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Tuesday 2 April 2019
Former Congressional Staffer Sentenced to Prison for Extensive Fraud and Election Crimes SchemeRead the Press Release
A former congressional staffer was sentenced today to 18 months in prison followed by three years of supervised release and ordered to pay $564,718.65 in restitution and $156,855.29 in forfeiture, for participating in a multi-year scheme to defraud charitable donors of hundreds of thousands of dollars and secretly funnel the proceeds to pay for personal expenses and illegally finance campaigns for federal office.
Assistant Attorney General Brian A. Benczkowski of the Justice Department’s Criminal Division, U.S. Attorney Ryan K. Patrick of the Southern District of Texas, Assistant Director in Charge Nancy McNamara of FBI’s Washington Field Office and Acting Special Agent in Charge Sarah Kull of IRS - Criminal Investigation (CI) Houston Field Office made the announcement.
Jason T. Posey, 48, of Tupelo, Mississippi, was sentenced in the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Texas by Chief U.S. District Judge Lee H. Rosenthal. Posey pleaded guilty on Oct. 11, 2017, to one count of mail fraud, one count of wire fraud and one count of money laundering. As part of his plea, Posey admitted that he participated in a scheme led by former U.S. Representative Stephen E. Stockman, 62, who was convicted by a federal jury in Houston on April 12, 2018, of 23 counts of mail fraud, wire fraud, conspiracy to make conduit contributions and false statements to the Federal Election Commission (FEC), making false statements to the FEC, making excessive coordinated campaign contributions, money laundering and filing a false tax return. Another of Stockman’s former congressional staffers, Thomas Dodd, 40, of Houston, Texas, pleaded guilty on March 20, 2017, to one count of conspiracy to commit mail and wire fraud and one count of conspiracy to make conduit contributions and false statements. On Dec. 12, 2018, Dodd was sentenced to serve 18 months in prison and ordered to pay $800,000 in restitution, to be followed by three years of supervised release.
According to the admissions made by Posey in connection with his guilty plea, from January 2013 to February 2014, Posey assisted Stockman in fraudulently soliciting $800,571.65 in donations from charitable organizations and the individuals who ran those organizations based on false pretenses, then using a series of sham nonprofit organizations and dozens of bank accounts to launder the money before it was spent on a variety of personal and campaign expenses.
Specifically, Posey admitted that shortly after Stockman took office as a member of the U.S. House of Representatives in 2013, Stockman and Dodd used the name of one sham nonprofit entity, Life Without Limits, to solicit and receive a $350,000 charitable donation, to be used to create an educational center called the Freedom House. Stockman, Dodd, and Posey instead used this donation for a variety of personal and campaign expenses, including illegal conduit campaign contributions, and payments for hundreds of thousands of robocalls and mailings promoting Stockman’s candidacy for U.S. Senate in early 2014.
In addition, Posey admitted that, in connection with Stockman’s Senate campaign, Stockman and Posey used another sham nonprofit entity called Center for the American Future to secure a $450,571.65 donation in order to fund a purportedly legitimate independent expenditure promoting Stockman’s candidacy. Posey admitted that the purportedly independent expenditure was in fact secretly controlled by Stockman, who directed his campaign and Posey to file false affidavits with the FEC covering up Stockman’s involvement.
In addition, Posey admitted that during the early stages of the investigation, Stockman directed Posey to flee to Cairo, Egypt, for two and a half years so that Posey could not be questioned by law enforcement.
The FBI and IRS-CI investigated the case. Deputy Chief Robert J. Heberle and Trial Attorney Ryan J. Ellersick of the Criminal Division’s Public Integrity Section and Assistant U.S. Attorney Melissa Annis of the Southern District of Texas prosecuted the case.
Former Chairman of the Village of Hempstead Housing Authority Convicted by A Federal Jury of Corruption ChargesRead the Press Release
A federal jury in Central Islip returned a guilty verdict today against Cornell Bozier, the former Chairman of the Board of Commissioners at the Village of Hempstead Housing Authority (VHHA) on four counts of an indictment charging him with conspiracy to commit honest services wire fraud and federal program bribery. The verdict followed a two-week trial before United States District Judge Joan M. Azrack. When sentenced, Bozier faces a maximum sentence of 20 years’ imprisonment.
Richard P. Donoghue, United States Attorney for the Eastern District of New York, William F. Sweeney, Jr., Assistant Director-in-Charge, Federal Bureau of Investigation, New York Field Office (FBI), and Christina Scaringi, Special Agent-in-Charge, U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development, Office of the Inspector General, Northeast Region (HUD-OIG), announced the verdict.
“As found by the jury, having been trusted to serve the residents of low-income housing as a Village of Hempstead public official, Bozier instead lied, cheated and stole federal funds for himself,” stated United States Attorney Donoghue. “If, like Mr. Bozier, you betray the public you are hired to serve, expect to find yourself in a courtroom facing the consequences.”
“Plain and simple, this is a case of greed; Bozier and his co-conspirators engaged in public corruption for personal gain,” said HUD-OIG Special Agent-in-Charge Scaringi. “We are not talking about the abstract here, this is a case involving real money that should have been used to improve the lives of those living within the public housing authority that these offenders were entrusted to serve.”
The evidence at trial established that between March 2011 and November 2012, Bozier engaged in schemes with his co-conspirators – contractors James Alimonos and Peter Caras – to defraud the citizens of the Village of Hempstead (the Village) and the VHHA by soliciting and accepting bribes and kickbacks in exchange for Bozier using his official position to ensure that the Board of Commissioners (the Board) accepted fraudulently submitted bids for VHHA construction projects. The VHHA is responsible for providing and maintaining safe and affordable low-income housing in the Village. As chairman, Bozier controlled the Board and could bypass HUD regulations for bidding and for awarding construction projects.
The Totten Avenue Intercom Project
In August 2011, Bozier fraudulently obtained an “emergency” designation from the Board for repair of the intercom system at a VHHA on Totten Avenue in the Village without the public bid requirement to ensure that the contract was awarded to the lowest qualified bidder. Alimonos then directed another co-conspirator to submit a falsely inflated bid of $95,740 to replace the intercom system. Alimonos paid Bozier approximately $30,000 for securing the Board’s acceptance of the fraudulent bid.
The Yale Street Roof Project
In September 2011, the VHHA received four proposals from companies controlled by Alimonos to replace the roof of a building on Yale Street in the Village. Bozier accepted a bid of $248,000, although the bid lacked the required paperwork. Bozier then secured the Board’s approval, and the VHHA paid a total of $273,900 for the project. Thereafter, Alimonos hired another construction company to replace the roof for $23,000. In return, Bozier received a kickback of approximately $55,000 from his co-conspirators.
The Gladys Avenue Piping Project
In July 2012, the VHHA received two proposals from companies controlled by Alimonos to repair the boiler piping system at a building on Gladys Avenue in the Village. Bozier ensured that the $164,000 contract was awarded to a company established in the name of Alimonos’s wife, although the bid lacked the required supporting information. Alimonos then hired another construction company to do the repair work for approximately $26,000. In return, Bozier received approximately $30,000 in kickback payments from Alimonos and Caras.
Alimonos and Caras previously pleaded guilty to honest service fraud conspiracy and testified at trial against Bozier. Both are awaiting sentencing.
The government’s case is being handled by the Office’s Long Island Criminal Division. Assistant United States Attorneys Paul G. Scotti and Artie McConnell are in charge of the prosecution. Assistant United States Attorney Madeline O’Connor of the Office’s Civil Division is handling matters related to forfeiture.
The Defendant:
CORNELL BOZIER
Age: 58
North Baldwin, New YorkE.D.N.Y. Docket No. 15-CR-303 (JMA)
Former Alabama Correctional Sergeant Pleads Guilty to Assaulting InmatesRead the Press Release
The Department of Justice today announced that former Alabama Department of Corrections (ADOC) Sergeant Ulysses Oliver Jr., 44, pleaded guilty today in federal court to assaulting two handcuffed inmates at ADOC’s Elmore Correctional Facility.
According to the guilty plea, Oliver went to an observation room holding the two inmate victims, who were both handcuffed and sitting quietly. Oliver pulled the first victim from the observation room into an adjacent hallway, where he struck the victim multiple times with his fists and feet, and then used his collapsible baton to strike the victim approximately 19 times. After assaulting the first victim, Oliver returned to the observation room and pulled the second victim into the hallway. Oliver kicked the second victim and used his baton to strike the victim approximately 10 times. During the assaults, the victims were handcuffed, and were not resisting or posing a threat. After, Oliver returned to the observation room where the victims were held and shoved the tip of his baton into the face of one of the victims, lacerating the victim’s face.
Later, Oliver wrote a false written report concerning the assaults, stating that he only struck the victims on their legs with his baton, when he actually struck the victims about their bodies, and also hit the victims with his hands and feet. Oliver’s report also falsely stated that he struck the victims until he was told by another officer to stop, when in truth the other officer had not ordered Oliver to stop.
“Any abuse of power and use of violence by a correctional officer will not be tolerated,” said Assistant Attorney General Eric Dreiband of the Civil Rights Division. “The Department of Justice will continue to enforce our nation’s laws and will prosecute those who break the public trust and violate the civil rights of individuals in their custody.”
“Correctional officers have an incredibly difficult job,” stated U.S. Attorney Louis V. Franklin Sr. from the Middle District of Alabama. “Although a vast majority of them serve with honor, valor, and bravery, cases like this make their jobs more challenging and dangerous. When officers abandon their oath to protect and serve, and engage in conduct that is criminal, they too must be held accountable. This office is committed to prosecute anyone who violates the law."
"Conduct like that of Mr. Oliver will not be tolerated and the Department of Corrections will work with all of its law enforcement partners to ensure that such behavior is thoroughly investigated and appropriately prosecuted," said Alabama Commissioner of Corrections Jefferson S. Dunn.
Oliver faces a statutory maximum sentence of 20 years in prison.
This case is being investigated by the FBI’s Mobile Division and ADOC’s Investigations and Intelligence Division. It is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Denise Simpson of the Middle District of Alabama, and Special Legal Counsel Mark Blumberg, Special Litigation Counsel Jared Fishman, and Trial Attorney David Reese of the Civil Rights Division.
Florida Man Sentenced in Puerto Rico to Rhode Island Drug Trafficking ConspiracyRead the Press Release
PROVIDENCE – The second of two Florida men charged with participating in a conspiracy to, on multiple occasions, traffic multi-kilogram shipments of cocaine through the U.S. Postal Service from Puerto Rico into Rhode Island has been sentenced to 84 months in federal prison.
Gabriel Concepcion, 29, of Kissimmee, FL, pleaded guilty in U.S. District Court in Providence in October 2019 to conspiracy to distribute and to possess with the intent to distribute 500 grams or more of cocaine. At sentencing, U.S. District Court Judge John J. McConnell, Jr., sentenced Conception to 84 months imprisonment to be followed by a term of supervised release of four years.
A co-defendant in this matter, Rinaxo M. Rufino, 34, of Miramar, FL, was sentenced on January 18, 2019, to 36 months in federal prison to be followed by 2 years of supervised release. Rufino pleaded guilty on September 12, 2018, to conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute cocaine.
The sentences are announced by United States Attorney Aaron L. Weisman, Inspector in Charge of the U.S. Postal Inspection Service Joseph W. Cronin, Special Agent in Charge of the Drug Enforcement Administration’s New England Field Division Brian D. Boyle, and Superintendent of the Rhode Island State Police Colonel James M. Manni.
According to court documents and information presented to the Court, Concepcion conspired with Rufino to receive at least three multi-kilogram shipments of cocaine shipped through the U.S. Postal Service from Puerto Rico to residences in Central Falls and Cumberland. Each shipment contained approximately three kilograms of cocaine.
The packages were intercepted and seized by U.S. Postal Inspectors prior to delivery to the intended recipients. The two men were arrested on August 26, 2017, by U.S. Postal Inspectors agents, members of the Rhode Island State Police High Intensity Drug Trafficking Area (HIDTA) Task Force, and members of the Rhode Island DEA Drug Task Force.
Rufino was taken into custody when he attempted to retrieve a package containing 3,029 grams of cocaine addressed to a Central Falls residence. U.S. Postal Inspectors identified cocaine in the package prior to delivery and removed the controlled substance. In its place inspectors placed similarly weighted non-contraband material. Concepcion was arrested moments later in the vicinity of the Central Falls residence.
Additionally, during the investigation into Concepcion and Rufino’s drug trafficking activities, a package addressed for delivery to a residence in Cumberland that contained approximately 3007.2 grams of cocaine was seized by Postal Inspectors on August 25, 2017. Another package addressed for delivery to a Central Falls residence which contained approximately 3006.9 grams of cocaine was seized by Postal Inspectors on August 28, 2017.
The cases were prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Paul F. Daly, Jr. and Milind M. Shah.
The Rhode Island DEA Drug Task Force is comprised of law enforcement personnel from the DEA, Rhode Island State Police, and East Providence, Central Falls, Coventry, Cranston, Newport, North Kingstown, Pawtucket, Providence, South Kingstown, Warwick, West Warwick and Woonsocket Police Departments.
The HIDTA Task Force is managed by the Rhode Island State Police and is comprised of members of the Pawtucket, West Warwick, Lincoln, and Middletown Police Departments, ATF, DEA, Bureau of Immigration and Customs Enforcement-Homeland Security Investigations, Rhode Island Department of Corrections, and Analysts from the Rhode Island National Guard.
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Florida Keys Preparer Sentenced to Five Years for Filing Fraudulent Tax Returns That Resulted in an Aggregate Loss to the IRS of $14,500,000Read the Press Release
A Monroe County, Florida tax return preparer was sentenced today to 60 months imprisonment after he pled guilty to filing fraudulent tax returns with the Internal Revenue Service (IRS).
Ariana Fajardo Orshan, U.S. Attorney for the Southern District of Florida, Michael J. De Palma, Special Agent in Charge, Internal Revenue Service, Criminal Investigation (IRS-CI), and George L. Piro, Special Agent in Charge, Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), Miami Field Office, made the announcement.
According to documents filed with the court, Pedro C. Rodriguez, 51, of Marathon, owned and operated the JC Mar Tax Services tax preparation business, located in Marathon, Florida. From approximately 2007 through 2017, Rodriguez filed fraudulent returns for his clients seeking refunds to which the clients were not entitled by reporting fictitious itemized deductions and fraudulent education and residential energy credits. For each of the years 2013 through 2017, Rodriguez submitted between 1,900 and 2,200 tax returns on behalf of his clients. At the sentencing hearing, the government provided evidence that established Rodriguez’s submission of fraudulent tax returns resulted in a loss amount to the IRS of $14,500,000.
