Latest Records
Newest first across public DOJ and U.S. Attorney press releases.
12 June 2019
Iowa Man to Federal Prison for Meth and Gun ConvictionsRead the Press Release
A man who conspired to distribute methamphetamine and illegally possessed firearms was sentenced June 10, 2019, to more than 15 years in federal prison.
Heath Cahill, 44, from Webster City, Iowa, received the prison term after a December 19, 2018, guilty plea to conspiracy to distribute methamphetamine and illegal possession of a firearm. Cahill was previously convicted of two prior felony drug convictions in the state of Iowa in 1997 and 2005.
Evidence at the plea hearing and sentencing showed Cahill participated in a conspiracy that distributed more than 16 pounds of methamphetamine in the Webster City area from March 2018 through August 2018. Evidence further showed that Cahill had methamphetamine shipped to his residence via Federal Express for another co-conspirator from a California source. In August 2018, law enforcement, at Cahill’s residence, seized approximately 4 pounds of methamphetamine, over $2,000 in cash, a digital scale and a firearm. In October 2018, law enforcement seized two more firearms, and more cash from Cahill’s residence.
Cahill was sentenced in Sioux City by United States District Court Judge C.J. Williams. Cahill was sentenced to 183 months’ imprisonment. He must also serve a 5-year term of supervised release after the prison term. There is no parole in the federal system. Cahill is being held in the United States Marshal’s custody until he can be transported to a federal prison.
The case was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Shawn S. Wehde and investigated by the Iowa Division of Narcotics Enforcement, Webster City Police Department, Story County Sheriff’s Office, Ames Police Department, Iowa State Patrol, and Iowa Division of Criminalistics Investigation.
Court file information at https://ecf.iand.uscourts.gov/cgi-bin/login.pl.
The case file number is 18-3040. Follow us on Twitter @USAO_NDIA.
Indictment: Counterfeit Oxycodone Pills Contained Fentanyl InsteadRead the Press Release
KANSAS CITY, KAN. - A federal indictment unsealed today in Kansas charges a Massachusetts man with distributing counterfeit oxycodone pills that contained the powerful synthetic opioid fentanyl, U.S. Attorney Stephen McAllister said.
Anthony Stokes, 32, South Deerfield, Ma., is charged with five counts of distributing fentanyl and five counts of selling counterfeit drugs. The indictment alleges the crimes took place during December 2018 through Feb. 2019 in Wyandotte County, Kan.
The indictment alleges Stokes sold 114 tablets with counterfeit identifying marks belonging to Mallinckrodt Pharmaceuticals. The tablets contained more than 14.6 grams of fentanyl.
Stokes was arrested June 11 in Massachusetts.
If convicted, he faces a penalty of up to 20 years in federal prison and a $1 million fine on the fentanyl charge and up to 10 years and a fine up to $250,000 on the counterfeit drug charges.
Investigating agencies included Food and Drug Administration Office of Criminal Investigations, the United States Postal Inspection Service, and the Drug Enforcement Administration with the assistance of the Deerfield Police Department, the Massachusetts State Police, the Whatley Police Department, and the Northwestern District Attorney’s Anti-Crime Task Force. Assistant U.S. Attorney Chris Oakley is prosecuting.
In all cases, defendants are presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty. The indictments merely contain allegations of criminal conduct.
Humboldt Man Sentenced to Federal Prison for Being a Felon in Possession of a FirearmRead the Press Release
Jackson, TN – A Humboldt man has been sentenced to federal prison for being a felon in possession of a firearm. U.S. Attorney D. Michael Dunavant announced the sentence today.
According to information presented in court, on March 25, 2018, Humboldt Police Department conducted a traffic stop on a Ford Mustang for speeding. The occupants of the car where Damarcus Glenn, 19, Jordan Powell, 20, and two juveniles. The officer smelled marijuana and conducted a search of the vehicle. Under the driver’s seat where Damarcus Glenn was located was a .40 caliber Smith and Wesson pistol. Under the front passenger seat, where a juvenile was sitting, was another .40 caliber Smith and Wesson pistol. The juvenile had 21.4 grams of marijuana in his possession and Jordan Powell had a 9mm pistol in his waistband.
The juveniles and Jordan Powell were not convicted felons. Glenn and Powell are members of the 83rd Criminal Gang. In his statement to law enforcement, Jordan Powell attempted to take possession of the two pistols, but could only describe the pistol in his waistband. Correctional officers advised agents that Glenn and Powell were trying to get a juvenile to take the gun charge because Glenn was a felon.
On April 17, 2018, the United States Marshals Service was serving an arrest warrant for Damarcus Glenn in Humboldt, TN for violation of probation. The renter of the apartment gave verbal consent for law enforcement to search the apartment. The U.S. Marshals located Damarcus Glenn and Jordan Powell in a bedroom. A 9mm Springfield Armory pistol was seen in plain view on the bed. The resident of the home denied ownership of the pistol as well. After both Powell and Glenn denied ownership of the gun, agents overheard Glenn and Powell speaking to each other through the jail cells in the Humboldt Police Department. An agent could hear Glenn trying to get Powell to take the charge for him.
U.S. Attorney D. Michael Dunavant said: “Now more than ever, it is crucial that we remove firearms from dangerous and prohibited people, and remove violent gang offenders with firearms from our communities. This conviction and sentence demonstrates our commitment to use all of the laws provided by Congress to target and incapacitate violent gang members with guns before they pull the trigger.”
On June 11, 2019, U.S. District Court Judge S. Thomas Anderson sentenced Glenn to 46 months in federal prison followed by 3 years supervised release. Glenn also faces charges in Rutherford County for violation of probation and charges in Gibson County for attempted first-degree murder in a 2015 shooting incident.
This case was investigated by the Humboldt Police Department; 28th, 29th and 30th Judicial District West Tennessee Violent Crimes and Drug Task Force; and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Hillary Lawler Parham prosecuted this case on behalf of the government.
###
Houston Pair Sentenced to More Than 14 Years in Federal Prison for Bank RobberyRead the Press Release
Fort Smith, Arkansas - Duane (DAK) Kees, United States Attorney for the Western District of Arkansas, announced that Daniel Giles, age 29, of Houston, Texas, and Romaris Smith, age 24, of Houston, Texas, were sentenced today. Giles was sentenced to 71 months in federal prison for one count of Bank Robbery, Aiding and Abetting, and eight months for Probation Revocation to been run consecutively, followed by three years of supervised release. Smith was sentenced to 90 months in federal prison followed by three years of supervised release, for one count of Bank Robbery, and Aiding and Abetting. The Honorable Judge P.K. Holmes, III presided over the sentencing hearings in the United States District Court in Fort Smith.
According to court records, on July 26, 2018, Giles and Smith arrived at a Bank of Ozarks branch in Fort Smith as two bank employees were outside of the bank changing the bank’s Automated Teller Machines (ATM). Smith exited the vehicle with his face covered, and quickly picked up two ATM canisters containing over $18,000 in United States currency. Giles and Smith fled the bank headed toward Oklahoma. Giles and Smith later crashed their vehicle in Oklahoma, and the pair fled on foot. Both Smith and Giles were apprehended separately later that day. At the time Smith was apprehended, he possessed a backpack containing over $18,000.00.
Both Giles and Smith were indicted by a federal grand jury in July 2018. Giles entered a guilty plea in January 2019, and Smith entered a guilty plea in December 2018.
These cases were investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI). Assistant United States Attorney Amanda Donat prosecuted the case for the United States.
Haverhill Man Sentenced to 46 Months for Participating in Fentanyl Trafficking ConspiracyRead the Press Release
Concord – United States Attorney Scott W. Murray announced that Trevor Ahearn, 28, of Haverhill, Massachusetts, was sentenced to 46 months in prison for participating in a conspiracy to distribute over 400 grams of fentanyl.
According to court documents and statements made in court, a drug trafficking organization employed the defendant to sell fentanyl to customers from various New England States, including New Hampshire. On each day that the defendant worked, the organization provided him with at least one 200-gram bag of fentanyl and expected him to sell it and return approximately $6,000 in proceeds. In addition to Ahearn, 33 defendants have been charged with participating in this conspiracy.
Ahearn previously pleaded guilty on October 23, 2018.
“Fentanyl is clearly the most dangerous of the illegal drugs commonly sold in New Hampshire,” said U.S. Attorney Murray. “The transportation of this lethal substance into our state must be stopped. In order to prevent deaths and overdoses, we will remain focused in our effort to arrest, prosecute, and incarcerate the traffickers who are engaged in this deadly trade.”
“New Hampshire is in the midst of a devastating opioid crisis, as deaths from fentanyl climb,” said DEA Special Agent in Charge Brian D. Boyle. “The DEA will continue to use every resource available to identify those like Mr. Ahern, who are coming from out of state to contribute to this crisis. DEA’s top priority is combatting the opioid epidemic by working with our local, county, state and federal law enforcement partners to bring to justice anyone who distributes deadly drugs.”
This investigation was conducted by the Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Force (OCDETF). The OCDETF program is a federal multi-agency, multi-jurisdictional task force that supplies supplemental federal funding to federal and state agencies involved in the identification, investigation, and prosecution of major drug trafficking organizations.
The case was a collaborative investigation that involved the DEA; the New Hampshire State Police; the Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Office; the Nashua Police Department; the Massachusetts State Police; the Massachusetts Attorney General’s Office; the New Hampshire Attorney General’s Office; the Essex County District Attorney’s Office; the Internal Revenue Service; Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s Homeland Security Investigations; United States Customs and Border Protection Boston Field Office; the United States Marshals Service; the United States Department of State’s Diplomatic Security Service; the Manchester Police Department; the Lisbon Police Department; the Littleton Police Department; the Seabrook Police Department; the Haverhill (MA) Police Department; the Methuen (MA) Police Department; the Lowell (MA) Police Department; and the Maine State Police.
The case is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorneys Georgiana L. Konesky and Seth R. Aframe.
###
Haverhill Man Pleads Guilty to Prescription Fraud ChargesRead the Press Release
CONCORD - Theodoros Bahtsevanos, 32, currently of Haverhill, Massachusetts, pleaded guilty in federal court to prescription fraud and false identity document charges, United States Attorney Scott W. Murray announced.
According to court documents and statements made in court, Bahtsevanos passed false prescriptions for Adderall, a controlled substance, at pharmacies in Nashua and Derry, New Hampshire on two occasions in May of 2018. The prescriptions contained falsified signatures but actual DEA registration numbers for physicians, and were issued to aliases Bahtsevanos was using at the time. When Bahtsevanos was arrested, he was found in possession of nine fake driver’s licenses purporting to be from states all over the country. Each fake license bore his photograph and used a different alias. Bahtsevanos also had a ledger book through which he tracked various DEA registration numbers, physician’s names, and fake recipients that he used to fill prescriptions for Adderall throughout New Hampshire. Investigators found that he filled more than 90 fake prescriptions as part of the scheme.
Bahtsevanos is scheduled to be sentenced on September 16, 2019.
“Protecting the integrity of our health care system is a high priority of the U.S. Attorney’s Office,” said U.S. Attorney Murray. “Those who obtain prescription drugs by fraudulent means divert drugs from their intended uses and may contribute to the unlawful drug trade. We will continue to work with our law enforcement partners to identify and prosecute those who participate in unlawful schemes to obtain prescription drugs.”
This matter was investigated by the Drug Enforcement Administration’s Office of Diversion Control, the New Hampshire State Police, Derry Police Department, Nashua Police Department, and Massachusetts State Police. The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Charles L. Rombeau.
###
Guilford County Residents Indicted for Federal Gun, Drug ViolationsRead the Press Release
Greensboro, N.C. – Eight indictments returned by the grand jury at the end of May are the most recent cases resulting from a coordinated effort among federal, state, and local law enforcement intended to reduce repeat violent and gun-related crime in High Point, announced Matthew G.T. Martin, United States Attorney for the Middle District of North Carolina.
On May 28, 2019, the grand jury returned indictments charging the eight defendants, each of whom was previously convicted of at least one serious crime, with possession of a firearm by a convicted felon. One defendant was also charged with possession of oxycodone with intent to distribute.
The defendants and charges are as follows:
David Christopher STALLINGS, age 33, of High Point, NC, was charged with violations of Title 21, United States Code, Section 841(a)(1) and (b)(1)(C), possession with intent to distribute oxycodone, and Title 18, United States Code, Sections 922(g)(1) and 924(a)(2), felon in possession of a firearm. The indictment alleges that on March 6, 2018, STALLINGS, having been previously convicted of a crime punishable by imprisonment for a term exceeding one year, possessed a Titan .25 caliber handgun and an AM-15 .223 caliber rifle. If convicted of possession with intent to distribute oxycodone, STALLINGS faces a maximum term of 20 years imprisonment. If convicted of felon in possession of a firearm, STALLINGS may be sentenced to a maximum term of 10 years imprisonment. Sentencing for the above offenses may also include a term of supervised release of not more than 3 years, a fine not to exceed $250,000.00, and a mandatory special assessment of $100.00.
Jerry DOUGLAS, Jr., age 33, of High Point, NC, was charged with a violation of Title 18, United States Code, Sections 922(g)(1) and 924(a)(2), felon in possession of a firearm. The indictment alleges that on August 27, 2018, DOUGLAS, having been previously convicted of a crime punishable by imprisonment for a term exceeding one year, possessed Israeli Military Industries (IMI) ammunition. If convicted, DOUGLAS may be sentenced to a maximum of 10 years imprisonment, a term of supervised release of not more than 3 years, a fine not to exceed $250,000.00, and a mandatory special assessment of $100.00.
Crandall Ortais INGRAM, age 26, of High Point, NC, was charged with a violation of Title 18, United States Code, Sections 922(g)(1) and 924(a)(2), felon in possession of a firearm. The indictment alleges that on October 17, 2018, INGRAM, having been previously convicted of a crime punishable by imprisonment for a term exceeding one year, possessed a Glock .40 caliber handgun. If convicted, INGRAM may be sentenced to a maximum term of 10 years imprisonment, a term of supervised release of not more than 3 years, a fine not to exceed $250,000.00, and a mandatory special assessment of $100.00.
