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Monday 25 March 2019
Defendant Who Exploited Opioid Addictions of Young Women Convicted of Crimes Related to Drug Trafficking and ProstitutionRead the Press Release
After a three-day trial, a federal jury in Concord, New Hampshire, found Steven Tucker, 33, of Manchester, New Hampshire, guilty on March 22 of one count of sex trafficking of a minor and of using interstate facilities to promote a prostitution business enterprise and maintaining a drug-involved premise. The verdict was announced by Assistant Attorney General Eric Dreiband for the Department of Justice’s Civil Rights Division, U.S. Attorney Scott W. Murray for the District of New Hampshire, and Peter C. Fitzhugh, Special Agent in Charge, U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s Homeland Security Investigations, Boston.
Evidence presented at trial established that, between October 2013 and June 2014, the defendant operated drug and prostitution businesses in the Manchester area. He sold heroin to numerous individuals, including young women and a minor. Witnesses described how the defendant used their addictions to cause them to prostitute for his profit. The defendant would often front heroin to the women and then arrange prostitution “dates” for them. The women were required to give the defendant half of the proceeds and then purchase heroin from him with the remainder.
On other occasions, the defendant withheld heroin from the women, causing them to suffer painful withdrawal symptoms, and then instructed them to prostitute to earn money to purchase heroin from him. The defendant’s scheme guaranteed that he had a steady source of drug customers and money. Some of the women were required to help the defendant sell his heroin and received heroin in exchange. The defendant used violence and threats to maintain control of the women. The investigation began in 2014, when the mother of one of the women called the Manchester Police Department after the defendant beat her daughter.
“Motivated by greed, the defendant preyed on young, vulnerable women, selling them heroin, exploiting their addictions, and prostituting them for his own profit,” said Assistant Attorney General Eric Dreiband. “The Civil Rights Division and its Human Trafficking Prosecution Unit will continue its vigorous efforts to work with our federal and state partners to hold human traffickers accountable, vindicate the rights of their victims, and eradicate this despicable and inhumane exploitation from our country.”
“This case demonstrates the power of opioids to support criminal activity,” said U.S. Attorney Scott W. Murray. “This defendant took advantage of young women, using heroin and violence to induce them to commit acts of prostitution for his personal profit. His conduct was even more disturbing because he victimized a minor. We will continue to work closely with the New Hampshire Human Trafficking Collaborative Task Force and all of our law enforcement partners to identify, arrest and prosecute those who engage in this type of unlawful and exploitive activity.”
“We’re grateful that the jury has brought back this verdict.” said Peter C. Fitzhugh, Special Agent in Charge, U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s Homeland Security Investigations, Boston. “This case, where the offender cruelly exploited his victims through drug addiction and violence to induce them to prostitute, was disturbing on several levels. The strong partnership among our HSI Special Agents, the Manchester Police Department, victim advocates, and the members of the New Hampshire Human Trafficking Collaborative Task Force was critical in investigating this case. We hope this verdict can serve as some small measure of healing for the victims of this dangerous threat to the community.”
This prosecution is the result of the joint investigation by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s Homeland Security Investigations and the Manchester Police Department, the New Hampshire Human Trafficking Collaborative Task Force, the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of New Hampshire, and the Civil Rights Division’s Human Trafficking Prosecution Unit (HTPU). The Hillsborough County Attorney’s Office provided victim assistance in the case.
The New Hampshire Human Trafficking Collaborative Task Force is a multidisciplinary effort comprised of law enforcement as well as social, medical, and legal services for victims of human trafficking. The Task Force is funded by a grant from the United States Department of Justice, Office of Victims of Crime (OVC) and Bureau of Justice Programs (BJA).
The core team members of the Task Force are the Manchester Police Department, Child and Family Services of New Hampshire, U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s Homeland Security Investigations, and the United States Attorney’s Office for the District of New Hampshire.
This case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Arnold Huftalen for the District of New Hampshire and Trial Attorney Vasantha Rao for the Civil Rights Division’s HTPU, with assistance from HTPU Trial Attorney Maryam Zhuravitsky.
Dallas County Man Sentenced to 57 Months for Possession of a Firearm After Conviction of a FelonyRead the Press Release
United States Attorney Richard W. Moore of the Southern District of Alabama announced that Jadarius Moore, a 25 year old resident of Selma, Alabama, was sentenced to 57 months of incarceration for possession of a .40 caliber Glock pistol.
On December 18, 2018, Moore entered a guilty plea pursuant to a plea agreement and admitted in open court that on January 19, 2018, a Selma, AL police officer saw Moore in the Vaughn Hospital parking lot driving a white Dodge truck. The officer believed Moore had outstanding arrest warrants and attempted to stop him by activating the police vehicle’s emergency lights. Moore sped away in his vehicle in an effort to flee the police. As he fled, Moore threw a pistol and white substance out of the driver’s side window. The officer then radioed that a gun and a white substance had been thrown out of Moore’s vehicle and the location of the items. After speeding for a few blocks, Moore stopped the vehicle and fled on foot. The Officer stopped and used a K-9 to track Moore. After searching for approximately 100 yards, the K-9 located Moore under a vacant building. Officers then called to Moore to come out and give himself up. Moore did so and was arrested. The pistol was recovered but not the white substance as it was splattered in the wind. The firearm was a .40 caliber Glock pistol. Moore was previously convicted of Unlawful Possession of Marijuana 1st Degree, on September 29, 2014, in the Circuit Court of Dallas County, Alabama, case number CC-2014-000110.
Officers of the Selma, Alabama Police Department along with special agents of the ATF investigated the case and brought it to the U. S. Attorney's Office for prosecution. The prosecutor assigned to the case is Assistant United States Attorney Gina S. Vann.
Cynthiana Man Sentenced to 210 Months for Attempting to Entice Minors to Engage in Sexual ActivityRead the Press Release
LEXINGTON, Ky. - A Cynthiana man, who previously admitted to attempting to entice minors to permit him to engage in illicit sexual conduct, has been sentenced to 210 months in federal prison.
Today, U.S. District Judge Gregory F. Van Tatenhove sentenced Jeremy Wayne Martinez, 28, for using the Internet, with his cellular telephone, to knowingly attempt to persuade, induce, entice, and coerce a minor, to engage in sexual activity.
According to the plea agreement, Martinez previously admitted to communicating with an undercover law enforcement agent, who responded to an ad Martinez had posted on Craigslist.com. The undercover officer portrayed herself as the mother of two daughters, ages three and seven. Martinez engaged in text conversations on Kik Messenger, during which he indicated his interest in engaging in sexual intercourse with both of the fictitious minors. He traveled to a meeting place, in Frankfort, designated by the undercover officer, on October 19, 2017. He was arrested at that time. Martinez admitted that he was the person who had been communicating with the officer, and that those communications contained sexually explicit conversations.
Martinez pleaded guilty to the charge in October of 2018.
Under federal law, Martinez must serve 85 percent of his prison sentence and will be under the supervision of the U.S. Probation Office for 25 years, following his release from federal prison.
Robert M. Duncan, Jr., United States Attorney for the Eastern District of Kentucky; Richard F. Ferretti, Special Agent in Charge, Louisville Field Office, United States Secret Service, and Kentucky Attorney General Andy Beshear jointly announced the sentence.
The investigation was conducted by the United States Secret Service and the Cyber Crimes Branch of the Office of the Attorney General of Kentucky. Assistant U.S. Attorney David A. Marye represented the federal government in the case.
Credit Card Fraudster Sentenced to More Prison Time for Violating Supervised ReleaseRead the Press Release
John H. Durham, United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut, announced that JONATHAN PRESTON, 27, of Hartford, was sentenced today by U.S. District Judge Michael P. Shea in Hartford to 14 months of imprisonment for violating the conditions of his supervised release.
According to court documents and statements made in court, beginning in approximately 2010, Preston operated a scheme in which he used the internet and other sources to obtain personal identifying information of several prominent individuals, including entertainers and professional athletes, and used that information to pose as these individuals to gain access to their credit card accounts. Through this scheme, Preston and another individual made more than $500,000 in unauthorized purchases and cash withdrawals.
Preston was arrested and subsequently pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy to commit wire fraud. On May 27, 2014, Judge Shea sentenced Preston to 46 months of imprisonment and three years of supervised release. He was released from federal prison in August 2017.
On February 22, 2019, Preston was arrested by Hartford Police on fraud, larceny and identity theft charges. The investigation revealed that Preston fraudulently obtained an American Express card for an account belonging to a prominent entertainer’s business, and then used the card to make multiple charges and attempted charges, causing a loss of $13,296.93.
At the conclusion of today’s sentencing proceeding, Judge Shea ordered Preston remanded to the custody of the U.S. Marshals Service to begin serving his sentence.
Preston will be on supervised release for 22 months when he is released from prison.
The state charges against Preston are pending.
This case was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Deborah R. Slater.
Couple Charged with Aiding and Abetting Sexual Abuse of a MinorRead the Press Release
United States Attorney Ron Parsons announced that two individuals have been indicted by a federal grand jury for Aiding and Abetting Sexual Abuse of a Minor.
Julia Pease, age 24, of Fort Thompson, South Dakota, and Chad Pease, age 44, of Chamberlin, South Dakota, were indicted on March 12, 2019. Both appeared before U.S. Magistrate Judge Mark A. Moreno on March 21, 2019, and pled not guilty to the Indictment.
The maximum penalty upon conviction is up to 15 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.
The Indictment alleges that on July 6, 2015, and September 1, 2015, the Defendants engaged in and attempted to engage in a sexual act with a minor.
The charge is merely an accusation and both are presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty.
The investigation is being conducted by the Federal Bureau of Investigation. Assistant U.S. Attorney Troy R. Morley is prosecuting the case.
Both were released on bond pending trial. A trial date has not been set.
Convicted Felon Sentenced to over 3 Years in Prison Under Project EJECT for Illegally Possessing a FirearmRead the Press Release
Jackson, Miss. – Lee Andrew “Bokie” Henderson, 31, of Canton, was sentenced Friday by U.S. District Judge Carlton W. Reeves to 37 months in federal prison, followed by 3 years of supervised release, for being a felon in possession of a firearm, announced U.S. Attorney Mike Hurst and Dana Nichols, Special Agent in Charge of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives. Henderson was also ordered to pay a $1,000.00 fine.
On May 5, 2018 Henderson was stopped by a Jackson Police officer for driving around a barricade in the area of Mill Street near Monument Street. The officer smelled marijuana in the car and the passenger admitted to having marijuana. The officer searched the car and found a .45 caliber pistol under the front passenger seat. Henderson admitted that the gun was his and later gave a recorded statement to law enforcement officers again admitting that he was in possession of the gun. Henderson has a prior felony conviction for aggravated assault in Madison County, Mississippi.
This case was investigated by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives and the Jackson Police Department. It is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Charles W. Kirkham.
This case is part of Project EJECT, an initiative by the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of Mississippi under the U.S. Department of Justice’s Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN). EJECT is a holistic, multi-disciplinary approach to fighting and reducing violent crime through prosecution, prevention, re-entry and awareness. EJECT stands for "Empower Justice Expel Crime Together." PSN is bringing together all levels of law enforcement and the communities they serve to reduce violent crime and make our neighborhoods safer for everyone. Former Attorney General Jeff Sessions reinvigorated PSN in 2017 as part of the Department’s renewed focus on targeting violent criminals, directing all U.S. Attorney’s Offices to work in partnership with federal, state, local, and tribal law enforcement and the local community to develop effective, locally-based strategies to reduce violent crime.
Connecticut Landlord Pleads Guilty to Tax EvasionRead the Press Release
John H. Durham, United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut, announced that ANTHONY A. VALENTINO, 76, of Palm City, Florida, waived his right to be indicted and pleaded guilty today before U.S. District Judge Kari A. Dooley in Bridgeport to one count of tax evasion.
According to court documents and statements made in court, Valentino is a real estate investor who owns property in Connecticut and New York, including a 100-unit apartment complex in Naugatuck, Connecticut. From 2011 to 2013, Valentino deposited more than $1.1 million of rental real estate receipts, paid in cash or checks, into his personal bank accounts in Connecticut and New York, and failed to report the receipts on his personal and partnership federal tax returns.
For the 2011 through 2013 tax years, Valentino only reported $42,815 in taxable income on his tax returns, and he failed to report $1,008,125 in taxable income. As a result, he evaded payment of $302,449 in income taxes.
The investigation also revealed that, in 2013, Valentino made or caused to be made 27 cash deposits totaling $247,100 into his savings account in Connecticut. Many of the cash deposits, which ranged in amounts from $7,000 to $9,900, were made on the same day at different times, or on consecutive days.
Federal law requires all financial institutions to file a Currency Transaction Report (“CTR”) for currency transactions that exceed $10,000. To evade the filing of a CTR, individuals will often structure their currency transactions so that no single transaction exceeds $10,000.
Judge Dooley scheduled sentencing for June 17, 2019, at which time Valentino faces a maximum term of imprisonment of five years.
