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14 May 2019
Waterloo Sex Offender Sentenced to Eight Years in Federal Prison for Possessing a Sawed Off ShotgunRead the Press Release
A Waterloo sex offender who possessed a sawed-off shotgun during a high-speed car chase in May 2018 was sentenced May 13, 2019, to eight years in federal prison.
Nicholas Allen Gilstrap, age 27, from Waterloo, received the prison term after an October 18, 2018, guilty plea to one count of possession of an unregistered national firearms act device.
Evidence at sentencing showed that, in the early morning hours of May 4, 2018, Gilstrap was driving a SUV in Waterloo, Iowa. Gilstrap was a fugitive, and his driver’s license was suspended. When officers spotted him, Gilstrap led the officers on a high-speed chase through the streets of Waterloo. The chase ended when Gilstrap crashed the SUV into a garage, severely damaging the garage, a car in the garage, and the SUV. Gilstrap ran from the scene. In the SUV, officers found a sawed-off shotgun, trazodone hydrochloride pills, and multiple debit cards belonging to other people. The sawed-off shotgun was loaded and had a slug in the chamber.
On May 10, 2018, officers arrested Gilstrap at a house in Waterloo. When officers knocked at the front door, Gilstrap tried to elude them by running out the back door. However, as Gilstrap tried to flee, he ran into a clothesline, splitting the bridge of his nose, and hastening his capture. Gilstrap is a sex offender with an extensive criminal history, including convictions for OWI, burglary, public intoxication, and failure to comply with sex offender registry requirements.
This case was brought as part of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN). PSN is the centerpiece of the Department of Justice’s violent crime reduction efforts. PSN is an evidence-based program proven to be effective at reducing violent crime. Through PSN, a broad spectrum of stakeholders work together to identify the most pressing violent crime problems in the community and develop comprehensive solutions to address them. As part of this strategy, PSN focuses enforcement efforts on the most violent offenders and partners with locally based prevention and reentry programs for lasting reductions in crime.
Gilstrap was sentenced in Cedar Rapids by United States District Court Judge C.J. Williams. Gilstrap was sentenced to 96 months’ imprisonment. He was ordered to pay $32,540.44 in restitution to the owner of the garage, the owner of the SUV, and an insurance company that covered some of damages. He must also serve a three-year term of supervised release after the prison term. There is no parole in the federal system.
Gilstrap is being held in the United States Marshal’s custody until he can be transported to a federal prison. The case was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Tim Vavricek and investigated by the Waterloo Police Department and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives.
Court file information at https://ecf.iand.uscourts.gov/cgi-bin/login.pl.
The case file number is 18-CR-2051.
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Waco Man Pleads Guilty to Armed Bank Robberies in Temple and HewittRead the Press Release
In Waco today, 25-year-old Dallas Scott Bohanan pleaded guilty to committing two armed bank robberies, one of which resulted in Bohanan firing his weapon at a police officer, announced United States Attorney John F. Bash and FBI Special Agent in Charge Christopher Combs, San Antonio Division.
Appearing before U.S. Magistrate Judge Jeffrey Manske, Bohanan pleaded guilty to three counts of discharging a firearm during a crime of violence and two counts of bank robbery. By pleading guilty, Bohanan admitted to robbing the Temple Santa Fe Community Credit Union located on West Avenue A in Temple on November 23, 2016, and stealing approximately $4,550 cash. He also admitted to robbing the Pointwest Bank located on North Hewitt Drive in Hewitt on February 5, 2019, and stealing approximately $3,500 cash. Bohanan further admitted to discharging firearms during those two bank robberies as well as during a third bank robbery on November 15, 2016, at the Chase Bank on North New Road in Waco.
According to court records, as he exited the Pointwest Bank on February 5, 2019, the defendant fired at least two rounds in the direction of a responding law enforcement officer. Bohanan left the scene in what authorities believe was the same vehicle used in the previous armed bank robberies. A vehicle chase ensued from Hewitt to Waco. During the pursuit, Bohanan allegedly fired two shotgun rounds at a chasing police vehicle. One of those rounds struck an officer in the arm. Bohanan ultimately lost control of his vehicle and crashed. He managed to leave the crash site on foot, but was later apprehended by Waco Police officers.
Bohanan faces a mandatory minimum of 30 years in federal prison and up to 80 years in federal prison. He remains in federal custody pending sentencing scheduled for September.
The FBI together with the Hewitt, Temple and Waco Police Departments investigated this case. Assistant U.S. Attorney Greg Gloff is prosecuting the case on behalf of the Government.
United States Files False Claims Act Complaint Against Arriva Medical, LLC, Alere, Inc., and ConsultantRead the Press Release
NASHVILLE, Tenn. – May 14, 2019 - The United States has filed a complaint under the False Claims Act against Arriva Medical, LLC (“Arriva”), its parent Alere, Inc. (“Alere”), and Ted Albin, of Stuart, Florida, a reimbursement consultant for Arriva and Alere, announced U.S. Attorney Don Cochran for the Middle District of Tennessee. The complaint alleges that the defendants submitted or caused false claims to be submitted to the Medicare program for medically unnecessary glucometers and paid kickbacks to Medicare beneficiaries in the form of free glucometers and waivers of their copayments. The complaint also alleges that Arriva submitted false claims to the Medicare program for diabetic testing services shipped to deceased beneficiaries.
On February 19, 2019, the United States filed a notice of intervention in an action against Arriva and Alere that was commenced under the qui tam or whistleblower provisions of the False Claims Act. The notice informed the court that the United States intended to file a complaint against Arriva, Alere, and Albin.
Subsequently, on April 24, 2019, David Wallace and Timothy Stocksdale, the founders of Arriva who also worked as executives for Arriva for two years after its purchase by Alere, agreed to pay $500,000 each to settle False Claims Act allegations for their role in the alleged conduct.
This case is being handled by the United States Attorney’s Office for the Middle District of Tennessee and the Justice Department’s Civil Division, with assistance from the Office of the Inspector General of the Department of Health and Human Services and the Tennessee Bureau of Investigation. Assistant U.S. Attorney Ellen Bowden McIntyre and Trial Attorney Jake M. Shields of the Civil Division represent the United States.
The claims in which the United States has intervened are allegations only, and there has been no determination of liability. The lawsuit is captioned United States ex rel. Goodman v. Arriva Medical LLC; Alere, Inc., Case No. 3:13-cv-00760 (M.D. Tenn.).
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United States Attorney Comments on Law Enforcement Funding for SelmaRead the Press Release
The United States Department of Justice’s Bureau of Justice Assistance (BJA) today awarded $1 million to the Alabama Department of Economic and Community Affairs (ADECA) to help law enforcement agencies respond to the increased homicides and gang crime in the city of Selma and the surrounding area. BJA invited ADECA, an established state agency with a recognized ability to oversee emergency law enforcement situations, to apply for funding under the Emergency Federal Law Enforcement Assistance Program (EFLEA). The EFLEA Program allows BJA to make funds available to a state government to respond effectively to an “uncommon situation,” one that is, or threatens to become, serious or epidemic in scope, and in which state and local resources are inadequate to protect the lives and property of citizens. The funding through this award will provide much needed equipment for law enforcement officers and overtime expenses to perform saturation patrols in high crime areas. This program supports the Department of Justice’s mission of reducing crime and supporting public safety personnel in the context of an emergency situation.
A separate Department of Justice initiative, known as Project Safe Neighborhood (PSN), targets and aims to lower violent crime across America. This effort has been largely successful and violent crime rates have fallen in most major cities in the United States over the past two years. The model to reduce violent crime is very simple: identify the “trigger pullers” who are the worst of the worst, and who are inflicting the most damage in our communities, and then prosecute them for the federal crimes that they commit. In the Southern District of Alabama, that means primarily prosecuting convicted felons who illegally possess firearms.
The PSN effort in Selma, Alabama is called “Weed and Seed” and is led by United States Attorney Richard W. Moore, United States Attorney for the Southern District of Alabama, with a Steering Committee of local civic leaders, city officials, law enforcement, educators, and business leaders.
The “Weed and Seed” concept was used previously to successfully reduce violent crime in Selma and it is a recognized brand in the community. “Weed and Seed” integrates law enforcement, community policing, prevention, intervention, treatment, and neighborhood restoration efforts. It is a comprehensive approach intended to empower citizens to take back their city from criminals.The Director of Selma’s Weed and Seed Steering Committee is retired Judge Maggie Drake-Peterson. “Judge Drake” was selected as the Director because of her commitment to Selma, her accomplishments as a state court judge in Michigan, and because she is a respected leader in Selma. Judge Drake was born in Orville, Alabama, and graduated from Keith High School as Valedictorian. Before graduating from law school, Judge Drake was a police officer in Detroit, Michigan. She was later elected to the Circuit Court bench in Wayne County, Michigan, where she served until she retired and returned to her home in Orville, Alabama. Since returning home, Judge Drake has been involved with a number of local community activities, including the Library Board of Selma/Dallas County, and the West Dallas Water Authority where she serves as the Chairperson. She is married to the Rev. Dr. Joe J. Peterson, a retired minister. Judge Drake is a trusted advisor to United States Attorney Richard Moore, and a strong leader for the Weed and Seed Steering Committee.
The U.S. Attorney’s Office has steadily prosecuted federal criminal offenses in Selma with the help and collaboration of the FBI, ATF, DEA, the U.S. Marshal’s Office, the Alabama Attorney General’s Office, the District Attorney’s Office, the Selma Police Department, and the Dallas County Sheriff’s Office. Since early-2018, the U.S. Attorney’s Office has prosecuted 62 defendants who were located in Selma. These defendants have received an average sentence of approximately 47 months. Nineteen defendants who have been charged in a criminal drug conspiracy are set for trial in October 2019.
United States Attorney Richard W. Moore said, “This award from our federal partners in the Department of Justice will enable law enforcement to ramp up the arrest and prosecution of a violent element in Selma that has, for too long, made the city unsafe. We will not rest until Selma is safe again and order is restored. Selma is known as the ‘Queen of the Black Belt’ and is now poised to once again become a vibrant community on the Alabama River. The citizens of Selma have demonstrated that they have the will to take back their city. Our local, state and federal law enforcement partners are working tirelessly with us to eradicate violent crime in Selma, and to ‘seed’ in preventive measures that will make our progress sustainable. Selma has a bright future, due in part to the emergency funding to law enforcement.”The $1 million dollar award will be administered locally by the Dallas County Commission, which is chaired by Dallas County Probate Judge Jimmy Nunn. Moore said, “The citizens of Dallas County and the City of Selma should be grateful that Judge Nunn and the Dallas County Commission are assuming this important function that will result in safer streets for both the County and Selma.”
U.S. Executive Sentenced to Prison for Role in Conspiracy to Violate Foreign Corrupt Practices ActRead the Press Release
The owner of a Hawaii-based engineering and consulting company was sentenced to 30 months in prison yesterday for his involvement in an international bribery conspiracy, announced Assistant Attorney General Brian A. Benczkowski of the Justice Department’s Criminal Division and Special Agent in Charge Sean Kaul of the FBI’s Honolulu Field Office.
Frank James Lyon, 53, a U.S. citizen residing in Hawaii, was sentenced by U.S. District Judge Susan O. Mollway of the District of Hawaii. Lyon pleaded guilty on Jan. 22 to a one-count information filed in the District of Hawaii charging him with conspiracy to violate the anti-bribery provisions of the Foreign Corrupt Practices Act (FCPA) and to commit federal program fraud.
According to admissions made as part of his plea agreement, between 2006 and 2016, Lyon and his co-conspirators paid bribes to foreign officials in the Federated States of Micronesia (FSM) and to Hawaii state officials in exchange for those officials’ assisting Lyon’s company in obtaining and retaining contracts valued at more than $10 million. The bribes included, among other things, cash to FSM officials and Hawaii officials, and vehicles, gifts and entertainment for FSM officials.
In a related matter, Master Halbert, 44, a Micronesian citizen and government official, pleaded guilty on April 2, before Judge Mollway to one count of conspiracy to commit money laundering. He is scheduled to be sentenced on July 29, 2019.
Trial Attorney Katherine Raut of the Criminal Division’s Fraud Section is prosecuting the case. The Criminal Division’s Office of International Affairs and the U.S. Department of Transportation Office of Inspector General provided significant assistance.
The Fraud Section is responsible for investigating and prosecuting all FCPA matters. Additional information about the department’s FCPA enforcement efforts can be found at www.justice.gov/criminal/fraud/fcpa.
U.S. Attorney's Office Hosts Town Hall Panel Discussion to Highlight the Issue of Childhood TraumaRead the Press Release
WASHINGTON – The Community Prosecution Section of the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Columbia will host a Town Hall Panel Discussion, “Clergy Can Combat Childhood Trauma,” at the Hughes Memorial United Methodist Church in Northeast, Washington, D.C. on May 16, 2019, at 6:30 p.m.
