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24 May 2019
Turtle Creek Man Sentenced to 11 Years in Prison for Distributing Child PornographyRead the Press Release
PITTSBURGH - A resident of Turtle Creek, Pennsylvania, has been sentenced in federal court to 11 years’ (132 months’) imprisonment, followed by 10 years’ supervised release on his conviction of distribution of material depicting the sexual exploitation of a minor, United States Attorney Scott W. Brady announced today.
United States District Judge Cathy Bissoon imposed the sentence yesterday on Robert Bernal, Jr., 29.
According to information presented to the court, on December 3, 2015, Bernal distributed an image depicting the sexual exploitation of a prepubescent female over the Internet using the Skype application. Law enforcement officers were notified of the uploaded image after a report was submitted to the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children. A search warrant was then obtained and executed at Bernal’s residence. A search of a computer and cellular telephones seized during the search revealed hundreds of saved images and videos depicting the sexual exploitation of minors.
Assistant United States Attorney Carolyn J. Bloch prosecuted this case on behalf of the government.
The Federal Bureau of Investigation, Allegheny County Police Department, and the Allegheny County District Attorney’s Office conducted the investigation that led to the prosecution of Bernal, Jr.
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.justice.gov/psc.
Three Parents in College Admissions Case Plead GuiltyRead the Press Release
BOSTON – Three parents charged in the college admissions case pleaded guilty today in federal court in Boston.
Jane Buckingham, 50, of Beverly Hills, Calif.; Robert Flaxman, 62, of Laguna Beach, Calif.; and Marjorie Klapper, 50, of Menlo Park, Calif., each pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy to commit mail fraud and honest services mail fraud. U.S. District Court Judge Indira Talwani scheduled the sentencings for Oct. 23, Oct. 18, and Oct. 16, 2019, respectively.
At today’s hearing, Buckingham acknowledged agreeing to pay Rick Singer $50,000 to participate in the college entrance exam cheating scheme for her son. According to the terms of the plea agreement, the government will recommend a sentence at the low end of the Guidelines sentencing range, one year of supervised release, a fine of $40,000, restitution and forfeiture.
Flaxman acknowledged agreeing to pay Singer $75,000 to participate in the college entrance exam cheating scheme for his daughter. According to the terms of the plea agreement, the government will recommend a sentence at the low end of the Guidelines sentencing range, one year of supervised release, a fine of $40,000, restitution and forfeiture.
Klapper acknowledged agreeing to pay Rick Singer $15,000 to participate in the college entrance exam cheating scheme for her son. According to the terms of the plea agreement, the government will recommend a sentence at the low end of the Guidelines sentencing range, one year of supervised release, a fine of $20,000, restitution and forfeiture.
Case information, including the status of each defendant, charging documents and plea agreements are available here: https://www.justice.gov/usao-ma/investigations-college-admissions-and-testing-bribery-scheme.
The charge of conspiracy to commit mail fraud and honest services mail fraud provides for a maximum sentence of 20 years in prison, three years of supervised release, and a fine of $250,000 or twice the gross gain or loss, whichever is greater. Sentences are imposed by a federal district court judge based upon the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors.
United States Attorney Andrew E. Lelling; Joseph R. Bonavolonta, Special Agent in Charge of the Federal Bureau of Investigation, Boston Field Division; and Kristina O’Connell, Special Agent in Charge of the Internal Revenue Service’s Criminal Investigations in Boston, made the announcement today. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Eric S. Rosen, Justin D. O’Connell, Leslie A. Wright, and Kristen A. Kearney of Lelling’s Securities and Financial Fraud Unit are prosecuting the case.
The details contained in the court documents are allegations and the remaining defendants are presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.
Three El Paso Men Sentenced to Federal Prison for Sex Trafficking SchemeRead the Press Release
In El Paso, a federal judge has sentenced three men for their roles in a sex trafficking scheme, announced U.S. Attorney John F. Bash and Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) Special Agent in Charge Jack P. Staton.
Yesterday afternoon, U.S. District Judge Kathleen Cardone sentenced 22–year-old Khalil S. Maxwell (aka “Korrupt,” “Khalil Zero Tolerance”) to 25 years in federal prison followed by ten years of supervised release. On May 16, 2019, Judge Cardone sentenced 28–year-old Daniel Chavez to ten years in federal prison followed by ten years of supervised release. On May 15, 2019, Judge Cardone sentenced 21–year-old Raymundo Nettles to nine years in federal prison followed by ten years of supervised release. Judge Cardone also ordered each defendant to pay a $5,000 special assessment under the Justice for Victims of Trafficking Act.
Khalil S. Maxwell led a sex trafficking ring in El Paso, Texas from March 11, 2015 through October 31, 2016. Maxwell used physical violence to intimidate and cause underage girls, ranging in age from 13 to 17, to engage in commercial sex acts for money. Maxwell enlisted co-defendants Daniel M. Chavez and Raymundo Nettles to rent hotel rooms and to drive the underage girls to hotels and other locations where the sex acts occurred.
On February 1, 2019, Maxwell pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy to commit sex trafficking of children by force, fraud, or coercion and one substantive count of sex trafficking of children. In January 2019, Chavez and Nettles pleaded guilty to the conspiracy charge.
“Today the miscreants who inflicted violence on children to coerce them into selling sex were given long prison terms. While I am proud of our prosecutors and law-enforcement agents for delivering justice in this case, we need to do more as a society to prevent this kind of abuse in the first place,” stated U.S. Attorney Bash.
“These sentences assure that this heinous sexual predator and his accomplices will not prey on any more girls for a long, long time,” said HSI El Paso Special Agent in Charge Staton. “It also serves as a sobering warning to those engaged in the sex trafficking of minors: HSI will continue to work relentlessly with its law enforcement partners to identify these dangerous offenders and bring them to justice.”
HSI agents in El Paso conducted this investigation. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Patricia Acosta and Mallory Rasmussen prosecuted this case on behalf of the Government.
This case was brought as part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative to combat the epidemic of child sexual exploitation and abuse launched in May 2006 by the Department of Justice. Led by U.S. Attorneys’ Offices and the Criminal Division’s Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section, Project Safe Childhood marshals federal, state and local resources to better locate, apprehend and prosecute individuals who exploit children via the Internet, as well as to identify and rescue victims. For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit www.projectsafechildhood.gov.
Texas Restaurant Owners Convicted of Tax FraudRead the Press Release
A Texas couple was convicted yesterday of conspiracy and tax charges by a federal jury in Austin, announced Principal Deputy Assistant Attorney General Richard E. Zuckerman of the Justice Department’s Tax Division.
Michael Herman and his wife, Cynthia Herman were convicted of conspiracy to defraud the United States by impeding the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) and of filing false individual income tax returns for tax years 2010 and 2011. The jury also convicted Michael Herman of filing false 2010 through 2012 corporate income tax returns.
According to the evidence introduced at trial, the Hermans owned and operated three establishments: Cindy’s Gone Hog Wild, a restaurant and bar in Travis County, Texas, and two restaurants in Bastrop County, Texas, Cindy’s Downtown and Hasler Brothers Steakhouse. The Hermans skimmed cash from the restaurants by depositing only a portion of the restaurants’ cash receipts into their business bank accounts and reported only those deposits on the corporate and individual income tax returns. The evidence at trial showed that the Hermans failed to deposit approximately $570,000 in cash receipts into their business bank accounts. The Hermans also paid for personal expenses out of the business accounts, including repair of their personal swimming pool, utilities for their home, and the salary of a household employee. Michael Herman signed and filed the false 2010 through 2012 income tax returns filed on behalf of Cindy’s Gone Hog Wild Inc.
U.S. District Court Judge Xavier Rodriguez has not set a sentencing date. The Hermans each face a statutory maximum sentence of five years in prison on the conspiracy charge and three years in prison on each of the false tax return charges. They also face a period of supervised release, restitution and monetary penalties.
Principal Deputy Assistant Attorney General Zuckerman thanked agents of IRS-Criminal Investigation, who conducted the investigation, and Trial Attorneys Robert A. Kemins and David Zisserson, who are prosecuting the case. Principal Deputy Assistant Attorney General Zuckerman also thanked the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Western District of Texas for their substantial assistance.
Additional information about the Tax Division’s enforcement efforts can be found on the division’s website.
Tampa Pastor and Daughter Sentenced for Roles in Tax Fraud ConspiracyRead the Press Release
Tampa, Florida – U.S. District Judge Steven D. Merryday today sentenced Luckner Stimphil (55, Brandon) to four years and nine months in federal prison for conspiracy to defraud the United States. Last week, Stimphil’s daughter, Elwolfine Dufort (31, Riverview), was sentenced to two years in federal prison for her role in the conspiracy. The court also ordered Stimphil and Dufort to pay $11 million in restitution, joint and several, to the United States and imposed a $10,000 fine against Stimphil. Stimphil and Dufort had pleaded guilty in February 2019.
Stimphil and Dufort have agreed to be permanently enjoined from preparing or assisting in the preparation or filing of federal tax returns or other related documents for any other person or entity; from maintaining any association with a tax return preparation business; and from instructing, teaching, or otherwise training any person in the preparation of federal tax returns. Stimphil further consented to pay all taxes, interest, and penalties he owed to the IRS relating to his personal tax returns for years 2012 and 2013.
According to court documents, Stimphil, the then-pastor at First Calvary Family Life Ministry in Tampa, created and operated Top Popular Tax, a tax return preparer business with offices in Tampa, Winter Haven, and other locations. The business operated from around 2011 through at least mid-2015. Stimphil, Dufort, and others working under Stimphil’s supervision, routinely assisted in and advised in the preparation and presentation to the IRS of false and fraudulent Top Popular Tax clients’ IRS Forms 1040. They included materially false and fraudulent information on the client-taxpayers’ Schedule C Forms (business income or loss) and Forms 8863 (associated with a claim for the American opportunity credit). Some of the forms submitted to the IRS by Top Popular Tax also included a false and fraudulent claim for a credit for federal tax on fuels.
“Together, Luckner Stimphil and his daughter, Elwolfine Dufort, were responsible for preparing false tax returns that caused more than $11 million dollars in losses to the IRS, essentially stealing the tax dollars paid by honest Americans,” stated Special Agent in Charge Mary Hammond of IRS Criminal Investigation. “As unconscionable as that sounds, the damage did not stop there. Their actions upended the lives of their clients who now must sort out the mess caused by the false returns Stimphil and Dufort filed in their names. We plead with all taxpayers to do their due diligence in selecting a trustworthy and accredited return preparer.”
This case was investigated by IRS-Criminal Investigation. It was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Jay G. Trezevant and Craig R. Gestring.
Surgical Funding Facilitator and Physician Charged in Alleged Nationwide Scheme to Defraud Women in Connection with Transvaginal Mesh LitigationRead the Press Release
BROOKLYN, N.Y. – Earlier today, at the federal courthouse in Brooklyn, a six-count indictment was unsealed charging Wesley Blake Barber, the owner of Surgical Assistance Inc. and Medical Funding Consultants LLC, and Christopher Walker, a licensed urogynecologist and owner of MedSurg Holdings LLC, for their roles in an alleged scheme to defraud women across the United States in connection with surgeries to remove transvaginal mesh (TVM) implants.
Barber and Walker are each charged with committing wire fraud, violating the Travel Act and related conspiracies. Both defendants were arrested this morning. Barber is expected to appear this afternoon before U.S. Magistrate Judge Rebecca Rutherford of the Northern District of Texas at the federal courthouse in Dallas, and Walker is expected to appear before U.S. Magistrate Judge Gregory Kelly of the Middle District of Florida at the federal courthouse in Orlando.
Richard P. Donoghue, United States Attorney for the Eastern District of New York, Brian A. Benczkowski, Assistant Attorney General of the Justice Department’s Criminal Division, and William F. Sweeney, Jr., Assistant Director-in-Charge, Federal Bureau of Investigation, New York Field Office (FBI), announced the indictment.
“As alleged in the indictment, the defendants and their co-conspirators exploited and defrauded women, misrepresenting health risks from TVM implants to pressure the women to undergo procedures to the defendants’ economic advantage,” stated United States Attorney Donoghue. “This Office, the Department of Justice and the FBI will continue to investigate and prosecute medical professionals and others who prey on the vulnerable to line their own pockets.”
“Barber and Walker convinced their victims to subject themselves to surgical procedures based on misrepresentations of fact, as alleged, causing them to incur a financial loss, and likely presenting them with a significant emotional burden,” stated FBI Assistant Director-in-Charge Sweeney. “They used the bodies of women as a conduit for their greedy behavior, and that is simply not allowed. Medical professionals play a vital role in our society, and they're required to adhere to a strict set of standards. As evidenced today, those who don't will be held accountable.”
