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Thursday 18 April 2019
Methamphetamine Dealer Sentenced to over Ten Years’ in PrisonRead the Press Release
A man who distributed multiple pounds of methamphetamine was sentenced today to more than ten years in federal prison.
Cody Jelinek, age 36, from Waterloo, Iowa, received the prison term after a November 2, 2018, guilty plea to conspiracy to distribute methamphetamine.
At the guilty plea, Jelinek admitted that between 2013 and 2016, he was involved in a conspiracy to distribute ice methamphetamine. During the course of the conspiracy, Jelinek distributed more than three pounds of ice methamphetamine.
Jelinek was sentenced in Cedar Rapids by Chief United States District Court Judge Leonard T. Strand. Jelinek was sentenced to 130 months’ imprisonment. He must also serve a four-year term of supervised release after the prison term. There is no parole in the federal system.
Jelinek is being held in the United States Marshal’s custody until he can be transported to a federal prison.
The case was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Lisa C. Williams and was investigated as part of the Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Force (OCDETF) program of the United States Department of Justice through a cooperative effort of Federal Bureau of Investigation, Iowa Division of Narcotics Enforcement, Tri-County Drug Enforcement Task Force (Waterloo Police Department; Cedar Falls Police Department; Waverly Police Department; Bremer County Sheriff’s Office; Black Hawk County Sheriff’s Office; LaPorte City Police Department; Evansdale Police Department; Hudson Police Department), Mid Iowa Drug Task Force (Marshalltown Police Department; Marshall County Sheriff’s Office; Tama County), and Dubuque Drug Task Force (Dubuque Police Department; Dubuque County Sheriff’s Office).
Court file information at https://ecf.iand.uscourts.gov/cgi-bin/login.pl.
The case file number is 18-CR-2026.
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Meridian Man Pleads Guilty under Project EJECT to Illegally Possessing a GunRead the Press Release
Jackson, Miss. – Patrick Emanuel Battle, Sr., 48, of Meridian, Mississippi, pled guilty today before U.S. District Court Judge Carlton W. Reeves to being a convicted felon in possession of a firearm, announced U.S. Attorney Mike Hurst and Dana Nichols, Special Agent in Charge of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives.
On November 15, 2018, deputies with the Lauderdale County Sheriff’s Office executed a search warrant at Battle’s home after they received information and pictures showing that Battle was in possession of multiple firearms. As a result of the search, five weapons, including a semi-automatic shotgun equipped with a large magazine, were found in Battle’s home. Battle has prior felony convictions for burglary of an automobile, possession of marijuana, and aggravated assault.
Battle was indicted by a federal grand jury on January 8th of 2019. He is currently in custody and will be sentenced on July 18, 2019, by Judge Reeves. Battle faces a maximum penalty of ten years in prison and a $250,000.00 fine.
The case is being investigated by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives. It is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Charles W. Kirkham.
This case is part of Project EJECT, an initiative by the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of Mississippi under the U.S. Department of Justice’s Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN). EJECT is a holistic, multi-disciplinary approach to fighting and reducing violent crime through prosecution, prevention, re-entry and awareness. EJECT stands for "Empower Justice Expel Crime Together." PSN is bringing together all levels of law enforcement and the communities they serve to reduce violent crime and make our neighborhoods safer for everyone. Former Attorney General Jeff Sessions reinvigorated PSN in 2017 as part of the Department’s renewed focus on targeting violent criminals, directing all U.S. Attorney’s Offices to work in partnership with federal, state, local, and tribal law enforcement and the local community to develop effective, locally-based strategies to reduce violent crime.
Members of Violent Bronx Gang Charged in Manhattan Federal Court with Racketeering, Narcotics, and Firearms OffensesRead the Press Release
Geoffrey S. Berman, the United States Attorney for the Southern District of New York, and James P. O’Neill, the Commissioner of the New York City Police Department (“NYPD”), announced the unsealing today of an Indictment charging 11 members and associates of the 2200 Morris Avenue Crew with various racketeering, firearms, and narcotics offenses, and charging an additional three defendants with narcotics and firearms offenses. ADONIS RAMIREZ, a/k/a “Frenchie,” is also charged with a September 28, 2017, attack on Charles DelToro that resulted in DelToro’s death on October 4, 2017.
Eight of the defendants, ADONIS RODRIGUEZ, a/k/a “Crazy,” a/k/a “Locotron,” JONATHAN ESPINAL, a/k/a “Twin,” DERIAN DEL CARMEN, a/k/a “Mel,” ELVIN PEREZ, a/k/a “Choco,” YISANDER RAMIREZ, a/k/a “Bean,” MARIO DELOSSANTOS, and DANIEL GONZALEZ were taken into custody last night and this morning. They will be presented and arraigned before U.S. Magistrate Judge Barbara C. Moses later today. Five of the defendants, ADONIS RAMIREZ, a/k/a “Frenchie,” DAVID GARCIA, a/k/a “Clippa,” BRANDON ESTEVEZ, a/k/a “Boppy,” JONATHAN MALDONADO, a/k/a “Tego,” and LOUIS RIVERA are currently incarcerated in state custody on other charges, and will be presented at a later date. JEFFREY ESTEVEZ, a/k/a “J,” was already in federal custody, having been previously charged in federal court with narcotics trafficking. JOSUE SANCHEZ, a/k/a “V,” remains at large. The case is assigned to U.S. District Judge Deborah A. Batts.
U.S. Attorney Geoffrey S. Berman said: “As alleged, members of the 2200 Morris Avenue Crew wreaked havoc in the Bronx, engaging in brazen acts of violence, including murder and multiple attempted murders, as well as narcotics trafficking. Thanks to the extraordinary work of the NYPD, the defendants will now face justice in federal court.”
As alleged in the Indictment unsealed today in Manhattan federal court[1]:
The 2200 Morris Avenue Crew was a criminal enterprise involved in committing numerous acts of violence, including shootings, robberies, and assaults in the Bronx. Members and associates of the 2200 Morris Avenue Crew engaged in violence to retaliate against rival gangs, to promote the standing and reputation of their gang, and to protect the gang’s narcotics business. Members and associates of the 2200 Morris Avenue Crew enriched themselves by selling drugs, such as heroin, crack cocaine, cocaine, and marijuana.
The Indictment charges BRANDON ESTEVEZ, ADONIS RAMIREZ, GARCIA, RODRIGUEZ, ESPINAL, DEL CARMEN, JEFFREY ESTEVEZ, MALDONADO, PEREZ, YISANDER RAMIREZ, and SANCHEZ with participating in a racketeering conspiracy. Count Two of the Indictment charges ADONIS RAMIREZ with the murder in aid of racketeering of Charles DelToro. Counts Three and Four charge BRANDON ESTEVEZ, MALDONADO, and PEREZ with participating in an attempted murder in aid of racketeering for a shooting of a rival gang member on February 11, 2018, and a related firearms offense. Counts Five and Six charge JEFFREY ESTEVEZ with participating in an attempted murder in aid of racketeering for a shooting on May 25, 2018, and a related firearms offense. Count Seven charges DEL CARMEN, MALDONADO, and RODRIGUEZ with attempted murder in aid of racketeering for a stabbing that occurred on June 19, 2018. Count Eight charges ESPINAL with attempted murder in aid of racketeering. Counts Nine and Ten charge SANCHEZ, YISANDER RAMIREZ, GARCIA, and DEL CARMEN with attempted murder in aid of racketeering for a shooting that occurred on March 24, 2019, and a related firearms offense. Count Eleven charges all of the defendants with a narcotics trafficking conspiracy. Count Twelve charges all of the defendants with possessing and using firearms in furtherance of the narcotics trafficking conspiracy charged in Count Eleven.
* * *
Charts containing the names, ages, charges, and maximum penalties for the defendants are set forth below. The maximum potential sentences in this case are prescribed by Congress and are provided here for informational purposes only, as any sentencing of the defendants will be determined by the judge.
Mr. Berman praised the outstanding investigative work of the NYPD. He also thanked the Special Agents of the United States Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of New York for their assistance in the investigation.
This case is being handled by the Office’s Violent and Organized Crime Unit. Assistant United States Attorneys Karin Portlock and Jacob Warren are in charge of the prosecution.
The charges contained in the Indictments are merely accusations, and the defendants are presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.
COUNT
CHARGE
DEFENDANTS
MAX. PENALTIES
1
Racketeering conspiracy
18 U.S.C. § 1962(d)
JEFFREY ESTEVEZ (24)
ADONIS RAMIREZ (24)
DAVID GARCIA (19)
ADONIS RODRIGUEZ (24)
JONATHAN ESPINAL (25) DERIAN DEL CARMEN (23) BRANDON ESTEVEZ (24)
JONATHAN MALDONADO (22)
ELVIN PEREZ (24)
YISANDER RAMIREZ (21)
JOSUE SANCHEZ (25)
Life in prison
2
Murder in aid of racketeering
18 U.S.C. § 1959
ADONIS RAMIREZ
Death or mandatory minimum of life in prison
3
Attempted murder in aid of racketeering
18 U.S.C. § 1959
BRANDON ESTEVEZ JONATHAN MALDONADO
ELVIN PEREZ
10 years in prison
4
Using or carrying a firearm during and in relation to, or possessing a firearm in furtherance of, a crime of violence, which firearm was discharged
18 U.S.C. § 924(c)
BRANDON ESTEVEZ JONATHAN MALDONADO
ELVIN PEREZ
Life in prison
Mandatory minimum of 10 years in prison
5
Attempted murder in aid of racketeering
18 U.S.C. § 1959
JEFFREY ESTEVEZ
10 years in prison
6
Using or carrying a firearm during and in relation to, or possessing a firearm in furtherance of, a crime of violence, which firearm was discharged
18 U.S.C. § 924(c)
JEFFREY ESTEVEZ
Life in prison
Mandatory minimum of 10 years in prison
7
Assault and attempted murder in aid of racketeering
18 U.S.C. § 1959
DERIAN DEL CARMEN
JONATHAN MALDONADO
ADONIS RODRIGUEZ
20 years in prison
8
Assault and attempted murder in aid of racketeering
18 U.S.C. § 1959
JONATHAN ESPINAL
20 years in prison
9
Attempted murder in aid of racketeering
18 U.S.C. § 1959
JOSUE SANCHEZ
YISANDER RAMIREZ
DAVID GARCIA
DERIAN DEL CARMEN
10 years in prison
10
Using or carrying a firearm during and in relation to, or possessing a firearm in furtherance of, a crime of violence, which firearm was discharged
18 U.S.C. § 924(c)
JOSUE SANCHEZ
YISANDER RAMIREZ
DAVID GARCIA
DERIAN DEL CARMEN
Life in prison
Mandatory minimum of 10 years in prison
11
Narcotics trafficking conspiracy
21 U.S.C. § 846
JEFFREY ESTEVEZ
ADONIS RAMIREZ
DAVID GARCIA
ADONIS RODRIGUEZ
JONATHAN ESPINAL
DERIAN DEL CARMEN BRANDON ESTEVEZ
JONATHAN MALDONADO
ELVIN PEREZ
YISANDER RAMIREZ
JOSUE SANCHEZ
MARIO DELOSSANTOS (52)
DANIEL GONZALEZ (22)
LOUIS RIVERA (53)
Life in prison
Mandatory minimum of 10 years in prison
12
Using or carrying a firearm during and in relation to, or possessing a firearm in furtherance of, a narcotics trafficking crime
18 U.S.C. § 924(c)
JEFFREY ESTEVEZ
ADONIS RAMIREZ
DAVID GARCIA
ADONIS RODRIGUEZ
JONATHAN ESPINAL
DERIAN DEL CARMEN BRANDON ESTEVEZ
JONATHAN MALDONADO
ELVIN PEREZ
YISANDER RAMIREZ
JOSUE SANCHEZ
MARIO DELOSSANTOS
DANIEL GONZALEZ
LOUIS RIVERA
Life in prison
Mandatory minimum of five years in prison
[1] As the introductory phrase signifies, the entirety of the text of the Indictment constitutes only allegations, and every fact described herein should be treated as an allegation.
Mebane Man Sentenced to 21 Years for Cocaine ConspiracyRead the Press Release
RALEIGH – United States Attorney Robert J. Higdon, Jr. announced that United States District Judge James C. Dever III sentenced LASHUN TRACY TINNEN, 37, of Mebane, North Carolina to 262 months imprisonment, followed by 5 years of supervised release.
The prosecution of TINNEN was a part of an Organized Crime and Drug Enforcement Task Force Operation (OCDETF), which has focused on cocaine and cocaine base (crack) distributors in Nash, Edgecombe, and Halifax counties.
TINNEN was named in a two-count Indictment filed on August 1, 2018 charging him with conspiracy to distribute and possess with the intent to distribute five (5) kilograms or more of cocaine from December 2013 until May 10, 2018; and possession with intent to distribute a quantity of cocaine. On November 5, 2018, TINNEN pled guilty to both charges.
United States Attorney Higdon stated, “Drug traffickers like TINNEN threaten our communities with deadly controlled substances. The United States Attorney’s Office is committed to taking back North Carolina from the violent criminals and drug traffickers, like TINNEN, that are plaguing the Eastern District of North Carolina. In addition, we stand ready to aggressively pursue those who would commit violent acts against our law enforcement officers, because it is imperative that we protect those who protect us.”
Robert J. Murphy, the Special Agent in Charge of the DEA Atlanta Field Division commented on the case, “Those involved in drug trafficking deliver deadly doses of poison to the community. DEA’s job is to protect the community from the scourge of drug abuse. I would like to thank our law enforcement partners and the U.S. Attorney’s Office who helped make this investigation a success.”
According to the investigation, TINNEN traveled from Mebane, North Carolina to Raleigh, North Carolina on May 10, 2018 to deliver 18 ounces of cocaine. TINNEN arrived in the parking lot at the Crabtree Valley Mall expecting to sell the cocaine, but was instead blocked in by law enforcement officers and a tactical paramedic. TINNEN rammed his vehicle into the unmarked police vehicle while attempting to flee. TINNEN received a sentencing enhancement for assaulting officers during the course of flight, which created a substantial risk of serious bodily injury to the law enforcement officers attempting to apprehend him. A search of TINNEN’s vehicle revealed approximately 500 grams of cocaine and over $17,000 in United States currency. TINNEN’s wife and small child were present with him at the time. During a subsequent search of TINNEN’s home, officers located two firearms, one of which was stolen, and $2,000 in United States currency. TINNEN also received a sentencing enhancement for the possession of a dangerous weapon during the time of the drug conspiracy.
This case is part of the United States Attorney’s Office’s Take Back North Carolina Initiative. This initiative emphasizes the regional assignment of federal prosecutors to work with law enforcement and District Attorney’s Offices on a sustained basis in those communities to reduce the violent crime rate, drug trafficking, and crimes against law enforcement.
Investigation of this case was conducted by the Drug Enforcement Administration, Rocky Mount Police Department, Raleigh Police Department, City of Raleigh, and Wake County Government Department of Emergency Medical Services. Assistant United States Attorney Dena King represented the government.
Mashpee Man Charged with Straw Purchase of Glock FirearmsRead the Press Release
BOSTON – A Mashpee man was arrested yesterday in connection with falsely representing himself as a law enforcement officer in order to purchase two Glock firearms.
