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Friday 19 April 2019
Suttons Bay Man Sentenced to 37 Months in Federal Prison for Domestic Violence Strangulation of A Native American WomanRead the Press Release
GRAND RAPIDS, MICHIGAN – Joaquin Ramon Alfonseca, 41, from Suttons Bay, Michigan, was sentenced to 37 months in federal prison for Assault by Strangulation of a Native American woman, U.S. Attorney Andrew Birge announced today. In addition to the prison term, U.S. District Judge Gordon J. Quist imposed a 3-year term of supervised release that will commence once Alfonseca is released from imprisonment.
Alfonseca pled guilty on October 15, 2018. He admitted that during an argument, he had used both of his hands to grab the victim by the neck and apply pressure to her neck. This pressure impeded the victim’s normal breathing, and the assault left marks and swelling on the victim’s face and neck. The victim reported that on a prior occasion, Alfonseca had strangled her to the point of unconsciousness. The United States had jurisdiction over the case because it occurred on the reservation of the Grand Traverse Band of Ottawa and Chippewa Indians.
In its sentencing memorandum, the U.S. Attorney’s Office argued in favor of meaningful jail time because assault by strangulation is extremely dangerous and poses great risk to its victims. The United States noted that Alfonseca had a history of domestic violence, and it argued that his conduct in this case was particularly serious because it was part of a pattern of domestic abuse and continued a pattern of abuse involving strangulation and attempted strangulation.
The Grand Traverse Band Tribal Police Department and the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) investigated the case. Assistant U.S. Attorney Sean M. Lewis prosecuted the case.
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Sioux Falls Man Charged with Conspiracy to Distribute MethamphetamineRead the Press Release
United States Attorney Ron Parsons announced that a Sioux Falls, South Dakota, man has been indicted by a federal grand jury for Conspiracy to Distribute Methamphetamine.
Marques Smith, age 37, was indicted on March 12, 2019. He appeared before U.S. Magistrate Judge Mark A. Moreno on April 16, 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 beginning no later than on or about January 1, 2011, and continuing to on or about October 11, 2017, Smith knowingly and intentionally conspired with others to distribute and possess with intent to distribute 500 grams or more of methamphetamine.
The charge is merely an accusation and Smith is presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty.
The investigation is being conducted by the Northern Plains Safe Trails Drug Enforcement Task Force. Assistant U.S. Attorney Cameron J. Cook is prosecuting the case.
Smith was remanded to the custody of the U.S. Marshals Service pending trial. A trial date has not been set.
Serial Bank Robber Pleads GuiltyRead the Press Release
Tampa, Florida – United States Attorney Maria Chapa Lopez announces that Myron William Ernst (61, Orlando) today pleaded guilty to bank robbery. Ernst faces a maximum penalty of 20 years in federal prison. A sentencing date has not yet been set.
According to the plea agreement, Ernst committed a spree of nine bank robberies and attempted bank robberies in both Florida and Alabama. During each incident, Ernst presented bank employees with a threatening note demanding money.
This case was investigated by the FBI. It is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Callan L. Albritton.
San Leandro Resident Pleads Guilty to Robbery SpreeRead the Press Release
OAKLAND, Calif. – Marty Skyler Guillen pleaded guilty in federal court today to robbery affecting interstate commerce (Hobbs Act robbery), announced United States Attorney David L. Anderson and Federal Bureau of Investigation Special Agent in Charge John F. Bennett. The plea was accepted by Jon S. Tigar, U.S. District Judge.
According to the plea agreement, Guillen, 22, of San Leandro, admitted that in four days during the month of October 2018, he committed six robberies of stores located throughout the East Bay and Daly City. Guillen acknowledged that during each robbery, he brandished a BB gun and directed employees of the stores to hand over money or merchandise from the store. Guillen stole the following items on the following dates:
DATE
TYPE OF STORE AND LOCATION
ITEMS OR AMOUNT STOLEN
October 12, 2018
Phone store in Hayward
two new iPhones
October 14, 2018
Phone store in Daly City
two new iPhones
October 24, 2018
Jewelry store in Hayward
three silver chain necklaces
October 24, 2018
Phone store in Oakland
$730.83 from a cash register
October 24, 2018
Phone store in Fremont
$1,000 from a cash register and $100 from an employee
October 25, 2018
Phone store in Castro Valley
$74 from a cash register
On November 29, 2018, a federal grand jury indicted both Guillen and his co-defendant, Elijah Kimani Crowder, 20, of Hayward, charging them with conspiracy to commit robbery affecting interstate commerce, in violation of 18 U.S.C. § 1951(a), and additional counts of interference with interstate commerce by robbery, in violation of 18 U.S.C. § 1951(a). Guillen pleaded guilty to two of the substantive robbery counts but admitted to additional robberies, and agreed to pay restitution for all robberies. If he complies with the plea agreement, the conspiracy charge and the remaining robbery counts will be dismissed at sentencing.
Judge Tigar scheduled Guillen’s sentencing for August 2, 2019. The maximum statutory penalties for each violation of 18 U.S.C. § 1951 are 20 years in prison and a $250,000 fine. In addition, the court may order a term of supervised release, restitution, and fines. However, any sentence following conviction will be imposed by the court only after consideration of the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and the federal statute governing the imposition of a sentence, 18 U.S.C. § 3553.
On March 22, 2019, Crowder pleaded guilty to one count of aiding and abetting robbery affecting interstate commerce, in violation of 18 U.S.C. § 1951(a). Judge Tigar scheduled Crowder’s sentencing for June 14, 2019.
The prosecution is the result of an investigation by the FBI with the assistance of the Alameda County Sheriff’s Office, and the Daly City, Fremont, Hayward, Oakland, and San Leandro Police Departments.
Safford Man Convicted for Transportation of a Minor with Intent to Engage in Criminal Sexual ActivityRead the Press Release
TUCSON, Ariz. – On April 19, 2019, a federal jury returned guilty verdicts against Lawrence James Halamek, 36, of Safford, Ariz., after a four-day trial before District Judge Jennifer G. Zipps. Halamek was convicted of transportation of a minor with intent to engage in criminal sexual activity and travel with intent to engage in illicit sexual conduct. Halamek faces a sentence of up to lifetime imprisonment, followed by up to lifetime supervised release, stringent sex offender conditions, and sex offender registration.
The evidence at trial showed that in December 2016, Halamek picked up a minor child from her bus stop and transported her to a remote area in New Mexico, with the intent of sexually assaulting her. With the help of an Amber Alert, the two were located the following day.
This case was brought as part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative to combat the growing epidemic of child sexual exploitation and abuse launched in May 2006 by the Department of Justice. Led by United States Attorney’s Offices and the Criminal Division’s Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section, Project Safe Childhood marshals federal, state, and local resources to better locate, apprehend and prosecute individuals who exploit children via the internet, as well as to identify and rescue victims. For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit www.projectsafechildhood.gov.
The investigation in this case was conducted by Federal Bureau of Investigation, Sierra Vista Office, Grant County Sheriff’s Department, and Graham County Sheriff’s Department. The prosecution was handled by Carin C. Duryee and Erica L. Seger, District of Arizona, Tucson.
CASE NUMBER: CR-17-0477-TUC-JGZ
RELEASE NUMBER: 2019-056_Halamek
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For more information on the U.S. Attorney’s Office, District of Arizona, visit http://www.justice.gov/usao/az/
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Rosebud Woman Charged with Conspiracy to Distribute MethamphetamineRead the Press Release
United States Attorney Ron Parsons announced that a Rosebud, South Dakota, woman has been indicted by a federal grand jury for Conspiracy to Distribute Methamphetamine.
Franki Lee Zephier, age 32, was indicted on November 14, 2018. She appeared before U.S. Magistrate Judge Mark A. Moreno on April 15, 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 a lifetime of supervised release, and $100 to the Federal Crime Victims Fund. Restitution may also be ordered.
The Indictment alleges that beginning no later than on or about January 1, 2017, and continuing to on or about November 14, 2018, Zephier knowingly and intentionally conspired with others to distribute and possess with intent to distribute 500 grams or more of methamphetamine.
The charge is merely an accusation and Zephier is presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty.
The investigation is being conducted by the Northern Plains Safe Trails Drug Enforcement Task Force. Assistant U.S. Attorney Cameron J. Cook is prosecuting the case.
Zephier was released on bond pending trial. A trial date has not been set.
Rosebud Man Indicted for Failure to Register as a Sex OffenderRead the Press Release
United States Attorney Ron Parsons announced that a Rosebud, South Dakota, man has been indicted by a federal grand jury for Failure to Register as a Sex Offender.
Moses Left Hand Bull, age 28, was indicted on April 9, 2019. He appeared before U.S. Magistrate Judge Mark A. Moreno on April 17, 2019, and pled not guilty to the Indictment.
The maximum penalty upon conviction is up to 10 years in federal prison and/or a $250,000 fine, 5 years of supervised release, and $100 to the Federal Crime Victims Fund. Restitution may also be ordered.
Left Hand Bull was convicted of Aggravated Sexual Abuse of a Minor in August 2009. As a result of this conviction, he is required to register as a sex offender. It is alleged that between February 9, 2019, and March 5, 2019, Left Hand Bull, a person required to register under the Sex Offender Registration and Notification Act, and a sex offender by reason of conviction under Federal Law, failed to properly register as a sex offender and update his registration.
The charge is merely an accusation and Left Hand Bull is presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty.
The investigation is being conducted by the U.S. Marshals Service. Assistant U.S. Attorney Kirk Albertson is prosecuting the case.
Left Hand Bull was remanded to the custody of the U.S. Marshals Service pending trial. A trial date has not been set.
Rochester Man Pleads Guilty in Gun Store BurglaryRead the Press Release
CONTACT: Barbara Burns
PHONE: (716) 843-5817
FAX #: (716) 551-3051ROCHESTER, N.Y. - U.S. Attorney James P. Kennedy, Jr. announced today that Marcos D. Guzman, 35, of Rochester, NY, pleaded guilty to theft of firearms from a Federal Firearms Licensee and possession of firearms by a convicted felon before U.S. District Judge Elizabeth A. Wolford. The charges each carry a maximum penalty of 10 years in prison and a $250,000 fine.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Brett A. Harvey, who is handling the case, stated that Guzman, along with co-defendants Dakota Sarfaty and Luis D. Marcano-Agosto, broke into Chinappi’s Firearms & Supplies, a gun store located at 5016 West Ridge Road, Spencerport, New York, in the early morning hours of August 16, 2018. Sarfaty entered the basement through a hole in the wall and, together with Guzman and Marcano-Agosto, stole a total of approximately 87 firearms (almost all of which were handguns). Thereafter, Guzman, Sarfaty and Marcano-Agosto sold many of the firearms on the streets of Rochester. According to the plea agreement, law enforcement recovered 14 of the stolen firearms the day after the theft.
The plea is the result of an investigation by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms & Explosives, under the direction of Special Agent-in-Charge Ashan Benedict, New York Field Division, the Monroe County Sheriff’s Office, under the direction of Sheriff Todd K. Baxter and the Rochester Police Department, under the direction of Chief La’Ron D. Singletary.
Sentencing is scheduled for July 29, 2019, at 2:00 p.m. before Judge Wolford.
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Pottawattamie County Man Sentenced for Receipt of Child PornographyRead the Press Release
COUNCIL BLUFFS, Iowa - United States Attorney Marc Krickbaum announced on April 18, 2019, Justin Stephen Martinez, age 37, was sentenced by United States District Court Chief Judge John A. Jarvey for Receipt of Child Pornography. Martinez was sentenced to imprisonment for over 27 years (333 months) to be followed by a term of supervised release of 20 years.
The investigation began in December 2017, when an undercover law enforcement agent received notification that an IP address, identified as being used by Martinez, was sharing multiple files containing child pornography on a peer-to-peer program file sharing program for approximately one year. The investigation showed Martinez had received and distributed over a thousand images of child pornography. In addition, it was determined Martinez had sexually explicit images of his twelve year old niece and had sexual contact with her.
Martinez was previously convicted of Third Degree Sexual Abuse of a Child in 2005 in Pottawattamie County, Iowa District Court.This case was investigated by the Iowa Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force, Iowa Division of Criminal Investigation, Pottawattamie County Sheriff's Office, and the Federal Bureau of Investigation. The case was prosecuted by the United States Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of Iowa.
Pottawattamie County Man Sentenced for Methamphetamine OffenseRead the Press Release
COUNCIL BLUFFS, Iowa - United States Attorney Marc Krickbaum announced on April 18, 2019, Robert Joe Kinney, Sr., age 59, was sentenced by United States District Court Chief Judge John A Jarvey for Possession with Intent to Distribute Methamphetamine. Kinney was sentenced to 140 months in prison to be followed by a term of supervised release of eight years.
On three separate occasions between March 22, 2018 and June 6, 2018, Kinney sold methamphetamine to undercover law enforcement.
This matter was investigated by Council Bluffs Police Department and the Iowa Division of Narcotics Enforcement. The case was prosecuted by the United States Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of Iowa.
Operation Mountaineer Highway Defendants Appear in Federal CourtRead the Press Release
CHARLESTON, W.Va. – United States Attorney Mike Stuart announced that four individuals charged as part of Operation Mountaineer Highway appeared in federal court.
“Operation Mountaineer Highway dismantled a drug trafficking organization (DTO) that was wreaking havoc in our southern West Virginia counties,” said United States Attorney Mike Stuart. “As you can see by these cases, this DTO was peddling a full smorgasbord of illicit drugs. This takedown took dozens of dealers and significant quantities of drugs off the streets – a job well done by our law enforcement partners.”
