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6 May 2019
New York man denies making false statements involving international terrorismRead the Press Release
MISSOULA—A New York City man arrested in April at a Bozeman shooting range today denied charges that he made false statements to the FBI in a terrorism investigation, U.S. Attorney Kurt Alme said.
Fabjan Alameti, 21, of the Bronx, who had recently traveled to Bozeman from New York, pleaded not guilty to a four-count indictment charging him with three counts of false statements to a federal officer in a matter involving terrorism and one count of possession of a firearm by an unlawful user of a controlled substance.
U.S. Magistrate Judge Jeremiah C. Lynch conducted the arraignment and ordered Alameti be detained pending further proceedings. A detention hearing is set for May 15.
If convicted of the most serious crime, Alameti faces a maximum 10 years in prison, a $250,000 fine and three years of supervised release.
Alameti has been in custody since April 3, 2019, when FBI agents arrested him at a shooting range in Bozeman after he allegedly took possession of an M1A firearm he had rented.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Jeff Starnes and Trial Attorney Rebecca Magnone, from the National Security Division’s Counterterrorism Section, are prosecuting the case, which was investigated by the FBI.
Pacer case reference. 19-13. Progress of the case may be monitored through the U.S. District Court calendar and the PACER system. To establish a PACER account, which will allow you to review documents filed in the case, please go to, http://www.pacer.gov/register.html. To access the district court’s calendar, please go to https://ecf.mtd.uscourts.gov/cgi-bin/PublicCalendar.pl.
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New York Man Sentenced After Being Caught En Route to Burning Man with Smorgasbord of Illegal DrugsRead the Press Release
DENVER – Alexander Zelyakovsky, age 46, of New York, was sentenced today by Senior U.S. District Court Judge J. Thomas Marten of the District of Kansas to serve 34 months in federal prison followed by 3 year on supervised release with the first 6 months in home detention for possession with intent to distribute five different controlled substances, announced U.S. Attorney Jason Dunn and Homeland Security Investigations Denver Special Agent in Charge Steven Cagen. The defendant was on his way to the 2018 Burning Man Festival in Nevada to sell the drugs when he was stopped and arrested in Colorado. The defendant appeared at the sentencing hearing in custody and was remanded at its conclusion.
Zelyakovsky was first charged by Criminal Complaint on August 27, 2018. He was indicted by a federal grand jury on September 18, 2018. The indictment was superseded by the filing of an Information on February 20, 2019. The defendant also pled guilty to the Information before Magistrate Judge Gordon P. Gallagher on that day.
According to court documents, including the stipulated facts contained in the plea agreement, on August 25, 2018, the defendant was driving a truck containing several pounds of controlled substances and $26,745 in cash concealed in a compartment in the tailgate of the truck. The defendant intended to distribute the controlled substances at the Burning Man Festival in Nevada, and use the cash he possessed and proceeds from the distribution of the controlled substances to purchase additional quantities of controlled substances for later distribution.
While the defendant drove through Colorado, a Colorado State Patrol (CSP) trooper stopped the defendant for a traffic infraction. During the course of the stop, the defendant consented to a search of the truck he was driving. The trooper noted the tailgate of the truck was unusually heavy and looked behind a factory panel, discovering the controlled substances and currency concealed within. Zelyakovsky was transporting 1125 grams of Ecstasy, 376 grams of Psilocyn mushrooms, .0173 grams of LSD, 229 grams of cocaine and 331 grams of Ketamine.
“Thanks to an alert CSP officer, these drugs are off the streets,” said U.S. Attorney Jason Dunn. “Drug dealers should know that trying to pass through Colorado is risky business. We will catch them and we will prosecute them.”
“This drug dealer had been making huge profits by selling illicit drugs as a multi-state broker,” said Special Agent In Charge Steven Cagen, Homeland Security Investigations Denver. “Now he’s lost his profits, and he’s lost his freedom for 34 months.”
In December 2017, the defendant was stopped by the New York Police Department for a traffic stop. During that stop officers found a marijuana cigarette in the cup holder in the car. After he was ordered out of the car, the defendant fled on foot. After a short chase Zelyakovsky was caught. Around that time officers saw that the defendant had a bag. A search of the bag revealed $11,000 in cash and vials of cocaine for future distribution. Eventually the defendant was released from custody. For purposes of efficiency, the defendant waived venue and pled guilty to the New York offenses in Colorado.
This case was investigated by the New York Police Department, the Colorado State Patrol, and HSI Denver. The defendant was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Jeremy Chaffin.
Morgan County man sentenced for failing to update his sex offender registrationRead the Press Release
MARTINSBURG, WEST VIRGINIA – Douglas Brett Bishop, of Great Capacon, West Virginia, was sentenced today to 30 months incarceration for failing to register as a sex offender, United States Attorney Bill Powell announced.
Bishop, age 51, pled guilty to one count of “Failure to Register.” Bishop admitted to failing to register as a sex offender in Morgan County, West Virginia from May to September 2018. Bishop was convicted of a crime in Union County, South Carolina that required him to register as a sex offender under the Sex Offender Registration and Notification Act.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Lara K. Omps-Botteicher prosecuted the case on behalf of the government. The United States Marshal Service and the West Virginia State Police investigated.
This case is prosecuted as part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative designed to protect children from online exploitation and abuse. Led by the United States Attorneys’ Offices, Project Safe Childhood marshals federal, state, and local resources to better locate, apprehend, and prosecute individuals who exploit children via the Internet, as well as identify and rescue victims. For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit http://www.justice.gov/psc/.
Chief U.S. District Judge Gina M. Groh presided.
Mineral County man sentenced for firearms chargeRead the Press Release
MARTINSBURG, WEST VIRGINIA – Phillip Arnold Bennett, III, of Piedmont, West Virginia, was sentenced today to 120 months incarceration for a firearms violation, United States Attorney Bill Powell announced.
Bennett, age 31, pled guilty to one count of “Unlawful Possession of a Firearm” in January 2019. Bennett admitted to illegally possessing a .380 caliber pistol in September 2017 in Mineral County.
This case was brought as part of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN). Project Safe Neighborhoods is the centerpiece of the Department of Justice’s violent crime reduction efforts. PSN is an evidence-based program proven to be effective at reducing violent crime. Through PSN, a broad spectrum of stakeholders work together to identify the most pressing violent crime problems in the community and develop comprehensive solutions to address them. As part of this strategy, PSN focuses enforcement efforts on the most violent offenders and partners with locally based prevention and reentry programs for lasting reductions in crime.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Lara K. Omps-Botteicher prosecuted the case on behalf of the government. The Potomac Highlands Drug & Violent Crimes Task Force, a HIDTA-funded initiative, and the West Virginia State Police investigated.
Chief U.S. District Judge Gina M. Groh presided.
Mineral County man sentenced for firearms chargeRead the Press Release
MARTINSBURG, WEST VIRGINIA – John Michael Martin, of Keyser, West Virginia, was sentenced today to three years probation for a firearms violation, United States Attorney Bill Powell announced.
Martin, age 30, pled guilty to one count of “Sale or Transfer to a Prohibited Person” in November 2018. Martin admitted to selling a 12-gauge shotgun to Nathan E. Carpenter, who was known to have been convicted of a crime, in April 2018 in Mineral County.
This case was brought as part of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN). Project Safe Neighborhoods is the centerpiece of the Department of Justice’s violent crime reduction efforts. PSN is an evidence-based program proven to be effective at reducing violent crime. Through PSN, a broad spectrum of stakeholders work together to identify the most pressing violent crime problems in the community and develop comprehensive solutions to address them. As part of this strategy, PSN focuses enforcement efforts on the most violent offenders and partners with locally based prevention and reentry programs for lasting reductions in crime.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Lara Omps-Botteicher prosecuted the case on behalf of the government. The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives investigated.
Chief U.S. District Judge Gina M. Groh presided.
Maryland Man Pleads Guilty to Cyber Intrusion Damaging Oregon's Medicaid Management SystemRead the Press Release
PORTLAND, Ore.—Hossein Heydari, 61, of Gaithersburg, Maryland, pleaded guilty today to one count of fraud and related activity in connection with computers after intentionally damaging the Oregon Medicaid Management Information System (MMIS) and causing it to fail.
“Mr. Heydari’s illegal intrusion of the Oregon Medicaid system posed a serious risk to public health, jeopardizing patient medical exams, diagnoses and treatment,” said Billy J. Williams, U.S. Attorney for the District of Oregon. “If not properly secured, network insiders can pose a serious cyber threat to businesses and government agencies alike.”
“It is very important that the FBI and its partners work to deter future attacks by holding people such as Mr. Heydari responsible for their actions,” said Renn Cannon, Special Agent in Charge of the FBI in Oregon. “If any company or agency in the state suspects a system compromise, contact the FBI’s Oregon Cyber Task Force right away so that our experts can help to mitigate the damage and work to identify the intruder.”
According to court documents, Heydari was formerly employed by Hewlett Packard Enterprises (HPE) as a system administrator and technical support specialist. As part of an HPE contract with the Oregon Health Authority, Heydari had administrative access to Oregon MMIS servers located in Salem, Oregon. On October 28, 2016, Heydari was laid off by HPE. A few days later, he intentionally altered part of the MMIS system causing it to fail and resulting in an 8-hour loss of user functionality.
The Oregon MMIS is a marketplace for medical care providers, pharmacies and patients to exchange eligibility information for care, prescriptions and other benefits provided by Medicaid.
Heydari faces a maximum sentence of 10 years in prison, a $250,000 fine and three years of supervised release. He will be sentenced on August 12, 2019 before U.S. District Court Judge Michael H. Simon.
As part of the plea agreement, Heydari has agreed to pay $44,777 in restitution to the Oregon Health Authority and $31,195 to HPE.
This case was investigated by the FBI’s Oregon Cybercrime Task Force and is being prosecuted by Quinn P. Harrington, Assistant U.S. Attorney for the District of Oregon.
Any public or private entity suspecting a cyber intrusion or attack should contact the FBI through the Internet Crime Complaint Center at www.ic3.gov or by calling your nearest FBI office.
Marshall County man sentenced for drug distributionRead the Press Release
HEELING, WEST VIRGINIA – John Crow, of Moundsville, West Virginia, was sentenced today to 33 months incarceration for distributing methamphetamine, United States Attorney Bill Powell announced.
Crow, age 49, pled guilty to one count of “Conspiracy to Possess with Intent to Distribute and to Distribute Methamphetamine” in February 2019. Crow admitted to conspiring with others to distribute methamphetamine in 2017 and 2018 in Marshall County.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Robert H. McWilliams, Jr., prosecuted the case on behalf of the government. The Drug Enforcement Administration; the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives; the Marshall County Drug and Violent Crimes Task Force, a HIDTA-funded initiative; the West Virginia State Police; the Tyler County Sheriff’s Office; the Wetzel County Sheriff’s Office; the Sistersville Police Department; the Paden City Police Department; and the New Martinsville Police Department investigated. The Columbus, Ohio, Police Department Gang Crimes Unit assisted in the case.
The investigation was funded in part 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 Frederick P. Stamp, Jr. presided.