U.S. District Judge K. Michael Moore also sentenced Rodriguez to one year of supervised release and ordered him to pay $14,569,171 in restitution.
U.S. Attorney Fajardo Orshan commended the investigative efforts of the IRS-CI and FBI in this matter. Assistant U.S. Attorney Daniel J. Marcet prosecuted this case.
Information about how the public can protect themselves from tax fraud and report criminal practices may be found at https://www.irs.gov/compliance/criminal-investigation/tax-fraud-alerts. Related court documents and information may be found on the website of the District Court for the Southern District of Florida at www.flsd.uscourts.gov or at http://pacer.flsd.uscourts.gov.
Fifteen Defendants Convicted as Part of “Operation Ozark Express” Sentenced to over 1,000 Months in Prison Combined for Methamphetamine Trafficking in Northwest ArkansasRead the Press Release
Fayetteville, Arkansas – Duane (DAK) Kees, United States Attorney for the Western District of Arkansas; announced that on April 2, 2019, the final of fifteen (15) individuals were sentenced by the United States District Court for their roles in a methamphetamine trafficking ring which operated in Benton and Washington Counties in Arkansas and in additional jurisdictions such as California, Oklahoma, Illinois, Arizona and Mexico. This investigation and prosecution operation lasted from approximately mid-2017 through today’s final sentencing hearing. The Honorable Judge Timothy L. Brooks presided over the sentencing hearings in the United States District Court in Fayetteville.
According to court records, on July 24, 2018, a federal grand jury returned two Indictments containing a total of sixteen (16) counts against fifteen (15) individuals in the Northwest Arkansas area and beyond for activities in a large-scale drug trafficking conspiracy. This drug trafficking ring was responsible for the importation of multiple kilograms of methamphetamine into the Northwest Arkansas area from California and Mexico for local distribution. Once sold, bulk amounts of United States currency loaded in vehicles were driven back to Mexico as payment for the methamphetamine via the Laredo, Texas port of entry. The individuals were arrested in operations conducted by the DEA in conjunction with the Fayetteville and Springdale, Arkansas police departments on May 18, 2018.
Defendants in this conspiracy received the following sentences:
Pedro Zambrano, age 23, of Phoenix, Arizona was sentenced April 2, 2019 to 240 months in federal prison followed by five years of supervised release on one count of Conspiracy to Distribute Methamphetamine. Zambrano was indicted in the Western District of Arkansas in June 2018 and plead guilty on September 7, 2018.
Alexis Rios-Tamayo age 21, of Phoenix, Arizona was sentenced January 22, 2019 to 41 months in federal prison followed by three years of supervised release on one count of Conspiracy to Distribute Methamphetamine. Rios-Tamayo was indicted in the Western District of Arkansas in June 2018 and plead guilty on August 10, 2018.
Eduwijes Cervantes-Mendoza, age 58, a citizen of Mexico residing in Springdale, Arkansas was sentenced January 22, 2019 to 210 months in federal prison followed by three years of supervised release on one count of Distribution of Methamphetamine. Cervantes-Mendoza was indicted in the Western District of Arkansas in June 2018 and plead guilty on September 7, 2018.
Santana Gonzales-Aguirre, age 45, a citizen of Mexico residing in Bentonville, Arkansas was sentenced February 6, 2019 to 15 months in federal prison followed by three years of supervised release on one count of Conspiracy to Distribute of Methamphetamine. Gonzales-Aguirre was indicted in the Western District of Arkansas in June 2018 and plead guilty on September 7, 2018.
Gregory Miranda, age 23, of Ventura, California was sentenced February 6, 2019 to 15 months in federal prison followed by three years of supervised release on one count of Conspiracy to Distribute a Controlled Substance. Miranda was indicted in the Western District of Arkansas in June 2018 and plead guilty on September 21, 2018.
Michael Shannon Howard, age 52, of Green Forest, Arkansas was sentenced February 6, 2019 to 33 months in federal prison followed by three years of supervised release on one count of Conspiracy to Distribute a Controlled Substance. Howard was indicted in the Western District of Arkansas in June 2018 and plead guilty on July 16, 2018.
John Paul Farias, age 39, of Springdale, Arkansas was sentenced February 6, 2019 to 121 months in federal prison followed by five years of supervised release on one count of Conspiracy to Distribute a Controlled Substance. Farias was indicted in the Western District of Arkansas in June 2018 and plead guilty on September 28, 2018.
Miguel Saldana, age 24, of Boone County, Arkansas was sentenced April 1, 2019 to 120 months in federal prison followed by five years of supervised release on one count of Conspiracy to Distribute a Controlled Substance. Saldana was indicted in the Western District of Arkansas in June 2018 and plead guilty on September 28, 2018.
Sarahi Flores-Quintero, age 22, of Phoenix, Arizona was sentenced February 5, 2019 to 40 months in federal prison followed by three years of supervised release on one count of Conspiracy to Distribute a Controlled Substance. Flores-Quintero was indicted in the Western District of Arkansas in June 2018 and plead guilty on September 28, 2018.
Victor Sanchez-Hernandez, age 47, a citizen of Mexico residing in Hindsville, Arkansas was sentenced February 5, 2019 to 240 months in federal prison followed by five years of supervised release on one count of Distribution of a Methamphetamine. Sanchez-Hernandez was indicted in the Western District of Arkansas in June 2018 and plead guilty on July 9, 2018.
Jose Octavio Sanchez, age 21, of Hindsville, Arkansas was sentenced February 5, 2019 to 12 months in federal prison followed by three years of supervised release on one count of being an unlawful drug user in possession of a firearm. Sanchez was indicted in the Western District of Arkansas in June 2018 and plead guilty on September 28, 2018.
Elizabeth Ramirez, age 30, of Springdale, Arkansas was sentenced February 5, 2019 to 44 months in federal prison followed by three years of supervised release on one count of Conspiracy to Distribute Methamphetamine. Ramirez was indicted in the Western District of Arkansas in June 2018 and plead guilty on June 25, 2018.
Jesus “Don Chuey” Ramirez-Santoyo, age 63, of Tulsa, Oklahoma was sentenced February 5, 2019 to 48 months in federal prison followed by three years of supervised release on one count of Conspiracy to Distribute Methamphetamine. Ramirez-Santoyo was indicted in the Western District of Arkansas in June 2018 and plead guilty on September 7, 2018.
This prosecution was part of the Western District of Arkansas’ Operation Ozark Express, which is part of the Department of Justice’s Organized Crime and Drug Enforcement Task Force (OCDETF) program. The OCDETF program is the centerpiece of the Department of Justice’s drug supply reduction strategy. OCDETF was established in 1982 to conduct comprehensive, multilevel attacks on major drug trafficking and money laundering organizations. Today, OCDETF combines the resources and expertise of its member federal agencies in cooperation with state and local law enforcement. The principal mission of the OCDETF program is to identify, disrupt, and dismantle the most serious drug trafficking and money laundering organizations and those primarily responsible for the nation’s illicit drug supply.
This OCDETF case was investigated by the Drug Enforcement Administration in Fayetteville, Arkansas and Chicago, Illinois; the Springdale Police Department; the Fayetteville Police Department; the Arkansas State Police; the Arkansas National Guard Counter-Drug Unit; and the Department of Homeland Security in Phoenix, Arizona. Assistant United States Attorney Brandon Carter prosecuted the case for the Western District of Arkansas.
El Salvador National Arrested for Illegally Reentering the United States Following DeportationRead the Press Release
A criminal complaint was filed today in federal court in Central Islip charging William Umberto Martinez Chavez with illegal reentry into the United States. The defendant was arrested this morning in Huntington, New York, and made his initial appearance this afternoon before United States Magistrate Judge A. Kathleen Tomlinson, where he was ordered detained.
Richard P. Donoghue, United States Attorney for the Eastern District of New York, and Thomas R. Decker, Field Office Director, U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), Enforcement and Removal Operations (ERO), announced the arrest.
“As alleged, Martinez Chavez illegally returned to the United States after he served a lengthy New York State prison sentence for a homicide he committed on Long Island, and was deported to El Salvador,” stated United States Attorney Donoghue. “This Office is firmly committed to prosecuting criminals who illegally reenter the United States, especially MS-13 gang members who break into the country after deportations resulting from violent crime convictions.” Mr. Donoghue expressed his appreciation to the Joint Criminal Alien Removal Taskforce and the United States Marshals NY/NJ Regional Fugitive Task Force, Long Island Division, for their assistance with the case.
“Martinez Chavez is a known MS-13 gang member who was convicted of manslaughter, served his time and was removed from the United States, only to resurface on the same streets after having entered illegally,” stated ERO New York Field Office Director Decker. “It is the job of the brave men and women of ICE to take those who break the laws of this country off the streets and see that they are removed back to their home countries.”
According to the complaint, Martinez Chavez, a Salvadoran national, was deported from the United States in October 2017, after having been convicted and served a sentence for manslaughter in connection with a May 2000 stabbing outside a deli in Huntington. Martinez Chavez stabbed the victim, severing his aorta and causing his death. The defendant has admitted to previously being a member of the MS-13 gang and still bears MS-13 tattoos, on his abdomen and on his chest.
If convicted, Martinez Chavez faces a maximum term of imprisonment of 20 years.
The charge in the complaint is an allegation, and the defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.
The government’s case is being handled by the Office’s Long Island Criminal Division. Assistant United States Attorney Jonathan Siegel is in charge of the prosecution.
The Defendant:
WILLIAM UMBERTO MARTINEZ CHAVEZ (also known as “William Martinez,” “William Martines,” “Wiliam Martinez Chavez” and “Julio Cordero”)
Age: 40
Huntington, New YorkE.D.N.Y. Docket No. 19-MJ-297 (AKT)
Easthampton Attorney Arrested and Charged with Financial Fraud and False Statements to Federal AgentsRead the Press Release
BOSTON – An Easthampton attorney was arrested on March 31, 2019, and appeared in federal court in Springfield yesterday to face charges for various financial fraud offenses and lying to federal agents.
Phillip R. Williams, 49, was indicted on three counts of wire fraud, two counts of engaging in financial transactions greater than $10,000 of proceeds derived from criminal activity, two counts of money laundering, two counts of tax fraud, and one count of false statements to a federal official. Williams appeared in federal court in Springfield yesterday and was detained pending a hearing scheduled for April 4, 2019.
According to the indictment, Williams was an attorney licensed to practice law in Massachusetts. Williams maintained an Interest on Lawyers’ Trust Account at a bank in Massachusetts and was required to hold funds with the care required of a professional fiduciary, for the exclusive benefit of his clients. Between approximately Jan. 29, 2014, and Dec. 31, 2014, Williams allegedly devised a scheme to defraud two individuals who transferred $950,000 into the Williams Lawyers’ Trust Account. As part of that scheme, Williams stole $453,695 of these funds for his own benefit, his family members, and two associates.
It is further alleged that when Williams electronically filed his self-prepared 2014 Individual Tax Return Form 1040 with the IRS, he failed to report the full amount of the $453,695 that he misappropriated from the Williams Lawyer’s Trust Account. In September 2015, Williams filed an amended 2014 Individual Tax Return, Form 1040x, with the IRS and increased his adjusted gross income from $44,439 to $282,000.
In addition, in July 2015, Williams allegedly told agents that he reported an estimated $300,000 of the stolen funds on his 2014 income tax return.
The wire fraud and money laundering charges provide for a sentence of no greater than 20 years in prison, up to five years of supervised release, and a fine of $250,000. The $10,000 financial transaction charges provide for a sentence of no greater than10 years in prison, up to three years of supervised release, and a fine of $250,000. The tax fraud charges provide for up to three years in prison, a maximum of three years of supervised release, and a fine of $100,000. The false statement charge provides for a sentence of no greater than five years in prison, up to three years of supervised release, and a fine of $250,000. Sentences are imposed based upon the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors.
United States Attorney Andrew E. Lelling; Kristina O’Connell, Special Agent in Charge of the Internal Revenue Service’s Criminal Investigation in Boston; and Joseph R. Bonavolonta, Special Agent in Charge of the Federal Bureau of Investigation, Boston Field Office, made the announcement. Assistant U.S. Attorney Steven H. Breslow of Lelling’s Springfield Branch Office is prosecuting the case.
The details contained in the indictment are allegations. The defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.
Eagle Butte Man Sentenced for Vicious Knife AttackRead the Press Release
United States Attorney Ron Parsons announced that an Eagle Butte, South Dakota, man convicted of Assault Resulting in Serious Bodily Injury was sentenced on April 1, 2019, by U.S. District Judge Roberto A. Lange.
James Charger, age 21, was sentenced to 54 months in federal prison, followed by 3 years of supervised release, and a special assessment to the Federal Crime Victims Fund in the amount of $100.
Charger was indicted by a federal grand jury on August 13, 2018. He pled guilty on December 2, 2018.
The conviction stemmed from an incident on February 6, 2018, when Charger stabbed another person with a knife in the chest and upper body at least nine times. The victim was flown by emergency air transport to Rapid City Regional Hospital, where he was treated for his injuries and survived.
This case was investigated by the Cheyenne River Sioux Tribe Law Enforcement Services. Assistant U.S. Attorney Jay Miller prosecuted the case.
Charger was immediately turned over to the custody of the U.S. Marshals Service.
Defendant sentenced in phone scam targeting U.S. victimsRead the Press Release
ATLANTA – Mehboob Mansurali Charania has been sentenced for his involvement in a transnational criminal organization that victimized over 340 people in the United States through a fraudulent India-based call-center scheme, resulting in over $200,000 in losses.
“The phone scheme Charania was a part of used lies, intimidation, and fear to extort or outright steal from unsuspecting citizens,” said U.S. Attorney Byung J. “BJay” Pak. “Our law enforcement partners regularly uncover thieves who believe they found a new way to steal. As Charania learned in this case though, law enforcement was well aware of these schemes.”
“Victimizing taxpayers by impersonating IRS employees is a serious crime,” said J. Russell George, Treasury Inspector General for Tax Administration. “Since October 2013, more than 15,000 victims have suffered over $75 million in losses to the perpetrators of telephone scammers who impersonate IRS employees. TIGTA is committed to ensuring that those involved in the impersonation of IRS employees are prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law. Our investigations have identified 140 scammers who, like Mr. Charania, have or are, facing federal criminal proceedings.”