According to the indictment, Barber and Walker sought to profit in connection with lawsuits filed throughout the United States relating to alleged harm that TVM implants had caused women. The alleged scheme sought to take advantage of settlements in these lawsuits in which women who had their TVM implants surgically removed were entitled to receive larger settlements than women whose inserts remained implanted. As part of the scheme, the conspirators allegedly persuaded women around the country to undergo removal surgeries by fraudulently misrepresenting both the health risks associated with the TVM implants and the need to travel long distances to use pre-selected doctors for the surgeries, including Walker, rather than their local doctors. Barber’s companies allegedly coordinated the removal surgeries and then purchased and resold for profit the medical debts incurred by the women. In addition, Walker and others paid kickbacks and bribes to Barber in exchange for the referral of these women for their surgeries.
The charges in the indictment are allegations, and the defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.
If convicted of all the charges, Barber and Walker each face up to 90 years’ imprisonment.
The investigation was conducted by the FBI. Assistant U.S. Attorney Elizabeth Geddes of the Eastern District of New York and Trial Attorney Andrew Estes of the Criminal Division’s Fraud Section are prosecuting the case.
The Defendants:
WESLEY BLAKE BARBER
Age: 49
Detroit, MichiganCHRISTOPHER WALKER
Age: 49
Orlando, FloridaE.D.N.Y. Docket No. 19-CR-239 (RJD)
Surgical Funding Facilitator and Physician Charged in Alleged Nationwide Scheme to Defraud Women in Connection with Transvaginal Mesh LitigationRead the Press Release
A surgical funding facilitator and a licensed urogynecologist were charged in a six-count indictment unsealed today for their roles in an alleged scheme to defraud women across the United States in connection with surgeries to remove transvaginal mesh (TVM) implants related to mass tort litigation.
Assistant Attorney General Brian A. Benczkowski of the Justice Department’s Criminal Division, U.S. Attorney Richard P. Donoghue of the Eastern District of New York and Assistant Director in Charge William F. Sweeney Jr. of the FBI’s New York Field Office made the announcement.
Wesley Blake Barber, 49, of Detroit, Michigan, the owner of Surgical Assistance Inc. and Medical Funding Consultants LLC, and Christopher Walker, M.D., 49, of Orlando, Florida, and owner of MedSurg Holdings LLC, were charged in an indictment filed in the Eastern District of New York with one count of conspiracy to commit wire fraud, three counts of wire fraud, one count of conspiracy to violate the Travel Act and one count of violating the Travel Act. Both defendants were arrested this morning. Barber is expected to appear this afternoon before U.S. Magistrate Judge Rebecca Rutherford of the Northern District of Texas at the federal courthouse in Dallas, and Walker is expected to appear before U.S. Magistrate Judge Gregory Kelly of the Middle District of Florida at the federal courthouse in Orlando. The case has been assigned to U.S. District Judge Raymond J. Dearie of the Eastern District of New York.
According to the indictment, Barber and Walker sought to profit in connection with lawsuits filed around the country relating to alleged harm that TVM implants caused women. The alleged scheme sought to take advantage of settlements in these lawsuits in which women who had their TVM implants surgically removed were entitled to receive larger settlements than women whose inserts remained implanted. As part of the scheme, women around the country were allegedly enticed into agreeing to undergo removal surgeries after scheme participants allegedly fraudulently told the women, among other things, about the risks of the TVM implants and the need to travel long distances and incur significant debt in order to undergo the surgeries. In addition, Walker and others allegedly paid kickbacks and bribes to Barber in exchange for the referral of these women for surgeries.
The charges in the indictment are merely allegations, and all defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.
The investigation was conducted by the FBI. Trial Attorney Andrew Estes of the Criminal Division’s Fraud Section and Assistant U.S. Attorney Elizabeth Geddes of the Eastern District of New York are prosecuting the case.
The Criminal Division’s Fraud Section leads the Medicare Fraud Strike Force. Since its inception in March 2007, the Medicare Fraud Strike Force, which maintains 14 strike forces operating in 23 districts, has charged nearly 4,000 defendants who have collectively billed the Medicare program for more than $14 billion.
Statement by United States Attorney Robert J. Higdon, Jr. on the Confirmation of Michael East as United States MarshalRead the Press Release
RALEIGH – Robert J. Higdon, Jr., United States Attorney for the Eastern District of North Carolina comments on the confirmation of Michael East to serve as United States Marshal for the Eastern District of North Carolina.
“Today the United States Senate has confirmed President Trump’s nomination of Michael East to serve as United States Marshal for the Eastern District of North Carolina. I can think of no one better to take up this important position.
Mike East served the people of this State as an agent of the North Carolina State Bureau of Investigation for 28 years. There he worked as a member of the Child Fatality Task Force Prevention Team, the Crisis Negotiation Team and as Special Agent in Charge of the Financial Crimes Unit. He led investigations focused on public corruption, violent crime, drug crimes, economic crimes and many others. More recently he has served in my office as our first Forensic Investigator in the Organize Crime Drug Enforcement Task Force where he has focused on the financial side of drug trafficking investigations. He has, likewise, played a key investigative role in our ability to prosecute heroin and opioid overdose death cases. Mike has also provided critical training and assistance to law enforcement all across the State of North Carolina, around the United States and overseas.
Mike is well-suited to lead the men and women of the United States Marshals Service here in the Eastern District. The Marshals Service provides critical investigation services in a range of cases, secures our courthouses and other federal facilities, supports federal and state prosecutions through warrant enforcement, and plays a key role in the seizure, forfeiture and disposal of property used by defendants to facilitate their criminal activity or property which is the proceeds of that activity.
Mike East will be an outstanding United States Marshal. President Trump has made an outstanding choice and I look forward to working side-by-side with Marshal East and the Marshals Service he will now lead.”
St. Lucie County Resident Pleads Guilty to Orchestrating Wire Fraud Scheme and Embezzling EmployersRead the Press Release
Sabrinea Lallonie Brooks, 28, of St. Lucie County, Florida, pled guilty to participating in a wire fraud scheme and embezzling funds from employers.
Ariana Fajardo Orshan, U.S. Attorney for the Southern District of Florida, Brian Swain, Special Agent in Charge, U.S. Secret Service (USSS), Miami Field Office, and Javaro Sims, Chief, Delray Beach Police Department, made the announcement.
Brooks pled guilty to a criminal Information charging: seven counts of wire fraud, in violation of Title 18, United States Code, Section 1343; one count of access device fraud, in in violation of Title 18, United States Code, Section 1029(a)(5);and one count of forged security, in violation of Title 18, United States Code, Section 513(a) (Case No. 19-CR-14020). The guilty plea was entered before U.S. Magistrate Judge Shaniek M. Maynard, in Ft. Pierce. Brooks is scheduled to be sentenced by U.S. District Judge Robin L. Rosenberg on July 26, 2019, in Ft Pierce. She faces up to 20 years in prison per count of wire fraud, up to 15 years in prison for access device fraud, and 10 years in prison for the forged security conviction. In addition, Brooks faces up 5 years of supervised release and must pay restitution to the victims of the fraudulent scheme.
According to the criminal Information and a Stipulated Factual Basis filed with the Court, between February 2014 through December 2015, Brooks was employed as a billing and collections specialist by companies Apex Billing, LLC, Dream Center for Recovery, Supportive Healthcare Services, and Wellness Center of Palm Beach, LLC. Brooks without authorization, contacted third party issuer agents of insurance companies and using fraudulent pretenses and making materially false representations, caused the third party issuer agents of insurance companies to give her treatment provider registration codes, pin numbers, and links. Brooks used this information to access the third party issuer agents’ website, to create new user accounts, to re-register treatment providers, and change the method of payment and/or the routing of insurance provider payments, intended for treatment providers. As a result of her wire fraud, Brooks received at least $463,402.30 in illegal proceeds.
While working for these companies, Brooks also intercepted “Vpayments”/ virtual credit cards issued as insurance payments to several treatment providers. Thereafter, Brooks processed some of the “Vpayments”/ virtual credit cards using the Square merchant processing mobile payment program. Brooks created several Square accounts, which she linked to bank accounts under her control. Because of her access device fraud, Brooks received at least $57,632.76, in illegal proceeds.
While working for Wellness Center of Palm Beach, LLC, as a billing manager, Brooks also created a fraudulent company, and opened SunTrust Bank account, in the name of “Wellness Ctr of Palm Beach Billing LLC.” Thereafter, Brooks deposited checks payable to Wellness Center of Palm Beach, LLC, into the SunTrust Bank account that were endorsed with her signature and a stamp listing her fraudulent billing company. Because of her theft of Wellness Center of Palm Beach, LLC checks, Brooks received at least $352,521.72, in illegal proceeds.
U.S. Attorney Fajardo Orshan commended the investigatory efforts of the USSS and Delray Beach Police Department in this matter. This case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Carmen Lineberger.
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
St. Croix Man Pleads Guilty to Conspiracy to Possess Cocaine at Henry E. Rohlsen AirportRead the Press Release
St. Croix, USVI – Don-Luke George, 24, of St. Croix, pled guilty on May 23, 2019, in District Court to one count of Conspiracy to Possess Cocaine with Intent to Distribute, United States Attorney Gretchen C.F. Shappert announced.
This federal offense carries a possible sentence of incarceration of 5 to 40 years, a maximum fine of up to $250,000 dollars, and a term of supervised release for at least 4 years. Sentencing is set for September 25, 2019.
According to court documents, on April 12, 2018, Don-Luke George, along with a co-defendant, conspired to bring 2010 grams of cocaine (2.01 kilograms) into the Henry E. Rohlsen Airport with the intent to transport the cocaine to Miami via American Airlines flight #2227. Specifically, George, who was employed at the airport, smuggled four bricks of cocaine into the passenger waiting area of the airport, and delivered them to the co-defendant in the men’s restroom. The co-defendant was a passenger on the outgoing American Airlines flight, but was intercepted with the cocaine prior to boarding his flight by Customs and Border Protection officers.
The case was investigated by Customs and Border Protection and Homeland Security Investigations. The cocaine was analyzed by the DEA Southeast Laboratory in Miami. Assistant U.S. Attorney Daniel H. Huston prosecuted the case.
Rochester Man Convicted by A Federal Jury of Cocaine Trafficking Conspiracy Going to Prison for 30 YearsRead the Press Release
CONTACT: Barbara Burns
PHONE: (716) 843-5817
FAX #: (716) 551-3051ROCHESTER, N.Y. - U.S. Attorney James P. Kennedy, Jr. announced today that Juan Sampel, 48, of Rochester, NY, who was convicted following a jury trial of conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute five kilograms or more of cocaine, was sentenced to serve 360 months in prison by U.S. District Judge Charles J. Siragusa.
Assistant U.S. Attorneys Sean C. Eldridge and Robert A. Marangola, who handled the prosecution of the case, stated that the evidence presented at trial demonstrated that between 2015 and April 27, 2016, Sampel and co-defendant Jose Gonzalez were part of a cocaine distribution network that distributed kilograms of cocaine in Rochester. During the investigation, law enforcement officers obtained court ordered wiretaps on several phone numbers related to that conspiracy. Calls involving Sampel, Gonzalez, and other co-conspirators were recorded. During those calls, the defendants used coded references to refer to their cocaine trafficking. Other intercepted communications revealed discussions about identifying undercover police vehicles and encouraging co-conspirators to utilize encrypted forms of communications over their phones. Investigators also utilized video surveillance to record meetings and the transfer of cocaine and cash between co-conspirators.
On April 27, 2016, several search warrants were executed, including at the residences of the defendants. Law enforcement officers recovered multiple cellular telephones, including Sampel’s phone, drug paraphernalia such as scales and baggies, and over $11,000 in cash from Gonzalez’s residence, and over $17,000 from Sampel’s residence. As part of the overall investigation, investigators seized over 11 kilograms of cocaine.
Co-defendant Jose Gonzalez is scheduled to be sentenced on June 10, 2019, at 11:00 a.m.
The sentencing is the result of an investigation by the Drug Enforcement Administration, under the direction of Special Agent-in-Charge Ray Donovan, New York Field Division, and the Rochester Police Department, under the direction of Chief La'Ron D. Singletary.
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Rochester Bank Robber Going to Prison for Seven YearsRead the Press Release
CONTACT: Barbara Burns
PHONE: (716) 843-5817
FAX #: (716) 551-3051ROCHESTER, N.Y. - U.S. Attorney James P. Kennedy, Jr. announced today that Derrick Stubbs, 54, of Rochester, NY, who was convicted of bank robbery, was sentenced to serve 84 months in prison by U.S. District Judge David G. Larimer.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Sean Eldridge, who is handling the case, stated that on December 5, 2017, the defendant attempted to rob the Chase Bank located at 560 Monroe Avenue in Rochester, NY. On that same date, the defendant robbed the Summit Federal Credit Union at 1660 Monroe Avenue in Brighton, NY. Two days later, on December 7, 2017, Stubbs robbed the Chase Bank located at 920 Holt Road in Webster, NY.
