,000 in cash seized as part of the investigation.
This case was investigated by Homeland Security Investigations, the Drug Enforcement Administration and the Cleveland Division of Police. It is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Margaret Sweeney.
If convicted, the defendants’ sentences will be determined by the Court after review of factors unique to this case, including the defendant’s prior criminal record, if any, the defendant’s role in the offense and the characteristics of the violation. In all cases the sentence will not exceed the statutory maximum and in most cases it will be less than the maximum.
An indictment is only a charge and is not evidence of guilt. A defendant is entitled to a fair trial in which it will be the government’s burden to prove guilt beyond a reasonable doubt.