According to U.S. Attorney Pak, the charges, and other information presented in court: The defendant took part in a sophisticated scheme organized in India, that included a network of call centers. Call center operators called U.S. residents over the telephone and misled the potential victims into sending money utilizing a number of different confidence scams.
The scams included impersonation scams where the callers pretended to be Internal Revenue Service (“IRS”) employees demanding payment of taxes and fees. Other scams included grant scams where callers directed victims to pay upfront fees for fictitious grants, student loan scams where callers threatened victims if they did not pay fictitious taxes and fees associated with student loans, and hacking scams where callers would gain remote access to the victim’s computer, lock the victim out of the computer, and deny access to the computer until the victim provided payment.
If the victims agreed to pay, the call centers would have the victims send the funds to the attention of fictitious names used by Charania through wire transfers, including through MoneyGram and Western Union. Charania also would conduct hawala money transfers by transferring proceeds to bank accounts as directed by an individual in India.
Charania, a citizen of India who moved to Tucker, Georgia in 2014, has been sentenced to one year, four months in prison to be followed by three years supervised release, and ordered to pay a $100 special assessment, and pay restitution of $203,958.02 to victims of the scheme. Charania was convicted on January 17, 2019, after he pleaded guilty to engaging in an unlicensed money transfer business.
This case was investigated by the U.S. Treasury Inspector General for Tax Administration.
Assistant U.S Attorney Jolee Porter prosecuted 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.
Daughter, Father Charged with Filing Lottery Ticket Tax Refund Claims Seeking $175 Million Resulting in Payment of Approximately $3.4 MillionRead the Press Release
Broward County father and daughter were arrested today for charges related to filing fraudulent lottery ticket tax refund claims that collectively sought in excess of $175,000,000.
Ariana Fajardo Orshan, United States Attorney for the Southern District of Florida, Michael J. De Palma, Special Agent in Charge, Internal Revenue Service, Criminal Investigation (IRS-CI), Fred Stolper, Special Agent in Charge, Diplomatic Security Service (DSS), Miami Field Office, George L. Piro, Special Agent in Charge, Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), Miami Field Office, and James S. Jackson, Deputy Inspector General for Investigations, Treasury Inspector General for Tax Administration (TIGTA), made the announcement.
A criminal complaint unsealed today charged Danielle Takeila Edmonson (“D. Edmonson”), 35, of Boynton Beach, and Kenneth Roger Edmonson (“K. Edmonson”), 50, of Oakland Park, with filing false claims, mail fraud, and false statements. K. Edmonson will appear before U.S. Magistrate Judge Patrick M. Hunt, on Friday, April 5, for his pretrial detention hearing. D. Edmonson will make her initial appearance tomorrow, April 3, before Judge Hunt.
According to the affidavit filed in support of the criminal complaint, from 2015 through 2018 (the “relevant period”), D. Edmonson and K. Edmonson filed lottery ticket tax refund claims with the IRS totaling approximately $175 million, including individual refund claims ranging from hundreds of thousands of dollars to as high as eighty million dollars. Despite the false nature of the claims, the Department of Treasury paid out approximately $3.4 million in refunds through the issuance of U.S. Treasury checks.
According to the affidavit, D. Edmonson filed a fraudulent tax return seeking a large refund for tax year 2014 falsely indicating on handwritten forms that she had paid taxes of over $300,000. The IRS did not receive any corresponding records indicating that D. Edmonson had actually paid these taxes. Despite the false nature of the tax return, the Department of Treasury issued a tax refund check for $239,700 in 2015. D. Edmonson deposited this tax refund check into her bank account and used the funds to purchase a BMW and make large cash withdrawals.
According to the affidavit, D. Edmonson filed fraudulent tax returns for each of tax years 2015, 2016, and 2017, seeking refunds of approximately $80 million, $2.4 million, and $9 million, respectively. These tax returns contained forms falsely claiming that D. Edmonson had paid over $145 million in taxes during this period. The IRS did not receive any corresponding forms to support the payment of any of these taxes. Despite the false nature of the tax returns, on September 4, 2017, the Department of Treasury issued a tax refund check to D. Edmonson in the amount of $2,405,703. D. Edmonson subsequently deposited this tax refund check into her bank account.
According to the affidavit, K. Edmonson filed a fraudulent tax return in September 2017 seeking a refund of approximately $725,111. The return contained false and fraudulent claims that K. Edmonson had paid a substantial amount of withholding taxes. The IRS did not receive corresponding forms to support the claimed payments. Despite the false nature of the tax return, on January 28, 2018, the Department of Treasury mailed a tax refund check to K. Edmonson for $734,266.27 (including $9,036.27 in interest). Shortly thereafter, K. Edmonson deposited this tax refund check into his bank account.
According to the affidavit, in January 2018, IRS agents conducted a search of the defendants’ residence. During the search, in D. Edmonson’s bedroom, law enforcement found a letter from the Department of Treasury, dated June 2017, advising her that her tax refund claims are “worthless . . . [and] akin to a fraud” and handwritten “wish list” by D. Edmonson asking for a “refund check in the amount of $80,112.167.” In addition, during the search, IRS agents advised K. Edmonson of the fraudulent nature of his tax return. Shortly after law enforcement left, K. Edmonson went to his bank to attempt to withdraw the funds from the account that received the fraudulent refund check.
If convicted, each defendant faces a maximum sentence of 20 years in prison for each count of mail fraud and five years in prison for each count of filing false claims and false statements.
Ms. Fajardo Orshan thanked IRS-CI, DSS, FBI, and TIGTA for their work on the case. The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Michael N. Berger.
A criminal complaint is merely an allegation and every defendant is presumed innocent until proven guilty.
Related court documents and information may be found on the website of the District Court for the Southern District of Florida at www.flsd.uscourts.gov or on http://pacer.flsd.uscourts.gov.
Dallas-Area Home Health Care Employee Sentenced to Five Years in Prison for His Role in a $3.7 Million Health Care Fraud SchemeRead the Press Release
A Collin County, Texas man was sentenced to 60 months in prison today following his trial conviction for conspiracy to commit health care fraud.
Assistant Attorney General Brian A. Benczkowski of the Justice Department’s Criminal Division, U.S. Attorney Erin Nealy Cox of the Northern District of Texas, Special Agent in Charge C.J. Porter of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Office of Inspector General’s (HHS-OIG) Dallas Region, Acting Special Agent in Charge Michael Schneider of the FBI’s Dallas Field Office and Director of Law Enforcement David Maxwell of the Texas Attorney General’s Medicaid Fraud Control Unit (MFCU) made the announcement.
Paul Emordi, 52, was sentenced by U.S. District Judge Jane Boyle of the Northern District of Texas, who also sentenced Emordi to two years of supervised release and ordered Emordi to pay restitution in the amount of $3,559,154.22. After a six-day trial, Emordi; Celestine “Tony” Okwilagwe, 50, of Dallas County, Texas; Adetutu Etti, 60, also of Dallas County; and Loveth Isidaehomen, 49, also of Dallas County, were each convicted of one count of conspiracy to commit health care fraud. In addition, Okwilagwe and Etti were each convicted of two counts of false statement in connection with a health care benefit program. Sentencing has been scheduled for Etti on March 28 and for Okwilagwe and Isidaehomen on April 18.
According to evidence presented at trial, Okwilagwe and Emordi owned and operated Elder Care, a Medicare and Medicaid provider in Garland, Texas, when both were previously excluded from participating in any federal health care benefit program. Etti, the administrator of Elder Care, concealed Okwilagwe’s ownership and Okwilagwe and Emordi’s exclusions from Medicare and Medicaid. Etti signed false documents that indicated that no one associated with Elder Care was excluded and that another individual owned Elder Care, the evidence showed. The evidence further established that Isidaehomen, who is Okwilagwe’s wife, signed bank documents and wrote employee paychecks to conceal both Okwilagwe’s and Emordi’s involvement with Elder Care. The defendants also engaged in a scheme to submit false and fraudulent bills to Medicare for services that were not needed, the evidence showed.
This case was investigated by HHS-OIG, the FBI and MFCU. Assistant Deputy Chief Adrienne Frazior and Trial Attorney Catherine Wagner of the Criminal Division’s Fraud Section and Assistant U.S. Attorney Russell Fusco of the Northern District of Texas are prosecuting the case.
The Fraud Section leads the Medicare Fraud Strike Force. Since its inception in March 2007, the Medicare Fraud Strike Force, which maintains 14 strike forces operating in 23 districts, has charged nearly 4,000 defendants who have collectively billed the Medicare program for more than $14 billion. In addition, the HHS Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services, working in conjunction with the HHS-OIG, are taking steps to increase accountability and decrease the presence of fraudulent providers.
Convicted Felon Guilty of Illegally Possessing a FirearmRead the Press Release
Memphis, TN – Following a two-day jury trial in federal court, a Memphis man has been found guilty of being a convicted felon in possession of a firearm. U.S. Attorney D. Michael Dunavant announced the guilty verdict today.
According to evidence presented at trial, on July 2, 2017, Memphis Police Department officers responded to a man down call at the "Z" Market located at Perkins and Cottonwood. Marcus McCraven, 36, was driving his Ford F-150 pickup truck when he crashed into a pole and a fence in the parking lot. McCraven appeared to be passed out behind the wheel. In plain view, on the passenger side floorboard, officers located a loaded Taurus .45/410 caliber revolver. He was also in possession of cocaine, heroin and fentanyl found inside his vehicle.
On March 20, 2009, McCraven pled guilty to conspiracy to possess with the intent to distribute cocaine and was sentenced to 27 months. After serving that sentence, he violated the terms of supervised release and received an additional 6 months incarceration.
Sentencing is set on June 27, 2019, before United States District Court Judge John T. Fowlkes Jr. McCraven faces up to 10 years imprisonment followed by three years supervised release.
U.S. Attorney D. Michael Dunavant said, "Convicted felons who possess firearms are an inherent danger to community, and this defendant continued to possess a firearm and illegal narcotics despite his prior felony conviction history. There is and ought to be a significant consequence for such recidivist criminal behavior, and this is one more gun toter that will be removed from our streets. Gun Crime is Max Time."
This case is part of the Project Safe Neighborhoods Initiative (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. In 2017, PSN was reinvigorated as part of the Department’s renewed focus on targeting violent criminals, directing all U.S. Attorney’s Offices to work in partnership with federal, state, local and tribal law enforcement and the local community to develop effective, locally based strategies to reduce violent crime.
The Memphis Police Department, Project Safe Neighborhoods Task Force and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives investigated this case.
Assistant U.S. Attorneys Raney Irwin and Kevin Whitmore prosecuted this case on behalf of the government.
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Cleveland man indicted for allegedly committing five armed robberies in December 2018Read the Press Release
A Cleveland man was indicted for allegedly committing five armed robberies in December 2018.
Dwyon Moore, 50, was indicted on five counts of Hobbs Act robbery and five counts using a firearm in relation to a crime of violence.
Moore is accused of using a firearm to rob the following businesses in Cleveland: Wonton Gourmet on Payne Avenue on December 12; of D.O. Summers Cleaners and Laundry on Carnegie Avenue on December 14; Dark and Lovely Hair and Beauty on Cedar Avenue on December 14; Bo Loong on St. Clair Avenue on December 14, and Good Times Café on East 55th Street on December 14, according to the indictment.
This case is part of Project Safe Neighborhoods, 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. PSN was reinvigorated 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.
If convicted, the defendant’s sentence will be determined by the Court after review of factors unique to this case, including the defendant’s prior criminal record, if any, the defendant’s role in the offense and the characteristics of the violations. In all cases, the sentence will not exceed the statutory maximum and, in most cases, it will be less than the maximum.
This case was investigated by the Cleveland Division of Police, Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, the Federal Bureau of Investigation, and the Cuyahoga County Prosecutor’s Office’s Crime Strategies Unit. It is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney John C. Hanley.
An indictment is only an allegation and is not evidence of guilt. A defendant is entitled to a fair trial in which it will be the government’s burden to prove guilt beyond a reasonable doubt.
Charleston Man Pleads Guilty to Federal Gun ChargeRead the Press Release
HUNTINGTON, W.Va. – Marcus Smith, 46, from Charleston, West Virginia, pled guilty today to being a felon in possession of a firearm, announced United States Attorney Mike Stuart. The case was investigated by the Hurricane Police Department and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF).
On August 29, 2017, a Hurricane Police Officer conducted a traffic stop in Hurricane. Smith was a passenger in the vehicle. Officers located a loaded firearm under his seat. Smith was prohibited from possessing the firearm under federal law because of a multiple prior felony convictions.
Smith faces up to 10 years in prison when he is sentenced on July 15, 2019.
The plea hearing was held before United States District Judge Robert C. Chambers. Assistant United States Attorney Stephanie Taylor handled the prosecution of the case.
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.
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California Man Pleads Guilty to Federal Gun CrimesRead the Press Release
BLUEFIELD, W.Va. – A California man pled guilty today to a federal gun charges, announced United States Attorney Mike Stuart. Tiero D. Wash, 23, entered his guilty pleas to being a felon in possession of firearms on two separate dates. Stuart commended the investigative efforts of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF), the Mercer County Home Confinement Office, and the Bluefield City Police Department.
It was established at the plea hearing that Wash illegally possessed firearms on two separate dates while on home confinement in Mercer County on unrelated state charges. On December 5, 2017, Mercer County Home Confinement Officers and Bluefield City Police Officers searched Wash’s residence as a condition of his home confinement. During the search, officers located three different firearms. On January 1, 2018, officers again searched Wash’s residence as a condition of his home confinement. During the second search, officers located another firearm. Wash was prohibited from possessing any firearm under federal law because he was previously convicted of the felony offense of Transporting Marijuana in the Superior Court of California, County of Sacramento in 2017.
Wash faces up to 10 years in federal prison when he is sentenced on August 7, 2019.
Assistant United States Attorney Timothy D. Boggess is responsible for the prosecution. The plea hearing was held before Senior United States District Judge David A. Faber.
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.
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Bronx Man Sentenced in Manhattan Federal Court to 20 Years in Prison for Attempting to Provide and Conspiring to Provide Material Support to ISISRead the Press Release
Geoffrey S. Berman, the United States Attorney for the Southern District of New York, and John C. Demers, the Assistant Attorney General for National Security, announced that ADAM RAISHANI, a/k/a “Saddam Mohamed Raishani,” was sentenced to 20 years in prison for attempting to provide and conspiring to provide material support to the Islamic State of Iraq and al-Sham (“ISIS”). RAISHANI pled guilty to a Superseding Information on November 14, 2018, before U.S. District Judge Ronnie Abrams, who also imposed today’s sentence.
