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Tuesday 21 May 2019
Morgantown Pharmacist admits to drug charges, agrees to pay nearly $2 millionRead the Press Release
CLARKSBURG, WEST VIRGINIA – Scott D. Tingler, a Morgantown, West Virginia pharmacist, has admitted to illegally distributing oxycodone, United States Attorney Bill Powell announced.
Tingler, age 40, pled guilty to one count of “Conspiracy to Distribute Controlled Substances Outside the Bounds of Professional Medical Practice” and one count of “False Tax Return.” Tingler admitted to conspiring with others to distribute more than 7,400 grams of oxycodone in Monongalia County and elsewhere from August 2014 to August 2018. Tingler also admitted to filing a false tax return in April 2015, grossly understating his taxable income.
Tingler has agreed to relinquish his pharmacy license and not seek to reinstate the same, and agrees to not seek employment in any position that would require or permit him to handle or dispense controlled substances during any period of incarceration or probation.
Tingler has also agreed to pay 28% of his unreported gross income from tax years 2014, 2015, 2016, and 2017. He has also agreed to forfeit any property or proceeds from the drug offense in the amount of $1,845,000, as well as a 2016 GMC Sierra 3500HD truck.
Tingler faces up to 20 years incarceration and a fine of up to $1,000,000 for the drug count and faces up to three years incarceration and a fine of up to $250,000 for the tax count. Under the Federal Sentencing Guidelines, the actual sentence imposed will be based upon the seriousness of the offenses and the prior criminal history, if any, of the defendant.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Sarah E. Wagner is prosecuting the case on behalf of the government. The Drug Enforcement Administration Tactical Diversion Squad, the Internal Revenue Service Criminal Investigative Division, the Morgantown Police Department, the West Virginia State Police BCI, and the Harrison County Sheriff's County Sheriff's Office investigated.
These charges are the result of investigations supported by the Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Force (OCDETF) under the Attorney General-led Synthetic Opioid Surge (SOS)/Special Operations Division (SOD) Project Clean Sweep. This initiative seeks to reduce the supply of synthetic opioids in “hot spot” areas previously identified by the Attorney General of the United States, thereby reducing drug overdoses and drug overdose deaths, and identify wholesale distribution networks and sources of supply operating nationally and internationally.
U.S. Magistrate Judge Michael John Aloi presided.
Moore Robbery Suspects Arrested in NormanRead the Press Release
OKLAHOMA CITY – DUNCAN ERIC HERRON, II, 31, and REGENEA CAROL BERRY, 30, both of Norman, have been arrested for robbing IBC Bank in Moore, announced First Assistant U.S. Attorney Robert J. Troester.
According to an affidavit in support of a criminal complaint filed on May 20, 2019, a man and a woman wearing masks and black clothing entered the IBC Bank on Northeast 12th Street in Moore at approximately 12:39 p.m. on May 14, 2019. The man is alleged to have racked the slide of a pistol he was carrying and demanded that the three employees in the bank get on the floor and give him money. The robbers allegedly left a few minutes later in a maroon sport utility vehicle.
According to the complaint, law enforcement reviewed video surveillance from several locations and conducted further investigation to determine that Herron and Berry were likely suspects. During the execution of a search warrant on May 18, law enforcement recovered cash from various locations inside the suspects’ Norman residence, including "bait bills" the robbers took from IBC Bank.
Both Herron and Berry were arrested on May 18 and made their initial appearances on May 20 before U.S. Magistrate Judge Bernard M. Jones. If found guilty of bank robbery, each defendant faces a maximum potential penalty of twenty years in prison, three years of supervised release, a fine of $250,000, and mandatory restitution.
This case is a result of an investigation by the FBI Oklahoma City Division and the Moore Police Department, with assistance from the Norman Police Department. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Mary E. Walters, Wilson McGarry, and David McCrary are prosecuting the case.
The public is reminded that these charges are merely allegations and that Herron and Berry are presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt. Reference is made to public filings for more information.
Monongalia County physician pleads guilty to drug chargeRead the Press Release
CLARKSBURG – A Morgantown, West Virginia, physician pleaded guilty to obtaining controlled substances by fraudulently writing prescriptions using colleagues’ Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) numbers and presenting stolen driver’s licenses to pick up fraudulently prescribed controlled substances from Morgantown area pharmacies for his personal use, announced Assistant Attorney General Brian A. Benczkowski of the Justice Department’s Criminal Division and U.S. Attorney Bill Powell of the Northern District of West Virginia.
Chad Poage, D.O., 35, pleaded guilty to one count of acquiring or obtaining possession of a controlled substance by misrepresentation, fraud, forgery, deception or subterfuge before U.S. Magistrate Judge Michael John Aloi of the Northern District of West Virginia.Poage was an orthopedic surgeon who worked in a practice with locations in Morgantown and Fairmont, West Virginia. As part of his guilty plea, he admitted that, from November 2015 to March 2018, he wrote 30 fraudulent prescriptions for a total of approximately 1,330 50-milligram tablets of Tramadol, 420 5-milligram tablets of Diazepam, and 50 30-milligram tablets of acetaminophen-codeine no. 3, all for his own use. Poage further admitted that on each of the 30 prescriptions, he either wrote colleagues’ DEA registration numbers without their authorization or wrote the prescription out to a patient knowing that he would pick up the prescribed medication for his own use. Poage admitted that on multiple occasions, he presented stolen driver’s licenses when picking up fraudulent prescriptions from pharmacies.
The DEA, the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Office of Inspector General and West Virginia State Police investigated the case, which was brought as part of the Appalachian Regional Prescription Opioid (ARPO) Strike Force, under supervision by the Criminal Division’s Fraud Section and the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Northern District of West Virginia. Trial Attorney Patrick Mott of the Fraud Section and Assistant U.S. Attorney Sarah Wagner of the Northern District of West Virginia are prosecuting the case.
The ARPO Strike Force is made up of prosecutors and data analysts with the Health Care Fraud Unit of the Criminal Division’s Fraud Section, prosecutors with the U.S. Attorney’s Offices in the region and special agents with the FBI, HHS-OIG and DEA. Since its inception in October 2018, the ARPO Strike Force has charged 60 defendants in 11 districts. The Health Care Fraud Unit, in general, maintains 14 strike forces operating in 23 districts, and has charged nearly 4,000 defendants who have collectively billed the Medicare program for more than $14 billion. In addition, the HHS Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services, working in conjunction with HHS-OIG, are taking steps to increase accountability and decrease the presence of fraudulent providers.
Mexican National Sent to Prison...Again...for Illegal Presence the U.S.Read the Press Release
BROWNSVILLE, Texas – A 41-year-old man from Matamoros, Mexico, has been ordered to federal prison for illegal re-entry into the country, announced U.S. Attorney Ryan K. Patrick. Ciro Garcia-Herrera pleaded guilty in October 2018.
He had previously been ordered to serve 30 months after another conviction for the same offense in October 2015.
Today, U.S. District Judge Fernando Rodriguez ordered him to serve 30 months in federal prison on the current case. The court also revoked his supervised release term for the previous offense, adding another 21 months, 10 of which are to run consecutively for a total 40-month term of imprisonment.
At the hearing, the court also heard he had actually been previously convicted of the same offense on five additional occasions and received varying sentences that dated back to 2005 . Each time, he was ordered not to return but repeatedly did so anyway.
On this latest incident, authorities who were investigating a report of undocumented aliens found Garcia-Herrera July 11, 2018, at a residence in Brownsville. Upon investigation, law enforcement learned he had been deported in January 2018 and ordered not to return to the United States.
Garcia-Herrera has been and will remain in custody pending transfer to a U.S. Bureau of Prisons facility to be determined in the near future.
Customs and Border Protection - Field Intelligence Team East conducted the investigation. Assistant U.S. Attorney Oscar Ponce is prosecuting the case.
Mexican National Man Sentenced for Immigration CrimeRead the Press Release
CHARLESTON, W.Va. – A Mexican national man was sentenced for the felony offense of Reentry of a Removed Alien, announced United States Attorney Mike Stuart. Manuel Ortiz-Sanchez, 44, received a “time-served” sentence and was immediately remanded to ICE agents for administrative deportation proceedings. Ortiz-Sanchez has been in custody since January 16, 2019, over four months of federal incarceration. Stuart commended the investigative efforts of the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) and the West Virginia State Police.
“Two prior removals,” said United States Attorney Mike Stuart. “Individuals like Ortiz-Sanchez that want to come to the United States must obtain permission or seek legal status or citizenship.”
On January 16, 2019, Ortiz-Sanchez was found in Chelyan, Kanawha County, West Virginia. West Virginia troopers had stopped a car for failure to maintain control on the West Virginia Turnpike. The driver offered a Mexican Consular notification document and the passengers, including Ortiz-Sanchez, did not have drivers licenses or other identification. The State Police contacted ICE, who spoke to the individuals telephonically in Spanish. Ortiz-Sanchez admitted being in the United States illegally. Federal agents with ICE responded to the scene and took Ortiz-Sanchez into custody. Ortiz-Sanchez immediately admitted that he was not in the United States legally and had no identification documents permitting him legal status in the United States.
Fingerprinting matched Ortiz-Sanchez to two prior removals from the United States in 2015. In both cases, Ortiz-Sanchez was found by immigration judges to be in the United States illegally and he was deported to Mexico. He had not obtained permission to legally enter the United States and had not sought legal status or citizenship. Ortiz-Sanchez further admitted to ICE agents that he was a Mexican citizen.
Senior United States District Judge David Faber presided over the hearing. Assistant United States Attorney Erik S. Goes is responsible for the prosecution.
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Mexican Mafia Gang Member Hammered for Selling MethRead the Press Release
CORPUS CHRISTI, Texas – A 35-year-old Corpus Christi resident has been ordered to federal prison following his conviction for conspiracy to sell crystal methamphetamine, announced U.S. Attorney Ryan K. Patrick.
Brandon Sanchez, an identified member of the Mexican Mafia prison gang, pleaded guilty Feb. 14, 2019. Co-defendants Juan Lopez Jr. and Belinda Lopez have also entered guilty pleas and are scheduled to be sentenced at a later date.
Today, Senior U.S. District Judge John D. Rainey sentenced Sanchez to a total of 238 months in federal prison to be immediately followed by five years of supervised release. In imposing the sentence, the court designated Sanchez as a career offender based on his criminal history. Judge Rainey further noted that methamphetamine is a terrible and highly addictive drug and that trafficking it warrants a substantial sentence.
Authorities discovered that a drug trafficking organization was selling methamphetamine in the Corpus Christi area beginning in June 2017. Agents discovered Sanchez was supplying high purity methamphetamine - known as “ice” - to others, including Juan and Belinda Lopez. They would then sell the narcotics, often using social media.
Agents have seized approximately 50 grams of “ice” but estimate the defendants distributed multiple pounds of methamphetamine over the course of the conspiracy.
On Sept. 23, 2018, law enforcement pulled Sanchez over and found him in possession of $2,696 in U.S. currency and a stolen firearm. Sanchez had previously been convicted of violent crimes, including robbery and aggravated robbery with a deadly weapon in 2002 and 2005, respectively.
Sanchez will remain in custody pending transfer to a U.S. Bureau of Prisons facility to be determined in the near future.
The Drug Enforcement Administration, Border Patrol and the Corpus Christi Police Department conducted the joint investigation. Assistant U.S. Attorney David Paxton prosecuted the case.
Mendota Prisoner Sentenced to over 8 Years in Prison for Mailing Threats to Murder a Federal JudgeRead the Press Release
FRESNO, Calif. — Cyrus Dennis Braswell, 57, was sentenced Monday by U.S. District Judge Dale A. Drozd to eight years and one month in prison for three counts of mailing threatening communications, U.S. Attorney McGregor W. Scott announced.
On February 13, a federal jury found Braswell guilty of mailing threats against a federal judge in the District of Alaska who had sentenced Braswell in 1998. According to court documents and evidence presented at trial, while an inmate at Mendota Federal Correctional Institute in Fresno County, Braswell mailed communications to Alaska in which he threatened to murder the judge after he got out of prison.
This case was the product of an investigation by the Federal Bureau of Investigation, the U.S. Marshals Service, and the Bureau of Prisons. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Laura D. Withers and Kirk E. Sheriff prosecuted the case.
Braswell currently remains in the custody of the Bureau of Prisons, and he will serve the new sentence after he completes his original 1998 sentence.
Members of Jersey City Gang Charged with ShootingRead the Press Release
NEWARK, N.J. – Two members of a Jersey City gang have been charged with the Jan. 9, 2019, shooting of two people and the attempted shooting of a third person, U.S. Attorney Craig Carpenito announced today.
Jalil Holmes, a/k/a “Broadday,” 19, of East Orange, New Jersey, and Jakeem Gibson-Madison, a/k/a “Beanz,” 24, of Jersey City, New Jersey, made their initial appearances today before U.S. Magistrate Judge Mark Falk in Newark federal court. They each are charged by complaint with three counts of assault with a dangerous weapon in aid of racketeering activity and three counts of discharging a firearm during a crime of violence.
According to the documents filed in this case and statements made in court:
Holmes and Gibson-Madison are allegedly both members of a street gang known to operate in the area of the Marion Gardens Housing Complex in Jersey City. In retaliation for the December 2018 murder of a fellow gang member, Holmes and Gibson-Madison sought out individuals associated with a rival gang. They located a BMW automobile that Holmes believed was occupied by rival gang members. While Gibson-Madison parked their car around the corner, Holmes approached the BMW, pulled a handgun from his waistband and fired multiple shots into the vehicle. One victim suffered three gunshot wounds to his back, a second victim suffered two gunshot wounds to his back, and the third victim was not hit.
Each count of assault with a dangerous weapon in aid of racketeering activity is punishable by up to 20 years in prison. Each count of discharging a firearm during a crime of violence carries a mandatory minimum term of 10 years in prison and a maximum sentence of life in prison, which must run consecutively to any terms imposed on the other counts.
U.S. Attorney Carpenito credited special agents with the FBI, under the direction of Special Agent in Charge Gregory W. Ehrie in Newark; the Hudson County Prosecutor’s Office, under the direction of Prosecutor Esther Suarez; and the Jersey City Police Department, under the direction of Public Safety Director James Shea, with the investigation leading to the charges.
The government is represented by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Desiree Grace Latzer and Elaine K. Lou of the Organized Crime and Gangs Unit in Newark.
Member of Violent West Baltimore Gang Sentenced to 25 Years in Prison, for Federal Racketeering and Drug ConspiraciesRead the Press Release
Baltimore, Maryland – U.S. District Judge Catherine C. Blake today sentenced Taurus Tillman, a/k/a Tash, age 30, of Baltimore, to 25 years in federal prison, followed by five years of supervised release, for conspiring to participate in a drug distribution conspiracy and a violent racketeering enterprise known as Trained To Go (TTG). The racketeering conspiracy included eight murders, as well as drug trafficking and witness intimidation. Tillman and his co-defendants were also convicted of a drug distribution conspiracy involving heroin, marijuana, and cocaine.
The sentence was announced by United States Attorney for the District of Maryland Robert K. Hur; Assistant Attorney General Brian A. Benczkowski of the Justice Department’s Criminal Division; Acting Special Agent in Charge Jennifer L. Moore of the Federal Bureau of Investigation, Baltimore Field Office; Commissioner Michael Harrison of the Baltimore Police Department; Special Agent in Charge Rob Cekada of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) Baltimore Field Division; Assistant Special Agent in Charge Don A. Hibbert of the Drug Enforcement Administration, Baltimore District Office; Anne Arundel County Police Chief Tim Altomare; and Baltimore City State’s Attorney Marilyn J. Mosby.
“Taurus Tillman and his fellow gang members terrorized the Sandtown community. Thanks to the partnership between federal, state, and local law enforcement, these drug dealers will no longer peddle death in West Baltimore,” said U.S. Attorney Robert K. Hur. “Violent gang members must know that gun crime leads to federal time. Hopefully criminals who are not deterred from carrying guns by the threat of prison can be deterred by the reality of years spent in a federal prison far from home—where there is no parole. Ever.”
According to the evidence presented at their 24-day trial, Tillman and his co-defendants are all members of TTG, a criminal organization that operated in the Sandtown neighborhood of West Baltimore, whose members engaged in drug distribution and acts of violence including murder, armed robbery, and witness intimidation. As part of the conspiracy, each defendant agreed that a conspirator would commit at least two acts of racketeering activity for TTG.