Man Sentenced to 15 Years in Prison for Multiple Armed RobberiesRead the Press Release
LAS VEGAS, Nev. – A Las Vegas man was sentenced to 15 years in federal prison and three years of supervised release in connection with multiple armed robberies, announced U.S. Attorney Nicholas A. Trutanich for the District of Nevada.
Bailey Aaron Hall, 23, pleaded guilty to three counts of interference with commerce by robbery and one count of brandishing a firearm during and in relation to a crime of violence. United States District Judge Jennifer A. Dorsey presided over today’s sentencing hearing.
According to court documents, on August 13, 2016, Hall entered a restaurant at North Decatur Blvd. pointing a .45 caliber firearm at an employee and a customer. He demanded money from the register and the employee complied. Hall received approximately $114 of the business cash and fled in a stolen vehicle. A few days later on August 17, Hall entered another restaurant at North Decatur Blvd. pointing a .45 caliber firearm at an employee. He demanded the employee put money from the register into his backpack. The employee explained that the register was locked. Hall then struck the employee in the head with his gun and gave the employee to the count of three to open the register or he would shoot the employee. The employee opened another register and Hall fled with approximately $150 of the business cash in a stolen vehicle. The third armed robbery occurred on August 21 at a grocery store on North Decatur Blvd. Hall entered the grocery store again pointing a .45 caliber firearm at an employee. He told the employee to empty the register and place the money into his backpack. He also demanded cartons of cigarettes. Before exiting the store, Hall dropped the cigarettes and discharged his firearm. He collected the cartons and fled the store with approximately $950 of the business cash and the cartons of cigarettes. Hall again fled in a stolen vehicle.
At the time of the offenses, Hall had absconded from state parole.
The case was investigated by the FBI and Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department. Assistant U.S. Attorney Alexandra Michael prosecuted the case.
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Man Pleads Guilty to Selling Crack Cocaine at A Public Housing FacilityRead the Press Release
CONTACT: Barbara Burns
PHONE: (716) 843-5817
FAX #: (716) 551-3051BUFFALO, N.Y. - U.S. Attorney James P. Kennedy, Jr. announced today that Nafese J. Sanford, 27, of Buffalo, NY, pleaded guilty to possession with intent to distribute crack cocaine before U.S District Judge Richard J. Arcara. The charge carries a maximum penalty of 20 years in prison and a $1,000,000.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Laura A. Higgins, who is handling the case, stated that on three separate occasions between July 13 and August 8, 2018, law enforcement officers conducted three controlled purchases of crack cocaine from the defendant. The purchases were conducted at the Parkview Tower Apartments, a public housing facility in Lackawanna, NY.
On August 22, 2018, law enforcement officers set up another controlled purchase with Sanford. As he arrived at the Parkview Tower Apartments, officers performed a traffic stop of the defendant after observing him commit a traffic violation. During the stop, Sanford was arrested at the scene.
Today’s plea is the result of an investigation by the Lackawanna Police Department, under the direction of Chief James Michel, and the Drug Enforcement Administration, under the direction of Special Agent-in-Charge Ray Donovan, New York Field Division.
Sentencing is scheduled for August 12, 2019, at 12:30 p.m. before Judge Arcara.
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Lincoln Woman Sentenced for Conspiracy to Distribute MethamphetamineRead the Press Release
United States Attorney Joe Kelly announced that Lisa Marie Booton, 29, of Lincoln, was sentenced today to 10 years, (120 months), in federal prison by Chief United States District Judge John M. Gerrard for conspiracy to distribute and possess with intent to distribute 500 grams or more of methamphetamine mixture. Following the prison term, Booton will serve five years on supervised release.
Information provided to law enforcement indicated that between January of 2013 and August of 2017, Booton was involved in the distribution of at least 1.5 kilograms (approximately three pounds) of methamphetamine mixture in the Lincoln area.
This case was investigated by the Lincoln/Lancaster County Drug Task Force.
Leader of drug trafficking organization sentencedRead the Press Release
INDIANAPOLIS – United States Attorney Josh J. Minkler announced the sentencing of the leader of a drug trafficking organization which distributed large amounts of cocaine and methamphetamine in the Indianapolis area. Brayan Quinonez, 25, was sentenced to 210 months’ imprisonment by U.S. District Judge James R. Sweeney II.
“The stalwart efforts our Assistant U.S. Attorneys and federal agents demonstrate and the impact of their multijurisdictional and international investigations utilizing the Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Force (OCDETF) model cannot be understated,” said Minkler. “The remarkable illicit drug and firearm seizures in this case unequivocally make our district a safer place. I commend these efforts and express personal pride and gratitude for the regular sacrifices law enforcement and partner agencies make in the interests of justice.”
Beginning in early 2017, the Federal Bureau of Investigation and Internal Revenue Service investigated the drug trafficking activities of Brayan Quinonez and others; this investigation demonstrated that Quinonez and others were conspiring to distribute controlled substances, including cocaine and methamphetamine. Quinonez distributed multiple kilograms of these substances at a time to customers located in the Indianapolis area; Quinonez received these drugs from sources of supply located in Mexico. Quinonez and others then conspired to launder the proceeds of this vast drug trafficking activity in various ways, including through a series of wire transfers to various nominees in Mexico, who received the drug proceeds on behalf of the source of supply.
This investigation culminated with the execution of numerous federal search warrants at locations in Indianapolis, including Quinonez’s residence and a second location he utilized to further his drug trafficking. In the execution of the search warrants, agents seized over 70 pounds of methamphetamine, six pounds of cocaine, $50,000 in cash, and 17 firearms (four of which were seized from Quinonez’s residence, as pictured below).
This case was jointly investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation, Internal Revenue Service Criminal Investigation, the Indianapolis Metropolitan Police Department, Drug Enforcement Administration, Indiana State Police, and the Brownsburg Police Department.
“Residents living in fear because of narcotics trafficking in their neighborhoods by violent individuals such as Mr. Quinonez will never be tolerated,” said Grant Mendenhall, Special Agent in Charge of the FBI’s Indianapolis Division. “This illustrates how the combined resources of the FBI and our law enforcement partners can target criminal enterprises and disrupt the flow of illegal drugs into our communities."
“IRS CI special agents exposed Quinonez’s money laundering activities by expertly tracing drug proceeds through international financial systems,” said Brenda Viteri, Acting Special Agent in Charge of IRS Criminal Investigation. “First, today’s sentencing reinforces the continued success of OCDETF partnerships that IRS CI is proud to support. Second, a word of warning – if you launder illegal money, we will find you; it’s only a matter of time.”
According to Assistant United States Attorney Michelle Brady, who is prosecuting this case for the government, Quinonez must serve five years of supervised release following his prison sentence.
In October 2017, United States Attorney Josh J. Minkler announced a Strategic Plan designed to shape and strengthen the District’s response to its most significant public safety challenges. This prosecution demonstrates the Office’s firm commitment to prosecuting those who engage in organized drug and violent crime. See United States Attorney’s Office, Southern District of Indiana Strategic Plan 2.1
Leader of Lawrence-Based Drug Trafficking Organization Sentenced to 12 Years in Federal PrisonRead the Press Release
BOSTON – The leader of a Lawrence-based heroin and fentanyl trafficking organization was sentenced today in federal court in Boston in connection with orchestrating a wide-ranging operation that distributed multiple kilos of fentanyl and cocaine to customers in Lawrence and surrounding areas – including New Hampshire and Maine.
Juan Anibal Patrone, 29, a Dominican national formerly residing in Lawrence, was sentenced by U.S. Senior District Court Judge Douglas P. Woodlock to 12 years in prison and five years of supervised release. Patrone will be subject to deportation upon completion of his sentence. In September 2018, Patron pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute heroin, cocaine, and 400 grams or more of fentanyl and one count of being an alien in possession of a firearm. Patrone has been in custody since his arrest in May 2017.
In May 2017, a large scale law enforcement operation dismantled two Lawrence-based drug trafficking organizations, one run by Patrone, and another led by Santo Ramon Gonzalez Nival, who was a source of supply for Patrone. Patrone and approximately 28 co-conspirators were arrested, including Gonzalez Nival and nine members of his drug trafficking organization. Gonzalez Nival previously pleaded guilty and was sentenced on Sept. 21, 2018, to 135 months in prison.
Patrone ran his organization like a business. He bought drugs from suppliers, such as co-conspirator Domingo Gonzalez Martinez, who sold drugs to Patrone out of the Corniel Market in Lawrence. Patrone personally paid rent for stash houses, including 277 Merrimack Street and 20 Cambridge Street in Lawrence, and paid his brother, Josuel Moises Patrone-Gonzalez, and Oscar Marcano, to prepare and package drugs in those stash houses. He ran a crew of couriers, including some who worked in cars, like Luis Lugo and Leonel Vives, and others who walked the street, such as Daniel Diaz and Andruery Fanas Burgos, telling them specifically where to go and who to see. Similarly, Patrone personally directed his redistributors where to go to purchase narcotics to distribute, including Matthew Shover, Stacey Littlefield, Lacey Picariello, Reynaldo Duran Lora, and Rafael Arce – some of whom came from New Hampshire and Maine to obtain drugs to redistribute outside of Massachusetts. Patrone also paid Euclides Alcantara to register and insure his fleet of vehicles in false names, and to carry drug proceeds to the Dominican Republic.
In addition, Patrone openly discussed the size of his drug business with others, including family. In intercepted calls, he admitted that he had worked in the business for seven years and wanted to return to the Dominican Republic, where he planned to get out of the drug business and live well. Investigators learned from these calls that Patrone’s assets are primarily in the Dominican Republic, and the government has undertaken efforts to freeze and forfeit them as part of his sentence in this case.
Furthermore, during a search of Patrone’s home, agents found a 10mm Auto-Ordnance Corp, loaded with a magazine containing six 10mm rounds of ammunition.
United States Attorney Andrew E. Lelling; Brian D. Boyle, Special Agent in Charge of the Drug Enforcement Administration, New England Division; and Peter C. Fitzhugh, Special Agent in Charge of Homeland Security Investigations in Boston, made the announcement today. The Massachusetts State Police and the Andover, Haverhill, Lawrence, Lowell, and Wilmington Police Departments assisted with the investigation. Assistant U.S. Attorney Theodore Heinrich of Lelling’s Narcotics and Money Laundering Unit prosecuted the case.
Jury Finds Eagle Butte Man Guilty of AssaultRead the Press Release
United States Attorney Ron Parsons announced that Jared Bourland, age 38, of Eagle Butte, South Dakota, was found guilty of Assault by Striking, Beating, or Wounding, and Simple Assault as a result of a federal jury trial in Pierre, South Dakota.
The charge of Assault by Striking, Beating, or Wounding carries a maximum penalty of 1 year in federal prison and/or a $100,000.00 fine, 1 year of supervised release, and a $25.00 special assessment to the Federal Crime Victims Fund. The Simple Assault charge carries a maximum penalty of 6 months in federal prison and/or a $5,000.00 fine, 1 year of supervised release, and a $10.00 special assessment to the Federal Crime Victims Fund.
Bourland was indicted by a federal grand jury on November 14, 2017. The charges stemmed from an incident on December 28, 2016, when law enforcement was doing a welfare check at the Bourland residence, based on a call from Bourland’s mother-in-law. When law enforcement arrived, the victim was upset and crying. The victim told law enforcement that Bourland would not let her leave and when asked if she wanted to leave, the victim stated yes, collected her items, and left the residence. Later that night, the victim later disclosed that she had been strangled, kicked, and punched by Bourland. She was transported to the Indian Health Services where she was treated for her injuries.