Edwin Marquis BATES, age 30, of High Point, NC, was charged with a violation of Title 18, United States Code, Sections 922(g)(1) and 924(a)(2), felon in possession of a firearm. The indictment alleges that on December 29, 2018, BATES, having been previously convicted of a crime punishable by imprisonment for a term exceeding one year, possessed an H.S. Products .40 caliber handgun. If convicted, BATES may be sentenced to a maximum term of 10 years imprisonment, a term of supervised release of not more than 3 years, a fine not to exceed $250,000.00, and a mandatory special assessment of $100.00.
Eddie Bernard BRATTON, age 39, of Greensboro, NC, was charged with a violation of Title 18, United States Code, Sections 922(g) (1) and 924(a)(2), felon in possession of a firearm. The indictment alleges that on January 18, 2019, BRATTON, having been previously convicted of a crime punishable by imprisonment for a term exceeding one year, possessed an Astra .25 caliber handgun. If convicted, BRATTON may be sentenced to a maximum term of 10 years imprisonment, a term of supervised release of not more than 3 years, a fine not to exceed $250,000.00, and a mandatory special assessment of $100.00.
Zytae Tyshawne BASKINS, age 24, of High Point, NC, was charged with a violation of Title 18, United States Code, Sections 922(g)(1) and 924(a)(2), felon in possession of a firearm. The indictment alleges that on March 19, 2019, BASKINS, having been previously convicted of a crime punishable by imprisonment for a term exceeding one year, possessed a Taurus International 9mm handgun. If convicted, BASKINS may be sentenced to a maximum term of 10 years imprisonment, a term of supervised release of not more than 3 years, a fine not to exceed $250,000.00, and a mandatory special assessment of $100.00.
Nicholas Jermaine ROBINSON, age 24, of Greensboro, NC, was charged with a violation of Title 18, United States Code, Sections 922(g)(1) and 924(a)(2), felon in possession of a firearm. The indictment alleges that on March 19, 2019, ROBINSON, having been previously convicted of a crime punishable by imprisonment for a term exceeding one year, possessed a Smith & Wesson 9mm handgun. If convicted, ROBINSON may be sentenced to a maximum term of 10 years imprisonment, a term of supervised release of not more than 3 years, a fine not to exceed $250,000.00, and a mandatory special assessment of $100.00.
Rodney Demarius HINES, age 26, of High Point, NC, was charged with a violation of Title 18, United States Code, Sections 922(g)(1) and 924(a)(2), felon in possession of a firearm. The indictment alleges that on March 23, 2019, HINES, having been previously convicted of a crime punishable by imprisonment for a term exceeding one year, possessed a Jimenez Arms .380 caliber handgun. If convicted, HINES may be sentenced to a maximum term of 10 years imprisonment, a term of supervised release of not more than 3 years, a fine not to exceed $250,000.00, and a mandatory special assessment of $100.00.
An indictment is merely an allegation, and each defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.
The cases indicted this month were investigated by the High Point Police Department, Guilford County Sheriff’s Office, North Carolina Department of Community Corrections, Thomasville Police Department, Federal Bureau of Investigation, and Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives. The cases are being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorneys from the U.S. Attorney’s Office, Middle District of North Carolina, and a Special Assistant United States Attorney assigned to the U.S. Attorney’s Office from the office of Randolph County District Attorney Andrew Gregson.
###
Groveton Woman Pleads Guilty to Participating in Fentanyl Trafficking ConspiracyRead the Press Release
CONCORD - Katie Fysh, 33, of Groveton, pleaded guilty in federal court to participating in a fentanyl trafficking conspiracy, United States Attorney Scott W. Murray announced today.
According to court documents and statements made in court, during an ongoing drug trafficking investigation that included court-authorized wiretaps, agents and task force officers with the Drug Enforcement Administration learned that Fysh regularly obtained fentanyl from a source in Lawrence, Massachusetts and then sold that fentanyl in New Hampshire. On both March 17, 2018, and March 18, 2018, a friend of the defendant suffered non-fatal overdoses after using the fentanyl purchased from the source in Lawrence. The defendant was arrested on March 18, 2018, and found with approximately 25 grams of fentanyl on her person. She admitted that she regularly bought fentanyl in Lawrence and used another individual to distribute it to customers on her behalf.
Fysh is scheduled to be sentenced on September 11, 2019.
“Interstate fentanyl traffickers have caused great suffering in New Hampshire,” said U.S. Attorney Murray. “The flow of this lethal substance into our state has brought with it a public health crisis of epic proportions. In order to stop this hazardous trade, law enforcement agencies are determined to arrest and aggressively prosecute those responsible.”
This investigation was conducted by the Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Force (OCDETF). The OCDETF program is a federal multi-agency, multi-jurisdictional task force that supplies supplemental federal funding to federal and state agencies involved in the identification, investigation, and prosecution of major drug trafficking organizations.
The case was a collaborative investigation that involved the DEA; the New Hampshire State Police; the Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Office; the Nashua Police Department; the Massachusetts State Police; the Massachusetts Attorney General’s Office; the New Hampshire Attorney General’s Office; the Essex County District Attorney’s Office; the Internal Revenue Service; Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s Homeland Security Investigations; United States Customs and Border Protection Boston Field Office; the United States Marshals Service; the United States Department of State’s Diplomatic Security Service; the Manchester Police Department; the Lisbon Police Department; the Littleton Police Department; the Seabrook Police Department; the Haverhill (MA) Police Department; the Methuen (MA) Police Department; the Lowell (MA) Police Department; and the Maine State Police.
The case is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorneys Georgiana L. Konesky, Seth R. Aframe and Debra M. Walsh.
###
Greensburg Man Charged with Possessing Meth with Intent to Distribute ItRead the Press Release
PITTSBURGH - A resident of Greensburg, Pennsylvania, has been indicted by a federal grand jury on charges of violating federal narcotics laws, United States Attorney Scott W. Brady announced today.
The two-count Indictment named Ryan Jay Mason, 39, formerly of Greensburg, Pennsylvania, as the sole defendant.
According to the Indictment, on December 20, 2018, and January 25, 2019, Mason possessed methamphetamine with the intent to distribute it.
The law provides for a maximum total sentence of not less than 5 years in prison and not more than 60 years in prison, a fine of no more than $6,000,000.00, a period of supervised release of not less than 4 years, or a combination thereof. Under the Federal Sentencing Guidelines, the actual sentence imposed would be based upon the seriousness of the offenses and the prior criminal history, if any, of the defendant.
Assistant United States Attorney Michael Leo Ivory is prosecuting this case on behalf of the government.
The United States Postal Inspection Service, in conjunction with the Greensburg Police Department, the Westmoreland County Sherriff’s Office, and the Latrobe Police Department, conducted the investigation leading to the Indictment in this case.
An indictment is an accusation. A defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.
Goodson Man Indicted for Lying to FBI Agents During Fraud InvestigationRead the Press Release
SPRINGFIELD, Mo. – A Goodson, Missouri, man linked to several alleged fraud schemes has been indicted by a federal grand jury for making false statements to federal investigators.
James Calvin Parker, 57, was charged in an indictment returned by a federal grand jury in Springfield on Tuesday, June 11. The indictment replaces a criminal complaint that was filed against Parker on June 4, 2019. Parker remains in federal custody pending a detention hearing this afternoon.
The federal indictment alleges that Parker made a number of false statement to FBI agents who were investigating allegations that he engaged in a scheme to defraud a vulnerable victim in Polk County, Missouri. Parker allegedly repeated many of the same claims to FBI agents that he made to his victim, regarding his claim to $22 million held by the government, and his relationships with presidents and other federal officials.
According to an affidavit filed in support of the original criminal complaint, the FBI was contacted by the victim’s son on April 8, 2019. He reported that Parker had repeatedly asked his father (the victim) for money in order to pay various fines and expenses related to the release of a substantial sum of money that belonged to Parker but was being held by the United States government. Agents interviewed the victim and his two adult sons. Over the course of at least 10 months, the affidavit says, the victim gave Parker more than $130,000.
Agents interviewed multiple people who knew the victim and, on May 10, 2019, contacted and interviewed Parker at his home. In the course of the interview, the affidavit says, Parker made many materially false statements. Agents instructed Parker to not ask anyone for money, to not accept money from anyone regarding scam scenarios, and to specifically cease asking the victim for money.
The following weekend of May 11 and 12, the affidavit says, Parker again asked the victim for $3,000, which the victim gave him. Parker allegedly continued asking the victim for money in relation to the scheme. In order to provide cash to Parker, the victim has liquidated assets, most notably real estate.
The charge contained in this indictment is simply an accusation, and not evidence of guilt. Evidence supporting the charge must be presented to a federal trial jury, whose duty is to determine guilt or innocence.
This case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Steven M. Mohlhenrich. It was investigated by the FBI.
Fort Smith Man Sentenced to 10 Years in Federal Prison for Drug TraffickingRead the Press Release
Fort Smith, Arkansas - Duane (DAK) Kees, United States Attorney for the Western District of Arkansas, announced that Dylan Dempsey, age 26, of Fort Smith, Arkansas, was sentenced today to 120 months in federal prison followed by three years of supervised release for one count of Conspiracy to Distribute Methamphetamine. The Honorable P.K. Holmes, III presided over the sentencing hearing in the United States District Court in Fort Smith.
Dempsey is the last defendant to be sentenced from a sixteen (16) count indictment against eight (8) individuals who operated a large-scale drug trafficking conspiracy in the Fort Smith area. This drug trafficking operation was responsible for the distribution of multiple kilograms of methamphetamine from 2015-2018.
Dempsey was indicted by a federal grand jury in February 2018, and entered a guilty plea in February 2019.
This case was investigated by the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA), Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives (ATF), the 12th/21st Judicial District Drug Task Force, Crawford County Sheriff’s Office, Sebastian County Sheriff’s Office, Fort Smith Police Department, Van Buren Police Department, and the Arkansas National Guard Counterdrug. Assistant United States Attorney Candace Taylor and Aaron Jennen prosecuted the case for the United States
Former University Sailing Coach Sentenced in College Admissions CaseRead the Press Release
BOSTON – The former Stanford University sailing coach was sentenced today in federal court in Boston for his involvement in a scheme to use bribery and other forms of fraud to facilitate the admission of applicants to colleges and universities, including Stanford.
John Vandemoer, 41, of Paolo Alto, Calif., was sentenced by U.S. District Court Senior Judge Rya W. Zobel to one day incarceration (deemed served), two years of supervised release with the first six months to be served in home detention, and ordered to pay a $10,000 fine. The government recommended a sentence of 13 months in prison and one year of supervised release. On March 12, 2019, Vandemoer was charged by Information and pleaded guilty to one count of racketeering conspiracy.
“Mr. Vandemoer agreed to accept $610,000 in exchange for corrupting the admissions process of a major university,” said United States Attorney Andrew E. Lelling. “We will continue to seek meaningful penalties in these cases.”
Vandemoer conspired with Rick Singer and others to designate the children of Singer’s clients as a purported recruits for the Stanford sailing team. In exchange, Singer made payments to the Stanford sailing program, which Vandemoer oversaw.
Case information, including the status of each defendant, charging documents and plea agreements are available here: https://www.justice.gov/usao-ma/investigations-college-admissions-and-testing-bribery-scheme.
United States Attorney Andrew E. Lelling; Joseph R. Bonavolonta, Special Agent in Charge of the Federal Bureau of Investigation, Boston Field Division; and Kristina O’Connell, Special Agent in Charge of the Internal Revenue Service’s Criminal Investigations in Boston, made the announcement today. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Eric S. Rosen, Justin D. O’Connell, Leslie A. Wright and Kristen A. Kearney of Lelling’s Securities and Financial Fraud Unit are prosecuting the cases.
The details contained in the court documents are allegations and the remaining defendants are presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.
Former Mississippi Corrections Officer Charged with Beating InmateRead the Press Release
A federal grand jury indicted Sharalyn McClain, 28, a former Mississippi Department of Corrections officer, for using excessive force against an inmate at the Central Mississippi Correctional Facility. The indictment charges McClain with a felony civil rights offense for her role in the assault of the inmate, and for aiding and abetting others in committing the assault. The indictment also alleges that McClain used a dangerous weapon to commit the assault, which resulted in injury to the inmate.
Today’s indictment was announced by Assistant Attorney General Eric Dreiband for the Department of Justice’s Civil Rights Division, U.S. Attorney Mike Hurst for the Southern District of Mississippi, and FBI Jackson Acting Special Agent in Charge Luis M. Quesada.
The maximum penalty for the charged civil rights violation is 10 years of imprisonment. An indictment is merely an accusation, and a defendant is presumed innocent until proven guilty.
This case was investigated by the FBI’s Jackson, Mississippi, Field Office. Trial Attorneys Julia Gegenheimer and Cameron Bell of the Department of Justice Civil Rights Division, and Assistant U.S. Attorney Glenda Haynes of Southern District of Mississippi, are prosecuting the case.
Former Investigator with District Attorney’s Office for the 22nd Judicial District Sentenced to 3 Years Probation after Pleading Guilty to Making False Statements to Federal AuthoritiesRead the Press Release
U.S. Attorney Peter G. Strasser announced that JEFFERY B. MONTALBANO, age 58, a resident of Mandeville, Louisiana, was sentenced yesterday by United States District Judge Susie Morgan to three years of probation after previously pleading guilty to making false statements to federal authorities, in violation of 18 U.S.C. ' 1001(a)(2).
According to court documents, MONTALBANO was the president of an entity called “JBM OIL Sales” and from about February 2013 to April 2018 worked for the Office of the District Attorney for the 22nd Judicial District as an investigator in the domestic violence unit. While employed as an investigator, MONTALBANO was responsible for collecting and preparing evidence in domestic violence investigations and trials and coordinating witness and victim testimony.
On January 23, 2018, MONTALBANO met with a special agent with the Federal Bureau of Investigation at 3601 Highway 190, Mandeville, Louisiana, within the Eastern District of Louisiana as part of an investigation the FBI was conducting into approximately $20,000 paid by a defendant in a criminal matter pending in the 22nd Judicial District (“Defendant A”) to MONTALBANO’S associate (“Person 1”). The investigation concerned the nature of the payment and whether MONTALBANO took official action to benefit Defendant A in an ongoing criminal matter in exchange for receiving the payment.