Carla Remy, 41, of Oak Hill, and Terry Remy, 40, of Scarbro, who were formerly married, were both sentenced to 87 months in federal prison. Both Carla Remy and Terry Remy previously admitted to participating in a drug trafficking organization by supplying methamphetamine to at least one other member of the organization knowing it was the purpose and intent of that individual to redistribute the methamphetamine in and around the Southern District of West Virginia. At the plea hearings, it was established that both defendants made several trips to South Carolina to purchase methamphetamine, and then returned to West Virginia to distribute the drugs in and around Fayette County. It was further established that the defendants made between 8 and 10 trips to South Carolina. On July 8, 2018, a West Virginia State Trooper stopped the car driven by Carla Remy for speeding as it was returning from South Carolina. Terry Remy was a passenger in the car. During a search of the car, law enforcement officers found 333.78 grams of methamphetamine. Carla Remy admitted the methamphetamine had been purchased in South Carolina and the plan was to sell it in West Virginia. As part of the plea, the car being used by the Remys on July 8, 2018, has been forfeited to the United States.
Eric Coleman, 21, and John D. Toney, also known as “JD,” 19, both from Scarbro, both entered guilty pleas to conspiracy to distribute more than 100 grams of heroin, more than 50 grams of a substance containing methamphetamine, and a quantity of oxycodone. Toney admitted that from October 2017 through July 31, 2018, that he participated in a drug trafficking organization that distributed oxycodone, heroin, and methamphetamine in Fayette County, West Virginia. Toney admitted that during this time period, he participated in the distribution of oxycodone pills, assisted other members of the drug trafficking organization in acquiring over 100 grams of heroin on July 16, 2018, and further admitted to distributing more than 50 grams of a substance containing methamphetamine. In a separate hearing, it was established that Eric Coleman also participated in the same drug trafficking organization. It was determined that during the time period between October 2017, and July 31, 2018, Coleman assisted his father and Toney in distributing oxycodone, heroin, and methamphetamine. Coleman previously admitted to law enforcement that he was assisting his father in distributing quantities of oxycodone in Fayette County. It was further established that during this time period, Coleman also distributed over 100 grams of heroin, and more than 50 grams of a substance containing methamphetamine. Most of the distributions of controlled substances occurred at the Coleman’s residence in Scarbro.
Both Toney and Coleman face a mandatory minimum period of five years and up to forty years in prison and a $5,000,000.00. Coleman is scheduled for sentencing on July 10, 2019 and Toney is scheduled for sentencing on July 25, 2019.
The investigation dubbed Operation Mountaineer Highway stretched from West Virginia to South Carolina and New Jersey and resulted in federal and state charges being brought against a total of 38 individuals, with 12 defendants being charged in federal indictments. Stuart commended the cooperative investigative efforts of the Drug Enforcement Administration and the Central West Virginia Drug Task Force, with the support of the West Virginia State Police, the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives, the Fayette County Sheriff’s Department, the Beckley/Raleigh County Drug Task Force, the Southern Regional Drug and Violent Crime Task Force, the Fayetteville Police Department, and the Oak Hill Police Department.
Assistant United States Attorney Timothy D. Boggess handled the prosecutions. The hearings were held before United States District Judge Joseph R. Goodwin.
SDWVNews and USAttyStuart
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One-Pot Meth Cook Sentenced to 15 Years in Federal PrisonRead the Press Release
A man who conspired to manufacture methamphetamine was sentenced April 18, 2019, to 15 years in federal prison.
Justin Michael Cinkan, age 28, from Cedar Rapids, Iowa, received the prison term after a November 20, 2018, jury verdict finding him guilty of conspiring to manufacture five grams or more of methamphetamine near a school and possessing pseudoephedrine for the purpose of manufacturing methamphetamine.
The evidence at trial showed that between September 2015 and May 2016, Cinkan purchased over 25 grams of pseudoephedrine for the purpose of cooking meth. On four other occasions during that time frame, he had been blocked from purchasing pseudoephedrine as a result of the State of Iowa’s electronic pseudoephedrine tracking system. Trial evidence also showed that Cinkan had other individuals purchase pseudoephedrine and other materials used for manufacturing meth. In the few days prior to May 1, 2016, Cinkan and a woman stockpiled materials to cook meth at a home in Marion. Cinkan and the woman got into an argument and he threatened to blow up the female by lighting an active one-pot meth lab on fire. After the woman’s brother found an apparent one-pot meth lab in the house and called police, the Marion Police Department discovered the one-pot lab and other meth-making materials in the house.
Cinkan was sentenced in Cedar Rapids by United States District Court Chief Judge Leonard T. Strand. Cinkan was sentenced to 180 months’ imprisonment. He must also serve an 8-year term of supervised release after the prison term. There is no parole in the federal system.
At sentencing, Chief Judge Strand found that Cinkan had recruited others into the conspiracy, and also found that Cinkan had testified falsely at trial. The court also noted that Cinkan had gone on a “crime spree” in May 2016. Cinkan was convicted of three felonies after he stole, and then abandoned, three cars during the week after the discovery of his meth lab on May 1. The final stolen car was later found with materials for meth manufacturing still inside. Cinkan had also previously been convicted of a felony crime of possessing methamphetamine precursors.
Cinkan is being held in the United States Marshal’s custody until he can be transported to a federal prison.
The case was investigated by the Marion Police Department and prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorneys Dan Chatham and Kyndra Lundquist.
Court file information at https://ecf.iand.uscourts.gov/cgi-bin/login.pl.
The case file number is 18-CR-00053-LTS.
Follow us on Twitter @USAO_NDIA.
New Orleans Man Pleads Guilty to Conspiracy to Commit Bank RobberyRead the Press Release
U.S. Attorney Peter G. Strasser announced that AARON RUDOLPH, age 26, of New Orleans, has pleaded guilty to conspiracy to commit bank robbery in violation of Title 18, United States Code, Section 371.
According to the court documents, RUDOLPH conspired with his co-defendant, JOHN RUDOLPH, to rob the First Bank and Trust, in Hammond, Louisiana, of approximately $10,490.96.
RUDOLPH faces a maximum term of imprisonment of five years, and/or a fine of up to $250,000. Following any term of imprisonment, RUDOLPH may be placed on supervised release for a period of up to three years. In addition, a mandatory $100 special assessment will be assessed. U.S. District Court Judge Barry W. Ashe set sentencing for RUDOLPH for July 25, 2019 at 1:30 p.m.
U.S. Attorney Strasser praised the work of agents of the Federal Bureau of Investigation in investigating this matter. Assistant U.S. Attorney Maria M. Carboni is in charge of the prosecution.
Mission Man Sentenced for Failure to Register as a Sex OffenderRead the Press Release
United States Attorney Ron Parsons announced that a Mission, South Dakota, man convicted of Failure to Register as a Sex Offender was sentenced on April 15, 2019, by U.S. District Judge Roberto A. Lange.
Benjamen T. Flute, a/k/a Benjamin T. Flute, age 39, was sentenced to 24 months in federal prison, followed by 5 years of supervised release, and a special assessment to the Federal Crime Victims Fund in the amount of $100.
Flute was indicted by a federal grand jury on December 11, 2018. He pled guilty on February 7, 2019.
Flute was convicted of Second-Degree Rape in Caddo County, Oklahoma, in December 2007. As a result of this conviction, he is required to register as a sex offender and to update his registration within three business days of relocation or changing employment. In 2017, Flute was convicted of Failure to Register as a Sex Offender in the District of South Dakota, after he moved from Oklahoma to Mission and did not update his registration. In September 2018, Flute was residing in Rapid City, South Dakota. He subsequently moved to Mission but did not update his registration.
This case was investigated by the U.S. Marshals Service. Assistant U.S. Attorney Kirk Albertson prosecuted the case.
Flute was immediately turned over to the custody of the U.S. Marshals Service.
Mexican National Indicted for Illegal Re-EntryRead the Press Release
U.S. Attorney Peter Strasser announced today that JESUS RUIZ-MADRIGAL, age 37, was charged yesterday in a one-count indictment for illegal reentry of a removed alien in violation of Title 8, United States Code, Section 1326(a).
According to the indictment, RUIZ-MADRIGAL, reentered the United States after he was previously deported on March 11, 2016. If convicted, RUIZ-MADRIGAL faces a maximum term of imprisonment of two years, a maximum fine of $250,000, a maximum term of supervised release of one year, and a mandatory $100 special assessment.
U. S. Attorney Strasser reiterated that an Indictment is merely a charge and that the guilt of the defendant must be proven beyond a reasonable doubt.
U.S. Attorney Strasser praised the work of the United States Department of Homeland Security in investigating this matter. Assistant U. S. Attorney Spiro G. Latsis is in charge of the prosecution.
Metairie Man Pleads Guilty to Bank RobberyRead the Press Release
U.S. Attorney Peter Strasser announced that KEITH ANTHONY RAMIREZ, age 34, pled guilty before the United States District Court to a one-count Indictment charging him with bank robbery in violation of Title 18, United States Code, Section 2113(a).
According to court documents, RAMIREZ robbed the Capital One Bank at 830 North Highway 190 in Covington on December 4, 2018. RAMIREZ faces a sentence of up to twenty years in prison, a period of up to three years of supervised release, a fine of $250,000, and a mandatory $100 special assessment. U.S. District Court Judge Carl J. Barbier set sentencing for RAMIREZ for July 11, 2019 at 9:30 a.m.
U.S. Attorney Strasser praised the work of the Federal Bureau of Investigation in investigating this matter. Assistant U. S. Attorney Spiro G. Latsis is in charge of the prosecution.
McClain Man Sentenced to over 23 Years in Federal Prison for Trafficking MethamphetamineRead the Press Release
Gulfport, Miss. – Darnell Antonio Mills, 38, of McClain, Mississippi, was sentenced today by U.S. District Judge Sul Ozerden to 278 months in federal prison, followed by 5 years of supervised release, for possessing with intent to distribute methamphetamine, announced U.S. Attorney Mike Hurst and Special Agent in Charge Christopher Freeze with the Federal Bureau of Investigation.
Mills pled guilty on December 21, 2018, to one count of possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine. Mills sold methamphetamine to a confidential source on several occasions. After one such sale, he was stopped by police officers and he attempted to flee by ramming his vehicle into a police officer’s car. During the course of his conduct, Mills sold over 600 grams of high quality methamphetamine.
This case was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation and prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney John Meynardie.
Massachusetts Man Sentenced for Sending White Powder and Threatening Letters from 2015 through 2018Read the Press Release
BOSTON – A Beverly man was sentenced today in connection with mailing threatening letters containing suspicious white powder to high-profile individuals, law enforcement officials and others.
Daniel Frisiello, 25, was sentenced by U.S. District Court Judge Nathaniel M. Gorton to five years of probation, with one year to be served in home detention with location monitoring, and restitution. During the period of probation, Frisiello is prohibited from contacting the victims in the case, sending letters through the mail, accessing the internet, and possessing and accessing computers. In October 2018, Frisiello pleaded guilty to 13 counts of mailing a threat to injure the person of another and six counts of false information and hoaxes. Frisiello was arrested and charged on March 1, 2018, and has been in home detention since.
In 2018, Frisiello mailed five high-profile individuals around the country envelopes that contained suspicious white powder and notes threatening harm. The envelopes and notes had significant commonalities including a Boston postmark. One victim had earlier received a similar “glitter bomb,” that is, an envelope containing glitter sent to an unsuspecting individual that, when opened, spills out onto the recipient. Law enforcement traced the glitter bomb to Frisiello through financial records. In addition, trash recovered from Frisiello’s residence contained remnants of the cut-out computer-printed messages that Frisiello sent to some victims.
Frisiello was tied to other threatening letters through fingerprints and further investigation. In 2015, Frisiello sent two letters that threatened the manager of a Massachusetts company that had recently terminated one of Frisiello’s family members. During the 2016 presidential campaign, Frisiello sent a white-powder letter to family members of then-presidential candidate Donald Trump, which caused a significant hazardous material response by law enforcement in New York City. The letter promised that if Trump did not drop out of the race, the next letter would not be a fake. In 2016, Frisiello also sent letters to the heads of four law enforcement agencies in Connecticut and Rhode Island, warning them to drop an investigation into Nathan Carman, who allegedly killed his mother and grandfather, threatening that one police chief would join Carman’s mother “at the bottom of the sea” and that a state police colonel would not only drown, but also receive “a bullet in [his] brain.” In 2017, Frisiello sent a letter threatening to shoot the assistant district attorney who was prosecuting Michelle Carter for involuntary manslaughter and to also shoot the judge who was hearing the case. In 2018, Frisiello sent white powder letters to another member of the First Family, a United States Attorney, United States Senator Deborah Stabenow, a Stanford law professor, and a candidate for the United States House of Representatives.
United States Attorney Andrew E. Lelling; Joseph R. Bonavolonta, Special Agent in Charge of the Federal Bureau of Investigation, Boston Field Division; Joseph W. Cronin, Inspector in Charge of the U.S. Postal Inspection Service, Boston Division; Stephen Marks, Special Agent in Charge of the U.S. Secret Service Boston Field Office; and Beverly Police Chief John G. LeLacheur made the announcement today. The investigation was led by the FBI Boston Division’s Joint Terrorism Task Force. Assistant U.S. Attorney Scott L. Garland, Deputy Chief of Lelling’s National Security Unit, prosecuted the case.