The evidence at trial showed that members and associates of TTG, including Tillman, sold heroin, cocaine, and marijuana, and worked to defend their exclusive right to control who sold narcotics in TTG territory. The jury found that Tillman distributed at least one kilogram of heroin over the course of the conspiracy. In addition, the evidence proved that between May 20, 2010 and January 9, 2017, Tillman, his co-defendants, and other members of TTG committed acts of violence, including eight murders, shootings, armed robbery, and witness intimidation. Murders were committed in retaliation for individuals robbing TTG members of drugs and drug proceeds, or while TTG members robbed others of their drugs and drug proceeds, as well as in murder-for-hire schemes. Further, the defendants engaged in witness intimidation through violence or threats of violence, to prevent individuals from cooperating with law enforcement.
The leader of the gang, Montana Barronette, a/k/a Tana, and Tanner, age 23, and his brother, Terrell Sivells, a/k/a Rell, age 27, both of Baltimore, were each sentenced to life in prison on February 15 and April 26, 2019, respectively. Co-defendant Brandon Wilson, a/k/a Ali, age 24, also of Baltimore, was sentenced to 25 years in prison on March 1, 2019. Two other co-defendants, John Harrison, a/k/a Binkie, age 28, and Linton Broughton, a/k/a Marty, age 25, both from Baltimore, were sentenced to life in prison and to 30 years in prison, respectively, on March 15, 2019.
The remaining defendants convicted at the trial are from Baltimore, and face a maximum sentence of life in prison on the racketeering and drug conspiracies. They include: Dennis Pulley, a/k/a Denmo, age 31; and Timothy Floyd, a/k/a Tim Rod, age 28. The defendants remain detained.
Three other TTG members previously pleaded guilty and were sentenced to between five and 25 years in prison. Another defendant, Roger Taylor, a/k/a Milk, is a fugitive.
The investigation was conducted by the FBI Baltimore Safe Streets Violent Gang Task Force, which includes FBI special agents and task force officers from the Baltimore, Baltimore County, and Anne Arundel County Police Departments. FBI Baltimore Safe Streets Violent Gang Task Force is responsible for identifying and targeting the most violent gangs in the Baltimore metropolitan area, to address gang violence and the associated homicides in Baltimore. The vision of the program is to use federal racketeering statutes to disrupt and dismantle significant violent criminal threats and criminal enterprises affecting the safety and well-being of our citizens and our communities.
This case is part of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), a program bringing together all levels of law enforcement and the communities they serve to reduce violent crime and make our neighborhoods safer for everyone. The Department of Justice reinvigorated PSN in 2017 as part of its renewed focus on targeting violent criminals, directing all U.S. Attorney’s Offices to work in partnership with federal, state, local, and tribal law enforcement and the local community to develop effective, locally based strategies to reduce violent crime.
Tillman is still facing charges for allegedly assaulting employees of the U.S. Marshals Service (USMS) while he was detained and being transported to and from the courtroom during their trial. According to the indictment, on September 21, 2018, Tillman and co-defendant John Harrison assaulted two Deputy U.S. Marshals and a U.S. District Court Security Officer as they were being escorted from the courtroom during a break in the trial. If convicted of the assault charges, Tillman faces a maximum sentence of eight years in prison on these charges. An indictment is not a finding of guilt. An individual charged by indictment is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty at some later criminal proceedings. The U.S. Marshals Service is investigating the case.
United States Attorney Robert K. Hur and Assistant Attorney General Brian A. Benczkowski commended the FBI, the Baltimore Police Department, the ATF, the DEA, the Anne Arundel County Police Department, and the Office of the State’s Attorney for Baltimore City for their work in the investigation. Mr. Hur thanked Assistant U.S. Attorneys Christopher J. Romano, Daniel C. Gardner, and Special Assistant U.S. Attorney John C. Hanley formerly of the Justice Department’s Organized Crime and Gang Section, who prosecuted this Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Force case.
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Member of Violent West Baltimore Gang Sentenced to 25 Years in Prison for Federal Racketeering and Drug ConspiraciesRead the Press Release
A Baltimore, Maryland, gang member was sentenced to 25 years in federal prison, followed by five years of supervised release, for conspiring to participate in a drug distribution conspiracy and a violent racketeering enterprise known as Trained To Go (TTG). The racketeering conspiracy included eight murders, as well as drug trafficking and witness intimidation.
Assistant Attorney General Brian A. Benczkowski of the Justice Department’s Criminal Division; U.S. Attorney Robert K. Hur for the District of Maryland; Acting Special Agent in Charge Jennifer L. Moore of the FBI’s Baltimore Field Office; Commissioner Michael Harrison of the Baltimore Police Department; Special Agent in Charge Rob Cekada of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) Baltimore Field Division; Assistant Special Agent in Charge Don A. Hibbert of the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA), Baltimore District Office; Anne Arundel County Police Chief Tim Altomare; and Baltimore City State’s Attorney Marilyn J. Mosby made the announcement.
Taurus Tillman, aka Tash, 29, was sentenced by U.S. District Judge Catherine C. Blake. Tillman and his co-defendants were also convicted of a drug distribution conspiracy involving heroin, marijuana, and cocaine. The Judge considered the alarmingly violent nature of the gang and therefore varied Tillman’s sentence significantly higher than the advisory guideline range.
According to the evidence presented at their 24-day trial, Tillman and his co-defendants are all members of TTG, a criminal organization that operated in the Sandtown neighborhood of West Baltimore, whose members engaged in drug distribution and acts of violence including murder, armed robbery and witness intimidation. As part of the conspiracy, each defendant agreed that a conspirator would commit at least two acts of racketeering activity for TTG.
The evidence at trial showed that members and associates of TTG, including Tillman, sold heroin, cocaine and marijuana, and worked to defend their exclusive right to control who sold narcotics in TTG territory. The jury found that Tillman distributed at least one kilogram of heroin over the course of the conspiracy. In addition, the evidence proved that between May 20, 2010 and Jan. 9, 2017, members of TTG committed acts of violence, including eight murders, shootings, armed robbery and witness intimidation. Murders were committed in retaliation for individuals robbing TTG members of drugs and drug proceeds, or while TTG members robbed others of their drugs and drug proceeds, as well as murder-for-hire schemes. Further, the defendants engaged in witness intimidation through violence or threats of violence, to prevent individuals from cooperating with law enforcement.
The leader of the gang, Montana Barronette, aka Tana and Tanner, 23, of Baltimore, was sentenced to life in prison on Feb. 15, 2019. Co-defendant Brandon Wilson, aka Ali, 24, also of Baltimore, was sentenced to 25 years in prison on March 1, 2019. Two other co-defendants, John Harrison, aka Binkie, 28, and Linton Broughton, aka Marty, 25, both from Baltimore, were sentenced to life in prison and to 30 years in prison, respectively, on March 15, 2019.
The remaining defendants convicted at the trial are all from Baltimore, and face a maximum sentence of life in prison on the racketeering and drug conspiracies. They include: Dennis Pulley, aka Denmo, 31; and Timothy Floyd, aka Tim Rod, 28. The defendants remain detained.
Three other TTG members previously pleaded guilty and were sentenced to between five and 25 years in prison. Another defendant, Roger Taylor, aka Milk, is a fugitive.
The investigation was conducted by the FBI Baltimore Safe Streets Violent Gang Task Force, which includes FBI special agents and task force officers from the Baltimore, Baltimore County and Anne Arundel County Police Departments. FBI Baltimore Safe Streets Violent Gang Task Force is responsible for identifying and targeting the most violent gangs in the Baltimore metropolitan area, to address gang violence and the associated homicides in Baltimore. The vision of the program is to use federal racketeering statutes to disrupt and dismantle significant violent criminal threats and criminal enterprises affecting the safety and well-being of our citizens and our communities.
This case is part of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), a program bringing together all levels of law enforcement and the communities they serve to reduce violent crime and make our neighborhoods safer for everyone. The Department of Justice reinvigorated PSN in 2017 as part of its renewed focus on targeting violent criminals, directing all U.S. Attorney’s Offices to work in partnership with federal, state, local, and tribal law enforcement and the local community to develop effective, locally based strategies to reduce violent crime.
Tillman is still facing charges for allegedly assaulting employees of the U.S. Marshals Service (USMS) while he was detained and being transported to and from the courtroom during their trial. According to the indictment, on Sep. 21, 2018, Tillman and co-defendant John Harrison assaulted two Deputy U.S. Marshals and a U.S. District Court Security Officer as they were being escorted from the courtroom during a break in the trial. If convicted of the assault charges, Tillman faces a maximum sentence of eight years in prison. An indictment is not a finding of guilt. An individual charged by indictment is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty at some later criminal proceedings. The U.S. Marshals Service is investigating the case.
U.S. Attorney Robert K. Hur and Assistant Attorney General Brian A. Benczkowski commended the FBI, the Baltimore Police Department, the ATF, the DEA, the Anne Arundel County Police Department and the Office of the State’s Attorney for Baltimore City for their work in the investigation. Mr. Hur thanked Assistant U.S. Attorneys Christopher J. Romano, Daniel C. Gardner and Special Assistant U.S. Attorney John C. Hanley formerly of the Justice Department’s Organized Crime and Gang Section, who prosecuted this Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Force case.
Man Sentenced to 10 Years for Armed Home Invasion in Northeast, Washington, D.C.Read the Press Release
WASHINGTON – Steven Wilson, 62, of Washington, D.C., was sentenced yesterday to 10 years in prison for his involvement in a January 5, 2017, armed home invasion at 78 Webster Street NE, Washington, D.C. This sentence followed a jury trial in September of 2018, where Wilson was convicted of several violent crimes, including First Degree Burglary, Kidnapping, Unlawful Entry, Assault with a Dangerous Weapon, Felony Threats, and Conspiracy to Commit Burglary.
The announcement was made by U.S. Attorney Jessie K. Liu and Peter Newsham, Chief of the Metropolitan Police Department (MPD).
Two additional defendants were previously convicted of crimes related to this home invasion. In December of 2017, a jury convicted Zakiya Ahmed, also known as Lori Fitzgerald, of similar crimes, including Kidnapping While Armed and Obstruction of Justice. The Honorable Judge Danya Dayson sentenced Ahmed to nine years in prison on May 11, 2018. In February of 2018, India Frazier, another co-conspirator, pled guilty to Robbery and First Degree Burglary, and was sentenced by the Honorable Judge Jose Lopez to seven years in prison pursuant to a plea agreement.
As established at trial, on January 4, 2017, officers with MPD conducted a search warrant on the residence of the victim. The search warrant was based on information provided to police by the victim, who indicated that several persons, including co-defendant Ahmed, were trafficking narcotics out of his residence. The victim explained to police that he wanted Ahmed and her cohorts to leave, but due to the ongoing drug trade and the victim’s addiction, he was unable to get them to leave and turned to police to help him recover his residence.
Police executed the warrant around 7:00 p.m., arresting several people for narcotics and forced Ahmed out of the apartment. Ahmed was told to leave the victim alone and not to return. Throughout the night of January 4, 2017, into the morning of January 5, 2017, Ahmed continued to text the victim from afar. Specifically, Ahmed demanded her property and became increasingly frustrated by the victim’s unwillingness to comply with her demands. Ahmed repeatedly threatened the victim via text message. Ahmed tried to come up with a plan to get back into the victim’s apartment, finally bringing Wilson and Frazier into the fold. Ahmed contacted Wilson and asked Wilson to bring his “friend,” a comment interpreted to mean a weapon or firearm.
Around 4:30 a.m., the victim heard knocking on the door to his residence. The victim opened the door, only to be knocked back by an incoming Frazier and Wilson. Wilson forced the victim onto the floor, pistol-whipped him, kicked him, called him several inappropriate names, and threatened his life. During the course of the burglary—as Frazier and another conspirator took Ahmed’s property and more out of the residence—Wilson covered the victim’s face with a sheet or a piece of clothing, making the victim think he might die. Shortly after Wilson, Frazier, and another conspirator broke into the apartment, Ahmed walked in. Ahmed taunted the victim, calling him a snitch. After stealing from the victim, the group quickly left.
In announcing the verdicts, U.S. Attorney Liu and Chief Newsham commended the work of those from the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Columbia and the Metropolitan Police Department who were involved in the case. U.S. Attorney Liu and Chief Newsham expressed special acknowledgement for Assistant U.S. Attorneys, Gregory Rosen and Nicole McClain, who investigated and prosecuted the case and Assistant United States Attorney Eric Hansford, who assisted on appellate issues. They also acknowledged the efforts of Paralegal Specialist Donville Drummond and the entire Victim Witness Program, with specific appreciation of Witness Program Specialist Lesley Slade.
Major Takedown Dismantles Multi-State Methamphetamine Network Tied to Sinaloa CartelRead the Press Release
Assistant U.S. Attorneys Matthew J. Sutton (619) 546-8941 and Ryan A. Sausedo (619) 546-9689
NEWS RELEASE SUMMARY – May 21, 2019
SAN DIEGO – Indictments were unsealed today in San Diego federal court charging 43 members of a methamphetamine distribution network tied to the Sinaloa Cartel with federal drug trafficking and money laundering offenses.
During the coordinated takedown that began early this morning, investigators executed over a dozen search warrants and seized approximately 80 pounds of methamphetamine, four firearms, and more than $100,000 in U.S. currency. As of today at 5 p.m., 33 of the forty-three defendants are either in federal or state custody. Authorities are continuing to search for 10 defendants. Many of the defendants are scheduled to be arraigned before U.S. Magistrate Judge Linda Lopez at 10:30 a.m. tomorrow.
According to the indictments and other publicly filed court documents, this San Diego based network supplied multi-kilogram quantities of methamphetamine and gamma-hydroxybutyrate (GHB) to dozens of subdistributors located throughout the United States and the world, including California, Arizona, Oregon, Wyoming, Texas, Arkansas, Florida, Virginia, Washington, D.C., New Jersey, New York and the United Arab Emirates. In return, tens of thousands of dollars in narcotics proceeds were returned to the network’s leaders via shipments of bulk cash, structured cash deposits into bank accounts, and online money transfer systems like PayPal, Zelle, Venmo, and Cash App.
The defendants operated the drug-trafficking scheme by arranging for the shipment of large quantities of methamphetamine from San Diego to various locations in the United States and internationally, through FedEx and the United States Postal Service (USPS). The drug shipments were mailed weekly to various hotels, residences, and Airbnb locations. As part of the scheme, the defendants also created multiple fraudulent FedEx accounts. These fraudulent FedEx accounts were billed to and paid for by large corporations, in hopes that the large businesses would not notice the illicit packages.
Despite their sophisticated efforts, law enforcement penetrated this network with a variety of investigative techniques, including physical surveillance, obtaining phone records, financial documents tracking warrants on telephones and vehicles and undercover agents. Over the course of the investigation, agents obtained dozens of search warrants and a six-month-long federal wiretap to track the communications and the location of the defendants. In conjunction with the wiretaps, agents ultimately seized approximately 78 pounds of methamphetamine and four firearms tied to the network.
In addition to the indictments announced today, more than a dozen defendants who worked with this network have been charged in connection with this investigation in multiple jurisdictions across the United States, including by the U.S. Attorney’s Offices for the District of New Jersey, the Eastern District of Virginia, the Western District of Texas, and Eastern District of Arkansas, as well as the Florida Office of the Attorney General and the Yuma, Arizona County Attorney’s Office.
“Today we have completely dismantled this San Diego-based international drug trafficking network with ties to the Sinaloa Cartel,” said U.S. Attorney Robert Brewer. “I want to congratulate the outstanding federal, state, and local law enforcement cooperation that resulted in this highly successful investigation. Replicating this kind of aggressive law enforcement takedown is critical to breaking the backs of these criminal networks and continuing our efforts against the Sinaloa Cartel.”
“The Sinaloa Cartel relies on members of our communities to distribute their drugs. Because they manipulate our commercial distribution routes to make a buck, our streets are flooded with high purity and low cost methamphetamine,” said DEA Special Agent in Charge Karen Flowers. “Without their distribution networks, such as the one dismantled today, cartels would not be able to operate drug businesses that rival Fortune 500 companies and dangerous drugs, like methamphetamine, would be scarce, expensive and of low purity. The operation today will ultimately disrupt the supply chain, diminish profits and make it harder for the Sinaloa Cartel to do business in the United States. Just as important, today’s operation sends a message: If you’re profiting from drug addiction, you will be pursued relentlessly by DEA, regardless of your role in the distribution network.”