During the interview, MONTALBANO made numerous materially false statements and omissions related to the investigation in response to questions posed to him by FBI Special Agents. In particular, MONTALBANO said that neither he nor Person 1 had ever received money from Defendant A and that he had no idea federal agents visited the Office of the District Attorney for the 22nd Judicial District to investigate the allegations that MONTALBANO had received money from Defendant A in exchange for using his influence to benefit Defendant A. In truth, however, MONTALBANO knew that Defendant A gave Person 1 two checks in the amount of $10,000 each on November 22, 2013 and December 30, 2013, that Person 1 gave MONTALBANO checks for half the money he received from Defendant A on November 26, 2013, and December 30, 2013, and that FBI Special Agents had interviewed MONTALBANO’s colleagues on October 8, 2015. The false statements impeded FBI Special Agents from determining whether (1) payments from Defendant A were in exchange for beneficial action for Defendant A and (2) MONTALBANO communicated truthfully with his supervisors.
U.S. Attorney Strasser praised the work of the Federal Bureau of Investigation. Assistant United States Attorney Jordan Ginsberg was in charge of the prosecution.
Former Healthcare Executive Pleads Guilty to Bribing Arkansas State SenatorRead the Press Release
SPRINGFIELD, Mo. – A former executive of Preferred Family Healthcare, Inc., pleaded guilty in federal court today to his role in a conspiracy to bribe an Arkansas state senator to influence public policy for the benefit of the charity and its executives.
Robin Raveendran, 63, of Little Rock, Arkansas, pleaded guilty before U.S. Magistrate Judge David P. Rush to a federal information that charges him with one count of conspiracy to commit bribery concerning programs receiving federal funds.
Raveendran worked for Preferred Family Healthcare (formerly known as Alternative Opportunities, Inc.) from 2014 to 2017 as a director of operations, executive vice president, and analyst. Prior to his employment with the charity, Raveendran was employed by the state of Arkansas as director of program integrity for the Arkansas Department of Human Services, Division of Medical Services, and then as business operations manager with the Office of the Medicaid Inspector General.
By pleading guilty today, Raveendran admitted that he participated in a conspiracy to bribe then-Arkansas State Senator Jeremy Young Hutchinson, who is charged in a separate case, in order to influence and reward Hutchinson in exchange for Hutchinson taking legislative and official action favorable to Preferred Family Healthcare and its executives.
According to today’s plea agreement, Preferred Family paid funds to Alliance for Health Care (also known as Alliance for Health Care Improvement), a private association formed in early 2014 by Raveendran, Hutchinson, and Milton “Rusty” Cranford, an Arkansas lobbyist and Preferred Family executive. Alliance was formed to advocate for issues relevant to health care providers at the Arkansas state legislature and in state departments.
Raveendran then directed Alliance funds to Hutchinson, the plea agreement says, in exchange for Hutchinson holding up agency budgets; initiating legislative audits; sponsoring, filing, and voting for legislation, including shell bills; and pressuring and advising other public officials to perform official action on behalf of Preferred Family.
Raveendran admitted that he and others concealed evidence of the bribes by falsely describing such unlawful payments as being solely for attorney’s fees and legal retainers.
Preferred Family Healthcare was known as Alternative Opportunities, Inc. from its founding in 1991 until its 2015 merger with Preferred Family Healthcare. The charity, which is cooperating with federal investigators, provided a variety of services to individuals in Missouri, Arkansas, Kansas, Oklahoma, and Illinois, including mental and behavioral health treatment and counseling, substance abuse treatment and counseling, employment assistance, aid to individuals with developmental disabilities, and medical services.
Under federal statutes, Raveendran is subject to a sentence of up to five years in federal prison without parole. The maximum statutory sentence is prescribed by Congress and is provided here for informational purposes, as the sentencing of the defendant will be determined by the court based on the advisory sentencing guidelines and other statutory factors. A sentencing hearing will be scheduled after the completion of a presentence investigation by the United States Probation Office.
Under the terms of today’s plea agreement, Raveendran must pay $25,000 in restitution to the government.
This case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Steven M. Mohlhenrich, Western District of Missouri, and Trial Attorney Marco A. Palmieri with the Public Integrity Section of the Department of Justice. It was investigated by IRS-Criminal Investigation, the FBI, and the Offices of the Inspectors General from the Departments of Justice, Labor, and the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (FDIC). This is a combined investigation with the Western District of Arkansas, the Eastern District of Arkansas, and the Public Integrity Section of the Department of Justice.
Felon Sentenced to 5 Years for Illegally Possessing FirearmsRead the Press Release
MADISON, WIS. – Scott C. Blader, United States Attorney for the Western District of Wisconsin, announced that Kevin F. Thomas, 31, Madison, Wisconsin, was sentenced today by U.S. District Judge William M. Conley, to five years in federal prison for possessing a firearm as a convicted felon. Thomas pleaded guilty to these charges on February 1, 2019. His prison term will be followed by a three-year period of supervised release.
On March 21, 2018, there were two shootings on the west side of Madison. Fifteen shell casings were recovered at the scenes, including 9mm and .40 caliber casings. Shortly after the shootings, a female acquaintance of Thomas’ was arrested in possession of a 9mm firearm and a .40 caliber firearm. Further investigation revealed that she had been in a vehicle with Thomas at the time of the shootings, as was a juvenile male. Thomas was subsequently identified on a video possessing the two firearms on March 21, 2018.
Thomas has prior felony convictions for second degree murder/provocation (2005, Cook County, Illinois) and for aggravated battery/public place (2016, Knox County, Illinois). He also has a tattoo on his arm that states, “live by the gun, die by the bullet.”
This case has been brought as part of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), the U.S. Justice Department’s program to reduce violent crime. The PSN approach involves collaboration by federal, state and local law enforcement agencies, prosecutors and communities to prevent and deter gun violence.
The charges against Thomas were the result of an investigation conducted by the Madison Police Department and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives. The prosecution of the case has been handled by Assistant U.S. Attorney Rita M. Rumbelow.
Fake Nurse Sentenced for Healthcare Fraud, Social Security Fraud and Aggravated Identity FraudRead the Press Release
St. Louis, MO – Benjamin David Danneman, 37, of Eureka, was sentenced to 57 months in prison for healthcare fraud, social security fraud and aggravated identity fraud. He appeared in federal court today before U.S. District Judge Ronnie White.
According to court documents, Danneman was not a nurse, but used the name and nursing license number of an actual licensed registered nurse to obtain work in the St. Louis area at Alexian Brothers Sherbrooke Village, the Rehabilitation Institute of St. Louis, and Des Peres Healthcare. Danneman was hired by Des Peres as the assistant director of nursing at the Quarters of Des Peres at an annual salary of $68,000. At these health care facilities, he was responsible for the day to day care of patients needing skilled nursing care. Further, according to court documents, during 2017 and 2018 in at least six states, Danneman used the names, Social Security account numbers, nursing license numbers, and other personal identifying information of several persons to rent apartments and to obtain a driver’s license, loans, credit cards, and insurance.
This case was investigated by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services – Office of the Inspector General and the U.S. Secret Service. Assistant U.S. Dorothy McMurtry is handling the case for the U.S. Attorney’s Office.
Former Mississippi Corrections Officer Charged with Beating InmateRead the Press Release
WASHINGTON – A federal grand jury indicted Sharalyn McClain, 28, a former Mississippi Department of Corrections officer, for using excessive force against an inmate at the Central Mississippi Correctional Facility. The indictment charges McClain with a felony civil rights offense for her role in the assault of the inmate, and for aiding and abetting others in committing the assault. The indictment also alleges that McClain used a dangerous weapon to commit the assault, which resulted in injury to the inmate.
Today’s indictment was announced by Assistant Attorney General Eric Dreiband for the Department of Justice’s Civil Rights Division, U.S. Attorney Mike Hurst for the Southern District of Mississippi, and FBI Jackson Acting Special Agent in Charge Luis M. Quesada.
The maximum penalty for the charged civil rights violation is 10 years of imprisonment. An indictment is merely an accusation, and a defendant is presumed innocent until proven guilty.
This case was investigated by the FBI’s Jackson, Mississippi, Field Office. Trial Attorneys Julia Gegenheimer and Cameron Bell of the Department of Justice Civil Rights Division, and Assistant U.S. Attorney Glenda Haynes of Southern District of Mississippi, are prosecuting the case.
Five Syndicato New Mexico Prison Gang Members Sentenced to Life in Prison This Week for Murders in Aid of RacketeeringRead the Press Release
ALBUQUERQUE – Five members of the Syndicato New Mexico prison gang were sentenced to life in prison this week in federal court in Las Cruces, N.M. after juries convicted them in 2018 of committing murder in aid of racketeering.
These defendants were previously charged along with 17 others for murder and other offenses in a superseding indictment. Several of those charged went to trial while others pleaded guilty. On March 12, 2018, a jury found Anthony Ray Baca, 55, of Albuquerque, N.M., and Carlos Herrera, XX, of XXX. N.M., guilty of conspiracy to commit murder and murdering a person identified as J.M. on March 7, 2014. The jury also found Baca guilty of conspiracy to murder a person identified as D.S. and another person identified as G.M.
On May 25, 2018, a separate jury found Joe Gallegos, 48, of Los Lunas, N.M., Billy Garcia, 63, of Albuquerque, N.M., and Arturo Arnulfo Garcia, 38, of Denver, Colo., guilty of multiple offenses. In particular, the jury found Joe Gallegos and Billy Garcia guilty of murdering a person identified as F.C. on March 26, 2001. The jury also found Joe Gallegos guilty of conspiracy to commit murder and murdering a person identified as A.B. on November 12, 2012. The jury also found Garcia guilty of murdering a person identified as R.G. on March 26, 2001. The jury also found Arturo Arnulfo Garcia guilty of murdering F.S. on June 17, 2007.
On June 12, 2019, Baca was sentenced to life in prison for the murder of J.M., and to XXX for conspiracy to murder J.M. and conspiracy to murder D.S. and G.M.
On June 11, 2019, Herrera was sentenced to life in prison for the murder of J.M. and to 120 months in prison for conspiracy to murder J.M. Herrera must serve these sentences consecutively to sentences previously imposed against him in the Second Judicial District Court of New Mexico.
On June 11, 2019, Gallegos was sentenced to life in prison for murdering F.C. and A.B. and to 120 months in prison for conspiring to murder A.B. Billy Garcia was sentenced to life in prison for murdering F.C. and R.G. Arthuro Arnulfo Garcia was sentenced to life in prison for murdering F.S.
Other defendants in this case have also been sentenced. In particular, Chris Garcia, 43, of Albuquerque, N.M. pleaded guilty on January 25, 2018, to conspiracy to murder G.M and being a felon in possession of a firearm. He also pleaded guilty in separate cases to racketeering conspiracy, distribution of cocaine and heroin, and possession with intent to distribute heroin. Garcia received a total sentence of 30 years in prison.
Daniel Sanchez, 46, of Albuquerque, was found guilty along with Baca and Herrera for conspiring to murder and murdering J.M. He received a sentence of XXX. Edward Troup, 44, of Albuquerque, N.M., was found guilty along with Arturo Arnulfo Garcia of murdering F.S. Troup received a sentence of XXX. Andrew Gallegos, XX, of XXX, N.M. was found guilty along with Joe Gallegos of conspiracy to murder and murdering A.B. He received a sentence of XXX.
This case was investigated by the Albuquerque office of the FBI with assistance from the New Mexico Corrections Department, New Mexico State Police, Bernalillo County Sheriff’s Office, Metropolitan Correction Center, Albuquerque Police Department, U.S. Marshals Service, and the El Paso, Phoenix, Denver, Las Vegas and Knoxville FBI divisions. Assistant U.S. Attorneys of the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of New Mexico are prosecuting the case.
Five Syndicato New Mexico Prison Gang Members Sentenced to Life in Prison This Week for Murders in Aid of RacketeeringRead the Press Release
ALBUQUERQUE – Five members of the Syndicato New Mexico prison gang were sentenced to life in prison this week in federal court in Las Cruces, N.M. after juries convicted them in 2018 of committing murder in aid of racketeering.
These defendants were previously charged along with 17 others for murder and other offenses in a superseding indictment. Several of those charged went to trial while others pleaded guilty. On March 12, 2018, a jury found Anthony Ray Baca, 55, of Albuquerque, N.M., and Carlos Herrera, XX, of XXX. N.M., guilty of conspiracy to commit murder and murdering a person identified as J.M. on March 7, 2014. The jury also found Baca guilty of conspiracy to murder a person identified as D.S. and another person identified as G.M.
On May 25, 2018, a separate jury found Joe Gallegos, 48, of Los Lunas, N.M., Billy Garcia, 63, of Albuquerque, N.M., and Arturo Arnulfo Garcia, 38, of Denver, Colo., guilty of multiple offenses. In particular, the jury found Joe Gallegos and Billy Garcia guilty of murdering a person identified as F.C. on March 26, 2001. The jury also found Joe Gallegos guilty of conspiracy to commit murder and murdering a person identified as A.B. on November 12, 2012. The jury also found Garcia guilty of murdering a person identified as R.G. on March 26, 2001. The jury also found Arturo Arnulfo Garcia guilty of murdering F.S. on June 17, 2007.
On June 12, 2019, Baca was sentenced to life in prison for the murder of J.M., and to XXX for conspiracy to murder J.M. and conspiracy to murder D.S. and G.M.
On June 11, 2019, Herrera was sentenced to life in prison for the murder of J.M. and to 120 months in prison for conspiracy to murder J.M. Herrera must serve these sentences consecutively to sentences previously imposed against him in the Second Judicial District Court of New Mexico.
On June 11, 2019, Gallegos was sentenced to life in prison for murdering F.C. and A.B. and to 120 months in prison for conspiring to murder A.B. Billy Garcia was sentenced to life in prison for murdering F.C. and R.G. Arthuro Arnulfo Garcia was sentenced to life in prison for murdering F.S.