Maryland Man Sentenced to 30 Years in Prison for Killing Two Men in 2017 Shooting in Northeast WashingtonRead the Press Release
WASHINGTON – Matthew Moore, Jr., 34, formerly of District Heights, Md., was sentenced today to 30 years in prison for a shooting that killed two people who were sitting in a car in Northeast Washington, announced U.S. Attorney Jessie K. Liu and Peter Newsham, Chief of the Metropolitan Police Department (MPD)
Moore pled guilty in August 2018, in the Superior Court of the District of Columbia, to two counts of second-degree murder while armed. The plea, which was contingent upon the Court’s approval, called for a sentence of 24 to 36 years in prison. The Honorable Danya A. Dayson accepted the plea; however, Moore attempted to withdraw his plea several months later. Judge Dayson ultimately denied the defendant’s motion to withdraw and sentenced Moore accordingly. Following his prison term, Moore will be placed on five years of supervised release.
According to the government’s evidence, on Jan. 17, 2017, at about 6:23 a.m., Moore was driving a white Kia Optima and the victims – Ronnell Reaves and Kevin Kennedy – were passengers. Moore pulled into the 600 block of 14th Place NE and parked the vehicle. He and Mr. Reaves then got out of the car and walked into a nearby alleyway. Mr. Kennedy remained in the car. Minutes later, Mr. Reaves returned to the car and got in the driver’s seat. Mr. Reaves was in the driver’s seat, and Mr. Kennedy was in the back seat, when Moore returned to the car.
At 6:36 a.m., Moore opened the front passenger door, leaned into the car, and pulled out a firearm. He fired two shots at Mr. Reaves in the front seat and two more shots at Mr. Kennedy in the back seat. Mr. Reaves, 22, was pronounced dead at the scene. Mr. Kennedy was taken to a hospital and later to a long-term care facility, where he died on July 9, 2018. He was 23. An autopsy determined that he died from gunshot wounds to the head and related complications.
On Jan. 26, 2017, law enforcement obtained a search warrant for Moore’s residence in District Heights. As a result of this search, law enforcement recovered a .40-caliber sub-compact, semi-automatic handgun. The gun was loaded with cartridges that were consistent with the four shell casings recovered from the scene of the shooting. Moore was arrested on Feb. 6, 2017, and has been in custody ever since.
In announcing the sentence, U.S. Attorney Liu and Chief Newsham commended the work of those who investigated the case from the Metropolitan Police Department. They also expressed appreciation for the assistance provided by the District of Columbia Department of Forensic Sciences and the District of Columbia Office of the Chief Medical Examiner. They acknowledged the efforts of those who worked on the case from the U.S. Attorney’s Office, including Paralegal Specialist Kelly Blakeney, Victim/Witness Advocate Marcia Rinker, and Assistant U.S. Attorney Allessandra Stewart, who investigated and prosecuted the case.
Lower Brule Man Charged with AssaultRead the Press Release
United States Attorney Ron Parsons announced that a Lower Brule, South Dakota, man has been indicted by a federal grand jury for Assault With a Dangerous Weapon, Assault Resulting in Serious Bodily Injury, and Aiding and Abetting.
Carlton Felicia, age 20, was indicted on February 13, 2019. He appeared before U.S. Magistrate Judge Mark A. Moreno on April 18, 2019, and pled not guilty to the Indictment.
The maximum penalty for each count upon conviction is up to 10 years in federal prison and/or a $250,000 fine, 3 years of supervised release, and $100 to the Federal Crime Victims Fund. Restitution may also be ordered.
The Indictment alleges that on July 1, 2018, Felicia and another individual assaulted the victim with shod feet, which resulted in serious bodily injury to the victim.
Grant Whitney, his co-defendant, previously appeared before U.S. Magistrate Judge Mark A. Moreno on February 21, 2019, and plead not guilty to the Indictment.
The charges are merely accusations and Felicia is presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty.
The investigation is being conducted by the Bureau of Indian Affairs, Lower Brule Agency. Assistant U.S. Attorney Troy R. Morley is prosecuting the case.
Felicia was released on bond pending trial. A trial date has not been set.
Local FBI Agent Receives Dual Awards Including Lifetime Achievement Award for Investigation of Human Trafficking and Civil Rights Cases and for Work with Crime VictimsRead the Press Release
An FBI Special Agent from the Oxford Resident Agency Office has been recognized in two separate award ceremonies this week for his investigation of civil rights and human trafficking cases and his work with victims of those offenses. FBI Special Agent Walter Henry, of the FBI Oxford Resident Agency, was honored by leaders from the Department of Justice, FBI and the US Attorney’s Office when he received the FBI’s National Civil Rights Program Award for his lifetime of achievement in investigating Civil Rights Cases. Henry received the national award on Monday in a ceremony attended by family, co-workers and friends. Henry was again recognized on Friday in a ceremony at the US Attorney’s office for his work with crime victims.
The FBI's Civil Rights Program Award is an annual award recognizing outstanding cases, programs, or individuals, inside or outside of the Bureau, who are working Civil Rights Crimes and Human Trafficking threats. The goal of the award program is to highlight the exemplary work of those investigating civil rights matters, and promote the FBI's civil rights mission, foster liaison relationships, and enhance education and outreach efforts. In Henry’s case, he received the award not because of a specific investigation, but for his entire career’s dedication to the investigation of Civil Rights and Human Trafficking cases.
Assistant Special Agent in Charge Bryan McCloskey of the Memphis Field Office supervised Henry for several years while they were both a part of the FBI Oxford Resident Agency Office and was on hand to introduce Henry and help present the award. McCloskey highlighted the positive impact that Special Agent Henry’s work has had not only in Mississippi, but across the nation. Because of Henry’s experience, empathy and investigative abilities, he has been assigned to assist with difficult and politically charged investigations across the United States. McCloskey noted that in addition to his work in other cities across the country on sensitive civil rights cases, Henry has handled the majority of civil rights cases in this district during the previous year and has helped train law enforcement officers and other individuals across the state of Mississippi on investigating and dealing with suspected civil rights cases.
During the ceremony, Henry was commended for his work with victims, community leaders and civil rights organizations. McCloskey noted that Henry’s calm and empathetic manner allows him effectively deal with emotionally charged situations and to interact with families of victims in a way that helps to bring reassurance and closure.
"Special Agent Henry exemplifies everything positive about the FBI. It is an honor and privilege to recognize SA Henry for being a leader in the FBI's national civil rights program," said SAC Freeze. "Walt's work over the course of his career has ensured that the civil rights of all are protected."
U.S. Attorney Lamar also applauded Henry, and noted that he was particularly deserving of recognition. “Throughout his career, Walt Henry has epitomized what a Special Agent with the Bureau should be. He has left an indelible mark on those with whom he has worked, done with strokes of politeness, humor and goodwill, but most of all with hard work, dedication, brilliance, integrity and humility. I can think of no one more deserving of this honor.”
Henry and two other agents were also recognized in a ceremony on Friday morning for outstanding work with victims as a part of National Crime Victim’s Rights Week. FBI Agent Henry, FBI Agent Ryan Berthay and Health and Human Services Agent Mike Loggins were all recognized on Friday for outstanding work with crime victims.
During the Friday morning ceremony, Henry was recognized for his dedication to crime victims, their families and communities. A federal prosecutor introducing Henry’s award noted that Henry cares for the physical, emotional and spiritual needs of victims, recognizes the pain of family members and gently and gracefully displays compassion throughout his investigations.
FBI Agent Ryan Berthay was recognized for his dogged pursuit of justice on behalf of crime victims and for the thorough work he does on each and every investigation. Agent Mike Loggins of the Department of Health and Human Services Office of the Inspector General was recognized for his extraordinary efforts to personally meet and hear from victims of those crimes he investigates.
Jury Convicts Social Media Entrepreneur in Plot to Hijack Internet DomainRead the Press Release
A man who enlisted his cousin to break into a Cedar Rapids man’s home and order him at gunpoint to transfer an Internet domain was convicted by a jury on April 18, 2019. The jury’s verdict followed a four-day trial in federal court in Cedar Rapids.
Rossi Lorathio Adams II, age 26, from Cedar Rapids, Iowa, also known as “Polo,” was convicted of conspiracy to interfere with commerce by force, threats, and violence. The verdict was returned after about an hour of jury deliberations.
The evidence at trial showed that Adams founded the social media company “State Snaps” while a student at Iowa State University in 2015. State Snaps operates on a variety of social media platforms, including Snapchat, Instagram, and Twitter. At one time, Adams had over a million followers on his social media sites, which mostly contained images and videos of young adults engaged in crude behavior, drunkenness, and nudity. In 2015, a Des Moines area television station aired a news segment in which Adams, who in the interview would only identify himself as “Polo,” was continuing to operate his social media sites despite the objections of Iowa State University administrators and the policies of the social media platforms.
Adams’ followers often used the slogan, “Do It For State!” Adams tried to purchase the Internet domain “doitforstate.com” from a Cedar Rapids resident who had registered the domain with GoDaddy.com. Between 2015 and 2017, Adams repeatedly tried to obtain “doitforstate.com”, but the owner of the domain would not sell it. Adams also threatened one of the domain owner’s friends with “gun emojis” after the friend used the domain to promote concerts.
In June 2017, Adams enlisted his cousin, Sherman Hopkins, Jr., to break into the domain owner’s home and force him at gunpoint to transfer doitforstate.com to Adams. Hopkins was a convicted felon who lived in a homeless shelter at the time.
On June 21, 2017, Adams drove Hopkins to the domain owner’s house and provided Hopkins with a demand note, which contained instructions for transferring the domain to Adams’ GoDaddy account. When Hopkins entered the victim’s home in Cedar Rapids, he was carrying a cellular telephone, a stolen gun, a taser, and he was wearing a hat, pantyhose on his head, and dark sunglasses on his face.
The victim was upstairs and heard Hopkins enter the home. From the top of a staircase, the victim saw Hopkins with the gun on the first floor. Hopkins shouted at the victim, who then ran into an upstairs bedroom and shut the door, leaning up against the door to stop Hopkins from entering. Hopkins went upstairs and kicked the door open.
Hopkins grabbed the victim by the arm and demanded to know where he kept his computer. When the victim told Hopkins that he kept his computer in his home office, Hopkins forcibly moved the victim to the office. Hopkins ordered the victim to turn on his computer and connect to the Internet. Hopkins pulled out Adams’ demand note, which contained a series of directions on how to change an Internet domain name from the domain owner’s GoDaddy account to one of Adams’ GoDaddy accounts.
Hopkins put the firearm against the victim’s head and ordered him to follow the directions on the demand note. Hopkins then pistol whipped the victim several times in the head. Fearing for his life, the victim quickly turned to move the gun away from his head. The victim then managed to gain control of the gun, but during the struggle, he was shot in the leg. The victim shot Hopkins multiple times in the chest. He then contacted law enforcement.
This case was brought as part of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN). PSN is the centerpiece of the Department of Justice’s violent crime reduction efforts. PSN is an evidence-based program proven to be effective at reducing violent crime. Through PSN, a broad spectrum of stakeholders work together to identify the most pressing violent crime problems in the community and develop comprehensive solutions to address them. As part of this strategy, PSN focuses enforcement efforts on the most violent offenders and partners with locally based prevention and reentry programs for lasting reductions in crime.
Sentencing before United States District Court Judge C.J. Williams will be set after a presentence report is prepared. Adams was taken into custody by the United States Marshal after the verdict was returned and will remain in custody pending sentencing. Adams faces a possible maximum sentence of 20 years’ imprisonment, a $250,000 fine, and three years of supervised release following any imprisonment.
The case is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorneys Timothy L. Vavricek and Matthew J. Cole and was investigated by the Cedar Rapids Police Department. Hopkins was sentenced to 20 years’ imprisonment in June 2018.
Court file information at https://ecf.iand.uscourts.gov/cgi-bin/login.pl.
The case file number is 18-CR-86-CJW.
Follow us on Twitter @USAO_NDIA.
Jackson Man Sentenced to Almost Four Years in Federal Prison under Project EJECT for Illegally Possessing a FirearmRead the Press Release
Jackson, Miss. – Jamie D. Wilson, 36, of Jackson, was sentenced yesterday by U.S. District Judge Daniel P. Jordan III to 47 months in federal prison, followed by three years of supervised release, for illegally possessing a firearm after having previously been convicted of a felony, announced U.S. Attorney Mike Hurst and Special Agent in Charge Dana Nichols with the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives. Wilson was also ordered to pay a $1,500 fine.
On September 20, 2016, Wilson was arrested by the Jackson Police Department while in possession of a Glock .357 caliber handgun loaded with 16 rounds of ammunition. He had previously had been convicted in 2012 in Hinds County Circuit Court to serve 3 years in state prison for felony possession of marijuana and 8 years in state prison for possession of cocaine, with 5 of those years suspended after serving 3 years. His state prison sentences also required Wilson to serve 5 years on post-release supervision. Wilson was discharged from Mississippi Department of Corrections custody in 2014 to complete the suspended portion of his sentence. At the time of his arrest on September 20, 2016, he was still serving the suspended portion of his state sentence.
On September 7, 2018, Wilson was charged in a federal indictment with possession of a firearm by a convicted felon. He pled guilty before Judge Jordan on January 18, 2019.
This case was investigated by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives and the Jackson Police Department. It was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Carla J. Clark
This case is part of Project EJECT, an initiative by the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of Mississippi under the U.S. Department of Justice’s Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN). EJECT is a holistic, multi-disciplinary approach to fighting and reducing violent crime through prosecution, prevention, re-entry and awareness. EJECT stands for "Empower Justice Expel Crime Together." PSN is bringing together all levels of law enforcement and the communities they serve to reduce violent crime and make our neighborhoods safer for everyone. Former Attorney General Jeff Sessions reinvigorated PSN in 2017 as part of the Department’s renewed focus on targeting violent criminals, directing all U.S. Attorney’s Offices to work in partnership with federal, state, local, and tribal law enforcement and the local community to develop effective, locally-based strategies to reduce violent crime.