The faith-based community plays an essential role in educating, motivating and mobilizing the community. Over the past year, there has been a sharp increase in homicides throughout the District of Columbia. This town hall discussion seeks to provide faith-based organizations and the community at large with a deeper understanding of the impact of childhood trauma, particularly violent trauma, and provide them with resources and tools to combat childhood trauma through programming, counseling services, and changing the way they interact with traumatized youth and adults. “These discussions help us understand how children and adolescents cope with trauma and the psychological stress associated with extended periods of feeling at risk,” said U.S. Attorney Jessie K. Liu. “If we can stop young people’s exposure to violence early, we can stop its impact from spreading through the community.”
The panel will consist of grassroots practitioners, educators and mental health professionals who have experience addressing or combatting the effects of childhood trauma and/or working with clergy members to address mental health issues in the community.
Organizers encourage both the faith-based organization, city leaders, and the community as a whole to participate in the discussion. For more information or to RSVP for the program, please contact Monica Veney, 5th District Community Outreach Specialist, [email protected], (202)-698-0145.
U.S. Attorney recognizes the service of police officers during National Police Week, particularly Officers Mathew J. Mazany and Vu X. NguyenRead the Press Release
U.S. Attorney Justin E. Herdman recognized the service and sacrifice of federal, state, local, and tribal police officers on the occasion of National Police Week, which is being observed Sunday, May 12 to Saturday, May 18, 2019.
In October 1962, Congress enacted a joint resolution, which the President signed,
declaring May 15th as National Peace Officers Memorial Day to honor law enforcement officers killed or disabled in the line of duty. The resolution also created National Police Week as an annual tribute to law enforcement service and sacrifice.
“During Police Week, our nation celebrates the hard work, dedication and commitment of police officers from around the country. Here in Northern Ohio, we particularly recognize the sacrifice of Cleveland Police Officer Vu Nguyen and Mentor Police Officer Mathew Mazany, both of whom we lost during 2018 while they were on-duty and keeping our community safe,” Herdman said.
According to statistics reported to the FBI, 106 law enforcement officers were killed in line-of-duty incidents in 2018, including two officers here in the Northern District of Ohio -- Mentor Officer Mathew J. Mazany and Cleveland Officer Vu X. Nguyen.
Comprehensive data tables about these incidents and brief narratives describing the fatal attacks are included in the sections of Law Enforcement Officers Killed and Assaulted, 2018 https://ucr.fbi.gov/leoka/2018/ released this week by the FBI.
The names of all 106 fallen officers were formally dedicated on the National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial in Washington, DC, during the 31st Annual Candlelight Vigil on the evening of May 13, 2019. The Candlelight Vigil was one of many commemorative events taking place in the nation’s capital during National Police Week 2019.
For more information about other National Police Week events, please visit www.policeweek.org.
U.S. Attorney Weisman Recognizes National Police WeekRead the Press Release
PROVIDENCE – U.S. Attorney Aaron L. Weisman recognizes the service and sacrifice of federal, state, local, and tribal police officers in Rhode Island and from across the country on the occasion of National Police Week, which is being observed through Saturday.
In October 1962, Congress enacted a joint resolution, which the President signed, declaring May 15th as National Peace Officers Memorial Day to honor law enforcement officers killed or disabled in the line of duty. The resolution also created National Police Week as an annual tribute to law enforcement service and sacrifice.
Earlier today, U.S. Attorney Weisman joined fellow members of law enforcement, current and retired, their families and friends, and community leaders in Cranston to honor and remember members of law enforcement who made the ultimate sacrifice in the line of duty.
“Each and every day members of every community in Rhode Island leave their families and their homes to serve and to protect us, not knowing what the day or night will bring. They do so without question and without expectation of thanks,” commented United States Attorney Aaron L. Weisman.
“During Police Week, our nation celebrates the contributions of police officers across the state and across the country, recognizing their hard work, dedication, loyalty, and commitment in keeping our communities safe. We especially remember those who made the ultimate sacrifice. As United States Attorney for Rhode Island, I want to acknowledge all members of federal, state, local, and tribal law enforcement who often face uncertain and dangerous situations. We want them to know they have our unwavering support and appreciation.”
According to statistics reported to the FBI, 106 law enforcement officers were killed in line-of-duty incidents in 2018.
Comprehensive data tables about these incidents and brief narratives describing the fatal attacks are included in the sections of Law Enforcement Officers Killed and Assaulted, 2018 https://ucr.fbi.gov/leoka/2018/ released this week by the FBI.
The names of all 106 fallen officers nationwide was formally dedicated on the National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial in Washington, DC, during the 31st Annual Candlelight Vigil on Monday evening. The Candlelight Vigil is one of many commemorative events taking place in the nation’s capital during National Police Week 2019.
For more information about other National Police Week events, please visit www.policeweek.org
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U.S. Attorney Thanks and Honors Law Enforcement During Police WeekRead the Press Release
Baltimore, Maryland - U.S. Attorney Robert K. Hur sent the following message to law enforcement officers serving in Maryland:
“Working with the exceptional men and women of Maryland law enforcement is one of the true highlights of my work as U.S. Attorney. To witness daily the courage and honor with which they serve is inspirational, and a source of pride to be part of such a dedicated profession that risks all in service to others. Thank you for your courage and your devotion to justice.”
In 2019, National Peace Officers Memorial Day falls on Wednesday, May 15. The official dates for National Police Week are May 12 through May 18, although many events are taking place before or after those dates. During National Police Week, we pay tribute to police officers who have died in the line of duty and give thanks to officers who faithfully protect and serve.
This year, according to the National Law Enforcement Memorial Fund, the names of 158 officers killed in the line of duty in 2018 will be engraved on the wall of the National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial in Washington, DC. Sadly, two Maryland officers will be added to the Memorial this year:
Sergeant Mujahid Abdul Mumin Ramzziddin
Prince George's County Police Department, MD
Police Officer Amy Sorrells Caprio
Baltimore County Police Department, MD
Every day agents, officers, deputies, and troopers risk their lives to protect our communities. For example, in April of 2019, a convicted felon was sentenced to 11 years in federal prison after his conviction of being a felon in possession of a firearm. Court records show that two Baltimore police officers responding to a call for a man with a gun approached a suspect who produced a firearm. In the ensuing struggle, the suspect shot and wounded one officer, but was quickly taken into custody without further violence. That violent repeat offender will spend over a decade in federal prison, and the community is safer for the valiant efforts of those two police officers.
The successful collaborative efforts of federal, state, and local law enforcement are a testament to the diligence, courage, and dedication of its members. Due to the extraordinary efforts of these professionals, violent individuals are removed from our neighborhoods. For example, on October 31, 2018, Terrell Sivells of Baltimore was convicted for his role in a racketeering conspiracy that included eight murders and drug trafficking. He was subsequently sentenced to life in prison. Members of the Baltimore City and Anne Arundel County Police Departments, the FBI, ATF, and DEA, along with prosecutors from the U.S. Attorney’s Office and the Baltimore City State’s Attorney’s Office investigated and prosecuted Sivells, his brother Montana Barronette, and their fellow gang members for murder, drug distribution, armed robbery and witness intimidation. They were part of a gang known as Trained To Go (TTG) that operated in the Sandtown neighborhood of West Baltimore, and was one of the most violent gangs in the City.
These cases are but two examples of the extraordinary work done by law enforcement officers and agents in Maryland. During this week of national recognition, it is appropriate that we thank and honor these dedicated professionals. It is even more important that we never forget their service, bravery, and sacrifice.
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U.S. Attorney Recognizes Law Enforcement Service During National Police WeekRead the Press Release
Tampa, FL – Maria Chapa Lopez recognizes the service and sacrifice of federal, state, local, and tribal police officers on the occasion of National Police Week, which is being observed Sunday, May 12 to Saturday, May 18, 2019, and remembers those law enforcement officers killed and assaulted in 2018. During this month, communities throughout the Middle District of Florida (MDFL) will hold public memorial services honoring fallen officers and showing support for their families. In addition, multiple agencies will embark upon various media campaigns to strengthen connections between officers and citizens and to show appreciation for the officers’ continued service. The MDFL is home to more than 160 law enforcement agencies.
In October 1962, Congress enacted a joint resolution, which the President signed, declaring May 15th as National Peace Officers Memorial Day to honor law enforcement officers killed or disabled in the line of duty. The resolution also created National Police Week as an annual tribute to law enforcement service and sacrifice.
“The Middle District of Florida joins the entire nation in saluting police officers throughout the country for their hard work, dedication, and sacrifice in keeping our communities safe,” stated U.S. Attorney Chapa Lopez. “We appreciate the tenacity and commitment of our federal, state, local, and tribal law enforcement partners who often place themselves in harm’s way to protect us, daily. They have our unwavering support.”
According to statistics reported to the FBI, 106 law enforcement officers were killed in line-of-duty incidents in 2018, including 1officer, Adam Edward Jobbers-Miller, here in the Middle District of Florida.
Comprehensive data tables about these incidents and brief narratives describing the fatal attacks are included in the sections of Law Enforcement Officers Killed and Assaulted, 2018 https://ucr.fbi.gov/leoka/2018/ released this week by the FBI.
The names of all 106 fallen officers nationwide will be formally dedicated on the National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial in Washington, DC, during the 31st Annual Candlelight Vigil on the evening of May 13, 2019. No tickets are required and everyone is welcome. For additional information please call 202-737-3400.
Five Middle District of Florida officers were added to the Memorial this year: Deputy Sheriff Kevin James Stanton from the Brevard County Sheriff's Office, Officer Lance Christian Whitaker from the Jacksonville Sheriff's Office, Officer Thomas Coulter from the Daytona Beach Police Department, Officer Adam Edward Jobbers-Miller from the Fort Myers Police Department, and Deputy Sheriff Benjamin LeMont Zirbel from the Clay County Sheriff's Office.
The Candlelight Vigil is one of many commemorative events taking place in the nation’s capital during National Police Week 2019.
For more information about other National Police Week events, please visit www.policeweek.org.
U.S. Attorney Letter to Portland City Council on Police Bureau Gun Violence Reduction TeamRead the Press Release
Dear Mayor Wheeler and Commissioners,
I am writing in support of the Portland Police Bureau’s Gun Violence Reduction Team. I want to make sure you are aware this unit of PPB’s Tactical Operations Division is part of a multi-agency metro region collaboration to reduce gun violence in Multnomah County. This unit is made up of officers with significant regional expertise and a deep knowledge of the community.
As part of the Justice Department’s National Project Safe Neighborhood program, the Portland Area Crime Gun Initiative was formed in August 2017 with partners from the U.S. Attorney’s Office, Portland Police Bureau, Gresham Police Department, Multnomah County Sheriff’s Office, Multnomah County District Attorney’s Office, Oregon State Police, Oregon State Crime Lab, FBI and ATF. Using national research in reducing gun violence, partners committed to improving policies, practices and collaboration when responding to shootings in the metro area including outreach and prevention efforts. Part of the improvements undertaken by PPB included revised policies on investigating gun crimes and creating the Gun Violence Reduction Team to examine and triage investigations on every shooting in the city. Some of the data and successes of this effort were contained in a recent PPB press release on gun violence in Portland.
Using objective ballistics technology and shared investigative resources, we are connecting the dots more rapidly on shootings and increasing the opportunity to prevent the next tragedy.
The Gun Violence Reduction Team has been a critical partner in the Portland Area Crime Gun Initiative and officers have been active in training other investigators in Oregon and Washington. Local and federal partners have committed resources to this effort for the benefit of the community including providing needed training and federally funded equipment for investigators.
Thank you for your continued support for this critical public safety effort.
Sincerely,
BILLY J. WILLIAMS
United States Attorney
U.S. Attorney Jay E. Town Recognizes Police WeekRead the Press Release
BIRMINGHAM — U.S. Attorney Jay E. Town recognized the service and sacrifice of federal, state, local, and tribal police officers on the occasion of National Police Week, which is being observed Sunday, May 12 to Saturday, May 18, 2019.
In October 1962, Congress enacted a joint resolution, which the President signed, declaring May 15th as National Peace Officers Memorial Day to honor law enforcement officers killed or disabled in the line of duty. The resolution also created National Police Week as an annual tribute to law enforcement service and sacrifice.
“During Police Week, our nation celebrates the contributions of police officers from around the country, and especially in the Northern District of Alabama, by recognizing their hard work, dedication, loyalty and commitment in keeping our communities safe. As the United States Attorney for the Northern District of Alabama, I want to acknowledge the work performed by our federal, state, local, and tribal law enforcement, and the decision made to protect and serve knowing that at any moment they could find themselves facing dangerous situations. We must never forget the families of these brave men and women, you have our respect and support. This week let us all take time to recognize the sacrifices of every member of law enforcement, especially those fallen officers who gave their lives in the line of duty.”