“As alleged, the defendants ran a sophisticated network of drug trafficking and money laundering,” said Johnathan Smith, IRS Assistant Special Agent in Charge of the Los Angeles Field Office. “This case demonstrates our ability to identify and trace even the most sophisticated drug trafficking and money laundering organizations. IRS – Criminal Investigation, in conjunction with our law enforcement partners, will remain committed to disrupting the flow of illicit drug proceeds and dismantling the most sophisticated drug and money laundering organizations.”
“There is no place for illegal drugs in our communities,” said Undersheriff Michael Barnett. “Drugs ruin the life of the user and destroy families. Those who push drugs into our neighborhoods and homes must be held accountable. This massive operation was uncovered because of a Sheriff's Detective and DEA Special Agent who followed up on information. Working together, the Sheriff's Department will continue to target those responsible for distributing and selling illegal drugs in our communities.”
U.S. Attorney Brewer also praised federal, state, and local law enforcement for the coordinated team effort in the culmination of this investigation. This case was led by the Drug Enforcement Administration’s Narcotics Task Force (NTF) and the Internal Revenue Service. The NTF is a DEA-led task force comprised of federal and local law enforcement from the DEA, San Diego County Sheriff’s Department (SDSD), the San Diego Police Department (SDPD), the Escondido Police Department (EPD), United States Border Patrol (USBP), and the San Diego County Probation Office. Agents and officers from the United States Marshals Service, the United States Postal Inspection Service, and the Federal Bureau of Prisons, also provided vital assistance for the investigation. Attorneys from the Department of Justice, Office of Enforcement Operations, Electronic Surveillance Unit, likewise provided critical work as part of the investigative team. He also thanked our vital foreign law enforcement partners in the United Arab Emirates – the Abu Dhabi Police.
This case is the result of the ongoing efforts by the Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Force (OCDETF) a partnership that brings together the combined expertise and unique abilities of federal, state, and local law enforcement agencies. The principal mission of the OCDETF program is to identify, disrupt, dismantle and prosecute high level members of drug trafficking, weapons trafficking and money laundering organizations and enterprises.
The United States is represented in court by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Matthew J. Sutton and Ryan A. Sausedo.
The public is reminded that an indictment is not evidence of guilt. The defendants are presumed innocent and entitled to a fair trial at which the government has the burden of proving guilt beyond a reasonable doubt.
Defendant Information
Defendants Criminal Case No: 19-cr-1787-BAS
Defendant Number
Name
Age
Hometown
1
Ramon Anthony Hernandez
30
San Diego, CA
2
Tomas Teters
54
San Diego, CA
3
Natalya Soheli
27
San Diego, CA
4
Giorgio Jabsi
27
San Diego, CA
5
William Whitenack
45
Palm Springs, CA
6
Derrick Davidson
41
San Diego, CA
7
Chase Michael Berkman
33
San Diego, CA
8
Jose Rodriguez
40
Chula Vista, CA
9
Heath Sean Silvercloud
42
San Diego, CA
10
Keith Acker
29
San Diego, CA
11
*
41
San Diego, CA
12
*
47
Huntington Beach, CA
13
Christopher Halton
33
Palm Springs, CA
14
*Nicholas Ramirez
41
San Diego, CA
15
Jose Luis Magdaleno
28
San Diego, CA
16
*Corinna Vasquez
48
Oceanside, CA
17
Randall Bialek
57
San Diego, CA
18
*
47
San Diego, CA
19
Daniel Godoy
37
Cathedral City, CA
20
Paul Matthew Calzetta
50
Orlando, FL
21
Destin Banks
40
Orlando, FL
22
*Billie Jo Reynolds
40
Gillette, WY
23
Sean O’Brien
53
San Diego, CA
24
Mark Seymour
36
San Diego, CA
25
Christopher Groves
48
Miami, FL
26
*
45
Moreno Valley, CA
27
Javier Rivera
41
Chula Vista, CA
28
Carlos Velasco
42
Imperial Beach, CA
29
Christian Raggio
26
Imperial Beach, CA
30
Cody Parker
28
San Diego, CA
31
Ivan Torres
31
San Diego, CA
32
Arturo Julian Galvin
36
Columbus, OH
33
John Mark Tomsick
53
San Diego, CA
34
Maresha Morrow
32
San Diego, CA
35
Rene Reynoso
45
San Diego, CA
36
*
59
Escondido, CA
37
Kory Strohauer
33
San Diego, CA
38
*
47
San Diego, CA
39
Daniel Hensley
41
Spring Valley, CA
40
Ubaldo Perez
28
San Diego, CA
41
Peter Mohrmann
53
San Diego, CA
42
Robert Montell
57
San Diego, CA
*Fugitives
Summary of Charges
Conspiracy to Distribute Methamphetamine (21 U.S.C. §§ 841(a)(1) and 846)
Conspiracy to Launder Monetary Instruments (18 U.S.C. §§ 1956(a)(1) and (h))
Distribution of Methamphetamine (21 U.S.C., § 841(a)(1))
Possession with Intent to Distribute Methamphetamine (21 U.S.C., § 841(a)(1))
Maximum Penalties: For the drug charges, term of custody including a mandatory minimum 10 years and up to life imprisonment, $10,000,000 fine and a lifetime of supervised release. For money laundering charges, term of custody up to 20 years’ imprisonment, a fine of $500,000 or twice the value of the monetary instrument or funds involved, and 3 years of supervised release.
Defendant Criminal Case No: 19-cr-1788-BAS
Defendant Number
Name
Age
Hometown
1
*
36
Vista, CA
Summary of Charges
Distribution of Methamphetamine (21 U.S.C., § 841(a)(1))
Maximum Penalties: A term of custody including a mandatory minimum 10 years and up to life imprisonment, a $10,000,000 fine and a lifetime of supervised release.
AGENCIES
Drug Enforcement Administration, Narcotics Task Force
Internal Revenue Service - Criminal Investigation
San Diego County Sheriff’s Department
United States Marshals Service
United States Postal Inspection Service
United States Border Patrol
Federal Bureau of Prisons
San Diego Police Department
Escondido Police Department
National City Police Department
San Diego County Probation Office
San Diego County District Attorney’s Office
Riverside County Sheriff's Department
Austin, Texas Police Department
Seminole County, Florida Sheriff’s Department
Department of Justice, Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Forces
Department of Justice, Office of Enforcement Operations
U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of New Jersey
U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of Virginia
U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Western District of Texas
U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of Arkansas
U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Central District of California
U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Middle District of Florida
U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of Florida
U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Arizona
Florida Office of the Attorney General
Yuma, Arizona County Attorney’s Office
Abu Dhabi Police
Madison County Man Sentenced to 220 Months for Conspiracy to Distribute MethamphetamineRead the Press Release
Jackson, TN – Robert Newsome, 36, has been sentenced to 220 months imprisonment for conspiracy to distribute 50 grams or more of actual methamphetamine. U.S. Attorney D. Michael Dunavant for the Western District of Tennessee announced the sentence today.
This is the latest sentencing in a case involving multiple defendants including Bernard Cooper, Courtney Cooper, Brandon Weddle, Stephen Williams, Morgan Bond, and Ronricus Chapman on charges of conspiracy to distribute methamphetamine. Each defendant has now pled guilty.
According to information presented in court, on December 2, 2015 officers conducted an undercover drug purchase from a co-defendant who was supplied with 28.4 grams of actual methamphetamine. The methamphetamine has a purity level of 98.7 percent. Newsome also aided co-defendants in the packaging of four ounces of actual methamphetamine into smaller amounts for resale. The investigation determined that Newsome was responsible for distributing a total amount of marijuana equivalency of 12,128.94 kilograms. This amount is the result of distributing methamphetamine, cocaine and marijuana.
U.S. Attorney D. Michael Dunavant said, "Methamphetamine that is trafficked in and through West Tennessee is increasing in dangerous purity, and continues to destroy individuals, families, and communities. As a result of this successful conspiracy investigation and prosecution, 7 dangerous drug dealers have now received total combined sentences exceeding 132 years in prison, and West Tennessee is a safer place because they have been removed from our streets."
On May 17, 2019, U.S. District Court Chief Judge Thomas Anderson sentenced Robert Newsome to 220 months in federal prison followed by 5 years supervised release. Facts revealed during the hearing determined that Newsome fled the state for about one year, after learning that the United States had an arrest warrant for him for conspiracy. Judge Anderson found that Newsom qualified as a career offender. He was the last defendant to plead guilty. The defendants in this case received the following sentences: Bernard Cooper was sentenced to 220 months; Courtney Cooper sentenced to 120 months; Brandon Weddle sentenced to 121 months; Morgan Bond sentenced to 360 months and Ronricus Chapman received 188 months and Stephen Williams sentenced to 360 months in federal prison.
This case was investigated by the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA), Jackson Metro Narcotics, Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF).
Assistant U.S. Attorney Jerry Kitchen prosecuted this case on behalf of the government.
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Lynn Man Pleads Guilty to Multi-Million Dollar Lottery Ticket ScamRead the Press Release
BOSTON - A Lynn man pleaded guilty today to tax fraud charges in connection with a “ten-percenting” scheme, in which he purchased millions of dollars’ worth of winning Massachusetts state lottery tickets at a discount in order to help the ticket holders avoid taxes on the winnings.
Clarance Jones, 80, pleaded guilty to conspiring to commit tax fraud and filing false tax returns. U.S. District Court Judge F. Dennis Saylor IV scheduled sentencing for Aug. 13, 2019.
Two co-conspirators previously pleaded guilty. George Kinslieh, 68, was charged with one count of filing false tax returns and is scheduled to be sentenced on June 26, 2019. Bhavna Patel, 44, pleaded guilty to one count of conspiring to defraud the Internal Revenue Service and is scheduled to be sentenced on May 28, 2019.
From at least 2013 through 2015, Kinslieh and Patel, who were store owners, and others, purchased winning lottery tickets from the ticket holders for cash, at a discount to the value of the tickets, thereby allowing the ticket holders to avoid reporting the winnings on their tax returns – a scheme known as “ten-percenting.” Kinslieh and Patel gave the winning tickets to Jones, who presented them to the Massachusetts State Lottery Commission as his own, and collected the full winnings. Jones reported the winnings on his tax returns, but offset them with purported gambling losses. Jones and the store owners then shared the excess winnings.
It is alleged that for the tax years 2011 through 2017, Jones paid less than $16,000 in federal tax on a total of approximately $52,000 of reported income. During this period, Jones claimed that he was a professional gambler and that all of his winnings were offset by alleged gambling losses. Patel and Kinslieh did not report to the Internal Revenue Service or pay taxes on the income that they received from the ticket scheme.
The charge of conspiracy to commit tax fraud provides for a sentence of no greater than five years in prison, three years of supervised release and a fine of $250,000 or twice the gross loss or gain, whichever is greater. The charge of filing a false tax return provides for a sentence of no greater than three years in prison, one year of supervised release, a fine of $100,000. Sentences are imposed by a federal district court judge based upon the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors.
United States Attorney Andrew E. Lelling; Kristina O’Connell, Special Agent in Charge of the Internal Revenue Service’s Criminal Investigation in Boston; and Colonel Kerry A. Gilpin, Superintendent of the Massachusetts State Police, made the announcement today. The Massachusetts State Lottery Commission provided assistance with the investigation. Assistant U.S. Attorney Sara Miron Bloom of Lelling’s Securities and Financial Fraud Unit is prosecuting the cases.
Leader of Deadly Alien Smuggling Crew Gets Massive Prison SentenceRead the Press Release
McALLEN, Texas – A 26-year-old resident of Mission has been ordered to federal prison following his conviction related to a conspiracy that resulted in the death of two illegal aliens, announced U.S. Attorney Ryan K. Patrick.
The leader of the deadly alien smuggling crew - Osvaldo Gonzalez aka Chavelo - pleaded guilty to conspiracy to transport aliens Nov. 2, 2018.
Today, U.S. District Judge Randy Crane handed Gonzalez a total sentence of 262 months in federal prison to be immediately followed by three years of supervised release. At the hearing, the court also ordered him to pay restitution to the family of a victim in the amount of $6,800. In imposing the sentence, the court noted Gonzalez was responsible for the loss of two lives and that he is pending sentencing for another alien harboring offense and being a felon in possession of a firearm.
On Nov. 23, 2015, law enforcement responded to a crash in Mission involving two vehicles, one of which was carrying at least 13 aliens.
The investigation revealed the driver had gotten spooked when he saw what he believed to be an unmarked law enforcement vehicle. He attempted to evade it and ultimately veered into oncoming traffic which caused the wreck. At that time, several aliens were ejected from the vehicle.
One died at the scene. The remaining victims were hospitalized as a result of their injuries. A second victim passed away within a few weeks.
Gonzalez was identified as the leader of a group of smugglers who facilitated illegal aliens coming into the U.S. from Mexico. They would then be transported to Houston after staying at local stash houses. Gonzalez recruited several of the individuals involved in the deadly event and was scouting for law enforcement at the time of the accident.
He has been and will remain in custody pending transfer to a U.S. Bureau of Prisons facility to be determined in the near future.
Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s Homeland Security Investigations conducted the investigation with the assistance of Border Patrol, Texas Department of Public Safety, police departments in Palmview and Mission and the Hidalgo County Sheriff’s Office. Assistant U.S. Attorney (AUSA) David A. Lindenmuth and former AUSA Joseph T. Leonard prosecuted the case.
Las Vegas Photographer Sentenced to over 29 Years in Prison for Conspiracy to Commit Child Sexual Exploitation in Multi-StatesRead the Press Release
LAS VEGAS, Nev. – A Las Vegas photographer who posed as a professional modeling photographer and sports sponsor was sentenced Monday to 29 1/2 years in federal prison for child sexual exploitation, announced U.S. Attorney Nicholas A. Trutanich for the District of Nevada and Special Agent in Charge Aaron C. Rouse for the FBI’s Las Vegas Division.
William Clyde Thompson, 58, was sentenced by U.S. District Judge Jennifer A. Dorsey. Thompson pleaded guilty in February 2019, to child exploitation enterprise, sexual exploitation of a child, conspiracy to produce child pornography, distribution of child pornography, conspiracy to distribute child pornography, and possession of child pornography. He was indicted in September 2013 in Nevada and in 2015 in Arizona. In addition to the term of imprisonment, he will be placed on a lifetime term of supervised release, he agreed to pay full restitution to his victims, and he will be required under the Sexual Offender Registration Notification Act to register as a sex offender.
According to admissions made as part of his guilty plea, in November 2011, Thompson took sexually explicit photos and videos of a 10-year-old boy under the ruse that Thompson was a professional photographer and wanted to assist the boy in getting sponsored as a professional skateboarder. In November 2012, the victim’s mother made a report to the Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department after a potential sponsor informed her that he believed her son was being sexually exploited by Thompson. Later that month, during the execution of search warrants at Thompson’s residence and studio, law enforcement seized multiple digital devices belonging to Thompson. A forensic examination of the devices revealed over 10,000 files of child sexual exploitation photos and videos.
In January 2013, Thompson was arrested in Nevada on child pornography charges and the state court ordered him released on house arrest. However, Thompson cut off his ankle bracelet and fled the Las Vegas area. He was later indicted on federal charges in September 2013.
While on the run from law enforcement, in the spring and summer of 2014, Thompson contacted at least six boys at the Needles California Skate Park. He identified himself as “Tony Bailor” and “Jason Brock” and told the boys he was a “scooter sponsor.” He and others provided the boys with gifts to induce their compliance and to recruit other minors to be part of the “team” that he claimed he wanted to sponsor. In reality, Thompson and others recruited the “team” with the intention to produce child pornography and to sexually abuse the boys. Over a six-month period, Thompson produced over 20,000 images and videos depicting sexually explicit content of the children.
Thompson and a co-conspirator created multiple websites to distribute the child pornography he created. Thompson would post sample child pornography photos on one of the websites and when someone purchased the photos based on the sample, he would send the purchaser a hyperlink to the child pornography files on a cloud-based service.
Thompson was arrested during a traffic stop in Mohave Valley, Arizona, in January 2015. At the time of his arrest, law enforcement found over one million images ranging from child erotica to child pornography of several victims contained on digital devices belonging to him.