Justin F. Watson, 33, was charged in a complaint with falsifying information related to the sale of a firearm. Watson appeared today in federal court in Boston and was released on conditions.
According to charging documents, from March 2018 to February 2019, Watson was an Institutional Security Officer/Campus Police Dispatcher with Cape Cod Community College Police. As such, Watson neither carried a weapon nor had the power to make arrests on campus.
It is alleged that Watson ordered a Glock pistol to be delivered to a firearms dealer on Cape Cod. On Aug. 26, 2018, Watson went to the firearms dealer to pick up the Glock, Model 22, GEN4, .40 caliber pistol. Before receiving the firearm, Watson provided his Cape Cod Community College identification card, which listed him as “Campus Police” and “Faculty/Staff,” to the manager and completed a Public Safety Purchase Form identifying himself as an Institutional Security Officer.
As alleged in court documents, Watson called another firearms dealer and spoke with the store’s operator, who informed him that only law enforcement officers with the power to conduct arrests could purchase Glock Model 26 firearms. Watson said he was a police officer with authority to make arrests.
On Nov. 17, 2018, Watson went to the second firearms dealer with his girlfriend and spoke with a sales manager. His girlfriend allegedly told the sales manager that she was Watson’s boss and that Watson had authority to make arrests. Watson identified himself as a police officer to the sales manager and then purchased a Glock, Model 26, GEN4, 9mm pistol for $425. Watson completed a required ATF Form and affirmed that he was the actual buyer of the firearm. The form warned that, “If you are not the actual buyer, the dealer cannot transfer the firearm(s) to you.”
During the sale, Watson provided his Cape Cod Community College identification card and completed a certification letter indicating that he was purchasing the firearm for “on or off duty use” and not “for resale.” Watson also completed another certification form, and listed himself as “Campus Police.”
It is further alleged that Watson then transferred the Glock Model 26 to his girlfriend on Dec. 19, 2018.
During an interview with law enforcement, Watson acknowledged that he used his Cape Cod Community College identification card when he purchased both Glock firearms. He stated he used that ID because he did not think he could purchase the firearms without it. He also acknowledged that if the firearms dealers had understood that he was not a police officer with arrest powers, they would not have sold him the firearms. Watson further stated that he knew his girlfriend, a civilian, could not purchase a Glock Model 26 herself and that he purchased the firearm for her.
Straw purchases interfere with firearm regulation and recordkeeping, and federal law makes it a crime to knowingly make false statements to a firearms dealer in connection with the lawfulness of the sale.
The charging statute provides a sentence of no greater than 10 years in prison, three years of supervised release, and a $250,000 fine. Sentences are imposed by a federal district court judge based upon the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors.
United States Attorney Andrew E. Lelling and Kelly Brady, Special Agent in Charge of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms & Explosives, Boston Field Division, made the announcement today. Cape Cod Community College Campus Police, Barnstable Police Department and Mashpee Police Department provided assistance with the investigation. Assistant U.S. Attorney Eugenia M. Carris of Lelling’s Public Corruption Unit is prosecuting the case.
The details contained in the Complaint are allegations. The defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.
Manchester Man Sentenced to 78 Months for Bank RobberyRead the Press Release
CONCORD - Michael MacDonald, 29, of Manchester, was sentenced to 78 months for bank robbery, United States Attorney Scott W. Murray announced today.
According to court documents and statements made in court, on May 31, 2018, MacDonald entered the Citizens Bank in the Hannaford Market on E. Devine Drive, in Manchester, New Hampshire and gave the teller a note demanding money. The teller gave MacDonald a quantity of United States currency. Surveillance footage was obtained and an officer from Manchester Police Department recognized the robber as MacDonald. After confirming that the robber was MacDonald, an arrest warrant was issued and MacDonald was taken into custody by the Manchester Police Department.
The defendant previously pleaded guilty on January 7, 2019.
“Bank robberies are violent crimes that jeopardize the safety of the public,” said U.S. Attorney Murray. “In order to protect the citizens of the Granite State, we work closely with our law enforcement partners to identify and prosecute those who commit violent crimes in New Hampshire. I am grateful for the efforts of the Manchester Police Department, which led to the arrest and conviction of this individual.”
This matter was investigated by the Manchester Police Department and the Federal Bureau of Investigation. The case was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Helen White Fitzgibbon.
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Lower Brule Man Sentenced for Assaulting a Federal OfficerRead the Press Release
United States Attorney Ron Parsons announced that a Lower Brule, South Dakota, man convicted of Assaulting, Resisting, and Impeding a Federal Officer was sentenced on April 16, 2019, by U.S. Magistrate Judge Mark A. Moreno.
Jade LaRoche, age 39, was sentenced to time served, which was 351 days of custody, 1 year of supervised release, and a special assessment to the Federal Crime Victims Fund in the amount of $25.
LaRoche was indicted by a federal grand jury on June 12, 2018. He pled guilty on February 26, 2019.
The conviction stemmed from an incident on May 17, 2018, when LaRoche was being held at the Lower Brule jail and became indignant with an officer who was ensuring LaRoche was complying with medication protocol. LaRoche attempted to push the officer out of his way and a shoving match ensued. The altercation continued when both LaRoche and the officer fell, and a brief wrestling match was had until LaRoche was detained and placed into a cell.
This case was investigated by the Bureau of Indian Affairs, Lower Brule Agency. Assistant U.S. Attorney Troy R. Morley prosecuted the case.
LaRoche was immediately turned over to the custody of the U.S. Marshals Service.
Louisiana Woman Sentenced to over Three Years in Federal Prison for Wire Fraud Scheme Involving Fake Kidnapping of HerselfRead the Press Release
Jackson, Miss. – Sharday Monique Thomas, 32, of Hammond, Louisiana, was sentenced today by Chief U.S. District Judge Daniel P. Jordan, III to serve 41 months in federal prison for a wire fraud scheme in which she sought to fraudulently obtain money by faking her own kidnapping, announced U.S. Attorney Mike Hurst and FBI Special Agent in Charge Christopher Freeze. Her prison sentence will be followed by three years of supervised release.
On November 27, 2018, FBI special agents in Jackson, Mississippi, were contacted by FBI special agents in Monroe, Louisiana, regarding allegations that an individual by the name of Sharday Thomas had been kidnapped and would be killed if a ransom was not delivered to a location in Jackson, Mississippi. The purported kidnapper had contacted a former employer of Thomas by way of text messages from Thomas’s cell phone. The text messages stated that Thomas was being held against her will and instructed the former employer to bring $4,500.00 cash to an address in Jackson or she would be killed. The text messages included specific threats such as, "No cops or she die," "I'm tired of waiting my trigger finger is itching," "Now or I'll blow her head off," and "I want my money now or she dies," among others. The former employer, who was being assisted by the Louisiana State Police, requested proof of life and spoke to Thomas on two instances. Thomas told him that she would be killed if the ransom money was not delivered as instructed.
With the assistance of the FBI office in New Orleans, FBI special agents in Jackson were able to determine that Thomas was actually at an address near the location in Jackson where the money was to be delivered. The agents located Thomas and quickly determined that she had not actually been kidnapped. Thomas was found in possession of the cell phone from which the phone calls and texts had been sent. After being advised of her rights, Thomas confessed to staging the kidnapping on her own and to sending text messages and phone calls in order to fraudulently obtain money from her former employer. Thomas consented to the search of her phone's contents on the scene, and agents observed the text message chain used to stage her kidnapping.
The case was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation and the Louisiana State Police, and the case was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Dave Fulcher.
Lexington Man Sentenced to 100 Months for Possession of a Firearm by Convicted FelonRead the Press Release
LEXINGTON, Ky. — Keith A. Jefferson, 26, of Lexington, was sentenced today, to 100 months federal in prison, by United States District Judge Karen K. Caldwell, for possession of a firearm by a convicted felon.
In January 2018, the Lexington Police Department investigated an active disorder with a firearm on Charles Avenue. During a domestic dispute, Jefferson fired a shot into a residence, to gain entry. On January 9, 2019, Jefferson entered a guilty plea, admitting to illegally possessing two firearms. Jefferson has prior convictions, for assaultive behavior and carrying concealed weapons.
Under federal law, Jefferson 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 three years.
Robert M. Duncan, Jr., United States Attorney for the Eastern District of Kentucky; Stuart Lowrey, Special Agent in Charge of the ATF Louisville Field Division; and Lawrence Weathers, Chief of the Lexington Police Department, jointly made the announcement.
The ATF and the Lexington Police Department conducted the investigation. The United States was represented by Assistant United States Attorney Cynthia T. Rieker.
This case is part of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), a program bringing together all levels of law enforcement and the communities they serve to reduce violent crime and make our neighborhoods safer for everyone. The PSN program was reinvigorated 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.
Last IDOC Correctional Officer Sentenced for Crimes Stemming from FBI StingRead the Press Release
BOISE - Former Idaho Department of Correction (“IDOC”) correctional officer Erik Thompson was sentenced yesterday for firearms offenses he committed as part of an FBI sting operation that uncovered corruption by IDOC correctional officers, U.S. Attorney Bart M. Davis announced. U.S. District Judge B. Lynn Winmill sentenced Erik Thompson, 39, to 97 months in prison. Thompson will be placed on supervised release for three years after release from prison.
The FBI initiated the sting operation in this case at IDOC’s request to weed out corruption among IDOC correctional officers. The FBI was able to locate corrupt prison guards by using undercover agents who invited the guards to commit crimes outside of IDOC’s facilities. The defendants believed that the undercover agents they were assisting were large‑scale drug traffickers. The guards provided security and completed other tasks for the undercover agents during staged deliveries of drug loads and drug money. Thompson and co‑defendant Richard McCollough carried firearms with them during the staged drug operations. No drugs were in the sole possession of the defendants, and no drugs or other contraband were brought into any IDOC facility as part of these operations.
Thompson pleaded guilty to two counts of possession of a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime. Co-defendant McCollough also pleaded guilty to two counts of possession of a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime. McCollough also was sentenced to 97 months in prison by Judge Winmill.
Co-defendants Timothy Landon and Robert Wallin each pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy to aid and abet drug trafficking. Landon was sentenced to 41 months in prison. Wallin was sentenced to 37 months in prison. All defendants will be placed on supervised release for three years after release from prison.
In addition to the FBI, the Boise Police Department, the Meridian Police Department, IDOC’s Special Investigations Unit, and the Ada County Prosecutor’s Office participated in this investigation.
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Laredo Man Sent to Prison in Case Praised by TrumpRead the Press Release
LAREDO, Texas – A 46-year-old Laredoan has been ordered to federal prison following his conviction of conspiring to transport 78 aliens, announced U.S. Attorney Ryan K. Patrick. Jesus Alberto De La Cruz pleaded guilty Oct. 4, 2018.
Today, visiting U.S. District Judge Keith Ellison ordered De La Cruz to serve 46 months in federal prison to be immediately followed by a year of supervised release.
On Aug. 10, 2018, De La Cruz approached the primary Border Patrol (BP) checkpoint on IH-35, just north of Laredo. A canine alerted to the semi-tractor and trailer he was driving and he was referred for secondary inspection.
Authorities became alarmed when he continued to drive the semi-tractor and trailer towards IH-35 instead of towards the secondary inspection area. Agents stopped him and ordered him and a passenger out of the vehicle.
Authorities soon observed people hidden inside the maintenance hatch in the rear of the trailer. The trailer doors were closed with a bolt seal preventing anyone inside from being able to exit.
They eventually found 78 undocumented aliens hidden inside, all of whom were questioned regarding their citizenship. They were all determined to be citizens of Mexico, Honduras, Ecuador, Brazil, El Salvador and Guatemala without proper legal documentation allowing them to enter or remain in the United States.
President Trump personally congratulated the BP agent canine enforcement officer for his work on the case.
Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s Homeland Security Investigations and BP conducted the investigation.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Francisco J. Rodriguez prosecuted the case.
KC Woman Sentenced for Tax Fraud SchemeRead the Press Release
KANSAS CITY, Mo. – A Kansas City, Mo., woman was sentenced in federal court today for a scheme to file false tax returns, resulting in more than $180,000 in fraudulent refunds being issued.
Tanisha Williams, 45, was sentenced by U.S. District Court Judge Greg Kays to three years and five months in federal prison without parole. The court also ordered Williams to pay $182,410 in restitution to the government.
On Sept. 19, 2018, Williams pleaded guilty to filing a false claim with the IRS and wire fraud. Williams participated in a scheme to defraud the IRS by helping in the filing of false income tax returns on behalf of others who claimed refunds to which they were not entitled. Her criminal conduct involved the fraudulent tax returns for four tax years (2010, 2012, 2013, and 2014) for 26 separate individuals. Williams’s scheme to defraud the IRS resulted in a significant loss to the government of $182,410.
At times, Williams recruited individuals to file federal income tax returns under their own names and Social Security numbers. At other times, Williams used stolen identity information to file federal income tax returns.
Fraudulent tax returns claimed bogus wages, fictitious tax withholdings, fraudulent dependents, and earned income credits. These fraudulent refunds would then be deposited onto pre-paid debit cards. Once the funds were deposited to the debit cards, the money was withdrawn as cash or the cards were utilized for personal expenses.
This case was prosecuted by First Assistant U.S. Attorney David M. Ketchmark. It was investigated by IRS-Criminal Investigation.
KC Tax Preparer Sentenced for $238,000 Fraud SchemeRead the Press Release
KANSAS CITY, Mo. – A Kansas City, Mo., tax preparer was sentenced in federal court today for a wire fraud scheme in which she filed dozens of fraudulent tax returns that resulted in more than $238,000 in refunds being issued to individuals who were not entitled to receive them.
Onrea Knox-Lewis, 45, was sentenced by U.S. District Judge Brian C. Wimes to one year and one day in federal prison without parole. The court also ordered Knox-Lewis to pay $238,666 in restitution to the government.
On Sept. 26, 2018, Knox-Lewis pleaded guilty to one count of wire fraud. Knox-Lewis, a self-employed tax return preparer, admitted that she filed income tax returns for the tax years 2012 through 2014 claiming false refunds. The fraudulent tax returns reported bogus wages, income tax withholdings and/or fraudulent dependents as well as the Earned Income Credit. In some instances, Knox-Lewis prepared and filed tax returns using stolen personal identification information.
After she filed the fraudulent tax returns over the internet, Knox-Lewis had the bogus refunds loaded onto prepaid debit cards; she utilized all, or in some cases only a portion, of the funds for her own personal expenses.
According to court documents, Knox-Lewis’s criminal conduct involved the fraudulent tax returns for three tax years (2012, 2013, and 2014) for 25 separate individuals. Her scheme resulted in $238,666 in refunds being issued to individuals who were not entitled to receive them.
In addition to this fraud scheme, according to court documents, Knox-Lewis has an extensive history of fraudulent activity, including forgery and identity theft.
This case was prosecuted by First Assistant U.S. Attorney David M. Ketchmark. It was investigated by IRS-Criminal Investigation.
Justice Department Awards $8.4 Million to Support Native American Crime Victims in Ten StatesRead the Press Release
BOISE – U.S. Attorney Bart M. Davis joined the Department of Justice’s Office for Victims of Crime (OVC) this week in announcing more than $8.4 million in grant awards to support crime victims in Native American communities in 10 states: Alaska, Arizona, California, Idaho, Michigan, New Mexico, Oklahoma, South Dakota, Utah and Washington. The group of 17 awards is the fifth in a series of grants being made by OVC to American Indian and Alaska Native communities. OVC has now awarded more than $34 million of nearly $100 million to support tribal victim service programs.