Valentino has paid restitution to the U.S. Treasury of $302,339, but still owes substantial interest and penalties. He also has agreed to forfeit $100,000 related to his structuring of cash deposits.
Valentino was released on a $50,000 bond pending sentencing.
This matter was investigated by the Internal Revenue Service, Criminal Investigation Division, U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s Homeland Security Investigations, and the Hartford and Stamford Police Departments. The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Peter S. Jongbloed.
Citrus County Woman Pleads Guilty to Theft of Government Funds and Making False Statements to the Social Security AdministrationRead the Press Release
Ocala, Florida – Ruth S. Sprake (60, Crystal River) today pleaded guilty to theft of government funds and making false statements to the Social Security Administration (SSA). She faces a maximum penalty of 10 years in federal prison for the theft offense and up to 5 years’ imprisonment for the false statements charge. Sprake was indicted on November 7, 2018. A sentencing date has not yet been set.
According to the plea agreement, Sprake is a former rural route carrier for the United States Postal Service (USPS). Since September 2002, she has been receiving full workers’ compensation disability benefits from the Department of Labor (DOL) for a work-related injury. Each year, since 2013, Sprake was required to submit a report to the DOL detailing her sources of income and any employment activities. However, from 2013-2018, Sprake failed to report her income from her dog-breeding business, as well as her clerical work for a real estate company. As a result, Sprake obtained more than $192,000 in benefit payments to which she was not entitled.
Further investigation revealed that, in December 2015, Sprake also made false written statements to the SSA in which she had underreported her personal and household income in an effort to obtain increased disability benefit payments from that agency.
This case was investigated by the U.S. Postal Service – Office of the Inspector General and the Social Security Administration – Office of the Inspector General. It is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Robert E. Bodnar, Jr.
Chicago Man Arrested for Theft from Sycamore BankRead the Press Release
ROCKFORD — A Chicago man was arrested Friday after being indicted on charges of bank theft.
BRANDON MOORE, 29, was indicted by a federal grand jury in Rockford on March 19, 2019. According to the indictment, on June 28, 2018, Moore stole more than $1,000 belonging to the Heartland Bank and Trust in Sycamore. Moore has been in custody since his arrest and was scheduled to appear at 2:00 p.m. today before U.S. Magistrate Judge Iain D. Johnston.
The arrest was announced by John R. Lausch, Jr., United States Attorney for the Northern District of Illinois; Jeffrey S. Sallet, Special Agent-in-Charge of the Chicago office of the Federal Bureau of Investigation; and Jim Winters, Chief of the Sycamore Police Department. The government is represented by Assistant U.S. Attorney Joseph C. Pedersen.
The charge of bank theft carries a maximum sentence of ten years’ imprisonment, a term of supervised release of up to three years following imprisonment, and a fine of up to $250,000 or twice the gross gain or gross loss resulting from that offense, whichever is greater, plus full restitution. If convicted, the Court must impose a reasonable sentence under federal sentencing statutes and the advisory United States Sentencing Guidelines.
The public is reminded that an indictment is only a charge and is not evidence of guilt. The defendant is presumed innocent and entitled to a fair trial at which the government has the burden of proving guilt beyond a reasonable doubt.
Billings man sentenced to eight years in prison in heroin, meth conspiracyRead the Press Release
BILLINGS—Billings resident Clayton James Edwards, who admitted making multiple drug runs to Salt Lake City to get heroin and methamphetamine for redistribution back in Billings, was sentenced on March 21 to eight years in prison and five years of supervised release, said U.S. Attorney Kurt Alme.
Edwards, 35, pleaded guilty on Oct. 9 to conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute heroin.
U.S. District Judge Susan P. Watters presided.
Prosecution evidence showed that during a six-month period, from January to June 2017, Edwards and another person made trips to Salt Lake City about every five days to get heroin and meth from multiple suppliers. Edwards told investigators that he would use and sell the heroin. The prosecution said Edwards was being held accountable for a conservative estimate of 24 ounces of heroin, which is the equivalent of about 6,800 doses, and eight pounds of meth, which is the equivalent of about 28,992 doses.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Zeno Baucus prosecuted the case, which was investigated by the FBI.
The case is part of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), which is the centerpiece of the Department of Justice’s violent crime reduction efforts. PSN is an evidence-based program proven to be effective at reducing violent crime. Through PSN, a broad spectrum of stakeholders work together to identify the most pressing violent crime problems in the community and develop comprehensive solutions to address them. As part of this strategy, PSN focuses enforcement efforts on the most violent offenders and partners with locally based prevention and reentry programs for lasting reductions in crime.
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Belton Man Pleads Guilty to Illegal Firearm Following Police ChaseRead the Press Release
KANSAS CITY, Mo. – A Belton, Mo., man pleaded guilty in federal court today to illegally possessing a firearm after leading police officers on a vehicle pursuit that ended when he drove through residential yards and disabled his vehicle after striking several trees.
Gregory P. Middaugh, 38, pleaded guilty before U.S. District Judge Howard F. Sachs to being a felon in possession of a firearm.
Belton police officers responded to a call of a burglary in progress on Feb. 10, 2017. Middaugh was kicking at the front door of his estranged girlfriend’s residence, attempting to make entry into the residence. Middaugh fled from the scene in a black Mercedes Benz C280.
Belton police officers attempted to stop Middaugh as he fled from the residence. Middaugh refused to stop and fled from the officers at a high rate of speed. While fleeing, Middaugh hit several parked vehicles. He then left the roadway and continued to drive through yards, where he struck several trees. Middaugh’s vehicle was eventually disabled, and he was taken into custody.
Officers searched the vehicle after Middaugh’s arrest and found a loaded Smith and Wesson .45-caliber pistol with a laser sight attachment lying on the passenger floorboard of the vehicle. The firearm was reportedly stolen.
Under federal law, it is illegal for anyone who has been convicted of a felony to be in possession of any firearm or ammunition. Middaugh has two prior felony convictions for burglary, two prior felony convictions for stealing, and prior felony convictions for domestic violence, robbery, armed criminal action and assault on a state Department of Corrections employee.
Under federal statutes, Middaugh is subject to a sentence of up to 10 years in federal prison without parole. If the court determines that Middaugh is an armed career criminal, he would be subject to a mandatory minimum sentence of 15 years in federal prison without parole, up to a sentence of life in federal prison without parole. The maximum statutory sentence is prescribed by Congress and is provided here for informational purposes, as the sentencing of the defendant will be determined by the court based on the advisory sentencing guidelines and other statutory factors. A sentencing hearing will be scheduled after the completion of a presentence investigation by the United States Probation Office.
This case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Matt Moeder. It was investigated by the Drug Enforcement Administration, the Belton, Mo., Police Department, and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives.
Project Safe Neighborhoods
The U.S. Attorney’s Office is partnering with federal, state, and local law enforcement to specifically identify criminals responsible for significant violent crime in the Western District of Missouri. A centerpiece of this effort is Project Safe Neighborhoods, a program that brings together all levels of law enforcement to reduce violent crime and make neighborhoods safer for everyone. Project Safe Neighborhoods is an evidence-based program that identifies the most pressing violent crime problems in the community and develops comprehensive solutions to address them. As part of this strategy, Project Safe Neighborhoods focuses enforcement efforts on the most violent offenders and partners with locally based prevention and reentry programs for lasting reductions in crime.Bangor Man Pleads Guilty to Drug Conspiracy ChargeRead the Press Release
Bangor, Maine: United States Attorney Halsey B. Frank announced that Jason Mannix, a/k/a “Boston”, 39, of Bangor pled guilty in U.S. District Court to conspiracy to distribute heroin, fentanyl and cocaine base, commonly known as “crack.”
According to court records, between January 2016 and July 2017, Mannix conspired with others to distribute heroin, fentanyl and crack transported to Penobscot County from Waterbury, Connecticut. The defendant sold the drugs and served as a “runner” for other members of the conspiracy, delivering the drugs to others in Penobscot County. He also transported members of the conspiracy to Connecticut to obtain more drugs.
The defendant faces up to 20 years in prison term, three years to life on supervised release, and a $1,000,000 fine.
The case was investigated by the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration and the Maine Drug Enforcement Agency and prosecuted as part of the Department of Justice’s Strategy to Combat the Opioid Epidemic.
Baltimore man admits to role in methamphetamine distribution operationRead the Press Release
CLARKSBURG, WEST VIRGINIA – Justin Jackson, of Baltimore, Maryland, has admitted to his role in a methamphetamine distribution operation, United States Attorney Bill Powell announced.
Jackson, age 40, pled guilty to one count of “Distribution of Methamphetamine.” Jackson admitted to selling methamphetamine in November 2017 in Harrison County.Jackson faces up to 20 years incarceration and a fine of up to $1,000,000. Under the Federal Sentencing Guidelines, the actual sentence imposed will be based upon the seriousness of the offenses and the prior criminal history, if any, of the defendant.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Zelda E. Wesley is prosecuting the case on behalf of the government. The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives and the Greater Harrison Drug & Violent Crimes Task Force, a HIDTA-funded initiative, investigated. The United States Marshal Service assisted.
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.
U.S. Magistrate Judge Michael John Aloi presided.
Baldwin County Woman and Florida Man Sentenced to 30 Years on Child Pornography ChargesRead the Press Release
United States Attorney Richard W. Moore of the Southern District of Alabama announces that Michael Daniel Kirk, age 56, of Lake Mary, Florida, and Jennifer Weekley, age 38, of Bay Minette, Alabama, were sentenced on March 22 after earlier pleading guilty to two counts charging violations of 18 USC Section 2251(a), Production of Child Pornography.
A concerned citizen reported to the Bay Minette Police Department that he had found images on a woman’s phone of her engaging in sexually explicit conduct with a six year old and a three year old. The investigation revealed that Weekley met Kirk on a dating website for adults, PlentyofFish.com. They began a sexual relationship until Kirk moved to Sandford, Florida. Kirk then instructed Weekley to perform sexual acts on the young children and photograph them. Weekley then transmitted the images of sexual abuse to Kirk.
At sentencing, the United States argued that the defendants had caused serious harm to these young children and recommended a sentence of thirty years. Judge Kristi DuBose found that because of the nature and seriousness of the crimes, a high sentence was appropriate and ordered that they each be imprisoned for 30 years. Following their release from prison, Kirk and Weekley will each be supervised by the United States Probation Office for 25 years, and each will be required to register as a sex offender.
This case was investigated by the Bay Minette Police Department, the Baldwin County District Attorney’s Office and the Federal Bureau of Investigation.
Augusta Man Sentenced to Eight Months for Making False Statements to a Firearms DealerRead the Press Release
Bangor, Maine: United States Attorney Halsey B. Frank announced that Richard Quattrone, 50, of Augusta, Maine, was sentenced today in U.S. District Court by Judge John A. Woodcock, Jr., to eight months in prison and three years of supervised release for making false statements to a federal firearms licensee.
According to court records, in March, 2017, Quattrone bought a firearm from a Kennebec County firearms dealer. During the transaction, Quattrone made false statements about his current residence and unlawful use of marijuana.
The case was investigated by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives.
Atchison Man Sentenced for Trafficking in MethamphetamineRead the Press Release
KANSAS CITY, KAN. - An Atchison man was sentenced Monday to nine years in federal prison for trafficking in methamphetamine, U.S. Attorney Stephen McAllister said.
Earnest Preston Crawford, III, 30, Atchison, Kan., pleaded guilty to possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine. In his plea, Crawford admitted that investigators arranged to make a series of controlled buys from Crawford at his residence in the 600 block of North 10th Street in Atchison.
Investigators learned Crawford was getting his methamphetamine from members of the Satan’s Disciples street gang. He was regularly purchasing pounds of methamphetamine for $6,000 to $10,000.
McAllister commended the Atchison Police Department, the Kansas Bureau of Investigation, the Drug Enforcement Administration and Assistant U.S. Attorney Trent Krug for their work on the case.
Alleged Dark Web Child Pornography Facilitator Extradited to the United States to Face Federal ChargesRead the Press Release
Greenbelt, Maryland – Irish authorities extradited Eric Eoin Marques, age 33, to the United States to face federal charges that he allegedly conspired to advertise and distribute child pornography on the dark web. Marques, a dual national citizen of the United States and Ireland, arrived in the United States on March 23, 2019, and had his initial appearance today before U.S. Magistrate Judge Timothy J. Sullivan in U.S. District Court in Greenbelt. An amended criminal complaint was filed on August 8, 2013, and unsealed today at Marques’ initial appearance. At that hearing, U.S. Magistrate Judge Sullivan ordered that Marques be detained pending a detention hearing scheduled for Wednesday, March 27, 2019, at 11:30 a.m. in U.S. District Court in Greenbelt.
The extradition and federal charges were announced by United States Attorney for the District of Maryland Robert K. Hur; Assistant Attorney General Brian A. Benczkowski of the Justice Department’s Criminal Division; and Assistant Director Robert Johnson of the FBI’s Criminal Investigative Division..