Other defendants in this case have also been sentenced. In particular, Chris Garcia, 43, of Albuquerque, N.M. pleaded guilty on January 25, 2018, to conspiracy to murder G.M and being a felon in possession of a firearm. He also pleaded guilty in separate cases to racketeering conspiracy, distribution of cocaine and heroin, and possession with intent to distribute heroin. Garcia received a total sentence of 30 years in prison.
Daniel Sanchez, 46, of Albuquerque, was found guilty along with Baca and Herrera for conspiring to murder and murdering J.M. He received a sentence of XXX. Edward Troup, 44, of Albuquerque, N.M., was found guilty along with Arturo Arnulfo Garcia of murdering F.S. Troup received a sentence of XXX. Andrew Gallegos, XX, of XXX, N.M. was found guilty along with Joe Gallegos of conspiracy to murder and murdering A.B. He received a sentence of XXX.
This case was investigated by the Albuquerque office of the FBI with assistance from the New Mexico Corrections Department, New Mexico State Police, Bernalillo County Sheriff’s Office, Metropolitan Correction Center, Albuquerque Police Department, U.S. Marshals Service, and the El Paso, Phoenix, Denver, Las Vegas and Knoxville FBI divisions. Assistant U.S. Attorneys of the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of New Mexico are prosecuting the case.
Five Syndicato New Mexico Prison Gang Members Sentenced to Life in Prison This Week for Murders in Aid of RacketeeringRead the Press Release
ALBUQUERQUE – Five members of the Syndicato New Mexico prison gang were sentenced to life in prison this week in federal court in Las Cruces, N.M. after juries convicted them in 2018 of committing murder in aid of racketeering.
These defendants were previously charged along with 17 others for murder and other offenses in a superseding indictment. Several of those charged went to trial while others pleaded guilty. On March 12, 2018, a jury found Anthony Ray Baca, 55, of Albuquerque, N.M., and Carlos Herrera, XX, of XXX. N.M., guilty of conspiracy to commit murder and murdering a person identified as J.M. on March 7, 2014. The jury also found Baca guilty of conspiracy to murder a person identified as D.S. and another person identified as G.M.
On May 25, 2018, a separate jury found Joe Gallegos, 48, of Los Lunas, N.M., Billy Garcia, 63, of Albuquerque, N.M., and Arturo Arnulfo Garcia, 38, of Denver, Colo., guilty of multiple offenses. In particular, the jury found Joe Gallegos and Billy Garcia guilty of murdering a person identified as F.C. on March 26, 2001. The jury also found Joe Gallegos guilty of conspiracy to commit murder and murdering a person identified as A.B. on November 12, 2012. The jury also found Garcia guilty of murdering a person identified as R.G. on March 26, 2001. The jury also found Arturo Arnulfo Garcia guilty of murdering F.S. on June 17, 2007.
On June 12, 2019, Baca was sentenced to life in prison for the murder of J.M., and to XXX for conspiracy to murder J.M. and conspiracy to murder D.S. and G.M.
On June 11, 2019, Herrera was sentenced to life in prison for the murder of J.M. and to 120 months in prison for conspiracy to murder J.M. Herrera must serve these sentences consecutively to sentences previously imposed against him in the Second Judicial District Court of New Mexico.
On June 11, 2019, Gallegos was sentenced to life in prison for murdering F.C. and A.B. and to 120 months in prison for conspiring to murder A.B. Billy Garcia was sentenced to life in prison for murdering F.C. and R.G. Arthuro Arnulfo Garcia was sentenced to life in prison for murdering F.S.
Other defendants in this case have also been sentenced. In particular, Chris Garcia, 43, of Albuquerque, N.M. pleaded guilty on January 25, 2018, to conspiracy to murder G.M and being a felon in possession of a firearm. He also pleaded guilty in separate cases to racketeering conspiracy, distribution of cocaine and heroin, and possession with intent to distribute heroin. Garcia received a total sentence of 30 years in prison.
Daniel Sanchez, 46, of Albuquerque, was found guilty along with Baca and Herrera for conspiring to murder and murdering J.M. He received a sentence of XXX. Edward Troup, 44, of Albuquerque, N.M., was found guilty along with Arturo Arnulfo Garcia of murdering F.S. Troup received a sentence of XXX. Andrew Gallegos, XX, of XXX, N.M. was found guilty along with Joe Gallegos of conspiracy to murder and murdering A.B. He received a sentence of XXX.
This case was investigated by the Albuquerque office of the FBI with assistance from the New Mexico Corrections Department, New Mexico State Police, Bernalillo County Sheriff’s Office, Metropolitan Correction Center, Albuquerque Police Department, U.S. Marshals Service, and the El Paso, Phoenix, Denver, Las Vegas and Knoxville FBI divisions. Assistant U.S. Attorneys of the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of New Mexico are prosecuting the case.
Exercise Equipment Inventor Sentenced to Prison for Failing to File Income Tax Returns and Health Care Benefits FraudRead the Press Release
A Cheyenne, Wyoming, resident, who created exercise equipment, was sentenced to prison today, announced Principal Deputy Assistant Attorney General Richard E. Zuckerman of the Justice Department’s Tax Division and U.S. Attorney Mark A. Klaassen for the District of Wyoming.
U.S. Magistrate Judge Kelly H. Rankin sentenced Douglas Brendle to 18 months in prison on two counts of willfully failing to file his income tax returns and one count of making a fraudulent application for health care benefits.
According to court documents, from 2008-2012 Douglas E. Brendle owned and operated Brendle Climbing Systems LLC, which sold exercise equipment. In January 2013, Brendle sold the rights to its exercise equipment to investors. In exchange, he received nearly $1.5 million in payments during the period of 2013-2014. Despite receiving this income, Brendle failed to file individual tax returns or pay income taxes in 2013 or 2014 to the Internal Revenue Service (IRS). Brendle’s conduct caused a tax loss of $404,501.
Additionally, during 2013-2014, Brendle fraudulently received health care benefits for himself and his family from Wyoming Medicaid, a jointly administered federal-state health care program that pays for medical care for eligible low-income individuals and families. In December 2013, Brendle caused a false renewal application to be filed for Wyoming Medicaid claiming his household had no income. During 2013–2014, Wyoming Medicaid paid Brendle $17,173.70 in benefits to which he and his family were not entitled.
In addition to the term of imprisonment, U.S. Magistrate Judge Rankin ordered Brendle to serve one year of supervised release and to pay restitution of $404,501 to the IRS and $17,173.70 to Wyoming Medicaid.
Principal Deputy Assistant Attorney General Zuckerman and U.S. Attorney Klaassen commended the work of special agents of Internal Revenue Service-Criminal Investigation, who developed the case against Brendle, and Assistant U.S. Attorney Eric J. Heimann and Trial Attorney Eric C. Schmale of the Tax Division, who are prosecuting the case.
Additional information about the enforcement efforts of the United States Attorney’s Office and the Tax Division may be found on their respective websites.
Ex-Law enforcement officer admits theft from Fort Peck Tribes, tax evasionRead the Press Release
GREAT FALLS – A former Fort Peck Tribes law enforcement officer admitted on Monday to defrauding the tribes of $40,000 in a scheme where he proposed a program to help youth but spent the money on himself, U.S. Attorney Kurt Alme said today.
Willard Wilson White, III, 43, of Glasgow, pleaded guilty to wire fraud and to income tax evasion. White faces a maximum of 20 years in prison, a $250,000 fine and three years of supervised release.
U.S. District Judge Brian M. Morris set sentencing for Sept. 25 and continued White’s release.
In court records filed by the prosecution, White was employed as a law enforcement officer for the Fort Peck Tribes. In June 2015, White approached the tribe’s Law and Justice Committee with a proposal to create a facility and programs to help youth who were separated from families through incarceration. White said he needed a total of $40,000 to establish the proposed Family Justice Center. White posted about the project on Facebook.
Prosecutors said evidence showed that White spent the money in less than 30 days and provided no services to the Fort Peck Tribes. Bank records indicated that White had $32.39 in his bank account before depositing the tribe’s money. The day of the deposit, White went to Williston, N.D., and withdrew $305 from Whisper’s, which is a local strip club. White continued spending money at retail stores and also bought a Jeep. In addition, White withdrew more than $11,000 in cash, all in less than three weeks.
Various tribal members saw White posting on Facebook and spending the money and instructed White to return the leftover money. White never did, and he did not provide any services to the tribe.
The investigation also showed that White omitted on a 2015 tax return the $40,000 of income from the tribes. He also claimed dependents he was not entitled to claim. White filed six returns, which were rejected because the claimed dependents already were claimed by someone else. On a seventh attempt, White used an unclaimed child and Social Security number. White used children to obtain a $5,860 refund while paying nothing in federal tax. White’s tax evasion efforts resulted in him owing $10,184 to the IRS.
Assistant U.S. Attorneys Ryan Weldon and Karla Painter prosecuted the case, which was investigated by the Fort Peck Tribes and the Department of Interior’s Office of Inspector General.
XXX
Ex-Financial Advisor with History of Professional Misconduct Arrested on Fraud Charges Alleging $14.5 Million Real Estate SchemeRead the Press Release
RIVERSIDE, California – A former financial advisor with a lengthy disciplinary history was arrested today pursuant to a federal grand jury indictment charging him with running a $14.5 million real estate fraud scheme by inducing victims to invest in his businesses and then using their money for personal expenses, including the down payment on a home in Upland.
Paul Ricky Mata, 56, a former resident of Upland who now lives in Oceanside, is scheduled to be arraigned on the indictment this afternoon in United States District Court in Riverside.
Mata is named in a 17-count indictment that was returned by a federal grand jury on June 5. The indictment charges Mata with mail fraud, wire fraud, and making false statements in a bankruptcy proceeding, among other offenses. If convicted of all 17 counts, he would face a statutory maximum sentence of 295 years in federal prison.
According to the indictment, from August 2008 to September 2015, Mata caused victims to invest in several of his businesses, including Secured Capital, Logos Real Estate and other ventures. Mata failed to disclose his disciplinary history to his victims, including his 2009 termination from Ameriprise Financial Services, Inc. for violating company policies, the indictment alleges. Mata also allegedly failed to disclose other disciplinary actions against him, including ones filed by the states of Nevada and California, and a one-year suspension and $10,000 fine imposed by the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority stemming as a result of his Ameriprise misconduct.
As part of the alleged scheme to defraud, Mata induced his victims to invest their money in Secured Capital, a real estate investment program that purportedly invested in “government-backed tax liens,” “asset-backed deed certificates,” and distressed commercial and residential properties. Mata guaranteed investors that Secured Capital’s investment return generated annual rates of 5 percent to 10 percent, when in fact, investments in Secured Capital had significant loss risks and did not make a profit from 2011 onward, the indictment alleges.
Instead of properly investing his clients’ money, Mata allegedly used Secured Capital investor funds to pay his personal expenses, including a $197,000 down payment on his personal residence, loans to himself and to other entities he created, and $370,000 that was transferred into his personal bank accounts.
Mata also is charged with making false statements on bankruptcy court documents, and fraudulently concealing from the government and his creditors personal property, including a 2008 Mini Cooper and a 2001 Jeep.
An indictment contains allegations that a defendant has committed a crime. Every defendant is presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt.
In 2015, the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission filed a civil action against Mata and two business associates, alleging that they operated the real estate scam. Later that year, the SEC obtained a judgment against Mata that enjoined him from violating securities laws and ordered him to pay $11,748,831.
This matter was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation.
This case is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Sean D. Peterson of the Riverside Branch Office. Assistant United States Attorney Jonathan Galatzan is handling the asset forfeiture portion of the case.
Ellsworth Man Pleads Guilty to Bank Robbery ChargesRead the Press Release
Bangor, Maine: United States Attorney Halsey B. Frank announced that Timothy T. Myers, 27, of Ellsworth, Maine pleaded guilty today in U.S. District Court to bank robbery. The charges arose from the robbery in December 2018 of a two Bangor banks.
Court records reveal that on December 21, 2018, the defendant entered a TD Bank branch and handed a teller a note that read: “Give me the money or I shoot, no dye, $1,000.” The teller gave the defendant cash from the drawer and he absconded with it.
Five days later, the defendant robbed a KeyBank branch. He entered the bank, walked to the table near the entrance, and picked up a withdrawal slip on which he wrote: “Money now or I shoot, no dye,” and handed it to a teller. The defendant took money from the teller and fled.
The defendant faces up to 20 years in prison and a $250,000 fine for each robbery. He will be sentenced after the completion of a presentence investigation report by the U.S. Probation Office.
The investigation was conducted by the Bangor and Ellsworth Police Departments, the Maine State Police Crime Laboratory, the Hancock County Sheriff’s Office, and the FBI.
Eleven People Charged in Takedown of Trenton Drug Trafficking OrganizationRead the Press Release
Six Arrests Made in Coordinated Takedown by Federal and State Law Enforcement; Two Defendants At-Large; One Defendant Currently Released Under the Supervision of the United States Pretrial Services Agency; Remaining Two Defendants Already in Custody
TRENTON, N.J. – Criminal charges were unsealed today against 11 individuals who are allegedly part of a conspiracy to distribute significant quantities of heroin in Trenton, U.S. Attorney Craig Carpenito announced.
The complaint unsealed today charges 11 defendants with conspiracy to distribute 100 grams or more of heroin, a Schedule I controlled substance. One of the defendants – Jawaan Foreman – is also charged with distributing cocaine base, a Schedule II controlled substance.
The six defendants arrested today – Alterrick Livingston, Foreman, Darryl Young, Paul Beckford, RJ Beckford, and Larry Murphy - are scheduled to have their initial appearances this afternoon before U.S. Magistrate Judge Douglas E. Arpert in Trenton federal court. One defendant, Devonte McNeil, is serving a sentence in state prison and will have his initial appearance at a later date. Two other defendants, Robert Gbanapolor and Duane Paulino-Escalera, have been previously charged with federal crimes related to the instant complaint and will also have initial appearances at a later date. Gbanapolor has been ordered detained and Paulino-Escalera is on pretrial release.