Manhattan U.S. Attorney Geoffrey S. Berman said: “Adam Raishani may be a U.S. citizen, but he pledged his allegiance to the Islamic State of Iraq and al-Sham, the terrorist organization that seeks to destroy the ideals inherent to America. In his efforts to show support to the organization, he helped another man make a trip to the Middle East so that he could join and train. Then, a year later, Raishani decided to follow him, leaving Raishani’s wife and child behind in the United States. Thankfully law enforcement was there to arrest him before he could make his dream of jihad a reality. Now, Raishani will spend the next 20 years of his life behind bars for his treachery.”
Assistant Attorney General John C. Demers said: “Raishani tried to leave his young family to travel overseas to join ISIS. Fortunately, he was arrested before he could leave the country. Raishani is the latest in the long line of would-be terrorists whom we have arrested and prosecuted before they could accomplish their mission to provide material support to ISIS overseas. I commend the agents, analysts, and prosecutors who are responsible for this result.”
According to the Superseding Information, other court filings, and statements made during court proceedings:
Beginning in the fall of 2015, RAISHANI conspired with another ISIS supporter (“CC-1”) to provide material support and resources to ISIS. RAISHANI and CC-1 agreed to travel overseas to join and wage jihad for ISIS, with CC-1 to depart first. On October 30, 2015, CC-1 departed from JFK Airport for Istanbul, Turkey, where he planned to cross into Syria to join and fight for ISIS. RAISHANI helped coordinate CC-1’s transportation from the Bronx, New York, to John F. Kennedy International Airport (“JFK Airport”), and RAISHANI accompanied CC-1 from the Bronx to JFK Airport.
RAISHANI continued communicating with CC-1 following CC-1’s departure, using an encrypted email application in an effort to avoid law enforcement detection. For example, on January 2, 2016, RAISHANI sent an email to CC-1 stating: “Glad tidings brother. Its [sic] been some time since your voyage. I pray to Allah The ALL MIGHTY to grant you success. Until next time.”[1] On April 1, 2016, RAISHANI sent another email to CC-1 stating: “I hope Allah has bestowed you what you were seeking. . . . May Allah grant you sincere and clean intentions and make you among the righteous in Janatal Firdaus [a reference to Islamic paradise]. . . . Please return this email and respond to what we agreed upon before your departure. Until next time.” On May 3, 2016, CC-1 responded to RAISHANI, indicating that he had succeeded in joining the Islamic State. CC-1 informed RAISHANI that CC-1 was “fine and well,” that CC-1 “wished you [RAISHANI] were here with me,” and that “here we are living with izza [honor].”
Also in May 2016, CC-1 posted content on a particular social media application (“Application-1”) indicating that CC-1 was living in the Islamic State and fighting on its behalf. For example, CC-1 sent messages to another user of Application-1 stating: “I’m living in the Islamic state safely and secure by the permission of Allah,” “[h]ere we are fighting the kuffars [non-believers],” and “I left the land of kuffars now I’m living in the khilafah [the caliphate].” CC-1 also posted a photograph on Application-1 that shows CC-1 carrying an assault rifle and the flag of ISIS.
Between January and June of 2017, RAISHANI had a series of meetings with individuals who were, unbeknownst to RAISHANI, a confidential source working at the direction of law enforcement and an undercover law enforcement officer. In the course of those meetings, RAISHANI admitted that he had previously helped another person (CC-1) travel overseas to join ISIS, and stated that he intended to travel overseas to join ISIS himself. During those meetings, RAISHANI also downloaded and viewed violent ISIS propaganda videos, and expressed his desire to wage jihad on behalf of ISIS and his belief that the Quran can be read to justify the violence, including beheadings, perpetrated by ISIS.
By April 2017, RAISHANI was actively planning to travel abroad to join ISIS. RAISHANI indicated that he aspired to join ISIS in Syria and that he aimed to travel before the end of Ramadan, an Islamic holy month that ran from approximately May 26 through June 24 of 2017. In June 2017, RAISHANI made preparations to leave, including by paying off debts and purchasing clothing that he intended to wear for training with ISIS overseas. RAISHANI indicated his intention to meet an ISIS member in Turkey, who would facilitate RAISHANI’s joining the terrorist organization in Syria. In the course of communications with an undercover law enforcement officer, RAISHANI conveyed that he was prepared to die, to martyr himself, for ISIS. On June 21, 2017, RAISHANI attempted to board a flight bound for Turkey (via Portugal) at JFK Airport, at which point law enforcement officers arrested him.
Following RAISHANI’s arrest, the FBI searched RAISHANI’s Bronx residence pursuant to a search warrant. Among the evidence recovered was a letter from RAISHANI addressed to members of his family, which the FBI found in a safe in RAISHANI’s bedroom. In the letter, RAISHANI – who left behind his wife and young son when he attempted to travel to Syria to join ISIS – advised his wife that she could still choose to “[j]oin” him in the Islamic State, and he expressed regret that she did not share his radical views and that he had been unable to convince her to accompany him to join ISIS. RAISHANI also wrote: “Do Not Divulge this document and other documents that I have giv[en] to you to the authorities. Do not believe their plots. Do not divulge my absences but instead say I went to do volunteering outside the country with my medical skills and health background.”
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In addition to the prison term, RAISHANI, 32, of the Bronx, New York, was sentenced to 20 years of supervised release.
Mr. Berman praised the outstanding efforts of the FBI’s New York Joint Terrorism Task Force, which principally consists of agents from the FBI and detectives from the NYPD, and the NYPD’s Intelligence Division. Mr. Berman also thanked the Counterterrorism Section of the Department of Justice’s National Security Division, as well as the New York Office of U.S. Customs and Border Protection.
This prosecution is being handled by the Office’s Terrorism and International Narcotics Unit. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Sidhardha Kamaraju, Jane Kim, and George D. Turner are in charge of the prosecution, with assistance from Trial Attorney Kevin Nunnally of the Counterterrorism Section.
[1] Communications and conversations discussed herein are described in substance and in part.
Boston Man Indicted for Being a Felon in Possession of a FirearmRead the Press Release
BOSTON – A Boston man was indicted today in federal court in Boston for being a felon in possession of a firearm.
Khyeme Johnson, 31, was charged with one count of being a felon in possession of a firearm and ammunition.
On Aug. 24, 2018, Johnson was allegedly found in possession of an Arcadia Machine & Tool .380 semiautomatic pistol with two rounds of ammunition. Johnson is prohibited from possessing a firearm due to multiple prior felony convictions.
Based upon his criminal history, Johnson faces a maximum sentence of life in prison, up to five years of supervised release and a fine of $250,000. Sentences are imposed by a federal district court judge based upon the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors.
United States Attorney Andrew E. Lelling and Kelly Brady, Special Agent in Charge of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms & Explosives, Boston Field Division, made the announcement today. Valuable assistance was provided by the Suffolk County District Attorney’s Office and the Boston Police Department. Assistant U.S. Attorney Chris Looney of Lelling’s Criminal Division is prosecuting 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. PSN is 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.
The details contained in the charging documents are allegations. The defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.
Assistant U.S. Attorneys honoredRead the Press Release
Pictured left to right are: Adam Cohen, Director of OCEDFT; Assistant U.S. Attorney Lara K. Omps-Botteicher, award recipient; Assistant U.S. Attorney Shawn M. Adkins, award recipient; U.S. Attorney Bill Powell, the Northern District of West VirginiaMARTINSBURG, WEST VIRGINIA –United States Attorney Bill Powell is proud to announce that three Assistant United States Attorneys in the Northern District of West Virginia are being recognized today in Baltimore for their work to combat the opioid epidemic.
Assistant U.S. Attorneys Shawn M. Adkins and Lara K. Omps-Botteicher, along with former NDWV Assistant U.S. Attorney Anna Z. Krasinski, now with the U.S. Attorney’s Office in New Hampshire, will be recognized at the Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Force Awards for their exemplary work on cases involving opioid reduction in the Northern District of West Virginia.
“Our honored Assistant United States Attorneys and law enforcement agents are extraordinarily hard working and professional. They come to work every day with one mission: to protect the people of this district. They do so with great enthusiasm, a just mind and without any concern for recognition. But, when recognition comes we should embrace it for it reminds us how fortunate we are to have them helping to protect each of us. I am proud to be associated with them, and congratulate them all on this well-deserved recognition,” said Powell.
Along with Adkins, Omps-Botteicher, and Krasinski, several other Northern District of West Virginia law enforcement professionals will be recognized at the ceremony.
The Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Forces (OCDETF) Program was established in 1982 to coordinate a comprehensive attack against organized drug traffickers. Today, the OCDETF Program is the centerpiece of the United States Attorney General’s drug strategy to reduce the availability of drugs by disrupting and dismantling major drug trafficking organizations, money-laundering networks, and related criminal enterprises.
OCDETF combines the resources and expertise of federal law enforcement agencies in a coordinated attack against major drug trafficking and transnational criminal organizations. The OCDETF program includes the 94 U.S. Attorneys’ Offices (USAOs), the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF), the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA), the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), the Internal Revenue Service (IRS), the U.S. Coast Guard (USCG), the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (USCIS), the U.S. Marshals Service (USMS), the Criminal and Tax Divisions of the U.S. Department of Justice, and numerous State and local agencies.
Arraignments Held for 14 Defendants on Drug Trafficking, Money Laundering ChargesRead the Press Release
KANSAS CITY, KAN. – Arraignments were held Monday in federal court in Kansas City, Kan., for some of 14 defendants charged with marijuana trafficking and money laundering, U.S. Attorney Stephen McAllister said.
A federal indictment alleges the defendants smuggled hundreds of pounds of marijuana from California and Colorado to be distributed in Kansas and laundered hundreds of thousands of dollars in drug proceeds.
Charges include drug trafficking conspiracy, money laundering, conspiracy, unlawful use of the U.S. Postal Service and maintaining a residence for the purpose of drug trafficking.
The following defendants are charged in a 25-count indictment:
Steven Martinez, 30, Rosamond, Calif.
Nickolas Vander Bruggen, 28, Hesperia, Calif.
George Garcia, 31, Rosamond, Calif.
Alonzo Cooper, 28, Kansas City, Kan.
Reginald Allen, 26, Kansas City, Kan.
Kayla Union, 22, Kansas City, Mo.
Akil Cooper, 26, Lancaster, Calif.
Marcus Joseph, 31, Lancaster, Calif.
Dominique Wilson, 24, Kansas City, Kan.
Mario Zelaya, 27, Los Angeles, Calif.
Trenton Smith, 29, Aurora, Colo.
Anthony Daniels, 58, Sacramento, Calif.
Daya Daniels, 46, Sacramento, Calif.
Barbara Haynes, 39, Littleton, Colo.
Upon conviction, the charges carry the following penalties:
Conspiracy: Not less than five years and not more than 40 years in federal prison and a fine up to $5 million.
Conspiracy to distribute marijuana: Up to five years and a fine up to $250,000.
Unlawful use of the Postal Service: Up to four years and a fine up to $250,000.
Maintaining drug-involved premises: Up to 20 years and a fine up to $500,000.
Money laundering: Up to 20 years and a fine up to $500,000.
The Kansas City, Missouri, Police Department, Internal Revenue Service Criminal Investigation Unit, U.S. Postal Inspection Service, Homeland Security Investigations, Federal Bureau of Investigation, U.S. Marshals Service, Dubuque (Iowa) Drug Task Force, Kern County (California) Sheriff’s Office and the La Habra (California) Police Department investigated. Assistant U.S. Attorney Trent Krug is prosecuting.
In all cases, defendants are presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty. The indictments merely contain allegations of criminal conduct.
Arlington Gym Owner Sentenced to Prison for Drug CrimesRead the Press Release
ALEXANDRIA, Va. – An Arlington man was sentenced today to nearly four years in prison for his role in purchasing 2 kilograms of cocaine from undercover detectives.
According to court documents, Pascal Laporte, 40, intended to purchase 2 kilograms of cocaine from undercover Fairfax County Police detectives who purported themselves as members a drug cartel based in Mexico. For over a year, Laporte expressed to a confidential source his need for a cheaper supplier of cocaine who could provide him with kilogram quantities. Laporte first met the undercover detectives in early August 2018 at a restaurant in Tysons Corner, to discuss pricing per kilogram and the quantity Laporte desired. Laporte told the undercover detectives it would take him a week to sell off 1 kilogram of cocaine.
In the weeks leading up to his arrest, Laporte communicated with the CS his desire to start with the purchase of 2 kilograms of cocaine, and if the arrangement went well, he would then purchase 10 kilograms, and then upwards of 100 kilograms per month. Laporte even traveled to Miami with the intention to find a means to transport the cocaine himself to the Northern Virginia area in an effort to obtain the cheapest price per kilogram. Laporte was arrested in August 2018 as he was inspecting the cocaine that he was to purchase. He brought $45,000 to the meeting, as partial payment for the 2 kilograms.
G. Zachary Terwilliger, U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of Virginia, Jesse R. Fong, Special Agent in Charge for the Drug Enforcement Administration’s (DEA) Washington Field Division, and Colonel Edwin C. Roessler Jr., Fairfax County Chief of Police made the announcement after sentencing by U.S. District Judge Anthony J. Trenga. Special Assistant U.S. Attorney Lena Munasifi 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 is located on the website of the District Court for the Eastern District of Virginia or on PACER by searching for Case No. 1:18-cr-368.
Apollo Woman Pleads Guilty to Defrauding Social SecurityRead the Press Release
PITTSBURGH, PA- A resident of Armstrong County, pleaded guilty in federal court to a charge of theft of government money, United States Attorney Scott W. Brady announced today.
Tara Jo Frain, 33, of Apollo, PA, pleaded guilty yesterday before United States District Judge Donetta W. Ambrose to Count One of the four-count Indictment, which also charges her husband, Danny Ray Alexander at Counts Two and Four of the same crimes.
In connection with the guilty plea, the Court was advised that between November 29, 2013 and December 30, 2016, Frain knowingly received Supplemental Security Income (SSI) benefits to which she knew she was not entitled in an amount of $25,164.00. In addition to the theft charge, Frain accepted responsibility for making false statements to the Social Security Administration (SSA) to obtain SSI benefits, which is charged and Count Three of the Indictment. Specifically, the Court was informed, that in May of 2012, Frain and Alexander were married but Frain did not inform the SSA of the change in her marital status and, in September of 2016, Frain falsely claimed on a SSA form that she was not married.