During the robberies, the defendant handed a note to a bank employee demanding money. The notes contained statements to the teller such as “make it fast and don’t try nothing,” “don’t try anything funny,” and “no die pack and no games.”
The sentencing is the result of an investigation by the Federal Bureau of Investigation, under the direction of Special Agent-in-Charge Gary Loeffert; the Rochester Area Major Crimes Task Force and the Rochester Police Department, under the direction of Chief La’Ron D. Singletary; the Brighton Police Department, under the direction of Mark Henderson; and the Webster Police Department, under the direction of Chief Joseph Rieger.
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Reno Doctor and Seven Others Arrested and Indicted for Trafficking Oxycodone and Hydrocodone PrescriptionsRead the Press Release
LAS VEGAS, Nev. – An indictment by a federal grand jury was unsealed today charging a doctor and seven others for conspiring to distribute Oxycodone and Hydrocodone, announced United States Attorney Nicholas A. Trutanich and Special Agent in Charge Aaron C. Rouse for the FBI’s Las Vegas Division.
Myron Motley, 55, of Richmond, California; Eric Math, M.D., 50, of Reno; Michael Kwoka, 56, of Fair Oaks, California; Michael Slater, 42, of Reno; Joseph Jeannette, 51, of Reno; Ivy Elliott, 35, of Reno; and Alesia Sampson, 56, of Grass Valley, California, are all charged with conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute and to distribute Oxycodone. Motley and Elliott are also charged with conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute and to distribute methamphetamine. Motley is also charged with four counts of distribution of Oxycodone and one count of distribution of Hydrocodone, Math and Slater are also each charged with one count of distribution of Oxycodone and one count of distribution of Hydrocodone, and Kwoka and Elliot are also charged with one count of distribution of Oxycodone. In a separate indictment, Motley and Randy Raihall, 58, of Reno, are each charged with one count of distribution of Oxycodone.
Motley was arrested in Richmond, California this morning and is scheduled to be arraigned today before United State Magistrate Judge Kandis A. Westmore in Oakland, California. Kowka and Sampson were arrested in Fair Oaks and Grass Valley this morning and are scheduled to be arraigned today before United States Magistrate Judge Carolyn K. Delaney in Sacramento, California. Math, Jeannette, Slater, Elliott, and Raihall are scheduled to be arraigned today at 3:00 pm before United States Magistrate Judge Carla Baldwin Carry in Reno.
According to allegations contained in the indictment, from January 2018 to May 2019, the defendants conspired to possess and distribute Oxycodone and Hydrocodone, each a schedule II controlled substance, with Dr. Math issuing prescriptions for the same without a medical purpose and not in the usual course of professional practice.
The mandatory minimum is 10 years in prison and the maximum penalty is 20 years in prison and a $10,000,000 fine.
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Oxycodone and Hydrocodone are among the most common drugs involved in prescription opioid overdose deaths. Oxycodone and other Schedule II drugs have a high potential for abuse that can lead to addiction, overdose, and sometimes death.
An indictment is merely an allegation and the defendants are presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.
The joint investigation was conducted by the FBI; the Reno Police Department; Nevada Highway Patrol; the Department of Welfare and Social Services Nevada; the Office of the Attorney General; the Carson City Sheriff’s Office; the Nevada Department of Corrections; the Nevada Gaming Control Board; the Sparks Police Department; the University of Nevada-Reno Police Department; and the IRS-Criminal Investigation. The case is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney James E. Keller.
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Owner of Tax Preparation Businesses Convicted of Tax FraudRead the Press Release
Following a five-day trial before U.S. District Court Judge Robert. N. Scola, Jr., a jury convicted Tamara Jeune, a/k/a “Tamara Voltaire”, 44, of West Palm Beach, of criminal tax offenses arising out of a five-year scheme to defraud the Internal Revenue Service (IRS).
Ariana Fajardo Orshan, U.S. Attorney for the Southern District of Florida, and Michael J. De Palma, Special Agent in Charge, Internal Revenue Service, Criminal Investigation (IRS-CI), Miami Field Office, made the announcement.
According to the evidence presented at trial, Jeune was the owner and operator of at least two tax preparation businesses: Investment Equity Development, Inc.; and Jacob G. Jeune, P.A. As part of her scheme, Jeune, who previously was convicted of tax preparation fraud, fraudulently obtained Electronic Filing Identification Numbers (EFINs) and Preparer Tax Identification Numbers (PTINs) in the names of other individuals who acted as “straw” EFIN and PTIN holders. The defendant then used those EFINs and PTINs to file fraudulent federal income tax returns with the IRS using stolen personal identifying information (PII) of other individuals, including her clients’, without their authorization and knowledge. These tax returns contained false wages, employment information, expenses, and deductions. Jeune also stole the PII of minors, who were at times her clients’ dependents, and then submitted false tax returns in their names.
As part of her scheme, the defendant directed the IRS to send the tax refund money associated with the false and fraudulent federal income tax returns to bank accounts that she controlled. She then used the money to pay for her personal expenses. The IRS suffered a loss in excess of $700,000.
Jeune is scheduled to be sentenced by Judge Scola on July 31, 2019, at 8:30 a.m. This case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Roger Cruz and Yisel Valdes.
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.
Operator of Unlicensed Marijuana Distribution Business Sentenced to Prison for Maintaining a Drug Involved Premises and Possession of Oxycodone and Marijuana with Intent to DistributeRead the Press Release
The 28-year-old operator of a Rainier Valley marijuana business was sentenced today in U.S. District Court in Seattle to 15 months in prison and three years of supervised release for operating a drug involved premises, and possession of oxycodone and marijuana with intent to distribute, announced U.S. Attorney Brian T. Moran. KELED ALI, of Seattle was arrested in October 2018, and pleaded guilty in January 2019. ATF and Seattle Police Department investigated drug activity and a gang related shootings near ‘One Stop,’ a marijuana distribution business in the 5300 block of Rainier Avenue South. At the sentencing hearing Chief U.S. District Judge Ricardo S. Martinez said, “When you run an illegal business you become a much larger target to people that want to take your drugs or your profits…. It attracts a criminal element to the community.”
“This defendant intentionally designed a business to undermine and thwart the State’s marijuana regulatory system – and because of that the business attracted violent crime and violent individuals,” said U.S. Attorney Brian T. Moran. “Even after the storefront was shut down, he persisted in selling not just marijuana but oxycodone – adding to the opioid epidemic. Federal law enforcement continues to target those who mix drug dealing and violence.”
According to records filed in the case, law enforcement became aware of gang activity related to the marijuana distribution business following a fatal shooting in December 2017 and a drive-by shooting in March 2018. ‘One Stop’ was not a licensed marijuana distributor under state or federal law. When undercover officers sought to investigate activities at the storefront, they were told marijuana could only be sold to customers introduced by other “members of their club.” On March 5, 2018, law enforcement executed a court authorized search warrant at the store. From a safe in the store officers recovered a 9 mm semi-automatic firearm, and they seized more than three pounds of marijuana from the store.
In October 2018, ALI was arrested after law enforcement observed him make numerous drug sales. In ALI’s car, law enforcement found more than two pounds of marijuana and 45 oxycodone pills packaged for resale.
The case was investigated by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms & Explosives (ATF) and the Seattle Police Department. The case is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Todd Greenberg.
North Pole Man Indicted on Federal Drug Trafficking ChargesRead the Press Release
Anchorage, Alaska – U.S. Attorney Bryan Schroder announced today that Cecil John Zak, 40, of North Pole, Alaska, has been federally indicted with attempted possession of a controlled substance with intent to distribute, and possession of a controlled substance with intent to distribute. Zak was arrested on May 20, 2019, based on a criminal complaint.
According to the criminal complaint, on May 19, 2019, the U.S. Postal Inspection Service executed federal search warrants on two parcels originating from “Joe Wilcox” in California, to be delivered to “J. ZAK” in Fairbanks. It is alleged that inside the parcels were nearly three pounds of methamphetamine and one half pound of heroin. On May 20, 2019, U.S. Postal Inspectors conducted a controlled delivery on the intended address of the two parcels, and observed Zak take the parcels.
Upon his arrest, Zak was transported to the Fairbanks AST post. The complaint further alleges that a search of Zak’s residence revealed $3,000, several firearms, and drug trafficking paraphernalia including over five grams of methamphetamine, suspected ecstasy pills, money counter, digital scales, and suspected mephedrone.
If convicted, Zak faces a statutory minimum of 10 years and a maximum of life in prison for the most serious charges alleged in the indictment. Under the Federal Sentencing Guidelines, the actual sentence imposed will be based upon the seriousness of the offense and the prior criminal history, if any, of the defendant.
The Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA), the U.S. Postal Inspection Service (USPIS), and the Statewide Drug Enforcement Unit (SDEU), which is comprised of officers from the Alaska State Troopers (AST), the Fairbanks Police Department (FPD), and the North Pole Police Department, conducted the investigation leading to the charges in this case. This case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Ryan D. Tansey.
The charges in the indictment and criminal complaint are merely allegations, and the defendant is presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.
North Carolina Man Sentenced to over Six Years in Prison for Medicaid Fraud and Tax Evasion ChargesRead the Press Release
A North Carolina man was sentenced to prison today for health care fraud related to the submission of false claims to Medicaid and for tax evasion, announced Principal Deputy Assistant Attorney General Richard E. Zuckerman of the Justice Department’s Tax Division and U.S. Attorney Matthew G.T. Martin for the Middle District of North Carolina.
U.S. District Court Judge N. Carlton Tilley, Jr. of the Middle District of North Carolina sentenced Haydn Patrick Thomas, a resident of Durham, North Carolina, to a total sentence of 78 months in prison. On Sept. 5, 2018, Thomas pleaded guilty to one count of making a false statement relating to health care matters and one count of tax evasion for tax year 2014.
According to the documents filed with the court, Catinia Farrington owned Durham County Mental Health and Behavioral Health Services LLC (DCMBHS) in Durham, North Carolina. From 2011 through 2015, Farrington submitted thousands of false claims to Medicaid for services that were not performed. The false claims resulted in Medicaid paying approximately $4 million to DCMBHS. During the relevant period, Thomas worked as an office manager for an oral surgeon and provided Farrington with the names and Medicaid identification numbers of dental patients to facilitate the scheme.
In addition, Thomas evaded income taxes on the more than $1.4 million dollars he earned from DCMBHS by filing false tax returns with the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) and transferring money to various business bank accounts from which he paid his personal expenses. The resulting tax loss was approximately $518,000.
In addition to the term of imprisonment imposed, Thomas was order to serve three years of supervised release and to pay restitution in the amount of $3,950,656 to the North Carolina Fund for Medical Assistance and $518,997 to the IRS.
On March 1, 2019, Judge Tilley sentenced Farrington to 60 months in prison on one count of health care fraud conspiracy and one count of tax evasion. She was also ordered to pay over $4 million in total restitution to the North Carolina Fund for Medical Assistant and the IRS.
Principal Deputy Assistant Attorney General Zuckerman and U.S. Attorney Martin commended special agents of the Internal Revenue Service and the U.S. Department of Health and Human Service, Office of Inspector General, who conducted the investigation, and Assistant United States Attorney Robert Hamilton (now retired), Trial Attorney Mara Strier of the Tax Division and Special Assistant U.S. Attorney Michael Heavner of the Medicaid Investigations Division of the North Carolina Attorney General’s Office, who prosecuted the case.
North Carolina Man Sentenced to Prison for Medicaid Fraud and Tax Evasion ChargesRead the Press Release
WASHINGTON - A North Carolina man was sentenced to prison today for health care fraud related to the submission of false claims to Medicaid and for tax evasion, announced Principal Deputy Assistant Attorney General Richard E. Zuckerman of the Justice Department’s Tax Division and U.S. Attorney Matthew G.T. Martin for the Middle District of North Carolina.
U.S. District Court Judge N. Carlton Tilley, Jr. of the Middle District of North Carolina sentenced Haydn Patrick Thomas, a resident of Durham, North Carolina, to a total sentence of 78 months in prison. On September 5, 2018, Thomas pleaded guilty to one count of making a false statement relating to health care matters and one count of tax evasion for tax year 2014.
According to the documents filed with the court, Catinia Farrington owned Durham County Mental Health and Behavioral Health Services, LLC (“DCMBHS”) in Durham, North Carolina. From 2011 through 2015, Farrington submitted thousands of false claims to Medicaid for services that were not performed. The false claims resulted in Medicaid paying approximately $4 million to DCMBHS. During the relevant period, Thomas worked as an office manager for an oral surgeon and provided Farrington with the names and Medicaid identification numbers of dental patients to facilitate the scheme.