The case was investigated by the FBI and the Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Christopher Burton and Elham Roohani prosecuted the case.
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 U.S. Attorneys’ Offices and the Criminal Division’s Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section, Project Safe Childhood marshals federal, state and local resources to better locate, apprehend and prosecute individuals who exploit children via the Internet, as well as to identify and rescue victims. For more information about Project Safe Childhood and for information about internet safety education, please visit www.justice.gov/psc.
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Lake Delton Woman Pleads Guilty to Public Corruption Crime Involving $358,000 EmbezzlementRead the Press Release
MADISON, WIS. – Scott C. Blader, United States Attorney for the Western District of Wisconsin, announced that Stephanie Czuprynko, 54, Lake Delton, Wisconsin, pleaded guilty today to a public corruption charge in U.S. District Court in Madison, Wisconsin.
Czuprynko admitted that while acting as the bookkeeper for the Lake Delton Fire Department Commission and the Dells-Delton Emergency Medical Services Commission, she embezzled monies from the checking accounts of these two commissions. The amount of the embezzlement, which occurred between 2016 and November 2018, is over $358,000.
The federal investigation into this matter began in November 2018 when the Federal Bureau of Investigation received a referral from the Lake Delton Police Department after they had noted irregularities in the checking accounts of the two commissions. When confronted with the irregularities, Czuprynko admitted the embezzlement, and provided a spreadsheet detailing the embezzlements by date and amount. Czuprynko told law enforcement she stole the money because she had a gambling problem. After obtaining a search warrant for her office, FBI agents found gambling records from Ho-Chunk casino, as well as two unauthorized signature stamps, which she used to sign the embezzlement checks.
“My office is committed to prosecuting any public official who abuses their position for personal enrichment,” said U.S. Attorney Blader. “This type of case represents the worst in deception and fraud because it involves a betrayal of the public trust.”
"Public corruption remains a top priority for the FBI," said FBI Special Agent in Charge Robert E. Hughes. “We investigate embezzlement violations from major cities to rural communities. Those who misuse their position and violate the public's trust for personal gain will be brought to face justice."
U.S. District Judge William M. Conley scheduled sentencing for August 8, 2019, at 1:00 p.m. Czuprynko faces a maximum penalty of 10 years in federal prison. The charge against her is the result of an investigation by the FBI and Lake Delton Police Department. The prosecution of the case is being handled by Assistant U.S. Attorney Daniel Graber.
Lafayette man pleads guilty to possessing a pistolRead the Press Release
LAFAYETTE, La. – United States Attorney David C. Joseph announced that Jarius T. Carson, 26, of Lafayette, pleaded guilty Monday before U.S. District Judge Robert Summerhays for illegally possessing a loaded semi-automatic pistol.
According to the guilty plea, a Lafayette Parish Sheriff’s deputy encountered Carson on June 6, 2018 in the parking lot of a Scott, Louisiana, apartment complex. When the deputy approached, Carson fled. While in pursuit, the deputy saw Carson run towards a vehicle and place an object in the vehicle’s wheel well. The deputy caught up with Carson and arrested him. Carson acknowledged that the loaded Cobra .380-caliber semi-automatic pistol found in the wheel well of the car belonged to him.
Carson was previously convicted of aggravated assault with a firearm and illegal carrying of a firearm in state court on August 17, 2010. Under federal law, a felon is not allowed to possess firearms and ammunition.
Carson faces up to 10 years in prison, three years of supervised release and a $250,000 fine. Summerhays set the sentencing date for August 23, 2019.
The ATF and Lafayette Parish Sheriff’s Office conducted the investigation. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Danny Siefker and Dominic Rossetti are prosecuting the case.
Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN) is the centerpiece of the Department of Justice’s violent crime reduction efforts. Project Safe Neighborhoods is an evidence-based program proven to be effective at reducing violent crime. Through PSN, a broad spectrum of stakeholders work together to identify the most pressing violent crime problems in the community and develop comprehensive solutions to address them. As part of this strategy, PSN focuses enforcement efforts on the most violent offenders and partners with locally based prevention and reentry programs for reductions in crime.
Key West-Based Drug Trafficker Who Conspired with Members of the Pagans Motorcycle Gang to Distribute Methamphetamine Sentenced to Twenty Years in PrisonRead the Press Release
Orlando, Florida – U.S. District Judge Roy B. Dalton, Jr. has sentenced Keith Kirchoff (41, Key West) to 20 years in federal prison for conspiracy to distribute methamphetamine and possession of a firearm in furtherance of drug trafficking crime. A jury had found Kirchoff guilty on February 26, 2019.
According to testimony presented at trial, in March 2018, Kirchoff conspired with members of the Pagans motorcycle club to deliver ounce quantities of methamphetamine to Pagans members located in Daytona Beach and Key West, Florida. On March 21, 2018, members of the Florida Highway Patrol pulled over a vehicle driven by Kirchoff and found nearly 10 ounces of methamphetamine and a loaded firearm.
“The FBI is committed to dismantling criminal organizations who threaten the safety of Central Florida,” said Rachel L. Rojas, Special Agent in Charge of the FBI Jacksonville Division, “and we will continue to work with our federal, state, and local law enforcement partners to disrupt the flow of dangerous drugs into our communities.”
This case was investigated by the FBI, the DEA, the Florida Highway Patrol, the Volusia Bureau of Investigation, the Volusia County Sheriff’s Office, and the Daytona Beach Police Department. It was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Sean P. Shecter.
Jury Convicts Local Man of Armed Drug Trafficking in School ZoneRead the Press Release
CORPUS CHRISTI, Texas – A federal jury has returned a guilty verdict against a 23-year-old Corpus Christi man for possession with intent to distribute cocaine and carrying a firearm during a drug trafficking offense, announced U.S. Attorney Ryan K. Patrick. The Corpus Christi jury deliberated for approximately one hour before convicting Roman Valdez following a two-day trial.
During the trial, the jury heard testimony from multiple law enforcement officers.
On Nov. 14, 2018, at approximately 3:00 p.m., they discovered Valdez passed out behind the wheel of his vehicle at a traffic light in front of Flour Bluff Elementary School. When the officers opened the door to check on him, he became combative and began reaching around inside the vehicle. During the struggle, officers discovered a loaded handgun between the driver’s seat and the center console.
Law enforcement secured the firearm but Valdez continued to reach behind the driver’s seat. He was ultimately removed from the vehicle and taken into custody.
When officers searched his vehicle, they discovered multiple bags of white powder, a black tar substance, a bag of synthetic cannabinoids, assorted prescription pills, small bags, a digital scale and a second loaded handgun in the back seat.
The controlled substances were sent to the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) Laboratory. Testing confirmed the substances were cocaine, heroin and 5F-MDMB-PICA – a synthetic cannabinoid.
The defense attempted to convince the jury Valdez possessed the cocaine for personal use and the firearms were not related to any of the drugs. They did not believe those claims and found him guilty as charged.
U.S. District Judge Nelva Gonzalez Ramos presided over the trial and set sentencing for Aug. 14, 2019. At that time, Valdez faces up to 20 years imprisonment and a possible $1 million maximum fine. He also faces a minimum of five years for the firearm offense which must be served consecutively to any prison term imposed.
Synthetic cannabinoids are chemical compounds that mimic the psychoactive ingredient in marijuana. These chemical compounds can be applied to carrier mediums such as plant material and ingested using rolling papers, pipes, vaporizers or otherwise taken orally. Synthetic cannabinoids are usually sold in small, foil or plastic bags containing dried leaves (resembling potpourri) and is marketed as incense that can be smoked. It is commonly sold and known on the street as synthetic marijuana, fake weed, legal and by its popular brand names such as Spice, K2, Kush, Klimaxx and many others.
In custody since his arrest, Valdez will remain in custody pending sentencing.
The Corpus Christi Police Department, Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives and the Drug Enforcement Administration conducted the investigation. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Lance Watt and Joel Dunn are prosecuting the case.
Jury Convicts El Salvadorian National for Immigration OffenseRead the Press Release
BROWNSVILLE, Texas – A 60-year-old from El Salvador has been convicted of illegal re-entry after deportation, announced U.S. Attorney Ryan K. Patrick.
The jury deliberated for less than an hour after a one-day trial before convicting Her Onan Cienfuegos-Rivas.
The jury heard that authorities found Cienfuegos-Rivas in McAllen after having been deported. Convicted of possession of cocaine in California in 1989, he was deported thereafter.
Cienfuegos-Rivas turned himself into Border Patrol (BP) on March 19, 2019. At that time, he claimed he had crossed into the United States near Rio Grande City on a raft and was held in stash houses in an attempt to visit his family in California.
He eventually called Border Patrol to pick him up because he just wanted to go home.
At trial, the defense argued he was not in the country voluntarily because he was being held against his will at the stash houses.
The jury was not convinced and found him guilty as charged.
U.S. District Judge Rolando Olvera presided over the trial and set sentencing for Aug. 21, 2019, at which time Cienfuegos-Rivas faces up to 10 years in federal prison. He will remains in custody pending that hearing.
Customs and Border Protection Agents conducted the investigation with the assistance of BP. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Justin S. Dinsdale and Paul Marian prosecuted the case.
Judge Sentences Pittsburgh Felon to 19 Years in Prison for Committing Drug Trafficking and Gun CrimesRead the Press Release
PITTSBURGH - Kevin Livsey was sentenced to 19 years and two months (230 months) in federal prison for committing fentanyl and heroin trafficking and firearm crimes while on federal supervised release for heroin trafficking crimes, United States Attorney Scott W. Brady announced today.
Livsey, age 32, of Pittsburgh, was sentenced by United States Circuit Judge D. Michael Fisher. Livsey was ordered to serve six years of supervised release following his prison sentence.
Livsey was convicted of (1) possession with intent to distribute fentanyl, carfentanil, and heroin on May 9, 2018; (2) possession of a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime also on May 9, 2018; and (3) distribution of fentanyl and heroin on April 11, 2018. Livsey was on federal supervised release in 2018 following a prison sentence for prior federal convictions for distributing heroin. Livsey was also previously convicted of heroin trafficking in 2010 in Pennsylvania state court.
Assistant United States Attorney Craig W. Haller prosecuted this case on behalf of the United States.
The Federal Bureau of Investigation, the Federal Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives, the Pittsburgh Bureau of Police, and the Allegheny County Sheriff’s Office conducted the investigation leading to the convictions and sentence in this case.
This case was prosecuted as 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.
Jacksonville Man Pleads Guilty to Submitting False Claims for FEMA Benefits Involving Tropical Storm Debby, Hurricane Matthew, and Hurricane IrmaRead the Press Release
Jacksonville, Florida – Lepoleon Spikes (47, Jacksonville) has pleaded guilty to wire fraud involving fraudulently obtained FEMA benefits. He faces up to 20 years in federal prison and has agreed to pay $57,789.19 in restitution to the United States.
According to the plea agreement, in February 2018, the U.S. Department of Homeland Security - Office of Inspector General (DHS-OIG) received an allegation that Spikes had provided false information to the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) in order to receive disaster assistance. Further investigation determined that Spikes had submitted applications to receive disaster assistance from FEMA involving Tropical Storm Debby, Hurricane Matthew, and Hurricane Irma. In the applications, Spikes falsely claimed that his primary residence in Jacksonville had been damaged due to a storm, causing him to relocate. Based on these false claims, Spikes fraudulently obtained $57,789.19 in disaster assistance from FEMA.
This case is part of the United States Attorney’s Disaster Fraud Task Force, which was announced in September 2017. This case was investigated by the Department of Homeland Security - Office of Inspector General. It is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Kevin C. Frein.
Members of the public who suspect fraud, waste, abuse, or allegations of mismanagement involving disaster relief operations, or believe they have been the victim of fraud from a person or organization soliciting relief funds on behalf of disaster victims, should contact the National Disaster Fraud Hotline toll free at (866) 720-5721. A live operator 24 hours a day, 7 days a week staffs the telephone line. You can also fax information to the Center at (225) 334-4707, or email it to [email protected]. You may also visit www.justice.gov/usao-mdfl.
Inscription House Man Sentenced to over 8 Years’ Prison and Lifetime Supervised Release for Sexual Conduct with a Minor and Domestic Violence AssaultRead the Press Release
PHOENIX – On May 20, 2019, Justin Mannheimer, 31, of Inscription House, Ariz., was sentenced by U.S. District Judge Douglas Rayes to eight years’ imprisonment. Mannheimer had previously pleaded guilty to sexual conduct with a minor and domestic assault by strangling, a domestic violence offense.
Between Aug. 1, 2017 and Dec. 14, 2017, Mannheimer kept the victim, a minor, at his home -- at times without her consent. During this time frame he sexually assaulted and strangled the victim. Both Mannheimer and the victim were members of the Navajo Nation, and the offense occurred in Inscription House, on the Navajo Nation Indian Reservation.
The investigation in this case was conducted by the Federal Bureau of Investigation. The prosecution was handled by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Sharon K. Sexton, District of Arizona, Phoenix.
CASE NUMBER: CR-18-8037-PCT-DLR
RELEASE NUMBER: 2019-067_ Mannheimer
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For more information on the U.S. Attorney’s Office, District of Arizona, visit http://www.justice.gov/usao/az/
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Indictment: Man and Woman in Great Bend Sold Cocaine, Fentanyl, LSD, Heroin and MethRead the Press Release
WICHITA, KAN. – A man and woman from Great Bend have been charged in a 10-count indictment alleging possession or sale of cocaine, fentanyl, LSD, heroin, methamphetamine and marijuana, U.S. Attorney Stephen McAllister said.
Iban Martinez-Enriquez, 21, Great Bend, Kan., and Kennedy Christine Beakey, 19, Great Bend, Kan., are charged with one count possession with intent to distribute LSD (count six), one count of possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine (count seven), one count of possession with intent to distribute cocaine (count eight), one count of possession with intent to distribute heroin (count nine) and one count of possession with intent to distribute marijuana (count 10). In addition, Martinez-Enriquez is charged with two counts of distributing cocaine (counts one and two), one count of distributing fentanyl (count three), one count of distributing heroin (count four) and one count of distributing methamphetamine (count five).
The crimes are alleged to have occurred in September and October 2018 in Finney and Barton counties.
The indictment seeks the forfeiture of a .22 caliber rifle and $21,915 in cash.
Upon conviction, the crimes carry the following penalties:
Counts one through five and eight through 10: Up to 20 years in federal prison and a fine up to $1 million.
Counts six and seven: Not less than 10 years and a fine up to $10 million.
Investigators included the Finney County Sheriff, the Barton County Sheriff, the Great Bend Police Department and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives. Assistant U.S. Attorney Ryan McCarty is prosecuting.
OTHER INDICTMENTS
Heath Wagoner, 35, Wichita, Kan., is charged with one count of possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine, one count of unlawful possession of a firearm in furtherance of drug trafficking and one count of unlawful possession of a firearm by a felon. The crimes are alleged to have occurred March 14, 2018, in Sedgwick County, Kan.
If convicted, he faces a penalty of up to 20 years and a fine up to $1 million on the methamphetamine charge, not less than five years and a fine up to $250,000 on the charge of possessing a firearm in furtherance of drug trafficking and up to 10 years and a fine up to $250,000 on the other firearm charge. The Drug Enforcement Administration investigated. Assistant U.S. Attorney Aaron Smith is prosecuting.
Michael Buddenhagen, 53, Wichita, Kan., and Sarah Venturella, 36, Wichita, Kan., are charged with one count of possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine. In addition, Buddenhagen is charged with one count of unlawful possession of a firearm in furtherance of drug trafficking and one count of unlawful possession of a firearm by a felon. The crimes are alleged to have occurred Jan. 31, 2019, in Greenwood County, Kan.
Upon conviction, the crimes carry the following penalties:
Possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine: Up to 20 years in federal prison and a fine up to $1 million.
Possession of a firearm in furtherance of drug trafficking: Not less than five years and a fine up to $250,000.
Possession of a firearm by a felon: Up to 10 years and a fine up to $250,000.
The Kansas Bureau of Investigation investigated. Assistant U.S. Attorney Aaron Smith is prosecuting.
Douglas Amaya-Merino, 35, a citizen of El Salvador, is charged with unlawfully re-entering the United States after being deported. He was found March 7, 2019, in Saline County, Kan.