According to documents filed in this case:
From June 2018 through May 2019, the defendants and others engaged in a heroin trafficking conspiracy in the areas of Stuyvesant Avenue, Hoffman Avenue, and Highland Avenue in Trenton, as well as in the area of Barbary Road in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.
Through the interception of telephone calls and text messages pursuant to court-authorized wiretap orders, controlled purchases of heroin, the use of confidential sources of information, and other investigative techniques, law enforcement learned that Robert M. Gbanapolor obtained regular supplies of “bricks” of heroin (approximately 50 smaller, individually packaged glassine envelopes or baggies containing heroin) from Duane Paulino-Escalera, whom Gbanapolor referred to as “Papi.” Other key members of the drug trafficking conspiracy included Jawaan Foreman, Larry Murphy and Izae Alford.
Members of the conspiracy distributed the heroin supplied by Papi to other conspirators, distributors, sub-dealers, and end users in and around Trenton. Law enforcement officers intercepted numerous discussions among the conspirators regarding issues such as heroin quality and availability, branding, quantity and customer satisfaction.
In addition to being charged with conspiracy to distribute heroin, Jawaan Foreman also was charged in the complaint with one count of distributing cocaine base on May 8, 2019.
The drug conspiracy count carries a statutory minimum term of imprisonment of five years, a maximum potential penalty of 40 years in prison, and a maximum fine of $5 million. The count charging Foreman with distribution of cocaine base carries a maximum potential penalty of 20 years in prison and a maximum fine of $1 million.
U.S. Attorney Carpenito credited special agents of the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration, New Jersey Division, Camden Resident Office, under the direction of Special Agent in Charge Susan A. Gibson; and task force officers of the Trenton Police Department, under the direction of Police Director Sheilah Coley, with the investigation leading to today’s charges. He also thanked detectives and officers of the Gloucester County Prosecutor’s Office, under the direction of Prosecutor Charles A. Fiore; detectives and officers of the Gloucester Township Police Department, under the direction of Chief Harry Earle; members of the N.J. State Police, under the direction of Col. Patrick J. Callahan; detectives and officers of the Bordentown Township Police Department, under the direction of Chief Brian Pesce; and special agents of the U.S. Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, under the direction of Special Agent in Charge Charlie J. Patterson.
This case was conducted under the auspices of the Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Force (OCDETF), a partnership between federal, state and local law enforcement agencies dedicated to identifying and dismantling the most serious drug trafficking, weapons trafficking and money laundering organizations.
The government is represented by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Eric A. Boden and Michelle Gasparian of the U.S. Attorney’s Office’s Criminal Division in Trenton.
The charges and allegations contained in the complaint are merely accusations and the defendants are presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.
Defendants
Name
Age
Residence
Robert M. Gbanapolor
32
Trenton
Duane Paulino-Escalera
27
Trenton
Jawaan Foreman
35
Trenton
Larry Murphy
36
Trenton
Izae Alford*
20
Trenton
Paul Beckford
31
Trenton
RJ Beckford
21
Trenton
Alterrick Livingston
19
Trenton
Darryl Young
27
Trenton
Devonte McNeil
28
Trenton
Shamir Kelley*
27
Trenton
* denotes at-large
Doctor Involved in Compound Prescription Fraud Scheme Sentenced to PrisonRead the Press Release
John H. Durham, United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut, announced that KAKRA GYAMBIBI, 38, of Darnestown, Maryland, formerly of Connecticut, was sentenced today by U.S. District Judge Jeffrey A. Meyer in New Haven to three months of imprisonment, followed by three years of supervised release, for health care fraud.
According to court documents, statements made in court and the evidence presented during the trial of her husband, Kwasi Gyambibi, Advantage Pharmacy was a compounding pharmacy located in Hattiesburg, Mississippi. As a compounding pharmacy, Advantage created compound prescription drugs specifically tailored for individual patients who had a medical need for a compound drug, by mixing together individual ingredients in the exact strength and dosage prescribed by the health care provider to meet the unique needs of a patient. One tube of a compound drug cream prepared and dispensed by Advantage Pharmacy typically cost health care benefit programs thousands of dollars, and some individual tubes of cream cost more than $11,000 for a one-month supply. Kakra Gyambibi is a physician who worked as a hospitalist at Stamford Hospital, and Kwasi Gyambibi acted as, and eventually became, a sales representative for Advantage Pharmacy.
On January 9, 2019, a grand jury in New Haven returned a 19-count indictment alleging that, in 2014 and 2015, Kwasi and Kakra Gyambibi engaged in a scheme to defraud the State of Connecticut Pharmacy Benefit Plan, TRICARE and other health care programs by submitting prescriptions for compound pharmacy medications prepared and dispensed by Advantage Pharmacy. Although the prescriptions sent to Advantage Pharmacy contained Kakra Gyambibi’s signature, Kakra Gyambibi did not treat, examine, or even meet with the patients for whom the prescriptions were written. Based on these false and misleading claims, the victim health care programs paid Advantage Pharmacy for the compound prescription drugs. Advantage Pharmacy, in tum, paid commissions of between 15 percent to 35 percent to sales representatives, including Kwasi Gyambibi’s close cousin, whom Kwasi Gyambibi considered his brother.
It is alleged that Kwasi and Kakra Gyambibi also induced the victim health care programs to pay Advantage Pharmacy more than $292,000 for their own compound prescription drugs.
The investigation has revealed that this scheme resulted in more than $1.6 million in losses to the victim health care programs.
On January 18, 2019, Kakra Gyambibi pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy to commit healthcare fraud.
On February 22, 2019, a jury found Kwasi Gyambibi guilty of two counts of health care fraud related to fraudulent prescriptions for compound drugs that were submitted to Advantage Pharmacy in March 2015, and found him not guilty of seven counts of health care fraud. The jury could not reach a verdict on the other 10 counts in the indictment. Kwasi Gyambibi awaits sentencing.
Judge Meyer will set a hearing to determine restitution at a later date. The government is seeking $1,650,332.35 in restitution.
Kakra Gyambibi, who is released on a $50,000 bond, is required to report to prison on July 15, 2019.
This investigation has been conducted by New Haven Division of the FBI. U.S. Attorney Durham thanked the Office of the Attorney General of the State of Connecticut, the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of Mississippi, the U.S. Department of Justice’s Fraud Section, and the Jackson, Mississippi Division of the FBI for their assistance with the investigation.
This case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorneys David J. Sheldon and Christopher W. Schmeisser.
Deputy Attorney General Jeff Rosen Issues Memo to U.S. Attorneys on the Applicability of the Wire Act to Non-Sports GamblingRead the Press Release
In the June 12, 2019 memorandum to all U.S. Attorneys, Assistant Attorneys General, and the FBI, the Deputy Attorney General extended at least until the end of the calendar year the grace period on implementing the Office of Legal Counsel's (OLC) 2018 opinion finding that all but one of the prohibitions of the Wire Act, 18 U.S.C. § 1084, apply to non-sports gambling. During the grace period, federal prosecutors should not apply the Wire Act to non-sports-related betting or wagering. The Deputy Attorney General also directed that, to ensure continuity across the country, any Wire Act charges must be reviewed and approved by the Criminal Division’s Organized Crime and Gang Section.
Dangerous Illegal Alien from Mexico Sentenced to Five Months for Fourth Illegal Entry into the CountryRead the Press Release
PHILADELPHIA – United States Attorney William M. McSwain announced today that Rodrigo Fuentes-Gomez, a/k/a “Ervin Yovany Cruz,” 52, of West Chester, PA, was sentenced to five months’ incarceration by United States District Judge Mark A. Kearney. The defendant was convicted of re-entering the United States illegally after being deported on three previous occasions and after having committed other criminal offenses while in the country unlawfully. After he serves his sentence, the defendant will be deported to Mexico.
On September 27, 2018, the defendant, an illegal alien, native and citizen of Mexico, was charged in an indictment with reentry into the United States on or about July 2, 2018, after previously being deported and removed from the country on or about April 4, 1999, August 14, 2007, and June 25, 2011. On May 9, 2019, the defendant pleaded guilty.
While illegally present in the United States, the defendant has engaged in repeated criminal behavior. He has been convicted of driving under the influence, forgery and making false reports to law enforcement, as well as public intoxication. This conviction is the defendant’s second federal conviction for illegal reentry, as he was previously federally convicted of illegal entry into the United States on May 9, 2011, in the District of Arizona.
“The defendant in this case clearly has no respect for the laws of this country,” said U.S. Attorney McSwain. “After being removed on three previous occasions, Fuentes-Gomez decided yet again to snub our immigration system by entering the United States illegally – and committing multiple criminal offenses while he was here. He is clearly a danger to the public and does not deserve the privilege of being in our country. I am glad that the Judge agreed and has ordered a sentence that holds him responsible for his actions.”
“Mr. Fuentes-Gomez’s sentencing sends a clear message that criminal aliens who illegally re-enter the United States will face criminal prosecution for flagrantly disregarding our laws,” said Simona L. Flores-Lund, Field Office Director for U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) Enforcement and Removal Operations (ERO) Philadelphia. “It should also serve as a warning to others contemplating re-entering this country illegally that ERO officers will seek to affect their removal and preserve the integrity of our immigration laws.”
The case was investigated by Immigration and Customs Enforcement, Enforcement and Removal Operations, and is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Melanie B. Wilmoth.
Company Guilty of Harboring Illegal AliensRead the Press Release
United States Attorney Peter G. Strasser announced that AA STUCCO AND MASONRY, LLC., a company that does business within the Eastern District of Louisiana, entered a guilty plea yesterday to harboring two illegal aliens, in violation of Title 8, United States Code, Section 1324(a)(1)(A)(iii).
According to court records, Special Agents from Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) received information that AA STUCCO AND MASONRY, LLC. was harboring illegal aliens. As a result, surveillance was performed at the business location on several occasions. Agents observed vehicles and the drivers that parked at the business location and also noticed an auxiliary building on the property that appeared to house several of the workers. On April 25, 2014, Louisiana State Police assisted HSI in conducting a traffic stop on a 2013 black Dodge Ram pick-up truck that appeared to be parking at night at the location. A State Trooper asked the driver for identification as well as the registration for the vehicle. The driver only produced a Mexican passport, and a Mexican identification card. The vehicle was registered to the owner of AA STUCCO AND MASONRY, LLC. The passenger identified himself and both occupants indicated that they were working for AA STUCCO AND MASONRY, LLC., and that they were on their way to a jobsite in Laplace, Louisiana. Additionally, the driver indicated that he resided at 1688 St. Patrick’s Road in Ponchatoula, Louisiana (same address as the business location).
HSI agents continued surveillance and on May 6, 2014, proceeded to 1688 St. Patrick’s Road in Ponchatoula, and knocked on a door of the building. They observed that the door led to an apartment that was connected to the business. The apartment consisted of two bedrooms (each containing 2 beds), a bathroom, a fully-equipped kitchen, a sofa, and a kitchen table. Present at the apartment that day were the same individuals that were encountered during the April 25, 2014 traffic stop. The driver agreed to be interviewed and admitted that he was a citizen and national of Mexico and was in the United States illegally. He stated that AA STUCCO AND MASONRY, LLC. hired him in February 2014, and that he was not asked if he had permission to work in the United States. When asked for identification, he stated that he produced the Mexican identification documents and an Individual Taxpayer Identification Number (ITIN) that he received from the Department of Treasury. He did not have any documentation that allowed him to be present in the United States. He also stated that he resided at the apartment and that the owner of the company paid the apartment’s electricity and water bills, and did not charge him rent. He indicated that the owner of AA STUCCO AND MASONRY, LLC. also allowed him to use the 2013 black Dodge Ram pickup truck for work purposes.
The passenger also agreed to be interviewed and stated that he was also a citizen and national of Mexico who was also in the United States illegally. He stated that he had been working for AA STUCCO AND MASONRY, LLC. for approximately six (6) months. About a month after being hired, the owner of AA STUCCO AND MASONRY, LLC. asked him for his Social Security number and he explained that he told the owner that he did not have one, thus indicating that he was in the United States illegally. The passenger also admitted that he resided at the same apartment as the driver and that the owner paid the apartment’s electricity and water bills, and did not charge him rent. He also said that the owner allowed him to utilize his 2013 black Dodge Ram pickup for work purposes.
On May 6, 2014 HSI agents served an I-9 “Notice of Inspection” and an immigration enforcement subpoena upon AA STUCCO AND MASONRY, LLC. A Form I-9 Inspection is an administrative inspection process used to verify employment eligibility for a business’s employees. By law, employers are required to maintain Forms I-9 for all current employees, and the Form I-9 Inspection is a review of the relevant forms. AA STUCCO AND MASONRY, LLC. did not require that the two (2) aliens complete the Department of Homeland Security Employment Eligibility Verification Form I-9 and did not require those aliens to present identification documents as proof of their lawful presence in the United States.
On May 9, 2014, the owner met with the agents and said that he constructed the building at 1688 St. Patrick’s Road as a warehouse to store his equipment. The owner later admitted that there is an apartment located within the business that was there to provide housing, thus acknowledging paying for lodging for his workers. He also admitted that he allowed the illegal aliens to drive the 2013 black Dodge Ram pickup for work purposes. The owner of AA STUCCO AND MASONRY, LLC. also admitted that the two (2) illegal aliens were hired for work purposes, and that he knew or recklessly disregarded the fact that the employees living in the apartment were illegal aliens, not lawfully in the United States.
United States District Court Judge Susie Morgan set sentencing for September 17, 2019 at 2pm.
U.S. Attorney Strasser praised the work of Homeland Security Investigations and the Louisiana State Police in investigating this matter. Assistant United States Attorney Jon Maestri is in charge of the prosecution.
Colorado Man Sentenced for Attempted Possession of Child PornographyRead the Press Release
United States Attorney Ron Parsons announced that a Denver, Colorado, man convicted of Attempted Possession of Child Pornography was sentenced on June 10, 2019, by Chief Judge Jeffrey L. Viken, U.S. District Court.
Noah Schottenstein, age 30, was sentenced to 3 years in federal prison, followed by 5 years of supervised release, and ordered to pay a $100 special assessment and a $5,000 special assessment to the Federal Crime Victims Fund.