“Criminals cannot hide on the dark web or in foreign countries,” said U.S. Attorney Robert K. Hur. “We will find them and bring them to justice. We are grateful to Irish authorities for their assistance to bring Eric Marques to the United States to face these charges.”
“Child exploitation sites on the dark web present a grave danger to children and unprecedented challenges to the world’s law enforcement agencies,” said Assistant Attorney General Benczkowski. “The complaint unsealed today demonstrates the Department’s commitment to pursuing those accused of serious child pornography offenses wherever they may hide on the web and in the world, and to seeking justice for the countless children that are victimized by those who facilitate this horrendous conduct.”
“Today’s extradition of Eric Marques demonstrates that no matter where you are in the world, the FBI and its international law enforcement partners will be diligent in their efforts to hold you accountable for your criminal activity,” said FBI Assistant Director Johnson. “The FBI will never stop working to ensure justice is served for the vulnerable child victims who are unable stand up for themselves.”
According to the amended criminal complaint, between July 24, 2008 and July 29, 2013, Marques conspired to advertise and to distribute child pornography, and aided and abetted the advertising and distribution of child pornography, by allegedly operating a free, anonymous web hosting service (AHS) located on the “dark web”, an area of the Internet that is only accessible by means of special software, allowing users and website operators to remain anonymous or untraceable. The AHS allegedly hosted websites that allowed users to view and share images documenting the sexual abuse of children, including the abuse of prepubescent minors, violent sexual abuse, and bestiality.
According to the amended criminal complaint, as of July 12, 2013, one site hosted on the AHS reported that there were almost 1.4 million files that were uploaded and accessible by individuals who visit the hidden service. During 2012 and 2013, FBI agents and employees using computers in Maryland downloaded more than one million files from that website. As part of the investigation, those files were reviewed and nearly all of the files depict children who are engaging in sexually explicit conduct with adults or other children, posed nude and/or in such a manner as to expose their genitals, in various states of undress, or depict child erotica. A substantial majority of the images downloaded by the FBI depict prepubescent minor children who are fully or partially nude or engaged in sexually explicit conduct.
The complaint alleges that during the time of the conspiracy, the IP address associated with the AHS was assigned to a computer server associated with and exclusively used by Marques.
If convicted, Marques faces a mandatory minimum sentence of 15 years in prison and a maximum of 30 in prison for conspiracy to advertise child pornography and for aiding and abetting the advertising of child pornography; and a mandatory minimum of five years in prison and a maximum of 20 years in prison for conspiracy to distribute child pornography and for aiding and abetting the distribution of child pornography.
A criminal complaint is not a finding of guilt. An individual charged by criminal complaint is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty at some later criminal proceedings.
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 Attorney’s Offices and the Criminal Division's Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section, Project Safe Childhood marshals federal, state, and local resources to locate, apprehend, and prosecute individuals who sexually exploit children, and to identify and rescue victims. For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit www.justice.gov/psc. For more information about Internet safety education, please visit www.justice.gov/psc and click on the "Resources" tab on the left of the page.
United States Attorney Robert K. Hur and Assistant Attorney General Brian A. Benczkowski commended the FBI Violent Crimes Against Children Section and Legal Attaché London, Irish law enforcement authorities, An Garda Síochána and EUROPOL. The Department of Justice’s Office of International Affairs provided significant assistance in bringing Marques to the United States and procuring foreign evidence during the investigation.
Mr. Hur and Mr. Benczkowski thanked Assistant U.S. Attorneys Kristi N. O’Malley and Thomas M. Sullivan, and Deputy Chief Keith A. Becker and Trial Attorney Ralph Paradiso of the Justice Department’s Criminal Division’s Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section, who are prosecuting the federal case.
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Alleged Dark Web Child Pornography Facilitator Extradited to the United States to Face Federal ChargesRead the Press Release
Irish authorities extradited a dual national citizen of the United States and Ireland to the United States to face federal charges that he allegedly advertised and distributed child pornography on the dark web.
The extradition and federal charges were announced by Assistant Attorney General Brian A. Benczkowski of the Justice Department’s Criminal Division, U.S. Attorney Robert K. Hur for the District of Maryland and Assistant Director Robert Johnson of the FBI’s Criminal Investigative Division.
Eric Eoin Marques, 33, arrived in the United States on March 23, and had his initial appearance today before U.S. Magistrate Judge Timothy J. Sullivan in U.S. District Court in Greenbelt, Maryland. An amended criminal complaint was filed on Aug. 8, 2013, and unsealed today at Marques’ initial appearance. Marques is charged with conspiracy to advertise child pornography, conspiracy to distribute child pornography, aiding and abetting the advertising of child pornography, and aiding and abetting the distribution of child pornography. At the hearing, U.S. Magistrate Judge Sullivan ordered that Marques be detained pending trial or a detention hearing scheduled for March 27, 2019 at 11:30 a.m.
“Child exploitation sites on the dark web present a grave danger to children and unprecedented challenges to the world’s law enforcement agencies,” said Assistant Attorney General Benczkowski. “The complaint unsealed today demonstrates the Department’s commitment to pursuing those accused of serious child pornography offenses wherever they may hide on the web and in the world, and to seeking justice for the countless children that are victimized by those who facilitate this horrendous conduct.”
“Criminals cannot hide on the dark web or in foreign countries,” said U.S. Attorney Robert K. Hur. “We will find them and bring them to justice. We are grateful to Irish authorities for their assistance to bring Eric Marques to the United States to face these charges.”
“Today’s extradition of Eric Marques demonstrates that no matter where you are in the world, the FBI and it’s international law enforcement partners will be diligent in their efforts to hold you accountable for your criminal activity,” said FBI Assistant Director Johnson. “The FBI will never stop working to ensure justice is served for the vulnerable child victims who are unable stand up for themselves.”
According to the amended criminal complaint, between July 24, 2008 and July 29, 2013, Marques conspired to advertise and distribute child pornography, and aided and abetted the advertising and distribution of child pornography, by allegedly operating a free, anonymous web hosting service (AHS) located on the dark web, an area of the internet that is only accessible by means of special software, allowing users and website operators to remain anonymous or untraceable. The AHS allegedly hosted websites that allowed users to view and share images documenting the sexual abuse of children, including the abuse of prepubescent minors, violent sexual abuse, and bestiality.
According to the amended criminal complaint, as of July 12, 2013, one site hosted on the AHS reported that there were almost 1.4 million files that were uploaded and accessible by individuals who visit the hidden service. During 2012 and 2013, FBI special agents and employees using computers in Maryland downloaded more than one million files from that website. As part of the investigation, those files were reviewed and nearly all of the files depict children who are engaging in sexually explicit conduct with adults or other children, posed nude and/or in such a manner as to expose their genitals, in various states of undress, or depict child erotica. A substantial majority of the images downloaded by the FBI depict prepubescent minor children who are fully or partially nude or engaged in sexually explicit conduct.
The complaint alleges that during the time of the conspiracy, the IP address associated with the AHS was assigned to a computer server associated with and exclusively used by Marques.
A criminal complaint is not a finding of guilt. An individual charged by criminal complaint is presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.
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 U.S. Attorney’s Offices and the Criminal Division's Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section, Project Safe Childhood marshals federal, state, and local resources to locate, apprehend, and prosecute individuals who sexually exploit children, and to identify and rescue victims. For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit www.justice.gov/psc. For more information about Internet safety education, please visit www.justice.gov/psc and click on the “Resources” tab on the left of the page.
The investigation was conducted by the FBI Violent Crimes Against Children Section and Legal Attaché London, Irish law enforcement authorities, An Garda Síochána and EUROPOL. The Department of Justice’s Office of International Affairs provided significant assistance in bringing Marques to the United States and procuring foreign evidence during the investigation.
The case is being prosecuted by Deputy Chief Keith A. Becker and Trial Attorney Ralph Paradiso of the Criminal Division’s Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section and Assistant U.S. Attorneys Kristi N. O’Malley and Thomas M. Sullivan of the District of Maryland.
Sunday 24 March 2019
Opioid crisis demands full-court-pressRead the Press Release
By: G. Zachary Terwilliger, U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of Virginia
The Virginian-Pilot
When Federal Reserve Chairman Jerome Powell appeared on “60 Minutes” on March 10, he cited the opioid crisis as a threat to our country’s economic strength. He noted that opioid addiction has contributed to the “unusually large number of people in their prime working years who are not in the labor force” in the United States, which now “has a lower labor force participation rate than almost every other advanced country.”
His comments should remind Americans that the opioid epidemic not only destroys lives, but threatens the strength and viability of our nation. In my role as U.S. attorney for the Eastern District of Virginia, I see the alarming dimensions of this crisis daily. I have observed the emergence of a triple threat: 1) increasingly potent opioids dealt at the street level; 2) Chinese sourced fentanyl illicitly pressed into pills and disguised as legitimate prescription drugs; and 3) the diversion of prescription drugs onto the street. Users are at an increased risk because they are either unaware of what they are buying or they are using illicit narcotics with far more power than their bodies can withstand.
All across the Eastern District of Virginia, including here in Hampton Roads, I have made it one of my top priorities to prosecute opioid related cases. I make it known to my law enforcement partners that we do not have quantity threshold requirements for prosecuting fentanyl and heroin distribution cases. Further, any amount of fentanyl or heroin that results in an overdose has my prosecutors’ full attention and will be thoroughly investigated and prosecuted.
To maximize impact, we also have emphasized prosecutions of health care fraud and dirty doctors who betray their oath and add fuel to the opioid fire. We prosecute suppliers whether they are based in Virginia, Mexico, or hiding in the deep crevices of the Dark Web. We are 100 percent committed to attack this threat from every angle because we fully understand the fatal tragedies that unfold every day.
While multiple areas of the country are beginning to benefit from community-wide education and prevention efforts, these approaches must be buttressed by robust enforcement. This will remain true as long as local drug dealers, backed by a worldwide network of suppliers, continue to profit by poisoning our communities. On March 14, one such individual, a wholesale supplier of this poison was sentenced to 30 years in prison for her role in dealing fentanyl that led to multiple overdoses, including one that killed a young Virginia Beach woman. The dealer knew of the death, but instructed one co-conspirator to continue “business as usual.”
More and more, we are seeing dealers who know of the deaths they are causing and who do not hesitate to continue their drug dealing. That fatal combination of callousness and greed cries out for punishment as well as the specific and general deterrence that the federal prosecution affords. Let it be known that when drug dealers such as Michelle Best pursue their greed even in the face of the death they cause, we will pursue them to the fullest extent of the law. The results in this case should be a reminder to those in the community engaged in criminal activity of what they can and should face should they choose to peddle this poison.
While I pledge to you that my office will remain committed to our relentless approach to hold drug dealers accountable, I also recognize the vital importance of partnering with all sectors of the community for an all hands on deck approach. When we look back on this tragic chapter in our country’s history, those communities that will be seen to have led the country out of this dark crisis will have been those promoting a multi-faceted approach.
As a community and as a commonwealth we must remain vigilant in our efforts to combat this crisis and continue to press for robust enforcement, prevention, and treatment. My heartfelt thanks to all the women and men who are currently engaged in this fight, including devastated parents turned advocates, courageous law enforcement officers, treatment professionals, faith leaders, and so many others. We stand with you, and together we will prevail.
https://pilotonline.com/opinion/columnist/guest/article_e53221c0-4aad-11e9-83fa-abf26ab9b794.html
Friday 22 March 2019
Wyatt Inmate Sentenced on Firearm Charge, Attempting to Possess and Possessing Prohibited ItemsRead the Press Release
PROVIDENCE - A Donald W. Wyatt (Wyatt) Detention Center inmate has been sentenced to 37 months in federal prison for being a felon in possession of a firearm, and a concurrent term of 24 months in federal prison for attempting to possess a controlled substance and possessing an 8-inch shank while detained at the Wyatt Detention Center.
On Wednesday, Jason Jones, 25, was also ordered by U.S. District Court Judge John J. McConnell, Jr., to serve two years supervised release upon completion of his term of incarceration.
According to information presented to the Court, in July 2017, Newport Police Department detectives arrested Jones when, during a pre-arranged meeting to sell an individual a firearm, Jones, a convicted felon, was found to be in possession of a loaded semi-automatic handgun.
On July 18, 2017, Jones was charged by way of a federal indictment with felon in possession of a firearm, and he subsequently pled guilty to that charge. In November 2018, Jones was ordered detained at the Wyatt Detention Facility for violating conditions of his release.
While Jones was detained at the Wyatt Detention Center, the U.S. Marshals Service notified the FBI that Jones was believed to be conspiring to smuggle drugs into the facility. An outgoing letter sent by Jones to his girlfriend, Joselin Tavarez, 45, of Providence, and obtained by the FBI, included instructions on how to put what was believed to be strips of suboxone on incoming mail. Jones directed her to make the mail appear to be legal mail coming from his attorney, then an Assistant Federal Defender. Additionally, during several prison telephone conversations, Jones also instructed his girlfriend to send contraband into the facility.