This case was investigated by the Cheyenne River Sioux Tribe Law Enforcement Services. Assistant U.S. Attorney Jay Miller prosecuted the case.
A presentence investigation was ordered and a sentencing date has not been set. The defendant was remanded to the custody of the U.S. Marshals Service.
Jewelry Manufacturer Pleads Guilty to Tax EvasionRead the Press Release
PROVIDENCE – The president and sole owner of a Providence jewelry manufacturing company pleaded guilty on Friday to tax evasion, admitting to the Court that in 2015 he diverted business receipts in order to avoid paying taxes on those receipts.
Byron Urizar, 47, of Lincoln, R.I., President and sole officer of B U, Inc., admitted to the Court that in 2014 and 2015, he diverted a large portion of third-party checks made payable to his business by using a check casher to cash the checks.
Appearing before U.S. District Court Chief Judge William E. Smith, Urizar admitted to using a check casher to cash 268 checks totaling approximately $399,593 in business receipts for the tax year 2015.
Urizar admitted to the Court that he did not inform his accountant that a significant portion of the businesses gross receipts were cashed at the check casher and not deposited into the business bank account. This ensured that the gross receipts reported on his tax returns were based solely on the deposits he made to the business account and not the checks he had cashed at the check casher.
Urizar’s guilty plea to tax evasion is announced by United States Attorney Aaron L. Weisman and Kristina O'Connell, Special Agent in Charge of Internal Revenue Service Criminal Investigation.
Urizar is scheduled to be sentenced on July 19, 2019. Tax evasion is punishable by statutory penalties of up to 5 years imprisonment, 3 years supervised release, and a fine of $250,000 or twice the pecuniary gain or loss.
The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Dulce Donovan.
The matter was investigated by IRS Criminal Investigation.
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Jefferson County man sentenced for destroying mailboxRead the Press Release
MARTINSBURG, WEST VIRGINIA – Derek Wayne Blanken, Jr., of Harpers Ferry, West Virginia, was sentenced today to two months incarceration for destroying a mailbox, United States Attorney Bill Powell announced.
Blanken, age 21, pled guilty to one count of “Destruction of Letter Boxes or Mail” in January 2019. Blanken admitted to destroying a mailbox on Upper Clubhouse Drive in Harpers Ferry in October 2018.
Blanken was also ordered to pay $5,931 in restitution.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Jeffrey A. Finucane prosecuted the case on behalf of the government. The U.S. Postal Service investigated.
Chief U.S. District Judge Gina M. Groh presided.
Indiana Man Sentenced to 96 Months in Prison for Five Pharmacy Robberies in IowaRead the Press Release
DAVENPORT, IA – On Friday, May 3, 2019, Rontel Nijae Mial, age 19, of Indianapolis, Indiana, was sentenced by United States District Court Chief Judge John A. Jarvey to 96 months in prison after pleading guilty to five counts of robbery, announced United States Attorney Marc Krickbaum. Mial was ordered to serve a three year period of supervised release to follow his prison term and a $100 special assessment, per count, payable to the Crime Victims’ Fund.
Mial pleaded guilty to the charges on September 12, 2018. According to court documents, on December 16, 2017, Mial traveled from Indiana to a Walgreens store in Davenport, Iowa, with the intent to rob the pharmacy. Just after 12:00 a.m., Mial entered the store armed with a dangerous weapon, approached the pharmacy counter, displayed the weapon, and demanded the pharmacist give him controlled substances including, but not limited to, oxycontin and oxycodone. Mial utilized a getaway driver/co-defendant, to quickly leave the scene; however, a GPS tracker device was included in one of the stolen pill bottles. Officers with the Davenport Police Department were dispatched to the GPS tracker device’s location. Mial and his co-defendant backed into police squad car, knocked into a parked car, and drove through a yard in attempt to elude officers. Officers were able to safely disable their vehicle. Mial then fled on foot but was apprehended after a short chase.
Further investigation revealed Mial was responsible for four other pharmacy robberies. Specifically, Mial admitted robbing a Walgreens store in Davenport, Iowa, on November 17, 2016; a CVS store in Des Moines, Iowa, on January 14, 2017; a Walgreens store in Davenport, Iowa, on November 1, 2017; and a Walgreens store in Iowa City, Iowa, on November 25, 2017.
This matter was investigated by the Davenport Police Department, Iowa City Police Department and Des Moines Police Department. The case was prosecuted by the United States Attorney’s Office-Southern District of Iowa.
Illegal Alien from Mexico Pleads Guilty to Re-entering United States without PermissionRead the Press Release
ERIE, Pa. - A citizen of Mexico pleaded guilty in federal court to a charge of violating federal immigration laws, United States Attorney Scott W. Brady announced today.
Juan Aranda-Lara, 38, pleaded guilty to one count before United States District Judge Susan Paradise Baxter.
In connection with the guilty plea, the court was advised that on or about December 17, 2018, Aranda-Lara was found to be unlawfully present within the United States. Aranda-Lara had been previously ordered deported and removed from the United States on May 11, 2001 and was removed from the United States on May 15, 2001, September 29, 2009, November 14, 2009, November 24, 2009, December 1, 2009, and November 20, 2014. The defendant subsequently reentered the United States, and was found to be present in this country without the permission of the Attorney General of the United States or his successor the Secretary of the Department of Homeland Security.
Judge Baxter scheduled sentencing for August 22, 2019 at 11 a.m. The law provides for a total sentence of two 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 offenses and the prior criminal history, if any, of the defendant.
Assistant United States Attorney Marshall J. Piccinini is prosecuting this case on behalf of the government.
Immigration and Customs Enforcement conducted the investigation that led to the prosecution of Aranda-Lara.
Harrisburg Man Sentenced to over Eight Years in Prison for Drug Trafficking and Firearm OffenseRead the Press Release
HARRISBURG – The United States Attorney’s Office for the Middle District of Pennsylvania announced that Caesar A. Torres-Rodriguez, age 23, of Harrisburg, was sentenced on May 2, 2019, by Chief United States District Court Judge Christopher C. Conner to 100 months’ imprisonment followed by three years of supervised release for drug trafficking and firearm charges.
According to United States Attorney David J. Freed, Torres possessed a firearm in furtherance of trafficking heroin on April 30, 2016, in Dauphin County.
The charge stemmed from an investigation conducted by the Harrisburg Police Department, assisted by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, and Firearms. Assistant United States Attorney James T. Clancy prosecuted the case.
This case is part of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), a program bringing together all levels of law enforcement and the communities they serve to reduce violent crime and make our neighborhoods safer for everyone. The Department of Justice reinvigorated PSN in 2017 as part of the Department’s renewed focus on targeting violent criminals, directing all U.S. Attorney’s Offices to work in partnership with federal, state, local, and tribal law enforcement and the local community to develop effective, locally-based strategies to reduce violent crime.
This case was also brought as part of a district wide initiative to combat the nationwide epidemic regarding the use and distribution of heroin. Led by the United States Attorney’s Office, the Heroin Initiative targets heroin traffickers operating in the Middle District of Pennsylvania and is part of a coordinated effort among federal, state and local law enforcement agencies to locate, apprehend, and prosecute individuals who commit heroin related offenses.
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Former Pediatric Medical Assistant Sentenced to 12+ Years in Child Sexual Exploitation CaseRead the Press Release
PHILADELPHIA – U.S. Attorney William M. McSwain announced that Cameron Carlucci, 27, of Philadelphia was sentenced by the Honorable Berle M. Schiller to 151 months in federal prison, followed by 10 years supervised release. Carlucci was convicted of distributing and possessing child pornography from 2016 through his arrest in 2018. During that time, he amassed more than 56,000 images and videos that depicted mostly prepubescent boys, infants, and toddlers being sexually abused and exploited.
At the time that Carlucci distributed these images and videos over the Internet, he had already been convicted in Philadelphia in 2011 for possession of obscene and other sexual materials, for which he received a 5-year probationary sentence. Almost immediately after the termination of his probation, Carlucci began committing the sexual crimes against children in this case. At the same time that he was committing these crimes, Carlucci sought out and obtained employment at Valley Pediatrics in Warminster, PA as a medical technician. To obtain his employment with Valley Pediatrics, Carlucci falsified his application by denying his criminal history.
“Not only did this defendant commit the heinous crime of possessing and distributing child pornography, he lied to get a job that would put him in close proximity to children,” said U.S. Attorney McSwain. “Parents and caregivers bring their children to doctors’ offices with the expectation that they will be safe and cared for, not in the presence of a known sexual predator. We thank the judge in this case for ensuring that Carlucci will be behind bars and unable to be in contact with children for a very long time.”
The case was investigated by the FBI and is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Michelle Rotella.
Former Houston Banker Indicted for Bank FraudRead the Press Release
HOUSTON – A 39-year-old Houston woman is set to appear in federal court following the return of a four-count indictment alleging bank fraud, announced U.S. Attorney Ryan K. Patrick.
Lori Nan Dean is set to make her initial appearance before U.S. Magistrate Judge Christina Bryan at 10:00 a.m. today.
The indictment, returned April 30, 2019, alleges that while employed at the International Bank of Commerce (IBC), she defrauded them of $144,300. She allegedly made unauthorized withdrawals of money through the submission of fraudulent debit general ledger tickets.
According to the indictment, Dean made false entries in the books and records of IBC to conceal her fraud.
The alleged bank fraud scheme lasted from approximately Jan. 2, 2016 through Aug. 2, 2017.
Each count of bank fraud carries a maximum penalty of 30 years imprisonment and a fine up to $1 million.
The FBI conducted the investigation. Assistant U.S. Attorney John Braddock is prosecuting the case.
An indictment is a formal accusation of criminal conduct, not evidence.
A defendant is presumed innocent unless and until convicted through due process of law.Former FBI Linguist Arrested on False Statement and Obstruction ChargesRead the Press Release
A Virginia man who previously served as a linguist for the FBI was arrested Saturday night on charges of making multiple false statements to FBI officials and obstructing a federal investigation. Assistant Attorney General for National Security John C. Demers, U.S. Attorney G. Zachary Terwilliger for the Eastern District of Virginia and Assistant Director in Charge Nancy McNamara of the FBI’s Washington Field Office made the announcement.
According to court documents, Abdirizak Jaji Raghe Wehelie, aka Haji Raghe, 66, of St. Burk, was a federal contractor for the FBI and worked as a linguist translating communications captured by court-authorized surveillance of a suspect (Person A) in a terrorism investigation. Wehelie allegedly intentionally misidentified his own voice that was captured when Person A left a voicemail message on Wehelie’s mobile telephone. When questioned by FBI investigators about this particular incident, Wehelie made several misleading and/or false statements.
Wehelie is scheduled to make his initial appearance in federal court in Alexandria today at 2:00 p.m.
Wehelie is charged with making false statements to government officials and obstruction of a federal investigation. If convicted, he faces a maximum penalty of 25 years in prison. Actual sentences for federal crimes are typically less than the maximum penalties. A federal district court judge will determine any sentence after taking into account the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors.