In addition, Thomas evaded income taxes on the more than $1.4 million dollars he earned from DCMBHS by filing false tax returns with the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) and transferring money to various business bank accounts from which he paid his personal expenses. The resulting tax loss was approximately $518,000.
In addition to the term of imprisonment imposed, Thomas was order to serve three years of supervised release and to pay restitution in the amount of $3,950,656 to the North Carolina Fund for Medical Assistance and $518,997 to the IRS.
On March 1, 2019, Judge Tilley sentenced Farrington to 60 months in prison on one count of health care fraud conspiracy and one count of tax evasion. She was also ordered to pay over $4 million in total restitution to the North Carolina Fund for Medical Assistant and the IRS.
Principal Deputy Assistant Attorney General Zuckerman and United States Attorney Martin commended special agents of the Internal Revenue Service and the U.S. Department of Health and Human Service, Office of Inspector General, who conducted the investigation, and Assistant United States Attorney Robert Hamilton (now retired), Trial Attorney Mara Strier of the Tax Division and Special Assistant U.S. Attorney Michael Heavner of the Medicaid Investigations Division of the North Carolina Attorney General’s Office, who prosecuted the case.
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New Orleans Man Sentenced for Bank Robberies During Which Guns Were Placed at the Head of A Security Guard and A Bank TellerRead the Press Release
NEW ORLEANS – U.S. Attorney Peter G. Strasser announced that Chief United States District Judge Nannette Jolivette Brown sentenced BRYSON TUESNO on May 23, 2019 to 15 years of imprisonment, to be followed by three years of supervised release, for robbing two banks while armed. During the course of these robberies, guns were placed at the head of a bank security guard and a bank teller both of whom testified that they thought they would be killed.
TUESNO, age 24, of New Orleans, and DWAYNE WINANS JR., a/k/a “Butter,” age 25, also of New Orleans were convicted on April 26, 2018, after a four-day jury trial. The jury found TUESNO and WINANS guilty of robbing, on August 15, 2016, both the Regions Bank located at 3836 Elysian Fields Avenue in New Orleans and the Gulf Coast Bank located at 1900 Oak Harbor Boulevard in Slidell. The men were also convicted of two counts of using firearms during the commission of those crimes.
The jury also found WINANS guilty of committing two carjackings, on August 12, 2016, in New Orleans, and two counts of using firearms during the commission of those crimes. WINANS and TUESNO used one of the carjacked vehicles as a getaway car during the Regions Bank and Gulf Coast bank robberies. WINANS was sentenced last month to 30 years of imprisonment for these crimes.
U.S. Attorney Strasser praised the work of the Federal Bureau of Investigation. Assistant United States Attorneys David Howard Sinkman, Michael E. McMahon, and Jeffrey Sandman prosecuted the case.
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New Jersey Man Pleads Guilty in $3M Federal Bribery CaseRead the Press Release
WILMINGTON, Del. – David C. Weiss, United States Attorney for the District of Delaware, announced that Stephen Williams, of Neptune, New Jersey, pled guilty in federal court today to bribery in connection with programs receiving federal funds. Williams is the co-defendant of Crystal Martin, the Delaware State University (“DSU”) administrator who pled guilty to the same bribery scheme in April 2019. Williams’ sentencing is scheduled for September 6, 2019 before the Honorable Richard G. Andrews, United States District Judge for the District of Delaware. Williams faces a maximum penalty of 10 years of imprisonment.
According to court documents and statements made in open court, between 2013 and 2017, Williams was the mastermind of a bribery scheme at DSU. Williams recruited students to pay him a fee to change their student registration status from out-of-state residency to in-state residency. After students paid him their fee, Williams helped create forged residency documents, such as leases, and then delivered the forged documents to his co-defendant Martin to place in the students’ files, justifying the residency changes that Martin recorded in the university’s computer system. Williams paid Martin a percentage of the fee he collected from each student whose residency was changed, amounting to approximately $70,000 over the course of four years. Williams also paid DSU students to recruit others interested in having their registration status changed. While the total amount that Williams profited from his scheme remains unknown, the estimated cost of reduced tuition payments to DSU during this four-year-period exceeded $3 million.
U.S. Attorney Weiss stated, “The defendant created and ran a four-year scheme that defrauded Delaware State University. In so doing, he encouraged hundreds of people, and most importantly his co-defendant Martin, to break the law. Further, he deprived his own alma mater and Delaware taxpayers of the rightful tuition proceeds for Delaware State University so that he could personally profit. Defendants who repeatedly break the law for their own personal gain at the expense of Delaware citizens must be held accountable.”
"The FBI is committed to protecting the public trust. When individuals conspire to defraud public institutions, the FBI will aggressively pursue those who seek to financially gain from their illegal schemes," said Jennifer L. Moore, Acting Special Agent in Charge of the Baltimore Division. "The investigation and subsequent prosecution of the defendants revealed they had engaged in a pervasive pattern of fraud and corruption, betraying the university, its students and our community. The cooperation among law enforcement agencies in Delaware led to the dismantlement of the defendants’ enterprise and I applaud the efforts of the investigators and prosecutors."
“Tracking down those who cheat the Federal student aid program will always be a priority of our office,” said Geoffrey Wood, Special Agent in Charge of the U.S. Department of Education Office of Inspector General’s Eastern Region. “That’s why I’m proud of the work of OIG special agents and our law enforcement partners in holding Mr. Williams accountable for his criminal actions and we’ll continue to work together to protect Federal education funds from this type of fraud.”
This case was investigated by FBI Baltimore Division's Wilmington Office, the U.S. Department of Education Office of Inspector General, and Delaware State Police, with assistance from the Delaware Department of Justice’s Office of Civil Rights and Public Trust. The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Laura D. Hatcher and Whitney Cloud.
New Haven Crack Dealer Sentenced to More Than 5 Years in Federal PrisonRead the Press Release
John H. Durham, United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut, today announced that on May 22, 2019, MALCOLM NEWTON, also known as “Biggie,” 25, of New Haven, was sentenced by U.S. District Judge Vanessa L. Bryant in Hartford to 66 months of imprisonment, followed by four years of supervised release, for distributing crack cocaine in New Haven.
According to court documents and statements made in court, in June 2017, the FBI’s New Haven Safe Streets/Gang Task Force initiated an investigation into a New Haven drug trafficking organization. The investigation, which included physical surveillance, 13 controlled purchases of narcotics, and court-authorized wiretaps on multiple phones, revealed that members of the organization were distributing crack cocaine and oxycodone in the New Haven area.
Newton distributed crack cocaine on behalf of the organization numerous times between November 2017 and February 2018.
Newton and several other members of the organization were arrested on federal criminal complaints on February 6, 2018. At the time of his arrest, Newton was on state probation. A search of his residence on that date revealed five firearms, and small quantities of crack cocaine and oxycodone packaged for street sale.
On February 8, 2018, a grand jury in New Haven returned a 30-count indictment charging Newtown and 18 other individuals with various offenses.
Newton has been detained since his arrest. On February 22, 2019, he pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy to distribute, and to possess with intent to distribute, 28 grams or more of cocaine base (“crack”).
This matter is being investigated by the FBI’s New Haven Safe Streets/Gang Task Force, which includes members from the New Haven Police Department, Milford Police Department, West Haven Police Department and Connecticut Department of Correction. The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Patrick F. Caruso and David C. Nelson.
Myrtle Beach Armed Robber and Get-Away Driver Sentenced to Federal PrisonRead the Press Release
Florence, South Carolina ---- United States Attorney Sherri A. Lydon announced today that Jeremy Lamar Hayes, 29, and Kennedy Boggs, 26, were sentenced in federal court in Florence on federal robbery and gun charges. Hayes previously pleaded guilty to two counts of Hobbs Act Robbery (robbery affecting commerce) and two counts of Brandishing a Firearm during a Crime of Violence. Boggs pleaded guilty to one count of Conspiracy to Commit Hobbs Act Robbery and one count of Aiding and Abetting the Brandishing of a Firearm during a Crime of Violence. Chief United States District Judge R. Bryan Harwell sentenced Hayes to 240 months in federal prison, followed by 5 years of court-ordered supervision. He sentenced Boggs to 108 months in federal prison, followed by 5 years of court-ordered supervision. There is no parole in the federal system.
Evidence presented to the court showed that on January 29, 2018, officers from the Myrtle Beach Police Department (MBPD) responded to an armed robbery at a dry cleaner in Myrtle Beach, South Carolina. Hayes entered the location, presented a firearm, and demanded money from the register and the victim’s wallet. Hayes took money from the register, the victim’s wallet and cell phone, and the store phone and then fled in a vehicle.
The next day, MBPD officers responded to an armed robbery at a restaurant in Myrtle Beach, South Carolina. Hayes entered the location, presented a firearm, and demanded money from the register. Hayes took cash from the register and an employee’s cell phone. Hayes then forced employees to lay on the ground and count while Hayes exited the store and fled in a vehicle.
After the restaurant robbery, MBPD located a vehicle matching the description of the get-away vehicle. The driver, Kennedy Boggs, failed to stop, and after a pursuit, both Boggs and Hayes were detained. MBPD found in the vehicle clothing matching the description of clothing worn by Hayes during the robberies. Hayes’ fingerprint was also located at the scene of the restaurant robbery. Boggs admitted that she had driven Hayes to the robberies and that during the vehicle pursuit, the firearm was thrown out of the car window. Officers later recovered the firearm.
The charges against Hayes and Boggs were the result of an investigation by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF), the Myrtle Beach Police Department, the Surfside Beach Police Department, the Horry County Police Department, the Randolph County Sheriff’s Office (NC), and the Guilford County Sheriff’s Office (NC). This case was prosecuted as part of the joint federal, state, and local Project CeaseFire initiative, which aggressively prosecutes firearm cases. Project CeaseFire is part of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), a crime reduction strategy originally launched in 2001 that has been historically successful in bringing together all levels of law enforcement to reduce violent crime and make our neighborhoods safer for everyone. Turning the tide of rising violent crime in America is a top priority for the Department of Justice, which has reinstituted PSN and directed all U.S. Attorney’s Offices to develop a district crime reduction strategy. Assistant United States Attorney Lauren Hummel of the Florence office prosecuted the case.
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Madera County Woman Pleads Guilty to Aiding and Abetting Production of Child PornographyRead the Press Release
FRESNO, Calif. — A Madera County woman pleaded guilty today to sexual exploitation of children, announced Assistant Attorney General Brian A. Benczkowski of the Justice Department’s Criminal Division and U.S. Attorney McGregor W. Scott.
Ashley Maddox, 32, pleaded guilty to one count of aiding and abetting the production of child pornography before U.S. District Judge Dale A. Drozd.
According to court documents, in June 2017, Maddox came to the attention of law enforcement during a child pornography investigation of a man in Florida. An examination of the Florida man’s electronic devices revealed that between November 2015 and April 2016, he and Maddox had communicated, via the internet and on their cellphones, about their mutual sexual interest in minors. Maddox requested that he send her images and video recordings that depicted the Florida man sexually abusing a prepubescent minor victim. Maddox received from him over 20 images and videos that depicted the minor victim engaged in sexually explicit conduct. Maddox also created and sent to this individual images and videos depicting a prepubescent minor.
This case is the product of an investigation by the Central California Internet Crimes Against Children (ICAC) task force, a federally and state-funded task force with agents from federal, state, and local agencies. The Central California ICAC investigates online child exploitation crimes, including child pornography, enticement, and sex trafficking. Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) agents in Fresno, California and Fort Pierce, Florida investigated this case. The Madera County Sheriff’s Office assisted early in the investigation. Trial Attorney Nadia Prinz of the Criminal Division’s Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section (CEOS) and Assistant U.S. Attorney David Gappa of the Eastern District of California are prosecuting the case.
Maddox is scheduled to be sentenced by Judge Drozd on August 26 in Fresno. She faces a minimum statutory penalty of 15 years in prison and a maximum of 30 years in prison, up to a $250,000 fine, and up to a lifetime of supervised release. The actual sentence, however, will be determined at the discretion of the court after consideration of any applicable statutory factors and the Federal Sentencing Guidelines, which take into account a number of variables.
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 those who sexually exploit children, and to identify and rescue victims. For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit www.usdoj.gov/psc. Click on the “resources” tab for information about internet safety education.
Madera County Woman Pleads Guilty to Aiding and Abetting Production of Child PornographyRead the Press Release
A Madera County woman pleaded guilty to aiding and abetting the production of child pornography today, announced Assistant Attorney General Brian A. Benczkowski of the Justice Department’s Criminal Division and U.S. Attorney McGregor Scott of the Eastern District of California.
Ashley Maddox, 32, pleaded guilty to one count of aiding and abetting the production of child pornography before U.S. District Court Judge Dale A. Drozd. Sentencing is set for August 26.