Judge Ambrose scheduled sentencing for August 5, 2019, at 10 a.m. The law provides for a total maximum sentence of 10 years in prison, a fine of $250,000, or both. Under the Federal Sentencing Guidelines, the actual sentence imposed is based upon the seriousness of the offense and the prior criminal history, if any, of the defendant. Frain remains on bond pending sentencing.
Assistant United States Attorneys Rebecca L. Silinski and Adam N. Hallowell are prosecuting this case on behalf of the government.
The Social Security Administration – Office of Inspector General conducted the investigation that led to the prosecution of Frain.
Alaska Woman Sentenced to Federal Prison for Defrauding Anchorage Medical PracticeRead the Press Release
Anchorage, Alaska – U.S. Attorney Bryan Schroder announced that an Alaska woman has been sentenced in federal court for devising multiple schemes to defraud an Anchorage medical practice of at least $640,000.
Jill Diane Applebury, aka: “Jill Wetzsteon,” 54, d/b/a Applebury Accounting Services, of Anchorage, was sentenced yesterday by Chief U.S. District Judge Timothy M. Burgess to serve four years in prison, followed by five years of supervised release. In November 2018, Jill Applebury pleaded guilty to four counts of bank fraud, one count of wire fraud, and one count of fraudulent transactions with an access device. The total amount of restitution to be paid to the victim will be determined within thirty days.
According to court documents, from the mid-1990’s until March 2013, Jill Applebury was an independent contractor who performed bookkeeping services for an Anchorage medical practice, which was owned and operated by an Anchorage physician. From at least 2001 until March 22, 2013, Jill Applebury defrauded the Anchorage medical practice in several ways.
One such scheme stems from 2001 through 2009, when Jill Applebury used the medical practice’s funds to pay her Federal Income Tax Withholding without authority. Specifically, Jill Applebury executed unauthorized and fraudulent transactions from the medical practice’s business bank account to the IRS, thereby having the medical practice pay her IRS individual income tax account. IRS Form 945 account transcripts for the medical practice showed that withheld taxes were paid to the IRS for the 2001-2009 calendar years, and applied to Jill Applebury’s individual income tax account. The total amount of unauthorized federal tax withholdings on independent contractor compensation paid by the medical practice for Jill Applebury’s benefit was $84,813.75.
Another scheme involved the medical practice’s profit-sharing plan. Employees of the medical practice were eligible to participate in its profit-sharing plan, which was overseen by a third-party administrator. Independent contractors did not qualify for the plan; however, Jill Applebury falsely represented to the third-party administrator that she had become a full-time employee of the medical practice in 2009, making her eligible to participate in the profit-sharing plan beginning in 2010. In all, Jill Applebury fraudulently caused the physician to unknowingly allocate $62,722.90 to her in unauthorized profit-sharing plan contributions for the years 2010 and 2011. As a result of the unauthorized overpayment caused by Jill Applebury to the profit-sharing plan, the Anchorage physician suffered an additional loss of $25,574.18, and was subject to an excise tax penalty in the amount of $1,931.80.
From July 2004 through December 2012, Jill Applebury devised a scheme to defraud the medical practice by fraudulently transferring funds from the medical practice’s business bank account to pay for charges on her and her family’s personal credit cards, including charges for travel and dining. The medical practice checking account was used to make payments totaling $18,229.97 on credit cards belonging to Jill Applebury, her husband and daughter.
Additionally, between 2004 and March 22, 2013, Jill Applebury used the medical practice’s business credit card to pay for items for their own personal and/or business benefit. The unauthorized charges included cell phone service for the Appleburys and members of their family, internet service for their residence, business licenses for businesses owned by Jill and Darin Applebury, automobile insurance for their personal vehicles, and other personal items. Jill Applebury also, without the consent of the Anchorage physician, put her nephew on the business cell phone plan, and used the business credit card to pay for fund raising gift cards obtained through GL Scripts to contribute to the same nephew’s youth soccer league. In all, Jill Applebury used the medical practice’s business credit card to pay for her and her husband’s personal and personal business expenses in the amount of $35,393.20.
The investigation also revealed that in October 2012, Jill Applebury fraudulently used the medical practice’s business credit card to purchase nearly $3,000 of medical products for her husband’s business, Rapid Recovery Medical Service, Inc. The fraudulent credit card purchases were made using the physician’s name and address without the knowledge and permission of the Anchorage physician.
Through her schemes, Jill Applebury was overpaid more than $550,000 for accounting and bookkeeping services, which also caused the medical practice to overpay the employer’s portion of payroll taxes in the amount of $23,469.69.
When imposing sentence upon Jill Applebury, Judge Burgess stated that the scope of the crimes committed against the Anchorage physician were breathtaking in that Jill Applebury treated the finances of the medical practice “like her own personal piggy bank.” Judge Burgess wanted to send a strong message to the financial community that such conduct would not be tolerated. Judge Burgess ordered Jill Applebury to no longer have any contact with the financial records of any business organization; he also found Jill Applebury to be a financial risk to third parties and ordered her to notify all future employers of her felony convictions.
The Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) and the Anchorage Police Department (APD) conducted the investigation leading to the successful prosecution of this case. This case was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Retta-Rae Randall.
"Joe Exotic" Convicted of Murder-For-Hire and Violating Both the Lacey Act and Endangered Species ActRead the Press Release
OKLAHOMA CITY – A federal jury has found JOSEPH MALDONADO-PASSAGE, also known as Joseph Allen Maldonado, Joseph Allen Schreibvogel, and "Joe Exotic," 56, formerly of Wynnewood, Oklahoma, guilty on two counts of hiring someone to murder a woman in Florida, eight counts of violating the Lacey Act for falsifying wildlife records, and nine counts of violating the Endangered Species Act, announced First Assistant U.S. Attorney Robert J. Troester.
"The self-described Tiger King was not above the law," said Mr. Troester. "Rather, the jury only needed a few hours of deliberation before finding him guilty of engaging in a murder-for-hire plot to kill a rival and violating federal laws intended to protect wildlife when he killed multiple tigers, sold tiger cubs, and falsified wildlife records. We are thankful for the jury’s careful attention, deliberation, and verdict in this case."
"We would like to thank the U.S Attorney’s Office for prosecuting this case and holding individuals accountable for these crimes," said Phillip Land, Special Agent in Charge of the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Office of Law Enforcement for the Southwest Region. "We appreciate our state and federal law enforcement partners working together in this investigation."
On September 5, 2018, a federal grand jury returned an indictment that accused Maldonado-Passage of hiring an unnamed person in November 2017 to murder "Jane Doe" in Florida and also hiring a person who turned out to be an undercover FBI agent to commit that murder. A superseding indictment handed down on November 7, 2018, further alleged Maldonado-Passage falsified forms involving the sale of wildlife in interstate commerce, killed five tigers in October 2017 to make room for cage space for other big cats, and sold and offered to sell tiger cubs in interstate commerce. Because tigers are an endangered species, these alleged killings and sales violated the Endangered Species Act.
During a trial that began on March 25, a jury heard evidence that Maldonado-Passage gave Allen Glover $3,000 to travel from Oklahoma to South Carolina and then to Florida to murder Carole Baskin, with a promise to pay thousands more after the deed. Baskin, a critic of Maldonado-Passage’s animal park, owns a tiger refuge in Florida and had secured a million-dollar judgment against Maldonado-Passage’s park.
The evidence further showed that beginning in July 2016, Maldonado-Passage repeatedly sought someone to murder Baskin in exchange for money, which led to his meeting with an undercover FBI agent on December 8, 2017. The jury heard a recording of his meeting with the agent to discuss details of the planned murder.
In addition to the murder-for-hire counts, the trial included evidence of violations of the Lacey Act, which makes it a crime to falsify records of wildlife transactions in interstate commerce. According to these counts, Maldonado-Passage designated on delivery forms and Certificates of Veterinary Inspection that tigers, lions, and a baby lemur were being donated to the recipient or transported for exhibition only, when he knew they were being sold in interstate commerce.
Finally, the jury heard evidence that Maldonado-Passage personally shot and killed five tigers in October 2017, without a veterinarian present and in violation of the Endangered Species Act.
After only a few hours of deliberation, the jury returned guilty verdicts on both murder-for-hire counts, eight Lacey Act counts, and nine Endangered Species Act counts.
At sentencing, Maldonado-Passage could be imprisoned on each murder-for-hire count up to ten years. He would also be subject to up to three years of supervised release and a fine of up to $250,000 per count. Each Lacey Act violation could carry a prison term of five years, a fine of $250,000, and three years of supervised release. Each Endangered Species Act count could result in one year in prison, a fine of $100,000, and one year of supervised release.
Maldonado-Passage will remain in the custody of the U.S. Marshals Service pending sentencing, which will take place in approximately ninety days.
This case is the result of an investigation by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Office of Law Enforcement, the Federal Bureau of Investigation, and the Oklahoma Department of Wildlife Conservation, with assistance from the U.S. Marshals Service. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Amanda Green and Charles W. Brown are prosecuting the case.
Reference is made to court filings for further information.
Monday 1 April 2019
Wayne County Man Pleads Guilty to Illegally Possessing Ammunition While Being a Prohibited PersonRead the Press Release
HUNTINGTON, W.Va. – Steven Ferguson, 40, pled guilty today to being a prohibited person while possessing ammunition, announced United States Attorney Mike Stuart. The investigation was conducted by the Huntington Police Department.
On February 2, 2018, a Huntington Police Officer on patrol observed a black Dodge truck stuck in the mud in Rotary Park in Huntington. The officer observed two occupants in the vehicle. After observing and securing a large machete and a hunting knife, Ferguson told the officer he had a bag that contained ammunition. Ferguson was prohibited from possessing the ammunition under federal law because of a 2012 misdemeanor domestic battery 2nd offense conviction in Cabell County Magistrate Court.
Ferguson faces up to 10 years in prison when he is sentenced on July 15, 2019.
The plea hearing was held before United States District Judge Robert C. Chambers. Assistant United States Attorney Stephanie Taylor handled the prosecution of the case.
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.
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Verona Man Pleads Guilty in Large Heroin Trafficking ConspiracyRead the Press Release
PITTSBURGH - A Verona, Pennslvania resident pleaded guilty in federal court to a charge of violating federal narcotics laws, United States Attorney Scott W. Brady announced today.
Angelo Massie, 41, pleaded guilty to one count before United States District Judge Nora Barry Fischer.
In connection with the guilty plea, the court was advised that from in and around November 2015, and continuing thereafter to in and around September 2016, Massie conspired with others to distribute and possess with intent to distribute more than one kilogram of heroin, a Schedule I controlled substance.
Judge Fischer scheduled sentencing for September 17, 2019 at 9:00 a.m. The law provides for a total sentence of not less than 15 years to a maximum of life in prison, a fine not to exceed $20,000,000, or both. Under the Federal Sentencing Guidelines, the actual sentence imposed is based upon the seriousness of the offense and the prior criminal history, if any, of the defendant.
Assistant United States Attorneys Amy L. Johnston and Yvonne M. Saadi are prosecuting this case on behalf of the government.
The Allegheny County District Attorney Narcotics Enforcement Team – Narcotics, Firearms, & Violent Crime Task Force, as well as the Pennsylvania Office of the Attorney General – Bureau of Criminal Investigations, Organized Crime Section – Western Regional Office contributed significantly to the investigation, which resulted in the instant guilty plea.
This case grew out of a federally administered Organized Crime and Drug Enforcement Task Force (OCDETF) investigation that resulted in several federal indictments in August of 2016. The OCDETF task force is headed by the Federal Bureau of Investigation and is comprised of members drawn from the FBI Greater Pittsburgh Safe Street Task Force including the Pittsburg Bureau of Police, Wilkinsburg Police Department, Allegheny County Sheriff’s Office, and the Allegheny County Police Department. Substantial assistance was provided by FBI San Juan, Puerto Rico (St. Thomas Resident Agency, U.S. Virgin Islands) and the United States Postal Inspection Service. Numerous other FBI field offices, including Detroit, Cleveland, New York, and Atlanta, in addition to the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, and Firearms, also assisted with this investigation. The OCDETF program supplies critical federal funding and coordination that allows federal and state agencies to work together to successfully identify, investigate, and prosecute major interstate and international drug trafficking organizations and other criminal enterprises.
The indictments from August 2016 were the result of an investigation, which utilized Title III wiretap intercepts and other investigative techniques that established the existence of a several overlapping and interrelated drug distribution networks with tentacles in the Western District of Pennsylvania, Northern District of Ohio, Eastern District of Michigan and the District of the Virgin Islands. The FBI Greater Pittsburgh Safe Streets Task Force’s focus began in early 2015 on a drug trafficking organization operating on Pittsburgh’s North Side and thereafter they were able to track drug suppliers beyond the borders of own district and across the Caribbean Sea.
United States Attorney's Office Gets $50,000 of Elderly Scam Money ReturnedRead the Press Release
CHARLESTON, W.Va. -- United States Attorney Mike Stuart announced that his Office recently facilitated the return of $50,000 to an elderly scam victim in Florida. The scam was identified in conjunction with the United States Attorney’s Office Elder Justice Initiative. The victim had wired $50,000 to a bank account in the Southern District of West Virginia. Investigators with Stuart’s office reached out to the West Virginia citizen whose name was on the account and who was suspected of receiving fraudulent funds. The West Virginia citizen, also a victim of other online scams, was being used by scammers as a middle person and received the $50,000, which was to be forwarded to the scammers. The West Virginia individual agreed to allow the bank to return the funds to the Florida victim.
“Those who scam, steal and defraud our seniors are the lowest form of humanity,” said United States Attorney Mike Stuart. “Preying on the vulnerable and the trusting is detestable, despicable and diabolical. If you suspect you are the target of a scammer or fraudster, it is important you report the activity. We will do all we can to find the perpetrators and hold them accountable.”