At the request of the FBI and the U.S. Postal Inspection Service, the Rhode Island Department of Health analyzed several items of incoming mail addressed to Jones, three of which were confirmed to contain MMB-FUBINACA, a Schedule I controlled substance.
Additionally, in February 2019, during a search of Jones’ cell and mattress, guards discovered an 8-inch shank tucked inside a slit in the mattress.
Joselin Tavarez, signed a plea agreement, and has been charged by way of an information with providing and attempting to provide a prohibited object, a Scheduled I controlled substance, to an inmate of a prison. Her change of plea has yet to be scheduled.
An information is merely an accusation. A defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.
Jones’ sentence and the charge against Joselin Tavarez are announced by United States Attorney Aaron L. Weisman, Newport Police Chief Gary T. Silva, Special Agent in Charge of the Boston Field Division of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives Kelly D. Brady, Joseph R. Bonavolonta, Special Agent in Charge of the FBI Boston Division, and Joseph W. Cronin, Inspector in Charge of the U.S. Postal Inspection Service, Boston Division.
The cases are being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Sandra R. Hebert.
The matter involving Jones’ possession of firearm was investigated by the Newport Police Department and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives.
The matters involving Jones and Tavarez’s alleged criminal activity of providing a Schedule I controlled substance to Jones while incarcerated at the Wyatt Detention Center and Jones’ possession of an 8-inch shank while incarcerated at the Wyatt Detention Center were investigated by the FBI, U.S. Postal Inspection Service, and officials from the Wyatt Detention Center.
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Warwick Man Sentenced to 260 Years in Federal Prison for Producing and Possessing Child PornographyRead the Press Release
PROVIDENCE, RI – A Warwick man who admitted to producing child pornography involving prepubescent children on multiple occasions over more than ten years was sentenced today in U.S. District Court in Providence to 260 years in federal prison, announced United States Attorney Aaron L. Weisman, Superintendent of the Rhode Island State Police Colonel James M. Manni, Homeland Security Investigations Special Agent in Charge Peter C. Fitzhugh, and North Kingstown Police Chief Patrick Flanagan.
Thomas Goodman, 45, was arrested by detectives from the Rhode Island State Police Internet Crimes Against Children (ICAC) Task Force on May 17, 2018, after Electric Boat Security confiscated Goodman’s cell phone when he violated company policy by using the cell phone on Electric Boat property. While conducting a search of the phone, Electric Boat Security discovered a vast quantity of child pornography. The phone was turned over to a North Kingstown Police Department Detective who confirmed that the phone contained child pornography.
According to information presented to the Court, a subsequent investigation by members of the ICAC Task Force, including a court-authorized search of Goodman’s residence, a forensic examination of his electronic devices, and interviews with the defendant, determined that Goodman possessed approximately 7,800 images and 370 videos of child pornography. ICAC Detectives determined that at least 62 of the videos and 135 of the images of child pornography involved prepubescent minors, and that they were created by Goodman between September 2007 and February 2018.
In interviews with law enforcement, Goodman also admitted to having had sexual contact with at least three prepubescent females.
Goodman, who has been detained since his arrest on May 17, 2018, pled guilty on October 11, 2018, to eight counts of production of child pornography and one count of possession of child pornography.
At sentencing today, U.S. District Court Judge John J. McConnell, Jr., sentenced Goodman to 260 years in federal prison. Goodman was also ordered to pay a mandatory assessment of $5,000 on each of the nine counts he pled guilty to as provided for in the Justice for Victims Trafficking Act.
The case was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Lee H. Vilker.
U.S. Citizen Led an International Counterfeit Currency Operation Headquartered in UgandaRead the Press Release
PITTSBURGH – A United States citizen who resided in the Republic of Uganda pleaded guilty in federal court to charges of conspiracy to manufacture/pass/transfer/sell counterfeit currency, conspiracy to launder money, and committing counterfeiting acts outside the United States, United States Attorney Scott W. Brady announced today.
Ryan Andrew Gustafson, aka Jack Farrel, aka WillyClock, age 31, pleaded guilty to three counts before Chief United States District Judge Mark Hornak.
In connection with the guilty plea, the court was advised that Ryan Gustafson was leading an international counterfeit U.S. currency operation headquartered in the Republic of Uganda, which flooded the United States and Uganda with more than $2 million in counterfeit Federal Reserve Notes. Although counterfeit Federal Reserve Notes were being manufactured and distributed in Uganda, by December 2013, these Ugandan-manufactured counterfeit bills were being passed in Pittsburgh-area retail stores and businesses, specifically, in Oakland, Carnegie and McCandless Township. The scheme quickly spread to cities around the country. The bills were being advertised, bought and sold on a Dark Net website created by Gustafson called Community-X that was dedicated to the selling and passing of these counterfeit bills.
According to additional information provided to the court, the participants were producing counterfeit $100, $50 and $20 bills, packaging the counterfeit currency disguised as "Give a Child Hope Today" pamphlets, and shipping the packages to individuals they met through online criminal forums. In total, approximately $1.8 million fake notes were passed and seized in Uganda. In the U.S., approximately $270,000 in counterfeit currency was passed and seized. The criminal conspirators were passing the counterfeit Federal Reserve Notes in exchange for legitimate currency in the United States, Uganda and other countries.
Judge Hornak scheduled sentencing for July 23, 2019. The law provides for a total sentence of 45 years in prison, a fine of $1,000,000, 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 U.S. Shardul S. Desai is prosecuting this case on behalf of the government.
The U.S. Secret Service, Federal Bureau of Investigations, U.S. Customs and Border Protection, and the Department of Homeland Security/Homeland Security Investigations conducted the investigation that led to the prosecution of Ryan Andrew Gustafson.
U.S. Attorney’s Office Continues Carjacking Initiative to Reduce Violent Crime with Multiple Recent IndictmentsRead the Press Release
Memphis, TN – Six local individuals have been indicted for multiple carjackings involving the use and possession of a firearm during a crime of violence. U.S. Attorney D. Michael Dunavant announced the indictments today.
In October, 2018, the United States Attorney’s Office along with federal and local law enforcement partners held a joint press conference to announce the district’s Carjacking Initiative, implemented to reduce violent carjacking crimes in Memphis and Shelby County. That press conference announced the federal indictments of five men for nine separate carjacking and armed robbery events.
Today, the U.S. Attorney’s Office continues to respond to the recent increase in these crimes by obtaining additional indictments against six individuals responsible for multiple violent carjacking incidents involving the possession and use of firearms within the past six months.
The six defendants listed are:
• Isaiah Miller,18, Memphis, TN
• Edward Brown, 25, Memphis, TN
• Eric Cole, 20, Memphis, TN
• Daterious Gipson,19, Memphis, TN
• Sir Millbrook, 20, Memphis, TN
• Vince Fuller, 19, Memphis, TNIsaiah Miller
The indictment charges that during the period of October 10-17, 2018, Isaiah Miller, being aided and abetted by others, including juvenile offenders, committed four (4) separate carjackings by brandishing a firearm during each of those crimes of violence at various locations in Memphis.
If convicted of all counts, the defendant faces a possible sentence of up to 15 years for each carjacking, and a mandatory minimum consecutive sentence of 28 years for the brandishing of the firearms.
Edward Brown, Eric Cole and Daterious Gipson
The indictment charges that on September 30, 2018, Edward Brown, Eric Cole and Daterious Gipson aided and abetted each other by discharging a firearm during a carjacking in Memphis.
If convicted of all counts, the defendants face a possible sentence of up to 15 years for the carjacking and a mandatory minimum consecutive sentence of 10 years for the discharge of the firearms.
Sir Millbrook and Vince Fuller
The indictment charges that on November 28, 2018, Sir Millbrook and Vince Fuller aided and abetted each other by brandishing a firearm during a carjacking in Memphis.
If convicted of all counts, the defendants face a possible sentence of up to 15 years for the carjacking and a mandatory minimum consecutive sentence of 7 years for the brandishing of the firearms.
Sentencing for each defendant is individual, and is based upon a number of statutory factors under the federal sentencing guidelines, including but not limited to prior conviction history, which may enhance or mitigate the ultimate sentence imposed by the Court.
U.S. Attorney D. Michael Dunavant said, "While recent reports indicate that violent crime rates in all major categories are declining, carjacking offenses in Memphis have spiked and increased at an alarming rate in the past year. This disturbing trend cannot continue, and the U.S. Attorney’s Office is continuing to coordinate with our federal and local law enforcement partners to prioritize and target carjacking cases for aggressive federal prosecution. These cases demonstrate our resolve to incapacitate the most violent offenders, uphold the rule of law, deter criminal conduct with a strong message of significant consequences, and make us all safer."
These cases were investigated by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Explosives and Firearms (ATF), and the Memphis Police Department Violent Crimes Task Force.
Assistant U.S. Attorneys Elizabeth Rogers, Gregory Allen, and Neal Oldham are prosecuting these cases on behalf of the government.
The charges and allegations contained in the indictment are merely accusations, and the defendants are presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.
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Two Michigan men admit to roles in a drug distribution operation in Monongalia CountyRead the Press Release
CLARKSBURG, WEST VIRGINIA – Two Michigan men have admitted to their involvement in a heroin, oxycodone, and cocaine distribution operation, United States Attorney Bill Powell announced.
Travon Evans, of Detroit, Michigan, age 26, pled guilty to one count of “Possession with Intent to Distribute Heroin” and one count of “Aiding and Abetting a False Statement in the Acquisition of a Firearm.” Evans admitted to distributing heroin in June 2018 in Monongalia County. He also admitted to making a false statement in the attempted purchase of a 5.56 mm caliber pistol in May 2018 in Monongalia County.Raymond Edison, of Detroit, Michigan, age 31, pled guilty to one count of “Distribution of Oxycodone within 1,000 feet of Protected Location.” Edison admitted to selling oxycodone near Suncrest Middle School in Monongalia County in October 2017.
Evans faces up to 20 years incarceration and a fine of up to $1,000,000 for the drug count and faces up to 10 years incarceration and a fine of up to $250,000 for the firearms count. Edison faces no less than one year and up to 40 years incarceration and a fine of up to $2,000,000. Under the Federal Sentencing Guidelines, the actual sentence imposed will be based upon the seriousness of the offenses and the prior criminal history, if any, of the defendant.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Zelda E. Wesley is prosecuting the cases on behalf of the government. The Drug Enforcement Administration, the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives and the Mon Metro Drug & Violent Crimes Task Force, a HIDTA-funded initiative, investigated. The United States Marshal Service assisted.
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.
U.S. Magistrate Judge Michael John Aloi presided.
Two Elkhart, Indiana, Police Officers Charged with Federal Civil Rights OffenseRead the Press Release
WASHINGTON – Cory Newland, 35, and Joshua Titus, 30, officers with the Elkhart, Indiana, Police Department, were indicted yesterday by a federal grand jury in Hammond for using excessive force against an arrestee.
The indictment charges Newland and Titus with a single count of deprivation of rights under color of law, in violation of 18 U.S.C. § 242, for using unreasonable force against arrestee “M.L.”
According to the allegations set forth in the indictment, M.L. was brought into the booking area of the Elkhart Police Department and seated in a chair with his hands cuffed behind his back. While sitting in the chair, M.L. spat in the direction of Newland. The indictment alleges that Newland and Titus then repeatedly struck M.L. in the face, causing him to fall backwards onto the floor, at which point Newland and Titus continued to punch him repeatedly while M.L. remained handcuffed on the floor. The indictment further alleges that Newland and Titus’s actions resulted in bodily injury to M.L.
“My Office takes allegations of civil rights violations seriously, including use of excessive force by police officers sworn to uphold the law,” said U.S. Attorney Thomas L. Kirsch. “Maintaining integrity in the criminal justice system by investigating and prosecuting police officers who step out of bounds with the law, while working with, training and promoting good relationships with law enforcement who operate within the law are important functions of my Office.”
“Today’s indictments send a clear message that the FBI won’t tolerate the abuse of power or victimization of citizens by anyone in law enforcement,” said Grant Mendenhall, Special Agent in Charge of the FBI’s Indianapolis Division. “The alleged actions by these individuals went against everything in the oath they took to serve and protect."
This charge carries a maximum penalty of 10 years imprisonment and a $250,000 fine for both defendants. An indictment is merely an accusation and the defendants are presumed innocent unless proven guilty.
This case was investigated by FBI’s Indianapolis Field Office and is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Jennifer Chang of the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Northern District of Indiana and Trial Attorney Zachary Dembo of the Civil Rights Division.
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Two Elkhart, Indiana, Police Officers Charged with Federal Civil Rights OffenseRead the Press Release
Cory Newland, 35, and Joshua Titus, 30, officers with the Elkhart, Indiana, Police Department, were indicted yesterday by a federal grand jury in Hammond for using excessive force against an arrestee.
The indictment charges Newland and Titus with a single count of deprivation of rights under color of law, in violation of 18 U.S.C. § 242, for using unreasonable force against arrestee “M.L.”