According to admissions made in connection with her guilty plea, Maddox was initially identified in the course of a child pornography investigation into a separate target in Florida. An examination of the Florida target’s electronic devices revealed that between November 2015 and April 2016, he and Maddox had communicated via the internet and mobile-based applications about their mutual sexual interest in minors. In the course of these communications, Maddox requested that this individual send her images and video recordings which depicted the Florida man sexually abusing a prepubescent minor victim. Maddox received from him over 20 images and videos that depicted the minor victim engaged in sexually explicit conduct. Maddox also created and sent to this individual images and videos depicting a prepubescent minor.
This case is the product of an investigation by the Central California Internet Crimes Against Children (ICAC) task force, a federally and state-funded task force with agents from federal, state and local agencies. The Central California ICAC investigates online child exploitation crimes, including child pornography, enticement and sex trafficking. Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) agents in Fresno, California, and Fort Pierce, Florida, investigated this case. The Madera County Sheriff’s Office assisted early in the investigation.
This case was brought as part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative to combat the growing epidemic of child sexual exploitation and abuse launched in May 2006 by the Department of Justice. Led by U.S. Attorneys’ Offices and CEOS, Project Safe Childhood marshals federal, state and local resources to better locate, apprehend and prosecute individuals who exploit children via the Internet, as well as to identify and rescue victims. For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit www.justice.gov/psc.
Man from Acoma Pueblo Charged with Involuntary Manslaughter After Deadly Car CrashRead the Press Release
ALBUQUERQUE – Mateo L. Maestas, 21, of Acoma Pueblo, N.M., appeared in federal court on Thursday on charges of involuntary manslaughter following a deadly automobile accident earlier this year.
According to a criminal complaint, Maestas was driving while intoxicated in Cibola County on April 16, 2019, when he crashed his car into another vehicle occupied by a woman and two children. The woman died from injuries sustained in the crash. She was an enrolled member of the Laguna Indian Tribe. Maestas is an enrolled member of the Acoma Indian Tribe.
Maestas is currently in custody. He faces up to 8 years in prison if convicted of involuntary manslaughter.
The Bureau of Indian Affairs investigated this case. Assistant U.S. Attorney Elisa C. Dimas is prosecuting the case.
Long Beach Man Sentenced to Almost Four Years in Prison for Trafficking Counterfeit Prescription DrugsRead the Press Release
Gulfport, Miss. – Robert Ashton Kerns, 23, of Long Beach, Mississippi, was sentenced today by U.S. District Judge Sul Ozerden to 46 months in federal prison, followed by 3 years of supervised release, for possession with intent to distribute fentanyl and fentanyl analogues, announced U.S. Attorney Mike Hurst and Special Agent in Charge Brad L. Byerley with the Drug Enforcement Administration.
On April 17, 2018, officers with the Gulfport Police Department were dispatched to a Sonic Drive-In after a report of a man passed out in the driver’s seat of a running vehicle. The man was Kerns and he was in possession of approximately 300 dosage units of oxycodone, an opiate painkiller, and over 1,500 dosage units of Xanax, a benzodiazepene. After lab testing, it was determined that the substances were counterfeit and contained fentanyl and fentanyl analogues, a powerful opiate which is deadly in relatively small amounts.
On June 12, 2018, Kerns was charged in a federal criminal indictment. He pled guilty on March 1, 2019 to one count of possession with intent to distribute fentanyl and fentanyl analogues.
The case was investigated by the Gulfport Police Department and the Drug Enforcement Administration. It was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney John Meynardie.
Loan Broker Sentenced to Nine Years in Federal Prison for Bank Fraud Conspiracy to Fraudulently Obtain More Than $100 Million in Sba-Backed Business LoansRead the Press Release
Baltimore, Maryland – U.S. District Judge Catherine C. Blake today sentenced Loren Young Park, age 52, formerly of Falls Church, Virginia, to nine years in federal prison, followed by four years of supervised release, for conspiracy to commit bank fraud, in connection with a scheme to fraudulently obtain business loans guaranteed by the Small Business Administration (SBA), with resulting losses of more than $100 million. Loren Park was a fugitive for eight years and was extradited from South Korea to face these charges.
The sentence was announced by United States Attorney for the District of Maryland Robert K. Hur; Small Business Administration Inspector General Hannibal “Mike” Ware; Postal Inspector in Charge Peter R. Rendina of the U.S. Postal Inspection Service - Washington Division; and Acting Special Agent in Charge Jennifer L. Moore of the Federal Bureau of Investigation.
“Our financial system is based on trust,” said U.S. Attorney Robert K. Hur. “Loren Park and his co-conspirators lied during every aspect of the loan process, cheating taxpayers and lenders, causing more than $100 million in losses, and hurting the chances of future small business owners to obtain loans. I am grateful for the patience and diligence of our law enforcement partners to get Loren Park back from South Korea and bring him to justice.”
According to his plea agreement and other court documents, Loren Park and his brother, Joon Park, owned and operated Jade Capital. Jade Capital brokered small business loans, among other services, for clients and on behalf of Loren Park, Joon Park, and their family. According to the plea agreement, Loren and Joon Park and others under their direction encouraged prospective borrowers using the services of Jade Capital to apply for business loans through the SBA’s Section 7(a) program, which guaranteed 75% to 90% of qualified loans made by banks and other commercial lending institutions. Under this program, the principals of the small business seeking the loan were required to invest a certain amount of their own money, called an equity injection, before they qualified for a loan. The banks and other lending institutions making the loan bore the risk of payment default only up to the percentage of the loan not guaranteed by the SBA.
Loren Park admitted that from 2003 until October 2011, he and others under his direction, including Nick Park (no relation), Joo Hyuk “John” Lee, Sang Hyun Kim, and In Jung Ham, submitted SBA loan applications and supporting documentation to loan originators and underwriters on behalf of their clients that contained fraudulent documents, including: bank statements for borrowers that were altered to make it look like the borrowers had more cash to inject into the business they were buying than they in fact did; counterfeit cashiers’ checks and fake gift letters that made it look like the borrowers had more assets at their disposal to use as down payments than they did; fabricated resumes that made it look like the borrowers had more experience running the businesses they sought to purchase than they did; fake tax returns that made it look like the borrowers had greater income than they did; phony interim financial statements that made other businesses the borrowers owned look more profitable than they were; and a number of other misrepresentations.
Loren and Joon Park charged a loan brokerage fee to both the financial institutions and the borrowers for assembling and submitting loan application packages that resulted in the issuance of SBA-guaranteed loans. The fees charged to borrowers were hidden from the financial institutions underwriting the loans. The Parks also had undisclosed ownership interests in businesses involved in some of the transactions and received loan proceeds, unbeknownst to the lenders, in a number of transactions. In one instance, the Parks did not have an ownership interest in a company involved in a transaction but persuaded the seller to assign some of the loan proceeds to them and then converted those proceeds to their own personal use.
Loren Park was on a business trip to South Korea when he learned that he had been indicted in this case. Loren Park had intended to return to the United States, but after learning that he had been indicted, he chose not to return and not face the charges pending against him. Subsequently, he also made several public information requests to the FBI, from South Korea, requesting his criminal record in order to determine whether there were still charges pending against him.
On June 20, 2013, co-defendant Joon Park, a/k/a “Joon Pak” and “Joon Paik,” age 48, of Falls Church Virginia, was sentenced to 188 months in prison, followed by four years of supervised release, and was ordered to pay a money judgment of $91,449,700 and forfeit all the property involved in the offense.
Five other co-defendants were sentenced to between a year and a day in prison and 51 months in prison and were ordered to pay restitution of between $216,472.92 and $3,593,432. In addition, the co-defendants were ordered to pay money judgments of between $11,832,000 and $18,764,900.
United States Attorney Robert K. Hur thanked the SBA Office of Inspector General, the U.S. Postal Inspection Service, and the FBI for their work in the investigation. Mr. Hur praised Assistant U.S. Attorneys Leo J. Wise and Martin J. Clarke, who prosecuted the case.
Law enforcement and other community leaders honored by U.S. Attorney at awards ceremonyRead the Press Release
MARTINSBURG, WEST VIRGINIA – Five law enforcement representatives and one community leader were recognized today for their outstanding work in the greater Martinsburg area.
United States Attorney Bill Powell recognized the Eastern Panhandle Drug & Violent Crimes Task Force, Martinsburg Police Chief Maury Richards, three Berkeley County Sheriff’s Deputies, and Berkeley County Recovery Resource Center Coordinator Kevin Knowles with U.S. Attorney Awards for their contributions to create safer communities.
“While there are so many individual who do so much for our community, it is a great honor to be able to make these awards to this distinguished group of recipients. They have all gone above and beyond in their particular fields and represent the very best of us. I raised my family and live in this community and I know our community is better because of these honorees,” said Powell.
The Eastern Panhandle Drug & Violent Crimes Task Force was recognized for its work in bringing five indictments that included 13 defendants, two of whom were MS-13 gang members, to fruition. Operation Triton, an OCDEFT investigation, seized nearly 13 kilos of cocaine, more than $115,000 in cash, and 11 firearms. These cases were a product of a drug investigation that began in 2016 with over two dozen cocaine buys from Miguel Cruz-Polanco, a citizen of El Salvador, and confirmed member of MS-13.
Cpl. Trampus Boyles and Sgt. Theodore Snyder, both with the Berkeley County Sheriff’s Office, made significant investigative contributions to this case and many other opioid-related cases in the Eastern Panhandle. They are dedicated and unwavering deputies fighting the surge of drugs in Berkeley County and beyond, and recognized individually.
Chief Maury Richards of the Martinsburg Police Department was honored for his dedication to changing the state of the opioid epidemic in the Eastern Panhandle of West Virginia. Chief Richards spent 24 years with the Chicago Police Department, but his biggest contribution to law enforcement would come with the formation of the Martinsburg Initiative, a comprehensive and innovative approach to the drug epidemic. The initiative is a partnership between the Martinsburg Police Department and Berkeley County Schools that is focusing on at-risk children with a history of childhood trauma to help build resiliency and provide for a much brighter, drug-free future.
Deputy Tyler Dopson, with the Berkeley County Sheriff’s Office, was recognized for his heroism and quick actions to save the life of a 4-year-old shooting victim in Martinsburg in March of 2018. Deputy Dopson heard the call come over the radio and knew that he had chest wound seals in his cruiser that could help. He arrived on scene and immediately applied two of the seals to both the front and the back of the child’s wound. Based on the investigation performed by the Martinsburg City Police, it was determined the four-year-old girl was shot in the chest with a 9mm pistol. In the days following the incident, the officers were informed by medics that the young girl may "fully recover" from her injuries, due to the usage of the chest wound seals.
Kevin Knowles, the coordinator for the Berkeley County Recovery Resource Center, is working diligently every day to ensure that Berkeley County, the county in the Northern District of West Virginia with the most overdoses last year, can change its own course. Knowles has worked tirelessly over the past three years to develop partnerships with treatment centers, law enforcement, businesses and community leaders to create and maintain resources for those who are affected by the drug epidemic. Not only is he working to provide solutions for addicts and their families, he is also working to create educational partnerships for prevention in the schools, parents, and community groups.
The ceremony was held in Chief U.S. District Judge Gina M. Groh’s courtroom and included remarks from U.S. Attorney Bill Powell and the presence of many local, state and federal law enforcement leaders from throughout West Virginia.
Other ceremonies are planned in Wheeling and Clarksburg to honor more recipients of the U.S. Attorney Awards.
Kansas Zoos Receive Tiger Pelts Seized from Wildlife TraffickersRead the Press Release
WICHITA, KAN. – Zoos in Topeka and Wichita are receiving tiger and lion pelts that federal agents seized from wildlife traffickers, U.S. Attorney Stephen McAllister said today.
McAllister said his office donated the pelts to the Topeka Zoo and the Sedgwick County Zoo. The pelts were seized by agents of the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service who were enforcing federal laws aimed at protecting endangered animals and disrupting the global black market for hides and other parts of protected wildlife.
“Poachers, wildlife smugglers and black market merchants are stealing our last chance to protect and preserve creatures of awesome strength and beauty,” McAllister said. “Once these animals go, they will be gone forever. They are a precious natural resource that the federal government protects, including by criminal prosecution of illegal traffickers.”
The Department of Justice’s Environment and Natural Resources Division (ENRD), together with United States Attorneys’ Offices across the country, is responsible for prosecuting international wildlife trafficking crimes, primarily under the Endangered Species Act (ESA) and the Lacey Act, as well as crimes related to wildlife trafficking, such as smuggling, money laundering, and criminal conspiracy.
Wildlife items forfeited or abandoned to the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service are stored in a 22,000-square-foot office and warehouse located northeast of Denver that is called the National Wildlife Repository. Many of the items are donated to educational facilities and nonprofit organizations to aid in teaching about endangered species.