Every day, elderly individuals become victims of scams online, through the mail, and through cell phone calls and texts. If you’re the victim of a scam, or suspect that a friend or relative has become the victim of a scam, don’t be embarrassed. You are not alone. Speak out and tell someone. Notify area law enforcement. Here are some tips to protect yourself and your loved ones from financial scams:
- Know that wiring money is like sending cash
- Don’t send money to someone you don’t know
- Don’t reply to messages asking for personal or financial information
- Don’t agree to deposit a check and wire money back for anyone
- Know that fraudsters will pose on the internet as interested romantic partners
- Know the federal government will never call you on the phone and ask for personal information
- After a disaster, give only to established charities
- Talk to your doctor before you buy health products or treatments
- Have a plan in place in case a medical emergency arises
- Order a credit report from one of the three credit reporting agencies, and freeze your credit so no additional lines of credit can be opened in your name
- Discuss the situation with your adult children.
- Do not send any money to the scammers, or agree to be a middle person receiving and forwarding on money to the scammers, even if they sound convincing.
Visit https://www.justice.gov/elderjustice for more information.
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Three from Charleston Sentenced to Prison for Roles in Methamphetamine ConspiracyRead the Press Release
CHARLESTON, W.Va. – Three individuals from Charleston received prison sentences for their roles in a methamphetamine conspiracy, announced United States Attorney Mike Stuart. The investigation was the result of a joint effort by the Drug Enforcement Administration, the Violent Crime and Drug Task Force West, and the Kanawha County Sheriff’s Department STOP Team.
“Another meth conspiracy -- BUSTED,” said United States Attorney Mike Stuart. “We’re putting a record number of meth traffickers behind bars.”
Melody Legg, 44, was sentenced to 120 months in prison. She previously pled guilty to an indictment charging her with conspiracy to distribute fifty grams or more of methamphetamine. Legg admitted that from at least June 2017 to September 2017, she distributed methamphetamine for Travis Thomas and others in Kanawha County. She conspired with Travis Thomas, William Naylor, Timothy Boggs, and Michael Ginther to distribute more than 50 grams of methamphetamine in exchange for money.
William Naylor, 30, was sentenced to 36 months in prison. He previously pled guilty to an indictment charging him with conspiracy to distribute methamphetamine. Naylor admitted that from at least June 2017 to September 2017, he worked with Melody Legg to distribute methamphetamine in Kanawha County. As part of the plea agreement, Naylor admitted to distributing methamphetamine to a confidential informant in June 2017.
Timothy Boggs, 21, was sentenced to 24 months in prison. He previously pled guilty to an indictment charging him with conspiracy to distribute five grams or more of methamphetamine. Boggs admitted that from at least June 2017 to September 2017, he distributed methamphetamine for Melody Legg in Kanawha County. As part of the plea agreement, Boggs admitted to distributing approximately 13 grams of methamphetamine to a confidential informant in July 2017.
United States District Judge Joseph R. Goodwin imposed the sentences. Assistant United States Attorney Stephanie S. Taylor handled the prosecution.
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Thomasville Business Owner Pleads Guilty to Importing and Distributing Thousands of Counterfeit Car PartsRead the Press Release
MACON— A Thomasville business owner trafficking in counterfeit car parts made in China pled guilty Friday for his crime, said U.S. Attorney Charles “Charlie” Peeler. Drexel C. Benton, 71, of Thomasville entered a guilty plea for Trafficking in Counterfeit Goods on March 29, 2019 before The Honorable Hugh Lawson. This charge carries a maximum sentence of 10 years imprisonment, a $2,000,000 maximum fine and up to three years supervised release. A sentencing date has not been set.
According to facts in the signed plea agreement, in January 2017 a special agent with the Department of Homeland Security Investigative Division (HIS) began an investigation on leads showing that the defendant was importing and selling counterfeit car parts from Chinese manufacturers at his Thomasville business, EZ Dealin, as well as on Ebay, where EZ Dealin was listed as a tire and rim “power seller” with a 20,000 square foot warehouse selling replica car parts from American car companies. EZ Dealin had more than 7,000 positive feedbacks on Ebay, indicating thousands of transactions. HSI conducted an undercover operation at EZ Dealin in February 2017, noting a much smaller warehouse than advertised, an estimated 24 feet long by 24 feet wide, filled to a quarter of its capacity with numerous brand wheels and tires. An employee showed the agents two types of GMC wheels with center caps displaying the GMC emblem.
Concurrently, United States Customs and Border Protection (CBP) officers conducted three separate legal seizures of parcels from China to EZ Dealin from November 2016 to April 2017. The individual parcels contained 540 automotive wheel center caps with counterfeit General Motors Truck Company (GMC) and Chevrolet emblems, 560 automotive wheel center caps with counterfeit GMC and Chevrolet emblems and 300 automotive rim center caps with counterfeit Chevrolet and Cadillac emblems.
Brand Protection Investigators from both Ford Motor Company and General Motors cooperated in the investigation. In March 2017, a private investigative firm hired by Ford conducted an Ebay online purchase of rims and center caps from EZ Dealin for $1,978. The purchased items bore counterfeit Ford emblems. GMC’s brand investigator reviewed and provided a list of 21 counterfeit Chevrolet and GMC parts then listed for sale by EZ Dealin on Ebay.
Financial analysis of subpoenaed PayPal information indicates that Mr. Benton conducted approximately $590,553.32 in transactions from April 12, 2017 until August 8, 2017. There were 26 transfers of funds from the PayPal account number into Mr. Benton’s private bank account totaling $688,000.00 during that period. On December 5, 2017, HSI and Thomas County Sheriff’s deputies executed search warrants at three locations associated with Mr. Benton and EZ Dealin, finding a multitude of automotive items bearing the registered trademarks of Chevrolet, GMC, Cadillac, Ford and Dodge, numbering 5,782 parts.
“Legitimate businesses work hard and invest significant resources to build a brand. Those who choose to deal in counterfeit goods are stealing the brand recognition and goodwill that businesses work so hard to develop,” said Charles “Charlie” Peeler, the U.S. Attorney for the Middle District of Georgia. “This office has made it a priority to protect businesses and consumers from counterfeit goods, whether from China or anywhere else in the world. I want to thank the investigative efforts of the Department of Homeland Security and the United States Customs and Border Protection for helping close down this illegal operation.”
“Criminal networks are working daily to fool the public with illegally imported counterfeit goods, some of which pose a grave threat to public safety,” said Nick Annan, special agent in charge of Homeland Security Investigations Atlanta. “Anyone who may think counterfeiting is a victimless crime need look no further than cases such as this. Persons rely on automotive parts, and when inferior counterfeit parts fail, the drivers who were exploited may be involved in accidents causing serious injury or death. HSI is appreciative of the U.S. Attorney’s partnership in this case and will continue to work with our law enforcement partners to identify and prosecute criminal counterfeiters who threaten public safety.”
This case was investigated by the Department of Homeland Security and the United States Customs and Border Protection, with assistance from the Thomas County Sheriff’s Office. Assistant United States Attorney Robert McCullers is prosecuting the case for the Government.
Questions can be directed to Pamela Lightsey, Public Information Officer, United States Attorney’s Office, at (478) 621-2603 or Melissa Hodges, Public Affairs Director (Contractor), United States Attorney’s Office, at (478) 765-2362.
Tax Lawyer for Ex-NFL Player Gets 3 Years in Prison for Obstructing IRS and Filing False Documents without Player’s KnowledgeRead the Press Release
LOS ANGELES – A tax lawyer who represented retired professional football player Antrel Rolle was sentenced to 36 months in federal prison today for fraudulently obtaining tax refunds for Rolle, stealing the refunds and then covering up his scheme by filing false documents with the Internal Revenue Service.
Hiram M. Martin, 71, of Fair Oaks, California, pleaded guilty on January 7 to one felony count of attempting to obstruct or impede the administration of internal revenue laws. The three-year prison sentence handed down by United States District Judge Otis D. Wright II is the maximum amount of prison time possible under the law for the offense. Judge Wright also ordered Martin to pay $1,223,480 in restitution.
Martin admitted in his plea agreement that he submitted false tax returns for Rolle, who hired Martin when he was a 23-year-old rookie in the National Football League. The tax returns claimed millions of dollars in bogus charitable donations and business expenses, and Martin never informed Rolle about the phony deductions. The IRS issued tax refunds of $322,008 for the 2005 tax year and $901,472 for the 2006 year as a result of Martin’s deductions. Martin directed the IRS to deposit the refunds into Martin’s bank account or to mail the refunds to his mailing address. Martin then used the fraudulently obtained money for his own personal benefit, including an investment account under his control.
When the IRS began auditing Rolle’s tax returns for these years, Martin in August 2009 faxed two letters to the IRS that attempted to support the fraudulent donations. Martin then – without Rolle’s authorization – filed petitions in Tax Court challenging the IRS after it rejected the deductions. Martin has admitted that he forged Rolle’s signature on the Tax Court petitions. In May 2011, Martin – without Rolle’s knowledge or authorization – agreed to a judgment that imposed a tax liability of nearly $2 million on Rolle. Martin also admitted that he provided Rolle with a fabricated set of tax returns for 2005 and 2006 that did not claim any refunds – refunds that Martin never submitted to the IRS.
Martin also took steps to prevent the IRS from directly contacting Rolle by providing the IRS with his own personal and business addresses and claiming they were Rolle’s addresses. When a news article detailing Rolle’s tax liabilities were published in January 2010, Martin attempted to prevent Rolle from contacting the IRS by telling him that the article was not true.
This matter was investigated by IRS Criminal Investigation.
This case is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorneys Alexander Wyman and Ranee Katzenstein of the Major Frauds Section.
Shrewsbury Man Sentenced to 65 Months Imprisonment for Federal Gun Offenses Involving Unlawful Possession of Machine GunRead the Press Release
The Office of the United States Attorney for the District of Vermont stated that on March 26, 2019, Frank Weir, 57, of Shrewsbury, was sentenced by U.S. District Judge Christina Reiss to 65 months imprisonment. Weir had previously pled guilty to a two-count indictment and agreed to the 65-month sentence. The first count charged Weir with possessing a machine gun without a permit in February 2016. According to court records, the machine gun was a Thompson U.S. Navy 1928 submachine gun, .45 caliber (manufactured by Colt). The second count alleged that this same firearm had an obliterated serial number, in violation of federal law. Judge Reiss also sentenced Weir to three years of supervised release, which begins when he is released from prison.
The plea agreement was part of a global settlement with the federal government and the Rutland County State’s Attorney’s Office, where Weir is facing a separate and unrelated state charge of second-degree murder for the shooting death of Donna Marzilli on February 15, 2016. On March 27, 2019, Weir agreed to pled guilty to the state murder charge and receive a 20-year sentence, all suspended but eight years, to be served concurrently with the federal sentence. At the state hearing, the state court judge deferred acceptance of the state plea agreement until a pre-sentence investigation could be completed.
The machine gun at issue in this federal case was not related to the State’s murder charge. Under the National Firearms Act, a person may not possess a machine gun unless it is registered to that person in the National Firearms Registration and Transfer Record. A violation carries a maximum penalty of ten years. Under the Federal Gun Control Act, it is unlawful to possess a firearm with an obliterated serial number. This offense carries a maximum sentence of five years.
The advisory Sentencing Guidelines called for a sentence of only 30-37 months for Weir’s firearm offenses, which are unrelated to the murder of Donna Marzilli. The government argued, however, and Judge Reiss agreed, that a significantly higher sentence was justified based on a pattern of domestic abuse by Weir that culminated in Marzilli’s death. At sentencing, the government cited studies which show that when the abuser of a woman owns a firearm, the woman is five to six times more likely to be murdered.
United States Attorney Christina E. Nolan stated: “This is another example of how rigorous, collaborative enforcement of our federal firearms laws brings consequences to domestic abusers and takes them out of our communities. We will continue to work with our state and local partners to use existing federal laws to remove guns from the hands of dangerous individuals, particularly those who perpetrate the horror of domestic violence. We thank our counterparts in the Rutland County State’s Attorney’s Office for the close cooperation to achieve this result.”
U.S. Attorney Nolan noted that this prosecution is part of the U.S. Department of Justice’s Project Safe Neighborhood. 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.
This case was investigated by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives and the Vermont State Police. The United States is represented by Assistant U.S. Attorney Joe Perella and Frank Weir is represented by Peter Langrock, Esq. of Middlebury.
Sex Offender Detained for Attempting to Entice a Minor, Transmit Obscene Material to a MinorRead the Press Release
PROVIDENCE – A registered sex offender from Waterbury, Conn., was ordered detained in federal custody in Rhode Island today on charges that he allegedly attempted to entice a minor, attempted to transmit obscene material to a minor, and that he committed these crimes while a registered sex offender.
It is alleged in court documents that Jesus Maldonado, 55, engaged in a series of sexually explicit online communications with a person he believed to be a 13-year-old girl living in Rhode Island while trying to arrange a meeting between the two, and that he allegedly sent obscene materials to this person.
The person Maldonado actually was communicating with is a Rhode Island State Police Detective assigned to the Rhode Island State Police Internet Crimes Against Children task force.
Maldonado was arrested in Waterbury, CT., on March 25, 2019, by Homeland Security Investigations agents and a Rhode Island State Police Detective. He was ordered detained following an appearance in U.S. District Court in New Haven on a federal criminal complaint issued in the District of Rhode Island that charges him with attempted enticement of a minor, attempted transmission of obscene matter to a minor, and commission of specified offenses while a registered sex offender.
Maldonado was transferred to Rhode Island and appeared today in U.S. District Court in Providence before U.S. District Court Magistrate Judge Lincoln D. Almond.
Maldonado’s arrest and initial appearance in U.S. District Court are announced by United States Attorney Aaron L. Weisman, Rhode Island State Police Superintendent Colonel James M. Manni, and Homeland Security Investigations Special Agent in Charge Peter C. Fitzhugh.
According to court documents, it is alleged that beginning on March 13, 2019, Maldonado began engaging in a series of sexually explicit online chatroom communications with a person he believed to be a 13-year-old girl living in Rhode Island. The communications allegedly included discussions about Maldonado and the person he believed to be a 13-year-old girl meeting in person to engage in illicit sexual activity. It is also alleged that Maldonado sent obscene photographs to the person he believed to be a 13-year-old girl.
According to court records, Maldonado was convicted in 1993 in Connecticut state court for sexual assault and in 2008 in Illinois state court for sexually abusing a minor. In 2011, Maldonado was again arrested in Connecticut for sexually abusing a minor, at which time it was determined that Maldonado had failed to register as a sex offender as required as a result of his previous convictions.
In October 2011, Maldonado was convicted in U.S. District Court in the District of Connecticut and sentenced to 84 months in federal prison and a term of lifetime supervised release for failing to register as a sex offender. Among the court imposed conditions of release was that Maldonado was not to associate with children under the age of 18 unless an adult was present and who was aware of his criminal history.