According to statistics reported to the FBI, 106 law enforcement officers were killed in line-of-duty incidents in 2018.
Comprehensive data tables about these incidents and brief narratives describing the fatal attacks are included in the sections of Law Enforcement Officers Killed and Assaulted, 2018 https://ucr.fbi.gov/leoka/2018/ released this week by the FBI.
The names of all 106 fallen officers nationwide were formally dedicated on the National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial in Washington, DC, during the 31st Annual Candlelight Vigil on the evening of May 13, 2019.
The Candlelight Vigil is one of many commemorative events taking place in the nation’s capital during National Police Week 2019.
For more information about other National Police Week events, please visit www.policeweek.org.
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Two New Jersey Residents Indicted in Johnstown on Drug ChargesRead the Press Release
JOHNSTOWN, Pa. – Two New Jersey residents were indicted by a federal grand jury in Johnstown on May 7, 2019, on charges of violating federal narcotics laws, United States Attorney Scott W. Brady announced today.
The three-count indictment named Jamel T. Brown, 37, and Beatrice Ortiz, 31, both of Camden, New Jersey.
According to the indictment presented to the court, on October 25, 2018, Brown and Ortiz distributed more than 28 grams of cocaine base, commonly known as "crack," and possessed with intent to distribute more than 50 grams of methamphetamine and a quantity of fentanyl.
The law provides for a maximum sentence of not less than five years and up to 40 years in prison and a fine of $5,000,000 or both for each Brown and Ortiz. Under the Federal Sentencing Guidelines, the actual sentence imposed would be based upon the seriousness of the offenses and the prior criminal history, if any, of the defendants.
Assistant United States Attorney Maureen Sheehan-Balchon is prosecuting this case on behalf of the government.
The Laurel Highlands Resident Agency of the Federal Bureau of Investigation and the Cambria County Drug Task Force conducted the investigation that led to the prosecution of Brown and Ortiz.
An indictment is an accusation. A defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.
Two Executives Indicted for Theft from an Oklahoma Tribe’s BusinessesRead the Press Release
MUSKOGEE, OKLAHOMA – A federal grand jury in the Eastern District of Oklahoma returned a twelve-count indictment last Wednesday afternoon charging two individuals in connection with the theft and embezzlement of funds from business entities wholly owned by the Alabama-Quassarte Tribal Town (AQTT) of Wetumka, Oklahoma.
The AQTT is a tribal town located in Oklahoma with an enrollment of around 280 members. As a component of the original Creek Confederacy, AQTT’s members have dual citizenship with the Muscogee (Creek) Nation. The AQTT-owned business entities focus primarily on federal contract procurement in Huntsville, Alabama.
Charged in the indictment are AARON DEWAYNE TERRY, age 66, of Wichita Falls, Texas, and CHRISTINA ROCHELLE ANGLIN, age 44, of Burnsville, North Carolina.
The defendants are charged with the following counts in the indictment: Counts One through Eight – THEFT BY AN AGENT OF AN INDIAN TRIBAL GOVERNMENT RECEIVING FEDERAL FUNDS, in violation of Title 18, United States Code, Section 666(a)(1)(A); Count Nine – CONSPIRACY TO COMMIT THEFT OR BRIBERY OF PROGRAMS RECEIVING FEDERAL FUNDS, in violation of Title 18, United States Code, Section 371; Count Ten – WIRE FRAUD, in violation of Title 18, United States Code, Section 1343; Count Eleven – CONSPIRACY TO COMMIT WIRE FRAUD, in violation of Title 18, United States Code, Section 1349; and Count Twelve - BRIBERY CONCERNING PROGRAMS RECEIVING FEDERAL FUNDS, in violation of Title 18, United States Code, Section 666(a)(1)(B).
During the time of the conspiracy, from 2012 to 2019, CHRISTINA ROCHELLE ANGLIN was the Controller, and later the Chief Financial Officer, for all the AQTT-owned business entities. AARON DEWAYNE TERRY, likewise, held various executive management and control positions within the AQTT-owned business entities during this period.
Counts One through Eight, and Count Twelve, each carry a statutory range of punishment of not more than ten years imprisonment and a fine of up to $250,000.00. The statutory range of punishment for Count Nine is not more than 5 years imprisonment and a fine of up to $250,000.00. Counts Ten and Eleven each carry a statutory range of punishment of not more than 20 years imprisonment and a fine of up to $250,000.00.
Agencies responsible for the multi-year investigation, which led to the indictment, include the Federal Bureau of Investigation, Defense Criminal Investigative Service, Internal Revenue Service – Criminal Investigation, Office of Inspector General – General Services Administration, Office of Inspector General – Small Business Administration, Naval Criminal Investigative Service, and Army Criminal Investigation Command.
Indictments are not findings of guilt. Individuals charged in indictments are presumed innocent unless or until proven guilty in court.
Twenty-Nine Indicted for Large Scale Heroin Trafficking Operations Originating from MexicoRead the Press Release
Twenty-nine members and coconspirators of a drug trafficking organization with ties to Mexico’s New Generation Cartel have been indicted for their alleged roles in a continuing criminal enterprise, conspiring to possess and distribute heroin, money laundering and other related charges.
The charges were announced Tuesday at a press conference in Tulsa by U.S. Attorney Trent Shores for the Northern District of Oklahoma; Resident Agent in Charge David King of the Drug Enforcement Administration’s Tulsa Office; Resident Agent in Charge Robert Melton of U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s Homeland Security Investigations’ Tulsa Office; Senior Deputy Oklahoma Attorney General Joy Thorpe; and Deputy Chief Dennis Larsen of the Tulsa Police Department.
“Operation Smack Dragon targeted a transnational heroin distribution organization based out of Mexico and operating in Tulsa. With this Indictment, we hope to disrupt and dismantle this organization’s operations in Tulsa and elsewhere,” said U.S. Attorney Shores. “The 29 defendants charged today are only a start to our multi-state and multi-agency takedown. The investigation continues thanks to the tireless and dedicated efforts of the men and women of law enforcement.”
The indictment alleges that the Giovanni Drug Trafficking Organization began a heroin distribution network run out of Mexico, with operations led from Tulsa, as early as November 2017. The alleged organization imported, processed, and distributed approximately two kilograms of heroin per week throughout the Northern District of Oklahoma and elsewhere, using multiple levels of distribution to get the drug into the hands of users. The United States Attorney’s Office notes that an indictment is merely an accusation and all defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law. This criminal indictment was returned by a federal grand jury on May 9, 2019, and was unsealed on May 14.
According to the Indictment, the alleged transnational criminal organization’s hierarchy had clearly defined roles, as leaders from Mexico supplied heroin to the Tulsa “cell heads.” These “cell heads” were originally from Mexico but lived in Tulsa. Stille Giovanni Gutierrez Vivanco, allegedly directed, from Mexico, the overall drug trafficking operations in Tulsa by delegating responsibilities for the import and distribution of the heroin and for the movement of the proceeds from heroin sales. According to the Indictment, the criminal organization smuggled heroin into the United States and transported the drug to storage locations in Tulsa where they prepared it for distribution throughout the United States. After preparing the heroin, the coconspirators would repackage it for distribution to mid-level distributers, who would then redistribute it to street-level dealers until it eventually found its way into the hands of customers.
The indictment alleges that a select group of redistributors were the only group that would contact the “cell heads” in Tulsa directly. The “cell heads” in Tulsa included a person responsible for driving drugs up from Mexico, a person responsible for distributing drugs to the top level of distributors, and a person in charge of getting the organization’s money funneled back to Mexico. The conspirators allegedly laundered the proceeds from heroin sales using money remitter businesses in Tulsa. As part of the money laundering operations, the defendants utilized nominee names to transmit funds through wire transfers from Oklahoma and elsewhere to Mexico. A “nominee name” is used to hide the true recipient of the money.
According to the Indictment, Stille Giovanni Guiterrez Vivanco, 34, is alleged to have led this international drug trafficking organization. “Cell heads” included Jose Garcia, 36, of Tulsa, and Edson Garcia-Velasquez, 25, of Tulsa. Norman Fabian Huerta Avalos, 36, served in various capacities, including coordinating assignments for other organization members and serving as dispatch.
The Drug Enforcement Administration and U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s Homeland Security Investigations led the investigation in partnership with the U.S. Department of Treasury, Internal Revenue Service- Criminal Investigation; the Oklahoma State Attorney General’s Office; and Tulsa Police Department. Assistant U.S. Attorney Joel-lyn McCormick is prosecuting this case. AUSA McCormick is the Lead Attorney for the Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Force Unit for the Northern District of Oklahoma.
Turtle Creek Man Charged with Attempted Possession of FentanylRead the Press Release
PITTSBURGH, PA - A resident of Allegheny County, Pennsylvania, has been indicted by a federal grand jury in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, on a charge of Attempt to Possess with Intent to Distribute 40 Grams or More of a Mixture and Substance Containing a Detectable Amount of Fentanyl, United States Attorney Scott W. Brady announced today.
The one-count Indictment named Thomas E. Washington, Jr., age 56, of Turtle Creek, PA, as the sole defendant.
According to the Indictment, on or about December 18, 2017, Washington attempted to possess with intent to distribute and distribute 40 grams or more of fentanyl.
The law provides for a minimum total sentence of five years in prison, a fine of $5,000,000, or both. Under the Federal Sentencing Guidelines, the actual sentence imposed would be based upon the seriousness of the offenses and the prior criminal history, if any, of the defendant.
Assistant United States Attorney Yvonne M. Saadi is prosecuting this case on behalf of the government.
The United States Postal Inspection Service conducted the investigation leading to the indictment in this case.
An indictment is an accusation. A defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.
Teen from Pittsburgh’s Crafton Heights Neighborhood Indicted on Federal Drug ChargeRead the Press Release
PITTSBURGH, Pa – A resident of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, has been indicted by a federal grand jury in Pittsburgh on a charge of violating federal narcotics laws, United States Attorney Scott W. Brady announced today.
The one-count Indictment named Jamar Perminter, age 19, as the sole defendant.
According to the Indictment, on or about May 10, 2019, Perminter possessed with intent to distribute 28 grams or more of cocaine base and a quantity of heroin.
The law provides for a maximum sentence of not less than five years and up to 40 years in prison and a fine not to exceed $5,000,000. 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.
Assistant United States Attorney Brian M. Czarnecki is prosecuting this case on behalf of the government.
The Pittsburgh Bureau of Police and the Drug Enforcement Administration conducted the investigation leading to the Indictment in this case.
An indictment is an accusation. A defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.
St. Louis Man Sentenced to Prison for Large Scale Fentanyl Distribution SchemeRead the Press Release
St. Louis, MO – Walter D. Justiniano, 42, of St. Louis, was sentenced to 120 months in prison for conspiracy to distribute and possession with intent to distribute 400 grams or more of fentanyl and possessing with intent to distribute 400 grams or more of fentanyl. He appeared in federal court today before U.S. District Court Judge John Ross.
According to court documents, in 2016 the Drug Enforcement Administration, St. Louis, Missouri office initiated an investigation into a Drug Trafficking Organization (DTO) that was distributing large quantities of fentanyl and cocaine in the Eastern District of Missouri. Through investigative means, investigators learned that Gerald Hunter was the out of state supplier of these illegal drugs. On April 27, 2017, investigators learned that Hunter was arriving in St. Louis from Los Angeles, California. Investigators conducted surveillance and observed Kashita Webb, Gerald Hunter, and Walter Justiniano as they traveled to a storage unit located in Florissant, Missouri. Investigators watched as Hunter and Justiniano exited the storage unit carrying two large bags to a waiting vehicle. Investigators suspected the bags contained illegal drugs and attempted to stop Hunter, Justiniano, and Webb. Hunter dropped the bags and fled on foot, and Webb was detained at the vehicle. Justiniano attempted to flee the area on foot but was located and arrested. Investigators determined the bags carried by Hunter contained approximately twenty-seven (27) heat-sealed packages containing 26.5 kilograms of fentanyl. Investigators processed one of the packages of fentanyl and identified Hunter’s and Justiniano’s fingerprints on the package.
“Every day across the state of Missouri and beyond, the men and women of the DEA are fighting to get dangerous drugs off our streets,” said Special Agent in Charge William J. Callahan of the Drug Enforcement Administration St. Louis Division. “Today’s sentencing is just another reminder that no matter where a trafficker lives or a shipment originates, we will find the drug trafficking organization, we will dismantle it and we will bring those responsible for bringing poison into our communities back to St. Louis to seek justice.”
This case was investigated by the Drug Enforcement Administration and the St. Louis Metropolitan Police Department. Assistant United States Attorney Erin Granger is handling the case for the U.S. Attorney's Office.