The awards—63 in total so far—will fund critical crime victim services, such as counseling, transitional housing, emergency services and transportation. The grants are supported by the Crime Victims Fund, a repository of federal criminal fines, fees and special assessments. The fund includes zero tax dollars.
Two tribes in the District of Idaho, the Coeur d’Alene and the Shoshone-Bannock, were awarded grants totaling $1,127,748. The Coeur d’Alene Tribe received $478,504 to expand victim-centered services through a tribal healing and recovery program. Funding will support staff training, program and office supplies, transportation for victims, outreach and emergency assistance. The Shoshone-Bannock Tribes received $649,244 to address four critical needs in existing programming, including shelter renovations to ensure safety and accessibility, trauma-informed case management, satellite victim service offices and expansion of services to vulnerable adults. Funding will support a case manager, domestic violence shelter and office space, program and office supplies, and emergency assistance.
“American Indian and Alaska Native communities face extensive public safety challenges, but through creative approaches that combine traditional methods with innovative solutions, they are demonstrating their determination to meet the needs of victims in their communities,” said OJP’s Principal Deputy Assistant Attorney General Matt M. Dummermuth. “These grants, part of historic levels of funding awarded by the Department of Justice to American Indian and Alaska Native communities, will provide significant resources to bring critical services to those who suffer the effects of crime and violence.”
According to OJP’s Bureau of Justice Statistics, American Indians and Alaska Natives experience violent crime at rates far greater than the general population.
“The Department of Justice and my office are committed to reducing violent crime and improving public safety,” said U.S. Attorney Bart Davis. “This increase in resources, together with aggressive federal and tribal investigations, shows how seriously the entire Department of Justice take these issues.”
“American Indian and Alaska Native crime victims continue to face challenges in accessing vital services and resources needed to help survivors address their trauma and navigate a complex system,” said OVC Director Darlene Hutchinson. “The Justice Department has made it a priority to partner with tribes to help victims and their families rebuild their lives in the aftermath of violence.”
The Office of Justice Programs, directed by Principal Deputy Assistant Attorney General Matt M. Dummermuth, provides federal leadership, grants and resources to improve the nation’s capacity to prevent and reduce crime, assist victims and enhance the rule of law by strengthening the criminal justice system. More information about OJP and its components can be found at www.ojp.gov.
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Jefferson County Felon Arrested for Federal Firearms ViolationRead the Press Release
BEAUMONT, Texas – A 26-year-old Beaumont, Texas man has been arrested for federal violations in the Eastern District of Texas announced U.S. Attorney Joseph D. Brown.
Bernard James Bell was arrested on Apr. 17, 2019, pursuant to a criminal complaint issued by the U.S. District Court charging him with felon in possession of a firearm. Bell appeared in federal court today on the charges.
According to information presented in court, on Apr. 11, 2019, law enforcement officers began investigating a homicide that occurred in Beaumont’s west end. On Apr. 14, 2019, investigators learned that Bell was provided a firearm that was used in connection with that homicide. After speaking with Bell, investigators recovered the firearm and determined that Bell had possessed it. Further investigation revealed Bell is a convicted felon having several convictions in Jefferson County, Texas in 2011 and 2012. As a convicted felon, Bell is prohibited from owning or possessing firearms or ammunition.
If convicted, Bell faces up to 10 years in federal prison.
This case is being investigated by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives and the Beaumont Police Department and prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Russell James.
It is important to note that a complaint, arrest, or indictment should not be considered as evidence of guilt and that all persons charged with a crime are presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt.
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Japanese Investment Company Executives Extradited on Charges Relating to $1.5 Billion Ponzi SchemeRead the Press Release
Japanese authorities have extradited to the United States two former executives of a Las Vegas, Nevada, investment company in connection with their alleged roles in a $1.5 billion Ponzi scheme.
Assistant Attorney General Brian A. Benczkowski of the Justice Department’s Criminal Division, U.S. Attorney Nicholas A. Trutanich of the District of Nevada and Special Agent in Charge Aaron C. Rouse of the FBI’s Las Vegas Division made the announcement.
Junzo Suzuki, 70, and Paul Suzuki, 40, who are father and son and are both Japanese nationals, were each charged in a July 2015 indictment filed in the District of Nevada with eight counts of mail fraud and nine counts of wire fraud. Japanese authorities arrested the Suzukis in January 2019 at the request of the United States, and extradited them to the United States on April 17. The Suzukis will make their initial appearance this afternoon before U.S. Magistrate Judge Cam Ferenbach of the District of Nevada.
According to the indictment, Junzo Suzuki previously was executive vice president for Asia Pacific of MRI International (MRI), an investment company which was headquartered in Las Vegas and had an office in Japan. Paul Suzuki previously was the company’s general manager for Japan operations, based in Tokyo. MRI purportedly specialized in “factoring,” whereby the company purchased accounts receivable from medical providers at a discount, and then attempted to recover the entire amount, or at least more than the discounted amount, from the debtor.
According to allegations in the indictment, from at least 2009 to 2013, the Suzukis and their co-defendant Edwin Fujinaga, 72, of Las Vegas, fraudulently solicited investments from thousands of Japanese residents. When MRI collapsed, it allegedly owed investors over $1.5 billion. Specifically, the indictment alleges that Fujinaga and the Suzukis promised investors a series of interest payments that would accrue over the life of the investment and that would be paid out along with the face value of the investment at the conclusion of the investments’ duration. The defendants allegedly solicited investments by, among other things, promising investors that their investments would be used only for the purchase of medical accounts receivable (MARS) and by representing that investors funds would be managed and safeguarded by an independent third-party escrow company.
The indictment further alleges that MRI operated as a Ponzi scheme, in which the defendants used new investors’ money to pay prior investors’ maturing investments. According to the indictment, the defendants also allegedly used investors’ funds for purposes other than the purchase of MARS, including paying themselves sales commissions, subsidizing gambling habits, funding personal travel by private jet and other personal expenses.
In November 2018, after a five-week trial, Fujinaga was found guilty of eight counts of mail fraud, nine counts of wire fraud and three counts of money laundering in connection with this Ponzi scheme. His sentencing hearing is scheduled for May 23, 2019.
The case was investigated by the FBI. The case is being prosecuted by Trial Attorneys William Johnston and Danny Nguyen of the Criminal Division’s Fraud Section and Assistant U.S. Attorney Tony Lopez of the District of Nevada. The case was investigated by Assistant Chief Albert Stieglitz of the Fraud Section and Assistant U.S. Attorney Steven Myhre of the District of Nevada.
The indictment contains allegations and the defendants are presumed innocent if and until proven guilty in a court of law.
The Criminal Division’s Office of International Affairs provided significant support with the defendants’ extradition. The U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission, the Financial Services Agency of Japan and the Japanese Ministry of Justice also provided assistance.
Japanese Investment Company Executives Extradited on Charges Relating to $1.5 Billion Ponzi SchemeRead the Press Release
LAS VEGAS, Nev. – Japanese authorities have extradited to the United States two former executives of a Las Vegas, Nevada investment company in connection with their alleged roles in a $1.5 billion Ponzi scheme.
Assistant Attorney General Brian A. Benczkowski of the Justice Department’s Criminal Division, U.S. Attorney Nicholas A. Trutanich of the District of Nevada, and Special Agent in Charge Aaron C. Rouse of the FBI’s Las Vegas Division made the announcement.
Junzo Suzuki, 70, and Paul Suzuki, 40, who are father and son and are both Japanese nationals, were each charged in a July 2015 indictment filed in the District of Nevada with eight counts of mail fraud and nine counts of wire fraud. Japanese authorities arrested the Suzukis in January 2019 at the request of the United States, and extradited them to the United States on April 17. The Suzukis will make their initial appearance this afternoon before U.S. Magistrate Judge Cam Ferenbach of the District of Nevada.
According to the indictment, Junzo Suzuki previously was executive vice president for Asia Pacific of MRI International (MRI), an investment company which was headquartered in Las Vegas and had an office in Japan. Paul Suzuki previously was the company’s general manager for Japan operations, based in Tokyo. MRI purportedly specialized in “factoring,” whereby the company purchased accounts receivable from medical providers at a discount, and then attempted to recover the entire amount, or at least more than the discounted amount, from the debtor.
According to allegations in the indictment, from at least 2009 to 2013, the Suzukis and their co-defendant Edwin Fujinaga, 72, of Las Vegas, fraudulently solicited investments from thousands of Japanese residents. When MRI collapsed, it allegedly owed investors over $1.5 billion. Specifically, the indictment alleges that Fujinaga and the Suzukis promised investors a series of interest payments that would accrue over the life of the investment and that would be paid out along with the face value of the investment at the conclusion of the investments’ duration. The defendants allegedly solicited investments by, among other things, promising investors that their investments would be used only for the purchase of medical accounts receivable (MARS) and by representing that investors funds would be managed and safeguarded by an independent third-party escrow company.
The indictment further alleges that MRI operated as a Ponzi scheme, in which the defendants used new investors’ money to pay prior investors’ maturing investments. According to the indictment, the defendants also allegedly used investors’ funds for purposes other than the purchase of MARS, including paying themselves sales commissions, subsidizing gambling habits, funding personal travel by private jet, and other personal expenses.
In November 2018, after a five-week trial, Fujinaga was found guilty of eight counts of mail fraud, nine counts of wire fraud and three counts of money laundering in connection with his Ponzi scheme. His sentencing hearing is scheduled for May 23, 2019.
The case was investigated by the FBI. The case is being prosecuted by Trial Attorneys William Johnston and Danny Nguyen of the Criminal Division’s Fraud Section and Assistant U.S. Attorney Tony Lopez of the District of Nevada. The case was investigated by Assistant Chief Albert Stieglitz of the Fraud Section and Assistant U.S. Attorney Steven Myhre of the District of Nevada.
The indictment contains allegations and the defendants are presumed innocent if and until proven guilty in a court of law.
The Criminal Division’s Office of International Affairs provided significant support with the defendants’ extradition. The U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission, the Financial Services Agency of Japan, and the Japanese Ministry of Justice also provided assistance.
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Harrisburg Man Charged with Possession of Child PornographyRead the Press Release
HARRISBURG - The United States Attorney’s Office for the Middle District of Pennsylvania announced that Robert L. Hayes, Sr., age 74, of Harrisburg, Pennsylvania, was indicted on April 17, 2019, by a federal grand jury on child pornography charges.
According to United States Attorney David J. Freed, the indictment alleges that Hayes possessed images of prepubescent minors under the age of 12 years old on October 16, 2018 and November 20, 2018, in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania. Hayes was on federal Supervised Release after pleading guilty to a similar federal child exploitation case in 2007.
The case was investigated by the U.S. Postal Inspection Service and the U.S. Probation Office. Assistant U.S. Attorney Meredith Taylor is prosecuting the case.
This case was brought as part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative launched in May 2006 by the Department of Justice to combat the growing epidemic of child sexual exploitation and abuse. Led by the United States Attorneys' Offices and the Criminal Division's Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section, Project Safe Childhood marshals federal, state, and local resources to locate, apprehend, and prosecute individuals who sexually exploit children, and to identify and rescue victims. For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit www.usdoj.gov/psc For more information about internet safety education, please visit www.usdoj.gov/psc and click on the tab "resources."
Indictments are only allegations. All persons charged are presumed to be innocent unless and until found guilty in court.
A sentence following a finding of guilt is imposed by the Judge after consideration of the applicable federal sentencing statutes and the Federal Sentencing Guidelines.
If convicted of this second offense, Hayes faces a mandatory minimum 10 years imprisonment. The maximum penalty under federal law for this offense is 20 years of imprisonment, a term of supervised release following imprisonment, and a fine. Under the Federal Sentencing Guidelines, the Judge is also required to consider and weigh a number of factors, including the nature, circumstances and seriousness of the offense; the history and characteristics of the defendant; and the need to punish the defendant, protect the public and provide for the defendant's educational, vocational and medical needs. For these reasons, the statutory maximum penalty for the offense is not an accurate indicator of the potential sentence for a specific defendant.
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Great Falls man sentenced to more than five years for meth possessionRead the Press Release
GREAT FALLS—A Great Falls man who admitted possessing methamphetamine for redistribution in Butte was sentenced today to 68 months in prison and to four of supervised release, U.S. Attorney Kurt Alme said.
Michael Joseph Jacobson, 57, pleaded guilty earlier to possession with intent to distribute meth.
U.S. District Judge Brian M. Morris presided.
The Russell Country Drug Task Force and Homeland Security Investigations became aware of Jacobson during a 2015 investigation into a meth ring in Great Falls. In April 2017, investigators learned that the ring’s out-of-state supplier had shipped a large amount of meth to Great Falls and that Jacobson was going to meet a co-conspirator to get meth. Agents saw Jacobson meet with the co-conspirator and stopped his vehicle after the meeting. During a search of Jacobson’s vehicle, agents found numerous cell phones and $8,000 in two wallets seized from Jacobson. Agents also told Jacobson to remove meth they had seen him insert into his person. Meth seized from Jacobson totaled about 17.5 grams, which is about 140 doses. The investigation also determined that Jacobson typically picked up meth in Great Falls for redistribution in Butte.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Jessica Betley prosecuted the case, which was investigated by the Russell Country Drug Task Force and HSI.
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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Glendive man sentenced to 12 years in prison for meth, firearmRead the Press Release
BILLINGS—A Glendive man who admitted drug and firearm crimes after law enforcement found more than a pound of methamphetamine in his hotel room was sentenced on Tuesday to 12 years in prison and to five years of supervised release, said U.S. Attorney Kurt Alme.
John Allen Wagner, 40, pleaded guilty in November to possession with intent to distribute meth and to possession of a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime.
U.S. District Judge Susan P. Watters presided.
Law enforcement arrested Wagner after Billings Police officers responded to a complaint call at a downtown Billings hotel on April 21, 2018. When no one answered the door at the room referred to in the complaint, a staff member entered followed by the officers, who saw drug paraphernalia. About that time, Wagner, who was staying in the room, came walking down the hall. Officers asked Wagner to stop, but he ran. Officers chased and eventually caught Wagner. After getting a search warrant, law enforcement found more than 500 grams, or a little more than pound, of meth in Wagner’s hotel room and a handgun in his vehicle. A pound of meth is the equivalent of about 3,624 doses.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Colin Rubich prosecuted the case, which was investigated by FBI 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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Ghost Face Gangster sentenced to eight years in prison for firearms convictionRead the Press Release
SAVANNAH, GA: A former member of the Ghost Face Gangsters has become the first defendant to be sentenced as part of Operation Vanilla Gorilla.
Daniel Fleming, a/k/a “Baby Boy,” 32, of Ellabell, Ga., was sentenced by United States District Judge R. Stan Baker to 96 months in prison for Possession of a Firearm by a Convicted Felon, said Bobby L. Christine, U.S. Attorney for the Southern District of Georgia. In addition, Fleming will serve three years on supervised release after completion of his sentence.
There is no parole in the federal system.
A federal grand jury in November 2018 indicted Fleming and 42 other defendants as part of Operation Vanilla Gorilla, an Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Forces (OCDETF) investigation into a drug trafficking organization associated with the Ghost Face Gangsters, a violent, white supremacist street gang that originated in Georgia’s prisons. Of the 43 defendants, all but two have pled guilty to federal charges. Fleming was the first to be sentenced in this multi-district case.