If convicted, he faces up to two years in federal prison and a fine up to $250,000. The Department of Homeland Security investigated. Assistant U.S. Attorney Aaron Smith is prosecuting.
Lorenzo Roque-Ortega, 29, a citizen of Mexico, is charged with unlawfully re-entering the United States after being deported. He was found May 14, 2019, in Sedgwick County, Kan.
If convicted, he faces up to two years in federal prison and a fine up to $250,000. The Department of Homeland Security investigated. Assistant U.S. Attorney Aaron Smith is prosecuting.
In all cases, defendants are presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty. The indictments merely contain allegations of criminal conduct.
Grant Recipients Sentenced for $5 Million Fraud on Lee CountyRead the Press Release
Ft. Myers, Florida – U.S. District Judge John E. Steele has sentenced Kay F. Gow (68, Naples) to 10 years in federal prison for her role in a conspiracy to defraud Lee County out of $5 million in grant funds, an individual investor out of $500,000, and the laundering of the proceeds. As part of Gow’s sentence, the court also entered a money judgment in the amount of $1.93 million, the proceeds of the criminal conduct. Judge Steele also sentenced co-conspirator John G. Williams, Jr. (67, Suffolk, VA) to 30 months in federal prison.
Kay Gow, her husband, Robert Gow, and Williams were found guilty by a federal jury on February 22, 2019. Robert Gow is now deceased.
According to evidence presented at trial, the Gows owned and controlled multiple entities, including HerbalScience Group, LLC and HerbalScience Singapore Pte, Ltd. In 2010, the Gows formed VR Laboratories, LLC, in order to apply for a $5 million grant through the Lee County Financial Incentives for Recruiting Strategic Targets (“FIRST”) program. The FIRST program consisted of taxpayer funds that had been set aside by the county to bring economic development projects to the Ft. Myers area. In seeking the FIRST grant, the Gows made numerous false and fraudulent representations to various individuals and government entities about the financial success and that of HerbalScience, VR Labs, including that VR Labs was poised to become a leading global formulator and manufacturer of botanical pharmaceuticals. Ultimately, Lee County awarded VR Labs $5 million in FIRST grant funds to build a manufacturing facility that the Gows had claimed would bring hundreds of high-paying jobs and economic growth to Lee County.
Once VR Labs executed an agreement with Lee County, Williams, a long-time friend of the Gows, registered a fictitious name, “Williams Specialty Bottling Equipment,” with the Florida Secretary of State. The Gows then represented that Williams would provide the bottling line for the manufacturing facility, when he had no such experience or expertise. Williams used false and fraudulent invoices for work and services allegedly performed on the bottling line to make demands for payment and, once paid, kicked back a substantial portion of the funds to VR Labs and the Gows. The Gows then used Williams’s false and fraudulent invoices to justify requests to Lee County for the payment of grant money. Once VR Labs received the grant funds, the Gows fraudulently transferred those funds to entities they owned and controlled, and ultimately to themselves, by disguising the transfers as fees, salaries, expenses, and other items. They also tried to conceal the source of the kickbacks through the creation of fictitious entities and documents.
Ultimately, Lee County disbursed approximately $4.7 million in FIRST grant funds to VR Labs, but the manufacturing facility was never completed or operational.
Having exhausted the stolen grant funds, the Gows defrauded additional private investors. One such investor lost his retirement savings of $500,000.
“The FBI works diligently to ensure that those who profit from deception and greed are brought to justice,”said Special Agent in Charge of the Tampa Division Eric W. Sporre. “Honest, hardworking individuals deserve our protection and we encourage anyone with information regarding fraudulent activity to contact law enforcement immediately.”
This case was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation. It was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorneys Rachelle DesVaux Bedke, Michael Leeman, and Josephine W. Thomas.
Fugitive Extradited from Dominican Republic to Face Twenty-Year Old Felony Drug ChargesRead the Press Release
SCRANTON - The United States Attorney’s Office for the Middle District of Pennsylvania announced today that that Dominican authorities have extradited Jose Rafael Hidalgo, age 43, formerly of New Jersey, to face a 1999 indictment for drug trafficking.
According to United States Attorney David J. Freed, an indictment returned on August 24, 1999 alleges that Hidalgo conspired with others to distribute and possess with intent to distribute in excess of five kilograms of cocaine. Hidalgo was arrested on August 25, 1999, and, after entering an agreement with the United States to plead guilty, he was granted conditional release. At some point between October 12, 1999, and February 2000, while residing in New Jersey under supervised pre-trial release, Hidalgo removed an electronic monitoring device and absconded.
On February 22, 2000, the United States District Court for the Middle District of Pennsylvania issued an arrest warrant for Hidalgo. The United States Marshals Service took charge of the investigation to locate and apprehend Hidalgo, and, in 2016, confirmed that Hidalgo was living in the Dominican Republic. The United States Attorney’s Office for the Middle District of Pennsylvania initiated extradition procedures in conjunction with the Department of Justice Office of International Affairs and the U.S. State Department, leading to Hidalgo’s arrest by Dominican law enforcement authorities on January 17, 2019. Extradition was granted on March 25, 2019, and the U.S. Marshals returned Hidalgo to the United States where he appeared before a federal Magistrate Judge for an initial appearance on May 20, 2019.
“The U.S. Marshals are to be commended for their dogged determination in tracking this fugitive down,” said U.S. Attorney Freed. “This extradition is the result of solid police work and a refusal to give up the hunt, even twenty years later, which is exactly what we’ve come to expect from the Marshals Service.”
“The fugitive task force know no boundaries with respect to investigating fugitives who leave the United States,” said U.S. Marshal Martin J. Pane. “After being on the run for over nineteen years the arrest of Hidalgo is a testament to our dedication to ensure all who flee from justice are located and given their day in court.”
The original drug trafficking case was investigated by the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) and the Pennsylvania State Police. Assistant U.S. Attorney Sean A. Camoni is prosecuting the case.
This prosecution is part of an extensive investigation by the Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Force (OCDETF). OCDETF is a joint federal, state, and local cooperative approach to combat drug trafficking and is the nation’s primary tool for disrupting and dismantling major drug trafficking organizations, targeting national and regional level drug trafficking organizations and coordinating the necessary law enforcement entities and resources to disrupt or dismantle the targeted criminal organization and seize their assets.
This case is part of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), a program bringing together all levels of law enforcement and the communities they serve to reduce violent crime and make our neighborhoods safer for everyone. The Department of Justice reinvigorated PSN in 2017 as part of the Department’s renewed focus on targeting violent criminals, directing all U.S. Attorney’s Offices to work in partnership with federal, state, local, and tribal law enforcement and the local community to develop effective, locally-based strategies to reduce violent crime.
A sentence following a finding of guilt is imposed by the Judge after consideration of the applicable federal sentencing statutes and the Federal Sentencing Guidelines.
The maximum penalty under federal law for this offense is a life term of imprisonment, a term of supervised release following imprisonment, and a fine. Under the Federal Sentencing Guidelines, the Judge is also required to consider and weigh a number of factors, including the nature, circumstances and seriousness of the offense; the history and characteristics of the defendant; and the need to punish the defendant, protect the public and provide for the defendant's educational, vocational and medical needs. For these reasons, the statutory maximum penalty for the offense is not an accurate indicator of the potential sentence for a specific defendant.
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Four People Linked to Santa Fe Springs Street Gang Sentenced to Lengthy Prison Terms for Racketeering and Drug OffensesRead the Press Release
LOS ANGELES – Four members of the violent, Mexican Mafia-affiliated Canta Ranas street gang have received lengthy prison sentences for violating multiple federal laws, including participating in racketeering, drug trafficking, and money laundering conspiracies.
Three defendants linked to Canta Ranas, a gang that operates primarily in Santa Fe Springs and Whittier, were sentenced on Monday by United States District Judge R. Gary Klausner. In two separate jury trials last year, they were convicted of conspiring to violate the Racketeer Influenced and Corrupt Organizations (RICO) Act, and other crimes.
The defendants sentenced on Monday were:
- Donald Goulet, a.k.a. “Wacky,” 32, sentenced to 20 years in federal prison. Goulet was a foot soldier involved in drug trafficking, collecting extortionate “taxes,” and committing violent crimes on behalf of Canta Ranas such as a home invasion robbery, during which Goulet and a co-conspirator tied up victims with duct tape at gun point while they ransacked the victims’ home. Goulet was convicted of RICO conspiracy, conspiracy to distribute methamphetamine, and conspiracy to commit money laundering.
- Emanuel Higuera, a.k.a. “Blanco,” 34, sentenced to 17 years in federal prison for drug trafficking on behalf of Canta Ranas, and who was found guilty of RICO conspiracy, conspiracy to distribute methamphetamine, and possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine.
- Monica Rodriguez, a.k.a. “Smiley,” 41, a “secretary” for Mexican Mafia member David Gavaldon, who is currently serving a life sentence in state prison for a murder conviction. Rodriguez, who was sentenced to 14 years in federal prison for her crimes, visited Gavaldon at Pelican Bay State Prison to order the death of another member of the organization. Rodriguez also drove her son to a gang meeting for the purpose of him receiving a disciplinary beating from other Canta Ranas gang members, according to evidence presented at trial. Rodriguez was convicted of RICO conspiracy, conspiracy to distribute methamphetamine, and conspiracy to commit money laundering.
Earlier this month, another defendant, Enrique Holguin, a.k.a. “Boxer,” 56, was sentenced to 14 years in federal prison for RICO conspiracy and for committing a violent act in aid of racketeering (VICAR) for his role in the attempted assault of a fellow inmate at the Metropolitan Detention Center in downtown Los Angeles because the intended target was perceived to be an informant for law enforcement authorities.
These convictions and sentencings arose from a 2016 federal grand jury indictment charging 51 defendants that was the result of Operation “Frog Legs.” Prosecutors have secured more than 20 convictions so far in this matter.
Operation Frog Legs is the result of an investigation by the Southern California Drug Task Force, which is led by the Drug Enforcement Administration as part of the High Intensity Drug Trafficking Area (HIDTA) initiative. The Task Force members that participated in Operation Frog Legs were U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s Homeland Security Investigation, the Whittier Police Department, the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department, IRS Criminal Investigation, and the California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation, Office of Correctional Safety, Special Service Unit.
The trial prosecutors for these matters were Assistant United States Attorneys Carol Alexis Chen, Victoria A. Degtyareva, Kathy Yu, and Chelsea Norell, who are all members of the International Narcotics, Money Laundering, and Racketeering Section.
Former employee of bail bonding company sentenced for tax fraudRead the Press Release
WHEELING, WEST VIRGINIA –Jolynn Gilchrist, of Wheeling, West Virginia, was sentenced today to two years probation for tax fraud, United States Attorney Bill Powell announced.
Gilchrist, age 50, former employee W&S Bail Bonding, doing business as A Bail Bonding by ABC of Wheeling, West Virginia, pled guilty to one count of “False Tax Return” in June 2018. Gilchrist admitted to filing an inaccurate federal tax return for the 2015 tax year.
Gilchrist was also ordered to pay $2,028 in restitution to the Internal Revenue Service.
Assistant U.S. Attorneys Jarod J. Douglas and Shawn M. Adkins prosecuted the case on behalf of the government. The Federal Bureau of Investigation, the Internal Revenue Service, the West Virginia Commission on Special Investigations, and the West Virginia State Police investigated.
U.S. District Judge John Preston Bailey presided.
Former Washington, D.C. Police Officer Sentenced to 14 Years in Federal Prison for Sex Trafficking of Two Minor GirlsRead the Press Release
Baltimore, Maryland – U.S. District Judge Catherine C. Blake sentenced Chukwuemeka Ekwonna, age 29, of Glenn Dale, Maryland, today to 14 years in federal prison, followed by five years of supervised release for two counts of sex trafficking of a minor. Specifically, between October 2016 and February 2017, Ekwonna, who was an officer with the Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) in Washington, D.C. at the time, engaged in sexual conduct with two girls, who were 14 and 15 years old, in exchange for money. Both victims were students in the ninth grade at the time of the offenses.
In a separate case, on May 13, 2019, Charles Mario Brown, Sr., age 48, of Baltimore, pleaded guilty to conspiracy to commit sex trafficking. Brown admitted that he operated a prostitution business involving a 16-year-old female, and at least four adult females, who performed commercial sex acts in the Baltimore area.
The sentence and guilty plea were 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 (ICE) Homeland Security Investigations (HSI); Chief Timothy Altomare of the Anne Arundel County Police Department; Anne Arundel County State’s Attorney Anne Colt Leitess; and Harford County Sheriff Jeffrey R. Gahler.
U.S. Attorney Robert K. Hur stated, “We will continue to work with our law enforcement partners to bring human traffickers to justice and protect our most vulnerable.”
According to Ekwonna’s plea agreement, beginning about January 24, 2016, Ekwonna worked as a police officer with MPD in Washington, D.C. Since 2010, Ekwonna has used an account on a social media and dating platform that allows users to search for others based on location and to engage in real-time chat. Ekwonna used his social media account to solicit many other users to engage in sex acts with him for money, including while he served as a police officer.
Between December 19, 2016, and April 5, 2017, Ekwonna exchanged approximately 200 messages, both text and through the social media dating platform, with a 14-year-old girl (“Girl 1”). On several occasions, Ekwonna offered to pay Girl 1 to engage in sex acts with him. Ekwonna met with Girl 1 and engaged in sex acts with her on at least five occasions, between October 18, 2016, and February 15, 2017. Ekwonna engaged in illegal sex with the underage girl in different locations in the Annapolis area, including in motel rooms and Ekwonna’s vehicle. Ekwonna typically paid Girl 1 between $30 and $40 to have sex with him. Messages between Ekwonna and the 14-year-old girl suggest that she was aware that Ekwonna was a police officer.
On January 9, 2017, Ekwonna exchanged approximately 54 messages through the dating platform with a second underage girl, who was 15 years old at the time (“Girl 2”). In these messages, Ekwonna offered to pay the 15-year-old girl to engage in sex acts with him. Ekwonna met Girl 2 in Glen Burnie, where he gave her $80 and engaged in sex acts with her in the back of his car. According to Girl 2’s testimony at the sentencing hearing, after they had sex, Ekwonna locked her in the car, pointed a black handgun at her and demanded she return the money he had paid her. As part of his sentence, Ekwonna was ordered to pay $80 in restitution to the victim. His car and his black police-issued handgun were ordered forfeited to the government.
According to Brown’s plea agreement, Brown and his co-conspirator met a 16-year-old runaway (“Victim 1”) in November 2016, while she was walking in Baltimore. Brown and the co-conspirator directed Victim 1 to meet with sex customers who called or sent text messages in response to online prostitution advertisements featuring the victim, which were posted by the conspirators. The conspirators agreed to provide Victim 1 with food and a place to stay in exchange for money she earned through commercial sex acts, and bought her lingerie that she wore in photos taken for prostitution ads. Brown drove Victim 1 to outcalls, where Victim 1 engaged in commercial sex acts and collected payment. Brown and the co-conspirator directed Victim 1 to give them at least some of the proceeds from her commercial sex acts, and she did so.
On December 9, 2016, an undercover Harford County Sheriff’s Office detective contacted a phone number found in the cell phone of a deceased male sex customer A.G. (A.G. suffered a fatal heroin overdose in a hotel room in Edgewood, Maryland in the presence of one of Brown’s adult female sex workers.) The detective contacted the phone number to arrange an overnight commercial sex date at a hotel in Edgewood and to request heroin. At the co-conspirator’s request, Victim 1 communicated with the detective to make arrangements for the commercial sex date, which included taking $1,000 for the purchase of heroin after arriving at the hotel.
As detailed in his plea agreement, Brown and the co-conspirator transported Victim 1 and an adult female to the hotel. Victim 1 and the woman went into the hotel room identified by the detective. Investigators recognized Victim 1 from prostitution ads posted online, and Victim 1 identified herself by the name listed in those ads. Brown and his co-conspirator, who were waiting in the SUV outside the hotel room, were arrested and their cell phones were seized. Forensic examination of the cell phones revealed numerous communications in furtherance of the prostitution business.
Brown and the government have agreed that, if the Court accepts the plea, Brown will be sentenced to seven years in federal prison. U.S. District Judge Deborah K. Chasanow has scheduled sentencing for September 16, 2019, at 1:00 p.m.