Schottenstein was one of nine men who were arrested and federally indicted as a result of an undercover sex trafficking operation conducted during the 2016 Sturgis Motorcycle Rally, targeting persons willing to pay to have sex with underage girls or boys obtained through the Internet. The conviction stemmed from Schottenstein communicating with someone he believed to be a minor for the purpose of engaging in sexual acts. Additionally, Schottenstein requested the minor send him child pornography images of herself.
The undercover operation and arrests were a joint effort between the South Dakota Division of Criminal Investigation, the Department of Homeland Security, the Federal Bureau of Investigation, the Rapid City Police Department, and the Pennington County Sheriff’s office. Assistant U.S. Attorney Sarah Collins prosecuted the case.
Schottenstein was immediately remanded to the custody of the U.S. Marshals Service.
Claremore Man Sentenced to 25 Years in Prison for Drug, Firearms, and Obstruction of Justice OffensesRead the Press Release
A Claremore man was sentenced today in U.S. District Court for maintaining a drug-involved premises, being a felon in possession of firearms and ammunition, and obstruction of justice by using the threat of physical force against a witness.
U.S. District Judge Gregory K. Frizzell sentenced James Kent Patrick Hill, 58, to 25 years in prison to be followed by three years of supervised release.
Hill previously pleaded guilty to the charges on March 12, 2019. During the plea hearing, he admitted to maintaining his Claremore residence for the purpose of using controlled substances such as methamphetamine, marijuana, alprazolam and diazepam. Hill further admitted to being a felon in possession of 10 firearms, including shotguns, rifles and pistols and more than 1,000 rounds of associated ammunition. Hill also stated that after he was arrested on Sept. 20, 2018, he threatened the use of force against Corporal John Haning, of the Rogers County Sheriff’s Office, when he reached for and nearly unholstered the Corporal’s firearm while being transported to the Rogers County Jail. By grabbing Haning’s firearm, Hill intended to influence, delay, and prevent the testimony of Haning and others in official proceedings.
“James Hill will have 25 years to reflect on his crimes while he serves his sentence in prison,” said U.S. Attorney Shores. “My team is focused on making northeastern Oklahoma neighborhoods safer by targeting drug and gun related crimes through Project Safe Neighborhoods. James Hill made a bad situation worse when he attempted to grab the service weapon of the deputy who had arrested him. Assaults on law enforcement officers and agents will be prosecuted by my office. If there is jurisdiction over the assault, then criminals should expect to meet a federal prosecutor. There is no better partner than the ATF to help us investigate these types of cases. I’m thankful the Rogers County Deputy in this case did not suffer serious injury or worse.”
Hill was remanded into the custody of the U.S. Marshals Service while awaiting state charges.
The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF), Verdigris Police Department and Rogers County Sheriff’s Office are the investigative agencies. Assistant U.S. Attorney Mark Morgan prosecuted the case
Citizen of the Dominican Republic Pleads Guilty to Fentanyl Distribution and Gun Possession OffensesRead the Press Release
John H. Durham, United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut, announced that DANIEL JIMENEZ DE LA CRUZ, 33, a citizen of the Dominican Republic last residing in Waterbury, pleaded guilty today before U.S. District Judge Kari A. Dooley in Bridgeport to fentanyl distribution and firearm possession offenses.
According to court documents and statements made in court, Jimenez was arrested on September 20, 2018, after special agents with the Drug Enforcement Administration executed a search warrant at his Waterbury residence. Outside of Jimenez’s bedroom window, agents found a trash bag that contained a powdery substance that that later tested positive for fentanyl. The trash bag also contained a loaded Smith and Wesson .38 caliber revolver.
Jimenez pleaded guilty to one count of possession with intent to distribute fentanyl, which carries a maximum term of imprisonment of 20 years; one count of possession of a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime, which carries a mandatory consecutive sentence of at least five years, and one count of possession of a firearm by an alien illegally or unlawfully in the U.S., which carries a maximum term of imprisonment of 10 years. Judge Dooley scheduled sentencing for September 4, 2019.
Jiminez has been detained since his arrest.
This case is being investigated by the Drug Enforcement Administration and prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney John T. Pierpont, Jr.
This prosecution is part of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), a program bringing together all levels of law enforcement and the communities they serve to reduce violent crime and make neighborhoods safer for everyone.
Central Florida Cocaine Trafficking Ring DismantledRead the Press Release
Tampa, Florida – United States Attorney Maria Chapa Lopez announces that 13 individuals have been sentenced in connection with their involvement in an interstate cocaine distribution conspiracy. During the investigation of this case, law enforcement seized more than seven kilograms of cocaine; nine firearms, including an assault rifle and shotgun; hundreds of rounds of ammunition; approximately $40,000 in drug proceeds; and a currency counter.
According to court documents, from November 27, 2017, through April 18, 2018, leaders of the organization oversaw the shipment of more than 20 kilograms of cocaine into Florida from Puerto Rico. After packaging the cocaine for distribution, the conspirators provided the drugs to street level distributors who then sold it in Tampa, Orlando, and elsewhere.
The following individuals have been sentenced in connection with this case:
Name Age, Residence Term of ImprisonmentWilliam Leverne Norton
41, Tampa
14 years
Jesus Manuel Rodriguez
31, Brandon
12 years, 7 months
Bryan Gomez Nevarez
31, Avon Park
11 years, 3 months
Luis Enrique Hernandez Quinones
29, Davenport
11 years, 3 months
Avisys Lee Jackson
28, Tampa
10 years, 10 months
Pedro Luis Ramos Burgos
26, Kissimmee
10 years
Javier Albaladejo Lopez
24, Tampa
10 years
Hector Jose Carrasquillo Perez
26, Cataño, Puerto Rico
10 years
Jose Angel Mendoza, Jr.
29, Tampa
8 years, 1 month
Antonio Soul Gonzalez
41, Tampa
7 years, 9 months
Ismael Pagan Marrero
44, Orlando
5 years, 10 months
Edgar Hernandez
28, Tampa
4 years, 3 months
Henry Coira
31, Avon Park
5 years, 10 months
“This investigation represents our commitment to keeping communities safe from destructive drug trafficking enterprises,” said Bryan Vorndran, Acting Special Agent in Charge of the FBI Tampa Division. “I commend the federal, state and local law enforcement cooperation in getting the job done and disrupting a major supplier of cocaine in Central Florida.”
“As a result of the collaborative efforts and strong partnership between our local, state, and federal partners, justice has indeed been served by ensuring that these convicted drug traffickers are no longer left on the playing field to inflict harm to the law abiding citizens of the community,” said Adolphus P. Wright, Special Agent in Charge of the DEA Miami Field Division. “We remain committed and will continue to work tirelessly with our law enforcement partners throughout the region to keep our communities safe from illicit drug trafficking and the associated dangers which follow.”
“The U.S. Postal Inspection Service is committed to eradicating illegal drugs and their proceeds from the U.S. Mail,” said U.S. Postal Inspector Damien Kraebel. “Dismantling this conspiracy furthers our mission to help protect employees and customers from the violence related to drug trafficking, and to inhibit the spread of illegal substances into neighborhoods across America.”
“The diligent work done by law enforcement to bring down this illegal operation should be commended,” said FDLE’s Tampa Special Agent in Charge Mark Brutnell. “FDLE is proud to be a part of this effort to take drugs and guns off of our streets, and help make all of us safer.”
“Taking down a sophisticated criminal operation requires teamwork,” said Tampa Police Chief Brian Dugan. “Our streets are safer today due to efforts of our agencies working together. We’re grateful to the U.S. Attorney for the successful prosecution that will put these individuals behind bars for a long time.”
These cases were investigated by a multi-agency task force through the Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Force (OCDETF). The principal mission of the OCDETF program is to identify, disrupt and dismantle the most serious drug trafficking, weapons trafficking and money laundering organizations, and those primarily responsible for the nation’s illegal drug supply. Participating agencies in this OCDETF operation included the Federal Bureau of Investigation, the Tampa Police Department, the Plant City Police Department, the Florida Department of Law Enforcement, the Drug Enforcement Administration, and the U.S. Postal Inspection Service. The cases were prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Carlton C. Gammons.
Cambria County Investment Advisor Sentenced to 6+ Years in Prison for $4.5M Fraud SchemeRead the Press Release
JOHNSTOWN, Pa. – A resident of Cambria County has been sentenced in federal court to six years and six months (78 months) in prison and three years’ supervised release on his conviction of securities fraud, wire fraud, and filing false income tax returns, United States Attorney Scott W. Brady announced today.
United States District Judge Kim R. Gibson imposed the sentence on Douglas P. Simanski, 54, of Lilly, Pa.
According to information presented to the court, between February 2002 and May 2016, Simanski, an investment advisor and broker, devised and executed a scheme to fraudulently obtain approximately $4.5 million from various investors. As part of his scheme, Simanski fabricated "Tax Free Investment" contracts and "fake CDs" which listed guaranteed rates of return and payouts, and used the documents to solicit investors. Simanski used portions of the invested funds to pay "returns" to other investors to make it appear their investments were legitimate. He also used a portion of the funds to purchase personal items and to fund personal home improvement projects, and placed some of the funds into a personal E*Trade account. Also, Simanski filed false income tax returns for 2012, 2013, and 2014.
Assistant United States Attorney Stephanie L. Haines prosecuted this case on behalf of the government.
Mr. Brady commended the Internal Revenue Service Criminal Investigation and the United States Secret Service for the investigation that led to the successful prosecution of Simanski.
California Man Sentenced to 20 Years in Federal Prison for Drug Trafficking and Witness TamperingRead the Press Release
Hot Springs, Arkansas - Duane (DAK) Kees, United States Attorney for the Western District of Arkansas, announced that Rasheen Murdock, age 37, of Modesto, California, was sentenced today to 240 months in federal prison followed by five years of supervised release for one count of Conspiracy to Distribute Methamphetamine, Aiding and Abetting Possession with Intent to Distribute Methamphetamine, and Witness Tampering. The Honorable Chief Judge Susan O. Hickey presided over the sentencing hearing in the United States District Court in Hot Springs.
According to court records, during the course of an investigation into methamphetamine trafficking in the Western District of Arkansas in March 2016, the Eighteenth East Drug Task Force received information that Murdock and other individuals were engaged in a methamphetamine drug trafficking operation in the Hot Springs area. Based on this information, investigators were able to identify, and confirm the location of eight baggies of methamphetamine containing 231 grams of actual methamphetamine. Investigators were able to set up surveillance at this location and await the arrival of Murdock, and his co-conspirators. Once they arrived, Murdock and his co-conspirators discussed the current and future drug transactions, including the sale of methamphetamine, heroin, and other drugs. Murdock left the Hot Springs area and returned to California, where he was ultimately arrested. In November of 2017, while awaiting trial, Murdock was housed in the same cell as one of his co-conspirators. Murdock forced the co-conspirator to write a letter to the Court and the AUSA prosecuting his case stating that Murdock was innocent of all charges. The co-conspirator advised the Court and Jury that he felt that if he did not do what Murdock asked, there would be conflict, and that the letter Murdock had him write contained all lies.
Murdock was indicted by a federal grand jury in August 2016. Murdock was found guilty, after a jury trial on April 25, 2018.
This case was investigated by the Homeland Security Investigations (HSI), the Eighteenth East Drug Task Force, and Arkansas State Police. Assistant United States Attorney David Harris and Kim Harris prosecuted the case for the United States.
California Man Charged with Conspiracy to Distribute MethamphetamineRead the Press Release
United States Attorney Ron Parsons announced that a Lancaster, California, man has been indicted by a federal grand jury for Conspiracy to Distribute a Controlled Substance.
Bryan Howard, a/k/a Chase Profit, age 30, was indicted on March 12, 2019. He appeared before U.S. Magistrate Judge Mark A. Moreno on June 10, 2019, and pled not guilty to the Indictment.
The maximum penalty upon conviction is up to life in federal prison and/or a $10,000,000 fine, up to life of supervised release, and $100 to the Federal Crime Victims Fund. Restitution may also be ordered.
The Indictment alleges that between May 1, 2015, and October 31, 2015, Howard knowingly and intentionally conspired to distribute 500 grams or more of methamphetamine in South Dakota.
The charge is merely an accusation and Howard is presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty.
The investigation is being conducted by the Federal Bureau of Investigation. Assistant U.S. Attorney Jay Miller is prosecuting the case.
Howard was remanded to the custody of the U.S. Marshals Service pending trial. A jury trial has been set for August 13, 2019.
Buffalo Man Sentenced for Selling FentanylRead 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 Antonio Broadus, 33, of Buffalo, NY, who was convicted of possession with intent to distribute, and distribution of, fentanyl, was sentenced to serve 30 months in prison by U.S. District Judge Richard J. Arcara.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Timothy C. Lynch, who handled the case, stated that on February 11, 2018, an individual working for the Drug Enforcement Administration arranged to purchase five grams of fentanyl from the defendant. The following day, the individual met up with Broadus in the parking lot of a retail store on Jefferson Avenue in Buffalo. The two exchanged $420 for the five grams of fentanyl. In addition, the defendant also sold another five grams of fentanyl to a separate individual working with the DEA on January 29, 2018.
Today’s sentencing is the result of an investigation by the Drug Enforcement Administration, under the direction of Special Agent-in-Charge Ray Donovan, New York Field Office.
# # # #
Bronx Man Admits Theft of Government Property and Aggravated Identity TheftRead the Press Release
NEWARK, N.J. – A Bronx, New York, man today admitted his role in a scheme to obtain and ultimately cash more than $1 million in fraudulent income tax refund checks issued by the United States, U.S. Attorney Craig Carpenito announced.
Wellington Feliz, 36, pleaded guilty before U.S. District Judge Madeline Cox Arleo in Newark federal court to two counts of an indictment charging him with theft of government property (Count Two) and aggravated identity theft (Count Four).
According to documents filed in this case and statements made in court:
Feliz admitted that he and his conspirators deposited over $1 million in fraudulently obtained income tax refund checks into bank accounts controlled by him.