Assistant U.S. Attorney James P. Gillis is prosecuting the case, with assistance from the National Security Division.
An indictment contains allegations that a defendant has committed a crime. Every defendant is presumed to be innocent until and unless proven guilty in court.
Former FBI Linguist Arrested and Indicted on Obstruction ChargesRead the Press Release
ALEXANDRIA, Va. – A Virginia man who previously served as a linguist for the FBI was arrested Saturday night on charges of obstructing a federal investigation and making multiple false statements to FBI officials.
According to court documents, Abdirizak Jaji Raghe Wehelie, aka Haji Raghe, 66, of Burke, was a federal contractor for the FBI and worked as a linguist translating communications captured by court-authorized surveillance of a suspect (Person A) in a terrorism investigation. Wehelie allegedly intentionally misidentified his own voice that was captured when Person A left a voicemail message on Wehelie’s mobile telephone. When questioned by FBI investigators about this particular incident, Wehelie made several misleading and/or false statements.
Wehelie is scheduled to make his initial appearance in federal court in Alexandria today at 10:00 a.m.
Wehelie is charged with making false statements to government officials and obstruction of a federal investigation. If convicted, he faces a maximum penalty of 25 years in prison. Actual sentences for federal crimes are typically less than the maximum penalties. A federal district court judge will determine any sentence after taking into account the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors.
G. Zachary Terwilliger, U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of Virginia, John C. Demers, Assistant Attorney General for National Security, and Nancy McNamara, Assistant Director in Charge of the FBI’s Washington Field Office, made the announcement. Assistant U.S. Attorney James P. Gillis is prosecuting the case.
A copy of this press release is located on the website of the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of Virginia. Related court documents and information is located on the website of the District Court for the Eastern District of Virginia or on PACER by searching for Case No. 1:17-CR-295-CMH.
An indictment contains allegations that a defendant has committed a crime. Every defendant is presumed to be innocent until and unless proven guilty in court.
Former Banker Extradited from Malaysia to United States to Face Charges in Multi-Billion Dollar Money Laundering and Bribery Scheme Relating to the 1MDB FundRead the Press Release
A Malaysian national, Ng Chong Hwa, 46, also known as “Roger Ng,” has been extradited from Malaysia to the United States to face charges of conspiring to launder billions of dollars embezzled from 1Malaysia Development Berhad (1MDB), Malaysia’s investment development fund, conspiring to violate the Foreign Corrupt Practices Act (FCPA) by paying bribes to multiple government officials in Malaysia and Abu Dhabi, and conspiring to violate the FCPA by circumventing the internal accounting controls of a major New York-headquartered financial institution (Financial Institution).
Assistant Attorney General Brian A. Benczkowski of the U.S. Department of Justice’s Criminal Division, U.S. Attorney Richard P. Donoghue for the Eastern District of New York, Assistant Director in Charge William F. Sweeney Jr., of the FBI’s New York Field Office and Acting Special Agent in Charge Ryan L. Korner of the IRS Criminal Investigation (CI), Los Angeles Field Office announced the extradition.
In a three-count indictment unsealed last year, Ng, of Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, was charged with crimes he allegedly committed while employed as a Managing Director at the Financial Institution, which underwrote more than $6 billion in bonds issued by 1MDB in three separate bond offerings in 2012 and 2013. Ng was arrested in Malaysia on Nov. 1, 2018, pursuant to a provisional arrest warrant issued at the request of the United States, later waived extradition to the United States, and is scheduled to make his first appearance today before U.S. Magistrate Judge Peggy Kuo in federal court in Brooklyn, New York.
As alleged in the indictment, between approximately 2009 and 2014, Ng conspired with others to launder billions of dollars misappropriated and fraudulently diverted from 1MDB, including funds 1MDB raised in 2012 and 2013 through three bond transactions 1MDB executed with the Financial Institution. As part of the scheme, Ng and others conspired to bribe government officials in Malaysia and Abu Dhabi to obtain and retain lucrative business for the Financial Institution, including the 2012 and 2013 bond deals. They further conspired to launder the proceeds of their criminal conduct through the U.S. financial system.
Court filings further allege that Ng, Low Taek Jho, also known as “Jho Low,” and the co-conspirators used co-defendant Low’s close relationships with high-ranking government officials in Malaysia and Abu Dhabi to obtain and retain business for the Financial Institution through the promise and payment of hundreds of millions of dollars in bribes. In the course of executing the scheme, Ng and others at the Financial Institution conspired to circumvent the Financial Institution’s internal accounting controls. Through its work for 1MDB during that time, the Financial Institution received approximately $600 million in fees and revenues along with increased reputational prestige. At the same time, Ng and other co-conspirators at the Financial Institution received large bonuses and enhanced their own reputations at the Financial Institution. In total, more than $2.7 billion was misappropriated from the 1MDB bond proceeds. Low remains at large.
The charges in the indictment are merely allegations, and the defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.
The investigation was jointly conducted by the FBI’s International Corruption Unit and IRS-CI. The government’s criminal case is being handled by the Criminal Division’s Money Laundering and Asset Recovery Section (MLARS) and Fraud Section and the Business and Securities Fraud Section of the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of New York. MLARS Trial Attorneys Jennifer E. Ambuehl, Woo S. Lee, Mary Ann McCarthy and Kyle Freeny, Fraud Section Trial Attorneys Katherine A. Nielsen and Nikhila Raj and Assistant U.S. Attorneys Jacquelyn M. Kasulis, Alixandra E. Smith and Drew G. Rolle are prosecuting the case. The Criminal Division’s Office of International Affairs provided critical assistance in this case. Additional Criminal Division Trial Attorneys and Assistant U.S. Attorneys within U.S. Attorney’s Offices for the Eastern District of New York and Central District of California have provided valuable assistance with various aspects of this investigation, including with civil and criminal forfeitures.
The Department also appreciates the significant cooperation and assistance provided by the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission, and the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System along with the Federal Reserve Bank of New York. The Department also appreciates the significant assistance provided by the government of Malaysia, including the Attorney General’s Chambers of Malaysia, the Royal Malaysia Police and NCB Interpol Malaysia. The Department also appreciates the significant assistance provided by the Attorney General’s Chambers of Singapore, the Singapore Police Force-Commercial Affairs Division, the Office of the Attorney General of Switzerland, the Judicial Investigating Authority of the Grand Duchy of Luxembourg and the Criminal Investigation Department of the Grand-Ducal Police of Luxembourg.
The International Unit of the Criminal Division’s MLARS is home to the Kleptocracy Asset Recovery Initiative—a team of dedicated prosecutors working to prosecute individuals and forfeit the proceeds of foreign official corruption that has affected the U.S. financial system and, where appropriate, return those proceeds to benefit the people harmed by these acts of corruption and abuse of office. MLARS’s Bank Integrity Unit investigates and prosecutes banks and other financial institutions, including their officers, managers, and employees, whose actions threaten the integrity of the individual institution or the wider financial system.
The Criminal Division’s Fraud Section is responsible for investigating and prosecuting all FCPA matters. Additional information about the Justice Department’s FCPA enforcement efforts can be found at www.justice.gov/criminal/fraud/fcpa.
Individuals with information about possible proceeds of foreign corruption located in or laundered through the United States should contact federal law enforcement or send an email to [email protected].
Former Banker Extradited from Malaysia to United States to Face Charges in Multi-Billion Dollar Money Laundering and Bribery Scheme Relating to the 1MDB FundRead the Press Release
BROOKLYN, NY – Ng Chong Hwa, also known as “Roger Ng,” a citizen of Malaysia, has been extradited to the United States from Malaysia to face charges of conspiring to launder billions of dollars embezzled from 1Malaysia Development Berhad (1MDB), Malaysia’s investment development fund, conspiring to violate the Foreign Corrupt Practices Act (FCPA) by paying bribes to multiple government officials in Malaysia and Abu Dhabi, and conspiring to violate the FCPA by circumventing the internal accounting controls of a major New York-headquartered financial institution (Financial Institution). In a three-count indictment unsealed last year, Ng, was charged with crimes he allegedly committed while employed as a Managing Director at the Financial Institution, which underwrote more than $6 billion in bonds issued by 1MDB in three separate bond offerings in 2012 and 2013. Ng was arrested in Malaysia on November 1, 2018, pursuant to a provisional arrest warrant issued at the request of the United States, later waived extradition to the United States, and is scheduled to be arraigned today before U.S. Magistrate Judge Peggy Kuo in federal court in Brooklyn, New York.
Richard P. Donoghue, United States Attorney for the Eastern District of New York, Brian A. Benczkowski, Assistant Attorney General of the Department of Justice’s Criminal Division, William F. Sweeney, Jr., Assistant Director-in-Charge, Federal Bureau of Investigation, New York Field Office (FBI), and Ryan L. Korner, Acting Special Agent-in-Charge, Internal Revenue Service-Criminal Investigation, Los Angeles Field Office (IRS-CI), announced the extradition.
As set forth in the indictment, between approximately 2009 and 2014, Ng conspired with others to launder billions of dollars misappropriated and fraudulently diverted from 1MDB, including funds 1MDB raised in 2012 and 2013 through three bond transactions it executed with the Financial Institution. As part of the scheme, Ng and others conspired to bribe government officials in Malaysia and Abu Dhabi to obtain and retain lucrative business for the Financial Institution, including the 2012 and 2013 bond deals. They also conspired to launder the proceeds of their criminal conduct through the U.S. financial system by funding major Hollywood films and purchasing, among other things, artwork from a New York-based auction house and luxury residential real estate in New York City and elsewhere.
As alleged, Ng, co-defendant Low Taek Jho (also known as “Jho Low”), and their co-conspirators used Low’s close relationships with high-ranking government officials in Malaysia and Abu Dhabi to obtain and retain business for the Financial Institution through the promise and payment of hundreds of millions of dollars in bribes. In the course of executing the scheme, Ng and others at the Financial Institution conspired to circumvent the Financial Institution’s internal accounting controls. Through its work for 1MDB during that time, the Financial Institution received approximately $600 million in fees and revenues along with increased reputational prestige. At the same time, Ng and other co-conspirators at the Financial Institution received large bonuses and enhanced their own reputations at the Financial Institution. In total, Ng and the other co-conspirators misappropriated more than $2.7 billion from 1MDB. Low remains at large.
The charges in the indictment are allegations and the defendants are presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.
The investigation was jointly conducted by the FBI’s International Corruption Unit and IRS-Criminal Investigation. The government’s criminal case is being handled by the Business and Securities Fraud Section of the United States Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of New York and the Criminal Division’s Money Laundering and Asset Recovery Section (MLARS) and Fraud Section. Assistant United States Attorneys Jacquelyn M. Kasulis, Alixandra E. Smith and Drew G. Rolle and Trial Attorneys Jennifer E. Ambuehl, Woo S. Lee, Kyle Freeny, Mary Ann McCarthy, Katherine A. Nielsen and Nikhila Raj are prosecuting the case. The Criminal Division’s Office of International Affairs provided critical assistance in this case. Additional Criminal Division Trial Attorneys and Assistant U.S. Attorneys within U.S. Attorney’s Offices for the Eastern District of New York and Central District of California have provided valuable assistance with various aspects of this investigation, including with civil and criminal forfeitures.