Second Defendant Pleads Guilty in Multimillion Dollar Prize Promotion Scam Affecting Elderly VictimsRead the Press Release
A second defendant charged with operating a multimillion mass-mailing fraud scheme pleaded guilty on Tuesday, May 14, in federal court on Long Island, the Department of Justice announced.
Shaun Sullivan, 37, of Merrick, New York, pleaded guilty to conspiracy to commit mail fraud for sending prize-promotion mailings that led recipients, many of whom were elderly and vulnerable, to believe that they could claim a large cash prize in exchange for a modest fee. This was false; victims who submitted fees, which in total exceeded $30 million, did not receive large sums of money.
Sullivan worked with others, including Tully Lovisa of Huntington Station, New York, who operated the prize-promotion mailing scheme in violation of court orders that resulted from a lawsuit against him by the Federal Trade Commission. Lovisa pleaded guilty in October 2018.
“The Department of Justice will bring to justice those who exploit elderly consumers in violation of federal law,” said Assistant Attorney General Jody Hunt of the Department of Justice’s Civil Division. “We are actively working with our law enforcement partners at the U.S. Postal Inspection Service to stop and punish schemes that harm consumers."
“Sullivan preyed on consumers, many of them vulnerable and elderly, by sending fraudulent mailings designed to trick them into believing they had won a cash prize; he then lined his own pockets with the fees he extracted from the victims,” stated United States Attorney Donoghue. “Protecting the community from mass mailing fraud schemes remains a priority of this Office and the Department of Justice.”
“Today’s plea is an example of the coordinated efforts of law enforcement to protect the vulnerable and older Americans, who were specifically targeted to receive bogus solicitations to lure the unsuspecting ‘prize winner’ to send money that was subsequently used for Mr. Sullivan and his co-conspirators own enrichment;” said Inspector in Charge Philip R. Bartlett of the U.S. Postal Inspection Service.
Tuesday’s plea took place before United States District Judge Joanna Seybert. When sentenced, Sullivan faces up to 20 years in prison, forfeiture, and a fine of up to $250,000 or twice the gross gain or gross loss from the offense.
The case is being prosecuted by Trial Attorneys Daniel Zytnick and Timothy Finley of the Department of Justice’s Consumer Protection Branch and Assistant U.S. Attorney Charles P. Kelly of the Eastern District of New York. Assistant United States Attorney Tanisha R. Payne is in charge of issues related to forfeiture.
Since President Trump signed the bipartisan Elder Abuse Prevention and Prosecution Act (EAPPA) into law, the Department of Justice has participated in hundreds of enforcement actions in criminal and civil cases that targeted or disproportionately affected seniors. In particular, this past February the Department announced the largest elder fraud enforcement action in American history, charging more than 200 defendants in a nationwide elder fraud sweep. The Department has likewise conducted hundreds of trainings and outreach sessions across the country since the passage of the Act.
For more information about the Consumer Protection Branch, visit its website at http://www.justice.gov/civil/consumer-protection-branch. For more information about the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of New York, visit its website at https://www.justice.gov/usao-edny.
Schuylkill County Man Sentenced to over Eight Years’ Imprisonment for Allowing Drug Traffickers to Store Heroin in His HomeRead the Press Release
SCRANTON—The United States Attorney’s Office for the Middle District of Pennsylvania announced that Paul Jadus, age 53, of Shenandoah, Pennsylvania, was sentenced on May 13, 2019, by Senior U.S. District Court Judge James M. Munley to 100 months’ imprisonment to be followed by four years of supervised release for his role in a large-scale heroin trafficking conspiracy that operated in the Schuylkill County area from 2012 to late 2015.
According to United States Attorney David J. Freed, Jadus previously admitted to allowing drug traffickers to store between 700 grams and one kilogram of heroin in his Shenandoah home. That drug quantity is equivalent to between 28,000 and 40,000 retail bags of heroin.
The case was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation, the Pennsylvania State Police, and the Shenandoah Police Department. Assistant U.S. Attorney Francis P. Sempa prosecuted the case.
This case is part of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), a program bringing together all levels of law enforcement and the communities they serve to reduce violent crime and make our neighborhoods safer for everyone. The Department of Justice reinvigorated PSN in 2017 as part of the Department’s renewed focus on targeting violent criminals, directing all U.S. Attorney’s Offices to work in partnership with federal, state, local, and tribal law enforcement and the local community to develop effective, locally-based strategies to reduce violent crime.
This case was also brought as part of a district wide initiative to combat the nationwide epidemic regarding the use and distribution of heroin. Led by the United States Attorney’s Office, the Heroin Initiative targets heroin traffickers operating in the Middle District of Pennsylvania and is part of a coordinated effort among federal, state and local law enforcement agencies to locate, apprehend, and prosecute individuals who commit heroin related offenses.
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Purvis Man Sentenced to 10 Months for Sending ObsceneMaterial to a MinorRead the Press Release
Hattiesburg, Miss. – Mark Randy Magee, 61, of Purvis, was sentenced today by U.S. District Judge Keith Starrett to 10 months in federal prison, followed by three years of supervised release, for transferring obscene materials to a minor under the age of 16, announced U.S. Attorney Mike Hurst, Special Agent in Charge Christopher Freeze with the Federal Bureau of Investigation and Mississippi Attorney General Jim Hood. Magee was also ordered to pay $28,000 in restitution to the victim and register as a sex offender.
On January 15, 2016, a woman reported to the Salem Police Department in Salem, Illinois, that her 14 year-old daughter had received graphic, sexually explicit, videos on the child’s iPad from a man named "Randy M." During the online "chats", the man said he was 48 years old and lived in Mississippi.
Further investigation led FBI agents to Mark Randy Magee in Purvis, Mississippi.A search warrant was executed on Magee’s home and electronic devices were seized that confirmed the online "chats" and sexually explicit videos sent to the child in Illinois.
On September 7, 2018, Magee was charged in a federal indictment with transferring obscene materials to a minor under the age of 16. He pled guilty before Judge Starrett on January 31, 2019. Magee has a prior felony conviction for attempting to meet with a minor in Ohio for unlawful sexual contact.
The Federal Bureau of Investigation and the Mississippi Attorney General’s Office jointly investigated the case. It was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Glenda R. Haynes.
The 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 the Criminal Division's Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section (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.projectsafechildhood.gov.
Perry Housing Project Ringleader Sentenced on Drug, Money Laundering, and Firearms ChargesRead the Press Release
CONTACT: Barbara Burns
PHONE: (716) 843-5817
FAX #: (716) 551-3051BUFFALO, N.Y. -- U.S. Attorney James P. Kennedy, Jr. announced today that Tyshawn Bradley, 33, of Buffalo, NY, who was convicted of conspiracy to distribute 280 grams or more of crack cocaine within 1000 feet of the Perry Housing Projects, conspiracy to commit money laundering, and possession of an unregistered, sawed off rifle, was sentenced by U.S. District Judge Lawrence J. Vilardo to serve 30 years in prison.
Assistant U.S. Attorneys Timothy C. Lynch and Michael J. Adler, who handled the prosecution, stated that the defendant was the head of a narcotics trafficking ring that operated primarily in the Perry Housing Projects in Buffalo. Bradley maintained several apartments on the grounds of those projects, operated by the Buffalo Municipal Housing Authority, where members of his organization sold crack cocaine on a daily basis.
The defendant was arrested along with nine others on April 3, 2013, following the execution of search warrants several locations in the City of Buffalo and Cheektowaga, including at 124 Fulton Street and 305 Perry Street, which are located at the Perry Housing Projects. During the searches at the Perry Housing Projects, officers recovered over 300 grams of crack cocaine and 700 grams of powered cocaine as well as a sawed-off, 9mm semiautomatic rifle that belong to Bradley.
In addition, between October 2011 and April 3, 2013, the defendant conspired with others to purchase multiple houses in the City of Buffalo using the proceeds of his crack cocaine distribution organization. As part of the money laundering conspiracy, the properties were purchased by co-defendant Nannette Brown to conceal Bradley as the true owner of the properties.
Judge Vilardo concluded that, in addition to being a leader of the organization, defendant also used a minor to commit his drug trafficking offense. Additionally, the Court also found that the defendant possessed an arsenal of firearms and ammunition, and that defendant obstructed justice by threatening multiple witnesses. Most significantly, the Court found that defendant was responsible for the murder of Andre James on January 29, 2011. The evidence presented to the Court established that the defendant first shot another individual in the left jaw of his face, twice in the arm, and once in the hip. The defendant then shot James multiple times, killing him.
The murder was investigated by the Buffalo Police Department’s homicide detectives, who obtained the shell casings and evidence necessary to connect Bradley to the murder. Bradley’s involvement in this murder prompted the initial involvement of the FBI into Bradley’s drug trafficking activities.
To date, all 10 charged defendants have been convicted and Bradley is the final defendant to be sentenced.
Today’s sentencing is the culmination of an investigation on the part of the Federal Bureau of Investigation Safe Streets Task Force, under the direction of Special Agent in Charge Gary Loeffert, and the Buffalo Police Department, under the direction of Commissioner Byron Lockwood.
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Pawtucket Man Facing 10 Years to Life in Prison for Trafficking Fentanyl and CocaineRead the Press Release
PROVIDENCE – A suspected drug trafficker who fled members of the FBI Safe Streets Task Force in Pawtucket in early April and was arrested the next day in Fall River is facing a minimum of 10 years in federal prison after pleading guilty in federal court in Providence today to fentanyl and cocaine trafficking charges, announced United States Attorney Aaron L. Weisman and Joseph R. Bonavolonta, Special Agent in Charge of the FBI Boston Division.
In early April members of the FBI Safe Streets Task Force suspected that Luis Leon, 24, was expecting a large shipment of fentanyl. Task force members established surveillance of Leon’s Pawtucket residence, and on April 9 watched as an individual entered Leon’s residence carrying a large duffel bag. A short time later, Leon left the residence carrying the duffel bag, which he placed in the back of a dark colored pickup truck, and then drove off in the truck.
As law enforcement moved into position to follow Leon, he repeatedly looked in his rear view mirrors at their vehicle. As they attempted to effect a traffic stop, signaling Leon to stop by illuminating their flashing lights and engaging their siren, he drove off at a high rate of speed. Because of the reckless manner in which Leon was operating the truck, investigators did not pursue the vehicle. They continued to drive the route Leon’s truck appeared to take, coming upon an accident scene a short distance away. Witnesses told police that a pickup truck struck a vehicle causing the vehicle to careen into a building. Witnesses told police the pickup truck fled the accident scene without stopping.
Several minutes later, law enforcement learned that a pickup truck with heavy front end damage was pulled into a nearby parking lot and abandoned. A witness advised law enforcement that he saw the driver get out of the vehicle, toss a duffel bag into bushes nearby, and run off. The description of the driver fit the description of Leon. Agents retrieved the bag, which was found to contain approximately 634.4 grams of suspected fentanyl and approximately 429.5 grams of suspected cocaine.
Later that night members of the task force developed information that Leon was likely staying at a residence in Fall River. They established surveillance of the residence and arrested Leon the following afternoon as he exited the building.
Appearing today before U.S. District Court Judge John J. McConnell, Jr., Leon pleaded guilty to possession with the intent to distribute 400 grams or more of fentanyl and possession with intent to distribute cocaine. He is scheduled to be sentenced on July 29, 2019.
Possession with the intent to distribute 400 grams or more of fentanyl is punishable by statutory penalties of 10 years to life imprisonment and a term of supervised release of at least 3 years and up to lifetime. Possession with intent to distribute cocaine is punishable by statutory penalties of up to 20 years imprisonment and a term of supervised release of at least 3 years and up to lifetime.
The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Gerard B. Sullivan.
The FBI’s Safe Streets Violent Gang Task Force consists of agents and law enforcement officers from the FBI, RI State Police, Providence, Cranston, Woonsocket, Pawtucket, and Central Falls Police Departments, R.I. Department of Corrections, and the Rhode Island National Guard.
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Parkersburg Woman Pleads Guilty to Aggravated Identity TheftRead the Press Release
CHARLESTON, W.Va. – A Parkersburg woman pled guilty to aggravated identity theft in connection with illegally obtaining a firearm, announced United States Attorney Mike Stuart. Erica Nicole Blake, 36, entered her guilty plea before Senior United States District Judge John T. Copenhaver, Jr. Stuart commended the investigative efforts of the Parkersburg Police Department and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF).
“Blake knows she is prohibited from purchasing or possessing a gun due to her previous felony conviction,” said United States Attorney Mike Stuart. “So she tried to pass off as someone else. We prosecute those who lie to buy firearms.”