Stolen Identity Refund Fraud (SIRF) schemes generally share a number of hallmarks. Perpetrators obtain personal identifying information, including Social Security numbers and dates of birth, from unwitting individuals, who often reside in the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico. They complete IRS-1040 tax return forms using the fraudulently obtained information and falsifying wages earned, taxes withheld and other data, always ensuring that fraudulent tax return generates a refund. The perpetrators then direct the U.S. Treasury Department to mail the refund checks to locations they control or can access. In some cases, they bribe mail carriers to remove the refund checks from their mail routes. With the fraudulently obtained refund checks in hand, the perpetrators generate cash proceeds by depositing the checks into bank accounts they control.
Feliz admitted that he knew that the approximately 180 tax refund checks that he and others deposited into bank accounts under his direct control did not belong to him or the company named on the bank account. He admitted to personally withdrawing funds from these accounts and profiting from his role in the scheme. He also admitted that he knew that the checks were issued by the IRS and the U.S. Treasury, and that it was illegal to deposit the tax refund checks and use the proceeds for his own benefit.
Feliz was initially charged with six co-defendants (Luis Pena, Lourdes Ortiz, Raymundo Hernandez, Isaias Hernandez, and Gloria Rivera of the Bronx, New York; and Fausto Bernard of Newark) in a criminal complaint alleging conspiracy to commit theft of government funds, relating to a SIRF scheme that caused more than $2.6 million in losses to the United States government. Feliz and Isaias Hernandez were later charged by indictment with conspiracy to commit theft of government funds, theft of government funds, and aggravated identity theft. After being charged by complaint, Feliz violated the terms of his pretrial release conditions and fled to the Dominican Republic. In April 2019, Feliz was extradited to the District of New Jersey.
All six co-defendants have pleaded guilty to and have been sentenced for their roles in the scheme. One additional conspirator, Angel Fernandez of Newark, has also pleaded guilty to charges regarding his participation in the conspiracy. All have been ordered to pay restitution to victims and forfeiture to the United States.
The theft of government property charge to which Feliz pleaded guilty carries a maximum penalty of 10 years in prison and a fine of the greater of $250,000, twice the gross amount of any pecuniary gain that any persons derived from the offense; or twice the gross amount of any pecuniary loss sustained by any victims of the offense. The aggravated identity theft charge carries a mandatory sentence of two years, which must run consecutively to any term of imprisonment imposed on the theft of government property charge. Sentencing is scheduled for September 24, 2019.
U.S. Attorney Carpenito credited special agents of IRS-Criminal Investigation, under the direction of Special Agent in Charge John R. Tafur; special agents of the U.S. Secret Service, under the direction of Special Agent in Charge Mark McKevitt; special agents of the U.S. Postal Service – Office of the Inspector General, under the direction of Special Agent in Charge Matthew Modafferi; and inspectors of the U.S. Postal Inspection Service, under the direction of Inspector in Charge James Buthorn, with the investigation leading to today’s guilty plea.
The government is represented by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Francesca Liquori and Sara F. Merin of the U.S. Attorney’s Office Criminal Division in Newark.
Defense counsel: Laurie M. Fierro Esq., Kinnelon, New Jersey
Brazilian Man Pleads Guilty to Making False Statements to Obtain U.S. PassportRead the Press Release
CONCORD - Robson Xavier-Gomes, 44, of Brazil, pleaded guilty in federal court to making a false statement to obtain a U.S. passport, United States Attorney Scott W. Murray announced.
According to court documents and statements made in court, in 1996, Xavier-Gomes, a citizen of Brazil, completed an application for a U.S. passport using the name, date of birth, social security number, and other personal identifying information that belong to a United States citizen. The application was submitted to the National Passport Center in Portsmouth, New Hampshire, with a photograph of Xavier-Gomes but the identification information of the United States citizen. Relying on the information in the application and the supporting documentation, the Passport Center issued a U.S. passport to Xavier-Gomes in the name of the United States citizen. On April 12, 2016, Xavier-Gomes submitted an application to renew his fraudulently-obtained passport, again using the identification information of the United States citizen. Xavier-Gomes later admitted to investigators that his true identity was Robson Xavier Gomes, he was is a citizen of Brazil, and he had falsely used the identity of a United States citizen to apply for and obtain a U.S. passport.
Xavier-Gomes is scheduled to be sentenced on August 28, 2019
“Crimes involving the falsification of identification documents can cause significant damage to victims, as well as the integrity of government operations,” said U.S. Attorney Murray. “It is essential that we maintain confidence in the truth and accuracy of U.S. passports. To that end, we will work closely with our law enforcement partners to identify and prosecute those who use fraud or false statements to obtain passports.”
“The Diplomatic Security Service is firmly committed to working with the U.S. Department of Justice and our local law enforcement partners in New Hampshire to investigate and prosecute all allegations of criminal activity related to passport and visa fraud, ” said William B. Gannon, Special Agent in Charge of the U.S. Department of State’s Diplomatic Security Service (DSS), Boston Field Office. “The strong relationship we enjoy with our federal and local law enforcement partners is vital towards ensuring the integrity of U.S. travel documents and protecting greater U.S. interests.”
This matter was investigated by the U.S. Postal Inspection Service (USPIS) and the U.S. Department of State’s Diplomatic Security Service (DSS). The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Anna Dronzek and Special Assistant U.S. Attorney Matthew Hunter.
###
Auburn Man Sentenced to 78 Months for Unlawful Possession of FirearmsRead the Press Release
SYRACUSE, NEW YORK – Steven Reynolds, age 38, of Auburn, New York, was sentenced today by Chief United States District Court Judge Glenn T. Suddaby to serve 78 months’ imprisonment and 3 years of supervised release for being a felon in possession of firearms, announced United States Attorney Grant C. Jaquith and John B. DeVito, Special Agent in Charge of the New York Field Division of the United States Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives (ATF).
In May 2018, Reynolds drove a car with a stolen Browning 16-guage shotgun and a stolen Savage .308 caliber rifle to a parking lot in the Auburn area. While in the parking lot, Reynolds personally moved both firearms from the back of the car he was driving into the back of a Jeep occupied by two other individuals who then drove away with the firearms. Reynolds is prohibited from possessing firearms as he has two prior New York State felony drug convictions, one in 2005, the other in 2012.
This case was investigated by U.S. Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) and the Finger Lakes Drug Task Force, consisting of law enforcement officers from the City of Auburn Police Department and the Cayuga County Sheriff’s Office, and was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Sahar Amandolare and Michael Gadarian.
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 involves collaboration by federal, state and local law enforcement agencies, prosecutors, and communities to prevent and deter gun violence and to arrest and prosecute offenders.
Auburn Man Pleads Guilty to Drug Trafficking and Firearms OffensesRead the Press Release
CONCORD, N.H. - Joshua Simard, 31, of Auburn, pleaded guilty in federal court to drug trafficking and firearms offenses, United States Attorney Scott W. Murray announced today.
According to court documents and statements made in court, on July 31, 2018, law enforcement officers encountered Simard at a hotel in Bedford, New Hampshire. Officers seized two backpacks from Simard, which contained, among other things, a handgun, ammunition, over $6,000 in cash, over 150 grams of cocaine, digital scales, and a suspected drug ledger.
Simard is scheduled to be sentenced on September 16, 2019.
“Guns and drugs are a potentially lethal combination,” said U.S. Attorney Murray. “When drug traffickers possess firearms, they pose a very serious danger to the community. In order to protect the public, we will aggressively prosecute armed drug dealers.”
This matter was investigated by the Drug Enforcement Administration and the Bedford Police Department. The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Anna Krasinski.
###
Armed Drug Dealer Sentenced to 10 Years in Federal PrisonRead the Press Release
MADISON, WIS. - Scott C. Blader, United States Attorney for the Western District of Wisconsin, announced that Louis S. Boatner, 44, Madison, Wisconsin, was sentenced today by U.S. District Judge James D. Peterson to 10 years in federal prison, followed by a four-year term of supervised release, for possessing over a kilogram of cocaine with intent to distribute, and possessing six loaded handguns in furtherance of that drug trafficking offense. Boatner pleaded guilty to these charges on March 5, 2019.
Between August and October, an informant working with the Dane County Narcotics Task Force purchased cocaine from Boatner on three occasions. Officers conducted surveillance during the purchases, and subsequently obtained a search warrant for a storage unit that Boatner rented. The warrant was executed on October 9, 2018 and officers recovered approximately 1,300 grams of cocaine, six fully-loaded handguns, and $61,000 in the unit.
The 10-year sentence was required under federal law, because each count of conviction carried mandatory minimum sentences of five years.
This case has been brought as part of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), the U.S. Justice Department’s program to reduce violent crime. The PSN approach involves collaboration by federal, state and local law enforcement agencies, prosecutors and communities to prevent and deter gun violence.
The charge against Boatner was the result of an investigation conducted by the Dane County Narcotics Task Force and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives. The prosecution of the case has been handled by Assistant U.S. Attorney Rita M. Rumbelow.
33 Indicted on Federal Charges Related to Illegally Trafficking Heroin, Cocaine, Crack and/or MarijuanaRead the Press Release
PITTSBURGH, PA – A federal grand jury in Pittsburgh has issued three separate, but related, indictments, charging 33 residents of southwestern Pennsylvania with narcotics trafficking and firearm possession, United States Attorney Scott W. Brady announced today.
The first Indictment, unsealed today, contains three conspiracy counts and names the following 25 individuals as defendants in one or more of the drug conspiracies:
• Howard McFadden, 29, of Turtle Creek, PA
• James Wells, 31, of Braddock, PA
• Donald Singleton, 47, of Pittsburgh, PA
• Richard Coto-Wheat, 26, of Duquesne, PA
• Jaymare Jackson, 29, of Braddock, PA
• Dorian Boyd, 24, of Braddock, PA
• Delbert Pate, 26, of Duquesne, PA
• Michael Rose, 27, of Pittsburgh, PA
• Reginald Brown, 29, of East Pittsburgh, PA
• Kreg Williams, 29, of Duquesne, PA
• Keenan Williams, 21, of Duquesne, PA
• Rand Wolford, 31, of Braddock, PA
• Marcel Sewell, 58, of Braddock, PA
• Talen Holmes, 21, of Pittsburgh, PA
• Rodney Dennard, 51, of Pittsburgh, PA
• Bernard Wilkins, 56, of Irwin, PA
• William Kalna, 50, of West Newton, PA
• Justin Law, 30, of Wilkinsburg, PA
• Tyrone Roilton, 28, of Braddock, PA
• Lisamarie Ross, 35, of New Alexandria, PA
• Travis Moore, 26, of Pittsburgh, PA
• Thomas Dwyer, 42, of Homestead, PA
• Gregory Luptak, 51, of North Huntington, PA
• Paula DeBaker, 55, of Braddock, PA
• Philip Matey, 53, of North Braddock, PA
According to this Indictment, the defendants conspired to possess with intent to distribute and distribute 100 grams or more of heroin, a Schedule I controlled substance; 500 grams or more of cocaine, a Schedule II controlled substance; and 280 grams or more of cocaine base, commonly known as crack, a Schedule II controlled substance, between August 2018 and May 2019. The Indictment seeks forfeiture of the following items: two (2) vehicles – a Jeep Grand Cherokee, associated with McFadden, and a GMC Sierra, associated with Singleton.
The Indictment further alleges that on April 15, 2019, Michael Rose possessed with intent to distribute heroin, a Schedule I controlled substance, as well as cocaine and crack, both Schedule II controlled substances. Rose, a convicted felon, who is prohibited from lawfully possessing a firearm, is also charged with possessing a firearm, and possessing the firearm in furtherance of the drug trafficking crime. As it relates to these counts, the Indictment seeks forfeiture of the following items: $892.00 and a Glock 19x pistol, bearing serial number BHWU068, associated with Michael Rose.
The second Indictment, unsealed today, contains two counts and names the following four individuals as defendants:
• Chadlin Leavy, 30, of Pittsburgh, PA (also charged in the third Indictment)
• Marvin Porter, 48, of Allison Park, PA
• Damien Franklin, 26, of Verona, PA
• Larry Dandridge, 24, of Monroeville, PA
According to this Indictment, the above-named defendants, and others conspired to possess with the intent to distribute 100 grams or more of heroin, a Schedule I controlled substance, and 500 grams or more of cocaine, a Schedule II controlled substance, between April and May of 2019. The Indictment seeks forfeiture of a Mercedes Benz S5A, associated with Leavy.
The third Indictment, also unsealed today, contains two counts and names the following five individuals as defendants:
• Eric Vanderslice, 39, of Phoenixville, PA
• Wayne Barker, 61, of West Mifflin, PA
• William Barker, 63, of Upper St. Clair, PA
• Jared Eck, 28, of Pittsburgh, PA
• Chadlin Leavy, 30, of Pittsburgh, PA (also charged in the second Indictment)
According to this Indictment, these defendants and others conspired to distribute and possess with the intent to distribute over 100 kilograms of marijuana, a Schedule I controlled substance, between April and May 2019. Additionally, on May 24, 2019, the Barkers and Vanderslice are alleged to have distributed and possessed with the intent to distribute over 100 kilograms of marijuana. The Indictment also seeks forfeiture of the following vehicles: a Dodge Ram 1500, associated with Vanderslice, a Ford F-150, associated with Eck, and a Jeep Wrangler, associated with Leavy. Additionally, the Indictment seeks forfeiture of a total of $518,476 in United States currency, which was seized by law enforcement from Vanderslice ($469,475.00), Wayne Barker ($5,012.00), Eck ($13,989) and Leavy ($30,000).
If convicted, the defendants would face the following penalties. As to the conspiracy counts involving 100 grams or more of heroin and 500 grams or more of cocaine, the law provides for a minimum sentence of at least 5 years in prison and a maximum sentence of 40 years in prisonand and a fine of not more than $5,000,000. As to the conspiracy count involving 280 grams or more of crack, the law provides for a minimum sentence of at least 10 years in prison and a maximum sentence of life imprisonment, and a fine of not more than $10,000,000. As to Michael Rose, the law provides for a minimum sentence of at least 5 years in prison and up to life in prison, and a fine of not more than $2,000,000. As to the conspiracy involving 100 kilograms or more of marijuana, the law provides for a minimum sentence of at least 5 years in prison and a maximum sentence of 40 years in prison imprisonment, a fine of not more than $5,000,000, or both. Under the Federal Sentencing Guidelines, the actual sentence imposed would be based upon the seriousness of the offenses and the prior criminal history of each defendant.