According to information presented in court filings and in court, on April 16, 2018, in Bryan County, Fleming threatened his girlfriend with a firearm. She told him that she wanted him to move out of her home in Ellabell, Ga., and Fleming fired a round from a .38 caliber revolver into her vehicle while she was driving. He then threatened to kill the victim’s grandchildren if she reported the incident to police, and threatened to kill officers who responded to the scene.
As a convicted felon, Fleming was prohibited from possessing a firearm. He has a violent criminal history that spans more than a decade, including armed robbery of a Domino’s Pizza delivery driver, assaults on previous girlfriends and his own mother, and abuse of a dog that he left chained to a fence, gasping for air.
Fleming admitted being a Ghost Face Gangster, but claims to have quit the gang. The court ordered the Federal Bureau of Prisons to ensure that Fleming be housed apart from other Ghost Face Gangsters while he serves his federal sentence.
“Operation Vanilla Gorilla was an aggressive, multi-agency takedown of violent criminal street gangs, and Fleming’s tough sentence demonstrates that the prosecution of these defendants will remove them from our communities,” said Bobby L. Christine, U.S. Attorney for the Southern District of Georgia. “More importantly, this operation sends an unmistakable signal to other criminals who would prey on our communities: We will find you; we will arrest you; and we will shut you down.”
“This is another example of how ATF and our law enforcement partners work together to remove violent criminals from our streets in an effort to make our communities a safer place to work and live,” said Lenwood S. Reeves, Resident Agent in Charge of the Savannah Field Office of the ATF.
“As we continue to work in partnership with the federal authorities, we are highly pleased with the outstanding efforts and results of the task force in the Daniel Fleming case, and the continued efforts of the prosecuting attorneys in Operation Vanilla Gorilla,” said Mitch Shores, Chief of the Richmond Hill Police Department.
Operation Vanilla Gorilla was 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 bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF), the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA), the Georgia Bureau of Investigation (GBI), the Chatham County Narcotics Team (CNT), the Georgia Department of Corrections Intelligence Division, the Savannah Police Department, the Chatham County Sheriff’s Office, the Bryan County Sheriff’s Office, the Richmond Hill Police Department, the Pooler Police Department, the Effingham County Sheriff’s Office and the Bloomingdale Police Department, with assistance from the U.S. Marshals Service.
This case was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorneys E. Greg Gilluly, Jr. and Frank Pennington.
Four More Charged in Ongoing Investigation of Widespread Identity Fraud in Central OhioRead the Press Release
COLUMBUS, Ohio – Four additional defendants have been arrested and charged with using false or stolen Social Security numbers. Five other defendants were charged in March with illegally using Social Security numbers to lease cars and apartments and get approximately $200,000 of credit.
Benjamin C. Glassman, United States Attorney for the Southern District of Ohio, Tracey Thanos, Special Agent in Charge, Social Security Administration Office of Inspector General, and Yvonne DiCristoforo, Special Agent in Charge, United States Secret Service, announced the charges.
This second round of charges includes:
- Jamellia Kibby, 35, of Columbus. Kibby runs a credit counseling company called LIFE, LLC (Living, Independent, Futures, Everyday, LLC) in Columbus. When interviewed about her work with a Columbus Police detective, she said, “I help people like if you had problems where you had fraud or something that happened to you with identity or with your credit, stuff like that, I help people with credit issues.”
Kibby allegedly used an alias, a fake identity and a child’s Social Security number to help cover up her criminal record when she applied for an apartment. It is also alleged that she opened a bank account and leased an SUV under the false identity as well.
- William Lawson, 33, of Columbus. Lawson allegedly used four different Social Security numbers – each of which belongs to a real person – to finance seven cars totaling more than $150,000.
- Kimberly Hudson, 33, of Columbus. Hudson also allegedly used a Social Security number belonging to a real person to finance vehicles. It is alleged that Hudson used the identity illegally to finance three cars totaling more than $50,000.
- Shaniqua Coleman, 29 of Columbus. It is alleged that Coleman used an alias, a false ID, and a child’s Social Security number to open a bank account, borrow money and finance an SUV.
Each of the vehicles in these cases were leased or purchased at Columbus-area dealerships.
The first set of criminal complaints charged the following five central Ohio residents:
Tommy Edwards Jr., 28, allegedly used three fake Social Security numbers – including two numbers belonging to children – and other fake identity documents to lease a car and three apartments in the Columbus area in 2016 through 2018.
Kiara Mitchell, 28, was charged with using a Social Security number belonging to a child to rent an apartment in Groveport.
Isaiah Burnley, 19, allegedly used false Social Security numbers and forged paycheck stubs to rent apartments in 2018.
Wayne Hamler, 34, allegedly used a forged Social Security card to lease a car in 2018.
China Hester, 36, used a fake Social Security number to rent an apartment in the Columbus area in 2018.
The complaints also allege that Edwards, Mitchell, Burnley and Hamler used the false documents to get almost $200,000 in loans and credit cards.
False representation of a Social Security number is a crime punishable by up to five years in prison and fine of up to $250,000 and three years of supervised release.
U.S. Attorney Glassman commended the investigation of this case by the Social Security Administration Office of Inspector General and the United States Secret Service and the assistance of the United States Marshals Service, Columbus Division of Police and Delaware County Prosecutor’s Office, as well as Special Assistant United States Attorney Timothy Landry, who is representing the United States in all of the cases.
A criminal complaint merely contains allegations, and each defendant is presumed innocent unless proven guilty in a court of law.
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Fort Thompson Man Charged with Aggravated Sexual Abuse and Abusive Sexual ContactRead the Press Release
United States Attorney Ron Parsons announced that a Fort Thompson, South Dakota, man has been indicted by a federal grand jury for Aggravated Sexual Abuse and Abusive Sexual Contact.
Roland Hawk, Sr., age 50, was indicted on April 9, 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 $250,000 fine, up to life of supervised release, and $100 to the Federal Crime Victims Fund. Restitution may also be ordered.
The Indictment alleges that on August 16, November 1, and November 30, 2018, Hawk knowingly engaged in and attempted to engage in a sexual act with an individual by the use of force. The Indictment further alleges that between August 1, and December 31, 2018, Hawk knowingly engaged in and attempted to engage in sexual contact with the individual to abuse, humiliate, and degrade that person, or to arouse and gratify his own sexual desire without consent of the individual.
The charges are merely accusations and Hawk is presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty.
The investigation is being conducted by the Federal Bureau of Investigation. Assistant U.S. Attorney Jay Miller is prosecuting the case.
Hawk was released on bond pending trial. A trial date has not been set.
Fort Defiance Man Sentenced to 46 Months for Assaulting VictimRead the Press Release
PHOENIX– On April 15, 2019, Corey Slinkey, 42 of Fort Defiance, Ariz., was sentenced by District Judge Susan M. Brnovich to 46 months’ imprisonment. Slinkey had previously pleaded guilty to assault with a dangerous weapon.
In August 2017, Slinkey intentionally struck and wounded the victim of the assault with a tent pole. The victim was pregnant at the time. Both Slinkey and the victim are members of the Navajo Nation.
Navajo Nation Criminal Investigations and the Federal Bureau of Investigations conducted the investigation. The prosecution was handled by Kiyoko Patterson, Assistant U.S. Attorney, District of Arizona, Phoenix.
CASE NUMBER: CR-18-8240-PCT-SMB
RELEASE NUMBER: 2019-055_Slinkey
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For more information on the U.S. Attorney’s Office, District of Arizona, visit http://www.justice.gov/usao/az/
Follow the U.S. Attorney’s Office, District of Arizona, on Twitter @USAO_AZ for the latest news.
Former St. Joseph Scout Leader Sentenced for Distributing Child PornographyRead the Press Release
KANSAS CITY, Mo. – A former St. Joseph, Mo., Boy Scout leader was sentenced in federal court today for distributing child pornography over the internet.
Michael R. Goeller, 46, was sentenced by U.S. District Judge Howard F. Sachs to six years in federal prison without parole. The court also sentenced Goeller to 10 years of supervised release following incarceration.
Goeller, who pleaded guilty on Oct. 31, 2018, served as an assistant scout master with the Boy Scouts of America at the time of his arrest. In 2005, Goeller was employed as a counselor by the Marillac Center of Kansas City, a facility that provides youth services and community outreach. He was also previously employed as a counselor at the Family Guidance Center in St. Joseph, working with at risk youth.
The investigation began on Feb. 15, 2017, when a law enforcement officer in Arkansas downloaded a video file that contained child pornography through a peer-to-peer file-sharing network that was later linked to Goeller’s computer.
On Sept. 20, 2017, law enforcement officers executed a search warrant at Goeller’s apartment and seized a laptop computer and other digital electronic devices and digital media storage devices. Goeller admitted to officers that he used his laptop to access pornographic websites to obtain images and videos of nude children, ranging from 10 to 15 years old.
Investigators conducted a forensic examination of the devices seized from Goeller and found approximately 60 images and more than 60 videos of child pornography. Investigators also determined that Goeller was a distributor of child pornography who knowingly shared images and videos with others by utilizing a file-sharing network.
After the completion of the search warrant, the affidavit says, investigators learned that Goeller had made contact with a local priest to confess to child pornography having been found on his computer. Goeller also immediately resigned as an assistant scoutmaster with the Boy Scouts of America due to his interaction with this criminal investigation.
This case was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney David Luna. It was investigated by the FBI.Project Safe Childhood
This case was brought as part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative launched in May 2006 by the Department of Justice to combat the growing epidemic of child sexual exploitation and abuse. Led by the United States Attorneys' Offices and the Criminal Division's Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section, Project Safe Childhood marshals federal, state, and local resources to locate, apprehend, and prosecute individuals who sexually exploit children, and to identify and rescue victims. For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit www.usdoj.gov/psc . For more information about Internet safety education, please visit www.usdoj.gov/psc and click on the tab "resources."Former Sheriff of Tallahatchie County Sentenced to Federal Prison for Accepting BribesRead the Press Release
OXFORD – The former Sheriff of Tallahatchie County was sentenced to six years in federal prison on Thursday for agreeing to allow robbery of a drug dealer and drug distribution in Tallahatchie County in exchange for bribes. William Brewer, 58, appeared before U.S. District Judge Michael P. Mills in Oxford for sentencing following his guilty plea for extorting a bribe, and Mills imposed the 72-month sentence. In addition, Brewer was sentenced to serve three years of supervised release upon his release from prison and to forfeit $42,500. Christopher Freeze, Special Agent in Charge of the FBI Jackson Division and William C. Lamar, US Attorney for the Northern District of Mississippi, made the announcement following the sentence.
Evidence showed that a source cooperating with the FBI who was known by Brewer to sell drugs in Tallahatchie County, informed Brewer of plans to rob another drug dealer of drugs and money. Brewer did nothing to oppose the actions of the individual and the individual delivered $6,500 cash to Brewer at his residence in Tallahatchie County on June 21, 2018, representing that the cash was money obtained from robbing the drug dealer. On two subsequent occasions, the individual delivered additional payments to Brewer’s residence representing that they were proceeds from the sale of the stolen drugs. The evidence established that Brewer accepted a total of $10,000 in bribes over a two-month period.
In August of 2018, a federal grand jury returned a five-count indictment charging Brewer with multiple counts of extortion by bribe, and a single count of conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute narcotics. On October 30, 2018, Brewer pled guilty to count three of the indictment in exchange of dismissal of the remaining counts and faced not more than 20 years in prison.
FBI Special Agent in Charge Christopher Freeze emphasized the importance of investigating and holding accountable corrupt law enforcement officials. "When corrupt law enforcement officers, especially an elected sheriff, participate in the crimes they are sworn to protect against, it degrades the public trust of law enforcement everywhere," said SAC Freeze. "Public corruption continues to be the FBI's top criminal priority, because it tears at the fabric of our democracy."
Following the sentence, U.S. Attorney William Lamar noted that Brewer’s actions were not only illegal, but a betrayal of the citizens he was sworn to serve. “William Brewer violated his oath, dishonoring himself, his badge, and every honest lawman who wears a badge. The citizens of our state and Tallahatchie County deserved better and we hope that today’s sentence will emphasize the commitment of this office to hold accountable elected officials who would so blatantly betray the public’s trust,” remarked Lamar.
The case was investigated by the FBI, Oxford Resident Agency and prosecuted by AUSA Robert Mims.
Former Medical Practice Office Manager Charged with Stealing Controlled SubstancesRead the Press Release
CONTACT: Barbara Burns
PHONE: (716) 843-5817
FAX #: (716) 551-3051BUFFALO, N.Y. - U.S. Attorney James P. Kennedy, Jr. announced today that Kristy Brucz, 33, of Buffalo, NY, was arrested and charged by criminal complaint with obtaining controlled substances by fraud. The charge carries a maximum penalty of four years in prison and a fine of $250,000.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Joshua A. Violanti, who is handling the case, stated that according to the complaint, between 2015 and March 28, 2018, the defendant was an employee and office manager for a local physician (Physician-1). In that position, Brucz obtained control of the New York State issued controlled substance electronic prescribing hard token (prescribing token) and its related passwords. The defendant then issued 166 fraudulent controlled substance prescriptions—either in her own name or the name of 12 fictitious or unwitting participants—totaling 11,885 dosage units. In addition, the defendant utilized 25 different pharmacies to receive the prescriptions, and used a variety of payment methods including insurance, cash, Medicaid, Medicare, and prescription coupons. The prescriptions included alprazolam, hydrocodone, oxycodone, and phentermine.
The defendant’s scheme was discovered in March of 2018, as Brucz attempted to fill a prescription at Rite Aid Pharmacy. The pharmacist questioned the legitimacy of the prescription and contacted the physician for whom defendant worked. That inquiry ultimately led to the discovery of defendant’s fraud and led to her being fired from her position at Physician-1's office.
The criminal complaint is the result of an investigation by the Drug Enforcement Administration, under the direction of Special Agent-in-Charge Ray Donovan, New York Field Division.
The fact that a defendant has been charged with a crime is merely an accusation and the defendant is presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty.
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Former Medical Doctor and His Business Partner Sentenced to Nearly Three Years in Prison for $7.1 Million Medicare Health Care Fraud SchemeRead the Press Release
LAS VEGAS, Nev. – A former medical doctor and his business partner were sentenced Tuesday to 33 months in prison for their individual roles in a $7.1 million Medicare health care fraud scheme that occurred at three Las Vegas hospice and home healthcare agencies, announced U.S. Attorney Nicholas A. Trutanich for the District of Nevada.
Camilo Q. Primero, 76, of San Dimas, California, and Aurora S. Beltran, 63, of Glendora, California, each pleaded guilty conspiracy to commit health care fraud and money laundering. In addition to the prison term, U.S. District Judge Andrew P. Gordon sentenced each defendant to three years of supervised release and ordered them to pay a criminal forfeiture money judgment of $2,492,627. The defendants agreed to make full restitution in the amount of $2,492,627 to the United States.