Jackson County Man Sentenced to 10 Years in Prison for Distributing Cocaine and Trading Cocaine for FirearmsRead the Press Release
MEDFORD, Ore.—On Thursday, April 18, 2019, Jonathan Alan Ochoa, 31, of Talent, Oregon, was sentenced to 120 months in federal prison and five years’ supervised release for conspiring to distribute and possess with intent to distribute cocaine and possessing a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime.
“Mr. Ochoa’s actions show a blatant disregard for the law and public safety. The lengthy prison sentences ordered in this case reflect the seriousness of mixing firearms and drug trafficking,” said Billy J. Williams, U.S. Attorney for the District of Oregon. “I thank the ATF agents involved in bringing Mr. Ochoa and Mr. Manzer to justice. Our communities are safer thanks to their efforts.”
“Mr. Ochoa compounded his drug dealing by accepting firearms in trade for illicit drugs,” said ATF Seattle Field Division Special Agent in Charge Darek Pleasants. “His willingness to engage in this lawless behavior undermines the safety and security of his community and contributes to other related criminal activities. His sentence is appropriate and serves to send a message to the community that actions like this will not be tolerated.”
According to court documents, between July and August 2017, Ochoa agreed and conspired with co-defendants Gonzalo Manzo, Jr. and Rodolfo Quevedo to send more than 500 grams of cocaine from California to Oregon to sell and distribute to others. During this time, Ochoa and Manzo negotiated a sale of cocaine with an undercover agent from the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives (ATF) in exchange for multiple firearms.
On August 17, 2017, at Manzo’s request, Quevedo transported approximately 1000 grams of cocaine from California and delivered it to Ochoa in the Medford area. The firearms and cash were intended to be transported back to California but agents arrested Ochoa and his co-conspirators and the firearms were seized by law enforcement.
Manzo pleaded guilty to the same charges in August 2018 and was sentenced to 188 months in prison and three years’ supervised release on December 11, 2018. Quevedo pleaded guilty in September 2018 to a single count of conspiracy to distribute and possess with intent to distribute cocaine and was sentenced to one year and one day in prison and five years’ supervised release on December 20, 2018.
Ochoa previously pleaded guilty to one count each of conspiracy to distribute and possess with intent to distribute cocaine and possession of a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime on October 29, 2018.
This case was investigated by ATF and is being prosecuted by Nathan J. Lichvarcik and Adam E. Delph, Assistant U.S. Attorneys for the District of Oregon.
The case is part of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN). PSN is the centerpiece of the Department of Justice’s violent crime reduction efforts. PSN is an evidence-based program proven to be effective at reducing violent crime. Through PSN, a broad spectrum of stakeholders work together to identify the most pressing violent crime problems in the community and develop comprehensive solutions to address them. As part of this strategy, PSN focuses enforcement efforts on the most violent offenders and partners with locally based prevention and reentry programs for lasting reductions in crime.
Informational: Federal Court arraignmentsRead the Press Release
The U.S. Attorney’s Office announced that the following persons were arraigned or appeared this week before U.S. Magistrate judges on indictments handed down by the Grand Jury or on criminal complaints. The charging documents are merely accusations and defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty:
Appearing in Missoula before U.S. Magistrate Judge Jeremiah C. Lynch and pleading not guilty on April 16 was:
JUDITH JOHANNA COSSETTE, 66, of Kalispell, on charges of murder for hire. If convicted of the most serious crime, Cossette faces a maximum 10 years in prison, a $250,000 fine and three years of supervised release. Cossette was released pending trial. The case was investigated by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives. Pacer case reference. 19-16.
Appearing in Great Falls before U.S. Magistrate Judge John T. Johnston and pleading not guilty on April 18 was:
TYRUS EUGENE BROCKIE, 19, of Hays, on charges of sexual abuse of a minor. If convicted of the most serious crime, Brockie faces a maximum of 15 years in prison, a $250,000 fine and five years to a lifetime of supervised release. Brockie was detained. The case was investigated by the FBI. Pacer case reference. 19-26.
JEREMY DAVIS WING, 40, of Lodgepole, on charges of domestic abuse by habitual offender. If convicted of the most serious crime, Wing faces a maximum 10 years in prison, a $250,000 fine and three years of supervised release. Wing was detained. The case was investigated by the FBI. Pacer case reference. 19-27.
If any of the above cases are of interest to your media organization and the community it serves, we encourage you to monitor the progress of the case regularly through the U.S. District Court calendar and the PACER system.
To establish a PACER account, which will allow you to review documents filed in the case, please go to, http://www.pacer.gov/register.html. To access the district court’s calendar, please go to https://ecf.mtd.uscourts.gov/cgi-bin/PublicCalendar.pl.
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Indian National Extradited to United States to Face Charges for Leadership Role in Multimillion Dollar India-Based Call Center Scam Targeting U.S. VictimsRead the Press Release
An Indian national has been extradited to the United States from Singapore to face charges related to his role as an operator of a call center network that targeted U.S victims. The massive India-based telephone impersonation fraud and money laundering conspiracy defrauded thousands of U.S. residents out of hundreds of millions of dollars.
Assistant Attorney General Brian A. Benczkowski of the Justice Department’s Criminal Division, U.S. Attorney Ryan K. Patrick of the Southern District of Texas, Executive Associate Director Derek N. Benner of U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s (ICE) Homeland Security Investigations (HSI), Inspector General J. Russell George of the U.S. Treasury Inspector General for Tax Administration (TIGTA) and Acting Inspector General John Kelly of the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Office of Inspector General (OIG) made the announcement today.
Hitesh Madhubhai Patel, 42, of Ahmedabad, India, arrived in the United States and is scheduled to be arraigned today before a U.S. magistrate judge in federal court in Houston, Texas. The indictment, which was unsealed in October 2016, charged Patel and 60 other individuals and entities with general conspiracy, wire fraud conspiracy and money laundering conspiracy. The case is assigned to the Honorable David Hittner of the Southern District of Texas.
“Hitesh Patel operated a call center that allegedly preyed upon vulnerable U.S. citizens as part of a massive fraud scheme,” said Assistant Attorney General Benczkowski. “This extradition once again demonstrates the Department’s unwavering commitment to disrupt and dismantle the India-based call center scam industry and to work with our foreign partners to hold accountable those who perpetrate schemes that defraud our citizens. I especially would like to thank our Singaporean colleagues for their excellent cooperation with this extradition and their commitment to combatting transnational organized crime.”
“I cannot compliment enough the hard work and effort put into this case by the agents, analysts and attorneys of the many agencies involved,” said U.S. Attorney Patrick. “Large complex international cases like these often take years to bring in foreign-based defendants. I applaud our global partners in helping bring this case closer to a conclusion.”
“Today’s extradition should serve as a strong deterrent to anyone considering taking part in similar scams, and I hope it provides a sense of justice for the victims as well,” said HSI Executive Associate Director Benner. “HSI will continue to utilize its unique investigative mandate, in conjunction with our local, state and federal partners, to attack and dismantle the criminal enterprises who would seek to manipulate U.S. institutions and taxpayers.”
“Since 2013, the IRS impersonation scam has been on a relentless path, claiming more than 15,000 victims who have collectively suffered over $75 million in losses,” said Treasury Inspector General for Tax Administration J. Russell George. “TIGTA’s investigations, often conducted with other Federal agencies, have identified 140 scammers, including Patel, who have preyed upon taxpayers. Today’s extradition and arraignment are proof that TIGTA and its law enforcement partners will be equally relentless in rooting out individuals who fraudulently identify themselves as IRS employees in order to extort money from taxpayers. We especially appreciate the cooperation of the Government of Singapore for its role in the extradition.”
“This historic extradition should serve as notice to transnational criminal organizations of the lengths DHS is willing to go to arrest those who would enrich themselves by extorting the most vulnerable in our society,” said Special Agent in Charge David Green of DHS-OIG Houston, Texas Field Office. “The owners, managers and employees of overseas call centers who target U.S. residents should know that our pursuit of justice for victims of their scams does not stop at the water’s edge. We will continue to work with our international partners to identify these fraudsters, track them down and hold them accountable for their crimes.”
Singapore authorities apprehended Patel at the request of the United States pursuant to a provisional arrest warrant on Sept. 21, 2018, after flying from India to Singapore. The Singaporean Minister for Law issued a warrant on March 25, 2019 for Patel to be delivered into custody of the United States.
The indictment alleges that Patel operated the HGlobal call center conglomerate and participated in a complex fraudulent scheme involving a network of call centers based in Ahmedabad, India. Using information obtained from data brokers and other sources, India-based conspirators allegedly called potential victims while impersonating officials from the IRS or U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services. According to the indictment, the call center conspirators then threatened victims with arrest, imprisonment, fines or deportation if they did not pay taxes or penalties to the government. When victims agreed to pay, the call centers used a network of U.S.-based conspirators to quickly liquidate and launder the extorted funds through the use of stored value cards or via wire transfers. As alleged in the indictment, the stored value cards were often registered by the scammers using misappropriated personal identifying information of thousands of identity theft victims, and conspirators collected the wire transfers by using fake names and fraudulent identifications.
According to the indictment, the call center conspirators also defrauded victims through other schemes, including via offering fake short-term loans or grants. The indictment alleges that the conspirators would then request a good-faith deposit to show the victims’ ability to pay back the loan or a fee to process the grant. The victims of the alleged scam never received any money after making the requested payment.
An indictment is merely an allegation and the defendant is presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.
A total of 24 domestic defendants associated with this transnational criminal scheme have previously been convicted and sentenced to terms of imprisonment of up to 20 years in the Southern District of Texas, District of Arizona and Northern District of Georgia. The defendants were also ordered to pay millions of dollars in victim restitution and money judgments and to forfeit seized assets. Some defendants were ordered to be deported based on their illegal immigration status, with another defendant having his U.S. citizenship revoked due to a separate conviction for immigration fraud. The remaining India-based defendants have yet to be arraigned in this case.
HSI, DHS-OIG and TIGTA conducted the investigation. The Department of Justice’s Office of International Affairs and HSI Singapore provided significant support in securing and coordinating Patel’s arrest and extradition, working in concert with their counterparts at the Singapore Attorney General’s-Chambers and the Singapore Police Force.
Trial Attorneys Michael Sheckels and Mona Sahaf of the Criminal Division’s Human Rights and Special Prosecutions Section, Amanda Wick of the Criminal Division’s Money Laundering and Asset Recovery Section, and Assistant U.S. Attorneys Mark McIntyre and Craig Feazel of the Southern District of Texas are prosecuting the case.
A Department of Justice website has been established to provide information about the case to victims and the public. Anyone who believes they may be a victim of fraud or identity theft in relation to this investigation or other telefraud scam phone calls may contact the FTC via this website.
Anyone seeking additional information about telefraud scams generally, or preventing identity theft or fraudulent use of their identity information, may find helpful information on the IRS tax scams website, the FTC phone scam website, and the FTC identity theft website.
Indian National Extradited to Face Charges for Leadership Role in Multimillion Dollar India-Based Call Center ScamRead the Press Release
HOUSTON – An Indian national has been extradited to the United States from Singapore to face charges related to his role as an operator of a call center network that targeted U.S victims. The massive India-based telephone impersonation fraud and money laundering conspiracy defrauded thousands of U.S. residents out of hundreds of millions of dollars.
U.S. Attorney Ryan K. Patrick made the announcement along with Assistant Attorney General Brian A. Benczkowski of the Justice Department’s Criminal Division, Executive Associate Director Derek N. Benner of Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s (ICE) Homeland Security Investigations (HSI), Inspector General J. Russell George of the U.S. Treasury Inspector General for Tax Administration (TIGTA) and Acting Inspector General John Kelly of the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Office of Inspector General (OIG).
Hitesh Madhubhai Patel, 42, of Ahmedabad, India, arrived in the United States and is scheduled to be arraigned today before U.S. Magistrate Judge Peter Bray at 1:30 p.m. in Houston. The indictment, which was unsealed in October 2016, charged Patel and 60 other individuals and entities with general conspiracy, wire fraud conspiracy and money laundering conspiracy. The case is assigned to the Honorable David Hittner of the Southern District of Texas.
“I cannot compliment enough the hard work and effort put into this case by the agents, analysts and attorneys of the many agencies involved,” said Patrick. “Large complex international cases like these often take years to bring in foreign-based defendants. I applaud our global partners in helping bring this case closer to a conclusion.”
“Hitesh Patel operated a call center that allegedly preyed upon vulnerable U.S. citizens as part of a massive fraud scheme,” said Benczkowski. “This extradition once again demonstrates the Department’s unwavering commitment to disrupt and dismantle the India-based call center scam industry and to work with our foreign partners to hold accountable those who perpetrate schemes that defraud our citizens.”
“Today’s extradition should serve as a strong deterrent to anyone considering taking part in similar scams, and I hope it provides a sense of justice for the victims as well,” said Benner. “HSI will continue to utilize its unique investigative mandate, in conjunction with our local, state and federal partners, to attack and dismantle the criminal enterprises who would seek to manipulate U.S. institutions and taxpayers.”
“Since 2013, the IRS impersonation scam has been on a relentless path, claiming more than 15,000 victims who have collectively suffered over $75 million in losses,” said George. “TIGTA’s investigations, often conducted with other federal agencies, have identified 140 scammers, including Patel, who have preyed upon taxpayers. Today’s extradition and arraignment are proof that TIGTA and its law enforcement partners will be equally relentless in rooting out individuals who fraudulently identify themselves as IRS employees in order to extort money from taxpayers. We especially appreciate the cooperation of the Government of Singapore for its role in the extradition.”