On November 10, 2017, Blake used a West Virginia driver’s license belonging to another person as a means of photo identification during the purchase of a KAHR Arms .45 caliber semiautomatic pistol from a licensed firearms dealer in Parkersburg. Blake used the stolen identification in order to fraudulently pass the background check. Blake was prohibited from purchasing or possessing a firearm as a result of having been convicted of felony forgery and uttering in 2012.
On December 6, 2017, approximately three weeks after Blake purchased the pistol, a Parkersburg Police Officer recovered it from Mark Matthew Smith during a traffic stop on Wood Street. Blake was driving the vehicle, and Smith was a passenger. An officer located the pistol in the floorboard where Smith was sitting. Smith was wearing a concealed carry holster for the pistol. Smith has felony convictions of forgery and uttering as well as grand larceny. He has been charged with being a felon in possession of a firearm and is set for trial on June 25, 2019.
Blake faces a mandatory sentence of 2 years in federal prison when she is sentenced on August 14, 2019. Assistant United States Attorney Joshua C. Hanks is responsible for the prosecution.
Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN) is the centerpiece of the Department of Justice’s violent crime reduction efforts. PSN is an evidence-based program proven to be effective at reducing violent crime. Through PSN, a broad spectrum of stakeholders work together to identify the most pressing violent crime problems in the community and develop comprehensive solutions to address them. As part of this strategy, PSN focuses enforcement efforts on the most violent offenders and partners with locally based prevention and reentry programs for lasting reductions in crime.
Follow us on Twitter: @SDWVNews and @USAttyStuart
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Owner of High-End Wine Storage Facility Pleads Guilty in Federal Court to Embezzling from His CustomersRead the Press Release
Baltimore, Maryland – William Lamont Holder, age 54, of Hanover, Maryland, pleaded guilty on May 14, 2019 to a federal wire fraud charge for stealing between $550,000 and $1.5 million of wine from his clients, primarily private collectors and commercial establishments.
The guilty plea was announced by United States Attorney for the District of Maryland Robert K. Hur; Acting Special Agent in Charge Jennifer Moore of the Federal Bureau of Investigation, Baltimore Field Office; and Anne Arundel County Police Chief Tim Altomare.
According to his plea agreement, William Lamont Holder was the sole owner and operator of Safe Harbour Wine Storage, LLC (“Safe Harbour”). Through Safe Harbour, Holder stored and transported upscale wines for private collectors and commercial establishments. In return for a monthly fee, Holder would arrange for the transportation of a customer’s wine to Safe Harbour’s storage facility in Glen Burnie, Maryland, where it would be inventoried and stored. Holder did not possess a license to sell wine in the State of Maryland.
From January 2013 through December 2017, Holder developed a scheme to obtain payments and wine from the customers of Safe Harbour for his own personal financial gain. Unbeknownst to his customers, he offered their wine for sale to wine retailers and brokers around the country, including in Napa, California, all the while continuing to collect the customers’ monthly storage fees and accept additional wine for storage.
Holder represented to potential third-party buyers that he was the lawful owner of the wine that he was offering to sell. By e-mail and facsimile, he sent them lists of bottles of wine stored in his warehouse with detailed descriptions of the winery, vintage, and asking price. After the buyers selected the bottles they wanted to purchase, Holder boxed and shipped the wine, and sent his bank account information. After inspecting the shipment of wine, the buyers would either wire the money directly into Holder’s bank account or send a check. Holder kept the proceeds from the sales and spent it on personal expenses.
Holder and the government have agreed that, if the Court accepts the plea agreement, he will be sentenced to 18 months in federal prison. U.S. District Judge Catherine C. Blake has scheduled sentencing for July 31, 2019 at 10:30 a.m.
United States Attorney Robert K. Hur commended the FBI, and the Anne Arundel County Police Department for their work in this investigation. Mr. Hur thanked Assistant U.S. Attorney Martin Clarke, who prosecuted the federal case.
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Orlando Woman Pleads Guilty to Committing Fraud While on Federal Supervised ReleaseRead the Press Release
Orlando, Florida – Lavitress Williams (39, Orlando) has pleaded guilty to five counts of wire fraud and five counts of passing counterfeit checks. She faces up to 20 years in federal prison for each wire fraud count, and up to 10 years’ imprisonment for each count of passing a counterfeit check. Williams will also be ordered to pay restitution to her victims.
According to court documents, in 2013, Williams was sentenced to five years and three months in federal prison, followed by three years of supervised release, for participating in a scheme involving counterfeit travelers’ checks that were passed at Target stores located throughout the southeastern United States. After she was released from prison, and while serving on federal supervised release, Williams engaged in another fraud scheme in which she passed counterfeit checks at Walgreens and CVS stores in central Florida.
Over the course of more than five months, Williams passed, or attempted to pass, counterfeit checks at more than 30 drugstores. The total amount of actual and attempted losses associated with the scheme is estimated at over $60,000.
This case was investigated by the U.S. Secret Service, with assistance from the Eatonville Police Department, the Maitland Police Department, the Orlando Police Department, the Winter Park Police Department, the Orange County Sheriff’s Office, the Osceola County Sheriff’s Office, the Volusia County Sheriff’s Office, and the U.S. Marshals Service. It is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Roger B. Handberg.
Olean Man Pleads Guilty to Receipt of Child PornographyRead the Press Release
CONTACT: Barbara Burns
PHONE: (716) 843-5817
FAX #: (716) 551-3051BUFFALO, N.Y. - U.S. Attorney James P. Kennedy, Jr. announced today that Jacob Tunison, 30, of Olean, NY, pleaded guilty to receipt of child pornography before U.S. District Judge Richard J. Arcara. The charge carries a minimum penalty of five years in prison, a maximum penalty of 20 years, and a $250,000 fine.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Wei Xiang, who is handling the case, stated that in November of 2018, Tunison used Facebook to communicate with a minor female who was less than 16 years old. The defendant sent numerous lewd images of himself to the minor and solicited the minor to produce and send various images of herself to him.
The plea is the result of an investigation by the Cuba Police Department, under the direction of Chief Dustin Burch, and the Federal Bureau of Investigation, Jamestown Office, under the direction of Special Agent-in-Charge Gary Loeffert.
Sentencing is scheduled for August 22, 2019, at 1:00 p.m. before Judge Arcara.
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O.C. Man Pleads Guilty to Running Down Federal Officer with His CarRead the Press Release
SANTA ANA, California – An Aliso Viejo man pleaded guilty this morning to federal charges stemming from a vehicular assault that severely injured an employee of U.S. Customs and Border Protection at the federal building in Laguna Niguel.
Geoffrey Donald Rickner, 48, pleaded guilty to one count of assault on a federal employee by use of a dangerous and deadly weapon and inflicting bodily injury, a felony offense that carries a statutory maximum sentence of 20 years in federal prison.
Rickner admitted driving his Mercedes-Benz sedan into CBP Security Specialist Jose Gutierrez on March 3, 2016 at the Chet Holifield Federal Building, which is commonly known as the Ziggurat Building. Mr. Gutierrez, who was in a well-marked crosswalk and wearing his federal employee identification card, suffered permanent and life-threatening injuries – including head trauma, broken ribs, internal bleeding and badly damaged legs – that put him in the hospital for nearly three weeks and continue to cause him pain and physical impairment.
When Rickner struck Mr. Gutierrez, the vehicle was travelling at such a high rate of speed that it continued traveling into the Ziggurat, going through a metal garage door, and stopping only when it struck a concrete wall inside the building.
Rickner had been behaving suspiciously in the hours leading up to the assault on Mr. Gutierrez, prompting building security personnel at one point to detain him, during which he made comments about owing money to the Internal Revenue Service, according to documents previously filed in this case.
Rickner pleaded guilty before U.S. District Judge James V. Selna, who scheduled a sentencing hearing on October 7.
The investigation in this case is being conducted by the FBI and the U.S. Treasury Inspector General for Tax Administration.
This matter is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Robert J. Keenan of the Santa Ana Branch Office.
Newly Unsealed Federal Indictment Charges 4 Men with Committing Murders to Increase Positions in Violent Chicago Street GangRead the Press Release
CHICAGO — Four men sought to maintain and increase their positions in a violent Chicago street gang when they committed fatal shootings on the city’s Northwest Side, according to a newly unsealed federal indictment.
Charged with committing murder in aid of racketeering are HECTOR ROJAS, 26, JOSE MARTINEZ, 25, SANTO LOZOYA, 21, and PEDRO NAVARRO, 22, all of Chicago. Navarro is also charged with committing two attempted murders in aid of racketeering.
The indictment was returned last month by a federal grand jury in Chicago, and it was ordered unsealed on May 9, 2019. The defendants have pleaded not guilty to the charges. U.S. District Judge Matthew F. Kennelly set a status hearing for June 20, 2019, at 1:30 p.m., in federal court in Chicago.
The defendants are members of the Milwaukee Kings street gang, according to the indictment. All four defendants are currently in law enforcement custody.
The indictment was announced by John R. Lausch, Jr., United States Attorney for the Northern District of Illinois; Jeffrey S. Sallet, Special Agent-in-Charge of the Chicago office of the Federal Bureau of Investigation; and Eddie Johnson, Superintendent of the Chicago Police Department. The government is represented by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Jeannice Appenteng and Jordan Matthews.
“Combating violent gangs like the Milwaukee Kings is a top priority in our office,” said U.S. Attorney Lausch. “With this indictment, we’ve taken a major step toward removing violent offenders from the streets of Chicago.”
“When gang members engage in drug trafficking and other violent crimes, fear is generated in our communities,” said SAC Sallet. “This indictment demonstrates our commitment to working with our law enforcement partners to keep our streets safe. Together we will remove armed, violent criminals from our neighborhoods and bring them to justice.”
The indictment alleges that the Milwaukee Kings is a criminal organization whose members and associates engaged in narcotics trafficking and committed acts of violence, including murder, attempted murder, and assault. Members of the Milwaukee Kings boasted of the gang’s activities on social media, threatened violence against rival gang members, and took steps to prevent law enforcement’s detection of criminal activities, according to the indictment.
Navarro is accused in the indictment of murdering Xavier Soto on April 27, 2017, for the purpose of maintaining and increasing Navarro’s position in the gang. Soto, 15, was fatally shot in the 4900 block of West George Street in Chicago’s Cragin neighborhood. Navarro also attempted to murder two other individuals on the same day as the Soto killing, the indictment states.
Martinez and Lozoya are accused of killing Crispin Coliz on Dec. 16, 2016, for the purpose of maintaining and increasing their positions in the gang, the indictment states. Coliz, 28, was fatally shot in the 7200 block of West Grace Street in Chicago’s Dunning neighborhood.
The indictment accuses Rojas of murdering Daniel Guerra on Sept. 2, 2015, for the purpose of maintaining and increasing Rojas’s position in the gang. Guerra, 19, was fatally shot in the 5900 block of West Diversey Avenue in Chicago’s Belmont Cragin neighborhood.
The public is reminded that an indictment is not evidence of guilt. The defendants are presumed innocent and entitled to a fair trial at which the government has the burden of proving guilt beyond a reasonable doubt. Murder in aid of racketeering is punishable by a mandatory sentence of life in prison, and the death penalty is also possible. If convicted, the Court must impose reasonable sentences under federal statutes and the advisory U.S. Sentencing Guidelines.
New Carlisle Man Convicted Following 2-Day Jury TrialRead the Press Release
SOUTH BEND – Kevin Clinton, age 62, of New Carlisle, Indiana was convicted on 4 counts of mail fraud, announced U.S. Attorney Kirsch.
U.S. District Court Judge Robert L. Miller, Jr, presided over this two day jury trial.
According to evidence presented at trial, Clinton was employed as the Chief Information Officer at a business in South Bend. From about March 2012 through October 2017, he executed a scheme in which he incorporated a business and used a virtual office to submit fraudulent billings to his employer totaling over $2.2 million. Clinton’s employer sent checks to his virtual office as payment for these “fake” services. His employer did not know Clinton owned the business.
Mr. Clinton’s sentencing is set for August 22, 2019.
The case was investigated by the FBI. The case was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorneys Luke N. Reilander and Joel Gabrielse.
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National Police Week Is May 12-18, 2019Read the Press Release
HAMMOND- U.S. Attorney Thomas L. Kirsch II recognized the service and sacrifice of federal, state, local, and tribal police officers on the occasion of National Police Week, which is being observed Sunday, May 12 to Saturday, May 18, 2019.
In October 1962, Congress enacted a joint resolution, which the President signed,declaring May 15th as National Peace Officers Memorial Day to honor law enforcement officers killed or disabled in the line of duty. The resolution also created National Police Week as an annual tribute to law enforcement service and sacrifice.
U.S. Attorney Kirsch said, “Police Week celebrates the contributions of police officers from around the country, recognizing their hard work, dedication, loyalty and commitment in keeping our communities safe. As the United States Attorney for the Northern District of Indiana, I want to acknowledge the work performed by federal, state, local, and tribal law enforcement, who often face uncertain and dangerous situations without question and without expectation of thanks. We want them to know they have our unwavering support and appreciation.”