From about January 2012 to about July 2017, Primero, a former medical doctor and owner of Angel Eye Hospice, Vision Home Health Care, and Advent Hospice, all in Las Vegas, Nevada, and Beltran, Primero’s business partner, operated a scheme to fraudulently obtain $7.1 million from the Medicare program. They filed false enrollment documents with Medicare to enable Primero to operate hospice and home care agencies through nominees despite his prior exclusion from all federal health care programs. Furthermore, they submitted fraudulent hospice care claims for people who were not terminally ill and did not require hospice care.
Primero and Beltran were previously convicted in California state court for defrauding that state’s insurance system in relation to another business named Beltran House, a residential care facility for disabled adults.
The case was investigated by the FBI and the U.S. Department of Health and Human Service, Office of the Inspector General (HHS-OIG), with assistance from IRS-Criminal Investigation. Assistant U.S. Attorney Patrick Burns prosecuted the case.
You can report suspected Medicare fraud by calling HHS-OIG at 1-800-HHS-TIPS (1-800-447-8477) or online at https://forms.oig.hhs.gov/hotlineoperations/report-fraud-form.aspx.
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Former Coschocton Public Housing Director Sentenced to Prison for Embezzling HUD FundsRead the Press Release
COLUMBUS, Ohio – Gregory J. Darr, 65, of Coshocton, formerly the Executive Director and Chief Financial Officer of the Coshocton Metropolitan Housing Authority (CMHA), was sentenced today to 30 months in prison for embezzling more than $431,000 from the United States Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD).
Benjamin C. Glassman, United States Attorney for the Southern District of Ohio; Brad Geary, Special Agent in Charge, U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development Office of Inspector General; Ohio Attorney General Dave Yost; Tommy D. Coke, Inspector in Charge, U.S. Postal Inspection Service; Coshocton County Sheriff Timothy L. Rogers, Richmond County, Ga. Sheriff Richard Roundtree and Kimberly Cheatle, Special Agent in Charge, U.S. Secret Service, Atlanta; announced the sentence handed down today by Chief U.S. District Judge Edmund A. Sargus, Jr.
“Judge Sargus’ sentence included a requirement that Darr repay taxpayers the $431,668.45 he embezzled and that he remain under court supervision for three more years,” U.S. Attorney Glassman said. “The sentence takes into account that Darr not only embezzled the money, but that he attempted to cover-up and obstruct investigators, abusing his position of public trust,”
Darr pleaded guilty on September 4, 2018 to conspiring to embezzle money from the United States. His plea was the result of a joint federal-state investigation into public corruption and embezzlement of funds from CMHA. The agency received federal HUD money each year to provide housing to low-income households.
Darr served as the Executive Director of the CMHA Resident Council, even though he had also been serving as the Executive Director and Chief Financial Officer of CMHA since 2001. Federal regulations prohibited him from serving in the resident council leadership capacity or from benefitting financially from the council.
Beginning in January 2012 and continuing through September 2017, Darr repeatedly embezzled money from both the CMHA and the Resident Council operating accounts for his own personal gain and for the gain of co-defendant Eric L. Blackwell, 54, of Coshocton.
Darr used the money for, among other things, restaurant bills, out-of-state expenses made in connection with real-estate ventures he co-owned with Blackwell, home improvements made to properties that he or Blackwell owned, and a marina slip and lot rental at Spend-a-Day Marina on Indian Lake, where he and Blackwell maintained a boat and mobile home.
While on the clock with CMHA, Darr routinely traveled to Georgia to manage his investment properties, all while being paid by CMHA to manage the agency’s day-to-day operations in Coshocton. He and Blackwell also improperly used CMHA office space and supplies to operate their joint business ventures.
In August 2017, Darr learned of a federal investigation into his unlawful activities when agents with the HUD Office of Inspector General executed search warrants at CMHA. He thereafter took steps to willfully obstruct and impede the investigation, by falsifying resident council meeting notes and attempting to conceal records relevant to the investigation.
Relatedly, Darr and Blackwell falsified claims to obtain monthly housing assistance payments on behalf of purported tenants who never actually resided in a housing project managed by the two defendants in Augusta, Ga.
Blackwell also pleaded guilty to conspiracy and is scheduled to be sentenced on May 16.
“Today’s sentence proves our continuing resolve to root out fraud and corruption in all forms, particularly when the programs involved should have been used to help our neediest families,” said HUD OIG Special Agent in Charge Geary. “It is our continuing core mission to work with our law enforcement partners and the United States Attorney’s Office to protect the integrity of our housing programs and to take strong action against those who seek to personally benefit from them.”
“Dollars that were supposed to help families achieve the basic need of a roof over their heads instead were used by this guy to line his own pockets via his rental properties,” Ohio Attorney General Dave Yost said. “Today’s much-deserved sentence is the product of local, state and federal law enforcement agencies joining forces to take down a corrupt public official who preyed on the unprotected.”
U.S. Attorney Glassman commended the investigation of this case by federal and local law enforcement in Ohio and Georgia, as well as Assistant United States Attorneys Noah R. Litton and J. Michael Marous, who represented the United States in this case.
If you have information related to public housing corruption, please email [email protected] or call 1-800-347-3735.
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Former Airport Contractor Pleads Guilty to Conspiring to Steal over $100,000 from the Wayne County Airport AuthorityRead the Press Release
Douglas Earles, 60, of White Lake pleaded guilty to conspiring with co-defendant, James Warner, a field inspector at the Wayne County Airport Authority (WCAA), to steal over $100,000 from the airport between June of 2010 and August of 2013, United States Attorney Matthew Schneider announced today.
Schneider was joined in the announcement by Timothy Slater, Special Agent-in-Charge of the Detroit Field Office of the Federal Bureau of Investigation, and Andrea M. Kropf, Special Agent-in-Charge of the Chicago Field Office of the United States Department of Transportation, Office of Inspector General.
Earles, who owned and operated North Star Water Management and North Star Plumbing, companies which entered into contracts for plumbing installation and maintenance at the Detroit Metropolitan Airport, participated in a scheme in which Warner, posing as Earles, would draft and submit fraudulently-inflated invoices for work which Earles purportedly performed at the airport. Some of the invoices Warner submitted on Earles’s behalf listed parts that Earles had not in fact replaced or repairs that Earles had not in fact performed. Upon payment by the WCAA to Earles, Earles would kickback roughly 40 per cent of the profits to Warner. This scheme is similar to the theft and bribery conspiracy that Warner engaged in with William Pritula, who pleaded guilty last July to paying over $5 million in kickbacks to Warner for pavement and hydrant repairs and maintenance at the airport.
Thus far, law enforcement has seized $11.4 million in criminal proceeds related to this investigation, including $7.5 million from Pritula and $3.9 million from Warner.
The theft charge to which Earles has pleaded guilty carries a maximum sentence of 5 years’ imprisonment and a fine of up to $250,000.
Warner’s trial is scheduled for May.
United States Attorney Schneider stated, “Today’s guilty plea signifies another step forward in dismantling this massive fraud and bribery scheme that stole millions of dollars from the WCAA.”
“The crime to which Mr. Earles pleaded guilty is part of a pattern of corrupt and illegal conduct by a WCAA high-level manager and contractors who were hired to improve the infrastructure at the airport,” said SAC Slater. “The case also highlights the FBI's Detroit Area Public Corruption Task Force's commitment to investigating corruption in settings outside of city government. I would encourage anyone who has information about corruption in any setting to contact the FBI.”
"This investigation demonstrates that entities wishing to do business with the Federal government on transportation infrastructure projects will be held accountable for maintaining the highest level of integrity," said Andrea M. Kropf, DOT-OIG Regional Special Agent-in-Charge. "Working with our law enforcement and prosecutorial partners, we will continue our vigorous efforts in preventing, detecting and prosecuting infrastructure fraud."
The investigation of this case was conducted by the Federal Bureau of Investigation and the Department of Transportation. The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Eaton P. Brown, Paul Kuebler, and R. Michael Bullotta
Fifth Defendant Pleads Guilty to Laundering Millions of Dollars of Drug Proceeds for Sinaloa CartelRead the Press Release
Assistant U. S. Attorney Larry Casper (619) 546-6734
NEWS RELEASE SUMMARY – April 18, 2019
SAN DIEGO – Gibran Rodriguez-Mejia of Culiacan, Sinaloa, Mexico, pleaded guilty today 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. Rodriguez, who was extradited from Mexico to San Diego in September 2018, is the fifth defendant in this case to enter a guilty plea.
Through his plea agreement, Rodriguez admitted to laundering $3.5 million in drug proceeds. He coordinated with couriers, primarily located in Southern California, who smuggled the bulk U.S. currency from the United States to Mexico. Rodriguez 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 also recently entered a guilty plea in the case. After the money was converted to Mexican pesos, 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 twenty other individuals have entered guilty pleas and been sentenced previously in related cases.
Rodriguez pleaded guilty before U.S. Magistrate Judge Mitchell D. Dembin. Rodriguez will be sentenced on July 8 at 9 a.m. before U.S. District Judge Roger T. Benitez. Rodriguez faces up to 20 years in prison and a maximum fine of $7 million (twice the value of the funds involved). Three other defendants have previously entered guilty pleas in this case and been sentenced (Omar Ayon-Diaz; Osvaldo Contreras-Arriaga; and Joel Acedo-Ojeda) and another (Cesar Hernandez-Martinez) entered his guilty plea on April 4, 2019 and will be sentenced on July 8, 2019 at 9:00 a.m. before Judge Benitez.
U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) San Diego Field Office conducted the investigation. Assistant U.S. Attorney Lawrence A. Casper of the Southern District of California and Senior Trial Counsel Mark A. Irish of the Criminal Division’s Money Laundering and Asset Recovery Section 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.
DEFENDANT Case Number 15-cr-950
Gibran Rodriguez-Mejia Age: 31 Culiacan, Sinaloa, Mexico
SUMMARY OF CHARGE
Hernandez-Martinez
Conspiracy to Commit International Money Laundering, in violation of Title 18, U.S.C., Sec. 1956(a)(2)(B)(i) and (h).
Maximum Penalties: Twenty years in prison; $500,000 fine or twice the value of the funds involved.
Prior Guilty Pleas and Sentences
Joel Acedo-Ojeda: Pleaded guilty to Conspiracy to Commit International Money Laundering, in violation of Title 18, U.S.C., Sec. 1956(a)(2)(B)(i) and (h); sentenced to 135 months custody and $20,000 fine.
Omar Ayon-Diaz: Pleaded guilty to Conspiracy to Commit International Money Laundering, in violation of Title 18, U.S.C., Sec. 1956(a)(2)(B)(i) and (h); sentenced to 120 months custody and $15,000 fine.
Osvaldo Contreras-Arriaga: Pleaded guilty to Conspiracy to import cocaine, in violation of Title 21, U.S.C., Secs. 952, 960 and 963; sentenced to 132 months custody and $1,000 fine.
Cesar Hernandez-Martinez: Pleaded guilty to Conspiracy to Commit International Money Laundering, in violation of Title 18, U.S.C., Sec. 1956(a)(2)(B)(i) and (h); will be sentenced on July 8, 2019.
INVESTIGATING AGENCY
Homeland Security Investigations
Federal, State and Local Authorities Arrest Seven San Antonio Eastside Bloods Gang Members and Associates on Drug Trafficking ChargesRead the Press Release
In San Antonio and Austin this morning, federal, state and local authorities arrested seven members and associates of the Bloods gang on federal and state drug trafficking charges, announced U.S. Attorney John F. Bash, Special Agent in Charge Will R. Glaspy, U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA), Houston Division; Bexar County District Attorney Joe Gonzales; San Antonio Police Chief William McManus and Bexar County Sheriff Javier Salazar.
Arrested today include: Deuandre Jermore Williams, age 31 of San Antonio; Justin Tremayne Wooley, age 28 of Austin; Derek Deshon Williams, age 42 of Austin; Andre Jarrell Williams, age 32 of San Antonio; Marshall Lee Braddy, age 38 of San Antonio; and, Darrial Gene Carter, age 33 of Austin. Cynthia Corina Valdez, age 26 of San Antonio, remains a fugitive in this case.
A ten-count federal grand jury indictment unsealed today charges these seven defendants, plus three other individuals who were already in custody prior to today—Johnny Earl Hughes, age 40 of Austin; Freddie Lee Scott, age 28 of San Antonio, and Salvador Barrios Mesas, age 38 of Austin—with one count of conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute cocaine, “crack” cocaine, and/or methamphetamine. According to court records, the defendants, led by Deuandre Williams, allegedly distributed narcotics provided by Austin suppliers throughout San Antonio’s eastside since June 2016. The indictment also charges defendants with substantive drug trafficking charges—Justin Wooley with five; Deuandre Williams and Andre Williams with three; Derek Williams with two; and, Marshal Braddy, Cynthia Valdez, Freddy Scott, Darrial Carter, Johnny Hughes and Salvador Barrios-Mesas with one. Upon conviction, the defendants face up to 20 years in federal prison, or between five and 40 years in federal prison, depending on the amount of narcotics involved.
During today’s arrests, authorities seized a total of nine firearms, approximately 20 kilograms of suspected methamphetamine pills and quantities of cocaine and marijuana. Authorities also seized a significant, but undetermined, amount of U.S. Currency.
“Today’s operation marks a major strike in the battle against gangs in San Antonio. Ensuring that our streets are safe for every child, no matter where he or she lives, is the most important social-justice issue of our time. I am grateful to the DEA and our many other law-enforcement partners. I am also grateful to the Governor’s office for backing the important Texas Anti-Gang Center in San Antonio. It’s making a real difference,” stated U.S. Attorney Bash.
Authorities also arrested Henry Cochran, age 31 of San Antonio, this morning without incident. Cochran, Deuandre Williams and five other San Antonio Bloods gang members were indicted today by a state grand jury in Bexar County on charges including engaging in organized criminal activity, felon in possession, manufacture/delivery of a controlled substance, possession with intent to distribute a controlled substance, and evading with a vehicle. The other five include: Daveion Zacharie, age 22; Anthony Sanks, age 29; Trevon Campbell, age 25; Leon Smith, age 31; and, Quonta Newes, age 32.
“For too long, residents of San Antonio’s East Side have lived in fear of gang members like those arrested this morning that have sold drugs and committed violent crimes with no regard for the safety of the innocent. We stand with our partners in this collaborative effort to continue to protect all the citizens of Bexar County,” said Bexar County District Attorney Gonzales.
“Nothing is more important than the safety and security of our communities,” said DEA Special Agent in Charge Glaspy. “DEA, along with our federal, state, and local law enforcement partners in San Antonio, Austin and throughout Texas, will continue to coordinate and work closely together so that our citizens have that sense of security. We will aggressively target and relentlessly pursue those individuals who jeopardize our neighborhoods through violence, intimidation, and the distribution of illegal and dangerous drugs.”
These federal and state charges resulted from an Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Force (OCDETF) investigation conducted by members of the Texas Anti-Gang (TAG) Center in San Antonio including, the DEA, FBI, San Antonio Police Department’s Gang Unit, Bexar County Sheriff’s Department, Bexar County District Attorney’s Office, Texas Department of Public Safety (DPS), Texas Department of Criminal Justice-Office of Inspector General, Homeland Security Investigations (HSI), U.S. Marshals Service (USMS), and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF). Also assisting in this investigation and today’s arrests include: the Bastrop Police Department, Bastrop County Sheriff’s Office, Austin Police Department, Leon Valley Police Department, Guadalupe County Sheriff’s Office, Medina County Sheriff’s Office, San Antonio Airport Police and Garden Ridge Police Department.