The Pittsburgh Office of the Federal Bureau of Investigation led the multi-agency investigation of this case, which also included the Drug Enforcement Administration, Bureau of Alcohol Tobacco Firearms and Explosives, United States Marshals Fugitive Task Force, Allegheny County Sheriff’s Office, Allegheny County Police Department, Pennsylvania State Police, Pennsylvania Office of Attorney General Bureau of Narcotics Investigations, and the Pittsburgh Bureau of Police. Other assisting agencies include the Allegheny County Adult Probation, Monroeville Police Department, Penn Hills Police Department, Shaler Township Police Department and Wilkinsburg Police Department.
The investigation was funded by the federal Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Force Program (OCDETF). The OCDETF program supplies critical federal funding and coordination that allows federal and state agencies to work together to successfully identify, investigate, and prosecute major interstate and international drug trafficking organizations and other criminal enterprises.
Assistant United States Attorney Rebecca L. Silinski is prosecuting these cases on behalf of the government.
An indictment is an accusation. A defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.
11 June 2019
West Sacramento Man Sentenced to 5 Years in Prison for Assaulting a Federal Officer and Possessing a Firearm in Furtherance of a Drug Trafficking CrimeRead the Press Release
SACRAMENTO, Calif. — U.S. District Judge John A. Mendez sentenced Dustin Joseph Albini, 36, of West Sacramento, today to five and a half years in prison and five years of supervised release, for assaulting a federal officer and possessing a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime, U.S. Attorney McGregor W. Scott announced.
The crimes were charged in two separate cases and Albini pleaded guilty to both in February 2019.
According to court documents, in July 2015, state and federal law enforcement executed a search warrant at a marijuana grow operation in Modoc County. During execution of the warrant, a Bureau of Land Management agent attempted to take Albini into custody. Albini resisted arrest and engaged in a struggle with the agent that resulted in the agent and Albini going to the ground. While on the ground, Albini grabbed the agent’s testicles and bit his leg.
According to court documents, when law enforcement arrested Albini in September 2015 on the first indictment, they searched Albini’s vehicle and found a .45-caliber Colt MK IV handgun, a .40-caliber Glock 27 handgun, and a backpack containing marijuana and hundreds of vials of liquid containing tetrahydrocannabinol, a Schedule I controlled substance. As part of his guilty plea, Albini admitted to possessing the vials with the intent to distribute them and possessing the handguns to protect and otherwise further his drug distribution activities.
This case was the product of an investigation by the Federal Bureau of Investigation. Assistant U.S. Attorney Matthew Thuesen prosecuted the case.
Warm Springs Man Sentenced to Federal Prison for Involuntary Manslaughter and Illegal Firearm PossessionRead the Press Release
PORTLAND, Ore.—Harold Blackwolf Jr., 35, of Warm Springs, Oregon, was sentenced today to 71 months in federal prison and three years’ supervised release for involuntary manslaughter and possession of a firearm as a convicted felon.
According to court documents, on September 28, 2017, Blackwolf was at a friend’s house on the Warm Springs Indian Reservation. While under the influence of alcohol, Blackwolf left his friend’s house and entered his Dodge Durango, a sport utility vehicle. Blackwolf drove away at a high rate of speed with his headlights off. As he was departing, he struck two adult men who were in the road, killing both. Blackwolf, a convicted felon, was arrested on April 20, 2018 and found to be in possession of a Taurus .38 special revolver.
A restitution hearing before U.S. District Court Judge Anna J. Brown will be held at a later date.
On February 27, 2019, Blackwolf pleaded guilty to two counts of involuntary manslaughter and one count of felon in possession of a firearm.
This case was investigated by the FBI and the Warm Springs Tribal Police Department. It was prosecuted by Paul Maloney, Benjamin Tolkoff and Craig Gabriel, Assistant U.S. Attorneys for the District of Oregon.
On March 3, 1994, the FBI initiated “Operation Safe Trails” with the Navajo Department of Law Enforcement in Flagstaff, Arizona. The operation, which would later evolve into the Safe Trails Task Force (STTF) Program, unites FBI and other federal, state, local, and tribal law enforcement agencies in a collaborative effort to combat the growth of crime in Indian Country. STTFs allow participating agencies to combine limited resources and increase investigative coordination in Indian Country to target violent crime, drugs, gangs, and gaming violations.
Woman from Laguna Pueblo Sentenced to 18 Months in Federal Prison for Armed Robbery in Indian CountryRead the Press Release
ALBUQUERQUE – Royce Aragon, 33, of Laguna Pueblo, N.M. was sentenced in federal court today to 18 months in prison for interference with interstate commerce by robbery and violence.
Aragon previously pleaded guilty to this offense on February 6, 2019. In her plea agreement, she admitted going to the Casa Blanca Travel Center on Laguna Pueblo on December 30, 2016. Aragon kept watch at the front of the store while another person intimidated store clerks and stole money from a cash register. Aragon then followed the other person out of the store and stayed at a hotel with the other person that night. The robbery caused the travel center to close for several hours, preventing interstate travelers from purchasing gasoline and other items.
Aragon is an enrolled member of Laguna Pueblo. A co-defendant in this case, Cruz Abieta, received a prison sentence of 84 months on August 17, 2018.
The Bureau of Indian Affairs investigated this case with the Laguna Pueblo Police Department. Assistant U.S. Attorney Michael D. Murphy prosecuted the case.
U.S. Attorney Justin Herdman named to new working group focused on prosecuting gun crimes to stop and reduce domestic violenceRead the Press Release
WASHINGTON – Attorney General William P. Barr today announced the formation of a Domestic Violence Working Group aimed at keeping guns out of the hands of convicted domestic abusers, using the tools of federal prosecution to stop and prevent domestic violence. The group will operate under the auspices of the Attorney General’s Advisory Committee (AGAC) and be comprised of nine U.S. Attorneys across the country, chaired by U.S. Attorney for the Northern District of Texas Erin Nealy Cox.
“Too often, domestic abusers start with threats and abuse, and end up committing extreme violence and even homicide, with devastating impact on families and the community around them,” said Attorney General Barr. “I have directed this working group to examine this issue and determine the best way to use federal gun prosecutions and other appropriate tools to supplement state, local and tribal efforts to address domestic violence.”
“With so many domestic disputes escalating from bruises to bullets, we felt we needed to supplement our state and local partners’ efforts to curb domestic violence with federal prosecutions,” said U.S. Attorney Nealy Cox. “We hope our initial cases send a message to convicted abusers: Not only could the Justice Department theoretically prosecute abusers for firearm possession – they have and they will.”
U.S. Attorney Justin Herdman said: “Domestic violence offenders pose an outsized threat to Ohio’s families, communities, and law enforcement officers. I am honored to serve in this advisory capacity to the Attorney General and to advance the Department of Justice’s mission to protect the public. This group will ensure that the Department is positioned to reduce, mitigate, and prevent domestic violence by coordinating initiatives across our federal, state, local, and tribal partnerships.”
Federal law has long barred convicted felons, as well as individuals subject to certain domestic violence protective orders or convicted of domestic violence misdemeanors, from possessing firearms.
Offenders with domestic violence in their past pose a remarkably high risk of homicide. Research shows that abusers with a gun in the home are five times more likely to kill their partners than abusers who don’t have that same access to a firearm. And according to one recent study, more than half of America’s mass shootings are cases of extreme domestic violence.
Keeping guns from domestic abusers legally prohibited from possessing them would significantly reduce violence in America, a major priority of the Justice Department.
However, federal gun cases involving domestic violence present unique challenges. In some states, the federal and state definitions of domestic violence differ, requiring complex legal analysis that varies based on the location of conviction.
U.S. Attorneys’ offices have worked tirelessly over the years to address these legal challenges with tremendous success. The Working Group will share best practices, legal analysis and guidance on prosecuting abusers who unlawfully possess guns, and will advise U.S. Attorneys across the country on outreach to local law enforcement, judges, and nonprofit groups.
Working Group members include:
- Scott W. Brady, U.S. Attorney for the Western District of Pennsylvania
- Robert M. Duncan, Jr., U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of Kentucky
- Nicola T. Hanna, U.S. Attorney for the Central District of California
- Justin E. Herdman, U.S. Attorney for the Northern District of Ohio
- Erin Nealy Cox, U.S. Attorney for the Northern District of Texas
- Christina E. Nolan, U.S. Attorney for the District of Vermont
- Byung J. Pak, U.S. Attorney for the Northern District of Georgia
- R. Trent Shores, U.S. Attorney for the Northern District of Oklahoma
- Timothy J. Downing, U.S. Attorney for the Western District of Oklahoma
U.S. Attorney John W. Huber Outlines New Strategy for Distrupting, Deterring Fentanyl Distribution in UtahRead the Press Release
SALT LAKE CITY – In a conference call with federal law enforcement leaders and local drug task force commanders in Utah, U.S. Attorney John W. Huber encouraged law enforcement officers to screen all cases involving fentanyl with his office for potential federal prosecution.
“Fentanyl is at a high threat level for us. We are asking our law enforcement partners to help us disrupt, dismantle, and deter fentanyl distribution in Utah and prevent fentanyl-related overdose deaths,” U.S. Attorney John W. Huber said. “We need to use every tool we have.”
Huber said he has a clear message for drug traffickers: bring fentanyl into Utah and plan on having an initial appearance in federal court.
According to DEA information, fentanyl is a synthetic opioid that is 80-100 times stronger than morphine and 50 times stronger than heroin. Pharmaceutical fentanyl was developed for pain management treatment. Because of its powerful opioid properties, Fentanyl is also diverted for abuse. Fentanyl is added to heroin to increase its potency. Many users believe that they are purchasing heroin and do not recognize they are actually getting fentanyl – which often results in overdose deaths. Clandestinely produced fentanyl is primarily manufactured in Mexico.
Given the risks of fentanyl, federal prosecutors believe there is a compelling federal interest in reviewing every case. Huber says his prosecutors will screen for evidence of distribution or simple possession. Additionally, his office will pursue any appropriate sentencing enhancements. Huber has appointed Assistant U.S. Attorney Sam Pead as his office’s point of contact for fentanyl cases. Pead is an experienced prosecutor who came to the U.S. Attorney’s Office from the Utah County Attorney’s Office.
Huber also is encouraging law enforcement partners and prosecutors to share intelligence and form partnerships to take full advantage of resources and assets.
While the primary foreign source of supply for fentanyl in Utah is China, federal prosecutors and law enforcement officers say Mexican drug traffickers are increasing their capability. “The same drug trafficking networks bringing heroin and methamphetamine into Utah could easily decide fentanyl, with its high profit margin, is what they want to do,” Huber said. “Law enforcement agencies are already seeing signs this is happening.”
While Utah has not experienced the high numbers of fentanyl overdose deaths as other places around the country, the Utah Drug Monitoring Initiative program reports fentanyl related fatal overdoses in Utah increased 54 percent from 2014 to 2018, with a spike of 49 fatalities in 2016. Since 2016, there has been a slight decline in fentanyl related deaths, but the overdose deaths have remained higher than in 2014 and 2015.
“We are asking law enforcement to help us find these cases out of a sincere desire to serve our communities in Utah. These statistics are not just numbers – they represent loved ones, family members, and friends. Law enforcement officers are committed to working with us to keep fentanyl out of Utah and protect citizens of our state,” Huber said.
Federal prosecutors in Utah are prosecuting a significant fentanyl case scheduled for a five-week trial in August.
Two Charged in Operation California Dreamin’ Sentenced This WeekRead the Press Release
Abingdon, VIRGINIA – A pair of defendants charged as part of Operation California Dreamin’, a large-scale investigation that charged 28 individuals with trafficking methamphetamine from California into Southwest Virginia, Northeast Tennessee, and Georgia, were sentenced this week in U.S. District Court in Abingdon, United States Attorney Thomas T. Cullen announced today.
“The scourge of methamphetamine trafficking and addiction remains the most serious public-safety issue facing far Southwest Virginia,” U.S. Attorney Cullen stated today. “We will continue to work closely with our federal, state, and local law partners to target and dismantle the drug-trafficking organizations responsible for importing this deadly substance from Mexico and selling it in our communities.”
Today in District Court, Melissa Barrett, 46, of Meadowview, Va., was sentenced to 168 months’ incarceration. Barrett previously pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy to distribute methamphetamine and one count of distribution of methamphetamine.
Matthew Todd Mullins, 45, of Bristol, Va., was sentenced Monday, June 10, 2019 to 188 months’ incarceration. Mullins previously pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy to distribute methamphetamine, one count of distribution of methamphetamine, and one count of manufacture counterfeit obligations.
According to previously submitted court documents, in early 2017, an investigation was opened to examine the trafficking of methamphetamine between California and Southwest Virginia and Northeast Tennessee. Law enforcement identified 28 individuals, located in California, Georgia, Virginia and Tennessee as being involved in the trafficking and distribution of methamphetamine.
In addition, the investigation further revealed that some alleged sources of supply from California temporarily relocated to the Bristol, Virginia and Tennessee region in order to better facilitate their drug distribution operations.
The investigation of the case is being conducted by the Abingdon Police Department, Virginia State Police, Washington County Sheriff’s Office, Bristol, Tennessee Police Department, Bristol, Virginia Police Department, the Sullivan County, Tennessee Second Judicial Drug Task Force, Sullivan County Sheriff’s Department, Commerce, Georgia Police Department, New Jersey State Police, the Drug Enforcement Administration, and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives, and the United States Postal Inspection Service. The Washington County Commonwealth’s Attorney’s Office, Bristol, Virginia Commonwealth’s Attorney’s Office, and the Sullivan County, District Attorney’s Office have assisted in the investigation. Western District of Virginia Criminal Chief Zachary T. Lee and Assistant United States Attorney Cagle Juhan are prosecuting the case for the United States.