The Department also appreciates the significant cooperation and assistance provided by the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission, and the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System along with the Federal Reserve Bank of New York. The Department also appreciates the significant assistance provided by the government of Malaysia, including the Attorney General’s Chambers of Malaysia, the Royal Malaysia Police and NCB Interpol Malaysia. The Department also appreciates the significant assistance provided by the Attorney General’s Chambers of Singapore, the Singapore Police Force-Commercial Affairs Division, the Office of the Attorney General of Switzerland, the Judicial Investigating Authority of the Grand Duchy of Luxembourg and the Criminal Investigation Department of the Grand-Ducal Police of Luxembourg.
The Defendant:
NG CHONG HWA
Age: 51
Kuala Lumpur, MalaysiaE.D.N.Y. Docket No. 18-CR-538 (MKB)
Federal Jury Convicts Former FedEx Employee of Obstruction of MailRead the Press Release
Memphis, TN – After a three-day jury trial, a Memphis man was found guilty for obstruction of mail. U.S. Attorney D. Michael Dunavant for the Western District of Tennessee announced the guilty verdict today.
According to information presented in court, in 2015, Braylon Butler, 25, worked at the FedEx Hub as a box sorter. Pursuant to a contractual relationship between FedEx and the United States Postal Service, a large volume of U.S. mail is processed at the FedEx Hub in Memphis. FedEx corporate security viewed Butler on security video footage searching through U.S. mail. In the video, Butler is seen opening shipping containers filled with U.S. mail and searching for brightly colored greeting card envelopes, which may have contained U.S. currency or gift cards. The video also shows Butler appearing to open one such envelope.
U.S. Attorney D. Michael Dunavant said, "This office takes very seriously our duty to protect the sanctity and security of the United States Postal Service and the U.S. Mail. We work very closely with the United States Postal Inspection Service to defend the nation’s mail system from theft and obstruction to ensure public trust in the mail. This guilty verdict shows our collective commitment to hold accountable any persons who violate that sanctity and victimize innocent citizens for their own selfish gains."
Sentencing is set for August 2, 2019 before United States District Court Judge Thomas L. Parker, where Butler faces up to five years imprisonment.
This case was investigated by the United States Postal Inspector.
Assistant U.S. Attorneys Annie Christoff and Tony Arvin prosecuted this case on behalf of the government.
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Federal Employee Sentenced and Ordered to Repay Stolen FundsRead the Press Release
Memphis, TN – A former federal employee has been sentenced for theft of public money. U.S. Attorney D. Michael Dunavant for the Western District of Tennessee announced the sentence today.
According to information presented in court, on December 17, 2018, Jacquelyn Denise Young, aka "Jacqueline Harvey," 56, pled guilty to Count 1 of the Indictment. Young formerly worked as the systems administrator for the United States Social Security Administration's Office of Disability Adjudication Review. While working there from approximately 2009 until 2014, she stole $7,224.02 in federal money by misusing government gas cards. The gas cards were provided for Social Security Administration employees to use for official business travel in government-owned vehicles. Ms. Young repeatedly misused the gas cards over a five-year period, to fill up her personal vehicle for non-work-related use.
On April 25, 2019, United States District Court Judge Mark S. Norris sentenced Young to time served, followed by two years supervised release. She was sentenced to serve four months of her supervised release on home detention with location monitoring. Young also was ordered to pay restitution to the General Services Administration and forfeiture totaling $7,224.04 and to pay a $500 fine.
U.S. Attorney D. Michael Dunavant said, "One of the primary functions of this office is to protect the United States Treasury, and the ability of the Social Security Administration to provide efficient public services. Fraudulent schemes and crimes of dishonesty do not pay, and will be exposed."
This case was investigated by the Social Security Administration – Office of the Inspector General.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Murre Foster prosecuted this case on behalf of the government.
Dallas Man Found Guilty of Conspiring to Support ISISRead the Press Release
A federal jury convicted a Dallas man on multiple terror charges, U.S. Attorney for the Northern District of Texas Erin Nealy Cox and Assistant Attorney General for National Security John C. Demers announced today.
Following a three-and-a-half day trial, Said Azzam Mohamad Rahim, a 42-year-old United States citizen, was convicted Friday of one count of conspiracy to provide material support to a designated foreign terrorist organization (FTO), one count of attempting to provide material support to an FTO, and six counts of making false statements involving international terrorism to federal authorities.
“We will not allow radical terrorists motivated by dangerous ideologies to promote violence against innocent people,” said U.S. Attorney Nealy Cox. “The Justice Department is committed to combatting terror at home and abroad.”
“Said Azzam Mohamad Rahim operated online to spread ISIS’s poisonous message of hate and violence,” said Assistant Attorney General Demers. “Then he attempted to travel to support ISIS and he lied to the FBI when questioned about his activities. With the jury’s guilty verdicts, he is being held accountable for his crimes. I want to thank the prosecutors, agents, and analysts who are responsible for this result.”
According to evidence presented at trial, Mr. Rahim moderated a social media channel dedicated to recruiting fighters for the Islamic State of Iraq and al-Sham, or ISIS, a State Department designated terror group.
Mr. Rahim used Zello, a push-to-talk direct messaging application, to promote violence in ISIS’s name, prosecutors said.
Records showed he spent hours on Zello’s “State of the Islamic Caliphate” channel, where he touted acts of terror under various monikers:
“Kill and do not consult anyone,” he said in July 2016. “Kill by any means, smash his head on the wall, spit in his face, burn -- I mean anything, anything – poison, anything.”
“Brothers! What are you waiting for?” he said a month later. “Mobilize and perform jihad for the cause of Allah…. Some of the brothers mobilized from this channel, they were amongst us.”
He even praised several terrorist attacks after the fact.
“I was happy for this act,” Rahim said after a truck barreled into a crowd of people in Nice, France, killing 86. “Those dogs.”
Mr. Rahim was arrested on March 5, 2017 at the Dallas Fort Worth International Airport, where he was attempting to board a flight to Amman, Jordan. Asked by agents if he had ever supported ISIS, advocated travel for the purposes of jihad, promoted violence on ISIS’s behalf, or encouraged anyone to kill infidels at the urging of ISIS spokesman Abu Mohammed al-Adnani, Mr. Rahim said “no.”
Mr. Rahim now faces up to 20 years in federal prison for each material support count and eight years for each false statement count, for a total of up to 88 years imprisonment.
The Federal Bureau of Investigation, the U.S. Department of State – Diplomatic Security Services, and the Joint Terrorism Task Force conducted the investigation. Assistant United States Attorney Errin Martin and Trial Attorney Taryn Meeks of the National Security Division’s Counterterrorism Section prosecuted the case. U.S. District Judge Jane Boyle presided over the trial.
DEA Prescription Drug Takeback Day Big SuccessRead the Press Release
RALEIGH – United States Attorney Robert J. Higdon, Jr. announces the results of the DEA April 27, 2019, 17th National Prescription Drug Take Back Day. Nationwide, DEA, along with their law enforcement partners collected nearly 469 tons of potentially dangerous expired, unused, and unwanted prescription drugs. In the Eastern District of North Carolina, approximately 7,229.92 pounds were collected and 8,968 pounds were collected statewide.
“Across the country and here in the Eastern District of North Carolina, we are facing a real and dangerous threat from opioids and other prescription drugs,” said United States Attorney Higdon. “We have unprecedented levels of addiction, frightening numbers of overdoses, and an alarming number of deaths because of the over prescription and improper use of these drugs. This requires each of us to work to solve it. By properly disposing of prescription medication we do not need, we can reduce the risk that these drugs will fall into the wrong hands.”
Rates of prescription drug abuse in the U.S. are alarmingly high, as are the number of accidental poisonings and overdoses due to these drugs. Studies show that a majority of abused prescription drugs are obtained from family and friends, including from the home medicine cabinet. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 91 Americans die each day from an opioid overdose. Some painkiller abusers move on to heroin: Four out of five new heroin users started with painkillers.
Flushing medications down the toilet or throwing them in the trash pose potential safety and health hazards. This initiative addresses the public safety and public health issues that surround medications languishing in home cabinets, becoming highly susceptible to diversion, misuse, and abuse.
DEA’s next National Prescription Drug Take Back Day is October 26, 2019. For complete results of the recently concluded Spring Take Back Day visit www.DEATakeBack.com. If you missed the Take Back Day click here https://apps2.deadiversion.usdoj.gov/pubdispsearch/spring/main?execution=e1s1 to locate an authorized collector in your area.
DEA New England and Partners Collect over 44 Tons of Drugs During Take Back DayRead the Press Release
Portland, Maine: United States Attorney Halsey B. Frank joined the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) in announcing that DEA New England and its partners collected 89,366 lbs. of drugs during National Prescription Drug Take Back Day on April 27, 2019. The following is a breakdown of collected weights for the six New England states:
Maine – 27,680 lbs.
Massachusetts – 28,117.5 lbs.
New Hampshire – 14,180 lbs.
Connecticut – 8,361.8 lbs.
Vermont – 6,562 lbs.
Rhode Island – 4,465 lbs.
Last October, during its 16th Take Back Day, the DEA New England collected 80,278 pounds, or 40 tons, of expired, unused and unwanted prescription drugs at 613 collection sites throughout New England. In Maine, last October, 27,516 pounds of drugs were collected.
Since its inception in September 2010, Maine has collected 404,698 lbs. of drugs; the most, per capita, in the United States.
Connecticut Woman Pleads Guilty to Escaping from Federal CustodyRead the Press Release
John H. Durham, United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut, today announced that, on May 3, 2019, BARBARA MARCH, 73, of Bridgeport, pleaded guilty before U.S. District Judge Kari A. Dooley in Bridgeport to escaping from federal custody.
According to court documents and statements made in court, in October 2006, March was sentenced in the District of Columbia to 15 years of imprisonment for mailing baked goods laced with rat poison to Supreme Court justices, FBI officials and military leaders. On April 26, 2018, March signed out of the halfway house in Washington, D.C., where she was completing her sentence, and failed to return as scheduled. She was arrested in Bridgeport on October 9, 2018.
Judge Dooley scheduled sentencing for June 24, 2019, at which time March faces a maximum term of imprisonment of five years. March has been detained since her arrest.
On May 10, 2018, a federal grand jury in the District of Columbia returned an indictment charging March with one count of escape from custody. The case was transferred to the District of Connecticut for further prosecution.
This case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Margaret E. Maigret.
Clay County Fentanyl and Heroin Dealer Sentenced to Life in Prison for Role InRead the Press Release
Jacksonville, Florida – U.S. District Judge Marcia Morales Howard today sentenced Trumaine “Lucky” Muller (34, Orange Park) to life in federal prison for distributing a lethal dose of fentanyl that resulted in the overdose death of an 18-year old woman.
A federal jury had found Muller guilty on January 16, 2019. The jury also convicted Muller of other felony drug offenses and for possession of a firearm by a convicted felon.
According to court documents, on November 9, 2016, at approximately 10:30 pm, Muller sold heroin (which was actually fentanyl) to Christopher Williams and Tyler Hamilton. Williams and Hamilton provided a portion of the substance to “A.B.,” an 18-year old female. A.B., a first time opiate user, snorted what she believed was a small dose of heroin. However, the substance that Muller had sold was fentanyl, which caused the death of A.B. at approximately 4:45 am on November 10, 2016.