“This historic extradition should serve as notice to transnational criminal organizations of the lengths DHS is willing to go to arrest those who would enrich themselves by extorting the most vulnerable in our society,” said Special Agent in Charge David Green of DHS-OIG, Houston Field Office. “The owners, managers and employees of overseas call centers who target U.S. residents should know that our pursuit of justice for victims of their scams does not stop at the water’s edge. We will continue to work with our international partners to identify these fraudsters, track them down and hold them accountable for their crimes.”
Singapore authorities apprehended Patel at the request of the United States pursuant to a provisional arrest warrant on Sept. 21, 2018, after flying from India to Singapore. The Singaporean Minister for Law issued a warrant on March 25, 2019, for Patel to be delivered into custody of the United States.
The indictment alleges Patel operated the HGlobal call center conglomerate and participated in a complex fraudulent scheme involving a network of call centers based in Ahmedabad, India. Using information obtained from data brokers and other sources, India-based conspirators allegedly called potential victims while impersonating officials from the IRS or Citizenship and Immigration Services. According to the indictment, the call center conspirators then threatened victims with arrest, imprisonment, fines or deportation if they did not pay taxes or penalties to the government. When victims agreed to pay, the call centers used a network of U.S.-based conspirators to quickly liquidate and launder the extorted funds through the use of stored value cards or via wire transfers. As alleged in the indictment, the stored value cards were often registered by the scammers using misappropriated personal identifying information of thousands of identity theft victims, and conspirators collected the wire transfers by using fake names and fraudulent identifications.
According to the indictment, the call center conspirators also defrauded victims through other schemes, including via offering fake short-term loans or grants. The indictment alleges onspirators would then request a good-faith deposit to show the victims’ ability to pay back the loan or a fee to process the grant. The victims of the alleged scam never received any money after making the requested payment.
A total of 24 domestic defendants associated with this transnational criminal scheme have previously been convicted and sentenced to terms of imprisonment of up to 20 years in the Southern District of Texas, District of Arizona and Northern District of Georgia. The defendants were also ordered to pay millions of dollars in victim restitution and money judgments and to forfeit seized assets. Some defendants were ordered to be deported based on their illegal immigration status, with another defendant having his U.S. citizenship revoked due to a separate conviction for immigration fraud. The remaining India-based defendants have yet to be arraigned in this case.
HSI, DHS-OIG and TIGTA conducted the investigation. The Department of Justice’s Office of International Affairs and HSI Singapore provided significant support in securing and coordinating Patel’s arrest and extradition, working in concert with their counterparts at the Singapore Attorney General’s-Chambers and the Singapore Police Force.
Assistant U.S. Attorneys Mark McIntyre and Craig Feazel are prosecuting the case along with Trial Attorneys Michael Sheckels and Mona Sahaf of the Criminal Division’s Human Rights and Special Prosecutions Section, Amanda Wick of the Criminal Division’s Money Laundering and Asset Recovery Section.
A Department of Justice website has been established to provide information about the case to victims and the public. Anyone who believes they may be a victim of fraud or identity theft in relation to this investigation or other telefraud scam phone calls may contact the FTC via this website.
Anyone seeking additional information about telefraud scams generally, or preventing identity theft or fraudulent use of their identity information, may find helpful information on the IRS tax scams website, the FTC phone scam website, and the FTC identity theft website.
An indictment is a formal accusation of criminal conduct, not evidence.
A defendant is presumed innocent unless convicted through due process of law.Illegal Alien Sentenced on Cocaine Trafficking and Firearms ChargesRead the Press Release
ALEXANDRIA, Va. – An illegal alien with a prior felony drug trafficking conviction was sentenced today to more than 12 years in prison for cocaine distribution and firearms charges related to his involvement in a prolific cocaine trafficking network in the mid-Atlantic region of the United States.
“Alvarez is a recidivist armed drug dealer who has illegally entered the United States on multiple occasions,” said U.S. Attorney G. Zachary Terwilliger. “After a conviction for drug trafficking in 2007, in which he was discovered in a hotel room with methamphetamine and a loaded handgun, he was deported back to Mexico. Alvarez illegally returned to the United States sometime later and eventually resumed trafficking controlled substances while armed with a firearm. He clearly has no regard for our nation’s laws and borders and he poses a threat to our public safety.”
According to court documents, Homero Salgado Alvarez, 46, a citizen of Mexico, was previously convicted of drug distribution in 2007, and was subsequently deported to Mexico. He later returned to the United States, where he eventually resumed trafficking in controlled substances. When he came to the attention of law enforcement in late 2017, he was a wholesale cocaine distributor operating in southeastern North Carolina who was regularly trafficking in kilogram quantities of cocaine. The cocaine that Alvarez distributed made its way up from North Carolina to the greater Washington, DC area, including the Eastern District of Virginia.
“Today’s sentencing sends a clear message that criminal enterprises engaged in the illegal acquisition and distribution of narcotics in our communities cannot evade the law,” said Matthew J. DeSarno, Special Agent in Charge, Criminal Division, FBI Washington Field Office. “The FBI will work closely with our partners to continue to aggressively investigate and disrupt significant criminal enterprises.”
Alvarez, who also possessed a firearm for protection while carrying out his drug dealing, used coded language to refer to drugs, including “tires” to refer to quantities of cocaine. This was done to conceal his illegal activities from detection, as Alvarez did, in fact, work at a legitimate business selling used tires. When Alvarez was arrested, law enforcement found a total of 3 kilograms of cocaine hidden in his washing machine and bathroom, along with a .40-caliber Smith & Wesson handgun.
This case was investigated as part of the Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Forces (OCDETF) Operation Tomb Stone. The OCDETF program is a federal multi-agency, multi-jurisdictional task force that supplies supplemental federal funding to federal and state agencies involved in the identification, investigation, and prosecution of major drug trafficking organizations. The principal mission of the OCDETF program is to identify, disrupt, and dismantle the most serious drug trafficking, weapons trafficking, and money laundering organizations, and those primarily responsible for the nation’s illegal drug supply.
This case is part of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), which is the centerpiece of the Department of Justice’s violent crime reduction efforts. PSN is an evidence-based program proven to be effective at reducing violent crime. Through PSN, a broad spectrum of stakeholders work together to identify the most pressing violent crime problems in the community and develop comprehensive solutions to address them. As part of this strategy, PSN focuses enforcement efforts on the most violent offenders and partners with locally based prevention and reentry programs for lasting reductions in crime.
G. Zachary Terwilliger, U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of Virginia, Matthew J. DeSarno, Special Agent in Charge, Criminal Division, FBI Washington Field Office, Jesse R. Fong, Special Agent in Charge for the Drug Enforcement Administration’s (DEA) Washington Field Division, and Barry M. Barnard, Chief of Prince William County Police, made the announcement after sentencing by Senior U.S. District Judge Claude M. Hilton. Assistant U.S. Attorney Katherine E. Rumbaugh prosecuted the case, with significant assistance from Special Assistant U.S. Attorney Gwendelynn Bills.
This investigation was led by FBI Washington Field Office’s Safe Streets/HIDTA Task Force. The Task Force is composed of FBI Agents along with investigators from local police and sheriff’s offices in northern Virginia as well as Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE). Significant assistance was provided by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives’ (ATF) Washington Field Division, FBI’s Charlotte Field Office, DEA’s Greensboro Resident Agency, and the Police Departments of Sanford, North Carolina and Fayetteville, North Carolina.
A copy of this press release is located on the website of the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of Virginia. Related court documents and information are located on the website of the District Court for the Eastern District of Virginia or on PACER by searching for Case Nos. 1:18-cr-380; 1:18-cr-470.
Former Tallassee Police Investigator Pleads Guilty to Assaulting Handcuffed ArresteeRead the Press Release
Montgomery, Alabama – Today, Michael Brandon Smirnoff, 27, a former Tallassee Police investigator, pleaded guilty to assaulting a handcuffed, 24-year-old man, announced U.S. Attorney Louis V. Franklin, Sr., Assistant Attorney General Eric Drieband of the Justice Department’s Civil Rights Division, and FBI Special Agent in Charge James E. Jewell.
According to the guilty plea, Smirnoff, who was on duty as an investigator with the Tallassee Police Department, used his patrol car to pursue the victim, J.M., who was on a four-wheeler. After the pursuit, J.M. stepped off his four-wheeler, laid face down on the ground, and allowed several Tallassee police officers to handcuff him. While J.M. was handcuffed and compliant, Smirnoff lifted him into the air and then slammed him to the ground. Smirnoff then repeated the assault. Moments later, before Smirnoff placed the victim into his patrol car, Smirnoff slammed the victim’s head into the side of the vehicle. For each assault, the victim was handcuffed, compliant, and did not pose a threat.
“Police officers who willfully use excessive force not only violate the Constitution, they erode the public trust in law enforcement,” said Assistant Attorney General Eric Drieband of the Justice Department’s Civil Rights Division. “The Civil Rights Division is committed to protecting victims of these abuses and upholding the Constitution and laws that protect us all.”
“It is especially important in a climate of distrust between law enforcement and the public, that officers act ethically and within the bounds of the law,” said U.S. Attorney Franklin. “This police officer’s brutal behavior was unacceptable and criminal. He violated this young man’s constitutional rights and the trust placed in law enforcement officers to faithfully, ethically, and morally enforce the law. You can be sure that anytime an officer steps over the line and into criminal behavior, as this one did, my office will hold that individual accountable.”
FBI Special Agent in Charge James E. Jewell stated, "The FBI supports our state and local law enforcement partners but will not tolerate the intentional abuse of a citizen. The position of police officer should convey compassion as well as trust and we intend to hold that line."
Smirnoff faces a statutory maximum sentence of 10 years in prison and a $250,000 fine. His sentencing hearing is set for July 18, 2019.
This case is being investigated by the FBI’s Montgomery Division. It is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Denise Simpson of the Middle District of Alabama and Trial Attorney Michael J. Songer of the Civil Rights Division.
Former SCDC Corrections Officer Sentenced to Federal Prison for Smuggling Contraband into Corrections FacilityRead the Press Release
Columbia, South Carolina --- United States Attorney Sherri A. Lydon announced today that former South Carolina Department of Corrections (SCDC) Officer Joshua Cave, 30, of Allendale, South Carolina, was sentenced to 6 months in federal prison and 6 months of probation after pleading guilty to Conspiracy to Commit Honest Services Wire Fraud.
Evidence presented to the court showed that SCDC inmates paid Cave bribes in exchange for smuggling alcohol into Allendale Correctional Institute. Evidence showed that Cave received at least ten bribes amounting to over one thousand dollars.
United States District Judge J. Michelle Childs of Columbia sentenced Cave to 6 months in federal prison and 6 months of probation, to be followed by a 2-year term of court-ordered supervision.
“We are grateful for the women and men at the South Carolina Department of Corrections who put on their uniform every day and work hard to protect inmates, prison staff, and the general public,” said U.S. Attorney Lydon. “But this case should serve as a warning to those employees who would violate the public trust by smuggling contraband into our corrections facilities: If you bring contraband into our prisons, you will end up in prison. The U.S. Attorney’s Office will continue to stand with SCDC as we root out corruption in our prison system.”
“We will pursue prison time for any correctional officer or staff member who brings contraband into an SCDC institution,” S.C. Department of Corrections Director Bryan Stirling said. “A correctional officer holds a position of public trust. If he or she violates that trust, it puts fellow officers, staff, inmates, and the public at risk. This kind of conduct will not be tolerated.”
Cave is one of 19 former SCDC employees—including corrections officers, a nurse, and food service employees—indicted on federal charges related to accepting bribes and bringing contraband into South Carolina prisons. Defendants Douglas Hawkins, Shatara Wilson, and Shakeel Malik Monroe have pleaded guilty to Conspiracy to Commit Honest Services Wire Fraud and await sentencing.
The case was investigated by The Federal Bureau of Investigation and South Carolina Department of Corrections Police Services. It was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney William Camden Lewis of the Columbia office.
Former Online Brokerage Employee Pleads Guilty to Wire FraudRead the Press Release
A former Seattle employee of the online brokerage firm ShareBuilder, pleaded guilty today in U.S. District Court in Seattle to wire fraud in connection with a kick-back scheme involving one of ShareBuilder’s affiliates, announced U.S. Attorney Brian T. Moran. AUGUSTINE OLOBIA, 49, now of Hurst, Texas, worked at ShareBuilder in Seattle from 1999 to 2013. In his plea agreement he admits he falsified data and approved payment of invoices that inflated the number of customers who opened trading accounts after viewing and clicking on links placed in ads by Texas-based affiliate Tega Creative. The inflated numbers increased revenue to Tega Creative, and OLOBIA was secretly paid about half the net income Tega Creative received. The loss to ShareBuilder’s owner, Capital One, is estimated at more than $1.5 million.
According to the facts admitted in the plea agreement, OLOBIA was responsible for managing the third party vendors who advertised ShareBuilder’s services. Those vendors were paid on a “bounty system.” ShareBuilder paid Tega Creative $40-$55 per account that was opened after a customer came to ShareBuilder via Tega Creative’s advertisement. Beginning in about 2008, OLOBIA executed a scheme to inflate the numbers of accounts that were attributable to Tega Creative. OLOBIA manipulated data in ShareBuilder’s computer system to vastly inflate the number of account openings attributable to Tega Creative’s marketing, and then approved invoices issued by Tega Creative that were based on the inflated numbers. For example in 2007, Tega Creative was credited with about 2,000 account openings. In 2008, as a result of the fraud, Tega Creative with credited with 10,000 account openings. OLOBIA was secretly paid about one-third of the gross monthly payment from ShareBuilder to Tega Creative.