For more information about other National Police Week events, please visit www.policeweek.org.
Minneapolis Man Sentenced to 90 Months in Prison for Selling Heroin on the White Earth ReservationRead the Press Release
United States Attorney Erica H. MacDonald today announced the sentencing of STEVEN MITCHELL GANT, 38, to 90 months in prison for conspiring to distribute heroin on the White Earth Indian Reservation. GANT, who pleaded guilty on January 16, 2019, was sentenced today before Senior Judge Michael J. Davis in U.S. District Court in Minneapolis, Minnesota.
According to the defendant’s guilty plea and documents filed with the court, from October 2017 through February 20, 2018, GANT conspired with another individual to distribute heroin on the White Earth Indian Reservation and the surrounding communities. The heroin was obtained from a source in Texas and then transported to Minnesota, where GANT acquired it. GANT admitted to traveling to the White Earth Indian Reservation to sell heroin approximately 25 times.
This case was the result of an investigation conducted by the FBI Headwaters Safe Trails Task Force, the West Central Minnesota Drug & Violent Crimes Task Force, the White Earth Police Department, and the Becker County Sheriff’s Office.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Deidre Y. Aanstad prosecuted the case.
Defendant Information:
STEVEN MITCHELL GANT, 38
Minneapolis, Minn.
Convicted:
- Conspiracy to distribute heroin, 1 count
Sentenced:
- 90 months in prison
- Five years of supervised release
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United States Attorney’s Office, District of Minnesota: (612) 664-5600
Middlesex County CPA Sentenced to 27 Months in Prison for Filing False Tax ReturnRead the Press Release
NEWARK, N.J. – A Middlesex County, New Jersey, certified public accountant was sentenced today to 27 months in prison for underreporting his income on his personal tax return, avoiding paying more than $672,000 in taxes, U.S. Attorney Craig Carpenito announced.
Amit Govil, 58, of New Brunswick, New Jersey, previously pleaded guilty before U.S. District Judge Jose L. Linares to Count 1 of an indictment charging him with making and subscribing a false tax return. Judge Linares imposed the sentence today in Newark federal court.
According to documents filed in the case and statements made in court:
Govil, licensed as a CPA in New York and New Jersey, operated P&G Associates, a business headquartered in East Brunswick, New Jersey, providing risk management and audit services to community banks. Govil admitted that for the tax year 2010, he underreported and failed to report the gross receipts or sales of P&G Associates on Schedule C of his personal tax return, avoiding more than $672,000 in taxes.
In addition to the prison term, Judge Linares sentenced Govil to one year of supervised release.
U.S. Attorney Carpenito credited special agents of the IRS, under the direction of Special Agent in Charge John R. Tafur, with the investigation leading to today’s sentencing.
The government is represented by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Courtney A. Howard and Catherine R. Murphy of the U.S. Attorney’s Office Economic Crimes Unit.
Michigan man admits to drug and firearms chargesRead the Press Release
CLARKSBURG, WEST VIRGINIA – Nicholas J. Mathis, of Warren, Michigan, has admitted to drug distribution and firearms charges, United States Attorney Bill Powell announced.
Mathis, age 24, pled guilty to one count of “Conspiracy to Possess With the Intent to Distribute and Distribute Controlled Substances,” one count of “Aiding and Abetting Possession With the Intent to Distribute Methamphetamine within 1000 Feet of a Protected Location,” one count of “Aiding and Abetting Possession With the Intent to Distribute Heroin within 1000 Feet of a Protected Location,” one count of “Aiding and Abetting Possession With the Intent to Distribute Fentanyl within 1000 Feet of a Protected Location,” and one count of “Aiding and Abetting Possession of Firearm in Furtherance of Drug Trafficking Crime.”
Mathis faces not less than 10 years and up to life incarceration and a fine of up to $10 million for each of the conspiracy and aiding and possession of methamphetamine counts. He faces up to 40 years incarceration and a fine of up to $2 million for each of the heroin and fentany counts, and faces five years to life incarceration and a $250,000 fine for the firearms count. Under the Federal Sentencing Guidelines, the actual sentence imposed will be based upon the seriousness of the offenses and the prior criminal history, if any, of the defendant.
This case was brought as part of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN). Project Safe Neighborhoods is the centerpiece of the Department of Justice’s violent crime reduction efforts. PSN is an evidence-based program proven to be effective at reducing violent crime. Through PSN, a broad spectrum of stakeholders work together to identify the most pressing violent crime problems in the community and develop comprehensive solutions to address them. As part of this strategy, PSN focuses enforcement efforts on the most violent offenders and partners with locally based prevention and reentry programs for lasting reductions in crime.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Traci M. Cook is prosecuting the case on behalf of the government. The Drug Enforcement Administration; the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives; and the Three Rivers Drug and Violent Crimes Task Force investigated.
Senior U.S. District Judge Irene M. Keeley presided.
Massachusetts Man Pleads Guilty to Traveling to New Hampshire to Engage in Illicit Sexual ConductRead the Press Release
CONCORD- Jean Fouad Yazbek, 63, of Norwood, Massachusetts, pleaded guilty in federal court to traveling with intent to engage in illicit sexual conduct, United States Attorney Scott W. Murray announced today.
According to court documents and statements made in court, in October 2018, members of the New Hampshire Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force (ICAC) conducted an undercover investigation targeting online sexual offenders. As part of this investigation, a detective created an undercover online persona of a 15-year-old girl (“UC”) residing in Nashua, New Hampshire. Various individuals began messaging the UC on social media soon after the account was registered, including Yazbek. Beginning on October 2, 2018, and continuing through October 8, 2018, Yazbek engaged in sexually-charged conversations over social media with the UC. In their conversations, Yazbek discussed his desire to engage in various sex acts, including sexual intercourse, with the UC whom he believed was a 15-year-old girl.
On October 8, 2018, Yazbek drove from Massachusetts to Nashua, New Hampshire, to meet the UC and engage in illicit sexual conduct at a local hotel. When Yazbek arrived, he encountered law enforcement officers instead and was placed under arrest. Yazbek admitted that he had planned to meet a 15-year-old girl, whom he had met online and with whom he intended to engage in illicit sexual conduct, including, but not limited to, sexual intercourse. According to Yazbek, he had checked into a local hotel prior to his arrest, and his hotel room contained a brand new phone, a teddy bear, undergarments, and a backpack containing shaving equipment, lubricant, and condoms. Among other things, Yazbek gave written consent to search his hotel room. Thereafter, officers searched his hotel room and found the items described by Yazbek during his interview.
Yazbek is scheduled to be sentenced on August 30, 2019.
“Protecting the children of New Hampshire from predators is a very high priority of the U.S. Attorney’s Office,” said U.S. Attorney Murray. “Those who seek to prey on the innocent frequently use the internet as a tool to advance their criminal intentions. Working through Project Safe Childhood, we will remain vigilant in coordinating law enforcement efforts to arrest and prosecute offenders against children.”
“We’re glad that, through great federal, state and local law enforcement teamwork, this sexual predator has now been brought to justice.” said Peter C. Fitzhugh, Special Agent in Charge, U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s Homeland Security Investigations, Boston. “This result could never have happened without the solid, critical teamwork of our dedicated partners on the New Hampshire Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force and the Nashua Police Department.”
This matter was investigated by the Nashua Police Department, Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s Homeland Security Investigations, and the New Hampshire Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force. The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Cam Le.
In February 2006, the Department of Justice introduced Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative designed to protect children from online exploitation and abuse. Led by the United States Attorney’s Offices, 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 identify and rescue victims. For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit www.projectsafechildhood.gov.
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Man Sentenced to Prison for Armed Robbery of Firearms DealerRead the Press Release
NORFOLK, Va. – A Virginia man was sentenced today to nearly 16 years in prison for robbing a gun and ammunition dealer at gunpoint.
“Criminals who rob innocent victims at gunpoint and threaten them with death will be brought to justice,” said G. Zachary Terwilliger, U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of Virginia. “I want to thank our partners at the ATF for their outstanding work and assistance as we continue to target violent criminals who target innocent victims.”
According to court documents, Desmond Littlejohn, 33, of Norfolk, robbed the owner and an employee of Mac’s Reloads, which is a licensed federal firearms and ammunitions dealer. Littlejohn and his co-conspirator are friends with a former employee of Mac’s Reloads who provided them with inside information to help them successfully pull off a robbery of the store.
“Individuals such as these who are brazen enough to commit armed robberies are clear and present dangers to our community,” said Special Agent in Charge Ashan M. Benedict, ATF Washington Field Division. “The sentence in this case sends an unequivocal message that this conduct will not be tolerated and provide further evidence of ATF’s commitment to combating violent crime by utilizing all available resources to make our communities safer.”
On the day of the robbery, Littlejohn and his co-conspirator laid in wait at 3:00 a.m. for the owner and an employee of Mac’s Reloads to return from a gun show in Philadelphia. Dressed in dark clothes and ski masks, they ambushed the owner and the employee while brandishing firearms. They demanded that the owner handover a black bag, which they knew contained approximately $10,000 in proceeds from the gun show. They threatened the owner and the employee with death if they did not comply, and forced them at gunpoint to lay on the ground while they made their escape. As the robbers were driving away they tossed the contents of the black bag onto the road with the exception of the money.
This case is part of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), which is the centerpiece of the Department of Justice’s violent crime reduction efforts. PSN is an evidence-based program proven to be effective at reducing violent crime. Through PSN, a broad spectrum of stakeholders work together to identify the most pressing violent crime problems in the community and develop comprehensive solutions to address them. As part of this strategy, PSN focuses enforcement efforts on the most violent offenders and partners with locally based prevention and reentry programs for lasting reductions in crime.
G. Zachary Terwilliger, U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of Virginia, and Ashan M. Benedict, Special Agent in Charge of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives’ (ATF) Washington Field Division, made the announcement after sentencing by U.S. District Judge Rebecca Beach Smith. Assistant U.S. Attorneys William D. Muhr and William B. Jackson prosecuted the case.
A copy of this press release is located on the website of the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of Virginia. Related court documents and information are located on the website of the District Court for the Eastern District of Virginia or on PACER by searching for Case No. 2:18-cr-119.
Man Sentenced for Possession with Intent to Distribute Methamphetamine on the Omaha Nation Indian ReservationRead the Press Release
United States Attorney Joe Kelly announced today that Easton Harlan, an enrolled member of the Omaha Nation, was sentenced Monday, May 13, 2019, by Senior United States District Judge Laurie Smith Camp to 60 months’ imprisonment for possession of methamphetamine with intent to distribute. There is no parole in the federal system. Harlan will also serve a three-year term of supervised release after his prison term. Harlan was also sentenced to 12 months’ imprisonment concurrent to the possession with intent to distribute charge for violating his supervised release on an earlier case.
Harlan, age 36, was living on the Omaha Nation Indian Reservation and was found in possession of approximately thirteen grams of methamphetamine. He was Career Offender, having been convicted of a prior crime of violence and a prior controlled substance offense.
This case was investigated by the Omaha Nation Law Enforcement Services, the Thurston County Sheriff’s Office, the Bureau of Indian Affairs and the Federal Bureau of Investigation.
Man Pleads Guilty to Producing Child PornographyRead the Press Release
RICHMOND, Va. – A Louisiana man pleaded guilty yesterday to production of child pornography.
According to court documents, beginning in or about 2009, Alexander Witt, 30, of New Orleans, persuaded a minor to engage in sexual acts with him and took pictures of this minor nude and engaging in sexual acts. Witt also filmed himself and the minor engaging in sexual acts.
Witt pleaded guilty to production of child pornography and faces a mandatory minimum of 15 years in prison and a maximum penalty of 30 years in prison when sentenced on August 15. Actual sentences for federal crimes are typically less than the maximum penalties. A federal district court judge will determine any sentence after taking into account the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors.
This case was brought as part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative launched in May 2006 by the Department of Justice to combat the growing epidemic of child sexual exploitation and abuse. Led by U.S. Attorney’s Offices and the Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section (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.
G. Zachary Terwilliger, U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of Virginia, and David W. Archey, Special Agent in Charge of the FBI’s Richmond Field Office, made the announcement after U.S. Magistrate Judge David J. Novak accepted the plea. Assistant U.S. Attorney Heather H. Mansfield and Special Assistant U.S. Attorney Samuel Eugene Fishel are prosecuting the case.
A copy of this press release is located on the website of the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of Virginia. Related court documents and information are located on the website of the District Court for the Eastern District of Virginia or on PACER by searching for Case No. 3:19-cr-5.