On January 31, 2017, during the ensuing investigation into A.B.’s death, the Clay County Sheriff’s Office made a controlled purchase of heroin and furanylfentanyl from Muller. On February 8, 2017, during the execution of a search warrant, officers seized furanylfentanyl and a loaded revolver from an apartment in Clay County where Muller had been living.
Christopher Williams and Tyler Hamilton previously pleaded guilty to manslaughter in state court.
“Families and communities have been ravaged by the opioid epidemic. I commend law enforcement and the U.S. Attorney’s Office for their skillful investigation and prosecution of Trumaine Muller for the overdose death of AB,” said State Attorney Melissa Nelson.
“We appreciate the hard work of everyone involved in this. This is truly teamwork at its finest,” stated Clay County Sheriff Darryl Daniels.
This case was investigated by the Clay County Sheriff’s Office and the Office of the State Attorney for the Fourth Judicial Circuit. It is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Tysen Duva.
Cabell County Woman Pleads Guilty to Theft of Social Security Income BenefitsRead the Press Release
Defendant fraudulently obtained over $44,000
HUNTINGTON, W.Va. – A Huntington woman entered a guilty plea to the felony offense of fraudulently obtaining Social Security Income benefits, announced United States Attorney Mike Stuart. Linda Crabtree, 54, faces up to 5 years of incarceration when she is scheduled to be sentenced on August 12, 2019. She will also be required to pay restitution back to the United States Treasury. United States Attorney Mike Stuart praised the work of the United States Social Security Administration-Office of Inspector General.
“Theft of government program dollars will not be tolerated,” said United States Attorney Mike Stuart. “Many West Virginians depend on these critical benefits. We all suffer when fraudsters like Crabtree take money to which they aren’t entitled.”
Crabtree applied for Title XVI Social Security benefits in 2004. These Social Security benefits are based on income and living arrangements, and create a duty on the recipient to report a change in income or living arrangements. In 2004, Crabtree indicated that she was married, but claimed she was not residing with her spouse. In fact, Crabtree was residing with her spouse and they had been married and living together since 2004. Their combined income would have lowered the amount of money she was receiving every month from the Social Security Administration. From December 2004 through December 2017, Crabtree received $24,735 in Social Security benefits in excess of the amount she was due.
Crabtree also received additional money she was not entitled to receive as the representative payee on behalf of her daughter. This resulted in overpayments to Crabtree as a representative payee in the amount of $19,502. In total, Crabtree obtained $44,237 in benefits she was not entitled to receive. On November 6, 2017, Crabtree gave a detailed statement to federal investigators with the Office of Inspector General admitting that she was living with her spouse the entire time and knew that she was receiving money that she was not entitled to receive.
Assistant United States Attorney Erik S. Goes handled the prosecution. United States District Judge Robert C. Chambers presided over the hearing.
Follow us on Twitter: @SDWVNews and @USAttyStuart
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Buffalo Man Charged with Possession of Crack Cocaine Following A Traffic StopRead the Press Release
CONTACT: Barbara Burns
PHONE: (716) 843-5817
FAX #: (716) 551-3051BUFFALO, N.Y. - U.S. Attorney James P. Kennedy, Jr. announced today that Luis Acevedo Rivera, 23, of Buffalo, NY, was arrested and charged by criminal complaint with possessing with the intent to distribute, and distributing, 500 grams or more of cocaine. The charge carries a maximum penalty of 20 years in prison and a $1,000,000.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Jeremiah E. Lenihan, who is handling the case, stated that according to the complaint, on May 3, 2019, at approximately 4:45 p.m., a marked unit from the Erie County Sherriff's Department initiated a vehicle and traffic stop of a Jeep Compass rental vehicle being operated by the defendant in the vicinity of 975 Hertel Avenue in Buffalo. A white plastic grocery bag was observed in plain view on the front passenger floorboard of the vehicle.
Rivera was asked for consent to search the vehicle and declined. Thereafter, following additional investigation, a search warrant for the vehicle was obtained and executed, and a quantity of suspected cocaine was recovered from the white plastic grocery bag.
The complaint is the result of an investigation by Homeland Security Investigations, under the direction of Special Agent-in-Charge Kevin Kelly, the Erie County Sheriff’s Office, under the direction of Sheriff Timothy Howard, and the Buffalo Police Department, under the direction of Commissioner Byron Lockwood.
The fact that a defendant has been charged with a crime is merely an accusation and the defendant is presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty.
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Bronx Man Sentenced to 39 Months in Prison for Participating in Scheme to Take over Ride-Sharing Driver AccountsRead the Press Release
Geoffrey S. Berman, the United States Attorney for the Southern District of New York, announced today that LOUIS PINA was sentenced to 39 months in prison for participating in a scheme to defraud drivers of two ride-sharing companies (“Company-1” and “Company-2”) by accessing those drivers’ accounts without authorization in order to divert driver funds to bank accounts controlled by PINA and other members of the scheme (the “Scheme”). PINA previously pled guilty to one count of conspiracy to commit access device fraud and one count of aggravated identity theft before U.S. District Judge Jed S. Rakoff, who imposed today’s sentence. PINA is the eighth defendant to have pled guilty in this case.
Manhattan U.S. Attorney Geoffrey S. Berman said: “Louis Pina was a leader of a criminal consortium that deceived the drivers of two ride-sharing companies, enabling the criminals to access drivers’ accounts and steal millions of dollars. Hard-working men and women who worked long hours to make a living had their accounts hacked into and their hard-earned money stolen. Now Louis Pina is going to prison for his crimes.”
According to the Complaint, the Indictment to which PINA pled guilty, court filings, and statements made in public court proceedings:
PINA and his co-defendants defrauded livery drivers and ride-sharing companies using mobile ride-sharing applications. The Scheme targeted drivers associated with Company-1 and Company-2. Scheme members called Company-1 and Company-2 drivers posing as Company-1 and Company-2 representatives, and deceived the drivers into providing unique personal identifiers and other information that was then used to obtain unauthorized access into the online Company-1 and Company-2 driver accounts. Once members of the Scheme logged into Company-1 and Company-2 driver accounts without authorization, they altered information in those compromised accounts and diverted driver funds to bank accounts they controlled. PINA personally called Company-1 and Company-2 drivers to obtain their login credentials, hacked the accounts of Company-1 and Company-2 drivers, and recruited others into the Scheme. Scheme members compromised hundreds of Company-1 and Company-2 driver accounts and stole millions of dollars from Company-1 and Company-2 driver accounts.
* * *
In addition to the prison term, Judge Rakoff ordered PINA, 24, of the Bronx, New York, to make court-ordered restitution in the amount of $198,663 to Company-1 and $243,112 to Company-2.
Mr. Berman praised the outstanding investigative work of the Special Agents of the United States Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of New York and the United States Secret Service. Mr. Berman further thanked the Westchester County District Attorney’s Office for their assistance and cooperation throughout this case, and also thanked the FBI’s Westchester County Safe Streets Task Force for their assistance.
The case is being prosecuted by the Office’s Complex Frauds and Cybercrime Unit. Assistant United States Attorneys Sheb Swett and Noah Solowiejczyk are in charge of the prosecution.
Berkeley County woman sentenced for drug distributionRead the Press Release
MARTINSBURG, WEST VIRGINIA – Samione Monay Jones, of Martinsburg, West Virginia, was sentenced today to three years probation for a drug distribution charge, United States Attorney Bill Powell announced.
Jones, age 31, pled guilty to one count of “Aiding and Abetting Distribution of Cocaine Base ‘Crack’” in January 2019. Jones admitted to selling “crack” cocaine in May 2017 in Berkeley County.
Special Assistant U.S. Attorney C. Lydia Lehman, also with the Berkeley County Prosecutor’s Office, prosecuted the case on behalf of the government. The Eastern Panhandle Drug & Violent Crimes Task Force, a HIDTA-funded initiative, investigated.
Chief U.S. District Judge Gina M. Groh presided.
Berkeley County man sentenced for child pornographyRead the Press Release
MARTINSBURG, WEST VIRGINIA – Eric Eugene Smith, of Falling Waters, West Virginia, was sentenced today to 97 months incarceration for possessing child pornography, United States Attorney Bill Powell announced.
Smith, age 51, pled guilty to one count of “Possession of Child Pornography” in January 2019. Smith admitted to having child pornography of children under the age of 12 in his possession in September 2018 in Berkeley County.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Kimberley D. Crockett prosecuted the case on behalf of the government. The Federal Bureau of Investigation and the West Virginia State Police investigated.
This case is prosecuted as part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative designed to protect children from online exploitation and abuse. Led by the United States Attorneys’ Offices, Project Safe Childhood marshals federal, state, and local resources to better locate, apprehend, and prosecute individuals who exploit children via the Internet, as well as identify and rescue victims. For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit http://www.justice.gov/psc/.
Chief U.S. District Judge Gina M. Groh presided.
Beaver County Man Pleads Guilty to Making and Sharing Sexually Explicit Images and Videos of a MinorRead the Press Release
PITTSBURGH, PA - A former Beaver County resident pleaded guilty in federal court to charges of production and distribution of material depicting the sexual exploitation of a minor, United States Attorney Scott W. Brady announced today.
Randolph Guy Gum, 25, formerly of Rochester, Pennsylvania pleaded guilty to three counts before Senior United States District Judge Mark R. Hornak.
In connection with the guilty plea, the court was advised that on January 19, 2014 and March 3, 2014, Gum employed, used, persuaded, induced, enticed, or coerced a minor—Minor A— to engage in sexually explicit conduct for the purpose of producing a visual depiction of such conduct in the form of video and image files. At the time of the offense, Minor A was under the age of 18 years old. Gum produced the images and videos using material that had traveled in interstate commerce and knowingly distributed the images and videos containing the material depicting the sexual exploitation of Minor A to another individual via the Internet on July 23, 2015.
Judge Hornak scheduled sentencing for August 29, 2019 at 3:30 p.m. The law provides for a maximum sentence life imprisonment for the production of child pornography counts, and a maximum sentence of 20 years imprisonment for distribution of child pornography, and a fine of up to $750,000.00. Under the Federal Sentencing Guidelines, the actual sentence imposed would be based upon the seriousness of the offenses and the prior criminal history, if any, of the defendant.
Pending sentencing, the Judge continued Gum's detention.
Assistant United States Attorney Heidi M. Grogan is prosecuting this case on behalf of the government.
The Department of Homeland Security, Immigration & Customs Enforcement and the Rochester Pennsylvania Police Department conducted the investigation that led to the prosecution of Randolph Guy Gum.
This case was brought as part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative launched in May 2006 by the Department of Justice to combat the growing epidemic of child sexual exploitation and abuse. Led by the United States Attorneys' Offices and the Criminal Division's Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section, Project Safe Childhood marshals federal, state, and local resources to locate, apprehend, and prosecute individuals, who sexually exploit children, and to identify and rescue victims. For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit www.justice.gov/psc.