The scheme was uncovered when OLOBIA left ShareBuilder, and other employees tried to reconcile the number of accounts attributed to Tega Creative. In January 2014, OLOBIA prepared a spreadsheet that tried to further the fraud and reconcile the accounts. OLOBIA provided the spreadsheet to an individual at Tega Creative who emailed it on to ShareBuilder. However, the spreadsheet did not end the company’s investigation and the case was referred to law enforcement.
U.S. District Judge Robert S. Lasnik scheduled sentencing for July 12, 2019. Prosecutors have agreed to recommend a sentence of no more than 18 months in prison. Judge Lasnik is not bound by the recommendation and can impose any sentence up to the maximum of twenty years in prison.
The case was investigated by the FBI. The case is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Michael Dion.
Former Captain of Arkansas Juvenile Detention Center Sentenced to Prison for Conspiracy to Assault Juvenile DetaineesRead the Press Release
Former Captain of the White River Regional Juvenile Detention Center, Peggy Kendrick, 45, was sentenced yesterday to prison for her role in conspiring to assault juvenile inmates, assaulting a 16-year-old juvenile, and obstructing justice by falsifying incident reports about that assault. Kendrick, who served as captain and administrator of the detention center, and was in charge of its daily operations, was sentenced to 84 months in prison and three years of supervised release, announced Assistant Attorney General Eric Dreiband of the Department of Justice’s Civil Rights Division, U.S. Attorney Cody Hiland of the Eastern District of Arkansas, and Special Agent in charge Diane Upchurch of the FBI Little Rock Field Office.
“This defendant abused her power as Captain and attempted to cover up the assault of young inmates under her care and custody,” said Assistant Attorney General Eric Dreiband of the Civil Rights Division. “The Department of Justice will continue to aggressively enforce our nation’s laws and hold officers who break the law and mistreat inmates accountable.”
“As former Captain of the facility, this defendant was in a position of trust. Her behavior towards these children violated that trust, and the sentence shows these actions will not go unpunished,” said U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of Arkansas Cody Hiland.
“We are morally, constitutionally, and legally obligated to treat juvenile inmates humanely. The sentencing reflects our commitment to investigate the mistreatment of inmates by the people in charge of them,” stated Special Agent in Charge Diane Upchurch with the Little Rock FBI Field Office. “We appreciate the efforts of our partners at the Justice Department’s Civil Rights Division and the United States Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of Arkansas and the FBI.”
On April 26, 2017, Kendrick pleaded guilty in federal court to conspiring to assault juvenile inmates at the White River facility. According to the plea documents, Kendrick assaulted and physically punished juvenile detainees who posed no threat, including by spraying them in the face with pepper spray. In some instances, she then shut the compliant juveniles in their cells after pepper spraying them to “let them cook,” or continue suffering the effects of the pepper spray, rather than immediately decontaminating them. Kendrick also encouraged other juvenile detention officers to unjustifiably assault juveniles and to falsify their incident reports to cover up the assaults.
Kendrick also pleaded guilty to assaulting a 16-year-old girl by pepper spraying her in the face for failing to follow directions. At the time, the girl, who was in the detention center as part of the “Families in Need of Service” program and had not been charged with any crime, was standing in the back corner of her cell with her arms folded, and not posing a physical threat to anyone or physically resisting in any way. Kendrick covered up the assault by writing an incident report falsely claiming that the girl had clenched her fist and stepped toward Kendrick in an aggressive manner.
Kendrick was sentenced yesterday by United States District Court Judge James M. Moody Jr. On March 14, Judge Moody sentenced Dennis Fuller, 41, who served as Kendrick’s lieutenant, to 36 months in prison for his role in the conspiracy.
This case was investigated by the FBI’s Little Rock Division. Trial Attorneys Samantha Trepel and Michael J. Songer of the Justice Department’s Civil Rights Division, and Assistant United States Attorneys Julie Peters and Pat Harris of the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of Arkansas prosecuted the case.
Former Alabama Police Investigator Pleads Guilty to Assaulting Handcuffed ArresteeRead the Press Release
The Department of Justice announced today that a former Tallassee Police investigator, Brandon Smirnoff, 27, pleaded guilty to assaulting a handcuffed, 24-year-old man.
According to the guilty plea, Smirnoff, who was on duty as an investigator with the Tallassee Police Department, used his patrol car to pursue the victim, J.M., who was on a four-wheeler. After the pursuit, J.M. stepped off his four-wheeler, laid face down on the ground, and allowed several Tallassee police officers to handcuff him. While J.M. was handcuffed and compliant, Smirnoff lifted him into the air and then slammed him to the ground. Smirnoff then repeated the assault. Moments later, before Smirnoff placed the victim into his patrol car, Smirnoff slammed the victim’s head into the side of the vehicle. For each assault, the victim was handcuffed, compliant, and did not pose a threat.
“Police officers who willfully use excessive force not only violate the Constitution, they erode public trust in law enforcement,” said Assistant Attorney General Eric Dreiband of the Department of Justice’s Civil Rights Division. “The Civil Rights Division is committed to protecting victims of these abuses and upholding the Constitution and laws that protect us all.”
“It is especially important in a climate of distrust between law enforcement and the public, that officers act ethically and within the bounds of the law,” said U.S. Attorney Louis V. Franklin for the Middle District of Alabama. “This police officer’s brutal behavior was unacceptable and criminal. He violated this young man’s constitutional rights and the trust placed in law enforcement officers to faithfully, ethically, and morally enforce the law. You can be sure that anytime an officer steps over the line and into criminal behavior, as this one did, my office will hold that individual accountable.”
FBI Special Agent in Charge James E. Jewell stated, "the FBI supports our state and local law enforcement partners but will not tolerate the intentional abuse of a citizen. The position of police officer should convey compassion as well as trust and we intend to hold that line."
Smirnoff faces a statutory maximum sentence of 10 years in prison and a $250,000 fine.
This case is being investigated by the FBI’s Montgomery Division. It is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Denise Simpson of the Middle District of Alabama and Trial Attorney Michael J. Songer of the Civil Rights Division.
Former Aequitas Owner and Executive Vice President Pleads Guilty in Fraud and Money Laundering ConspiracyRead the Press Release
PORTLAND, Ore.—U.S. Attorney Billy J. Williams announced today that Brian A. Oliver, a former owner and executive vice president of Aequitas Management, LLC and several other Aequitas-related companies has pleaded guilty to conspiring to commit mail and wire fraud and money laundering.
According to court documents, Oliver, 54, of Aurora, Oregon, and unnamed co-conspirators used the Lake Oswego, Oregon, based company to solicit investments in a variety of notes and funds, many of which were purportedly backed by trade receivables in education, health care, transportation, and other consumer credit areas. Oliver was the company’s primary fundraiser and shared responsibility for the operation and management of Aequitas-affiliated companies and investment products as well as for the use of investor money.
From June 2014 through February 2016, Oliver and others solicited investors by misrepresenting the company’s use of investor money, the financial health and strength of Aequitas and its related companies, and the risks associated with its investments and investment strategies. Oliver and his co-conspirators also failed to disclose other critical facts about the company, including its near-constant liquidity and cash-flow crises, the use investor money to repay other investors and to defray operating expenses, and the lack of collateral to secure funds.
Oliver faces a maximum sentence of 30 years in prison, a $250,000 fine or twice the gross monetary gains or losses resulting from his crimes, and three years’ supervised release. He will be sentenced on August 5, 2019 before U.S. District Court Judge Michael W. Mosman.
As part of the plea agreement, Oliver has agreed to pay restitution in full to each of victim’s as determined and ordered by the court.
This case is being investigated by the FBI, IRS Criminal Investigation, and the U.S. Department of Labor Employee Benefits Security Administration. It is being prosecuted by Scott E. Bradford and Ryan W. Bounds, Assistant U.S. Attorneys for the District of Oregon.
Florissant Man Pleads Guilty to Selling Fatal Dose of Acetyl-FentanylRead the Press Release
Jaleel Zakee Adams, 23, of Florissant, MO, entered a guilty plea to one count of Distribution of Acetyl-fentanyl Resulting in Death before Senior United States District Judge E. Richard Webber today. He now faces a 20 year mandatory minimum federal prison sentence.
On November 15, 2017, Florissant Police responded to a medical call in the 900 block of Torero Lane. They discovered the victim, R.I., unresponsive. He was pronounced deceased on scene. The Medical Examiner determined that R.I. died as a result of acute Acetyl-fentanyl intoxication. Acetyl-fentanyl is a powerful and often deadly analogue of fentanyl developed strictly for the illicit market. It has no legitimate medical use.
In the hours prior to his death, R.I. had been communicating with a man known as “Jay” by telephone. R.I. met with “Jay” in a nearby parking lot where “Jay” sold R.I. a quantity of purported heroin. Unbeknownst to R.I., the substance was actually Acetyl-fentanyl. An investigation revealed that “Jay” was Jaleel Adams. After police made two purchases of fentanyl from Jaleel Adams, they executed a search warrant at his home in the 100 block of Kendl Court on December 29, 2017. Police located controlled substances, cash, and six firearms, one of which had been stolen during a vehicle theft the previous day.
Jaleel Adams was arrested on drug and weapons charges. Adams denied that he used heroin himself, but admitted that he sold it to make money.
United States Attorney Jeffrey B. Jensen commended the outstanding work of the Florissant Police Department, which investigated the case. Jensen noted, “the Florissant Police Department has taken a leadership role locally and has aggressively investigated deaths resulting from heroin and fentanyl intoxication. These substances are deadly. Those who distribute them must be held accountable.” Florissant Police Chief Timothy Lowery echoed Jensen’s sentiments, saying, “while we are sympathetic to those individuals who struggle with substance abuse, we have no tolerance for those who engage in drug distribution for profit. These individuals present a danger to our community and we will continue to seek federal prosecution wherever possible.”
Jaleel Zakee Adams is scheduled to appear for sentencing on July 17, 2019.
Florida Man and Two Florida Companies Charged with Wire FraudRead the Press Release
Jean Joseph, 48, of Boca Raton, Evergreen United Investments, LLC, (Evergreen), a Florida Limited Liability Company, and GSA Income and Development Fund, L.P., (GSA) a Foreign Limited Partnership, charged with wire fraud, in violation of Title 18, United States Code, Section 1343. Joseph was arrested yesterday.
Ariana Fajardo Orshan, United States Attorney for the Southern District of Florida and George L. Piro, Special Agent in Charge, Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), Miami Field Office, made the announcement.
According to the Indictment, in October 2013, Kolmat do Brasil Ltda. (Kolmat), a Brazilian based company, sought to obtain a $30,000,000 construction loan from Evergreen, f/k/a USBREI, Inc., for its construction of the Magia Hotel Suite Resort, a luxury resort in Ipioca, Maceio City, Brazil. Kolmat negotiated the terms of the Evergreen loan with Joseph, Evergreen’s manager. The parties agreed on the loan terms, including a requirement that Kolmat invest $3,000,000 in GSA, f/k/a UBREI Capital Partners, L.P., an investor in properties leased to federal government agencies. Joseph was an authorized person and registered agent for GSA. The loan terms provided that if the loan was not authorized by Evergreen, Evergreen was to return to Kolmat within five business days the funds it paid to GSA. Kolmat paid to GSA the agreed upon $3,000,000, but did not receive the $30,000,000 loan or a return of the $3,000,000 investment. Instead, as alleged, Joseph used the funds for his own personal use and benefit.
U.S. Attorney Fajardo Orshan commended the investigative efforts of the FBI. The case is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Lois Foster-Steers.
An indictment contains mere allegations. A defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty in a court of law.
Related court documents and information may be found on the website of the District Court for the Southern District of Florida at www.flsd.uscourts.gov or on http://pacer.flsd.uscourts.gov.
Final Defendant Convicted in Gruesome MS-13 MurderRead the Press Release
HOUSTON – A 23-year-old El Salvadorian citizen has pleaded guilty for his role in a horrific gang slaying, admitting he and two others murdered a teenager in the Sam Houston National Forest, announced U.S. Attorney Ryan K. Patrick.
Jose Leonel Bonilla Romero aka Jose Tupapa, who resided in Houston, entered a plea of guilty to aiding and abetting others with the murder of a 16-year-old male victim on Sept. 22, 2013. The others - Cristian Alexander Zamora aka Christian Zamora, Alex or Pollo, 28, and Ricardo Leonel Campos Lara aka La Muerte, 23, both also of El Salvador, who resided in Huntsville and Houston, respectively - previously pleaded guilty and are currently serving their federal prison sentences.
Romero, Zamora and Lara lured the juvenile victim to Sam Houston National Forest where the three of them attacked him with bats and machetes.
At the hearing today, the court heard that when officers found the mutilated body of the juvenile victim, they observed gaping wounds on his knees and ankles with his head nearly severed from his body. The victim’s family was in court today and wept as they heard the details of the killing. U.S. District Judge Ewing Werlein asked Romero “you’re intent at the time was to kill him?” to which Romer0 replied “yes.”
The investigation led police to Zamora who ultimately confessed his role in the crime, implicating Romero and Lara. All three defendants admitted to being members of the transnational MS-13 gang. They explained that a gang leader had ordered them to kill the victim, because he had supposedly cooperated with police in El Salvador, leading to the arrests of several MS-13 gang members.
The juvenile victim was intoxicated when they took him to the federal land in Huntsville. Romero admitted that once there, he struck the victim first with a baseball bat in the back of the head before the others butchered the victim’s body with machetes.
The medical examiner noted that the victim suffered deep cutting and chopping wounds, some all the way to the spinal cord with others causing partial decapitation.