McAllister said the tiger pelts came from the wildlife depository. Fish and Wildlife Service agents used some of them in a sting operation in Wichita in 2018. A Wichita man pleaded guilty to making a deal to pay $8,000 to have two tiger pelts delivered to him. Agents retrieved the tiger pelts and seized a lion pelt from his home when they arrested him.
McAllister said the Justice Department estimates the international illegal trade in wildlife generates as much as $23 billion annually. In Kansas in recent years, federal agents have investigated wildlife trafficking cases including deer and elk that had been poached by guides and hunters, eagle feathers that were being unlawfully sold and Asian leopard cats unlawfully imported to Kansas. Federal prosecutors across the country also have pursued cases involving native turtles being exported to other countries.
For more information, see https://www.fws.gov/wildliferepository/ and https://www.justice.gov/enrd/wildlife-trafficking and https://www.fws.gov/eaglerepository/ .
Judge Sentences Pittsburgh Crack Conspirator to 10+ Years in Federal PrisonRead the Press Release
PITTSBURGH - A resident of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania has been sentenced in federal court to 10 years and 10 months (130 months) in prison, followed by eight years of supervised release, on charges of violating federal narcotics laws, United States Attorney Scott W. Brady announced today.
Chief United States District Judge Joy Flowers Conti imposed the sentence on David Kendrick, 44, of Pittsburgh, PA.
According to information presentenced to the court, from in and around January 2016, and continuing thereafter to in and around May 2016, Kendrick conspired with others to distribute and possess with intent to distribute cocaine base, in the form commonly known as crack, a Schedule II controlled substance.
Assistant United States Attorneys Cindy K. Chung prosecuted this case on behalf of the government.
U.S. Attorney Scott W. Brady commended the federally administered Organized Crime and Drug Enforcement Task Force (OCDETF) for conducting the investigation leading to the successful prosecution of David Kendrick. The task force is headed by the Drug Enforcement Administration and is comprised of members drawn from the Pennsylvania Office of the Attorney General, Ambridge Police Department, New Brighton Police Department, Beaver Police Department, Aliquippa Police Department, Moon Township Police Department, Wilkinsburg Police Department, West Mifflin Police Department, Allegheny County Police Department, Duquesne Police Department, Munhall Police Department, Allegheny County Sheriff’s Office, Pittsburgh Bureau of Police, and the Pennsylvania State Police. The OCDETF program supplies critical federal funding and coordination that allows federal and state agencies to work together to successfully identify, investigate, and prosecute major interstate and international drug trafficking organizations and other criminal enterprises.
Jackson Man Sentenced Under Project EJECT to 18 Months in Prison for Illegally Possessing Stolen FirearmRead the Press Release
Jackson, Miss. – Tommy Robert Spells, also known as Thomas Spell, 32, of Jackson, was sentenced today by U.S. District Carlton W. Reeves to 18 months in federal prison, followed by three years of supervised release, for being a felon in possession of a firearm, announced U.S. Attorney Mike Hurst and Special Agent in Charge Christopher Freeze with the Federal Bureau of Investigation. Spells was also ordered to pay a $1,000 fine.
On July 24, 2018, Jackson Police officers conducted a traffic stop on a vehicle driven by Spells after he made an illegal U-turn at the intersection of Highway 80 and Robinson Street in Jackson. Spells, a convicted felon, was found to be in possession of a Hi-Point .45 caliber pistol, which was later determined to be stolen. Spells was previously convicted of statutory rape in Hinds County.
This case was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation and the Jackson Police Department. 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.
Jackson County Man Sentenced to Federal Prison for Child Pornography CrimeRead the Press Release
CHARLESTON, W.Va. – A Jackson County man was sentenced to eight years in federal prison for a child pornography crime, announced United States Attorney Mike Stuart. Connor Anthony Putillion, 23, of Ripley, previously entered his guilty plea in January 2019 to one count of attempted receipt of child pornography. Stuart commended the investigation conducted by the Jackson County Sheriff’s Department.
“These are horrendous crimes,” said United States Attorney Mike Stuart. “Guys like Putillion that prey on innocent children need to be locked up.”
Putillion admitted to asking a 13-year-old minor to send him sexually explicit photographs via Snapchat, although the minor never complied with his repeated requests. Putillion admitted that he had previously driven the same 13-year-old minor from West Virginia to Virginia, where he groped her genital area over her clothing. Putillion had at least one other video of suspected child pornography on this cell phone.
Following his release from prison, Putillion will spend 25 years on federal supervised release. He will also be required to register as a sex offender.
Assistant United States Attorneys Jennifer Rada Herrald and Emily Wasserman handled the prosecution. United States District Judge Joseph R. Goodwin handed down today’s sentence.
This case was prosecuted as part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative of the Department of Justice to combat the growing epidemic of child sexual exploitation and abuse. Led by the United States Attorney’s Offices and the Criminal Division’s Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section, Project Safe Childhood marshals federal, state, and local resources to locate, apprehend, and prosecute those who sexually exploit children, and to identify and rescue victims. For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit www.justice.gov/psc.
Follow us on Twitter: @SDWVNews and @USAttyStuart
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Informational: Federal Court arraignmentsRead the Press Release
The U.S. Attorney’s Office announced that the following persons were arraigned or appeared this week before U.S. Magistrate judges on indictments handed down by the Grand Jury or on criminal complaints. The charging documents are merely accusations and defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty:
Appearing in Billings before U.S. Magistrate Judge Timothy J. Cavan and pleading not guilty on May 20 was:
Christopher Lee Minor, 33, of Billings, on charges of prohibited person in possession of a firearm. If convicted of the most serious crime, Minor faces a maximum 10 years in prison, a $250,000 fine and three years of supervised release. Minor was detained. The case was investigated by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives. Pacer case reference. 19-72.
Appearing on May 21:
Matthew Robert-Jefferson Miller, 31, of Billings, on charges of prohibited person in possession of a firearm. If convicted of the most serious crime, Miller faces a maximum 10 years in prison, a $250,000 fine and three years of supervised release. Miller was detained. The case was investigated by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives. Pacer case reference. 19-71.
Thomas Kent Stevens, 29, of Billings, on charges of production of child pornography and possession of child porn. If convicted of the most serious crime, Stevens faces a minimum 15 years to 30 years in prison, a $250,000 fine and five years to life of supervised release. Stevens was detained. The case was investigated by the FBI. Pacer case reference. 19-55.
Appearing in Great Falls before U.S. Magistrate Judge John T. Johnston and pleading not guilty on May 22 was:
Christopher Harwood Mason, 55, of Browning, on charges of assault by striking, beating or wounding. If convicted of the most serious crime, Mason faces a maximum one year in prison, a $100,000 fine and one year of supervised release. Mason was released pending further proceedings. The case was investigated by the Glacier County Sheriff’s Office and the Blackfeet Law Enforcement Services. Pacer case reference. 19-31.
Appearing before U.S. District Judge Brian M. Morris and pleading not guilty on May 23 was:
Pascasio Proano-Dominguez, 48, of Mexico, on charges of illegal reentry. If convicted of the most serious crime, Proano-Dominguez faces a maximum two years in prison, a $250,000 fine and three years of supervised release. He was detained pending further proceedings. The case was investigated by the U.S. Border Patrol and U.S. Customs and Border Protection. Pacer case reference. 19-39.
Appearing in Missoula before U.S. Magistrate Judge Jeremiah C. Lynch on a complaint on May 20 was:
Robert David Barclay Jr., of Pocatello, Idaho, on charges of possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine. If convicted of the most serious crime, Barclay faces a minimum mandatory five years to 40 years in prison, a $5 million fine and four years of supervised release. Barclay was detained pending further proceedings. The case was investigated by the Missouri River Drug Task Force and the FBI’s Montana Regional Violent Crime Task Force. Pacer case reference. 19-34.
Appearing on May 22 was:
Barbara Brown, 29, of Missoula, on charges of conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute methamphetamine, possession with intent to distribute meth and possession of a firearm during a drug trafficking offense. If convicted of the most serious crime, Brown faces a minimum mandatory 10 years to life in prison, a $10 million fine and a minimum five years of supervised release. Brown was detained pending further proceedings. The case was investigated by the Drug Enforcement Administration, Homeland Security Investigations and the Missoula High Intensity Drug Trafficking Area Task Force. Pacer case reference. 19-23.
If any of the above cases are of interest to your media organization and the community it serves, we encourage you to monitor the progress of the case regularly through the U.S. District Court calendar and the PACER system.
To establish a PACER account, which will allow you to review documents filed in the case, please go to, http://www.pacer.gov/register.html. To access the district court’s calendar, please go to https://ecf.mtd.uscourts.gov/cgi-bin/PublicCalendar.pl.
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Gretna Woman Pleads Guilty to Filing False Tax ReturnRead the Press Release
NEW ORLEANS - U.S. Attorney Peter G. Strasser announced that PATRICIA HARGIS, age 70, of Gretna pleaded guilty yesterday to filing a false federal income tax return, a crime punishable by up to three years’ imprisonment. HARGIS admitted to intentionally understating her income in each return for the years 2011 through 2015, causing her taxes to be understated by a total of approximately $110,810. Judge Mary Ann Vial Lemmon scheduled sentencing for September 19, 2019.
U.S. Attorney Strasser praised the work of the Internal Revenue Service - Criminal Investigation and the Federal Bureau of Investigation in investigating this matter. Assistant United States Attorneys Chandra Menon and Andre J. Lagarde are in charge of the prosecution.
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Forty-two Individuals Arrested in One of the Largest Black Market Marijuana Takedowns in Colorado HistoryRead the Press Release
DENVER – Forty-two people were arrested over the last three days in one of the largest black market marijuana enforcement actions in Colorado history, announced U.S. Attorney Jason Dunn, DEA Denver Division Special Agent in Charge William T. McDermott, 18th Judicial District Attorney George Brauchler and 17th Judicial District Attorney Dave Young. During the last two years more than 250 locations have been searched.
This week law enforcement conducted additional searches and began making arrests on Wednesday, May 22, 2019. Of those arrested as of Friday morning, 26 were state defendants and 16 were federal defendants. The federal defendants charged with offenses involving 100 or more marijuana plants face a minimum mandatory sentence of five years imprisonment and a maximum of 40 years imprisonment. The federal defendants charged with offenses involving 1,000 or more marijuana plants face a minimum mandatory sentence of 10 years imprisonment and a maximum of life in prison.
The law enforcement action identified marijuana grows in homes across the Metro Denver area. Eight businesses were also searched. The total number of search warrants executed, by county, include the following:
- 120 were in Adams County
- 63 were in Arapahoe County
- 22 were in Weld County
- 17 were in Jefferson County
- 7 were in Denver County
- 22 were in Douglas County
- 3 were in El Paso County
- 1 was in Broomfield County
From the locations searched, over 80,000 marijuana plants and 4,500 pounds of finished marijuana product were seized.
In addition to the criminal prosecutions there are federal asset forfeiture actions pending, including:
- 41 homes
- $2,160,776.89 in U.S. currency
- 25 vehicles
- 3 jewelry items
Marijuana is a Schedule I narcotic and illegal under federal law. The marijuana subject to this law enforcement action was destined for the black market, which has dramatically increased in Colorado in recent years.
This investigation began in the summer of 2016, when investigators from the North Metro Task Force began investigating a network of marijuana cultivators involved in the distribution of large amounts of marijuana. The grows were found in the basements of newer houses in fairly upscale neighborhoods. The grow areas are generally in sealed basement rooms. Large commercial charcoal air filters are often used to remove marijuana odor. Some growers vent air late at night to prevent investigators and neighbors from detecting the odor.
Five percent of the grow locations involved the bypass of the electrical meter, which greatly decreases the amount of electricity for which a marijuana grow home is billed, making it more difficult for law enforcement to identify the grow homes by reviewing electrical use data, but increasing the public safety risk.
“Colorado has become the epicenter of black market marijuana in the United States,” said United States Attorney Jason Dunn. “It’s impacting communities, it’s impacting neighborhoods, and it’s impacting public safety. But this investigation may be just the tip of the iceberg. We will therefore continue to pursue black market growers and prosecute them to the full extent of the law.”
“Unfortunately Colorado is no longer known for its beautiful mountains and scenery,” said DEA Denver Division Special Agent in Charge William T. McDermott. “Now it is known for marijuana and other illegal manufacturing and distribution of controlled substances. This investigation highlights that law enforcement and prosecutors are committed to the rule of law and ensuring Colorado returns to its former standing.”