The purpose of the TAG Center in San Antonio is to provide a one-stop information sharing environment, between federal, state and local law enforcement to combat and target gang violence in and around San Antonio. The goal is to disrupt the command and control of criminal gangs through prevention, intervention, and suppression of their unlawful enterprises. Since its initiation in January 2018, the TAG Center’s collaborative efforts and investigations conducted by the participating agencies collectively affected 375 total arrests. 294 arrests were gang members; 250 were felonies; and 44 misdemeanors. In addition 376 weapons were taken off the streets with the arrests of these gang members.
Today, the TAG Center in San Antonio is launching a new website in order to increase awareness of gang violence. Go to www.stopsanantoniogangs.org to learn more about the TAG Center in San Antonio and ways area citizens can make their community safer.
“I am confident that the Texas Anti-Gang Center in San Antonio will play an important role in the fight against violent crime and gang activity in Texas,” said Governor Greg Abbott. “This center will serve as a point of collaboration for law enforcement to dismantle criminal enterprises in San Antonio and put gang members behind bars. I remain committed to working with law enforcement to ensure a safe and secure future for the Lone Star State.”
“Gangs pose a significant threat to public safety, not only because of their penchant for violence and crime, but also their associations with ruthless Mexican cartels and other criminal organizations,” said DPS Director Steven McCraw. “We are thankful for the governor’s leadership in expanding the Texas Anti-Gang centers across the state, and through this important initiative, we are bolstering our ability to protect Texans and combat violent gangs in the San Antonio area by working closely with our fellow law enforcement partners.”
The principal mission of the OCDETF program is to identify, disrupt and dismantle the most serious drug trafficking, weapons trafficking and money laundering operations, and those primarily responsible for the nation’s illegal drug supply.
It is important to note that an indictment is merely a charge and should not be considered as evidence of guilt. The defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.
Federal Law Enforcement Official Sentenced to More than 12 Years in Prison for Large-Scale Interstate Narcotics Trafficking OperationRead the Press Release
LOS ANGELES – A 25-year veteran officer of U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) who worked at Los Angeles International Airport was sentenced today to 151 months in federal prison for helping to move hundreds of kilograms of cocaine, heroin and marijuana from Southern California to Chicago as part of a narcotics distribution ring.
Manuel Porras Salas, 52, of Fontana, who is on indefinite suspension from the agency, was sentenced today by United States District Judge Cormac J. Carney, who said Salas “let his agency down and let his country down.”
Sayda Powery Orellana, 50, also of Fontana, who was Salas’ wife during the time of the narcotics trafficking conspiracy, also was sentenced to 151 months in federal prison for her role in the drug distribution ring.
After a five-day trial in December, a federal jury found Salas and Orellana guilty of one count of conspiracy to distribute controlled substances, one count of conspiracy to commit money laundering, and one count of making false statements to law enforcement. The jury also found Orellana guilty of four additional money laundering counts.
According to the evidence presented at trial, Salas, who previously worked as a CBP officer at John Wayne and Ontario International airports, and Orellana obtained kilogram quantities of narcotics and provided them to a commercial truck driver who delivered the narcotics from California to Illinois. The defendants also laundered the hundreds of thousands of dollars they received in compensation by using bank accounts in the names of Orellana and others.
“This federal law enforcement officer and his then-wife were involved in the distribution of narcotics worth millions of dollars,” said United States Attorney Nick Hanna. “They participated in a sophisticated trafficking operation that sent many pounds of dangerous and addictive drugs to the Midwest. While the narcotics distribution was not directly related to Officer Salas’ position with the government, we cannot tolerate any law enforcement official playing a role in illegal activity that threatens the well-being of American citizens.”
“U.S. Customs and Border Protection stresses honor and integrity in every aspect of our mission, and the overwhelming majority of CBP employees perform their duties with honor and distinction every day to keep our country safe,” said Denise R. Mar, Special Agent in Charge of CBP’s Office of Professional Responsibility in Los Angeles. “Today’s lengthy sentence will serve notice to all government employees that integrity and public trust in our agency will be held to the highest standard. We will continue our efforts with our law enforcement partners to investigate CBP employees involved in criminal activity.”
“Today’s sentence reflects DEA’s commitment to not only destroying drug trafficking organizations, but also to rooting out police corruption,” said David J. Downing, Special Agent in Charge of the Drug Enforcement Administration, Los Angeles Field Office. “This sentence is indicative of the hard work by our federal law enforcement partners, as well as our financial investigations group’s dedicated agents.”
“As today’s sentence reflects, this case involves serious criminal conduct – the distribution of millions of dollars of narcotics and the deposit of hundreds of thousands of dollars in cash to accounts associated with Salas and Orellana,” said Ryan L. Korner, Special Agent in Charge of IRS Criminal Investigation’s Los Angeles Field Office. “Mr. Salas violated the trust placed in him by the U.S. Customs and Border Protection and the people of this country, for his own and his former wife’s personal financial gain.”
The conspiracy began to unravel on March 11, 2012, when a commercial truck driver was stopped in Gallup, New Mexico with approximately 260 kilograms of narcotics – including heroin, cocaine, and marijuana – that was valued at approximately $1.5 million. The commercial truck driver told law enforcement that he had worked with Salas and Orellana transporting narcotics to Chicago on multiple occasions, and that he would receive the drug sales proceeds and deposit them into various bank accounts at Salas and Orellana’s direction. The driver later pleaded guilty to possession with intent to distribute controlled substances. The driver’s telephone, telephone records, and banking records tied Salas to the narcotics distribution activities and money laundering. Salas and Orellana lied to law enforcement that they didn’t know the commercial truck driver and that the money deposited into Orellana’s bank account was intended for someone else.
This matter was investigated by U.S. Customs and Border Protection’s Office of Professional Responsibility, the Drug Enforcement Administration and IRS Criminal Investigation.
This case is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorneys Joseph T. McNally of the Violent and Organized Crime Section and Aron Ketchel of the Public Corruption and Civil Rights Section.
Eastern District of Pennsylvania Reaches Settlement Agreement with Thomas Jefferson University Hospitals Outpatient Facilities to Provide Equal AccessRead the Press Release
PHILADELPHIA – U.S. Attorney William M. McSwain announced today that Thomas Jefferson University Hospitals, Inc., and Outpatient Imaging Affiliates, LLC, collectively the owners and operators of Jefferson Outpatient Imaging and Radiology (“Jefferson Outpatient”), have entered into a settlement agreement with the United States to resolve allegations that Jefferson Outpatient violated the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) by denying full and equal access to Jefferson Outpatient services based on an individual’s disability and use of a wheelchair.
Under the ADA, facilities like Jefferson Outpatient, as a place of public accommodation, must provide outpatient and radiology services to members of the general public. This settlement arises out of an investigation into whether Jefferson Outpatient failed to provide access to dual energy x-ray absorptiometry (DEXA) bone density scans to individuals with disabilities at its facilities in the greater Philadelphia area, which is in violation of the ADA.
“This investigation and resolution illustrate that individuals with disabilities still face discrimination and obstacles when they seek access to healthcare,” said U.S. Attorney McSwain. “All individuals should have equal access to these services and the protections that the ADA affords to them.” U.S. Attorney McSwain added that “Jefferson Outpatient cooperated with the investigation, recognized the importance of providing access to all, and acted swiftly to put compliance measures in place once the issue was brought to their attention.”
To resolve the matter, Jefferson Outpatient has agreed to comply with its obligations under the ADA, pay compensatory damages to the complainant, and within 30 days, will adopt and incorporate a Non-Discrimination Policy into its existing policies and post it in conspicuous locations in all of its offices. Jefferson Outpatient will also post and maintain a hyperlink to the Non-Discrimination Policy on the home page of its website. In addition, Jefferson Outpatient will train all staff who interact with patients on the requirements of the ADA as they apply to healthcare facilities and on techniques for safely assisting individuals with mobility disabilities to transfer to imaging equipment or examination tables. Further, Jefferson Outpatient will incorporate the above training into its new employee orientation for all future employees who will have contact with patients.
The U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of Pennsylvania is committed to investigating alleged violations of the ADA. Those interested in learning more about obligations under the ADA may access www.ada.gov, or call the Department of Justice’s toll-free information line at (800) 514-0301 or (800) 514-0383 (TDD). Information about filing a complaint, including instructions for filing a complaint online, can be found at https://www.justice.gov/crt/how-file-complaint.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Deborah W. Frey handled the matter in conjunction with Alyse Bass, Senior Trial Attorney, at the Department of Justice’s Civil Rights Division.
Dominican National Sentenced for Distributing HeroinRead the Press Release
BOSTON – A Dominican national was sentenced yesterday in federal court in Springfield for dealing heroin.
Hansel Ramon Rodriguez Ramirez, 38, a Dominican national formerly residing in Springfield, was sentenced by U.S. District Court Judge Mark G. Mastroianni to five years in prison and will be subject to deportation proceedings upon completion of his sentence. In January 2019, Rodriguez Ramirez pleaded guilty to one count of distribution of heroin and fentanyl and one count of possession with intent to distribute heroin.
On Feb. 9, 2018, Rodriguez Ramirez sold approximately 100 grams of a mixture of heroin and fentanyl to an individual working with law enforcement for $5,900. On Feb. 14, 2018, Rodriguez Ramirez agreed to sell an additional 200 grams of heroin to the same individual, but law enforcement officials intercepted him before he could do so. At that time, agents found him to be in possession of 200 grams of heroin. Agents subsequently executed a search warrant at Rodriguez Ramirez’s residence, where they found additional heroin and evidence of a heroin mill.
United States Attorney Andrew E. Lelling; Joseph R. Bonavolonta, Special Agent in Charge of the Federal Bureau of Investigation, Boston Field Division; Colonel Kerry Gilpin, Superintendent of the Massachusetts State Police; Springfield Police Commissioner Cheryl Clapprood; Holyoke Police Chief Manny Febo; and Chicopee Police Chief William Jebb made the announcement today. Assistant U.S. Attorney Neil L. Desroches of Lelling’s Springfield Branch Office prosecuted the case.
This case is part of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), a program bringing together all levels of law enforcement and the communities they serve to reduce violent crime and make our neighborhoods safer for everyone. 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.
Director of Perry County Family Center Charged with EmbezzlementRead the Press Release
HARRISBURG - The United States Attorney’s Office for the Middle District of Pennsylvania announced that Shelly A. Dreyer-Aurila, age 53, of New Bloomfield, Pennsylvania, was indicted on April 17, 2019, by a federal grand jury for embezzlement of funds involving federal programs.
According to United States Attorney David J. Freed, the indictment alleges that between 2010 and 2017, Dreyer-Aurila, Executive Director of the Perry County Family Center, a 501(c)(3) charitable organization in New Bloomfield, Pennsylvania, knowingly embezzled and converted to her own personal use more than $220,000 under the care and control of the Center. The Center annually receives more than $10,000 in federal grants from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services through the Pennsylvania Department of Health and Human Services to fund programs such as its Maternal, Infant & Early Childhood Home Visiting program and its Child Abuse Prevention program.
The case was investigated by the Pennsylvania Department of State, Bureau of Enforcement and Investigation, Charitable Investigation Unit. Assistant U.S. Attorney James T. Clancy is prosecuting the case.
Indictments and Criminal Informations are only allegations. All persons charged are presumed to be innocent unless and until found guilty in court.
A sentence following a finding of guilt is imposed by the Judge after consideration of the applicable federal sentencing statutes and the Federal Sentencing Guidelines.
The maximum penalty under federal law for this offense is 10 years of imprisonment, a term of supervised release following imprisonment, and a fine. Under the Federal Sentencing Guidelines, the Judge is also required to consider and weigh a number of factors, including the nature, circumstances and seriousness of the offense; the history and characteristics of the defendant; and the need to punish the defendant, protect the public and provide for the defendant's educational, vocational and medical needs. For these reasons, the statutory maximum penalty for the offense is not an accurate indicator of the potential sentence for a specific defendant.
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Defendant with Lengthy Criminal Record in Dougherty County Sentenced to 135 Months on Federal Drug, Gun ChargesRead the Press Release
ALBANY, GA – A defendant with four prior criminal convictions in Dougherty County was sentenced today on federal gun and drug charges, said Charles “Charlie” Peeler, the United States Attorney for the Middle District of Georgia. Gordon Price, Jr., 35, of Albany, GA, was sentenced to 135 months for Possession of a Firearm by a Convicted Felon and Possession of Cocaine with the Intent to Distribute by the Honorable Leslie Gardner in Albany federal court. Prior to his federal conviction, Mr. Price was convicted in Dougherty Superior Court for Possession of Marijuana with Intent to Distribute (case number 01-R-298), Possession of Cocaine (01-R-440), Possession of Cocaine with Intent to Distribute (08-R-561) and Possession of Cocaine (12-R-720), all felony offenses. There is no parole in the federal system.
According to the plea agreement, officers with the Albany-Dougherty Drug Unit (ADDU) executed a search warrant at a room Mr. Price, Jr. was renting at the Townhouse Motel on February 24, 2017. The search was based on three controlled purchases of crack cocaine at that location by a confidential informant who identified the seller as the Defendant. As officers approached the motel, Mr. Price, Jr. was seen exiting the motel room. He was immediately taken into custody based on a parole violation warrant. The defendant had approximately $1127 in cash, and inside his room officers found crack cocaine, cocaine and marijuana, two digital scales, a box of plastic sandwich bags, and a loaded Glock 9 mm handgun.
“Our Office is working closely with law enforcement to capture and prosecute repeat felons that do nothing but bring ruin to families and neighborhoods,” said Charles “Charlie” Peeler, U.S. Attorney for the Middle District of Georgia. “I want to thank the agents with the Albany-Dougherty Drug Unit and the Dougherty District Attorney’s Office for their good work investigating this case and getting a career criminal off the streets.”
“The defendant is a known criminal in our community and has been creating havoc for years. He has shown no respect for our city and the laws that protect our citizens. Mr. Price, Jr. is hard core, and has to be dealt with in a hard core manner with prison time. I hope this strong sentence will deter others from trying to emulate his criminal choices,” said Greg Edwards, the District Attorney for the Dougherty Judicial Circuit.
The defendant’s arrest and prosecution is a result of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), the centerpiece of the Department of Justice’s violent crime reduction efforts. PSN is an evidence-based program proven to be effective at reducing violent crime. Through PSN, a broad spectrum of stakeholders work together to identify the most pressing violent crime problems in the community and develop comprehensive solutions to address them. As part of this strategy, PSN focuses enforcement efforts on the most violent offenders and partners with locally based prevention and reentry programs for lasting reductions in crime.
This case was investigated by the Albany-Dougherty Drug Unit. Assistant U.S. Attorney Alan Dasher prosecuted the case for the United States.
Questions can be directed to Pamela Lightsey, Public Information Officer, United States Attorney’s Office, at (478) 621-2603 or Melissa Hodges, Public Affairs Director (Contractor), United States Attorney’s Office, at (478) 765-2362.
Cuban and Venezuelan Men Sentenced for Aggravated Identity Theft and Access Device FraudRead the Press Release
RALEIGH – United States Attorney Robert J. Higdon, Jr. announced that United States District Judge James C. Dever III sentenced DIEGO AROSTEGUI, JR, 23, of Cuba and WALTER CORREA-CISNEROS, 32, of Venezuelan to 33 months imprisonment, followed by 3 years of supervised release and ordered them to pay $19,966.00 in restitution.