These cases were investigated by the Maryland Human Trafficking Task Force, formed in 2007 to discover and rescue victims of human trafficking while identifying and prosecuting offenders. Members of the Task Force include federal, state, and local law enforcement, as well as victim service providers and local community members. For more information about the Maryland Human Trafficking Task Force, please visit http://www.justice.gov/usao/md/priorities_human.html. Suspected instances of human trafficking can be reported to HSI’s tip line at 866-DHS-2ICE (1-866-347-2423) or by completing its online tip form. Both are staffed around the clock by investigators.
In addition, the cases were prosecuted as part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative launched in May 2006 by the Department of Justice to combat the growing epidemic of child sexual exploitation and abuse. Led by the United States Attorneys’ Offices and the Criminal Division’s Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section, Project Safe Childhood marshals federal, state, and local resources to locate, apprehend, and prosecute individuals who sexually exploit children, and to identify and rescue victims. For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit www.justice.gov/psc. 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 Homeland Security Investigations, the Anne Arundel County Police Department, and the Anne Arundel County State’s Attorney’s Office for their work in the Ekwonna investigation, and commended HSI and the Harford County Sheriff’s Office for their work in the Brown case. Mr. Hur thanked Assistant U.S. Attorneys Zachary A. Myers and Matthew D. Maddox, who are prosecuting the Ekwonna and Brown cases, respectively.
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Former Substitute Teacher and Coach Indicted on Multiple Charges of Receipt and Production of Child Pornography, and Enticement of A MinorRead the Press Release
CONTACT: Barbara Burns
PHONE: (716) 843-5817
FAX #: (716) 551-3051BUFFALO, N.Y. - U.S. Attorney James P. Kennedy, Jr. announced today that a federal grand jury has returned an 18-count indictment charging Steven Gasiorek, 33, of Cheektowaga, NY, with production and receipt of child pornography, and enticement of a minor. The highest charges carry a mandatory minimum penalty of 15 years, a maximum penalty of life in prison, and a $250,000 fine.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Elizabeth Moellering, who is handling the case, stated that according to the indictment and a previously filed complaint, on April 10, 2019, the Fauquier County, Virginia Sheriff’s Office contacted the Cheektowaga Police Department regarding a 14 year-old-male from Virginia who had been communicating through Instagram with a person utilizing Instagram account LEXIGURL1015. The boy, who was under the impression that LEXIGURL1015 was a teenage girl from California, sent pornographic images of himself to the account at the urging of the user LEXIGURL1015.
Subsequent investigation determined that the account belonged to the defendant, who was a substitute teacher and coach John F. Kennedy Middle and High schools. A search warrant was executed at the defendant’s Lehigh Street residence. Investigators seized a laptop computer and external hard drive that contain numerous images constituting child pornography. Further investigation suggests that Gasiorek has been engaged in the enticement of minors to produce child pornography activity for several years.
The indictment alleges that, in February 2019, the defendant coerced six minor victims to engage in sexual activity for the purpose of producing a visual depiction of such conduct. The defendant is also accused with enticing the minor victims and with receiving the child pornography created at his own urging.
The defendant was arraigned this morning before U.S. Magistrate Judge Jeremiah J. McCarthy and was released on conditions.
Members of the public who have information related to this case are asked to call the Federal Bureau of Investigation at 716-843-1616.
The indictment is the result of an investigation by the Federal Bureau of Investigation, under the direction of Special Agent-in-Charge Gary Loeffert, the Cheektowaga Police Department, under the direction of Chief David Zack, and the West Seneca Police Department, under the direction of Chief Daniel Denz.
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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Former Georgia County Commissioner Indicted on Extortion and Bribery ChargesRead the Press Release
A federal grand jury in the Northern District of Georgia has returned a three-count indictment against a former commissioner in DeKalb County, Georgia, for extorting bribe payments from a DeKalb County subcontractor. Assistant Attorney General Brian Benczkowski of the Justice Department’s Criminal Division made the announcement.
Sharon Barnes Sutton, 59, of Stone Mountain, Georgia, was arraigned on an indictment that charges her with two counts of extortion and one count of federal program bribery by U.S. Magistrate Judge Russell G. Vineyard for the Northern District of Georgia.
According to the allegations in the indictment, Barnes Sutton was an elected member of the DeKalb County Board of Commissioners (“the DeKalb Board”), representing District No. 4 of DeKalb County. The DeKalb Board is comprised of seven elected, part-time commissioners. Among other functions, the DeKalb Board appropriates funds for infrastructure development within the county, and a simple majority of four commissioners is needed to award public contracts for any such project. The indictment alleges that, during the relevant time period, Barnes Sutton also chaired the DeKalb Board’s subcommittee on Finance, Audit, and Budget, which undertook preliminary reviews of contracts, and was a member of the DeKalb Board’s subcommittee on Public Works and Infrastructure.
The indictment further alleges that, in May 2014, Barnes Sutton approached an individual whose company had received a sizeable procurement award from the DeKalb Board in connection with the construction of a wastewater treatment plant. Barnes Sutton demanded monthly payments of $500 from this individual, later increasing her demand to $1,000. The individual made the first $500 payment in June 2016 at a restaurant in Decatur, Georgia. The indictment further alleges that Barnes Sutton asked the individual to meet her at the restaurant and brought her son along so that her son would receive the cash payment on her behalf. The individual made the second $500 cash payment at Barnes Sutton’s residence in July 2014. The FBI disrupted Barnes Sutton’s continued demands in August 2014.
The indictment is the result of an ongoing investigation by the FBI’s Atlanta Field Office and the DeKalb County Police Department, and is being prosecuted by Trial Attorneys Amanda R. Vaughn and Victor R. Salgado of the Criminal Division’s Public Integrity Section.
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.
Florida Man Indicted in Debit Card, Bank Fraud SchemeRead the Press Release
PROVIDENCE – A federal grand jury in Providence, R.I., today returned an 18-count indictment charging a Florida man with participating in an alleged scheme to steal debit cards and debit card PIN numbers from mailboxes in Rhode Island and Massachusetts, and using the debit cards at ATMs in both states to withdraw funds from individuals’ bank accounts without their knowledge or permission. It is alleged that the debit cards were ordered with the use of stolen personal identifying information belonging to the account holders.
United States Attorney Aaron Weisman, Inspector in Charge of the U.S. Postal Inspection Service Boston Division, and Special Agent in Charge of the U.S. Secret Service Stephen Marks announce the indictment of Stacy Moore, 47, of Miami Beach, FL, on nine counts of bank fraud, four counts each of access device fraud and aggravated identity theft, and one count of theft of mail.
According to court documents and information presented to the Court, it is alleged that from December 11, 2018, to February 10, 2019, Moore withdrew funds from at least six individuals’ personal bank accounts at banks in Rhode Island and Massachusetts, with the use of replacement debit cards and PINs linked to the bank accounts. It is alleged that multiple withdrawals from each account were made at ATMs in multiple locations.
It is alleged that with the use of stolen personal identifying and banking information, replacement debit cards and PINs were ordered for each of the victim’s bank accounts via telephone. It was requested that the replacement debit cards and PINs be delivered via the USPS to the account holders’ homes. It is alleged that an Informed Delivery account through the USPS website for the each account holder’s address was established, allowing for notification when the replacement debit cards and PINs were delivered to the mailbox. It is alleged that Moore used the stolen the debit cards and PINs to withdraw bank funds.
According to court documents and information presented to the Court, on February 19, 2019, USPS inspectors received a complaint from a bank fraud investigator that the bank had received a fraudulent request for a debit card and PIN replacement, and that they be mailed to an account holder’s home in East Greenwich. Postal inspectors surveilled the mailbox of the account holder and watched as Moore allegedly removed mail from the mailbox, including the items mailed by the bank to the account holder. When a postal inspector attempted to approach him, Moore allegedly sped off and was then involved in a hit and run accident a short distance away. Moore’s vehicle was stopped later that day in West Warwick, based on a police broadcast regarding the hit and run accident, including a description of a vehicle with Florida license plates that fled the accident scene. USPS inspectors responded to West Warwick and identified the driver as the same person they allegedly watched remove mail from the East Greenwich mailbox, and the same person seen in numerous surveillance photos taken at ATMs in Rhode Island and Massachusetts where numerous unauthorized withdrawals were made from individuals’ bank accounts using replacement debit cards and PINs.
A search of Moore’s car revealed clothing consistent with what Moore allegedly was wearing at the time of the alleged theft of mail from the East Greenwich mailbox, a USPS uniform polo shirt, approximately $11,000 in cash, and mail belonging to an alleged victim of the scam from Warwick. Earlier that day, an unknown person made $6,800 in unauthorized withdrawals from the Warwick account holder’s bank account.
It is alleged in the indictment that between December 11, 2018, and February 19, 2019, Moore made unauthorized withdrawals from at least six account holders’ accounts at numerous ATMs in Rhode Island and Massachusetts, totaling at least $26,600.
An indictment is merely an accusation. A defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.
Bank fraud is punishable by statutory penalties of up to 30 years imprisonment, a fine of twice the gross gain/loss, and 5 years supervised release. Access device fraud is punishable by up to 15 years imprisonment, a fine of up to $250,000, and 5 years supervised release. Theft of mail is punishable by up to 5 years imprisonment, a fine of up to $250,000, and 3 years supervised release. Aggravated identity theft is punishable by a mandatory 2 years imprisonment, consecutive to any other term of imprisonment imposed by the Court.
The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Denise M. Barton.
United States Attorney Aaron L. Weisman, Inspector in Charge of the U.S. Postal Inspection Service Boston Division Joseph W. Cronin, and Special Agent in Charge of the U.S. Secret Service Stephen Marks thank the East Greenwich, West Warwick, Barrington and Middletown Police Departments, and the Rhode Island Department of Corrections for their assistance in the investigation of this matter.
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Felon Pleads Guilty to Stealing Firearms from St. Mary’s County Federally Licensed Firearms DealerRead the Press Release
Greenbelt, Maryland – Robert Jacob Eberle, age 30, of Lexington Park, Maryland, pleaded guilty today to the federal charge of theft of firearms, which Eberle admitted he stole from a federally licensed firearms dealer.
The guilty plea was announced by United States Attorney for the District of Maryland Robert K. Hur; Special Agent in Charge Rob Cekada of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) Baltimore Field Division; and St. Mary’s County Sheriff Tim Cameron.
As detailed in his plea agreement, Eberle admitted that on July 21, 2018, he stole 11 firearms from a federally licensed firearms dealer in St. Mary’s County, Maryland. The guns included seven 9mm pistols, two .45-caliber pistols, a .40-caliber pistol, and a .380-caliber pistol. According to his plea agreement, in order to access the firearms, Eberle used a hammer to break through the rear cinderblock wall of the premises, crawled through the hole, broke the glass case containing numerous handguns, and stole the guns.
Eberle admitted that he sold or traded two or more of the stolen firearms to third parties, even though he had reason to believe that those individuals intended to use or dispose of the firearms illegally. Further, Eberle knew that he had a previous felony conviction and was prohibited from possessing firearms.
As part of his plea agreement, Eberle must forfeit all of the guns stolen from the dealer.
Eberle faces a maximum sentence of 10 years in prison for theft of firearms. U.S. District Judge Paula Xinis has scheduled sentencing for August 26, 2019 at 1:00 p.m.
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. Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN) is the centerpiece of the Department of Justice’s violent crime reduction efforts. PSN is an evidence-based program proven to be effective at reducing violent crime. Through PSN, a broad spectrum of stakeholders work together to identify the most pressing violent crime problems in the community and develop comprehensive solutions to address them. As part of this strategy, PSN focuses enforcement efforts on the most violent offenders and partners with locally based prevention and reentry programs for lasting reductions in crime.
United States Attorney Robert K. Hur commended the ATF and the St. Mary’s County Sheriff’s Office for their work in the investigation. Mr. Hur thanked Assistant U.S. Attorney Joseph Baldwin, who is prosecuting the case.
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Felon Pleads Guilty to Possession of a Stolen FirearmRead the Press Release
Greenbelt, Maryland – Yusef Payne, age 35, of Baltimore, Maryland, pleaded guilty yesterday to possession of a stolen firearm. Payne admitted that he had at least two previous felony convictions and was prohibited from possessing firearms or ammunition.
The guilty plea was announced by United States Attorney for the District of Maryland Robert K. Hur; Special Agent in Charge Rob Cekada of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) Baltimore Field Division; and Commissioner Michael Harrison of the Baltimore Police Department.
“Armed criminals must know that gun crime will lead to federal time, which has no parole—ever,” said United States Attorney Robert K. Hur. “We will continue to work with our law enforcement partners to remove those who would commit violence from our community. Please, put down the guns and save a life—maybe even your own.”
According to his guilty plea on October 30, 2017, Baltimore Police officers were patrolling and saw Payne, who had an open warrant from an October 15, 2017 handgun charge involving a 9mm handgun with a magazine containing ten 9mm cartridges.
When the officers pulled over to arrest Payne, he ran, discarding a handgun. One of the officers chasing Payne retrieved the weapon, which was a different 9mm handgun with a magazine containing seven cartridges. Payne admitted that he knew, or had cause to believe, that the gun was stolen.
Payne and the government have agreed that if the Court accepts the plea agreement, Payne will be sentenced to nine years in federal prison. U.S. District Judge Deborah K. Chasanow has scheduled sentencing for July 8, 2019, at 10:00 a.m.
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. Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN) is the centerpiece of the Department of Justice’s violent crime reduction efforts. PSN is an evidence-based program proven to be effective at reducing violent crime. Through PSN, a broad spectrum of stakeholders work together to identify the most pressing violent crime problems in the community and develop comprehensive solutions to address them. As part of this strategy, PSN focuses enforcement efforts on the most violent offenders and partners with locally based prevention and reentry programs for lasting reductions in crime.
United States Attorney Robert K. Hur commended the ATF and the Baltimore Police Department for their work in the investigation and thanked the Maryland Department of Public Safety and Correctional Services for its assistance. Mr. Hur thanked Assistant U.S. Attorney Joan C. Mathias, who is prosecuting the case.
Federal Correctional Officer Arrested for Sexually Abusing Female InmatesRead the Press Release
Geoffrey S. Berman, the United States Attorney for the Southern District of New York, and Guido Modano, Special Agent-in-Charge of the New York Field Office of the Department of Justice Office of the Inspector General (“DOJ OIG”), announced today the unsealing of a nine-count indictment charging federal correctional officer COLIN AKPARANTA with four counts of sexual abuse of a ward, four counts of abusive sexual contact, and one count of deprivation of civil rights. The charges stem from AKPARANTA’s alleged sexual abuse of four female inmates housed at the Metropolitan Correctional Center (“MCC”), a Manhattan detention facility that houses federal inmates, spanning the years 2012 through 2018. AKPARANTA was arrested today and will be presented and arraigned in Manhattan federal court before U.S. Magistrate Judge Debra Freeman later today. AKPARANTA’s case is assigned to U.S. District Judge Lorna G. Schofield.
U.S. Attorney Geoffrey S. Berman said: “As alleged, Colin Akparanta was a predator in uniform, exploiting his position to sexually abuse multiple inmates over a several-year period. No inmate in a Bureau of Prisons facility should fear sexual abuse at the hands of a correctional officer, and thankfully, Akparanta will have no more victims. I encourage all victims of this or similar conduct to contact my Office at the number below.”
DOJ OIG Special Agent-in-Charge Guido Modano said: “Correctional officers have a duty to protect federal inmates, but Akparanta allegedly abused his power over female inmates. Our office is committed to bringing to justice any Justice Department employee who commits sex crimes in federal correctional institutions.”
According to the Indictment, which was unsealed today in Manhattan federal court[1]:
AKPARANTA has been employed as a correctional officer at the MCC since 2004.
Between in or about late 2012 and in or about April 2018, AKPARANTA used his official position to engage in sexual acts and contact with at least four female inmates at the MCC while they were under AKPARANTA’s custodial, supervisory, and disciplinary authority. AKPARANTA digitally penetrated the victims’ vaginas and touched their breasts, buttocks, and/or genitalia. AKPARANTA also had some of the victims touch his penis over his pants. In addition, AKPARANTA smuggled contraband, including, but not limited to, personal hygiene items, makeup, and food into the MCC for some of the victims, and, with respect to at least one of the victims, explicitly conditioned his provision of contraband on the inmate’s continued performance of sexual acts with him. AKPARANTA also asked the victims for their contact information in order to reach them after their release.