A criminal complaint is merely an accusation. A defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.
The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Denise M. Barton.
United States Attorney for the District of Rhode Island Aaron L. Weisman acknowledges and thanks United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut John H. Durham and his office for their assistance in this matter.
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Plant City Man Sentenced to Five Years for Jacksonville ArsonRead the Press Release
Jacksonville, Florida – U.S. District Judge Marcia Morales Howard today sentenced Pedro Sanchez (35, Plant City) to five years in federal prison for arson. The court also ordered Sanchez to pay $15,000 in restitution.
Sanchez was found guilty on January 3, 2019, following a bench trial.
According to court documents, on January 10, 2018, Sanchez set fire to a house located at 8579 Lamanto Avenue North in Jacksonville. The house belonged to his employer, and the employer had assigned Sanchez to renovate the house and prepare it for sale. Eyewitnesses observed Sanchez walking away from the house after it had erupted into flames. Sanchez later admitted to law enforcement that he had set the house on fire.
This case was investigated by the Florida Bureau of Fire, Arson, and Explosives Investigations, the Jacksonville Sheriff’s Office, and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives. It was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorneys Ashley Washington and Frank Talbot.
This is another case prosecuted as part of the Department of Justice’s “Project Safe Neighborhoods” Program (PSN), which is a nationwide, crime reduction strategy aimed at decreasing violent crime in communities. It involves a comprehensive approach to public safety — one that includes investigating and prosecuting crimes, along with prevention and reentry efforts. In the Middle District of Florida, U.S. Attorney Maria Chapa Lopez coordinates PSN efforts in cooperation with various federal, state, and local law enforcement officials.
Pittsburgh Man Prepared False Tax Returns for FilersRead the Press Release
PITTSBURGH, PA – A resident of Allegheny County has pleaded guilty in federal court on charges of aiding or assisting in the preparation or filing of false federal income tax returns, United States Attorney Scott W. Brady announced today.
Eduardo Cardona, 39, of Pittsburgh, PA pleaded guilty to one count before United States District Judge Nora Barry Fischer.
In connection with the guilty plea, Cardona prepared false federal income tax returns for other persons that included false Schedule C information, and which requested a false refund for the tax filer.
Judge Fischer scheduled the sentencing for September 6, 2019 at 11:30 a.m. The law provides for a total sentence of three years’ imprisonment, a fine of $250,000.00 or both. Under the Federal Sentencing Guidelines, the actual sentence imposed is based upon the seriousness of the offenses and the criminal history, if any, of the defendant.
Assistant United States Attorney Gregory C. Melucci is prosecuting this case on behalf of the government.
The Internal Revenue Service-Criminal Investigation conducted the investigation that lead to the prosecution of Eduardo Cardona.
Phoenix Man Moved to Kansas City, Kan. to Run a Drug HouseRead the Press Release
KANSAS CITY, KAN. – A Phoenix man who moved to Kansas City, Kan., to run a drug house was sentenced today to 21 years in federal prison, U.S. Attorney Stephen McAllister said.
Jose A. Badilla, 35, pleaded guilty to two counts of possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine, two counts of possession with intent to distribute heroin and one count of possession of firearms in furtherance of drug trafficking.
In his plea, Badilla admitted that when investigators served a search warrant at 2812 N. 51st Street in Kansas City they found more than six pounds of heroin and two guns, including a .45 caliber pistol and a Panther Arms model AR-15 rifle.
Investigators learned Badilla moved to Kansas City from Phoenix in August 2017 and rented a house for the purpose of storing and distributing drugs. He was paid $2,000 to $2,500 every other week to keep the drugs at his residence. He said the drugs he stored were shipped from Mexico to Kansas City.
McAllister commended the Kansas Bureau of Investigation and Assistant U.S. Attorney David Zabel for their work on the case.
Pennsylvania Man Sentenced 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 Jason Girven, 37, of Sugar Run, Pennsylvania, who was convicted of attempted receipt of child pornography, was sentenced to serve 70 months in prison by U.S. District Judge Elizabeth A. Wolford.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Melissa M. Marangola, who handled the case, stated that between June 2017 and July 31, 2018, the defendant contacted an undercover New York State Police Investigator posing as a 13-year-old minor female using an online social networking application. Girven and the agent engaged in conversations, some of which were sexual in nature. During this time period, the defendant received child pornography.
On July 31, 2018, the defendant traveled to Horseheads, NY to meet who he believed was the 13-year-old minor female.The sentencing is the result of an investigation by the New York State Police, under the direction of Major Eric Laughton, and Homeland Security Investigations, under the direction of Special Agent-in-Charge Kevin Kelly.
Pella Man Accused of Defrauding InvestorsRead the Press Release
Mark Alan Blankespoor is accused of orchestrating multi-million dollar Ponzi-like scheme
DES MOINES, IA – On March 26, 2019, Mark Alan Blankespoor, of Pella, Iowa, was charged with twelve counts of mail fraud and twelve counts of wire fraud announced United States Attorney Marc Krickbaum.
According to the Indictment, Blankespoor was a health coach and consultant in Pella. He represented to others he was involved in developing medically-oriented gyms and licensed the program to fitness clinics across the United States. From at least May 2013 and continuing through at least January 2019, Blankespoor represented to investors they had an opportunity to make money by investing in the medically-oriented gym concept. At least 150 investors provided Blankespoor with approximately $15 million in investment funds. The indictment alleges Blankespoor used the investors’ money for unauthorized purposes that were not for the benefit of the affected investors. Blankespoor used the investor money, unbeknownst to them, for his personal expenses and paying other investors, for losses to victims of over $6.5 million.
Blankespoor has a trial date of June 3, 2019, before United States District Court Judge Rebecca Goodgame Ebinger at the Des Moines Federal Courthouse. Mail and wire fraud are punishable by a maximum prison term of twenty years and a maximum fine of $250,000.
The public is reminded that an indictment is only an accusation, and the defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.The Federal Bureau of Investigation investigated this matter. The case is being prosecuted by the United States Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of Iowa.
Passaic County, New Jersey, Man Charged with Distributing Child PornographyRead the Press Release
NEWARK, N.J. – A Passaic County, New Jersey, man appeared in Newark federal court today on a charge of distributing images of child sexual abuse, U.S. Attorney Craig Carpenito announced.
Vaughn Tiedeman, 46, of West Milford, New Jersey, is charged by complaint with one count of distributing child pornography. He made his initial appearance before U.S. Magistrate Judge Cathy L. Waldor in Newark federal court and was remanded without bail.
According to documents filed in this case and statements made in court:
Between July 2018 and January 2019, Tiedeman distributed at least 50 videos and 100 images depicting the sexual abuse of children via the BitTorrent peer-to-peer network.
The charge of distribution of child pornography carries a mandatory minimum penalty of five years in prison, a maximum potential penalty of 20 years in prison, and a $250,000 fine.
U.S. Attorney Carpenito credited special agents with the Department of Homeland Security, Homeland Security Investigations (HSI), Newark Field Office, under the direction of Special Agent in Charge Brian A. Michael, with the investigation leading to the charges. He also thanked the West Milford Police Department, the Passaic County Prosecutor’s Office, and the U.S. Postal Inspection Service for their assistance in the investigation.
The government is represented by Assistant U.S. Attorney Sarah A. Sulkowski of the U.S. Attorney’s Office Public Protection Unit in Newark.
The charge and allegations contained in the complaint are merely accusations, and the defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.
Operation Saigon Sunset Update: Ohio Man Sentenced to Prison in Connection with Role in Federal Drug ConspiracyRead the Press Release
HUNTINGTON, W.Va. – An Ohio man caught with heroin in August 2017 was sentenced today to 24 months in prison for his role in a federal drug conspiracy charge, announced United States Attorney Mike Stuart. Eric Brown, also known as “Eddie,” 47, previously pled guilty to an indictment charging him with conspiracy to distribute heroin.
“It’s been almost a year since we indicted the defendants in Operation Saigon Sunset,” said United States Attorney Mike Stuart. “No revolving door. All of the defendants have been convicted and are in the process of being sentenced. Sentences well deserved.”
Brown admitted that he worked with Willie Peterson, also known as “Chill,” and Manget Peterson, also known as “Money,” to distribute heroin in Huntington, West Virginia. Specifically, he admitted that he distributed heroin from the Ramada Inn Motel in Huntington, West Virginia in August 2017. Officers executed a search warrant on the motel room and seized approximately 35 grams of heroin.
This investigation was the result of a joint effort by the Drug Enforcement Administration and the Violent Crime and Drug Task Force West. United States District Judge Robert C. Chambers imposed the sentence. Assistant United States Attorney Stephanie S. Taylor handled the prosecution.
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Officials from More Than a Dozen Agencies across Western Virginia Announce Results of Operation Triple BeamRead the Press Release
Roanoke, VIRGINIA – United States Attorney Thomas T. Cullen and Acting United States Marshal Brad Sellers were joined by officials from more than a dozen law enforcement agencies throughout the Roanoke Valley today in announcing the results of Operation Triple Beam, an intensive law enforcement operation that recently came to a successful conclusion.
Operation Triple Beam brought together federal, state, and local law enforcement partners in an effort to reduce crime in the Roanoke area by identifying and arresting violent fugitives, targeting unlawful gun possession and narcotics trafficking, and collecting intelligence to allow for the systematic removal of individuals who have committed and are committing crimes in the city of Roanoke.
“Over the past two months, federal, state, and local law enforcement agencies in the Roanoke Valley worked collaboratively to apprehend wanted fugitives and target individuals engaged in drug trafficking and potentially violent activities,” U.S. Attorney Cullen stated today. “The results of Operation Triple Beam speak for themselves—over 200 fugitives were arrested and nearly 50 guns and half a million dollars of illegal narcotics were taken off the streets. I am grateful for the leadership of Marshal Sellers and his team and the commitment of our numerous federal, state, and local partners in this critical public-safety initiative.”
“Operation Triple Beam was a unified event, within the Roanoke valley law enforcement community, aimed at reducing those elements that contribute to violent crime rates,” said Acting U.S. Marshal Sellers. “Our success is directly attributable to the cohesive support of our area’s law enforcement agencies and the Prosecution teams serving those communities. This force-multiplier, team focused, event allowed for greater emphasis towards the common goal of making our communities safer; which I believe we accomplished.”
“We thank all of our law enforcement partners, with whom ATF has worked to ensure justice for the victims, their families and the communities adversely affected by the thoughtless and selfish actions of those criminals in our streets,” stated Ashan Benedict, Special Agent in Charge of the ATF Washington Field Division. “Today, and every day, ATF is committed to working with our partners to reduce violent crime and secure the safety of our communities.”
“The strong working relationships that have existed for years among the local, state, and federal law enforcement agencies in the Roanoke Valley made it much easier for the agencies to work together effectively during this operation,” said Assistant Chief Chuck Mason of the Roanoke County Police Department.
Between January 2019 and March 2019, Operation Triple Beam made 209 arrests, seized 49 firearms, seized narcotics with a street value of $497,340, and seized $79,821 in currency. In addition to the arrests and seizures, officers engaged in Triple Beam operations gathered intelligence as part of ongoing investigations. Those arrested are charged with various state and federal crimes, such as distribution of a controlled substance or possession of a firearm in furtherance of a felony, among other charges.
Operation Triple Beam was a success due to the partnership of the following agencies:
U.S. Marshals Service
U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Western District of Virginia
Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives
Drug Enforcement Administration
Federal Bureau of Investigation
Virginia State Police
High Intensity Drug Trafficking Area
Roanoke City Police Department
Roanoke County Police Department
Salem Police Department
Virginia National Guard
Virginia Department of Corrections
Office of the Commonwealth’s Attorney for the City of Roanoke
Office of the Commonwealth’s Attorney for the County of Roanoke
Office of the Commonwealth’s Attorney for Salem
North Suburban Man Guilty of Enticing Underage Girls into SexRead the Press Release
CHICAGO — A north suburban man pleaded guilty today to federal criminal charges for enticing underage girls to engage in sex acts with him.
CASEY IRELAND, 36, of Antioch, pleaded guilty to one count of enticement of a minor to engage in criminal sexual activity, and one count of attempted enticement of a minor to engage in criminal sexual activity. Each count carries a mandatory minimum sentence of ten years in prison, and a maximum sentence of life in prison. U.S. District Judge Rebecca R. Pallmeyer set sentencing for June 24, 2019, at 11:30 a.m.
The guilty plea was announced by John R. Lausch, Jr., United States Attorney for the Northern District of Illinois; and Leo Lamont, Special Agent-in-Charge of the Naval Criminal Investigative Service, Resident Agency Great Lakes. Valuable assistance was provided by the Antioch Police Department and law enforcement authorities in Wisconsin. The government is represented by Assistant U.S. Attorney A.J. Dixon.
Ireland admitted in a plea agreement that in the spring of 2017 he had sex with two 15-year-old girls from Wisconsin. Ireland began communicating with the girls via online messaging applications.
On May 18, 2017, and June 1, 2017, Ireland drove to Wisconsin to pick up the first victim at her high school, and then drove her back to his home in Antioch to engage in sex acts, the plea agreement states. On May 31, 2017, Ireland arranged to pick up the second victim at a park near her home in Wisconsin, and then drove her to his home to engage in sex acts, the plea agreement states.
After the second victim informed law enforcement about her encounter with Ireland, authorities took control of her messaging account and reestablished communication with him. During subsequent messages, Ireland and law enforcement – posing as the victim – arranged for Ireland to pick up the victim at the same park near her home to engage in another sexual encounter. When Ireland drove to the park on June 7, 2017, he was arrested.
If you believe you are a victim of sexual exploitation, you are encouraged to call the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children at 1-800-843-5678, or log on to http://www.missingkids.com. The service is available 24 hours a day, seven days a week.
New Haven Property Owners Who Illegally Removed Asbestos are SentencedRead the Press Release
John H. Durham, United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut, and Tyler C. Amon, Special Agent in Charge of EPA’s Criminal Investigation Division in New England, announced that REZART RAKAJ, 35, of Ansonia, and KLITON RAKAJ, 39, of Monroe, were sentenced today in New Haven federal court for offenses related to the illegal and dangerous removal of asbestos at a New Haven property they were renovating in 2015. U.S. District Judge Janet Bond Arterton sentenced each defendant to one year of probation, a fine of $9,500, and 50 hours of community service.