Judge Werlein accepted the plea today and has set sentencing for June 21, 2019. At that time, Romero faces up to life in prison. Romero has been and will remain in custody pending that hearing.
Judge Werlein sentenced Zamora and Lara in 2016, both of whom received 420-month prison terms. They were further ordered to pay $13,092.42 in restitution. In handing down those sentences, the court noted the “willful and deliberate crime,” commenting that the murder was particularly brutal and its heinous, gruesome and savage nature.
The FBI, Houston Police Department, Texas Rangers, Walker County Sheriff’s Office and the U.S. Forest Service conducted the investigation. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Mark E. Donnelly and Casey MacDonald are prosecuting the case.
Fifth Defendant Pleads Guilty to Laundering Millions of Dollars of Hard Narcotics Proceeds for Sinaloa CartelRead the Press Release
A Culiacan, Mexico man pleaded guilty to international money laundering in connection with his operation of a currency exchange house that received the proceeds of multi-kilogram quantities of cocaine, methamphetamine and heroin smuggled into the United States by the Sinaloa Cartel, announced Assistant Attorney General Brian A. Benczkowski of the Justice Department’s Criminal Division and U.S. Attorney Robert S. Brewer Jr. of the Southern District of California.
Gibran Rodriguez-Mejia, 31, was extradited from Mexico to San Diego in September 2018, and is the fifth Mexican-based defendant in this case to enter a guilty plea, doing so before U.S. Magistrate Judge Mitchell D. Dembin. Rodriguez-Mejia will be sentenced on July 8, 2019 before U.S. District Judge Roger T. Benitez.
Through his plea agreement, Rodriguez-Mejia admitted to laundering $3.5 million in drug proceeds. He coordinated with couriers, primarily located in Southern California, who smuggled the bulk of U.S. currency from the United States to Mexico. Rodriguez-Mejia also admitted that he arranged for currency to be smuggled to an exchange house in Tijuana, Mexico owned and operated by co-defendant Cesar Hernandez-Martinez, who pleaded guilty on April 4, 2019 and will be sentenced on July 8, 2019. After the money was converted to Mexican pesos, Rodriguez-Mejia provided financial accounts in Mexico into which the money was deposited for the benefit of the Mexican-based cartel drug traffickers.
In addition to the five defendants in this case, approximately 20 other individuals have entered guilty pleas and have been previously sentenced in related cases. Those cases have involved individuals based in the United States or individuals who have frequently crossed into the United States and served as money couriers, drug couriers and drug stash-house operators and who were part of, or related to, the same money laundering and drug trafficking organization.
Omar Ayon-Diaz, Osvaldo Contreras-Arriaga and Joel Acedo-Ojeda have also pleaded guilty in this case and have been sentenced to 120 months, 132 months and 135 months in prison, respectively.
U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) San Diego Field Office conducted the investigation. Senior Trial Counsel Mark A. Irish of the Criminal Division’s Money Laundering and Asset Recovery Section and Assistant U.S. Attorney Lawrence A. Casper of the Southern District of California prosecuted the case. The Justice Department’s Office of International Affairs provided significant support with the defendant’s extradition. The U.S. Attorney’s Office is working together in this matter with the Criminal Division’s Money Laundering and Asset Recovery Section.
Elk Grove Village Man Charged with Trying to Murder Postal Carrier on New Year’s EveRead the Press Release
CHICAGO — An Elk Grove Village man has been indicted in federal court on charges he tried to kill a postal carrier on New Year’s Eve.
CAMERON RUEBUSCH, 24, is charged with one count of attempted murder, one count of assault with a dangerous weapon, one count of using and discharging a firearm during a crime of violence, and one count of illegal possession of a firearm by a convicted felon. A co-defendant, RONALD BEYER, JR., 24, of Mount Prospect, is charged with one count of being an accessory after the fact to the assault allegedly committed by Ruebusch.
The indictment was returned Thursday in U.S. District Court in Chicago. Arraignments have not yet been scheduled.
The indictment was announced by John R. Lausch, Jr., United States Attorney for the Northern District of Illinois; and Craig Goldberg, Inspector-in-Charge of the U.S. Postal Inspection Service in Chicago. The Elk Grove Village Police Department worked closely with the U.S. Postal Inspection Service and provided substantial assistance during the investigation. The government is represented by Special Assistant U.S. Attorney Chester Choi.
According to the indictment and a criminal complaint previously filed in the case, Ruebusch shot the U.S. Postal Service carrier on Dec. 31, 2018, in Elk Grove Village. According to the complaint, the mail carrier had recently completed a delivery in the 200 block of West Brantwood Avenue when Ruebusch approached the USPS vehicle and said something to the effect of, “What’s up man?” The mail carrier put the vehicle in drive and drove away as Ruebusch fired a handgun, the charges allege. The mail carrier was wounded but survived.
Beyer allegedly drove Ruebusch from the scene after the shooting.
The public is reminded that an indictment is not evidence of guilt. The defendants are presumed innocent and entitled to a fair trial at which the government has the burden of proving guilt beyond a reasonable doubt.
The attempted murder and assault charges are each punishable by up to 20 years in prison, while the maximum sentence for each of the firearm counts is ten years. The accessory charge against Beyer is punishable by up to ten years. If convicted, the Court must impose reasonable sentences under federal sentencing statutes and the advisory U.S. Sentencing Guidelines.
Drug traffickers plead guilty to attempting to distribute crystal methRead the Press Release
WAYCROSS DIVISION, GA.: Two men have pled guilty to conspiring to distribute large amounts of methamphetamine from Atlanta and throughout the Southern District of Georgia.
Enio Camacho-Pineda, a/k/a “Tony,” a/k/a “Tony Montana,” 31, of Atlanta, and Ricardo Santana-Hernandez, a/k/a “Richard Hernandez, a/k/a “Armond,” a/k/a “Armani,” 31, a Mexican national illegally residing in Atlanta, pled guilty to Conspiracy to Possess with Intent to Distribute and to Distribute 500 Grams or More of Methamphetamine, said Bobby L. Christine, U.S. Attorney for the Southern District of Georgia.
The charge carries a sentence of 10 years to life in prison and potential fines of up to $10 million each. The defendants will be placed on at least five years of supervised release after completion of their prison sentences. There is no parole in the federal system.
In October 2018, a federal grand jury indicted Camacho-Pineda, Ricardo Santana-Hernandez, and nine other defendants with drug trafficking and firearms-related offenses for operating a drug trafficking organization that conspired to distribute large quantities of methamphetamine Telfair, Dodge, Laurens, Bacon, Ware, and Coffee Counties, within the Southern District of Georgia, and elsewhere.
Federal, state, and local law enforcement agencies seized kilograms of crystal methamphetamine and a cache of firearms during the investigation as part of Operation Rat Trap. The investigation began when agents received information that Camacho-Pineda was connected to a Mexican cartel and was supplying other members of the conspiracy operating in Waycross, Ga., and elsewhere. In July 2018, Camacho-Pineda traveled to Ware County to collect drug-sale proceeds when agents attempted to arrest him. He fled in his vehicle for about 10 miles and travelled in excess of 130 miles per hour, ultimately wrecking the vehicle.
Agents arrested Santana-Hernandez after he traveled from Atlanta to Dublin, Ga., to collect drug proceeds for a previous drug deal involving two kilograms of crystal methamphetamine.
“Fighting drug traffickers is hard, dangerous work, and the law enforcement professionals in our federal, state and local agencies do a tremendous job of shutting these operations down,” said Bobby L. Christine, U.S. Attorney for the Southern District of Georgia. “Let the drug thugs hear me: Dedicated prosecutors will bring ironclad cases so those who push poison are locked away.”
“ATF is continuing our partnership with the Georgia Bureau of Investigation in our efforts to eliminate these violent armed drug trafficking organizations,” said Lenwood S. Reeves, Resident Agent in Charge of the Savannah Field Office of the ATF. “We will continue these efforts to eliminate violence and drugs from our communities.”
The case is being investigated under the Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Forces (OCDETF), the centerpiece of the United States Attorney General’s drug strategy to reduce the availability of drugs by disrupting and dismantling major drug trafficking and money laundering organizations and related criminal enterprises. The case was investigated by the federal Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF), the Georgia Bureau of Investigation, the Georgia State Patrol, and the Sheriff’s Offices from Telfair, Ware, Coffee and Laurens counties.
This case is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorneys John Harper III and E. Greg Gilluly Jr.
Dominican National Arrested for Distributing HeroinRead the Press Release
BOSTON – A Dominican national was arrested yesterday and charged in federal court in Boston with distributing more than 100 grams of heroin.
Rosario Lara, 36, a Dominican national residing in Lawrence, was charged with distributing more than 100 grams of heroin. Lara appeared in federal court in Boston yesterday and was ordered detained pending a detention hearing scheduled for April 25, 2019.
According to the charging documents, Lara sold more than a half-kilogram of heroin to a confidential informant in Lawrence on Feb. 21, 2019. Lara was arrested that day on state charges.
Lara faces a mandatory minimum sentence of five years and up to 40 years in prison, a minimum of four years and up to a lifetime of supervised release, and a fine of $5 million. Lara will be subject to deportation upon completion of his sentence. Sentences are imposed by a federal district court judge based on the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors.
United States Attorney Andrew E. Lelling and Joseph R. Bonavolonta, Special Agent in Charge of the Federal Bureau of Investigation, Boston Field Division, made the announcement today. Valuable assistance was provided by the Middlesex District Attorney’s Office, the Massachusetts State Police, and the Lawrence Police Department. Assistant U.S. Attorney Bill Abely, Deputy Chief of Lelling’s Major Crimes Unit, is prosecuting the case.
The details contained in the charging documents are allegations. The defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.
District Man Sentenced to 16 Years in Prison for 2016 Murder in Northwest WashingtonRead the Press Release
WASHINGTON – Bikila Kejella, 20, of Washington, D.C., was sentenced today to 16 years in prison for killing a man in Northwest Washington in 2016, announced U.S. Attorney Jessie K. Liu and Peter Newsham, Chief of the Metropolitan Police Department (MPD).
Kejella pled guilty in August 2018, in the Superior Court of the District of Columbia, to a charge of second-degree murder while armed. He was sentenced by the Honorable Juliet McKenna. Following his prison term, he will be placed on five years of supervised release.
According to the government’s evidence, just after midnight, early Sept. 12, 2016, a group of men and women were casually socializing and congregated in the parking lot area of the Garfield Terrace housing complex in the 2300 block of 11th Street NW. Kejella approached the group and struck up a conversation. Shortly thereafter, the victim, 23-year-old lifelong D.C. resident Eric Garrett, approached the parking lot area where his car was parked.
Mr. Garrett was scrolling through his cell phone and walked toward the group of people at the front of the parking lot. Kejella then walked directly toward Mr. Garrett. Kejella extended his arm and aimed his firearm at Mr. Garrett’s head. According to witnesses, Mr. Garrett put his hands up in the air and yelled, “Wait, no, don’t.” Kejella fired his firearm striking Mr. Garrett and Kejella fled the scene. Mr. Garrett went into cardiac arrest and died on Sept. 18, 2016.
Kejella was arrested on Nov. 7, 2016, at the Red Rock Job Corps Center in Sweetwater, Pennsylvania. He was thereafter extradited back to the District of Columbia.
In announcing the sentence, U.S. Attorney Liu and Chief Newsham commended the work of those who investigated the case from the Metropolitan Police Department. They also expressed appreciation for the assistance provided by the U.S. Marshals Service, the FBI, and the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Western District of Pennsylvania. They acknowledge the efforts of those who worked on the case from the U.S. Attorney’s Office including Criminal Investigator John Marsh; Paralegal Specialist Lashone Samuels; Victim/Witness Advocates Jennifer Allen and Jennifer Clark, and Investigative Analyst Zachary McMenamin.
Finally, they commend the work of Assistant U.S. Attorneys Sarah Santiago and Christine Macey, who investigated and prosecuted the case.
District Man Found Guilty of Charges in Attacks on Two Senior CitizensRead the Press Release
WASHINGTON – Travon Eliy, also known as Travon Jackson, 41, of Washington, D.C., has been found guilty by a jury of assault with intent to kill a senior citizen in a gun-free zone and other charges stemming from a robbery and shooting that took place behind an elementary school in Southeast Washington, announced U.S. Attorney Jessie K. Liu and Peter Newsham, Chief of the Metropolitan Police Department (MPD).
Eliy was found guilty on April 18, 2019, following a trial in the Superior Court of the District of Columbia. The jury also found him guilty of a total of 18 charges, including armed robbery of a senior citizen in a gun-free zone, and related assault and firearms offenses. The Honorable Milton C. Lee scheduled sentencing for June 14, 2019.
According to the government’s evidence, on the afternoon of April 1, 2016, the victim, a 67-year-old woman, was walking home when she was followed by Eliy into an apartment building in the 600 block of Savannah Street SE. Once inside, Eliy put a gun to her head and began pulling at her purse. Eliy dragged her out the building and down a walkway before getting away with her purse. The woman screamed for help and a Good Samaritan, a 61-year-old man, intervened. The man was able to stop Eliy pushing up against a parked car. It was then that Eliy fired his gun one time at close range into the man’s chest before fleeing the scene. The shooting took place behind Martin Luther King, Jr. Elementary School.
The Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) arrived within minutes and the defendant was stopped within 10 minutes of the shooting.