AROSTEGUI was named in a two-count Criminal Information filed on October 10, 2018. CORREA-CISNEROS was named in a two-count Criminal Information filed on October 23, 2018. Both men pled guilty to one-count of Access Device Fraud and Aiding and Abetting and one-count of Aggravated Identity Fraud and Aiding and Abetting. AROSTEGUI was sentenced on April 17, 2019 and CORREA-CISNEROS was sentenced on April 2, 2019.
In March 2018, the Wilmington Police Department (WPD) was alerted by investigators with the State Employees’ Credit Union (SECU) fraud division of ongoing fraudulent debit/credit card withdrawals being made from member accounts at various automated teller machines (ATMs) in the Wilmington area. On March 5, 2018, the United States Secret Service (USSS) was notified by the SECU and the WPD that three individuals were attempting to illegally withdraw money from an SECU ATM located on Wrightsville Avenue in Wilmington. Officers responded to that location and conducted a traffic stop of a vehicle being driven by CORREA-CISNEROS. AROSTEGUI and another person were passengers in the car. A search of the vehicle revealed approximately $9,319 in United States currency, numerous debit/credit cards, computers, digital storage media, and two debit/credit card readers/encoders.
Investigators with the SECU’s fraud unit and the USSS determined that the fraudulent debit/credit cards were used at multiple ATM locations in the Wilmington area over a period of several days. Further, the SECU’s fraud unit confirmed that an illegal debit/credit card skimming device had been placed on a SECU ATM in Leland, North Carolina. A forensic search of the seized laptop computers and cell phones revealed 566 individual card numbers which were issued by 71 different financial institutions, including 7 card numbers which were issued by financial institution in Mexico and 1 from India. The intended loss was calculated at $283,000.
On July 3, 2018, investigators received credible information identifying co-conspirators based in Venezuela and the Miami, Florida, area who were involved in the scheme to commit access device fraud. The conspirators downloaded credit card data from Bluetooth debit/credit card skimming devices which were secretly installed in Tritan ATMs. After obtaining the debit/credit card and personal identification numbers (PIN) from the debit/credit card skimming devices, the coconspirators used a credit card reader/writer to reencode counterfeit debit/credit cards. In March 2018, CORREA-CISNEROS and AROSTEGUI used the fraudulent debit/credit cards at ATMs in the Wilmington area to withdraw funds from multiple victims’ accounts. The investigation revealed that the conspirators were traveling to various states, including Georgia, California, and Florida, to install debit/credit card skimming devices. It is estimated that the group made $250,000 monthly as a result of the fraudulent scheme. CORREA-CISNEROS and AROSTEGUI and other coconspirators travelled to the Concord Mills Mall in Concord, North Carolina, in December 2017. Two unidentified individuals utilized a computer to install a “virus” on an ATM and CORREA-CISNEROS and AROSTEGUI stood at the ATM and collected approximately $32,000 in United States currency that was dispensed.
Additionally, investigators learned that in March 2018, CORREA-CISNEROS, AROSTEGUI spent four or five days in the Wilmington area placing pin-hole camera skimming devices on ATMs and collecting account numbers. Those numbers were then encoded onto magnetic stripe cards and used to fraudulently withdraw funds from ATMs. CORREA-CISNEROS and AROSTEGUI also travelled to the Wilmington area two to three weeks earlier in order to recover debit/credit card skimming devices and computers which were left in a suitcase in a storage unit by another coconspirator. In December 2017, CORREA-CISNEROS and AROSTEGUI, and others travelled to Charlotte and used debit/credit card skimming devices and pin-hole cameras to collect account numbers which were then encoded onto magnetic stripe cards with those numbers and used to fraudulently withdraw funds from ATMs. During the “cash-out” scheme at the Concord Mills Mall, CORREA-CISNEROS and AROSTEGUI took turns collecting an estimated $32,000 in United States currency which was dispensed by the ATM.
Based upon the investigation, CORREA-CISNEROS and AROSTEGUI are accountable for committing access device fraud and identity theft from 2017 to March 5, 2018. The offense involved 10 or more victims and the intended loss of the offense is $315,000. Additionally, the offense involved the possession or use of device-making equipment.
Investigation of this case was conducted by the United States Secret Service, and Wilmington Police Department. Assistant United States Attorney Ethan Ontjes represented the government.
Cousins Convicted of Armed Robbery Sentenced to PrisonRead the Press Release
RICHMOND, Va. – Two cousins were sentenced today to a combined 24 years in prison for their roles in an armed bank robbery and brandishing a firearm in furtherance of a crime of violence.
According to court records and evidence presented at trial, John Campbell, 45, of Richmond, and Alhakka Campbell, 45 of Knightdale, North Carolina, stormed into a Wells Fargo Bank in Henrico shortly after the bank opened in November 2017. While John Campbell threatened employees with a firearm, Alhakka Campbell vaulted the teller counter, removing approximately $5,197 in cash from teller drawers and stuffing it into a black bag. The cousins then fled the bank in a stolen pickup truck that they later abandoned. When Alhakka Campbell removed the cash, he unknowingly grabbed two GPS tracking devices, which broadcast the location of the stolen currency to law enforcement. Law enforcement immediately responded to the location of the GPS trackers, leading to the arrest of both men, and the recovery of the firearm used by John Campbell during the robbery.
John Campbell was sentenced to 13 years in prison for armed robbery and being a felon in possession of a firearm. Alhakka Campbell was sentenced to more than 11 years in prison for armed robbery.
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, David W. Archey, Special Agent in Charge of the FBI’s Richmond Field Office, and Humberto I. Cardounel, Jr., Chief of Henrico County Police Division, made the announcement after sentencing by Senior U.S. District Judge Henry E. Hudson. Assistant U.S. Attorney Michael Gill prosecuted the case.
A copy of this press release is located on the website of the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of Virginia. Related court documents and information are located on the website of the District Court for the Eastern District of Virginia or on PACER by searching for Case No. 3:18-cr-124.
Convicted Felon Who Stole Four Firearms from Elizabeth City Resident Sentenced to 6 Years in Federal PrisonRead the Press Release
RALEIGH – Robert J. Higdon, Jr., the United States Attorney for the Eastern District of North Carolina, announces today that Chief United States District Judge Terrence W. Boyle sentenced EARL WALLACE JEFFERS, III, 28, of Elizabeth City to 72 months’ imprisonment, followed by 3 years of supervised released
On January 17, 2019, JEFFERS pled guilty to possession of firearms by a convicted felon and possession of stolen firearms.
On January 30, 2018, an Elizabeth City resident reported to the Elizabeth City Police Department (ECPD) that a breaking and entering had occurred at his home with several items missing, including four firearms. The next day on January 31, 2018, another Elizabeth City resident contacted ECPD regarding three firearms he purchased from JEFFERS to inquire if they had been stolen. Police confirmed that the three firearms were those stolen from the homeowner the day before. The fourth firearm was never recovered. Surveillance footage from a nearby business captures JEFFERS in the vicinity of the residence before, during, and after the breaking and entering. JEFFERS is a convicted felon and was therefore prohibited from possessing firearms.
This case is part of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), a program bringing together all levels of law enforcement and the communities they serve to reduce violent crime and make our neighborhoods safer for everyone. Since 2017 the United States Department of Justice has reinvigorated the PSN program and has targeted violent criminals, directing all U.S. Attorney’s Offices to work in partnership with federal, state, local, and tribal law enforcement and the local community to develop effective, locally-based strategies to reduce violent crime.
This case is also part of the Take Back North Carolina Initiative of the United States Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of North Carolina. This initiative emphasizes the regional assignment of federal prosecutors to work with law enforcement and District Attorney’s Offices on a sustained basis in those communities to reduce the violence crime rate, drug trafficking, and crimes against law enforcement.
The investigation of this case was conducted by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives (ATF) and the Elizabeth City Police Department.
Assistant United States Attorney Robert J. Dodson prosecuted the case for the government.
Concord Man Convicted of Drug Trafficking ChargesRead the Press Release
CONCORD – United States Attorney Scott W. Murray announced that a federal jury found Bernard Lindsay, 41, of Concord, New Hampshire, guilty of possession with intent to distribute cocaine, fentanyl, and methamphetamine. The verdict was returned on Wednesday, April 17, 2019.
According to trial exhibits and witness testimony during the two-day jury trial, on April 16, 2018, the New Hampshire Department of Corrections, Office of Probation and Parole, conducted a home visit at the defendant’s residence in Concord, New Hampshire. In the home, officers found a box containing over 16 grams of methamphetamine, over 23 grams of fentanyl, and over 34 grams of cocaine.
Lindsay is scheduled to be sentenced on August 6, 2019.
“New Hampshire continues to suffer from the effects of drug trafficking” said U.S. Attorney Murray. “Fentanyl has caused grave damage to our community, cocaine is an ongoing health concern, and methamphetamine is a dangerous drug that is appearing with increasing frequency. I am grateful for the efforts of the law enforcement officers whose work led to this conviction and thank the jury for its service.”
This matter was investigated by the New Hampshire Department of Corrections, Office of Probation and Parole, the Concord Police Department, and the Drug Enforcement Administration. The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Cam T. Le and Georgiana L. Konesky.
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Columbian Citizen Sentenced to Federal Prison for Participating in Fraud that Scammed Iowa VictimRead the Press Release
A woman who participated in a scheme to defraud victims across the country, including Iowa, out of more than $450,000 was sentenced today to more than a year in federal prison.
Karina Henao, age 36, a Colombia citizen living in Florida, received the prison term after a November 5, 2018, guilty plea to wire fraud.
In a plea agreement, Henao admitted that from September through November 2017, she participated in a scheme to defraud businesses and individuals across the country. Henao admitted she controlled multiple bank accounts and that other participates of the scheme lied to businesses and individuals to get the victims to transfer money to Henao’s bank accounts. Henao also admitted she then wired some of the money to bank accounts in Hong Kong, China, and Taiwan. In total, more than $450,000 in fraudulent money was wired into Henao’s bank accounts, though some of the money was recovered by authorities. Henao personally withdrew over $27,000 of the money during the time she participated in the scheme.
Henao was sentenced in Cedar Rapids by Chief United States District Court Judge Leonard T. Strand. Henao was sentenced to 13 months’ imprisonment. She was ordered to make $297,099.72 in restitution the victims of the scheme. She must also serve a two-year term of supervised release after the prison term. There is no parole in the federal system.
Henao was released on the bond previously set and is to surrender to the Bureau of Prisons on a date yet to be.
The case was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Anthony Morfitt and investigated by Homeland Security Investigations.
Court file information at https://ecf.iand.uscourts.gov/cgi-bin/login.pl.
The case file number is 18-cr-3033.
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Colorado Man Sentenced to 15 Years for Illegal Firearm, MarijuanaRead the Press Release
KANSAS CITY, Mo. – A Conifer, Colo., man was sentenced in federal court today for illegally possessing a firearm and marijuana.
Curtis David Barker, 54, was sentenced by U.S. District Judge Roseann Ketchmark to 15 in federal prison without parole.
On Sept. 19, 2018, Barker pleaded guilty to being a felon in possession of a firearm, possessing marijuana and cocaine with the intent to distribute, and possessing a firearm in connection with a drug-trafficking crime.
On Jan. 31, 2016, a Missouri State Highway Patrol trooper pulled over Barker, who was driving a 2012 Dodge Ram truck, for speeding on Interstate 29. The trooper smelled marijuana and Barker admitted he had a small amount of marijuana, which a female passenger handed to the trooper. As Barker was being arrested and searched, the trooper found a loaded Cobray Firearms double-barrel derringer pistol and a plastic baggie that contained cocaine in the front pocket of Barker’s hoodie, as well as $4,100 in the pocket of his leather vest.
After being placed under arrest, handcuffed, and seated in the passenger seat of the trooper’s vehicle, Barker said, “Oh well, it is all over now.”
Troopers searched Barker’s vehicle and found an extra-large camouflage duffle bag in the back passenger seat. The duffle bag contained several vacuum-sealed packages of marijuana; the duffle bag weighed about 40 pounds. A trooper unlocked the cover of the bed of the truck and found several trash bags. Inside the trash bags there were more vacuum-sealed packages of marijuana that weighed about 70 pounds. The total weight of marijuana found in the truck was approximately 44.257 kilograms.
Under federal law, it is illegal for anyone who has been convicted of a felony to be in possession of any firearm or ammunition. Barker has a prior felony conviction for carrying a concealed weapon in Florida; two prior felony convictions for breaking and entering and a conviction for manufacturing marijuana in North Carolina; and five prior felony convictions for burglary, four prior felony convictions for grand larceny, and prior felony convictions for failing to stop for an officer, receiving stolen goods, breaking and entering, possession with intent to distribute marijuana, and possession of a pistol by a violent crime offender in South Carolina.
This case was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Trey Alford. It was investigated by the Missouri State Highway Patrol and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives.
Project Safe Neighborhoods
The U.S. Attorney’s Office is partnering with federal, state, and local law enforcement to specifically identify criminals responsible for significant violent crime in the Western District of Missouri. A centerpiece of this effort is Project Safe Neighborhoods, a program that brings together all levels of law enforcement to reduce violent crime and make neighborhoods safer for everyone. Project Safe Neighborhoods is an evidence-based program that identifies the most pressing violent crime problems in the community and develops comprehensive solutions to address them. As part of this strategy, Project Safe Neighborhoods focuses enforcement efforts on the most violent offenders and partners with locally based prevention and reentry programs for lasting reductions in crime.Colorado Doctor Convicted of Health Care FraudRead the Press Release
DENVER – John Van Wu, age 49, of Golden, was found guilty of mail fraud and obstruction of justice charges following a one week trial before U.S. District Court Judge R. Brooke Jackson announced U.S. Attorney Jason Dunn. Wu is being held in custody and is pending a trial on additional counts of distributing oxycodone outside the usual course of medical practice and obstruction.
According to court records and argument at trial, Wu operated a medical clinic at locations in west Denver between January 2011 and March 2015. During that time period the defendant devised a scheme in which he billed employee benefit programs and insurers for services that were never actually rendered and not medically necessary. He also responded to a grand jury subpoena asking for patient files. During the trial over a dozen of the doctor’s former patients testified that they did not have many of the ailments described in those files and did not get the expensive procedures billed to insurance. For example, the patient files described days-long nosebleeds followed by nasal cauterization procedures, but patients testified that neither happened. Other files described diagnoses related to migraine headaches and frequent administrations of injections to treat those agents. Patients testified that those, too, did not occur. Testimony at trial also established that the defendant billed approximately 95% of his office visits as the longest, most expensive, and highest-reimbursing type of office visit, despite the fact that his patients had relatively simple and routine ailments that did not need that level of service. During his testimony, the defendant admitted that he shredded patient files while the investigation was ongoing.
The defendant is separately charged with distributing oxycodone outside the usual course of medical practice and for no legitimate reason and for falsifying patient charts related to those prescriptions. According to the allegations in the indictment, the defendant sold oxycodone prescriptions for cash. Trial on those counts is scheduled to begin on July 8, 2019.
“Our healthcare system can’t function properly unless doctors act with honesty and integrity,” said U.S. Attorney Jason Dunn. “When a doctor violates that trust and breaks the law, we will pursue them vigorously. This jury victory is important, and the next trial regarding opioids allegedly wrongfully prescribed by this doctor is equally important.”