According to the allegations set forth in the indictment, M.L. was brought into the booking area of the Elkhart Police Department and seated in a chair with his hands cuffed behind his back. While sitting in the chair, M.L. spat in the direction of Newland. The indictment alleges that Newland and Titus then repeatedly struck M.L. in the face, causing him to fall backwards onto the floor, at which point Newland and Titus continued to punch him repeatedly while M.L. remained handcuffed on the floor. The indictment further alleges that Newland and Titus’s actions resulted in bodily injury to M.L.
“My Office takes allegations of civil rights violations seriously, including use of excessive force by police officers sworn to uphold the law,” said U.S. Attorney Thomas L. Kirsch. “Maintaining integrity in the criminal justice system by investigating and prosecuting police officers who step out of bounds with the law, while working with, training and promoting good relationships with law enforcement who operate within the law are important functions of my Office.”
“Today’s indictments send a clear message that the FBI won’t tolerate the abuse of power or victimization of citizens by anyone in law enforcement,” said Grant Mendenhall, Special Agent in Charge of the FBI’s Indianapolis Division. “The alleged actions by these individuals went against everything in the oath they took to serve and protect."
This charge carries a maximum penalty of 10 years imprisonment and a $250,000 fine for both defendants. An indictment is merely an accusation and the defendants are presumed innocent unless proven guilty.
This case was investigated by FBI’s Indianapolis Field Office and is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Jennifer Chang of the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Northern District of Indiana and Trial Attorney Zachary Dembo of the Civil Rights Division.
Tulalip Tribal Member Sentenced to more than 5 Years in Prison for Repeated Domestic Violence AssaultsRead the Press Release
A 36-year-old member of the Tulalip Tribes was sentenced March 21, 2019, in U.S. District Court in Seattle to 71 months in prison for multiple horrific assaults on his intimate partner, announced U.S. Attorney Brian T. Moran. MORGAN BRYANT pleaded guilty in December 2018 to two counts of assault resulting in serious bodily injury, assault by strangulation, assault with a dangerous weapon, and domestic assault by a habitual offender. According to records filed in the case, BRYANT assaulted his live-in partner on numerous occasions: punching her, kicking her, hitting her with a hammer and a wrench, and strangling her. When treated by medical professionals, the victim had a broken wrist, broken ribs, and broken bones in her face. At the sentencing hearing, U.S. District Judge Robert S. Lasnik said, “He cannot do this ever again to any woman.”
“Such violent, vicious assaults deserve significant federal prison time,” said U.S. Attorney Brian T. Moran. “The Tribal Liaisons in my office are using important tools such as the Habitual Offender Domestic Assault statute to ensure domestic violence assaults are investigated, prosecuted and punished to protect the vulnerable in our Tribal communities.”
According to records filed in the case, in March 2018, the victim sent her family and friends text messages asking for help. She included a photo that showed she had one black eye, an eye swollen shut, and bruises on her face. Tulalip Tribal Police responded to check on the victim. Because no one inside would answer the door, the police obtained a search warrant. Inside they found the victim with severe injuries, including a bloody head-wound with a towel super-glued in place, and broken bones in her face. The victim was taken to the hospital and later disclosed months of abuse, including a November 2017 fight where BRYANT broke her wrist and a January 2018 argument where BRYANT punched and kicked her, struck her with a wrench and hammer while keeping her locked in a bathroom for hours, strangled her, and hit her over the head with a plate. Finally, in the March 2018 assault that led to his arrest, BRYANT repeatedly punched her leaving her bruised and bloody.
BRYANT has previous convictions in Everett Municipal Court and Tulalip Tribal Court for domestic violence assaults on other victims.
The case was investigated by the Tulalip Tribal Police and the FBI. The case was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Rebecca Cohen.
Tonawanda Man Sentenced for Distributing FentanylRead 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 Dominique McDowell, 27, of Tonawanda, NY, who was convicted of possession with intent to distribute, and distribution of butyryl fentanyl and U-47700, was sentenced to serve 42 months in prison by U.S. District Judge Richard J. Arcara.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Paul C. Parisi, who handled the case, stated that the investigation began with the overdose death of an individual in the Town of Amherst. Subsequent investigation determined that between March 30, 2017, and April 18, 2017, the defendant sold butyryl fentanyl and U-47700 to undercover law enforcement officers on four separate occasions in the Town of Amherst and Tonawanda. In addition, between December 2016 and April 18, 2017, McDowell sold heroin to confidential sources on multiple occasions.
Today’s sentencing is the result of an investigation by the Drug Enforcement Administration, under the direction of Ray Donovan, Special Agent-in-Charge, New York Field Division; the Amherst Police Department, under the direction of Chief John C. Askey; the Tonawanda Police Department, under the direction of Chief Jerome Uschold; and the New York State Police, under the direction of Major Edward Kennedy.
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Three Men Found Guilty of Drug Conspiracy Charges Involving Open Drug Market from D.C. BarbershopRead the Press Release
WASHINGTON - Three men have been found guilty by a jury of federal narcotics charges following an investigation into a drug market that was operated out of the Next Level Cuts barbershop and surrounding property in Southeast Washington.
The announcement was made by U.S. Attorney Jessie K. Liu, Ashan M. Benedict, Special Agent in Charge of the Washington Field Division of the U.S. Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF), and Peter Newsham, Chief of the Metropolitan Police Department (MPD).
Anthony Fields, 45, of Washington, D.C., Lonnell Tucker, 42, of Temple Hills, Md., and Abdul Samuels, 45, of Washington, D.C., were found guilty on March 21, 2019, following a trial in the U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia. All three were found guilty of one count of conspiracy to distribute phencyclidine (PCP), heroin, fentanyl, buprenorphine (suboxone), marijuana, and synthetic cannabinoids. Fields also was found guilty of six additional narcotics offenses and Samuels was found guilty of two additional narcotics offenses and a firearms charge. The Honorable Amit P. Mehta has not yet scheduled sentencing dates for the defendants.
A fourth defendant was found not guilty by the jury. A fifth, Lacy Hamilton, 42, of Camp Springs, Md., pled guilty during the trial to conspiracy to distribute and possess with intent to distribute a detectable amount of heroin, marijuana, and synthetic cannabinoids. Judge Mehta scheduled his sentencing for May 16, 2019.
As established at trial, in June 2017, ATF began investigating the trafficking of narcotics from the Next Level Cuts barbershop and adjoining property above. Through surveillance, controlled purchases from inside and outside the barbershop, residential search warrants, cellphone searches, arrests, jailhouse calls, pleas, and cooperating witnesses, law enforcement was able to establish a coordinated drug trafficking operation that was centered at the barbershop and extended into Maryland. The investigation established that drug traffickers would use the barbershop and adjoining property as a stash location.
The investigation led to a series of arrests beginning in February 2018 as well as the recovery of three firearms from the barbershop and one firearm in a residence. Law enforcement seized more than $7,000 in cash, and without packaging, more than 300 grams of PCP, more than 150 grams of heroin, more than 100 grams of fentanyl, boxes of suboxone strips, and more than 100 grams of a cutting agents. Samuels was convicted of narcotics and firearms charges relating to a search of his residence in Southeast Washington on May 10, 2018, in which ATF recovered a firearm, ammunition, extensive drug paraphernalia, and packaged crack cocaine.
During the trial, in addition to ATF and MPD agents and officers, current and former law enforcement officers from Prince George’s County, Md., and the Metropolitan Washington Airports Authority testified relating to separate arrests of Fields and Samuels in 2017 and 2018, respectively, in which law enforcement recovered various forms of drug paraphernalia, packaged narcotics, and U.S. currency.
Two other defendants – Darryl Smith, 41, of Washington, D.C., and James Venable, 47, of Fort Washington, Md., earlier pled guilty to federal charges. Another defendant remains at large as a fugitive. Smith managed the barber shop. Smith was sentenced to 80 months in prison relating to his possession of narcotics in the barbershop on Feb. 1, 2018 and for his possession of packaged fentanyl and a loaded firearm following an arrest by MPD in December 2017 outside of the barbershop. Venable was sentenced to a 37-month prison term following his possession of narcotics and a firearm in both Washington, D.C. during a December 2017 arrest by MPD and in his residence in Maryland on February 1, 2018. Venable also acknowledged selling narcotics to an ATF confidential informant in July 2017.
In announcing the verdicts, U.S. Attorney Liu, Special Agent in Charge Benedict, and Chief Newsham commended the work of those involved in the case. They also acknowledged the efforts of those who handled the case from the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Columbia, including Assistant U.S. Attorneys Christopher Macchiaroli and Gregory Rosen of the Violent Crime and Narcotics Trafficking Section, and Paralegal Specialist Candace Battle.
Three Indicted for Conspiracy to Distribute More Than 28 Gallons of Liquid MethamphetamineRead the Press Release
OKLAHOMA CITY – A federal grand jury has indicted EDUARDO VILLA-ALVAREZ, 22, JOSE MANUEL SOTO-OCHOA, 22, and KRISTNADEVY MENDOZA-ZAMBRANO, 22, with conspiring to distribute methamphetamine, announced First Assistant U.S. Attorney Robert J. Troester.
On March 19, 2019, a federal grand jury returned a four-count indictment against Villa-Alvarez, Soto-Ochoa, and Mendoza-Zambrano. Count One charges all three defendants with conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute and to distribute methamphetamine from November 2018 through March 7, 2019. Count Two charges Villa-Alvarez and Soto-Ochoa with possession of methamphetamine with intent to distribute on March 7, 2019, in Oklahoma City. Count Three charges Mendoza-Zambrano with possession with intent to distribute on March 7, 2019, in Garvin County, Oklahoma. Count Four charges Villa-Alvarez with possession of a firearm in furtherance of a drug-trafficking crime related to the charge in Count Two.
If convicted on Counts One, Two, or Three, each defendant could be imprisoned for life and fined up to $10,000,000. A conviction on any of these counts would also result in a mandatory minimum sentence of ten years in prison. If convicted on Count Four, Villa-Alvarez could be imprisoned for life and fined up to $250,000. A conviction on Count Four would also result in a mandatory minimum sentence of five years in prison, to be served consecutively to any other term of imprisonment imposed in this case.
This indictment follows a criminal complaint filed in federal court on March 8, 2019. According to an affidavit filed in federal court in support of that complaint, law enforcement stopped a maroon Ford Escape with Oklahoma plates on March 7 south of Oklahoma City, between Purcell and Pauls Valley. The vehicle had been the subject of a judicially-approved tracking device and was traveling from the area of Mesquite, Texas. Defendant Mendoza-Zambrano is alleged to have been driving the vehicle. According to the complaint, a search yielded approximately 77 liters (20 gallons) of liquid methamphetamine.
That same day, agents and officers with the DEA’s North Texas High Intensity Drug Trafficking Area program ("HIDTA") executed a search warrant at a residence in south Oklahoma City. According to the complaint, Villa-Alvarez and Soto-Ochoa were the only occupants of the residence. Law enforcement is alleged to have observed Soto-Ochoa placing in the back of a black Ford Escape a box with baggies containing a white substance. They also are alleged to have observed Villa-Alvarez and Soto-Ochoa using a broom and dust pan to sweep up a white substance. According to the complaint, when investigators approached Villa-Alvarez, he attempted to flee and tossed a firearm near the back yard. Investigators seized from the residence and the vehicle more than 25 kilograms (approximately 55 pounds) of a white crystal substance that tested positive for methamphetamine and more than 30 liters (approximately eight gallons) of suspected liquid methamphetamine. The complaint states investigators believe Mendoza-Zambrano was working with Villa-Alvarez and Soto-Ochoa.
These charges are the result of an investigation by the Drug Enforcement Administration, including the North Texas HIDTA, with assistance from the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives, the Oklahoma Highway Patrol, the El Reno Police Department, and the District 21 Drug Task Force. Assistant U.S. Attorney Matt Anderson is prosecuting the case.
The public is reminded that these charges are merely allegations and that each defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt. Reference is made to public filings for further information.
South Carolina women indicted on drug chargesRead the Press Release
MARTINSBURG, WEST VIRGINIA – Peggy Louise Farrington and Jacqueline Lee Weigland, both of Galivants Ferry, South Carolina, appeared in federal court this week on drug charges, United States Attorney Bill Powell announced.
Farrington, age 54, and Weigland, age 57, were each indicted on March 5, 2019 by a federal grand jury sitting in Clarksburg on one count of “Aiding and Abetting Possession with Intent to Distribute Fentanyl.” The women are accused of possessing fentanyl in January 2019 in Berkeley County.
Farrington and Weigland each face not less than five and up to 40 years incarceration and a fine of up to $5,000,000. Under the Federal Sentencing Guidelines, the actual sentence imposed will be based upon the seriousness of the offenses and the prior criminal history, if any, of the defendant.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Lara K. Omps-Botteicher is prosecuting the cases on behalf of the government. The Martinsburg Police Department investigated.
An indictment is merely an accusation. A defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.