In announcing the verdict, U.S. Attorney Liu and Chief Newsham commended the work of those who investigated the case from the Metropolitan Police Department. They also expressed appreciation for the assistance provided by the U.S. Marshals Service and the U.S. Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives. They acknowledged the efforts of those who worked on the case from the U.S. Attorney’s Office, including Assistant U.S. Attorney Daniel Lenerz; Michael Ambrosino, Special Counsel for DNA and Forensic Evidence Litigation; Paralegal Specialists Kathryn Hoey, Sabrina Turner, Lynda Randolph, and Lashone Samuels; Forensic Operations Program Specialist Elizabeth Marrero; Victim/Witness Services Coordinator La June Thames, and Finance Specialists Karen Lee-putt, Marquetta Little and Sallie Rynas.
Finally they commend the work of Assistant U.S. Attorney Sarah Santiago, who investigated and prosecuted the case.
Desoto County Man Sentenced to Prison for Possession of Child PornographyRead the Press Release
OXFORD – A Desoto County man has been sentenced to serve 10 years in prison following his conviction for possession of child pornography. Benjamin Adam McDonald, age 33, of Southaven, Mississippi, was arrested and prosecuted after a tip to the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children (NCMEC) was forwarded to the FBI, who investigated the matter in conjunction with the Mississippi Attorney General’s Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force. A search warrant revealed the contents of McDonald’s child pornography collection. U.S. Attorney, William C. Lamar, together with FBI Special Agent in Charge Christopher Freeze, and Mississippi Attorney General Jim Hood, made the announcement following McDonald’s sentencing on Thursday, April 18, 2019.
In addition to sentencing McDonald to serve 10 years in prison, Senior U.S. District Court Judge Glen H. Davidson imposed a term of 10 years supervised release after imprisonment. Judge Davidson also ordered McDonald to register as a sex offender. McDonald will begin serving the sentence immediately.
Following the sentencing, Mississippi Attorney General Hood praised the joint work of investigators. “Partnerships between agencies are critical to protecting our children and putting predators behind bars,” General Hood said. “Thank you to Judge Davidson for sentencing this man to the maximum time. Our investigators continue to join forces to make sure Mississippi’s children are safe.”
"When our children are exploited for any reason, it steals their innocence and leaves lifelong scars," said SAC Freeze. "Cases like these would not be successful without the partnership with the Mississippi Attorney General's Office and the U.S. Attorney's Office."
U. S. Attorney Lamar reiterated the commitment of his office to prosecuting cases involving crimes against children. “Possession of child pornography is not a victimless crime and the children who are victimized as a part of these crimes will often deal with trauma and repercussions from these offenses for the rest of their lives. We will continue to work diligently to help address the physical and emotional needs of the victims and to hold accountable those who would prey upon children and other vulnerable victims to satisfy their own lascivious interests.”
Lamar noted that the case was a joint investigation by the FBI and the Mississippi Attorney General’s Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force, and he thanked the agents who acted on the NCMEC tip that ultimately led to the search of McDonald’s residence. The case was prosecuted by AUSA Paul Roberts.
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Covington Man Sentenced to 20 years for Firearms OffenseRead the Press Release
COVINGTON, Ky. — Gregory Pritchett, 47, of Covington, was sentenced today, by United States District Judge David L. Bunning, to a total of 242 months in federal prison, for unlawfully possessing a firearm.
Pritchett pled guilty in November 2018, and admitted selling heroin and fentanyl to a confidential informant. A search of his home revealed additional drugs and a loaded Smith & Wesson .40 caliber pistol. Pritchett is a convicted felon and prohibited from possessing firearms under federal law. He was also on supervised release for a prior federal firearms conviction at the time of the commission of this offense. Judge Bunning sentenced Pritchett to 188 months for possession of the firearm and an additional 54 months for violating the terms of his supervised release.
Under federal law, Pritchett must serve 85 percent of his prison sentence; and upon his release, he will be under the supervision of the United States Probation Office for a term of five years.
Robert M. Duncan, Jr., United States Attorney for the Eastern District of Kentucky, and James Robert Brown, Jr., Special Agent in Charge, Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), jointly made the announcement.
The investigation was conducted jointly by the FBI and the Covington Police Department. The United States was represented by Assistant United States Attorney Elaine K. Leonhard.
Convicted Drug Trafficker Sentenced to 100 Months in PrisonRead the Press Release
SAN FRANCISCO – Jameel Collins was sentenced today to 100 months in prison on drug trafficking charges and for being a felon in possession of a firearm and ammunition, announced United States Attorney David L. Anderson and Federal Bureau of Investigation Special Agent in Charge John F. Bennett. The sentence was handed down by the Honorable Susan Illston, Senior U.S. District Judge, following a three-day trial after which a federal jury convicted Collins of the charges.
The evidence at trial demonstrated that on February 25, 2016, law enforcement officers stopped Collins, 39, of Menlo Park, while he was driving a white Cadillac Deville with unlawfully tinted windows and expired registration tags. Near the center console of the car was a bag of marijuana and in the passenger seat was a scale. Collins was taken into custody and a subsequent search of the car resulted in recovery of heroin, cocaine, methamphetamine, a Glock Model 43 handgun, and two magazines loaded with a total of 13 rounds of ammunition. These items all were found stowed in an air vent on the left side of the steering wheel.
On February 20, 2018, a federal grand jury handed down a superseding indictment charging Collins with four counts of possession with intent to distribute a controlled substance, in violation of 21 U.S.C. § 841(a)(1); one count of being a felon in possession of a firearm, in violation of 18 U.S.C. § 922(g)(1); and one count of possessing a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime and carrying a firearm during and in relation to a drug trafficking crime, in violation of 18 U.S.C. § 924(c). Collins was convicted of all but the last count.
In addition to the prison term, Judge Illston sentenced Collins to serve four years of supervised release that will begin after his prison term has been served. Collins has been in custody since his arrest and he will begin serving his sentence immediately.
Assistant U.S. Attorneys Sailaja M. Paidipaty and Ravi T. Narayan are prosecuting the case with the assistance of Marina Ponomarchuk. The prosecution is the result of an investigation by the FBI.
Civil Complaint Filed Against Orono Business Man to Recover $2.7 Million in Assets That Were Part of A Tax Fraud SchemeRead the Press Release
United States Attorney Erica MacDonald today announced the filing of a civil complaint against SCOTT PHILLIP FLYNN, SHAWN M. GRIMM, WATERTOWN PROPERTY, LLC, and DESERT INN HOLDINGS, LLLP, seeking to liquidate millions in assets purchased with income that was part of FLYNN’s tax fraud scheme.
In January 2019, FLYNN was convicted of a multi-million dollar tax fraud scheme and, as part of his sentence, the Court ordered FLYNN to pay more than $5 million in restitution. FLYNN also owes over $652,000 in restitution in connection with his previous conviction for wire fraud and securities fraud in 1999. From July 2007 to January 2019, FLYNN resided in a $2.7 million mansion located in Orono, Minnesota, which FLYNN admittedly purchased with income that was part of his tax fraud scheme.
As stated in the complaint, the United States alleges that FLYNN has used multiple entities under his control, including WATERTOWN PROPERTY, LLC and DESERT INN HOLDINGS, LLLP, to protect the equity in the Orono mansion from his creditors. GRIMM, FLYNN’s sister, is listed as a manager and/or general partner of WATERTOWN PROPERTY, LLC and DESERT INN HOLDINGS, LLLP, the purported owners of the Orono mansion. The United States alleges that WATERTOWN PROPERTY, LLC and DESERT INN HOLDINGS, LLLP do not function as operational, solvent businesses but, instead, serve as alter egos of FLYNN intended to enable him to protect the equity in the Orono mansion and avoid his creditors, including the United States.
The United States is seeking a declaratory judgment that WATERTOWN PROPERTY, LLC and DESERT INN HOLDINGS, LLLP, the purported owners of the Orono mansion, are alter egos of FLYNN. The United States is also seeking to liquidate the assets held by those entities, namely the Orono mansion, so that the proceeds can be applied to FLYNN’s restitution obligations.
This case is being handled by the Financial Litigation Unit of the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Minnesota, and was investigated by the Criminal Investigation Division of the IRS.
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Chehalis Tribal Member Sentenced to Prison for Abusive Sexual ContactRead the Press Release
A 31-year-old Chehalis Tribes member was sentenced today in U.S. District Court in Tacoma to 21-months in prison and five years of supervised release for abusive sexual contact, announced U.S. Attorney Brian T. Moran. ANTHONY TODD YOUCKTON, JR, pleaded guilty October 4, 2018 admitting he sexually molested a woman who was incapacitated by alcohol in July 2016. At the sentencing hearing, U.S. District Judge Ronald B. Leighton said the assault was a tragic event in the victim’s life.
According to records filed in the case, YOUCKTON and a female friend gave the intoxicated woman a ride home after a night of drinking. Because the woman was drunk, the two placed her in her bed and left the home. YOUCKTON returned to the woman’s home later in the overnight hours, got into the woman’s bed and molested her. When she awoke the next morning and found YOUCKTON in her bed, she called the tribal police. YOUCKTON was charged federally and arrested on February 13, 2018.
In asking for a 21-month term of imprisonment, prosecutors noted the devastating and life-long impact on the victim from the trauma of sexual abuse. Prosecutors asked for a 5-year-term of supervised release following the prison term, because of YOUCKTON’s history of drug and alcohol abuse.
The case was prosecuted in federal court because the crime occurred on tribal land involving a tribal defendant.
The case was investigated by the Chehalis Tribal Police and the FBI. The case was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorneys J. Tate London and Rebecca Cohen. Both attorneys serve as Tribal Liaisons for the U.S. Attorney’s Office.
California woman convicted in meth case sentenced to 18 months in prisonRead the Press Release
GREAT FALLS—A California woman was sentenced to 18 months in prison and to two years of supervised release on April 18 after Toole County sheriff’s deputies stopped her for speeding and ultimately found a mustard-covered package of methamphetamine that was hidden a cooler.
Karina Victoria Ruiz-Rosales, 24, of Lancaster, Calif., pleaded guilty earlier to possession with intent to distribute meth.
U.S. District Judge Brian M. Morris presided.
An investigation began on Oct. 26, 2015 after Toole County Sheriff’s deputies stopped a Honda Accord with California license plates that Ruiz-Rosales was driving for speeding. Ruiz-Rosales gave a confusing account of why she was driving from Los Angeles, Calif., to Cut Bank, prosecution evidence showed. A deputy could see a blue and white cooler in the vehicle but very little luggage. Ruiz-Rosales provided a Mexican voter registration card but had no valid driver’s license, registration or insurance for the car. Deputies impounded the car.
Later the same day, numerous individuals began showing up at the sheriff’s office to retrieve the Honda, prompting officers to become suspicious because Ruiz-Rosales had said she didn’t know anyone in Cut Bank. Deputies had a drug dog sniff the car and the dog alerted near an area by the driver’s door. Law enforcement got a search warrant for the car but did not find any drugs. Officers also examined the cooler but did not notice anything unusual.
Four days later, deputies got a tip that two pounds of meth were hidden inside the cooler’s insulation. Also, another person from California showed up to retrieve the car. Deputies got another search warrant for the cooler, pried off the inside plastic liner and found a bag of meth covered in mustard. The amount of meth seized weighed about 306.4 grams, which is 0.67 pounds and is the equivalent of about 2,448 doses.
sistant U.S. Attorney Jessica Betley prosecuted the case, which was investigated by FBI, Toole County Sheriff’s Department and the Russell Country Drug Task Force.
The case is part of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), which is the centerpiece of the Department of Justice’s violent crime reduction efforts. PSN is an evidence-based program proven to be effective at reducing violent crime. Through PSN, a broad spectrum of stakeholders work together to identify the most pressing violent crime problems in the community and develop comprehensive solutions to address them. As part of this strategy, PSN focuses enforcement efforts on the most violent offenders and partners with locally based prevention and reentry programs for lasting reductions in crime.
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California man sentenced for trafficking oxycodone on Rocky Boys ReservationRead the Press Release
GREAT FALLS—A California man who admitted supplying prescription pain pills for distribution on the Rocky Boys Indian Reservation was sentenced on April 18 to 92 months in prison and to three years of supervised release, U.S. Attorney Kurt Alme said.
Devon Draper, 45, of Los Angeles, Calif., pleaded guilty earlier to conspiracy to distribute and possess with intent to distribute oxycodone and to conspiracy to commit money laundering.
U.S. District Judge Brian M. Morris presided.
Prosecutors presented evidence of a conspiracy to traffic oxycodone pills on the Rocky Boys Reservation that occurred in 2017 and 2018. In September 2017, Draper and co-defendant, Isaiah Standingrock, were pulled over in a vehicle on the reservation. During a consent search, law enforcement found $22,500 in cash. Officers seized Draper’s phone, got a search warrant for its contents and found information that showed extensive conversations between Draper and Standingrock about the sale of oxycodone on the reservation.
As part of the investigation, Standingrock told investigators in July 2018 that Draper had come to the reservation eight to 10 times since December 2017, had provided about 2,500 prescription pills during that period and had just flown to Los Angeles with about $15,000. Agents arrested Draper at the Los Angeles airport and seized $14,141 from his bag, including $470 in marked funds from the investigation.
Standingrock pleaded guilty in the case and is awaiting sentencing. A third defendant, Charly McLain Rosette, was sentenced to three years in prison and to three years of supervised release.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Brendan McCarthy prosecuted the case, which was investigated by the Drug Enforcement Administration and the Tri-Agency Task Force.
The case is part of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), which is the centerpiece of the Department of Justice’s violent crime reduction efforts. PSN is an evidence-based program proven to be effective at reducing violent crime. Through PSN, a broad spectrum of stakeholders work together to identify the most pressing violent crime problems in the community and develop comprehensive solutions to address them. As part of this strategy, PSN focuses enforcement efforts on the most violent offenders and partners with locally based prevention and reentry programs for lasting reductions in crime.
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