Argentine Man Sentenced in Witchcraft Extortion SchemeRead the Press Release
Assistant U.S. Attorney Andrew J. Galvin (619) 546-9721
NEWS RELEASE SUMMARY – May 6, 2019
SAN DIEGO – Ariel Boiteux, an Argentine national who masterminded an international extortion scheme against hundreds of people seeking romance through witchcraft and magic spells, was sentenced in federal court today to the maximum sentence - two years in prison.
According to court documents, targets of the scheme were directed to record themselves performing sexually explicit rituals to be used in casting love spells. Boiteux instead threatened to post the embarrassing videos on social media unless the clients paid large sums of money.
“This was a despicable scheme that preyed upon people who put their trust in a phony,” said U.S. Attorney Robert Brewer. “This defendant used the vulnerability of the lovelorn to humiliate and extort them, and for that he will pay a price.”
“I commend the dedicated work by our cybercrime experts who worked diligently to bring Boiteux, who dangerously preyed on others for his own financial gain, to justice,” said David Shaw, Special Agent in Charge for Homeland Security Investigations in San Diego. “This investigation underscores our commitment to keep pace with combatting criminal activity across all borders, including the internet.”
According to his plea agreement, Boiteux and several associates – operating out of Paraguay under the business name Amarres Inmediatos – offered to perform rituals that could improve one’s romantic relationships. Boiteux advertised these services on Facebook, Instagram, and MercadoLibre. The advertised services included casting spells designed to foster romantic relationships.
Clients who contacted Amarres Inmediatos soon learned that the rituals were performed remotely rather than in person. Clients were provided with a list of items to purchase, which typically included candles, alcohol, vegetables, and photographs. The ritual called for the client to drink alcohol, recite sexually explicit incantations, and perform sexual acts, all while recording the ritual. The client would then send the recordings of the ritual back to Boiteux and his associates, who would threaten to publicize the sexually explicit recordings unless the client paid an amount that far exceeded the initial price agreed upon for the ritual. In his plea agreement, Boiteux admitted to researching the clients to see who would be susceptible to extortion.
In February 2017, the plea agreement said, Boiteux obtained sensitive recordings of a client performing a ritual. The defendant researched the client’s background and determined that she was a well-connected public figure with access to significant financial resources. Boiteux and his associates then contacted the client and threatened to publicize the recordings unless she paid more than $250,000.
According to the plea agreement, in the fall of 2017, an undercover agent from Homeland Security Investigations called a phone number on the Amarres Inmediatos website and offered to purchase recordings of another victim, portions of which had been uploaded to publicly-available websites in an attempt to extort that victim. Boiteux agreed to sell the recordings for thousands of dollars and instructed the undercover agent to send a money transfer through Western Union. After the agent sent the money transfer, Paraguayan law enforcement officers waited at a Western Union in Ciudad del Este, Paraguay where Boiteux had picked up a previous money transfer. As expected, Boiteux arrived a short time later to pick up the transfer, but instead was arrested by Paraguayan officers. Boiteux was extradited to San Diego in July 2018.
DEFENDANT: Case Number 18-CR-2025-H
Ariel Boiteux Age: 31 San Juan, Argentina
SUMMARY OF CHARGES
Foreign Transmission of an Extortionate Threat – Title 18, U.S.C., Section 875
Maximum penalty: 2 years’ imprisonment and $250,000 fine
AGENCY
Homeland Security Investigations
Announcing the 2019 Women’s Leadership InitiativeRead the Press Release
Indianapolis - United States Attorney Josh J. Minkler is pleased to announce this year’s Women’s Leadership Initiative (WLI) Steering Committee members: Assistant United States Attorneys Cindy Cho, Kate Olivier, Kelly Rota, Gina Shields, U.S. District Court Law Clerk Sarah Dame, and FBI Special Agent Victoria Madtson. The WLI concept was conceived and implemented in 2016 by a Steering Committee that consisted of First Assistant U.S. Attorney Cynthia Ridgeway, Civil Chief Shelese Woods, Assistant U.S. Attorneys MaryAnn Mindrum and Michelle Brady, and Financial Litigation Unit Supervisor Tracy Jones, as a way to encourage and foster professional development, leadership acumen, and camaraderie.
Programs to-date have included presentations by Judges of the United States District and Bankruptcy Court, including the Honorable Sarah Evans Barker, the Honorable Tanya Walton Pratt, the Honorable Jane E. Magnus Stinson, Chief District Judge, Chief Bankruptcy Judge Robyn Moberly, Congresswoman Susan W. Brooks, Deborah Daniels of Krieg DeVault LLP (#Metoo), Anderson University President John Pistole (leadership and courage), John Trimble of Lewis Wagner LLP (unconscious bias), and Judy Shepard the mother of Matthew Shepard (diversity & inclusion), among others.
“Words of Advice for My Younger Self,” a Women’s Leadership Initiative event, will take place on Wednesday, May 8, 2019 at 12:00 p.m., at the United States Attorney’s Office located at 10 West Market Street, 20th Floor, Indianapolis, Indiana. The panel will be moderated by WLI Steering Committee members and will feature Michelle Brady, Assistant United States Attorney, Laura A. Briggs, Clerk of Court, United States District Court, Southern District of Indiana, Joe Cleary, Indiana Federal Community Defenders, and Kenneth Riggins of The Law Office of Kenneth Riggins.
“These public servants are charged with a daunting and critical task – to serve their community selflessly and completely, putting aside personal endeavors to pursue justice,” said Josh J. Minkler, U.S. Attorney. “We are pleased to support this continued partnership with and on behalf of our federal family in order to arm these civic-minded servant soldiers with the tools they need to nimbly strike the right balance on behalf of our community.”
Akron Man Pleads Guilty to Federal Drug Crime - Defendant Intended to Distribute over 196 Grams of Powerful CarfentanilRead the Press Release
Defendant Intended to Distribute Over 196 Grams of Powerful Carfentanil
HUNTINGTON, W.Va. – An Ohio man pled guilty today to a federal drug trafficking crime, announced U. S. Attorney Mike Stuart. Martel Trayvelle Easton, 21, of Akron, pled guilty to possessing with intent to distribute over 196 grams of carfentanil. Carfentanil is a form of fentanyl but 100 times more powerful, and 10,000 times more powerful than morphine. It is used as an elephant tranquilizer, and is commonly mixed with heroin and known on the street as “pink heroin.”
“100 times more powerful than fentanyl. 10,000 times more powerful than morphine. An elephant tranquilizer,” said United States Attorney Mike Stuart. “If law enforcement had not intervened before these drugs hit the streets of Huntington, many West Virginians would have lost their lives. I so much appreciate law enforcement’s tireless fight against evil. They put their own lives in peril every day in an effort to save the lives of the citizens of our great state.”
On February 7, 2018, the Huntington Violent Crime and Drug Task Force, along with member of the Huntington Police Department, served a search warrant at 1217 10th Avenue in Huntington after seeing drug traffic from that apartment, which was being used a storage house for drugs. Easton was in the apartment when law enforcement entered and ran out the back door while throwing cash. After a brief struggle, Easton was subdued and arrested. Law enforcement also seized approximately 8 grams of methamphetamine during the search.
Easton faces a minimum of 10 years and up to life imprisonment when he is sentenced on August 12, 2019. United States District Judge Robert C. Chambers presided over the plea hearing. Assistant United States Attorney Greg McVey is handling the prosecution.
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Albuquerque Businessman Pleads Guilty to Federal Tax Evasion ChargeRead the Press Release
ALBUQUERQUE – David Castle, 76, of Albuquerque, N.M., pleaded guilty to a tax evasion charge on May 3, 2019, before U.S. Magistrate Judge Steven C. Yarborough, announced U.S. Attorney John C. Anderson and Special Agent in Charge Ismael Nevarez, Jr., of the Phoenix Field Office of IRS-Criminal Investigation.
Castle, the owner and operator of the Gold and Silver Exchange (GSE), an Albuquerque-based store that focuses on the sale, purchase and repair of jewelry, was indicted in Feb. 2018, and was charged with obstructing the administration of the internal revenue laws and tax evasion.
Count 1 of the indictment charged Castle with perpetuating a scheme to evade and defeat the assessment and payment of taxes to the United States from Dec. 2004 through Jan. 2018. According to the indictment, Castle used several nominee businesses to conduct GSE’s financial operations to hide income generated by GSE from the IRS; executed his corrupt scheme by using bank accounts belonging to the nominee businesses; concealed personal income and expenditures; engaged in cash transactions; employed and paid GSE personnel in cash that could not easily be connected to GSE’s business operations; and deliberately failed to keep accurate business records reflecting GSE’s income and expenses.
Count 2 of the indictment alleged that from Dec. 2008 through Dec. 2017, Castle attempted to evade federal taxes for the years 1992-1993, 1995-2002, 2005, and 2006 in the approximate amount of $104,446.81. Castle committed this crime by concealing from the IRS the nature and location of his business revenue; placing funds in bank accounts belonging to nominee businesses; emphasizing cash operations in order to place the revenue beyond the reach of the legal process; and by failing to file personal and business income tax returns or by filing false or frivolous tax returns.
On Friday, Castle pled guilty to Count 2. In his plea agreement, Castle admitted from 2010 through 2013, while he was the sole owner and operator of GSE, he filed no tax returns for his business, his business provided no tax withholdings to the IRS, and he paid no taxes either for his business or his household. Castle acknowledged relying on cash transactions to operate GSE, and using bank accounts that appeared to be unassociated with GSE to conceal the business’s revenue. Castle agreed that his criminal conduct resulted in a tax loss of $211,829 during tax years 2010 through 2013.
At sentencing, Castle faces a maximum penalty of five years of imprisonment, a term of supervised release, a maximum fine of $250,000, and restitution. A sentencing date has yet to be scheduled.
This case was investigated by the Albuquerque office of IRS – Criminal Investigation and is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Shaheen P. Torgoley.
12 Individuals from the Colebrook Area Indicted on Drug Trafficking ChargesRead the Press Release
CONCORD - United States Attorney Scott W. Murray announced that 12 individuals who previously were arrested have been indicted by a federal grand jury for crimes that primarily involve prescription drug trafficking.
On May 2, 2019, a federal grand jury returned indictments of the following individuals:
Glenn M. Adjutant, 21, of Colebrook, was charged with distribution of Suboxone within 1,000 feet of a school and distribution of Suboxone and amphetamine (Adderall) within 1,000 feet of a school;
Roxanne Adjutant, 48, of Stratford, was charged with two counts of distribution of Suboxone within 1,000 feet of a school;
Timothy Adjutant, 27, of Colebrook, was charged with two counts of distribution of Suboxone within 1,000 feet of a school;
Brooke Butler, 35, of Stratford, was charged with two counts of distribution of Suboxone;
Peter Carney, 57, of Stewartstown, was charged with distribution of Suboxone within 1,000 feet of a school;
Rachel Edgerton, 50, of Stewartstown, was charged with distribution of oxycodone within 1,000 feet of a school and distribution of oxycodone;
Korin Gendreau, 32, of West Stewartstown, was charged with distribution of oxycodone and distribution of hydrocodone;
Dustin Grant, 34, of Colebrook, was charged with distribution of Suboxone within 1,000 feet of a school;
Michael R. Haynes, 38, of Colebrook, was charged with distribution of clonazepam within 1,000 feet of a school and distribution of methamphetamine within 1,000 feet of a school;
Sylvia Lewis, 52, of Colebrook, was charged with distribution of hydromorphone within 1,000 feet of a school, distribution of hydromorphone, and distribution of oxycodone and Adderall within 1,000 feet of a school;
Brian Rancourt, 44, of Stewartstown, was charged with distribution of Suboxone within 1,000 feet of a school and distribution of Suboxone; and
Eric W. Simpson, 39, of Stratford, was charged with two counts of distribution of Suboxone.