This case was investigated by the North Metro Task Force, the DEA, the 18th Judicial District Attorney and the 17th Judicial District Attorney, with support from the following law enforcement agencies: U.S. Marshals Service, FBI, HSI, ATF, IRS, West Metro Drug Task Force, Front Range Task Force, Thornton Police Department, Westminster Police Department, Adams County Sheriff, Broomfield Police Department, Commerce City Police Department, Northglenn Police Department, Brighton Police Department, Federal Heights Police Department, Aurora Police Department, Jefferson County Sheriff, Arapahoe County Sheriff, Arvada Police Department, Wheat Ridge Police Department, Golden Police Department, Lakewood Police Department, Denver Police Department, Weld County Sheriff, Firestone Police Department, Frederick Police Department, Parker Police Department, Castle Rock Police Department, Colorado Bureau of Investigation, Douglas County Sheriff, Mountain View Police Department, Englewood Police Department, Colorado Attorney General’s Office, Colorado State Patrol, Colorado Springs Police Department, Fort Collins Police Department, National Guard, Pueblo Police Department, El Paso County Sheriff, Pueblo County Sheriff, Teller County Sheriff, Longmont Police Department, and the High Intensity Drug Trafficking Area (HIDTA).
Federal defendants are being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Aaron Teitelbaum and Barbara Skalla. The related forfeiture matters are being handled by Assistant United States Attorneys Elizabeth Young and Tonya Andrews.
The defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty.
Federal Criminal Case Nos: 19-cr-130, 19-cr-0177, 19-cr-0195, 19-cr-119, 19-cr-0113, 19-cr-0112, 19-cr-083
Federal Forfeiture Case Nos: 18-cv-00121, 18-cv-01880, 18-cv-01344, 18-cv-02064,18-cv-02734, 19-cv-00257
Former Station Square Club Owner and Heroin Trafficker Pleads Guilty Again to Drug TraffickingRead the Press Release
PITTSBURGH – A former resident of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, pleaded guilty to one count of possession with intent to distribute cocaine, United States Attorney Scott W. Brady announced today.
Vernon Jackson, 49, pleaded guilty yesterday in front of U.S. District Judge Joy Flowers Conti.
According to information provided to the court, on or about March 8, 2018, detectives from the City of Pittsburgh Narcotics and Vice Unit executed a search warrant at Vernon Jackson’s residence at on Pioneer Avenue in the City’s Brookline neighborhood. Jackson was the only occupant at the home at the time of the search. Detectives recovered multiple bags of cocaine, two digital scales, and drug packaging material from the kitchen of the home. Jackson was on federal supervised release at the time of execution of the search warrant for a prior federal conviction for heroin trafficking.
Judge Conti scheduled sentencing for Sept. 10, 2019. The law provides for a maximum total sentence of not more than 30 years in prison, a fine not to exceed $2,000,000 or both. Under the Federal Sentencing Guidelines, the actual sentence imposed would be based upon the seriousness of the offense and the prior criminal history, if any, of the defendant. Defendant is detained and will be continued to be detained pending sentence.
Assistant United States Attorney Timothy M. Lanni is prosecuting this case on behalf of the government.
Former Pharmacist Pleads Guilty to Obtaining Controlled Substances Under False PretensesRead the Press Release
CONCORD, N.H. - Frank E. Styles, Jr., 62, of Exeter, pleaded guilty in federal court to obtaining controlled substances under false pretenses, United States Attorney Scott W. Murray announced today.
According to court documents and statements made in court, from at least January 25, 2016, through November 29, 2016, while employed as a pharmacist at a pharmacy in Stratham, New Hampshire, Styles altered various records relating to prescriptions he filled in order to obtain controlled substances. During that time period, Styles altered the records associated with approximately 77 prescriptions in this manner, diverting approximately 564 pills containing controlled substances for his own use.
The defendant is scheduled to be sentenced on August 30, 2019.
“Pharmacists and other health care workers who have access to controlled substances hold positions of trust,” said U.S. Attorney Murray. “Those who abuse this trust in order to divert drugs for improper purposes should understand that their actions will have serious consequences.”
This matter was investigated by the Drug Enforcement Administration. The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Georgiana L. Konesky.
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Former NYPD Detective Sentenced to 2 Years in Prison for Obstructing Narcotics InvestigationRead the Press Release
Geoffrey S. Berman, United States Attorney for the Southern District of New York, announced that former New York City Police Department (“NYPD”) detective SAED RABAH was sentenced to 24 months in prison for knowingly providing misinformation to a federal law enforcement officer in order to obstruct a narcotics investigation. RABAH pled guilty December 14, 2018, and was sentenced today by U.S. District Judge Vincent L. Briccetti.
Manhattan U.S. Attorney Geoffrey S. Berman said: “As an NYPD detective, Saed Rabah’s first duty was to uphold the law, not befriend known drug dealers and assist in their criminal enterprises. Now Rabah, a convicted corrupt former police officer, will serve time alongside criminals he and his colleagues arrested.”
According to the Information and a previously filed criminal Complaint:
The target of a narcotics investigation was a cooperator in another court proceeding, and RABAH was his handler. Despite his obligation as a cooperator to engage in no further criminal conduct, the target continued to operate a sophisticated narcotics distribution business. In May 2016, RABAH was contacted by law enforcement and informed that the target was under investigation for narcotics-related offenses. In September 2016, RABAH was again contacted by law enforcement, this time about whether RABAH had a phone number for the target. RABAH waited to respond and, when he did, intentionally provided a phone number for the target that RABAH knew the target was no longer using, rather than providing the target’s active phone number through which RABAH and the target were regularly communicating.
As alleged in the Complaint, RABAH’s obstruction of the investigation was only one component of his corrupt relationship with the target. RABAH and the target traveled to Las Vegas together in July 2016. Moreover, RABAH warned the target when RABAH observed one of the target’s employees make a drug delivery in a manner that RABAH believed could have drawn the attention of law enforcement.
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In addition to the prison term, RABAH, 46, of Brooklyn, New York, was sentenced to one year of supervised release and ordered to forfeit $10,000.
Mr. Berman praised the outstanding investigative work of the Drug Enforcement Administration’s (“DEA”) Westchester Tactical Diversion Squad, comprising agents and officers of the DEA, Yonkers Police Department, Orangetown Police Department, NYPD, Westchester County Police Department, Putnam County Sheriff’s Office, Rockland County Sheriff’s Office, New Windsor Police Department, and the Woodbury Police Department. He also thanked the Special Agents of the United States Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of New York for their assistance.
This case is being handled by the Office’s White Plains Division. Assistant United States Attorney Celia V. Cohen is in charge of the prosecution.
Former FEMA Employee Charged with Stealing Government PropertyRead the Press Release
St. Thomas, USVI –United States Attorney Gretchen C.F. Shappert for the District of the Virgin Islands announced today that Duane Woods, Jr. has been indicted for Receiving Stolen Government Property and Grand Larceny. According to the indictment, Woods, who worked for FEMA at the time, converted FEMA property to his own use, including a generator, phones, monitors, and iPads.
This case is being investigated by the Department of Homeland Security-OIG and the Federal Bureau of Investigations. It is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Nathan Brooks.
United States Attorney Shappert reminds the public that an indictment is merely a formal charging document, and it is not evidence of guilt. Every defendant is presumed innocent until and unless found guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.
Five Indicted in Connection with Maryland-to-Virginia Heroin Pipeline that Resulted in Fatal OverdoseRead the Press Release
Harrisonburg, VIRGINIA – A federal grand jury returned a six-count indictment this week charging five individuals in connection with heroin trafficking from Maryland into Shenandoah County, Virginia that caused one fatal and one non-fatal overdose, United States Attorney Thomas T. Cullen announced today.
In an indictment returned under seal on Tuesday, May 21, 2019 and unsealed this week after arrests were made, the grand jury has charged the following:
Craig Allen Kidwell, 52, and Norman Lynda Kidwell, 54, both of Mount Jackson, Va., were each charged with one count of conspiracy to distribute and possess with the intent to distribute 100 grams or more of a substance containing a detectable amount of heroin resulting in death and resulting in serious bodily injury and one count of distribution and possession with the intent to distribute resulting in the death of J.H. and the serious bodily injury of J.W.
James Harold Lichliter, 52, of Mauretown, Va., Stacy Allen Marston, 42, of Woodstock, Va., and Jonathan Dale Neice, 42, of Woodstock, Va., were each charged with one count of distribution and possession with the intent to distribute resulting in the death of J.H. and the serious bodily injury of J.W.
“Over the last two years, more Americans have died from fatal opioid overdoses than the total number of troops killed during the Vietnam War,” U.S. Attorney Cullen stated. “In order to mitigate this public health crisis, we will aggressively prosecute street dealers and corrupt health-care providers whose unlawful activities directly result in harm to others. I am particularly grateful for the hard work and determination of our state and local partners in Shenandoah County in bringing everyone involved in this deadly distribution chain to justice. I also appreciate the valuable assistance provided by our federal partners in Maryland in this case, including the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Maryland and the Drug Enforcement Administration.”
“The resulting indictments should serve as a warning of what will happen to those who make it their business to exploit and profit from the members of our community. We will remain relentless with our local partners in holding drug dealers accountable for poisoning our citizens,” stated Special Agent in Charge Jesse R. Fong of the Drug Enforcement Administration Washington Division
According to the indictment, beginning around June 2017 a Maryland-based drug-trafficking network began selling controlled substances to Virginia-based drug traffickers, who, in turn, transported those drugs to Shenandoah County for redistribution.
Defendants Craig Kidwell and his wife Norma Kidwell are alleged to have repeatedly traveled from their home in Shenandoah County to Maryland to obtain heroin from the Maryland-based drug-trafficking organization. At times, the heroin Craig Kidwell and Norma Kidwell obtained from their Maryland-based source was mixed with other drugs, such as fentanyl and acetyl fentanyl.
After obtaining heroin, Craig Kidwell and Norma Kidwell transported the drugs back to Shenandoah County where the drugs were redistributed to others, including, but not limited to, co-defendants Lichliter, Marston, and Neice, who redistributed the drugs to others around Shenandoah County.
As claimed in the indictment, as a direct result of the defendants’ drug distribution activities, two overdoses occurred, one of which resulted in the death of victim J.H.
The investigation of the case was conducted by the Drug Enforcement Administration, Virginia State Police, Shenandoah County Sheriff’s Office, and Woodstock Police Department with the assistance of the Shenandoah County Commonwealth’s Attorney’s Office and the United States Attorney’s Office for the District of Maryland. Assistant United States Attorney Grayson A. Hoffman will prosecute the case for the United States.
A Grand Jury Indictment is only a charge and not evidence of guilt. The defendants are entitled to a fair trial with the burden on the government to prove guilt beyond a reasonable doubt.
Former Los Alamos National Laboratory Scientist Charged with Making False Official Statements About His Contacts and Involvement with a Chinese Government ProgramRead the Press Release
ALBUQUERQUE – Turab Lookman, 67, of Santa Fe, N.M., made an initial appearance in federal court today on charges of making false official statements about his involvement with a program established by the Chinese government to recruit people with access to and knowledge of foreign technology and intellectual property.
The FBI arrested Lookman yesterday after a grand jury indicted him on Wednesday on three counts of making false official statements about being recruited by and applying to participate in China’s Thousand Talents Program for personal compensation. The indictment alleges that Lookman made false statements about his involvement with China’s Thousand Talents Program on an employment questionnaire, in a debriefing with a Los Alamos National Laboratory counterintelligence officer, and to an investigator from the National Background Investigation Bureau/Office of Personnel Management.
An indictment is only an accusation and a defendant is presumed innocent until proven guilty. Lookman is currently in custody pending a detention hearing on Tuesday. He faces up to 5 years in prison if convicted.
The Federal Bureau of Investigation investigated this case with support from Los Alamos National Laboratory. Assistant U.S. Attorney George C. Kraehe is prosecuting the case.
Federal Jury Convicts Man from San Felipe Pueblo of Sexually Abusing Child in Indian CountryRead the Press Release
ALBUQUERQUE – Tyrone Coriz, 48, of San Felipe Pueblo, N.M., was convicted by a federal jury on Wednesday of two counts of aggravated sexual abuse of a child in Indian Country. Coriz faces a mandatory sentence of life imprisonment based on his previous conviction for another federal sex crime in 1992.
According to the evidence at trial, Coriz committed aggravated sexual abuse involving two different sex acts against the same victim between November 1, 2015, and December 27, 2015. Coriz lived in the same home as the victim and other family members. He committed these offenses at night while other household members were sleeping. Coriz committed the abuse while covering the mouth of the victim and telling her to be quiet. Two other previous victims testified that Coriz also abused them in similar ways at various times over more than twenty years. Some of the victims also testified to witnessing Coriz sexually and physically abuse other victims.
Coriz is currently in custody awaiting sentencing at a later date. He was previously convicted of abusive sexual contact against a different victim in 1992. Coriz faces a mandatory term of life imprisonment based on this prior conviction.