Slidell Postal Service Employee Pleads Guilty to Theft of MailRead the Press Release
NEW ORLEANS, LOUISIANA – United States Attorney Peter G. Strasser announced that BRIA DAVIS, age 25, of New Orleans, Louisiana, entered a plea of guilty yesterday before United States District Judge Carl J. Barbier to Theft of Mail by an Officer or Employee of the U.S. Postal Service.
According to court documents, DAVIS was a U.S. Postal Service Postal Support Employee/Sales Distribution Clerk at the Slidell Post Office, and worked at the retail window counter and performed a variety of tasks including Postal sales, delivering mail to customer P.O. Boxes, and assisting customers with P.O. Box related business. After an investigation by the Office of Inspector General for the U.S. Postal Service, it was determined that on various dates from September 2016 to January 2017, DAVIS stole several pieces of mail containing checkbooks, gift cards, cash, and checks. Postal agents also discovered approximately ten additional articles of stolen mail in DAVIS’s personal vehicle.
DAVIS faces a maximum penalty of five (5) years imprisonment, followed by up to three (3) years of supervised release, and a $250,000.00 fine. Sentencing before Judge Barbier has been scheduled for June 27, 2019.
The case was investigated by special agents from the U.S. Postal Service, Office of Inspector General (“USPS-OIG”). Additionally, the Slidell Police Department assisted the USPS-OIG in the DAVIS matter. The prosecution of the case is being handled by Assistant U. S. Attorney Brian M. Klebba, Supervisor of the Financial Crimes Unit.
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Shasta County Man Sentenced to 40 Years in Prison for Child Pornography OffensesRead the Press Release
SACRAMENTO, Calif. — On Friday, U.S. District Judge Garland E. Burrell Jr. sentenced James Jay Hitt, 51, of Anderson, to 40 years in prison for distribution and receipt of child pornography, U.S. Attorney McGregor W. Scott announced.
According to evidence presented at trial, Hitt interacted with a 12-person network of child pornographers, managed a blog where he posted child pornography, and messaged people through a Russian website that served as a platform for child pornographers to trade and discuss child pornography. Based on a lead from the FBI in Ohio, investigators in California searched Hitt’s house on January 4, 2013. When they entered his house to conduct the search, he brandished a knife at them. They found over 4,000 images and dozens of videos of child pornography on a desktop computer, an 80 gigabyte internal hard drive, and several CDs. Hitt has been in custody since June 15, 2015. Hitt had a prior conviction for a crime relating to sexual abuse that enhanced his sentence.
This case was the product of an investigation by the Federal Bureau of Investigation, the Anderson Police Department, and the California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Roger Yang and Michael M. Beckwith prosecuted the case.
This case was brought as part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative launched in May 2006 by the Department of Justice to combat the growing epidemic of child sexual exploitation and abuse. Led by the United States Attorneys’ Offices and the Criminal Division’s Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section, Project Safe Childhood marshals federal, state, and local resources to locate, apprehend, and prosecute those who sexually exploit children, and to identify and rescue victims. For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit www.usdoj.gov/psc. Click on the “resources” tab for information about internet safety education.
Sex Offender Sentenced to Two Years for Violating Supervised ReleaseRead the Press Release
Orlando, Florida – U.S. District Judge Carlos E. Mendoza has sentenced sex offender David Padilla-Rivera (39, Orlando) to two years in federal prison for failure to comply with the terms of his supervised release.
According to court documents, on April 5, 2017, Padilla-Rivera was sentenced to two years and three months in federal prison for failure to register as a sex offender pursuant to the requirements of the Sex Offender Registration and Notification Act. Padilla-Rivera’s registration requirements stem from his 2010 state conviction, for the false imprisonment and attempted sexual assault of a 16-year-old female. Following his release from prison, on February 26, 2018, Padilla-Rivera violated the terms of his supervised release by failing to notify his probation officer regarding anticipated changes in address and employment. He was then sentenced to 14 months in federal prison.
Upon his release from prison on December 21, 2018, within 24 hours, Padilla-Rivera was found possessing a smartphone, in violation of the conditions of his supervised release. A forensic search of the phone revealed that Padilla-Rivera had visited pornographic websites between December 22, 2018 and December 27, 2018.
This case was investigated by the U.S. Probation Office. It was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Ilianys Rivera Miranda.
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 United States Attorneys’ Offices and the Criminal Division’s Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section (CEOS), 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.projectsafechildhood.gov.
Sanford Man Sentenced 15 Years for RobberyRead the Press Release
RALEIGH – United States Attorney Robert J. Higdon, Jr. announced that today in federal court, Chief United States District Judge Terrence W. Boyle sentenced BRANDON RAUL NAVARRO, 29, of Sanford, North Carolina to 180 months’ imprisonment, followed by 3 years of supervised release.
NAVARRO was named in an Indictment filed on August 1, 2018 charging him with robbery affecting interstate commerce and carjcacking. On December 12, 2018, NAVARRO pled guilty to the robbery charge.
On July 10, 2018, NAVARRO robbed the Dollar General located at 19805 NC 27 West in Cameron, North Carolina, at knifepoint. He also stole an employee’s truck by threatening her at knifepoint. He fled in the truck and ultimately led law enforcement officers on a multicounty, high-speed chase that at times exceeded 100 miles per hour. After officers made numerous attempts to stop him, NAVARRO finally crashed the truck, attempted to flee on foot, and was arrested.
This case is part of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), a program bringing together all levels of law enforcement and the communities they serve to reduce violent crime and make our neighborhoods safer for everyone. Since 2017 the United States Department of Justice has reinvigorated the PSN program and has targeted violent criminals, directing all U.S. Attorney’s Offices to work in partnership with federal, state, local, and tribal law enforcement and the local community to develop effective, locally-based strategies to reduce violent crime.
That effort has been implemented through the Take Back North Carolina Initiative of The United States Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of North Carolina. This initiative emphasizes the regional assignment of federal prosecutors to work with law enforcement and District Attorney’s Offices on a sustained basis in those communities to reduce the violent crime rate, drug trafficking, and crimes against law enforcement.
Investigation of this case was conducted by the Harnett County Sheriff’s Office and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms & Explosives (ATF).
Rock Island Man Sentenced to Prison for Felon in Possession of a GunRead the Press Release
DAVENPORT, IA – On March 21, 2019, Maurice Lavon Cowan, age 26, of Rock Island, Illinois, was sentenced by United States Chief District Court Judge John A. Jarvey to 70 months in prison on the charge of felon in possession of a firearm, announced United States Attorney Marc Krickbaum. Cowan was also ordered to serve three years of supervised release following his prison term, and pay $100 to the Crime Victim Compensation Fund. Cowan pleaded guilty on November 16, 2018.
On January 18, 2018, Davenport, Iowa, police officers attempted to make a traffic stop on a vehicle driven by Cowan. Cowan fled from officers and crashed his vehicle. Cowan then ran from the vehicle, throwing a loaded Ruger nine-millimeter pistol into the snow. Cowan had previously been convicted of felony offenses in 2011 (aggravated robbery) and in 2017.
This matter was investigated by the Davenport, Iowa, Police Department and the U.S. Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF). This case was prosecuted by the United States Attorney’s Office-Southern District of Iowa.
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. In 2017, PSN was reinvigorated as part of the Department’s renewed focus on targeting violent criminals, directing all U.S. Attorney’s Offices to work in partnership with federal, state, local, and tribal law enforcement and the local community to develop effective, locally-based strategies to reduce violent crime.
Rochester Nail Salon Owner Charged with Defrauding the SNAP ProgramRead the Press Release
CONTACT: Barbara Burns
PHONE: (716) 843-5817
FAX #: (716) 551-3051ROCHESTER, N.Y. - U.S. Attorney James P. Kennedy, Jr. announced today that Hang T. Lam, 46, of Rochester, NY, was arrested and charged by criminal complaint with the unauthorized use, transfer, acquisition, and possession of USDA food stamp benefits. The charge carries a maximum penalty of 20 years in prison and a $250,000 fine.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Kyle P. Rossi, who is handling the case, stated that according to the complaint, in April 2018, the Monroe County Department of Social Services (DSS) developed information that Young’s Nails, which is owned and operated by the defendant, was trafficking in Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP)/food stamp benefits for cash, nail services, and other non-food items. Young’s Nails does not sell food and is not authorized to accept SNAP benefits.
Between April 19, 2018, and October 1, 2018, the U.S. Department of Agriculture, Office of Inspector General conducted five undercover transactions at Young’s Nails using a SNAP Electronic Benefits (SNAP EBT) card. Purchases included nail services such as manicures and pedicures, cigarettes, jewelry, and cash. Lam charged double the cost when a SNAP EBT card was used.
When the undercover purchases were made, the defendant used the Tanhong Du Supermarket on N. Clinton Avenue in Rochester, Ocean Garden Oriental Foods Inc. on S. Clinton Avenue in Rochester, and the Asia Food Market on Brighton-Henrietta Town Line Road to process the undercover transactions. All three stores are approved to participate in the SNAP program.
On November 7, 2018, a search warrant was executed at Young’s Nails. Law enforcement officers seized SNAP EBT cards, dozens of handwritten notes containing four digit PIN numbers and various cash amounts, and SNAP EBT receipts from the Asia Food Market and other SNAP authorized stores. As a result, officers identified and interviewed SNAP clients involved in SNAP fraud with LAM at Young’s Nails. Eight of these individuals reported that they exchanged SNAP benefits for cash and nail services.
To date, approximately $26,000 dollars in fraudulent SNAP transactions that have been executed by LAM have been identified.
The defendant made an initial appearance this afternoon before U.S. Magistrate Judge Jonathan W. Feldman and was released on conditions.
The complaint is the result of an investigation by the U.S. Department of Agriculture, Office of Inspector General, under the direction of Special Agent-in Charge Bethanne M. Dinkins; Homeland Security Investigations, under the direction of Special Agent-in-Charge Kevin Kelly; the Monroe County Department of Social Services, under the direction of Commissioner Corinda Crossdale; and the New York State Office of Inspector General, under the direction of Acting Welfare Inspector General Catherine Leahy Scott.
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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Rochester Man Sentenced for Visa FraudRead the Press Release
CONTACT: Barbara Burns
PHONE: (716) 843-5817
FAX #: (716) 551-3051ROCHESTER, N.Y.- U.S. Attorney James P. Kennedy, Jr. announced today that Anjaneyulu Katam, 46, of Rochester, NY, who was convicted of visa fraud, was sentenced to serve 12 months and one day in prison and fined $5,000 by Chief U.S. District Judge Frank P. Geraci.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Kyle Rossi, who handled the case, stated that between 2011 and 2017, Katam ran businesses in which he falsified immigration documents for Indian nationals to enter the U.S. and work in tech industries involving computer programming. The defendant manipulated the H-1B visa program, which allows U.S. employers temporarily to employ foreign workers in specialty occupations. Katam falsified visa applications, work experience documents, and work contracts, which he then submitted to the U.S. Department of Labor, Department of Homeland Security, and Department of State, in order to secure illegal H-1B visas for Indian nationals. This resulted in the unlawful entry and employment of several Indian nationals within the United States.
As part of the investigation, federal agents identified multiple assets, including strip malls, and bank accounts, which were acquired by Katam utilizing proceeds of the visa fraud. The defendant will forfeit approximately $1,090,490.32 to the Government.
The sentencing is the result of an investigation by the U.S. Department of Labor, Office of Inspector General, Office of Investigations-Labor Racketeering and Fraud, under the direction of Michael C. Mikulka, Special Agent-in-Charge of the New York Region; Immigration and Customs Enforcement, Homeland Security Investigations, under the direction of Special Agent-in-Charge Kevin Kelly; and the Department of State’s Diplomatic Security Service, under the direction of the Special Agent-in-Charge of the New York Field Office, Timothy Dumas.
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Repeat Federal Felon with 30+ Years of Criminal History Sentenced to 5+ Years in Prison for Witness Tampering and Absconding from SupervisionRead the Press Release
A Seattle man with three prior federal convictions was sentenced today in U.S. District Court in Seattle to 61 months in prison for witness tampering and absconding from federal supervision, announced U.S. Attorney Brian T. Moran. DAVID POSEY, 52, of Seattle, was arrested in June 2018 after he traveled to Portland, Oregon, without notifying his probation officer. POSEY had convinced an autistic woman whom he met at a local community college to travel with him. The investigation revealed that he pressured the 19-year-old victim to lie to law enforcement about sexual activity. The woman has a guardian because she is considered vulnerable and unable to make certain financial and personal decisions. At sentencing, U.S. District Judge Robert S. Lasnik said POSEY “is a crook and a fraudster…. A fraudster taking advantage of a situation and manipulating it to his advantage.”