According to court documents and statements made in court, in November 2015, Rezart Kliton Rakaj, who are brothers, and another family member purchased a commercial property located at 206-220 Wallace Street in New Haven. Prior to purchasing the property, the realtor informed the purchasers that the property contained asbestos, and that a prior potential purchaser had already obtained a bid of approximately $117,000 for the legal asbestos abatement of the property. Shortly after the purchase was completed, the defendants chose not to engage a hazardous materials firm to perform lawful asbestos abatement and instead employed workers who spent multiple days demolishing portions of the property, ripping out piping, breaking tiles, and conducting other renovation and construction activities, including the removal of significant quantities of friable asbestos.
On November 20, 2015, inspectors from the City of New Haven Health Department, acting on an anonymous complaint, discovered the illegal asbestos removal project at 206-220 Wallace Street. The inspection revealed multiple instances of illegal removal of asbestos containing “air cell” pipe wrap and asbestos-containing “mag block” tank and boiler insulation, both of which contain significant quantities of dangerous, friable asbestos. Inspectors observed workers removing asbestos-containing material and throwing it to the floor. The workers performed no wetting, used no negative air machines to create the required vacuum effect within workspaces and set up no critical barriers or protective sheeting to guard against the release of dangerous asbestos fibers into the environment. Though the workers wore dust masks and suits, the masks were not designed for use in asbestos abatement and failed to provide protection against asbestos fibers. Similarly, because the suits were worn repeatedly over the course of days and not decontaminated and disposed of after use, they did not protect the workers against exposure. Inspectors also observed and photographed 100-150 standard garbage bags filled with suspected asbestos-containing material.
“These defendants recklessly cut corners and endangered the lives of their workers,” said U.S. Attorney Durham. “The U.S. Attorney’s Office is committing to prosecuting all who deliberately harm the environment and risk public health in order to save money.”
“The illegal removal of asbestos insulation and the associated removal of scrap pipe and boilers from old buildings continues to be a problem throughout the Northeast,” said EPS-CID Special Agent in Charge Amon. “Inhalation of asbestos fibers can result in lung cancer and it therefore poses significant health risks to all exposed. EPA will continue to hold accountable those who commit such offenses.”
On November 16, 2018, Rezart and Kliton Rakaj each pleaded guilty to one count of illegal asbestos removal in violation of the Clean Air Act.
In addition to the sentence imposed today, the defendants also face a fine from the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA).
This investigation is being conducted by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Criminal Investigation Divisio, with the assistance of the City of New Haven Health Department and U.S. Department of Labor, Occupational Safety and Health Administration. The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Elena L. Coronado and Sarala V. Nagala.
Minnesota Man Sentenced to 16 Years in Prison for Receipt and Distribution of Child PornographyRead the Press Release
FRESNO, Calif. — Terrence Goldberg, 35, of Brook Park, Minnesota, was sentenced today to 16 years in prison, to be followed by 15 years of supervised release for two counts of receipt and distribution of child pornography, U.S. Attorney McGregor W. Scott announced.
According to court documents, investigators in Rochester, New York detected Goldberg sharing child pornography files in 2016 from a location at which a children’s camp operated in Madera County, California. When agents located Goldberg in North Fork, California, on July 11, 2016, he was actively downloading child pornography files outside of a church. Goldberg admitted that he had been downloading child pornography and consented to a search of electronic devices that he had been using. He then relocated to Minnesota, and investigators with FBI offices in Minnesota and Wisconsin opened their own investigations after they detected Goldberg sharing child pornography files from October 2016 through May 2017. As part of those investigations, a search of Goldberg’s residence was conducted on May 26, 2017, and he was arrested. A magistrate judge in Minnesota ordered Goldberg detained and returned to California where an indictment had been filed on June 1, 2017.
A restitution hearing has been set before U.S. District Judge Dale A. Drozd on June 24.
This case is the product of an investigation by the FBI offices in Rochester, New York; Minneapolis, Minnesota; La Crosse, Wisconsin; and Fresno, California with assistance from the Madera County Sheriff’s Office. Assistant U.S. Attorney David Gappa prosecuted the case.
This case was brought as part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative launched in May 2006 by the Department of Justice to combat the growing epidemic of child sexual exploitation and abuse. Led by the United States Attorneys’ Offices and the Criminal Division’s Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section, Project Safe Childhood marshals federal, state, and local resources to locate, apprehend, and prosecute those who sexually exploit children, and to identify and rescue victims. For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit www.usdoj.gov/psc. Click on the “resources” tab for information about internet safety education.
Michigan man sentenced for oxycodone distributionRead the Press Release
CLARKSBURG, WEST VIRGINIA – Sean Miller Phillips, Jr., of Eastpointe, Michigan, was sentenced today to 18 months incarceration for oxycodone distribution, United States Attorney Bill Powell announced.
Phillips, age 26, pled guilty to one count of “Aiding and Abetting Distribution of Oxycodone” in November 2018. Phillips admitted to selling oxycodone in March 2017 in Monongalia County.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Zelda E. Wesley prosecuted the case on behalf of the government. The Mon Metro Drug and Violent Crime Drug Task Force, a HIDTA-funded initiative, investigated.
The investigation was funded by the federal Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Force Program (OCDETF). The OCDETF program supplies critical federal funding and coordination that allows federal and state agencies to work together to successfully identify, investigate, and prosecute major interstate and international drug trafficking organizations and other criminal enterprises.
Senior U.S. District Judge Irene M. Keeley presided.
Michigan man admits to drug distributionRead the Press Release
ELKINS, WEST VIRGINIA – Michael Christopher Morgan, of Detroit, Michigan, has admitted to his role in a heroin, cocaine, and methamphetamine distribution operation in Randolph County, United States Attorney Bill Powell announced.
Morgan, also known as “Deon” and “D,” age 36, pled guilty to one count of “Conspiracy to Distribute Heroin, Cocaine Base, and Methamphetamine.” Morgan admitted to working with others to distribute heroin, “crack” cocaine, and methamphetamine in Randolph County from March 2016 to March 2017.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Stephen D. Warner is prosecuting the case on behalf of the government. The Mountain Region Drug and Violent Crime Task Force investigated.
The investigation was funded by the federal Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Force Program (OCDETF). The OCDETF program supplies critical federal funding and coordination that allows federal and state agencies to work together to successfully identify, investigate, and prosecute major interstate and international drug trafficking organizations and other criminal enterprises.
U.S. Magistrate Judge Michael John Aloi presided.
Massachusetts Man Pleads Guilty to Fentanyl TraffickingRead the Press Release
CONCORD – United States Attorney Scott W. Murray announced today that Walker Manuel Moreta, 32, of Lawrence, Massachusetts, pleaded guilty to participating in a conspiracy to distribute, and to possess with intent to distribute, fentanyl.
According to court documents and statements made in court, between at least January of 2017 through July of 2017, Moreta, with the assistance of others, sold quantities of fentanyl to multiple individuals, including customers from New Hampshire. Moreta and his co-conspirators often operated out of a location on Water Street in Lawrence, Massachusetts. As part of an investigation of Moreta, a cooperating individual purchased over 100 grams of fentanyl from Moreta between May and June of 2017. On July 6, 2017, Moreta was arrested and had 19 grams of fentanyl on his person.
Moreta is scheduled to be sentenced on July 29, 2019.
Two co-conspirators, Miguel Arias-Velasquez and Miguel Vasquez, previously pleaded guilty. Arias-Velasquez was sentenced to serve 48 months in prison. Vasquez is awaiting sentencing.
“Traffickers of fentanyl and heroin continue to cause enormous damage to communities throughout New Hampshire,” said U.S. Attorney Murray. “We are working tirelessly alongside our law enforcement partners to identify, prosecute, and incarcerate those who are responsible for the distribution of these deadly substances.”
This matter was investigated by the DEA, with assistance from the Massachusetts State Police, the United States Marshals Service, the New Hampshire State Police, the Lawrence Police Department, with assistance from the Portsmouth Police Department, the Dover Police Department, and the Rockingham County Attorney’s Office. The case is being prosecuted by First Assistant U.S. Attorney John J. Farley.
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MEDIA ADVISORY: United States Attorney Mike Stuart and Law Enforcement Partners to Hold Press ConferenceRead the Press Release
CHARLESTON, W.Va. – United States Attorney Mike Stuart, Huntington Police Chief Hank Dial, Appalachia HIDTA Deputy Director Kenny Burner and other law enforcement partners will hold a press conference tomorrow, Tuesday, April 2, at 1:00p.m., to announce a new law enforcement collaboration in Huntington.
Who: United States Attorney Mike Stuart
Chief Hank Dial, Huntington Police Department
Deputy Director Kenny Burner, Appalachia HIDTA
RAC Adam Black, ATF
SAC Chris Evans, DEA
Chief Mike Coffey, Barboursville Police Department
Corky Hammers, Cabell County Prosecuting Attorney
What: Press Conference
Where: Huntington Police Department
675 10th Street
Huntington, WV
When: Tuesday, April 2 @ 1:00pm
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Liberian Man Convicted of Making False StatementsRead the Press Release
ALBANY, NEW YORK –Alvin Cole, age 43, a Liberian citizen residing in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, was convicted on March 28, following a 4-day jury trial, of making a false statement and making a false claim of United States citizenship.
The announcement was made by United States Attorney Grant C. Jaquith and Steven Bronson, Area Port Director, United States Customs and Border Protection (CBP).
Trial evidence showed that on October 16, 2018, Cole was denied admission into Canada at the Saint-Bernard-de-LaColle, Quebec Port of Entry. Due to the Canadian refusal, Cole was required to report to the Champlain Port of Entry in New York. During immigration inspection at the Champlain Port of Entry, Cole stated that he was a United States citizen born in Philadelphia. But Cole is a citizen of Liberia, born in Liberia, who entered the United States in 1991 on a tourist visa and never left. Cole has resided in the United States since 1991 and he is the subject of an unexecuted removal order from June 2013.
As a result of his conviction, Cole faces up to 5 years in prison and a fine of up to $250,000, when he is sentenced by United States District Judge Mae A. D ’Agostino on July 25, 2019. A defendant’s sentence is imposed by a judge based on the particular statutes the defendant is charged with violating, the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines, and other factors. Cole has been in custody since his arrest on October 16, 2018.
This case was investigated by CBP and prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Edward P. Grogan.
Lehigh Valley Cocaine and Methamphetamine Trafficker Convicted at TrialRead the Press Release
PHILADELPHIA – United States Attorney William M. McSwain announced today that Jerome Lamont Duggan, 46, of Bethlehem, Pennsylvania, was convicted at trial of one count of conspiracy to distribute 500 grams or more of methamphetamine; one count of possession with intent to distribute 50 grams or more of methamphetamine; one count of possession with intent to distribute 500 grams or more of cocaine; one count of possession with intent to distribute 28 grams or more of cocaine base (“crack”); and one count of possession with intent to distribute marijuana. Sentencing will be held before United States District Judge Joseph F. Leeson, Jr.
During an investigation into the drug trafficking activities of Larry Roger Beitler, Jr. (charged elsewhere), law enforcement determined through wiretap interceptions that Beitler had purchased quantities of methamphetamine from the defendant. Further evidence, including additional wiretapped phone calls, intercepted postal packages, and surveillance, established that Duggan was an active drug trafficker between March 2016 and May 5, 2016, and further established the location of his stash house of drugs.
“The Lehigh Valley is safer now that this defendant has been brought to justice. Stopping the trafficking of deadly drugs is a top priority of my Office and of the Department of Justice, and successful prosecutions of cases like this remain a key part of our deterrence strategy,” said U.S. Attorney McSwain. “My Office remains committed to working with our law enforcement partners to find, convict, and imprison the criminals who flood our streets with poisonous drugs.”
This case was investigated by the Drug Enforcement Administration and is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Kishan Nair.
Law Enforcement Officers Join Students for a Day of LearningRead the Press Release
PENSACOLA, FLORIDA – The United States Attorney’s Office for the Northern District of Florida, the Pensacola Police Department, and West Florida High School will present a BLAST Program event on Wednesday to approximately 50 students.
Event: BLAST Program
Location:
Sanders Beach-Corinne Jones Resource Center
913 South I Street
Pensacola, FL 32502Date: Wednesday, April 3, 2019
Time: 9:15 a.m. – 1:30 p.m. CDT
- 9:15 – 9:45 a.m. Opening Remarks
- 10:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m. Rotating Group Breakouts (40 minutes each)
- 12:10 – 12:30 p.m. “Returning from Prison” Presentation
- 12:30 – 1:30 p.m. Lunch
Press: Please RSVP to Amy Alexander at [email protected] if you plan to attend.
The BLAST Program offers students an opportunity to meet representatives of the criminal justice community and ask them questions, share their perceptions of law enforcement, and interact with law enforcement officers in a familiar setting. Law enforcement officers also provide students with their perspective on responding to dangerous or uncertain circumstances and the importance of remaining calm and following the officers’ directions in these situations.
The schedule will include the following discussion sessions, during which students will have a chance to participate in role play with law enforcement officers. (Students have media permissions.)
Criminal Justice Overview: Students will learn about each phase of a federal criminal case, including investigation, prosecution, and sentencing. This session is open to the media, and videography and photography is permitted.
Domestic Violence: Students will participate in a scenario in which law enforcement officers respond to a domestic disturbance. Discussion includes the challenges officers face, rights of witnesses and suspects, and benefits of providing information to law enforcement. This session is open to the media, and videography and photography is permitted.
Traffic Stop Simulation: Participants and officers alternate playing the roles of civilians and officers in a traffic stop. Discussion includes de-escalation and the uncertainty officers and vehicle occupants face during a traffic stop. This session is open to the media, and videography and photography is permitted.
Use of Force: Facilitators and students will discuss when law enforcement officers may use force and an officer’s reaction time when confronted with a life-threatening situation. This session is closed to the media. Reporters may try the simulator equipment after the event ends.
Participating agencies include:
- United States Attorney’s Office, Northern District of Florida
- Pensacola Police Department
- FAMU Police Department
- Florida Highway Patrol
- Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms & Explosives
- Drug Enforcement Administration
- Naval Criminal Investigative Service
The United States Attorney's Office for the Northern District of Florida is one of 94 offices that serve as the nation’s principal litigators under the direction of the Attorney General. To access available public court documents online, please visit the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Florida website. For more information about the United States Attorney’s Office, Northern District of Florida, visit http://www.justice.gov/usao/fln/index.html.