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COLIN AKPARANTA, 42, of Irvington, New Jersey, is charged with four counts of sexual abuse of a ward, which carries a maximum sentence of 15 years in prison, four counts of abusive sexual contact, which carries a maximum sentence of two years in prison, and one count of deprivation of civil rights, which carries a maximum sentence of 10 years in prison. The maximum potential sentences in this case are prescribed by Congress and are provided here for informational purposes only, as any sentencing of the defendant will be determined by the judge.
Any individuals who believe they have information concerning COLIN AKPARANTA or any similar conduct should contact the United States Attorney’s Office at (866) 874-8900.
Mr. Berman praised the investigative work of the DOJ Office of the Inspector General and the Special Agents of the United States Attorney’s Office.
The prosecution is being handled by the Office’s Public Corruption, Violent and Organized Crime, and Civil Rights Units. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Lara Pomerantz, Sarah Krissoff, and Rachael Doud are in charge of the prosecution.
The charges contained in the Indictment are merely accusations, and the defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.
[1] As the introductory phrase signifies, the entirety of the text of the Indictment, and the description of the Indictment set forth herein, constitute only allegations, and every fact described should be treated as an allegation.
Fayetteville Man Attempts Armed Robbery of Gas Station, Gets 7 Years in Federal PrisonRead the Press Release
RALEIGH – Robert J. Higdon, Jr., the United States Attorney for the Eastern District of North Carolina, announces that United States District Judge James C. Dever, III, sentenced NOAH LEE ROWSEY, 19, of Fayetteville to 84 months’ imprisonment, followed by 5 years of supervised released and ordered him to pay $1,148.00 in restitution.
On January 22, 2019, ROWSEY pled guilty to Attempted Hobbs Act robbery and possession a firearm during a crime of violence. On April 25, 2018, ROWSEY and an accomplice attempted to rob the Five Star BP Gas Station in Fayetteville. ROWSEY brandished a firearm during the course of the robbery, and then fled the scene. He was later arrested at his residence in Fayetteville.
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 Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives (ATF) and the Fayetteville Police Department.
Assistant United States Attorney Robert J. Dodson prosecuted the case for the government.
Eureka Springs Man Sentenced to 3 Years in Federal Prison for Willful Failure to Collect and Pay over Employment TaxesRead the Press Release
Harrison, Arkansas - Duane (DAK) Kees, United States Attorney for the Western District of Arkansas, announced that Rodney Minner, age 62, of Eureka Springs, Arkansas was sentenced today to 36 months in federal prison followed by three years of supervised release, and restitution in the amount of $1,095,267.02, for one count of Willful Failure to Collect and Pay Over Employment Taxes. The Honorable P.K. Holmes, III, United States District Judge, presided over the sentencing hearing in Harrison.
According to court records, Minner owned and operated four restaurants known as “The Rowdy Beaver.” The restaurants were located in Eureka Springs, Arkansas, Cassville, Missouri, and Branson, Missouri. The defendant was responsible for handling the business taxes and filing Forms 941, for collecting and paying over all of the employment taxes owed, including any trust fund taxes. During the investigation, the (IRS) Criminal Investigation agents determined that Minner withheld employment taxes from Rowdy Beaver employee’s paychecks, but paid neither employer nor the employee portions of outstanding employment taxes. The total amount of “trust fund” employment taxes due and payable for the 3rd Quarter of 2013 was $21,093.74. IRS investigators were also able to determine that Minner failed to pay over to the IRS federal incomes taxes due from withholdings from employee paychecks, as well as any employer taxes from April 30, 2012 through April 20, 2016. Minner admitted that the total amount of tax loss as a result of this scheme ranges from $500,000 to $1,500,000.00.
A federal grand jury indicted Minner in April 2018, and he pled guilty in October 2018.
This case was investigated by the Internal Revenue Service (IRS). Assistant United States Attorney Clay Fowlkes prosecuted the case for the United States.
Dominican National Sentenced for Social Security FraudRead the Press Release
BOSTON – A Dominican national residing in Lynn was sentenced yesterday in federal court in Boston for Social Security fraud.
Kelvin Bautista Valdez, 32, was sentenced by U.S. District Court Judge Denise J. Casper to 12 months in prison and two years of supervised release. Bautista Valdez will be subject to deportation proceedings upon completion of his sentence. In February 2019, Bautista Valdez pleaded guilty to one count of false representation of a Social Security number. Bautista Valdez was arrested and charged in a July 2018 federal law enforcement sweep of 25 individuals accused of document and benefit fraud.
Dubbed “Double Trouble,” the July 2018 investigation was conducted by Homeland Security Investigation’s Document and Benefit Fraud Task Force (DBFTF), comprised of local, state and federal agencies with expertise in detecting, deterring and disrupting organizations and individuals involved in various types of document, identity and benefit fraud schemes.
On Jan. 20, 2015, Bautista Valdez, applied for a Massachusetts Driver’s License using the name and Social Security number of a U.S citizen from Puerto Rico. He presented a Puerto Rican birth certificate and a Social Security card in the other person’s name to the Massachusetts Registry of Motor Vehicles as proof of his identity. Based on the application and supporting identity documents, Bautista Valdez was issued a driver’s license in the name of the U.S. citizen.
United States Attorney Andrew E. Lelling; Peter C. Fitzhugh, Special Agent in Charge of Homeland Security Investigations in Boston; Phillip Coyne, Special Agent in Charge of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Office of the Inspector General; Scott Antolik, Special Agent in Charge of the Social Security Administration, Office of Inspector General, Office of Investigations, Boston Field Division; Christina Scaringi, Special Agent in Charge of the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development, Office of Inspector General, Northeast Regional Office; Michael Mikulka, Special Agent in Charge of the U.S. Department of Labor, Office of Inspector General, Office of Investigations; William B. Gannon, Special Agent in Charge of the U.S. Department of State, Diplomatic Security Service, Boston Field Office; Joseph W. Cronin, Inspector in Charge of the U.S. Postal Inspection Service; Colonel Kerry A. Gilpin, Superintendent of the Massachusetts State Police; and Massachusetts State Auditor Suzanne M. Bump made the announcement. Special Assistant U.S. Attorney Karen Burzycki of Lelling’s Major Crimes Unit prosecuted the case.
Dominican National Pleads Guilty to Misusing U.S. Passport and Stealing Government BenefitsRead the Press Release
BOSTON – A Dominican national pleaded guilty today in federal court in Boston to multiple federal charges.
Daniel Polonia Morillo, 57, a Dominican national residing in Lawrence, pleaded guilty to false statement on an application for Social Security benefits, false statement in an application and use of a passport, and theft of public money. U.S. District Court Judge Denise J. Casper scheduled sentencing for Aug. 28, 2019.
In December 2016, Polonia Morillo used the name, Social Security number, and date of birth of a U.S. citizen to apply for Social Security benefits. At the time he applied, Polonia Morillo produced a United States passport in the other person’s name as proof of his identity. In addition, Polonia Morillo used the identity of the U.S. citizen to obtain Medicaid benefits from March 2012 through October 2018, and Supplemental Nutrition Assistance (SNAP) benefits from April 2015 through October 2018. In total, Polonia Morillo stole over $45,000 in federally-funded benefits.
The charge of false statement on an application for Social Security benefits provides for a sentence of no greater than five years in prison, three years of supervised release, and a fine of $250,000 or twice the gross gain or loss, whichever is greater. The charge of false statement in an application and use of a passport provides for a sentence of no greater than 10 years in prison, three years of supervised release, and a fine of $250,000 or twice the gross gain or loss, whichever is greater. The charge of theft of public funds provides for a sentence of no greater than 10 years in prison, three years of supervised release, and a fine of $250,000 or twice the gross gain or loss, whichever is greater. Sentences are imposed by a federal district court judge based upon the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors.
United States Attorney Andrew E. Lelling; Scott Antolik, Special Agent in Charge of the Social Security Administration, Office of Inspector General, Boston Field Office; Peter C. Fitzhugh, Special Agent in Charge of Homeland Security Investigations in Boston; and Suzanne M. Bump, State Auditor of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, made the announcement. Special Assistant U.S. Attorney Karen Burzycki of Lelling’s Major Crimes Unit is prosecuting the case.
DeKalb County agrees to pay $750,000 to settle false claims act allegations related to its use of workforce training grantsRead the Press Release
ATLANTA – DeKalb County, Georgia has agreed to pay $750,000 to resolve allegations that the County and its agency WorkSource DeKalb violated the False Claims Act by misusing grant funds for the Department of Labor’s On-the-Job Training (“OJT”) program, the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Northern District of Georgia announced today.
“Rather than using the funds to provide training for its citizens who needed it the most, DeKalb County used those funds to subsidize its own payroll,” said U.S. Attorney Byung J. “BJay” Pak. “Public servants who have the fiduciary responsibility of managing federal grant programs should never forget that taxpayers trust them to use grant funds properly. We will aggressively pursue all available remedies against individuals or entities that violate that trust.”
“This settlement resolves allegations that WorkSource DeKalb failed to ensure U.S. Department of Labor funds were used to benefit those who qualified for the Department's On-the-Job Training Programs. We will continue to investigate allegations of DOL grant fraud, especially when American workers may be deprived of training and employment opportunities,” said Rafiq Ahmad, Special Agent-in-Charge, Atlanta Region, U.S. Department of Labor Office of Inspector General.
The OJT program is funded by Department of Labor grant funds that are currently authorized by the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (until July 2015, the Workforce Investment Act). Grant funds are distributed initially to the State of Georgia, who then distributes the funds to local “One-Stop” operators such as WorkSource DeKalb. The OJT program incentivizes employers to hire and train individuals who are either unemployed or employed but not earning self-sufficient wages by subsidizing the salaries for these employees. OJT funds may be used only to reimburse employers for the extraordinary cost of training individuals for whom the One-Stop operator has identified skills gaps that prevent their obtaining employment.
The civil settlement resolves the United States’ claims that, between January 1, 2013 and December 18, 2016, DeKalb County falsely certified compliance with Department of Labor regulations related to OJT. The government alleged that, contrary to these regulations, WorkSource DeKalb used OJT funds to subsidize the wages of County employees who were not eligible for the OJT program and who received no services from WorkSource DeKalb. Specifically, the United States contends that WorkSource DeKalb required that individuals that were not eligible for the program sign OJT paperwork as part of the onboarding process after they were hired by numerous County agencies on the open job market. For example, the County enrolled at least 42 firefighters in the OJT program who were hired as the most qualified applicants in a competitive application process. These individuals had never heard of WorkSource DeKalb prior to being hired, received no services from WorkSource DeKalb, and did not qualify for the OJT program. WorkSource DeKalb employees induced these newly hired firefighters to sign OJT paperwork by providing them free boots and gas cards, which were also paid for with Department of Labor grant funds.
In addition to the Fire and Rescue Department, the civil settlement encompasses the County’s use of OJT funds for employees of the following agencies: GIS Department; Human Resources; Emergency 911; District Attorney’s Office; Board of Commissioners Clerk; Planning and Sustainability; Chamber of Commerce; Sanitation, Information Systems; Child Advocacy; and Voter Registration. The settlement also resolves claims that WorkSource DeKalb enrolled ineligible employees with VetConnexx, a private employer.
The claims settled in the civil settlement are allegations only, and there has been no determination of liability. As part of its settlement with the United States, DeKalb County has also entered into a Corrective Action Plan with the Department of Labor, in which the County will be subject to reporting and monitoring requirements related to its administration of the OJT Program.
This case was investigated by the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Northern District of Georgia and the U.S. Department of Labor, Office of Inspector General.
Assistant U.S. Attorney David A. O'Neal handled this matter for the U.S. Attorney’s Office.
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.
Clermont County Man Sentenced to 30 Years in Prison for Producing Child PornographyRead the Press Release
CINCINNATI – Richard Lee Devito, 35, of Batavia, Ohio, was sentenced in U.S. District Court to 30 years in prison and a lifetime of supervised release for creating child pornography.
Benjamin C. Glassman, United States Attorney for the Southern District of Ohio and Todd A. Wickerham, Special Agent in Charge, Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), Cincinnati Division, announced the sentence imposed today by U.S. District Judge Susan J. Dlott.
Devito knowingly induced more than 25 minors to send him sexual or nude videos and photographs over the Internet. The minors were typically between the ages of eight and 12. He would often encourage the children to rub their genitalia and place objects up their vagina or anus.
For example, Devito induced an eight-year-old female to engage in sexually explicit conduct for the purpose of making child pornography. Devito used the messaging app “ooVoo,” pretended to be a 13-year-old and persuaded the child to send him videos of her naked.
Between his two identified accounts on ooVoo, Devito had more than 1,300 pages of chats with minors. Devito exploited victims for months and pretended to be a child himself. His victims spanned the nation and internationally, and also included two minor girls in the greater Cincinnati area. In some instances, Devito first met his victims on the app “musical.ly.”
According to one parent’s victim impact statement: “The pictures were captured in my daughters’ bedroom. In a place that we were convinced was safe. Somehow things went from them making dorky lip syncing videos to something beyond my comprehension and I never saw it coming. He broke into our safe zone and he manipulated our girls and I never saw it coming. … He manipulated them. He stole their innocence.”
“The lasting damage of Devito’s crimes goes beyond the creation of sexually explicit videos and images of minor children,” U.S. Attorney Glassman said. “It damages relationships, hurts families, and alters the development of the victim children. Devito’s case should serve as an example that if you prey on children through the Internet, you will be identified, investigated, and prosecuted.”
U.S. Attorney Glassman commended the investigation of the FBI and Assistant United States Attorneys Kyle J. Healey and Timothy S. Mangan, who are representing the United States in this case.
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Casino Employee Sentenced to Ten Years in Federal Prison for Distributing Child PornographyRead the Press Release
OKLAHOMA CITY – BRANDON LEE PRUITT, 27, of Anadarko, has been sentenced to ten years in federal prison for distributing child pornography, announced First Assistant U.S. Attorney Robert J. Troester.
A federal grand jury indicted Pruitt on July 17, 2018, on one count of distributing and one count of accessing child pornography. According to Count 2, he used a cell phone to access child pornography stored on an Internet-based cloud storage service between August 20, 2015, and March 13, 2018. Count 1 alleged he distributed child pornography through the Internet between those same dates. The Bureau of Indian Affairs investigated the case because Pruitt worked at the Sugar Creek Casino in Hinton, on land held in trust for the Wichita and Affiliated Tribes, and committed the offense in Indian Country.
Pruitt pleaded guilty to Count 1—the distribution count—on October 2, 2018. Pursuant to a plea agreement, the government has dismissed Count 2.
Today U.S. District Judge Timothy D. DeGiusti sentenced Pruitt to 120 months, or ten years, in prison. After release from prison, he will serve eight years on supervised release.
Pruitt has been in the custody of the U.S. Marshals Service since September 4, 2018, when he was removed from a halfway house program that the court had imposed as a condition of pre-trial release.
This case is the result of an investigation by the Bureau of Indian Affairs, with the assistance of the City of Anadarko Police Department and the U.S. Secret Service’s Oklahoma Financial and Electronic Crimes Task Force. It was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Brandon Hale.
This case is also part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative launched in May 2006 by the Department of Justice to combat child sexual exploitation and abuse. Led by U.S. Attorney’s Offices and the Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section of the Department of Justice, Project Safe Childhood marshals federal, state, and local resources to better locate, apprehend, and prosecute individuals who exploit children via the Internet, as well as to identify and rescue victims. For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit www.justice.gov/psc.
Reference is made to public filings for further information.
Canton Man Sentenced for Sending Firearm in the MailRead the Press Release
United States Attorney Ron Parsons announced that a Canton, South Dakota, man convicted of Mailing a Firearm was sentenced by Chief Judge Jeffrey L. Viken, U.S. District Court.
Kohl Hammer, age 19, was sentenced on May 20, 2019, to 3 years of probation and ordered to pay a $100 special assessment to the Federal Crime Victims Fund.
Hammer was charged on September 18, 2018. The charge related to Hammer knowingly mailing a Taurus, model 85B2, .38 Special caliber, double-action revolver in August 2018 at Rapid City, in violation of the rules and regulations of the U.S. Postal Service.