According to records filed in the case, POSEY was released into the community from his 65-month federal prison sentence on June 4, 2017. Barely a year later, an arrest warrant was issued when he failed to check in with his probation officer. POSEY was located and arrested June 20, 2018, in a Portland motel room with a developmentally disabled 19-year-old. Following his arrest, POSEY communicated repeatedly with the woman by mail and telephone to get her to change the information she provided to law enforcement. Ultimately, a court-authorized search of mobile phones belonging to POSEY revealed the truth of the sexual contact and his efforts to get the witness to lie to law enforcement. In November 2018, POSEY pleaded guilty to tampering with a witness.
POSEY has criminal convictions dating back to 1985, including federal convictions for: being a felon in possession of a firearm, mail fraud, and conspiracy (1997); two counts of mail fraud (2004); and being a felon in possession of a firearm, unlawful production of identity documents, and counterfeiting (2011).
The case was investigated by the FBI with assistance from the U.S. Marshal Service Fugitive Task Force.
The case is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Stephen Hobbs.
North Carolina Mental Health Executive Sentenced to Prison for Failure to Pay Employment TaxesRead the Press Release
A Raleigh, North Carolina, man was sentenced today to 30 months in prison for failing to report and pay employment taxes, announced Principal Deputy Assistant Attorney General Richard E. Zuckerman of the Justice Department’s Tax Division and U.S. Attorney Robert J. Higdon Jr., for the Eastern District of North Carolina.
According to court documents, from 2010 to 2013, Sainte Deon Robinson failed to pay over federal income, Social Security, and Medicare taxes withheld from the wages paid to employees of his business, the mental health service provider OneCare Inc. Robinson served in various positions at OneCare Inc., including President, and was obligated to pay over to the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) such employment taxes on behalf of the company. He failed to report and pay over almost $1.7 million in employment taxes to the IRS.
In addition to prison, Robinson was ordered to pay restitution to the IRS in the amount of $1,686,360, and to serve three years of supervised release after the completion of his sentence.
Principal Deputy Assistant Attorney General Zuckerman and U.S. Attorney Higdon commended special agents of IRS-Criminal Investigation, who investigated the case, and Tax Division Trial Attorneys Lauren Castaldi and Michael Boteler, who prosecuted the case.
Additional information about the Tax Division and its enforcement efforts may be found on the division’s website.
North Carolina Bloods Gang Member Sentenced to Prison for Racketeering ConspiracyRead the Press Release
A North Carolina member of the Nine Trey Gangsters set of the United Blood Nation (UBN or Bloods) street gang, who was convicted of Racketeer Influenced and Corrupt Organizations (RICO) conspiracy, was sentenced yesterday to more than 17 years in prison. Seventy four defendants have now either pleaded guilty or been convicted at trial from this investigation, and 65 have been sentenced.
Assistant Attorney General Brian A. Benczkowski of the Justice Department’s Criminal Division, U.S. Attorney R. Andrew Murray for the Western District of North Carolina and Special Agent in Charge John A. Strong of the FBI’s Charlotte Field Office, made the announcement.
Shamon Movair Goins, aka Rugie, 28, of Charlotte, North Carolina, was sentenced by Chief Judge Frank D. Whitney to serve 210 months in prison. Goins pleaded guilty on Aug. 22, 2018 to RICO conspiracy. According to court documents and evidence presented at sentencing, Goins was a local UBN leader, holding the rank of Four-Star General. Goins trafficked firearms and drugs for the gang, and participated in two different conspiracies to commit murder, including one in 2010 that resulted in the death of the victim.
“Today’s sentence sends an unmistakable message to Bloods members in North Carolina: gang activity, especially violent crime, will make you a priority target of the Department of Justice and our law enforcement partners,” said Assistant Attorney General Benczkowski. “With 74 defendants now judged guilty, the Department of Justice’s pursuit of the Nine Trey Gangsters continues to disrupt and weaken this violent prison and street gang, and serves as a testament to the effectiveness of federal, state, and local law enforcement cooperation.”
“This was a local gang leader who conspired with others to murder those who broke the rules of the gang,” said U.S. Attorney Murray. “With yet another violent offender behind bars, my office continues our work to dismantle criminal enterprises and to protect the people of the Western District from violent street gangs.”
According to court documents and evidence presented at the May 2018 trial, the UBN is a violent criminal street gang operating throughout the east coast of the United States since it was founded as a prison gang in 1993. UBN members are often identified by their use of the color red, and can also often be identified by common tattoos or burn marks. Examples include: a three-circle pattern, usually burned onto the upper arm, known as a “dog paw”; the acronym “M.O.B.,” which stands for “Member of Bloods”; the words “damu,” or “eastside”; the number five; the five-pointed star; and the five-pointed crown. UBN members have distinct hand signs and written codes, which are used to identify other members and rival gang members. The Nine Trey Gangster set of the UBN refer to themselves as “Billies.”
According to court documents and evidence presented at trial, the UBN is governed by a common set of 31 rules, known as “The 31,” which were originally written by the founders of the UBN. Members of the UBN are expected to conduct themselves and their illegal activity according to rules and regulations set by their leaders. Prominent among these is a requirement to pay monthly dues to the organization, often in the amounts of $31 or $93. A percentage of these funds are transferred to incarcerated UBN leadership in New York; these funds also are used locally to conduct gang business. UBN gang dues are derived from illegal activity performed by subordinate UBN members including narcotics trafficking, robberies, wire fraud, and bank fraud, among other forms of illegal racketeering activity. The Nine Trey Gangsters’ leadership proceeds in rank, from lowest to highest, from “Scrap,” “One-Star General” through “Five‑Star General,” “Low,” “High,” and “Godfather.”
In all, 74 defendants have been adjudicated guilty in this case, including three defendants who were found guilty at trial; 71 defendants have pleaded guilty in this investigation. Thirteen defendants in high-ranking leadership positions have been sentenced.
The investigation was conducted by the FBI; the Charlotte Mecklenburg Police Department; the Shelby Police Department; the Cleveland County Sheriff’s Office; the Gastonia Police Department; the North Carolina State Highway Patrol; the Mecklenburg County Sheriff’s Office; the North Carolina Division of Adult Correction and Juvenile Justice; the North Carolina Department of Motor Vehicles; the U.S. Federal Probation; the U.S. Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives; the IRS Criminal Investigation; the U.S. Postal Inspection Service; the U.S. Army Criminal Investigation Command; and the New York Department of Corrections and Community Supervision, Office of Special Investigations. Trial Attorneys Andrew L. Creighton and Beth Lipman of the Criminal Division’s Organized Crime and Gang Section and Assistant U.S. Attorneys Matt Warren and Christopher Hess for the Western District of North Carolina are prosecuting the case.
This prosecution is part of an extensive investigation by the Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Forces (OCDETF) Program. OCDETF is a joint federal, state, and local cooperative approach to combat drug trafficking and is the nation’s primary tool for disrupting and dismantling major drug trafficking organizations, targeting national and regional level drug trafficking organizations, and coordinating the necessary law enforcement entities and resources to disrupt or dismantle the targeted criminal organization and seize their assets.
North Carolina Bloods Gang Member Sentenced to Prison for Racketeering ConspiracyRead the Press Release
CHARLOTTE, N.C. – A North Carolina member of the Nine Trey Gangsters set of the United Blood Nation (UBN or Bloods) street gang, who was convicted of Racketeer Influenced and Corrupt Organizations (RICO) conspiracy, was sentenced yesterday to more than 17 years in prison. 74 defendants have now either pleaded guilty or been convicted at trial from this investigation, and 65 have been sentenced.
Assistant Attorney General Brian A. Benczkowski of the Justice Department’s Criminal Division, U.S. Attorney R. Andrew Murray for the Western District of North Carolina and Special Agent in Charge John A. Strong of the FBI’s Charlotte Field Office, made the announcement.
Shamon Movair Goins, aka Rugie, 28, of Charlotte, North Carolina, was sentenced by Chief Judge Frank D. Whitney to serve 210 months in prison. Goins pleaded guilty on Aug. 22, 2018 to RICO conspiracy. According to court documents and evidence presented at sentencing, Goins was a local UBN leader, holding the rank of Four-Star General. Goins trafficked firearms and drugs for the gang, and participated in two different conspiracies to commit murder, including one in 2010 that resulted in the death of the victim.
“Today’s sentence sends an unmistakable message to Bloods members in North Carolina: gang activity, especially violent crime, will make you a priority target of the Department of Justice and our law enforcement partners,” said Assistant Attorney General Benczkowski. “With 74 defendants now judged guilty, the Department of Justice’s pursuit of the Nine Trey Gangsters continues to disrupt and weaken this violent prison and street gang, and serves as a testament to the effectiveness of federal, state, and local law enforcement cooperation.”
“This was a local gang leader who conspired with others to murder those who broke the rules of the gang,” said U.S. Attorney Murray. “With yet another violent offender behind bars, my office continues our work to dismantle criminal enterprises and to protect the people of the Western District from violent street gangs.”
According to court documents and evidence presented at the May 2018 trial, the UBN is a violent criminal street gang operating throughout the east coast of the United States since it was founded as a prison gang in 1993. UBN members are often identified by their use of the color red, and can also often be identified by common tattoos or burn marks. Examples include: a three-circle pattern, usually burned onto the upper arm, known as a “dog paw”; the acronym “M.O.B.,” which stands for “Member of Bloods”; the words “damu,” or “eastside”; the number five; the five-pointed star; and the five-pointed crown. UBN members have distinct hand signs and written codes, which are used to identify other members and rival gang members. The Nine Trey Gangster set of the UBN refer to themselves as “Billies.”
According to court documents and evidence presented at trial, the UBN is governed by a common set of 31 rules, known as “The 31,” which were originally written by the founders of the UBN. Members of the UBN are expected to conduct themselves and their illegal activity according to rules and regulations set by their leaders. Prominent among these is a requirement to pay monthly dues to the organization, often in the amounts of $31 or $93. A percentage of these funds are transferred to incarcerated UBN leadership in New York; these funds also are used locally to conduct gang business. UBN gang dues are derived from illegal activity performed by subordinate UBN members including narcotics trafficking, robberies, wire fraud, and bank fraud, among other forms of illegal racketeering activity. The Nine Trey Gangsters’ leadership proceeds in rank, from lowest to highest, from “Scrap,” “One-Star General” through “Five‑Star General,” “Low,” “High,” and “Godfather.”
In all, 74 defendants have been adjudicated guilty in this case, including three defendants who were found guilty at trial; 71 defendants have pleaded guilty in this investigation. Thirteen defendants in high-ranking leadership positions have been sentenced.
The investigation was conducted by the FBI; the Charlotte Mecklenburg Police Department; the Shelby Police Department; the Cleveland County Sheriff’s Office; the Gastonia Police Department; the North Carolina State Highway Patrol; the Mecklenburg County Sheriff’s Office; the North Carolina Division of Adult Correction and Juvenile Justice; the North Carolina Department of Motor Vehicles; the U.S. Federal Probation; the U.S. Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives; the IRS Criminal Investigation; the U.S. Postal Inspection Service; the U.S. Army Criminal Investigation Command; and the New York Department of Corrections and Community Supervision, Office of Special Investigations. Trial Attorneys Andrew L. Creighton and Beth Lipman of the Criminal Division’s Organized Crime and Gang Section and Assistant U.S. Attorneys Matt Warren and Christopher Hess for the Western District of North Carolina are prosecuting the case.
This prosecution is part of an extensive investigation by the Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Forces (OCDETF) Program. OCDETF is a joint federal, state, and local cooperative approach to combat drug trafficking and is the nation’s primary tool for disrupting and dismantling major drug trafficking organizations, targeting national and regional level drug trafficking organizations, and coordinating the necessary law enforcement entities and resources to disrupt or dismantle the targeted criminal organization and seize their assets.
Niagara Falls Woman Pleads Guilty to Wire Fraud for Her Role in Debt Collection SchemeRead 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 Shauniqua Rodriguez, 40, of Niagara Falls, NY, pleaded guilty before U.S. District Judge Richard J. Arcara to conspiracy to commit wire fraud. The charge carries a maximum penalty of 20 years in prison and a $250,000 fine.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Maura K. O’Donnell, who is handling the case, stated that between January 2014 and February 2017, Rodriguez conspired with others in a debt collection scheme that was spearheaded by co-defendant Joseph Ciffa.
Specifically, the defendant was an intermittent employee of the debt collection agency, which operated under various names, including Lakeside Mediations, Lincoln Mediation, Valentine Legal Mediation, First Point Mediation, State Filing and Legal Services, and Elite Services. Rodriguez placed telephone calls to “debtors” throughout the United States, using various fraudulent tactics and misrepresentations, including false representations as to her identity, false threats of arrest, and claims of criminal charges against the “debtors,” to induce the “debtors” to make payments. The “debtors” were often directed to other employees posing as attorneys and were provided with payment instructions, supposedly to settle their outstanding debts. In addition to making collection calls, the defendant also served as an informal trainer for other, less experienced employees.
Rodriguez and the employees she worked with and trained routinely collected on debts which they knew had already been satisfied, and collected money from “debtors” from whom they had already collected payment, who were deemed to be “easy targets.” “Debtors” were instructed to make payment to the various debt collection businesses through various means, including MoneyGram payments, bank wire transfers, and debit/credit card payments.Between 2015 and 2016, the debt collection scheme brought in more than $3,000,000.