Man Convicted of Drug Conspiracy of Methamphetamine Hidden in Dog FoodRead the Press Release
RALEIGH – United States Attorney Robert J. Higdon, Jr. announced that today, BRANDON DUWAYNE WRIGHT, 33, of High Point, North Carolina, was convicted in federal court following a two-day trial before United States District Judge James C. Dever III. WRIGHT was convicted of conspiracy to distribute and possess with the intent to distribute fifty grams or more of methamphetamine, and distribute and possess with the intent to distribute fifty grams or more of methamphetamine.
The jury heard evidence that WRIGHT traveled from Atlanta, Georgia to Greenville, North Carolina to deliver five kilograms of crystal methamphetamine hidden inside two large dog food bags and a box of laundry detergent. WRIGHT met a cooperator in a parking lot of a Walmart in Greenville, North Carolina and provided what WRIGHT described as groceries to the cooperator. After receiving the dog food bags, law enforcement immediately noticed the packages had previously been opened as they were resealed with clear plastic tape.
WRIGHT faces a minimum sentence of 10 years imprisonment and a maximum of life followed by no less than 5 years supervised release.
The prosecution of WRIGHT was a part of an Organized Crime and Drug Enforcement Task Force Operation (OCDETF). That effort has been implemented through the Take Back North Carolina Initiative of the United States Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of North Carolina. This initiative emphasizes the regional assignment of federal prosecutors to work with law enforcement and District Attorney’s Offices on a sustained basis in those communities to reduce the violent crime rate, drug trafficking, and crimes against law enforcement.
Investigation of this enforcement operation was conducted by the Greenville Regional Drug Task Force consisting of the Greenville Police Department, Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA), Winterville Police Department, East Carolina University Police Department, and North Carolina State Bureau of Investigation. Assistant United States Attorney Dena King represented the government.
Madison Felon Sentenced to 24 Months for Drug & Gun CrimesRead the Press Release
MADISON, WIS. – Scott C. Blader, United States Attorney for the Western District of Wisconsin, announced that James M. Turner, 32, Madison, Wisconsin, was sentenced today by U.S. District Judge James D. Peterson to two concurrent 24-month federal prison terms for possessing drugs with the intent to distribute and a firearm as a convicted felon. Turner pled guilty to the charges on March 13, 2019. His prison term will be followed by a three-year period of supervised release.
On November 11, 2018, Wisconsin State Patrol Troopers stopped Turner in Dane County for speeding and erratic driving. Turner was arrested after he reached for a loaded revolver on the passenger’s seat. During a subsequent search of Turner’s car, the Troopers found 27.5 grams of a substance that later tested positive for cocaine.
Turner has prior felony convictions for delivering cocaine and possessing cocaine with the intent to distribute.
This case is part of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), the U.S. Justice Department’s program to reduce violent crime. The PSN approach involves collaboration by federal, state and local law enforcement agencies, prosecutors and communities to prevent and deter gun violence.
The charge against Turner was the result of an investigation conducted by the Wisconsin State Patrol. This prosecution was handled by Assistant U.S. Attorney Rita M. Rumbelow.
Loudon Man Sentenced to 10 years in Prison for Methamphetamine TraffickingRead the Press Release
CONCORD - Randy Barton, 49, of Loudon, New Hampshire, was sentenced to 120 months in prison for possession of methamphetamine with intent to distribute, United States Attorney Scott W. Murray announced today.
According to court documents and statements made in court, on April 11, 2018, a New Hampshire State Trooper was patrolling I-93 in Canterbury. After observing a Chevrolet Cobalt commit a traffic infraction, the Trooper stopped the car and approached it. A woman, Katie-Jo Waters, was driving the car, and defendant Randy Barton was in the front seat. After making numerous observations of Waters and Barton and detecting inconsistencies in their stories, the Trooper asked Barton to step out of the vehicle, and conducted a pat-down search. The Trooper detected a bulge in Barton's pants pocket, and recovered two plastic baggies containing 15.5 grams of highly pure methamphetamine.
Barton previously pleaded guilty on October 9, 2019.
Katie-Jo Waters was sentenced to 72 months on April 2, 2019.
“Highly pure methamphetamine is a rising threat to the health and safety of Granite Staters,” said U.S. Attorney Murray. “In this case, an alert State Trooper prevented a quantity of this dangerous drug from reaching its intended destination. This arrest, along with the ten-year prison sentence imposed by the judge, should serve as a warning to others who seek to distribute this dangerous drug in New Hampshire.”
“The U.S. Postal Inspection Service and our law enforcement partners will continue to work diligently to keep methamphetamine and other highly addictive drugs out of our communities,” said Inspector in Charge Joseph W. Cronin of the U.S. Postal Inspection Service’s Boston Division. “One of our goals is to rid the mail of illicit drug trafficking and ensure the safety of our customers and employees.”
This matter was investigated by the New Hampshire State Police, DEA, and the U.S. Postal Inspection Service. The case was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney John S. Davis. Former Assistant U.S. Attorney Shane B. Kelbley previously worked on this case.
This case was supported by the Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Force (OCDETF). The OCDETF program is a federal multi-agency, multi-jurisdictional task force that supplies supplemental federal funding to federal and state agencies involved in the identification, investigation, and prosecution of major drug trafficking organizations.
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Long Island Man Pleads Guilty to Multi-Million Dollar Elder Fraud SchemeRead the Press Release
Earlier today, in federal court in Central Islip, Shaun Sullivan pleaded guilty before United States District Judge Joanna Seybert to conspiracy to commit mail fraud by sending fraudulent prize-promotion mailings that led recipients, many of whom were elderly and vulnerable, to believe that they could claim large cash prizes in exchange for a modest fee. None of the victims who submitted fees, which in total exceeded $30 million, received a substantial cash prize.
Richard P. Donoghue, United States Attorney for the Eastern District of New York, Joseph H. Hunt, Assistant Attorney General for the Justice Department’s Civil Division, and Philip R. Bartlett, Inspector-in-Charge, United States Postal Inspection Service, New York Division (USPIS), announced the guilty plea.
“Sullivan preyed on consumers, many of them vulnerable and elderly, by sending fraudulent mailings designed to trick them into believing they had won a cash prize; he then lined his own pockets with the fees he extracted from the victims,” stated United States Attorney Donoghue. “Protecting the community from mass mailing fraud schemes remains a priority of this Office and the Department of Justice.”
“The Department of Justice will bring to justice those who exploit elderly consumers in violation of federal law,” said Assistant Attorney General Hunt. “We are actively working with our law enforcement partners at the U.S. Postal Inspection Service to stop and punish schemes that harm consumers.”
“Today’s plea is an example of the coordinated efforts of law enforcement to protect the vulnerable and older Americans, who were specifically targeted to receive bogus solicitations to lure the unsuspecting ‘prize winner’ to send money that was subsequently used for Mr. Sullivan and his co-conspirators own enrichment,” said USPIS Inspector-in-Charge Bartlett.
Between December 2010 and July 2016, Sullivan and others sent fraudulent prize-promotion mailings to thousands of victims throughout the United States. The mailings appeared to be personally addressed to thousands of individuals whose names were on consumer lists obtained by Sullivan and his coconspirators. Sullivan and co-defendant Tully Lovisa rented and maintained private mailboxes in the Eastern District of New York to receive return mailings sent by the victims. They created various shell companies for the purported senders of the mailings, and hid their involvement in the business by using straw owners and aliases. Lovisa pleaded guilty to conspiracy to commit mail fraud in October 2018, and is awaiting sentencing.
When sentenced, Sullivan faces up to 20 years in prison, as well as $550,000 in forfeiture, and a fine of up to $250,000 or twice the gross gain or gross loss from the offense. The government’s case is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Charles P. Kelly and Trial Attorneys Daniel Zytnick and Timothy Finley of the Justice Department’s Consumer Protection Branch. Assistant United States Attorney Tanisha R. Payne is in charge of the forfeiture.
The Defendant:
SHAUN SULLIVAN
Age: 37
Merrick, New YorkE.D.N.Y. Docket No. 18-CR-349 (JS)
Long Island Man Going to Prison on Child Pornography ChargeRead 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 Adam Leone 32, of Long Island, NY, who was convicted of possession of child pornography involving prepubescent minors, was sentenced to serve 60 months in prison followed by 10 years of supervised release by U.S. District Judge Elizabeth A. Wolford.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Kyle Rossi, who handled the case, stated that Leone was arrested by members of the FBI on June 27, 2018, after he distributed child pornography to an undercover FBI Agent. Investigators determined the defendant’s location and executed a search warrant at his residence, where they located a computer containing child pornography.
The sentencing is the result of an investigation by the Federal Bureau of Investigation, under the direction of Special Agent-in-Charge Gary Loeffert.
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Lewis County man admits to firearms chargeRead the Press Release
ELKINS, WEST VIRGINIA –Dustin Lee Watson, of Roanoke, West Virginia, has admitted to a firearms charge, United States Attorney Bill Powell announced.
Watson, age 24, pled guilty to one count of “Unlawful Possession of a Firearm.” Watson, having previously been convicted of a felony and domestic violence, admitted to having a .380 caliber pistol in October 2017 in Upshur County.
Watson faces up to 10 years incarceration and a fine of up to $250,00. Under the Federal Sentencing Guidelines, the actual sentence imposed will be based upon the seriousness of the offenses and the prior criminal history, if any, of the defendant.
This case was brought as part of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN). Project Safe Neighborhoods is the centerpiece of the Department of Justice’s violent crime reduction efforts. PSN is an evidence-based program proven to be effective at reducing violent crime. Through PSN, a broad spectrum of stakeholders work together to identify the most pressing violent crime problems in the community and develop comprehensive solutions to address them. As part of this strategy, PSN focuses enforcement efforts on the most violent offenders and partners with locally based prevention and reentry programs for lasting reductions in crime.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Stephen D. Warner is prosecuting the case on behalf of the government. The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives; the West Virginia State Police; and the Lewis County Sheriff’s Office investigated.
U.S. Magistrate Judge Michael John Aloi presided.
Last Member of Deadly Elmira Opioid Trafficking Organization Sentenced to PrisonRead 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 Terrance Washington, 32, of Elmira, NY, who was convicted of conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute, and to distribute, 100 grams or more of a fentanyl analogue, and witness retaliation, was sentenced to serve 135 months in prison by Chief U.S. District Judge Frank P. Geraci, Jr.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Brett A. Harvey, who handled the case, stated that Washington was a distributor in a large-scale opioid manufacturing and trafficking organization in the Southern Tier of New York and northern Pennsylvania between 2015 and May 2017. As part of the conspiracy, the leaders of the organization, Robert Ian Thatcher and Maximillian Sams, imported bulk quantities of furanyl fentanyl, acetyl fentanyl, and U-47700 from overseas suppliers China. They ordered the drugs on what is known as “the dark web,” and used different people and addresses in New York and Pennsylvania to receive the shipments. Thatcher and Sams purchased equipment and materials – including pill presses/mechanical tableting machines, microcrystalline cellulose, lactose magnesium stearate, and powdered food coloring – which they used to manufacture tens of thousands blue pills containing furanyl fentanyl, acetyl fentanyl and U-47700. The pills were made to look like legitimate 15 milligram and 30 milligram Percocet pills.
At least two individuals – a 21 year-old female, and a 25 year-old male – died after ingesting the blue pills containing furanyl fentanyl and U-47700. In addition, at least one individual overdosed on more than one occasion after using the blue pills manufactured and distributed by the organization, but survived after being treated by first responders with Narcan.
Thatcher and Sams used residences at 604 South Lehigh Avenue in Sayre, Pennsylvania, and 665 Sawdey Road in Catlin, NY, to manufacture and process the pills for distribution. During the execution of a search warrant at the Sayre location on May 16, 2017, law enforcement agents recovered, among other things, 244 blue pills containing furanyl fentanyl, four long guns and ammunition. In addition, during the execution of a search warrant at the Catlin location on May 18, 2017, law enforcement agents recovered, among other things, materials used by Thatcher and Sams to manufacture the pills for distribution. During the conspiracy, Thatcher also possessed several firearms at the Pennsylvania location and his residence in Elmira.
After manufacturing the pills, Thatcher and Sams would distribute them in large quantities to other co-conspirators – including Washington, Jesus Rivera, Anthony Prettyman, and Dwayne Banks, a/k/a Fizzle, a/k/a Fizz – who would then distribute the pills to various street-level customers in the Elmira area.
Sams also supplied pills to an individual in the Charlotte, North Carolina area. As part of the conspiracy, Sams used co-conspirator Anthony Prettyman to transport 5,330 blue pills containing furanyl fentanyl from Elmira to North Carolina in October 2016. On October 25, 2016, in North Carolina, deputies with the Iredell County (NC) Sheriff’s Office conducted a traffic stop of the vehicle in which Prettyman was traveling. During a subsequent search, the deputies recovered and seized a paint can with a false bottom containing the 5,330 blue pills from inside Prettyman’s vehicle.