“This trial focused on patient identities being used to bill insurance for procedures not performed and obstruction of justice,” said DEA Denver Division Special Agent in Charge Tim McDermott. “A separate trial is scheduled related to the alleged distribution of Oxycodone. DEA and its partners are committed to doing all we can to end this opioid crisis.”
“Healthcare fraud victimizes the individuals involved and the community at-large,” said U.S. Department of Labor Employee Benefits Security Administration Regional Director Jim Purcell, in Kansas City. “The Department of Labor remains committed to ensuring that health benefits are not abused and anyone found guilty of committing fraud will be held accountable.”
This is part of an on-going joint investigation by the U.S. Department of Labor Employee Benefits Security Administration, Drug Enforcement Administration, Broomfield Police Department, Federal Bureau of Investigation, and Internal Revenue Service.
The defendant is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorneys Bryan D. Fields and Conor Flanigan.
The defendant is presumed innocent on the remaining counts unless and until proven guilty in a court of law.
Child Predator Used Facebook, Moved from Michigan to Hurricane and Bought Home in Efforts to Induce MinorRead the Press Release
ST. GEORGE, UT – Sean Timothy O’Neill, age 49, of Hurricane, pleaded guilty to attempted enticement of a minor and possession of child pornography in federal court in St. George, Utah, Wednesday afternoon. O’Neill admitted he attempted to persuade or induce a minor under 18 years of age to engage in sexual activity.
As a part of an agreement reached with federal prosecutors, O’Neill admitted that from around April 26, 2015, to about October 2017, he used Facebook to attempt to persuade or entice a minor identified as Girl 1 to engage in sexual activity. He admitted that throughout the enticement period, he believed Girl 1 was less than 18 years of age.
O’Neill admitted taking four substantial steps toward committing the crime, including moving from Michigan to Hurricane, buying a home in Hurricane, once in Utah continuing to use Facebook to persuade the minor to engage in sexual activity, and bringing the minor to his home in Hurricane. According to the document filed in court, O’Neill admitted that if the sexual activity with the minor had occurred, he would have committed the criminal offense of Unlawful Sexual Conduct with a 16 or 17 year old under Utah law.
O’Neill also admitted that he possessed an electronic device that contained more than 90 explicit images and three video segments of prepubescent children. The images and videos also depicted the sexual abuse of children.
The plea agreement includes a stipulated sentence of 120 months in prison and at least 60 months of supervised release when he finishes his prison sentence. There is no parole in the federal criminal system. The plea agreement also includes a provision that O’Neill must register as a sex offender for his residence, the location of his employment, and, if he is a student, the location of his school. He must update his registrations no later than three business days after any change of name, residence, employment, or student status.
U.S. District Judge David Nuffer, who presided at the change of plea hearing Wednesday, set sentencing for Aug. 20, 2019, at 9 a.m.
O’Neill was initially arrested on state charges in January 2018. A federal arrest warrant was issued in February 2018.
Assistant U.S. Attorneys in Utah are prosecuting the case. Special agents of the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s Homeland Security Investigations and officers from the Hurricane Police Department are investigating the case.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 2006 by the Department of Justice. Led by U.S. Attorneys’ offices and DOJ’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.
Cherry Creek Man Sentenced for Sexual AbuseRead the Press Release
United States Attorney Ron Parsons announced that a Cherry Creek, South Dakota, man convicted of Sexual Abuse was sentenced on April 15, 2019, by U.S. District Judge Roberto A. Lange.
Keeler Condon, age 33, was sentenced to 87 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.
Condon was indicted by a federal grand jury on July 17, 2018. He pled guilty on January 23, 2019.
The conviction stemmed from an incident on May 25, 2018, when Condon had sexual intercourse with a female who was not able to consent to the sexual act because of her high level of intoxication.
This case was investigated by the Cheyenne River Sioux Tribe Law Enforcement Services. Assistant U.S. Attorney Jay Miller prosecuted the case.
Condon was immediately turned over to the custody of the U.S. Marshals Service.
Canadian Man Sentenced to Life in Prison for Committing Act of Terrorism Transcending National Boundaries and Other OffensesRead the Press Release
Amor M. Ftouhi, 51, of Quebec, Canada, was sentenced today by U.S. District Judge Matthew F. Leitman to life in prison for committing an act of terrorism transcending national boundaries and two other offenses in conjunction with his attack on a Bishop Airport police officer on June 21, 2017. Assistant Attorney General for National Security John C. Demers, U.S. Attorney Matthew Schneider for the Eastern District of Michigan and Special Agent in Charge Timothy R. Slater of the FBI’s Detroit Field Office made the announcement.
“Ftouhi came to the United States to kill American police officers, and then brutally attacked an airport police officer in Flint,” said Assistant Attorney General Demers. “The National Security Division is committed to doing all that it can to protect our women and men in uniform from terrorist violence on our soil, and this sentence is a gratifying reflection of the seriousness of the defendant’s conduct. I want to thank the prosecutors and law enforcement partners who made this result possible.”
“The evidence at trial demonstrated that Ftouhi had a ‘mission’ to kill as many American law enforcement as possible in an act of violent jihad,” stated U.S. Attorney Schneider. “The sentence today reflects his extreme dangerousness and the need to prevent him from further acts of violence in the future. Today’s sentence is the result of the hard work of those who investigated and prosecuted the case, including our foreign partners in the Royal Canadian Mounted Police.”
“The FBI's highest priority remains preventing and combating terrorism here in the U.S. and around the world,” said Special Agent in Charge Slater. “Today's sentencing marks the end of an almost-two year effort - on behalf of the FBI, our partner agencies on the FBI Detroit Joint Terrorism Task Force, and our foreign partners in the Royal Canadian Mounted Police - to hold Mr. Ftouhi accountable for his attempt to kill a police officer in an act of terror. I would like to thank all of our state, federal and international partners for their essential contributions to this case and to acknowledge again the heroic actions of the civilians and law enforcement officers who were present on the day of the attack and likely saved the officer’s life.”
Ftouhi was convicted by a federal jury on Nov. 13, 2018. According to evidence presented at trial, Ftouhi entered the United States from Canada on a professed “mission” for the purpose of killing American police officers in the United States. Before entering the United States on June 16, 2017, while in Canada, Ftouhi conducted online research of American gun laws and for gun shows in Michigan. Ftouhi subsequently traveled to Michigan where he was unsuccessful in repeated attempts to purchase a gun and purchased a knife instead. On June 20, 2017, Ftouhi approached the victim, who is a lieutenant with the Flint Bishop Airport police and was in full uniform, and stabbed the police officer in the neck twice with a knife. Ftouhi referenced killings in Syria, Iraq, and Afghanistan, and yelled “Allahu Akbar.” After his arrest, Ftouhi told law enforcement that he was a “soldier of Allah,” subscribed to the ideology of Al Qaeda and Usama bin Laden and that his plan had been to kill the victim, steal his gun and kill other police officers in the airport. The police officer sustained life-threatening injuries, but survived the attack.
The investigation was conducted by the Detroit Joint Terrorism Task Force, which is led by the FBI with the assistance of the FBI Flint Resident Agency, the Michigan State Police and the Royal Canadian Mounted Police. Additional assistance was provided by the Flint Police Department, the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives and the Genesee County Sheriff’s Office.
This case was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Jules DePorre, Cathleen M. Corken, and Craig Wininger of the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of Michigan with the assistance of the Counterterrorism Section of the National Security Division of the Department of Justice.
Canadian Man Sentenced to Life for Committing Act of Terrorism Transcending National Boundaries and Other OffensesRead the Press Release
FLINT – Amor M. Ftouhi, 51, of Quebec, Canada, was sentenced today by U.S. District Judge Matthew F. Leitman to life in prison for committing an act of terrorism transcending national boundaries and two other offenses in conjunction with his attack on a Bishop Airport police officer on June 21, 2017.
Assistant Attorney General for National Security John C. Demers, U.S. Attorney Matthew Schneider for the Eastern District of Michigan and Special Agent in Charge Timothy R. Slater of the FBI’s Detroit Field Office made the announcement.
“Ftouhi came to the United States to kill American police officers, and then brutally attacked an airport police officer in Flint,” said Assistant Attorney General Demers. “The National Security Division is committed to doing all that it can to protect our women and men in uniform from terrorist violence on our soil, and this sentence is a gratifying reflection of the seriousness of the defendant’s conduct. I want to thank the prosecutors and law enforcement partners who made this result possible.”
“The evidence at trial demonstrated that Ftouhi had a ‘mission’ to kill as many American law enforcement as possible in an act of violent jihad,” stated U.S. Attorney Schneider. “The sentence today reflects his extreme dangerousness and the need to prevent him from further acts of violence in the future. Today’s sentence is the result of the hard work of those who investigated and prosecuted the case, including our foreign partners in the Royal Canadian Mounted Police.”
“The FBI’s highest priority remains preventing and combating terrorism here in the U.S. and around the world,” said SAC Slater. “Today’s sentencing marks the end of an almost-two year effort - on behalf of the FBI, our partner agencies on the FBI Detroit Joint Terrorism Task Force, and our foreign partners in the Royal Canadian Mounted Police - to hold Mr. Ftouhi accountable for his attempt to kill a police officer in an act of terror. I would like to thank all of our state, federal and international partners for their essential contributions to this case and to acknowledge again the heroic actions of the civilians and law enforcement officers who were present on the day of the attack and likely saved the officer’s life.”
Ftouhi was convicted by a federal jury on Nov. 13, 2018. According to evidence presented at trial, Ftouhi entered the United States from Canada on a professed “mission” for the purpose of killing American police officers in the United States. Before entering the United States on June 16, 2017, while in Canada, Ftouhi conducted online research of American gun laws and for gun shows in Michigan. Ftouhi subsequently traveled to Michigan where he was unsuccessful in repeated attempts to purchase a gun and purchased a knife instead. On June 20, 2017, Ftouhi approached the victim, who is a lieutenant with the Flint Bishop Airport police and was in full uniform, and stabbed the police officer in the neck twice with a knife. Ftouhi referenced killings in Syria, Iraq, and Afghanistan, and yelled “Allahu Akbar.” After his arrest, Ftouhi told law enforcement that he was a “soldier of Allah,” subscribed to the ideology of Al Qaeda and Usama bin Laden and that his plan had been to kill the victim, steal his gun and kill other police officers in the airport. The police officer sustained life-threatening injuries, but survived the attack.
The investigation was conducted by the Detroit Joint Terrorism Task Force, which is led by the FBI with the assistance of the FBI Flint Resident Agency, the Michigan State Police and the Royal Canadian Mounted Police. Additional assistance was provided by the Flint Police Department, the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives and the Genesee County Sheriff’s Office.
This case was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Jules DePorre, Cathleen M. Corken, and Craig Wininger of the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of Michigan with the assistance of the Counterterrorism Section of the National Security Division of the Department of Justice.
California Man Sentenced to More than 9 Years in Prison for Mortgage Fraud and Identity Theft SchemeRead the Press Release
George French Jones, Jr., 50, of Santa Monica, California, was sentenced to 113 months in prison today by U.S. District Judge Robert N. Scola in Miami, after previously pleading guilty to mail fraud and identity theft charges in connection with a mortgage fraud scheme involving two waterfront residential properties in Broward County, Florida. He was also ordered to pay $1,824,581 in restitution.
Ariana Fajardo Orshan, U.S. Attorney for the Southern District of Florida, and George L. Piro, Special Agent in Charge, Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) made the announcement.
According to information disclosed in open court, in early 2018 Jones identified two residential properties in Fort Lauderdale, Florida, which Jones fraudulently pledged as collateral in order to obtain mortgage loans from a private lender.
The two Broward County properties were owned by corporate entities that Jones had no affiliation with and which were in fact owned by independent third parties. To execute his fraudulent loan scheme, Jones created fake identification documents and email addresses in order to impersonate officers of the corporate owners of the two properties. Jones then submitted bogus loan applications and other documents to a private lender in which he pretended to be the owners of the Fort Lauderdale properties. As a result of this scheme, Jones defrauded the private lender out of approximately $1.7 million dollars.
U.S. Attorney Fajardo Orshan commended the investigative efforts of the FBI, Miami Beach Police Department, and Florida Office of Financial Regulation. This case was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Christopher Browne. Assistant U.S. Attorney Nalina Sombuntham is handling the asset forfeiture aspects of the prosecution.
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 at http://pacer.flsd.uscourts.gov.
Caldwell Man Sentenced for Federal Drug CrimesRead the Press Release
BOISE – Roberto Joe Miguel Serpa, 39, of Caldwell, was sentenced this week for his role in two federal drug crimes, announced U.S. Attorney Bart M. Davis. Serpa was sentenced on April 16, 2019 to 126 months in prison followed by five years of supervised release. Serpa was sentenced by U.S. District Judge B. Lynn Winmill.
On May 8, 2018, Serpa, and five others were indicted by a federal grand jury for conspiring to distribute methamphetamine, heroin, and fentanyl. Serpa was later charged with an additional count for possessing with the intent to distribute over fifty grams of pure methamphetamine, which carried a ten-year mandatory minimum sentence. On January 11, 2019, Serpa entered guilty pleas to both charges. The other five codefendants also pleaded guilty and were sentenced. Jose Luis Gonzales, 40, of Twin Falls, pleaded guilty to distributing over fifty grams of pure methamphetamine. He was sentenced on February 26, 2019 to ten years in prison followed by five years of supervised release. David Lee Martell, 47, of Nampa, pleaded guilty to possessing methamphetamine with the intent to distribute. Martell was sentenced on February 27, 2019 to 54 months in prison followed by three years of supervised release. Russell Anthony Antonucci, 50, of Boise, was sentenced on January 31, 2019 to 42 months in federal prison for conspiring to distribute methamphetamine. Daniel Allen Gonzales, 45, of Boise, was sentenced on April 16, 2019 to over 11 months and given credit for time served for using a telephone to facilitate a drug distribution offense. Edouard Gribkoff, 37, of Ontario, Oregon, was sentenced on April 10, 2019 to over 8 months in prison and given credit for time served for possessing heroin.
According to court records, the investigation began when investigators received authorization to intercept the communications of Serpa and others regarding drug distribution. Those intercepted communications showed that Serpa and others were conspiring to distribute methamphetamine, heroin, and fentanyl. Serpa was arrested in April 2018, after Gonzales sold Serpa approximately three ounces of methamphetamine, which Serpa intended to distribute to others. When Serpa was arrested, investigators found approximately 100 grams of methamphetamine, 47 grams of heroin, 12 grams of fentanyl, a digital scale, drug packaging materials, $1,951 in drug proceeds, and a Taurus 9mm pistol. During the investigation, law enforcement agents seized and forfeited over $5,000 in drug proceeds.
The case was investigated by the Drug Enforcement Administration and the Nampa Police Department.
The indictment is the result of a joint investigation by the Organized Crime and Drug Enforcement Task Force (OCDETF). The OCDETF program is a federal multi-agency, multi-jurisdictional task force that supplies supplemental federal funding to federal and state agencies. 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. Program participants include the Federal Bureau of Investigation; Drug Enforcement Administration; Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives; U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s Homeland Security Investigations; Internal Revenue Service-Criminal Investigation; and the U.S. Marshals Service.
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