This case is part of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), a program bringing together all levels of law enforcement and the communities they serve to reduce violent crime and make our neighborhoods safer for everyone. The Department of Justice reinvigorated PSN in 2017 as part of its renewed focus on targeting violent criminals, directing all U.S. Attorney’s Offices to work in partnership with federal, state, local, and tribal law enforcement and local communities to develop effective, locally-based strategies to reduce violent crime.
This case was investigated by the U.S. Postal Inspector. Assistant U.S. Attorney Benjamin Patterson prosecuted the case.
Hammer was remanded to the custody of the U.S. Marshals Service.
Canton Man Sentenced to Nearly 14 Years in Federal Prison for Managing Transnational Methamphetamine Trafficking RingRead the Press Release
BOSTON – A Canton man was sentenced yesterday in federal court in Boston in connection with managing and supervising a methamphetamine trafficking and money laundering ring operating between Massachusetts and California that authorities say was responsible for distributing 200 pounds of methamphetamine.
James Giannetta, 64, was sentenced by U.S. Chief District Court Judge Patti B. Saris to 167 months in prison, five years of supervised release, and ordered to forfeit $281,107. On Feb. 14, 2019, Giannetta pleaded guilty to his role in managing and supervising a cross-country methamphetamine distribution ring.
Giannetta and 10 co-defendants from Massachusetts and California were indicted in 2016 for their roles in a conspiracy to distribute methamphetamine and to launder monetary instruments. The indictment was the result of a two-year investigation of methamphetamine trafficking that alleged that beginning in at least 2013, the defendants conspired to transport sizeable quantities of methamphetamine from San Diego, Calif., to Massachusetts, where it was distributed in the greater Boston area. Proceeds from the sale of that methamphetamine were then transported and/or transferred back to California and laundered in various ways.
At Giannetta’s sentencing hearing, one of Giannetta’s co-conspirators testified that Giannetta had been the organizer of the conspiracy. The co-conspirator explained that Giannetta had served as a mentor to him and that Giannetta introduced him to his San Diego-based suppliers. Later, after the co-conspirator took over a leadership role, Giannetta continued to receive methamphetamine for his Boston-based customers and received a share of the profits from the methamphetamine distribution ring. The co-conspirator estimated that approximately 200 pounds of methamphetamine was sent from California to Massachusetts during the conspiracy.
Giannetta was convicted of federal drug trafficking in the 1980s, and after his release from federal prison, he continued to distribute drugs. When apprehended by law enforcement, Giannetta provided information about others in the hopes of limiting his own personal criminal exposure.
All 11 defendants have pleaded guilty to federal charges and four (including Giannetta) have been sentenced: Christopher Halfond, a California-based supplier was sentenced by U.S. Senior District Judge George A. O’Toole, Jr., to 140 months in federal prison; Mario Castro, a Boston-based street-level distributor, was sentenced to 57 months in federal prison; and Jorge Grandon, Castro’s distribution partner, was sentenced to 30 months in federal prison.
United States Attorney Andrew E. Lelling; Joseph R. Bonavolonta, Special Agent in Charge of the Federal Bureau of Investigation, Boston Field Division; Joseph W. Cronin, Inspector in Charge of the U.S. Postal Inspection Service; Brian D. Boyle, Special Agent in Charge of the Drug Enforcement Administration, Boston Field Division; Kristina O’Connell, Special Agent in Charge of the Internal Revenue Service’s Criminal Investigations in Boston; William Ferrara, Director of Field Operations of U.S. Customs and Border Protection; Colonel Kerry A. Gilpin, Superintendent of the Massachusetts State Police; and Boston Police Commissioner William Gross made the announcement. The Massachusetts Department of Correction; Norfolk County Sherriff’s Office; Suffolk County Sheriff’s Office; and the Reading, Watertown, Quincy, Chelsea, Braintree, Peabody, Waltham, and Woburn Police Departments; Connecticut State Police; San Diego Harbor Police Department; and Postal Inspectors in San Diego assisted with the investigation. Assistant U.S. Attorneys James E. Arnold and Jared C. Dolan of Lelling’s Narcotics & Money Laundering Unit prosecuted the case.
California Man Indicted for Federal Hate Crimes Related to Poway Synagogue Shooting and Arson of Escondido MosqueRead the Press Release
Assistant U. S. Attorneys Shane Harrigan (619) 546-6981, Caroline Han (619) 546-6968 and Peter Ko (619) 546-7359
SAN DIEGO – John T. Earnest of Rancho Peñasquitos was indicted by a federal grand jury this morning on civil rights, hate crime, and firearm charges in connection with the murder of one person and the attempted murder of 53 others at the Chabad of Poway Synagogue on April 27 and the March 24 arson of the Dar-ul-Arqam Mosque in Escondido.
The original complaint filed on May 7 charged Earnest with 54 counts of obstruction of free exercise of religious beliefs using a dangerous weapon, resulting in death, bodily injury, and attempts to kill; 54 counts of violating the Matthew Shepard and James Byrd Jr. Hate Crimes Prevention Act; and one count of damage to religious property by use of fire in relation to the attempted arson of the mosque. The indictment adds four charges for discharging a firearm during crimes of violence.
Earnest is scheduled to be arraigned on the indictment June 4, 2019 at 1:30 p.m. before U.S. Magistrate Judge Michael S. Berg.
According to the affidavit in support of the criminal complaint, on April 27, Earnest drove to the Chabad of Poway Synagogue, where members of the congregation were gathered to engage in religious worship celebrating Shabbat and the last day of Passover. Earnest entered the building armed with an AR-15 style semi-automatic rifle that was fully loaded with a 10-round magazine. He wore a chest rig that contained five additional magazines, each loaded with 10 rounds of ammunition.
The affidavit alleges that while inside the Poway Synagogue, Earnest opened fire, killing one person and injuring three other members of the congregation, including a juvenile. During a pause when Earnest unsuccessfully attempted to reload his firearm, several congregant members, including an off-duty Border Patrol Agent, chased Earnest, and Earnest fled from the Synagogue. Earnest was subsequently apprehended by law enforcement authorities who discovered the AR-15 and additional magazines of ammunition in his car.
The affidavit further alleges that after the shooting, law enforcement investigators found a manifesto online bearing Earnest’s name. In the manifesto, Earnest made many anti-Semitic and anti-Muslim statements. Specifically, Earnest referred to “Jews” as a race, and he stated his only regret was that he did not kill more people.
According to the affidavit, Earnest also admitted in the manifesto to the arson of the Dar-ul-Arqam Mosque in March 2019. The affidavit alleges that on March 24, seven individuals were inside the mosque when they smelled gasoline and saw flames coming through the crack of one of the mosque’s doors. The individuals put out the fire, but not before the fire had damaged the exterior of the mosque. The affidavit further alleges that surveillance video showed a suspect arriving at the mosque in the same type of vehicle Earnest used in committing the attack on the Synagogue. The defendant allegedly claimed in his manifesto that he was inspired by the Tree of Life synagogue shooting in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, and the recent shootings at two mosques in New Zealand.
Assistant U.S. Attorneys Shane Harrigan, Peter Ko, John Parmley, and Caroline Han, along with Trial Attorney Rose Gibson of the Civil Rights Division, are prosecuting this case on behalf of the government. The FBI, San Diego Sheriff’s Office, ATF, San Diego Police Department, and Escondido Police Department conducted the investigation.
Some of the charges, by statute, make Earnest eligible for the death penalty. The Attorney General will decide whether to seek the death penalty at a later time. Earnest is currently in state custody pending state criminal charges.
An indictment is merely an accusation and the defendant is presumed innocent unless proven guilty in a court of law.
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 of Justice hate crimes resources for law enforcement, media, researchers, victims, advocacy groups, and other organizations and individuals.
DEFENDANT Case Number 19cr1850
John T. Earnest Age: 19 San Diego, CA
SUMMARY OF CHARGES
Obstruction of Free Exercise of Religious Beliefs Resulting in Death and Bodily Injury; and Involving Attempt to Kill, Use of a Dangerous Weapon - 18 U.S.C. §§ 247(a)(2), 247(d)(1) and 247(d)(3)
Maximum penalty: Life in prison or death and $250,000 fine
Hate Crime Acts – 18 U.S.C. § 249(a)(1)(B)(i)(ii)
Maximum penalty: Life in prison and $250,000 fine
Damage to Religious Real Property Involving Use of a Dangerous Weapon or Fire – 18 U.S.C. §§ 247(a)(1), 247 (d)(3)
Maximum penalty: Twenty years in prison and $250,000 fine
Using and Carrying a Firearm During and In Relation to a Crime of Violence – Title 18, U.S.C., Sec. and 924(c) and 924(j)
Maximum penalty: Life in prison or death and $250,000 fine, mandatory minimum 10 years in prison
Using and Carrying a Firearm During and In Relation to a Crime of Violence – Title 18, U.S.C., Sec. and 924(c)
Maximum Penalty: Life in prison and $250,000 fine, mandatory minimum 10 years in prison
AGENCIES
Federal Bureau of Investigation
San Diego County Sheriff’s Department
San Diego Police Department
Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives
San Diego County District Attorney’s Office
Escondido Police Department
California Man Indicted for Federal Hate Crimes Related to Poway Synagogue Shooting and Arson of Escondido MosqueRead the Press Release
A federal grand jury sitting in the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of California charged a California man with federal hate crimes and additional firearms offenses, including the murder of one person and the attempted murder of 53 others, for his actions during the April 27 shooting at the Chabad of Poway Synagogue in California and the March 24 arson of the Dar-ul-Arqam Mosque in Escondido. Assistant Attorney General Eric Dreiband for the Civil Rights Division, U.S. Attorney Robert S. Brewer Jr. for the Southern District of California, and San Diego FBI Acting Special Agent in Charge Suzanne Turner made the announcement.
John T. Earnest, 19, of Rancho Peñasquitos, California, was charged in the 113-count indictment returned today. The original complaint filed on May 7, charged Earnest with 54 counts of obstruction of free exercise of religious beliefs using a dangerous weapon, resulting in death, bodily injury, and attempts to kill; 54 counts of violating the Matthew Shepard and James Byrd Jr. Hate Crimes Prevention Act; and, one count of damage to religious property by use of fire in relation to the attempted arson of the mosque. The indictment adds four charges for discharging a firearm during those crimes of violence.
According to the affidavit in support of the criminal complaint, on April 27, Earnest drove to the Chabad of Poway Synagogue, where members of the congregation were gathered to engage in religious worship celebrating Shabbat and the last day of Passover. Earnest entered the building armed with an AR-15 style semi-automatic rifle that was fully loaded with a 10-round magazine. He wore a chest rig that contained five additional magazines, each loaded with 10 rounds of ammunition. The affidavit alleges that while inside the Poway Synagogue, Earnest opened fire, killing one person and injuring three other members of the congregation, including a juvenile. During a pause when Earnest unsuccessfully attempted to reload his firearm, several congregant members, including an off-duty Border Patrol Agent, chased Earnest as he fled from the Synagogue. Earnest fled the scene in his car, but was subsequently apprehended by law enforcement authorities who discovered the AR-15 and additional magazines of ammunition in his car.
The affidavit further alleges that after the shooting, law enforcement investigators found a manifesto online bearing Earnest’s name. A copy of the manifesto was later found on Earnest’s laptop during the execution of a search warrant. In the manifesto, Earnest made many anti-Semitic and anti-Muslim statements. Specifically, Earnest referred to “Jews” as a race, and he stated his only regret was that he did not kill more people.
According to the affidavit, Earnest also admitted in the manifesto to the arson of the Dar-ul-Arqam Mosque in March 2019. The affidavit alleges that on March 24, seven individuals were inside the mosque when they smelled gasoline and saw flames coming through the crack of one of the mosque’s doors. The individuals put out the fire, but not before the fire had damaged the exterior of the mosque. The affidavit further alleges that surveillance video showed a suspect arriving at the mosque in the same type of vehicle Earnest used in committing the attack on the Synagogue. The defendant allegedly claimed in his manifesto that he was inspired by the Tree of Life synagogue shooting in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, and the recent shootings at two mosques in New Zealand.
Assistant U.S. Attorneys Shane Harrigan, Peter Ko, John Parmley, and Caroline Han, along with Trial Attorney Rose Gibson of the Civil Rights Division, are prosecuting this case on behalf of the government. The FBI, San Diego Sheriff’s Office, ATF, San Diego Police Department, and Escondido Police Department conducted the investigation.
Earnest faces a maximum possible penalty of death, or life without parole. He is currently in state custody pending state criminal charges. An indictment is merely an accusation and the defendant is presumed innocent unless proven guilty in a court of law.
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 of Justice hate crimes resources for law enforcement, media, researchers, victims, advocacy groups, and other organizations and individuals.
Bridgeport Man Admits Committing Multiple RobberiesRead the Press Release
John H. Durham, United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut, announced that ALVIN ROBERTSON, 56, of Bridgeport, pleaded guilty today before U.S. District Judge Victor A. Bolden in Bridgeport to one count of bank robbery and admitted that he committed a total of three bank robberies and two Subway store robberies in Connecticut last year.
According to court documents and statements made in court, on May 20, 2018, Robertson robbed a Subway store located at 9 Ethan Allen Highway in Ridgefield. During the robbery Robertson brandished a knife, pointed it at the store clerk and stated, “Give me all your money or I will kill you.”
On July 22, 2018, Robertson robbed a Subway store located at 447 Monroe Turnpike in Monroe. During the robbery, Robertson indicated that he had a gun.
Robertson also robbed a People’s United Bank branch at 470 Monroe Turnpike in Monroe on August 29, 2018; a People’s United Bank branch at 763 Straits Turnpike in Watertown on September 21, 2018, and a People’s United Bank branch at 1135 Farmington Avenue in Berlin on September 25, 2018.
Robertson has been detained since his arrest on related state charges on September 27, 2018. At sentencing, he faces a maximum term of imprisonment of 20 years. A sentencing date is not scheduled.
Robertson has prior federal and state bank robbery convictions.
This matter is being investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation and the Watertown, Ridgefield, Monroe and Berlin Police Departments. The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Douglas P. Morabito.
Berkeley County man indicted on firearms chargesRead the Press Release
MARTINSBURG, WEST VIRGINIA – Donald Wayne Wilson, of Hedgesville, West Virginia, was indicted by a federal grand today on firearms charges, United States Attorney Bill Powell announced.
Wilson, age 62, was indicted on one count of “False Statement During the Purchase of a Firearm” and one count of “Unlawful Possession of a Firearm.” Wilson, having been previously convicted of a felony, is accused of lying about his previous conviction when trying to purchase a .357 caliber revolver in September 2018 in Berkeley County.
Wilson faces up to 10 years incarceration and a fine of up to $250,000 for each count. Under the Federal Sentencing Guidelines, the actual sentence imposed will be based upon the seriousness of the offenses and the prior criminal history, if any, of the defendant.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 Kimberley D. Crockett is prosecuting the case on behalf of the government. The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives investigated.
An indictment is merely an accusation. A defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.
Baraboo Man Sentenced to 7 Years for Illegal Gun PossessionRead the Press Release
MADISON, WIS. – Scott C. Blader, United States Attorney for the Western District of Wisconsin, announced that Matthew J. Soban, 27, Baraboo, Wisconsin, was sentenced today by U.S. District Judge William M. Conley to seven years in federal prison for being a felon in possession of two handguns. Soban pleaded guilty to this charge on March 12, 2019.
On July 30, 2018, Baraboo police arrested Soban on an outstanding warrant. When officers searched him incident to that arrest, they found a loaded .40 caliber pistol in a holster on his waist, and a .32 caliber derringer in his backpack. Soban has two prior felony convictions and was therefore prohibited from possessing firearms.
At sentencing, Judge Conley stated that Soban’s life had become a “whirlwind of drugs and legal trouble” despite being through substance abuse treatment in the state system. Judge Conley also noted that at the time of his arrest, Soban was absconding from state supervision, was attempting to move to a different residence to remain on the run, and had spent six of the past 10 years in prison for violent and drug trafficking felonies.
The charge against Soban was the result of an investigation conducted by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, and the Baraboo Police Department, with the cooperation of the Sauk County District Attorney’s Office. The case has been handled by Assistant U.S. Attorney Corey Stephan.
This case was brought as part of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), the U.S. Justice Department’s program to reduce violent crime. The PSN approach emphasizes coordination between state and federal prosecutors and all levels of law enforcement to address gun crime, especially felons illegally possessing firearms and ammunition and violent and drug crimes that involve the use of firearms.