In early 2017, Thatcher arranged for a package of furanyl fentanyl, that he ordered over the dark web, to be sent to Carlito Rios, Jr. On March 13, 2017, Customs and Border Protection officers at the John F. Kennedy International Airport Mail Branch in Queens, NY, examined a United States Postal Service package addressed to co-conspirator Rios at 1015 Oak Street in Elmira. The sender was listed as an entity in China. Upon inspection, the package was found to contain approximately 249 grams of furanyl fentanyl. Sams and Thatcher intended to use the seized furanyl fentanyl to manufacture and distribute additional quantities of the blue pills. As part of the conspiracy, Rios agreed to accept the package of furanyl fentanyl for Thatcher.
On August 1, 2017, Washington was arrested in Georgia. While in federal custody in Ohio, Washington assaulted an inmate who had been cooperating with the Drug Enforcement Administration in this investigation. Specifically, Washington struck the inmate in the head with closed fists, threw a cup at the inmate, and struck the inmate in the face with the cup. Washington assaulted the inmate in retaliation for the inmate’s cooperation with the Drug Enforcement Administration in the investigation of Washington and several associates, including Thatcher, Sams, Banks and Rios.
In total, 16 members and associates of the opioid manufacturing and trafficking operation have been convicted of federal narcotics offenses and sentenced. The other members of the organization were sentenced as follows:
• Thatcher was sentenced to serve 23 years in federal prison; • Sams was sentenced to 210 months in federal prison; • Prettyman was sentenced to 125 months in federal prison; • Banks was sentenced to 108 months in federal prison; • Rivera was sentenced to 108 months in federal prison; • Thatcher’s girlfriend, Amber Bates, who was convicted of money laundering conspiracy, was sentenced to five years probation to include six months of home detention; • Robert J. Elford was sentenced to 121 months in federal prison; • Edward Barrett was sentenced to 90 months in federal prison; • Scott Fairbanks was sentenced to 90 months in federal prison; • Dusty Pemberton was sentenced to 70 months in federal prison; • Deven Hill was sentenced to 37 months in federal prison, • Chad Smith was sentenced to 22 months in federal prison; • Jordan Jones was sentenced to 20 months in federal prison; • Carlito Rios, Jr., was sentenced to time served and three years of supervised release; and
• Isaiah McLaurin, who was convicted of witness tampering after threatening an individual working with the Drug Enforcement Administration on Facebook, was sentenced to serve 57 months in federal prison.The sentencing is the result of an investigation by the Drug Enforcement Administration, Rochester Resident Office and Scranton PA Resident Office, under the direction of Special Agent-in-Charge Ray Donovan, New York Field Division; the New York State Police, Community Narcotics Enforcement Team Southern Tier, under the direction of Major Mary Clark and Lieutenant Kevin P. Sucher; the Elmira Police Department, under the direction of Chief Joseph Kane; Homeland Security Investigations, under the direction of Special Agent-in-Charge Kevin Kelly; the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, under the direction of Special Agent-in-Charge John B. Devito, New York Field Division; the Pennsylvania State Police, under the direction of Acting Commissioner Lieutenant Colonel Robert Evanchick; the Chemung County Sheriff’s Office, under the direction of Christopher J. Moss; the Iredell, NC County Sheriff’s Office, under the direction of Darren E. Campbell, and Customs and Border Protection Air and Marine Unit, under the direction of Director Brian Manaher. Additional assistance was provided by the Northeast Regional Laboratory.
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Hells Angels "Full Patch" Member Facing 5-40 Years in Prison on Drug Trafficking, Firearm ChargesRead the Press Release
PROVIDENCE, RI – A “full patch” member of the Rhode Island chapter of the Hell’s Angels Motorcycle Club arrested as part of a Project Safe Neighborhoods investigation by members of the FBI Safe Streets Task Force is facing between 5 and 40 years in federal prison after admitting to trafficking methamphetamine and cocaine and being a felon in possession of a firearm, announced United States Attorney Aaron L. Weisman and Joseph R. Bonavolonta, Special Agent in Charge of the FBI Boston Division.
Douglas Leedham, 54, of North Providence, was arrested on February 8, 2019, by members of the Safe Streets Task Force after a court-authorized search of his residence resulted in the seizure of approximately 39 grams of methamphetamine, 19 grams of cocaine, two handguns, a 12 gauge shotgun, two body armor vests, 35 knives, four hatchets, five expandable and four flashlight batons, a set of brass knuckles, $6,422 in cash, and assorted items used in the packaging and distribution of drugs.
Appearing today before U.S. District Court Judge John J. McConnell, Jr., Leedham pleaded guilty to possession with the intent to distribute 5 grams or more of methamphetamine, possession with the intent to distribute cocaine, and being a felon in possession of a firearm.
Leedham, who has been detained since his arrest, is scheduled to be sentenced on July 29, 2019.
According to court records, Leedham was convicted in Rhode Island Superior Court in September 2013 of carrying a pistol without a license. He was sentenced to a term of five years in prison - suspended with five years’ probation.
Possession with the intent to distribute 5 grams or more of methamphetamine is punishable by statutory penalties of 5 – 40 years in federal prison to be followed by a minimum of 4 years supervised release. Possession with the intent to distribute cocaine is punishable by up to 20 years in federal prison and 3 years supervised release. Felon in possession of a firearm is punishable by up to 10 years imprisonment and 3 years supervised release.
The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Paul F. Daly, Jr.
Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN) is the centerpiece of the Department of Justice’s violent crime reduction efforts. PSN is an evidence-based program proven to be effective at reducing violent crime. Through PSN, a broad spectrum of stakeholders work together to identify the most pressing violent crime problems in the community and develop comprehensive solutions to address them. As part of this strategy, PSN focuses enforcement efforts on the most violent offenders and partners with locally based prevention and reentry programs for lasting reductions in crime.
The FBI’s Safe Streets Violent Gang Task Force consists of agents and law enforcement officers from the FBI, RI State Police, Providence, Cranston, Woonsocket, Pawtucket, and Central Falls Police Departments, R.I. Department of Corrections, and the Rhode Island National Guard.
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Harrisburg Man Sentenced to Five Years’ Imprisonment for Firearm OffenseRead the Press Release
HARRISBURG – The United States Attorney’s Office for the Middle District of Pennsylvania announced that United States District Court Judge Yvette Kane sentenced Jacob Eddie Junior Pena, age 24, of Harrisburg, Pennsylvania, to 60 months’ imprisonment to be followed by five years of supervised release for a firearm offense.
According to United States Attorney David J. Freed, Pena admitted to possessing a firearm in furtherance of drug trafficking on December 1, 2017, in Harrisburg.
The case was investigated by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives with the assistance of Harrisburg Police. Assistant United States Attorney James T. Clancy prosecuted the case.
This case is part of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), a program bringing together all levels of law enforcement and the communities they serve to reduce violent crime and make our neighborhoods safer for everyone. The Department of Justice reinvigorated PSN in 2017 as part of the Department’s renewed focus on targeting violent criminals, directing all U.S. Attorney’s Offices to work in partnership with federal, state, local, and tribal law enforcement and the local community to develop effective, locally-based strategies to reduce violent crime.
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Greece Man Pleads Guilty to Lying to the FBIRead 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 Thomas Alonzo Bolin, a/k/a Peter Vincent, 22, of Greece, NY, pleaded guilty before U.S. District Judge David G. Larimer to making a false statement to the FBI. The charge carries a maximum penalty of five years in prison, and a $250,000 fine.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Brett A. Harvey, who is handling the case, stated that the FBI began investigating the defendant and others in March 2019 for potential violations of federal civil rights and firearms laws. On March 15, 2019, a Facebook user named “Ragnar Odinson” – who was a member of a Facebook group called “Odin’s Warriors” – made statements on Facebook referencing the mosque attacks that occurred in Christchurch, New Zealand, and indicated that he was willing to “do something” the following week. The defendant was a member of and administrator for the “Odin’s Warriors” Facebook group. The defendant used Facebook – under the user name “Peter Vincent” – to post messages consistent with white supremacist ideology, statements threatening violence against Muslims and others, and messages containing derogatory terms for Muslims and other minority groups.
On March 30, 2019, members of the FBI, as part of their investigation, interviewed the defendant. During the interview, Bolin falsely stated that he did not possess any firearms in New York State. At the time of the statement, the defendant knew that he possessed a Mossberg 12-gauge shotgun in his bedroom closet at 34 Third Avenue in Greece. This false statement was material to the FBI’s investigation of possible civil rights and firearms violations by Bolin and others. The FBI recovered the shotgun during a subsequent search of the defendant’s bedroom closet.The plea is the result of an investigation by the Federal Bureau of Investigation, under the direction of Special Agent-in-Charge Gary Loeffert.
Sentencing is scheduled for June 13, 2019, before Judge Larimer.
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Georgia Insurance Commissioner Jim Beck charged with $2,000,000 fraud schemeRead the Press Release
ATLANTA - Georgia Insurance Commissioner Jim C. Beck has been indicted by a federal grand jury on charges of wire fraud, mail fraud and money laundering. The 38-count indictment alleges that Beck stole more than $2,000,000 from his former employer, the Georgia Underwriting Association, during the five years just prior to Beck’s election to statewide office in November, 2018.
“The grand jury seeks to hold Commissioner Beck accountable for taking advantage of his position at the Georgia Underwriting Association. Beck allegedly pocketed a substantial amount of money to which he was not entitled while he was the GUA General Manager for Operations,” said U.S. Attorney Byung J. “BJay” Pak. “To be clear, the grand jury has charged Commissioner Beck with crimes that occurred before he was elected to his current public office.”
“The FBI investigation found that Beck abused the trust of friends and his employer (GUA), in an elaborate scheme to enrich himself at GUA’s expense,” said Chris Hacker, Special Agent in Charge of FBI Atlanta. “The indictment is a testament to the fact that the FBI will expend all resources necessary to hold those who seek to enrich themselves through fraud and deceit, accountable for their actions.”
According to U.S. Attorney Pak and the indictment: From January 2012 until Beck was sworn in as Insurance Commissioner on January 14, 2019, Beck worked as the General Manager of Operations for the Georgia Underwriting Association (GUA) after being elected to that post by the GUA board of directors. GUA, located in Suwanee, Georgia, is an insurance association created as part of the Georgia Fair Access to Insurance Requirements (FAIR) law to provide high-risk property insurance to homeowners located throughout Georgia. In addition to premiums collected from its customers, GUA is also funded by issuing assessments to the association members, which include every insurer authorized to write any form of property insurance in the State of Georgia.
While Beck served as General Manager at GUA, he also maintained controlling financial interests in two businesses known as Creative Consultants and the Georgia Christian Coalition. Beginning in 2013, Beck allegedly talked four associates into forming four separate businesses which supposedly supplied necessary services including residential property inspections and water damage mitigation to GUA. These new businesses are identified in the indictment as Companies A, B, C, and D.
Then, through an elaborate system of fraudulent invoicing which included producing false documentation and concealing the truth from his four associates, Beck regularly approved substantial GUA payments to the four new companies. Beck then allegedly sent fraudulent invoices from Creative Consultants and the GA Christian Coalition to Companies A, B, C, and D. At Beck’s direction, his four associates paid the fraudulent invoices from a portion of the money they had been paid by GUA. All told, between February 2013 and August 2018, Beck defrauded GUA out of more than $2,000,000.
Jim C. Beck, 57, of Carrollton, Georgia, was indicted on May 14, 2019. Members of the public are reminded that the indictment only contains charges. The defendant is presumed innocent of the charges and it will be the government’s burden to prove the defendant’s guilt beyond a reasonable doubt at trial.
This case is being investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation.
U.S. Attorney Pak and Assistant U.S. Attorney Brent Alan Gray, Deputy Chief of the Public Integrity and Special Matters Section, are prosecuting the case.
For further information please contact the U.S. Attorney’s Public Affairs Office at [email protected] or (404) 581-6016. The Internet address for the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Northern District of Georgia is http://www.justice.gov/usao-ndga.
Gary Man Sentenced to 96 Months in PrisonRead the Press Release
HAMMOND- Leeroy Beck, 29, of Gary, Indiana, was sentenced by U.S. District Court Judge Springmann after pleading guilty to brandishing a firearm in connection with a crime of violence (robbery of a United States Postal employee) announced U.S. Attorney Kirsch.
Beck was sentenced to 96 months in prison, 2 years of supervised release and ordered to pay $5595 in restitution.
According to documents in the case, on August 3, 2017, Beck participated in the armed robbery of the Tolleston Post Office in Gary, Indiana, pointing guns at employees and forcing them into a bathroom in order to steal $5,595.00 in cash.
This case was investigated by the United States Postal Inspection Service. This case was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorneys Diane L. Berkowitz and Thomas M. McGrath.
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