Eleven of the above-referenced individuals were arrested on April 9, 2019. Timothy Adjutant was arrested on April 17, 2019.
In addition, six other individuals have been charged in state court. This case was part of a coordinated operation involving federal, state and local law enforcement officers.
The charges in the indictments are only allegations. The defendants are presumed to be innocent unless and until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.
Charges of distribution of controlled substances within 1,000 feet of a school carry enhanced penalties, including a one-year mandatory minimum sentence.
This matter was investigated by the DEA, with assistance from the Colebrook Police Department, the New Hampshire State Police, U.S. Customs and Border Protection, the Office of Inspector General of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, the Coos County Sheriff’s Office, and the New Hampshire Liquor Commission’s Division of Enforcement & Licensing. The federal case is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorneys Charles Rombeau and John S. Davis. The state case is being prosecuted by Assistant Attorneys General Danielle Sakowski and Jesse O’Neill.
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5 May 2019
Bakersfield Woman Indicted for Bank FraudRead the Press Release
FRESNO, Calif. — On May 5, 2019, a federal grand jury returned a four-count indictment against Amanda Joy Nash, 31, of Bakersfield, charging her with bank fraud, U.S. Attorney McGregor W. Scott announced.
According to court documents, between August 20, 2017, and March 6, 2018, Nash obtained checks that had been stolen from the mail and altered to change the payee name. Nash deposited the checks into her own and her associates’ bank accounts.
This case is the product of an investigation by the U.S. Postal Inspection Service. Assistant U.S. Attorney Vincente A. Tennerelli is prosecuting the case.
If convicted, Nash faces a maximum statutory penalty of 30 years in prison and a $1 million fine. Any sentence, however, would be determined at the discretion of the court after consideration of any applicable statutory factors and the Federal Sentencing Guidelines, which take into account a number of variables. The charges are only allegations; the defendant is presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt.
4 May 2019
White River Man Sentenced for Abusive Sexual ContactRead the Press Release
United States Attorney Ron Parsons announced that a White River, South Dakota, man convicted of Abusive Sexual Contact was sentenced on April 29, 2019, by U.S. District Judge Roberto A. Lange.
Roy Brushbreaker, III, age 24, was sentenced to 18 months in federal prison, followed by 5 years of supervised release, and a special assessment to the Federal Crime Victims Fund in the amount of $100.
Brushbreaker was indicted by a federal grand jury on May 15, 2018. He pled guilty on February 6, 2019.
The conviction stemmed from an incident that occurred on January 28, 2017, in the Horse Creek Community near White River. On that date, Brushbreaker was consuming alcoholic beverages and socializing at a house in Horse Creek. At one point, Brushbreaker was alone in the house with the 15-year-old victim, who had also been consuming alcoholic beverages. The victim went into a bedroom to change clothes, and Brushbreaker followed her and began touching her and making sexual advances. He stopped when he heard someone come into the house.
This case was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation and the Rosebud Sioux Tribe Law Enforcement Services. Assistant U.S. Attorney Kirk Albertson prosecuted the case.
Brushbreaker was immediately turned over to the custody of the U.S. Marshals Service.
Todd County Man Indicted for Failure to Register as a Sex OffenderRead the Press Release
United States Attorney Ron Parsons announced that a Todd County, South Dakota, man has been indicted by a federal grand jury for Failure to Register as a Sex Offender.
Kameron Lamont Jackson, age 26, was indicted on November 14, 2018. He appeared before U.S. Magistrate Judge Mark A. Moreno on April 26, 2019, and pled not guilty to the Indictment.
The maximum penalty upon conviction is up to 10 years in federal prison and/or a $250,000 fine, 5 years of supervised release, and $100 to the Federal Crime Victims Fund. Restitution may also be ordered.
Jackson was convicted of Attempted Sexual Abuse of a Minor and Abusive Sexual Contact in May 2013. As a result of this conviction, he is required to register as a sex offender for a period of 25 years. It is alleged that between October 3, 2018, and November 14, 2018, Jackson, a person required to register under the Sex Offender Registration and Notification Act, and a sex offender by reason of conviction under Federal Law, failed to properly register as a sex offender.
The charge is merely an accusation and Jackson is presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty.
The investigation is being conducted by the U.S. Marshals Service. Assistant U.S. Attorney Michael J. Elmore is prosecuting the case.
Jackson was remanded to the custody of the U.S. Marshals Service pending trial. A trial date has not been set.
St. Francis Woman Sentenced for Involuntary ManslaughterRead the Press Release
United States Attorney Ron Parsons announced that a St. Francis, South Dakota, woman convicted of Involuntary Manslaughter was sentenced on April 29, 2019, by U.S. District Judge Roberto A. Lange.
Chelsea Okiya Wi Nixon, age 22, was sentenced to 13 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.
Nixon was indicted by a federal grand jury on December 11, 2018. She pled guilty on February 7, 2019.
The conviction stemmed from an incident that occurred on August 18, 2018, when Nixon had ingested methamphetamine and stayed up late the evening prior. Nixon fell asleep while bottle-feeding her child. A relative entered the room Nixon was sleeping in, and observed Nixon’s shoulder covering the child’s face. The cause of death was reported as “asphyxia due to smothering by mother.”
This case was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation and the Rosebud Sioux Tribe Law Enforcement Services. Assistant U.S. Attorney Michael J. Elmore prosecuted the case.
Nixon was immediately turned over to the custody of the U.S. Marshals Service.
Six Sioux Falls Residents Sentenced for Conspiracy to Commit Bank FraudRead the Press Release
United States Attorney Ron Parsons announced that two men and four women from Sioux Falls, South Dakota, convicted of Conspiracy to Commit Bank Fraud, were sentenced by U.S. District Judge Karen E. Schreier.
Brande Black, age 40, was sentenced on September 24, 2018, to 18 months in federal prison, followed by 5 years of supervised release, and a special assessment to the Federal Crime Victims Fund in the amount of $100.
Wakinyan Gay, age 20, was sentenced on October 22, 2018, to 18 months in federal prison, followed by 5 years of supervised release, restitution in the amount of $11,135.90, and a special assessment to the Federal Crime Victims Fund in the amount of $100.
Cornell Butler, age 46, was sentenced on December 10, 2018, to time served, 5 years of supervised release, restitution in the amount of $3,093.13, and a special assessment to the Federal Crime Victims Fund in the amount of $100.
Vanessa Carr, age 38, was sentenced on December 27, 2018, to time served, 3 years of supervised release, and a special assessment to the Federal Crime Victims Fund in the amount of $100.
Brandy Scholl, a/k/a Brandy Bentine, age 39, was sentenced on January 28, 2019, to 41 months in federal prison, followed by 4 years of supervised release, restitution in the amount of $32,189.07, and a special assessment to the Federal Crime Victims Fund in the amount of $100.
Brittany Hockett, age 28, was sentenced on April 12, 2019, to time served, 4 years of supervised release, restitution in the amount of $17,110.04, and a special assessment to the Federal Crime Victims Fund in the amount of $100.
All Defendants were indicted by a federal grand jury on April 4, 2018. Black pled guilty on June 25, 2018; Gay pled guilty on July 26, 2018; Butler pled guilty on July 30, 2018; Carr pled guilty on October 3, 2018; Scholl pled guilty on November 5, 2018; and Hockett pled guilty on February 1, 2019.
The convictions stemmed from incidents beginning on or about July 18, 2017, and continuing through August 30, 2017. The Defendants knowingly and willfully conspired and agreed together and with each other, to execute a scheme to defraud one or more financial institutions in the District of South Dakota.
In furtherance of the conspiracy, one or more of the conspirators stole legitimate checks from the unsecured mailboxes of various individuals and businesses in the Sioux Falls area, altered the stolen checks by removing some of the original information regarding the payee and the payment amount of the checks, then adding fraudulent payee information and fraudulent payment amounts in order to defraud the financial institutions.
This case was investigated by the U.S. Postal Inspection Service. Assistant U.S. Attorney Ann M. Hoffman prosecuted the case.
Black, Gay, and Scholl were immediately turned over to the custody of the U.S. Marshals Service.
Sioux Falls Man Sentenced for Stolen Firearm OffenseRead the Press Release
United States Attorney Ron Parsons announced that a Sioux Falls, South Dakota, man convicted of possessing a stolen firearm was sentenced on April 30, 2019, by U.S. District Judge Karen E. Schreier.
William Willis, age 35, was sentenced to 53 months in custody, followed by 3 years of supervised release, and ordered to pay $100 to the Federal Crime Victims Fund.
WIllis was indicted for Possession of a Stolen Firearm by a federal grand jury on August 7, 2018. He pled guilty on February 4, 2019.
On February 13, 2018, the Sioux Falls Police Department received a report that Willis had stolen his former employer’s 9mm handgun. That evening, Sioux Falls Police Department officers stopped Willis’ vehicle for a traffic violation. An officer performed a pat-down search and located the firearm concealed beneath Willis’ coat in his back waistband.
This case was investigated by the Sioux Falls Police Department and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives. Special Assistant U.S. Attorney Tamara Nash prosecuted the case.
Willis was immediately turned over to the custody of the U.S. Marshals Service.
Ravinia Man Sentenced for AssaultRead the Press Release
United States Attorney Ron Parsons announced that a Ravinia, South Dakota, man convicted of Assault Resulting in Serious Bodily Injury was sentenced on April 30, 2019, by U.S. District Judge Karen E. Schreier.
Jacob Neault, age 26, was sentenced to 37 months in federal prison, followed by 2 years of supervised release, and a special assessment to the Federal Crime Victims Fund in the amount of $100.
Neault was indicted by a federal grand jury on May 8, 2018. He pled guilty on February 4, 2019.
The conviction stemmed from an incident on April 24, 2018, when Neault unlawfully shook a two-month old child. The said assault caused serious injury, including severe head, brain, and eye trauma.
This case was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation. Assistant U.S. Attorney Ann M. Hoffman prosecuted the case.
Neault was immediately turned over to the custody of the U.S. Marshals Service.
Pine Ridge Woman Sentenced for Theft of Government PropertyRead the Press Release
United States Attorney Ron Parsons announced that a Rapid City, South Dakota, woman convicted of Theft of Government Property was sentenced by Daneta Wollmann, U.S. Magistrate Judge.
Monica Tyon, age 52, was sentenced on April 26, 2019, to pay a $25 special assessment to the Federal Crime Victims Fund and $4,755 in restitution.
The conviction stemmed from Tyon willfully and knowingly receiving approximately $4,755 in General Assistance funds, for which she was not eligible, between 2015 and 2018 while being employed with the Oglala Sioux Tribe Ambulance Services.
This case was investigated by the Office of Inspector General, U.S. Department of the Interior. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Cassandra DeCoste and Eric Kelderman prosecuted the case.