The Bureau of Indian Affairs and Federal Bureau of Investigation investigated this case with assistance from the Santa Ana Police Department. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Nicholas Marshall and Kyle Nayback are prosecuting the case.
East Bay Felon Sentenced to over 7½ Years in Prison for Possessing A Firearm and AmmunitionRead the Press Release
OAKLAND– Laron Jamal Johnson was sentenced to 91 months in prison today for being a felon in possession of a firearm and ammunition, for possession of marijuana with intent to distribute, and for violating the terms of his supervised release, announced United States Attorney David L. Anderson and Federal Bureau of Investigation Special Agent in Charge John F. Bennett. The sentence was handed down by the Honorable Jon S. Tigar, United States District Judge.
Johnson, 31, of San Leandro, pleaded guilty to the firearm and drug charges on March 8, 2019. In pleading guilty, Johnson admitted that on September 22, 2018, he was traveling in Oakland and was in possession of a Glock .40 caliber handgun, 13 rounds of ammunition, and 100 grams of marijuana that he intended to distribute. At the time, Johnson was a convicted felon and was not eligible to possess a firearm or ammunition. Johnson further admitted that on the same day, he was subject to the conditions of a court order setting the conditions for his release from prison as a result of a previous drug-related weapons conviction. On March 8, 2019, Johnson admitted that his possession of a gun and possession of marijuana with intent to distribute violated the terms of his supervised release.
On December 13, 2018, a federal grand jury indicted Johnson, charging him with being a felon in possession of a firearm, in violation of 18 U.S.C. § 922(g), and being in possession of marijuana with the intent to distribute, in violation of 21 U.S.C. § 841. Johnson pleaded guilty to both counts. Judge Tigar ordered Johnson to serve the combined 91 month prison term for the two crimes and for Johnson’s violation of the terms of his supervised release.
In addition to the prison term, Judge Tigar ordered Johnson to serve a three-year term of supervised release to begin at the conclusion of his prison term. Judge Tigar ordered that Johnson will be subject to being searched, with or without suspicion, during his three year term of supervised release.
Assistant United States Attorney Thomas R. Green is prosecuting the case with the assistance of Jessica Rodriguez. The prosecution is the result of an investigation by the FBI.
Drug Ring Leader Sentenced to 27 Years in Prison for Drugs and MurdersRead the Press Release
St. Louis, MO – U.S. District Judge Rodney W. Sippel sentenced Dionne Lamont Gatling, a/k/a “Cuffy,” 53, of St. Charles, MO, to 27 years in prison for drug trafficking charges and the use of firearms in furtherance of drug trafficking resulting in death.
According to court documents, Gatling was the leader and organizer of the Gatling Drug Trafficking Organization. The organization brought heroin, cocaine, methamphetamine and other drugs to the St. Louis area for distribution from 2009 to 2014.
As leader and organizer, Gatling ordered the murders of Theodis Howard and Terrance Morgan, two individuals Gatling suspected as individuals cooperating with law enforcement. Specifically, Gatling organized the 2010 murder of Howard and ordered it in retaliation for Howard providing information to law enforcement regarding Gatling’s brother’s drug trafficking activities. Similarly, Gatling directed Andre Rush, another conspirator, to kill Morgan in 2013 in order to prevent Morgan from cooperating with federal law enforcement officers investigating Gatling’s drug trafficking organization.
Following today’s sentence, U.S. Attorney Jeff Jensen highlighted the coordinated determination of the investigative and prosecution team, “This investigative team is comprised of true professionals. But, when someone harms a witness, it becomes deeply personal to all of us. In murdering two men who knew about his criminal acts, Mr. Gatling took aim at the very foundation of the justice system. These investigators ensured that his actions failed. Today’s sentence is a testament to their tenacity.”
Saint Louis Metropolitan Police Department Chief John Hayden echoed Jensen’s sentiments stating, “I am thankful for the successful collaboration with our federal partners as we work toward the shared interest of safety in the City of St. Louis.”
“Our mission at the Drug Enforcement Administration is to take down drug trafficking organizations at their highest level and that is exactly what we were able to do in this case,” said Special Agent in Charge William J. Callahan of the DEA St. Louis Division. “Unfortunately, violence and crime is part of the drug trade, which is why we will continue to work day and night to get these dangerous and greedy people off our streets.”
This case was investigated by the St. Louis Metropolitan Police Department; the Drug Enforcement Administration; the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives; and the Internal Revenue Service.
Dominican National Indicted on Identity Theft ChargesRead the Press Release
BOSTON – A Dominical national was arrested yesterday and charged in federal court in Boston with identity theft.
Marlon Suazo Santos, 30, a Dominican national residing in Dorchester, was indicted on two counts of false representation of a Social Security number and one count of aggravated identity theft. Suazo is in state custody but will appear in federal court in Boston for an initial appearance and arraignment at a later date.
According to the indictment, Suazo fraudulently used a Social Security number that was not his when applying for a learner’s permit and driver’s license with the Massachusetts Registry of Motor Vehicles in 2017.
The charge of false representation of a Social Security number provides for a sentence of no greater than five years in prison, three years of supervised release and a fine of $250,000. The charge of aggravated identity theft provides for a mandatory sentence of two years in prison, to be served consecutive to any other sentence imposed, one year of supervised release and a fine of $250,000. Sentences are imposed by a federal district court judge based upon the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors.
United States Attorney Andrew E. Lelling and Peter C. Fitzhugh, Special Agent in Charge of Homeland Security Investigations in Boston, made the announcement today. Assistant U.S. Attorney Bill Abely, Deputy Chief of Lelling’s Major Crimes Unit, is prosecuting the case
The details contained in the indictment are allegations. The defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.
Dominican National Charged with Unlawful ReentryRead the Press Release
BOSTON – A Dominican national was charged yesterday in federal court in Boston with illegally reentering the United States after being deported.
Diostene Pimental, 41, a Dominican national formerly residing in Boston, was indicted on one count of unlawfully re-entering the United States after being deported.
According to the indictment, Pimental was removed in November 2012 and subsequently re-entered the United States without permission. The indictment further alleges that Pimental was deported after being convicted of an aggravated felony.
Pimental faces a sentence of no greater than 20 years in prison, up to three years of supervised release, and a fine of up to $250,000. Pimental will be subject to deportation proceedings. 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 Marcos D. Charles, Acting Field Office Director, Enforcement and Removal Operations, U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement, Boston, made the announcement today. Assistant U.S. Attorney Bill Abely, Deputy Chief of Lelling’s Major Crimes Unit, is prosecuting the case.
The details contained in the indictment are allegations. The defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.
District Man Pleads Guilty to Federal Firearms OffenseRead the Press Release
WASHINGTON – Michael Wells, 48, of Washington, D.C., pled guilty yesterday to a federal firearms charge stemming from his possession of a loaded firearm on March 23, 2018, in the 600 block of Raleigh Place, Southeast, announced U.S. Attorney Jessie K. Liu and Peter Newsham, Chief of the Metropolitan Police Department (MPD).
Wells pled guilty in the U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia to one count of unlawful possession of a firearm and ammunition by a person convicted of a crime punishable by imprisonment for a term exceeding one year and one count of possession of phencyclidine (PCP). He will be sentenced on September 11, 2019, by the Honorable Richard J. Leon. Wells faces a statutory maximum penalty of 10 years of incarceration.
According to the government’s evidence, on March 23, 2018, at approximately 5:00 p.m., MPD was conducting drug enforcement operations in the 600 block of Raleigh Place, Southeast. Officers observed Wells purchase PCP from another individual. Wells, along with others, were stopped by police. In Wells’ left jacket pocket, law enforcement recovered a wet PCP cigarette, and inside of his backpack, they located a RG14 six-cylinder loaded revolver as well as 23 .22 caliber bullets.
Wells has previously been convicted of a number of felonies, including the same charge—Unlawful Possession of a Firearm—out of U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia in 2000. Wells has also been convicted previously of several narcotics trafficking offenses out of D.C. Superior Court.
In announcing the plea, U.S. Attorney Liu and Chief Newsham, commended the work of the MPD officers who investigated the case. They also acknowledged the efforts of those who worked on the case from the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Columbia, including Assistant U.S. Attorney Gregory Rosen.
Connecticut Resident Admits Violating Sex Offender Registration LawsRead the Press Release
John H. Durham, United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut, announced that ISIAH DUNCAN, 36, pleaded guilty today before U.S. District Stefan R. Underhill in Bridgeport to violating the Sex Offender Registration and Notification Act.
The Sex Offender Registration and Notification Act (“SORNA”), which was passed by Congress in 2006 as part of the Adam Walsh Act, provides a comprehensive set of minimum standards for sex offender registration and notification in the U.S. and seeks to strengthen the nationwide network of sex offender registration and notification programs. In part, SORNA requires registered sex offenders to register and keep their registration current in each jurisdiction in which they reside, work, or go to school.
According to court documents and statements made in court, Duncan has two convictions, in 2013 and 2014, for New York Class A misdemeanor sex offenses that required him to register as a sexual offender. In September 2014, Duncan registered with the New York Sex Offender Registry (“NYSOR”). In December 2015, after an address verification letter that NYSOR sent to Duncan was returned as undeliverable, Duncan was convicted in New York state court of failing as a sex offender to report a change in address/status. On December 17, 2015, Duncan completed a NYSOR change of address form for his new address in New York.
On August 24, 2018, Duncan was arrested at his girlfriend’s apartment in Stamford on an unrelated Connecticut warrant. At the time of his arrest, Duncan possessed a Connecticut Department of Social Services card in his name that was issued in August 2017, and a “Park City Resident” card from the City of Bridgeport with his name, photo, date of birth, and a Bridgeport address. Duncan had failed to notify NYSOR of his change of residence and never contacted the Connecticut Sex Offender Registry.
The investigation further revealed that Duncan received Connecticut medical and food assistance while residing in Stamford and Bridgeport.
Judge Underhill scheduled sentencing for August 16, 2019, at which time Duncan faces a maximum term of imprisonment of 10 years.
Duncan is released on a $50,000 bond pending sentencing.
This matter is being investigated by the U.S. Marshals Service and prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Hal Chen.
Colombian National Sentenced for Illegal Reentry, Immigration Document FraudRead the Press Release
BOSTON – A Colombian national was sentenced in federal court in Boston for illegally reentering the United States after deportation and immigration document fraud.
Guillermo Pineda Suarez, 57, was sentenced by U.S. District Court Judge F. Dennis Saylor IV to 21 months in prison, 14 months deemed served, and three years of supervised release. Pineda Suarez will be subject to deportation proceedings upon completion of his sentence. On March 1, 2019, he pleaded guilty to one count of illegal reentry of a deported alien, one count of possession and use of a false immigration document, and one count of false statements in an immigration document.
On May 22, 2014, Pineda Suarez made a false statement under oath in a United States Citizenship and Immigration Services Form I-9 Employment Eligibility Verification Form and used a counterfeit United States of America Permanent Resident Card. On March 15, 2018, Pineda Suarez was encountered by law enforcement in Boston and determined to be unlawfully present in the United States. Pineda Suarez was previously deported on Nov. 9, 2001.
United States Attorney Andrew E. Lelling; Peter C. Fitzhugh, Special Agent in Charge of Homeland Security Investigations in Boston; and Marcos D. Charles, Acting Field Office Director, Boston, U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s Enforcement and Removal Operations, made the announcement today. Assistant U.S. Attorney Elianna J. Nuzum of Lelling’s Major Crimes Unit prosecuted the case.
Choctaw Tribal Member Sentenced to 11 Years in Prison for Voluntary ManslaughterRead the Press Release
Jackson, Miss. – Keyshawn Willis, 23, of Conehatta, Mississippi, was sentenced today by Chief United States District Judge Daniel P. Jordan III to 132 months in prison, followed by three years of supervised release, for voluntary manslaughter, announced U.S. Attorney Mike Hurst and Special Agent in Charge Christopher Freeze with the Federal Bureau of Investigation. Willis was also ordered to pay a $1500 fine.
Willis entered a guilty plea before Judge Jordan on July 6, 2018 to one count of voluntary manslaughter for his role in the death of a Choctaw man. On November 2, 2017, four members of the Mississippi Band of Choctaw Indians assaulted and killed another Tribal member in the Tucker Community.
Willis’ co-defendants, Jerome Steve and Keenan Martin each pled guilty to second degree murder and were sentenced in March 2019. They both received a prison sentence of 45 years followed by five years of supervised release. A fourth defendant, Monte Isaac, died while awaiting sentencing.
The case was prosecuted by Deputy Criminal Chief Patrick Lemon, Assistant United States Attorney Erin Chalk and Special Assistant United States Attorney Kevin Payne. It was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation and the Choctaw Police Department