Rodriguez was charged along with five other defendants. To date, four have been convicted, including Joseph Ciffa who is awaiting sentencing.
Today’s plea is the result of an investigation by Homeland Security Investigations, under the direction of Special-Agent-in-Charge Kevin Kelly; the Internal Revenue Service, Criminal Investigation Division, under the direction of Jonathan D. Larsen, Acting Special Agent-in-Charge, New York Field Office; and the U.S. Postal Inspection Service, under the direction of Boston Division Inspector-in-Charge Joseph W. Cronin.
Sentencing is scheduled for June 28, 2019, at 1:00 p.m. before Judge Arcara.
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New York Main Pleads Guilty to Heroin and Crack Trafficking ChargesRead the Press Release
Bangor, Maine: United States Attorney Halsey B. Frank announced that Sharoz Haywood, a/k/a “Baby Dreads,” a/k/a “Rah,” 22, of Rochester, New York, pleaded guilty today in U.S. District Court to conspiracy to distribute heroin and cocaine base, commonly known as “crack,” and distribution of heroin.
According to court records, between November 2016 and September 2017, Haywood conspired with others from Rochester and Central Maine to distribute crack and heroin. The drugs were acquired in Rochester and sold by Haywood and others in Central Maine. On July 14, 2017, Haywood sold heroin to an individual working with law enforcement.
The defendant faces up to 20 years in prison, between three years and life on supervised release, and a $1,000,000 fine. He will be sentenced after the completion of a presentence investigation report by the U.S. Probation Office.
The case was investigated by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives; the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration; and the Maine Drug Enforcement Agency. The case is being prosecuted as part of the Department of Justice’s program to combat the opioid epidemic.
Montgomery Man Charged with Being a Felon in Possession of a FirearmRead the Press Release
Montgomery, Alabama – Cleddie Ferlisi Stone, 41, of Montgomery, Alabama, has been charged with possession of a firearm by a convicted felon, announced United States Attorney Louis V. Franklin, Sr. Stone was previously indicted on this charge by a federal grand jury.
On Tuesday, March 19, 2019, a detention hearing was held in federal court to determine whether Stone would remain in custody pending a trial. According to evidence presented at the hearing, Stone had a violent encounter with an individual after a previous disagreement between the two. Stone used a firearm during the encounter and the victim was seriously injured. The encounter was recorded by a nearby surveillance video camera. Stone has previous felony convictions and is prohibited from possessing a gun.
The judge ordered that Stone be held without bail pending his trial date, which has not yet been set. If convicted, Stone will be facing a maximum sentence of ten years in prison.
An indictment is merely a method of alleging that a crime has been committed. All defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt.
The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives (ATF) investigated the case, with assistance from the Montgomery Police Department and the Alabama Department of Forensic Sciences. Assistant United States Attorney Joshua J. Wendell is prosecuting the case.
Mexican Man Pleads Guilty to Child Pornography ChargeRead 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 David Flores-Torres, 25, a citizen of Mexico living in Dunkirk, NY, pleaded guilty before U.S. District Judge Lawrence J. Vilardo to possession of child pornography involving a prepubescent minor. The charge carries a maximum penalty of 20 years in prison and a $250,000 fine. Upon completion of his sentence, the defendant is subject to deportation proceedings.
Special Assistant U.S. Attorney Jeremy V. Murray, who is handling the case, stated that on June 5, 2018, a search warrant was executed at the defendant’s residence in Dunkirk, NY. Law enforcement officers seized the defendant’s Samsung Galaxy S3 cellular telephone which contained 79 images and 14 videos of child pornography. Some of the images depicted prepubescent minors or minors less than 12 years-old, as well as depictions of violence. Torres also received and distributed images constituting child pornography from and to others with whom he communicated using a cellular telephone and the internet.
As part of his plea, the defendant admitted that he engaged in sexual contact with two minor victims under the age of 18 (minor victim 1 and minor victim 2). Between April 1, 2018, and June 1, 2018, Torres engaged in sexual contact with minor victim 1 on two separate occasions. Between June 1, 2017, and December 30, 2017, the defendant had sexual contact with minor victim 2.Today’s plea is the result of an investigation by Homeland Security Investigations, under the direction of Special Agent-in-Charge Kevin Kelly.
Sentencing is scheduled for July 31, 2019, before Judge Villardo.
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Marion County man admits to methamphetamine distributionRead the Press Release
CLARKSBURG, WEST VIRGINIA – Brandon Mays, of Fairmont, West Virginia, has admitted to distributing methamphetamine, United States Attorney Bill Powell announced.
Mays, age 31, pled guilty to one count of “Aiding and Abetting Possession with Intent to Distribute Methamphetamine.” Mays admitted to distributing methamphetamine in October 2017 in Monongalia County.Mays faces up to 20 years incarceration and a fine of up to $1,000,000. Under the Federal Sentencing Guidelines, the actual sentence imposed will be based upon the seriousness of the offenses and the prior criminal history, if any, of the defendant.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Zelda E. Wesley is prosecuting the case on behalf of the government. The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives and the Greater Harrison Drug & Violent Crimes Task Force, a HIDTA-funded initiative, investigated.
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.
U.S. Magistrate Judge Michael John Aloi presided.
March Grand JuryRead the Press Release
United States Attorney Joe Kelly announced the federal Grand Jury for the District of Nebraska has returned 19 indictments charging 21 defendants. Indictments are charging documents that contain one or more individual counts that are merely accusations, and every defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.
* Devin L. Ashford, age 32, is charged in a four-count Indictment. Count I charges the defendant with sex trafficking of a minor on or about March 1, 2018 and on or about June 13, 2018. The maximum possible penalty if convicted is 10 years-Life imprisonment, a $250,000 fine, life term of supervised release, and a $100 special assessment. Count II charges the defendant with production of child pornography on or about October 1, 2016 and on or about December 14, 2016. The maximum possible penalty if convicted is 15-30 years imprisonment, a $250,000 fine, life term of supervised release, and a $100 special assessment. Count III charges the defendant with sex trafficking by means of force, threat, fraud or coercion on or about March 19, 2014 and on or about June 8, 2016. The maximum possible penalty if convicted is not less than 15 years-Life imprisonment, a $250,000 fine, Life term of supervised release, and a $100 special assessment. Count IV charges the defendant with interstate travel for prostitution on or about March 19, 2014 and on or about February 27, 2019. The maximum possible penalty if convicted is 10 years imprisonment, a $250,000 fine, Life term of supervised release, and a $100 special assessment.
* Brandi J. Baxter, age 39, of Grand Island, Nebraska, is charged in a three-count Indictment. Count I charges the defendant with theft of Government money, property, or records on or about February 28, 2011 and continuing through November 1. 2015. The maximum possible penalty if convicted is 10 years imprisonment, a $250,000 fine, a 3 year term of supervised release, and a $100 special assessment. Count II charges the defendant with false documents on or about August 24, 2016. The maximum possible penalty if convicted is 5 years imprisonment, a $250,000 fine, a 3 year term of supervised release, and a $100 special assessment. Count III charges the defendant with theft of Government money, property, or records on or about June, 2013 and continuing through on or about October, 2015. The maximum possible penalty if convicted is 10 years imprisonment, a $250,000 fine, a 3 year term of supervised release, and a $100 special assessment.
* Tristen A Coleman, age 30, is charged in a two-count Indictment. Count I charges the defendant with Bank Robbery by force from an employee at Bank of the West on or about May 2, 2018. The maximum possible penalty if convicted is 20 years imprisonment, a $250,000 fine, a 3 year term of supervised release, and a $100 special assessment. Count II charges the defendant with brandishing a firearm during a crime of violence on or about May 2, 2018. The maximum possible penalty if convicted is 7 years-Life consecutive to any other term imprisonment, a $250,000 fine, a 3 year term of supervised release, and a $100 special assessment.
* Sender Joel Escobar-Soto, age 36, of Omaha, is charged with illegal reentry after deportation following a felony conviction on or about February 26, 2019. The maximum possible penalty if convicted is 10 years imprisonment, a $250,000 fine, a 3-year term of supervised release, and a $100 special assessment.
* Tyler R. Goehring, age 26, is charged in a seven-count Indictment. Counts 1-7 charge the defendant with Wire Fraud on or about November 4, 2016, and continuing through at least on or about June 5, 2017. The Indictment alleges Goehring defrauded American Airlines of payments by means of materially false and fraudulent pretenses causing losses of $44,666.71. The maximum possible penalty if convicted of Counts 1-7 is 20 years imprisonment for each count, a $250,000 fine for each count, a 3-year term of supervised release for each count, and a $100 special assessment for each count.
* Jose Alfredo Huertas-Estrada, age 26, of Grand Island, Nebraska, is charged with illegal reentry after deportation following a felony conviction on or about February 23, 2019. The maximum possible penalty if convicted is 10 years imprisonment, a $250,000 fine, a 3-year term of supervised release, and a $100 special assessment.
* Terrance Ice, age 40, is charged with illegal reentry after deportation following a felony conviction on or about February 5, 2019. The maximum possible penalty if convicted is 10 years imprisonment, a $250,000 fine, a 3-year term of supervised release, and a $100 special assessment.
* Max Kant, age 47, of Norfolk, Nebraska, is charged in a two-Count Indictment. Count I charges the defendant with Bank Fraud on or about July 28, 2017. The maximum possible penalty if convicted is 30 years imprisonment, a $1,000,000 fine, a 5 year term of supervised release, and a $100 special assessment. Count II charges the defendant with Bank Fraud on or about April 25, 2016. The maximum possible penalty if convicted is 30 years imprisonment, a $1,000,000 fine, a 5 year term of supervised release, and a $100 special assessment.
* Travis Allen Larkin, age 28, of Lincoln, Nebraska, is charged in a two-count Indictment. Count I charges the defendant with enticement of a minor on or about January 25, 2019. The maximum possible penalty if convicted is Life imprisonment, a $250,000 fine, 5 year term of supervised release, and a $100 special assessment. Count II charges the defendant with commission of an offense involving a minor by a Register Sex Offender on or about January 25, 2019. The maximum possible penalty if convicted is 10 years imprisonment consecutive, a $250,000 fine, 5 year term of supervised release, and a $100 special assessment.
* Jorge Alberto Machuca Lozano, age 37, of Omaha, is charged with illegal reentry after deportation from on or about March 5, 2019. The maximum possible penalty if convicted is 2 years imprisonment, a $250,000 fine, a 1-year term of supervised release, and a $100 special assessment.
* Pedro Mejia-Guardado, age 35, of Omaha, is charged with illegal reentry after deportation following a felony conviction on or about February 27, 2019. The maximum possible penalty if convicted is 10 years imprisonment, a $250,000 fine, a 3-year term of supervised release, and a $100 special assessment.
* Oscar Molina Mendez, age 38, of Sioux City, Nebraska, is charged with illegal reentry after deportation following a felony conviction on or about February 1, 2019. The maximum possible penalty if convicted is 10 years imprisonment, a $250,000 fine, a 3-year term of supervised release, and a $100 special assessment.
* Noe Morales Carrion, age 42, of Omaha, is charged with illegal reentry after deportation from on or about February 26, 2019. The maximum possible penalty if convicted is 2 years imprisonment, a $250,000 fine, a 1-year term of supervised release, and a $100 special assessment.
* Orlando Olaya-Morales, age 22, of Bloomfield, Nebraska, is charged with illegal reentry after deportation following a felony conviction on or about April 2, 2018. The maximum possible penalty if convicted is 10 years imprisonment, a $250,000 fine, a 3-year term of supervised release, and a $100 special assessment.
* Amilcar Sauzo Guerrero, age 40, of Omaha, is charged with illegal reentry after deportation from on or about March 5, 2019. The maximum possible penalty if convicted is 2 years imprisonment, a $250,000 fine, a 1-year term of supervised release, and a $100 special assessment.
* Jorge Trejo-Rodriguez, age 26, of Grand Island, Nebraska, is charged in a two-count Indictment. Count I charges the defendant with being an Illegal Alien in possession of a firearm on or about September 4, 2018. The maximum possible penalty if convicted is 10 years imprisonment, a $250,000 fine, a 3 year term of supervised release, and a $100 special assessment. Count II charges the defendant with illegal reentry after deportation following a felony conviction on or about March 12, 2019. The maximum possible penalty if convicted is 10 years imprisonment, a $250,000 fine, a 3 year term of supervised release, and a $100 special assessment.
* Emmanuel Urrutia-Ramos, age 26, of Omaha, is charged with illegal reentry after deportation from on or about March 1, 2019. The maximum possible penalty if convicted is 2 years imprisonment, a $250,000 fine, a 1-year term of supervised release, and a $100 special assessment.
* Isaac Johnson, age 49, Anthony Moore, age 47, and Amanda Ferrell, age 31, are charged with conspiracy to distribute and possess with intent to distribute 500 grams or more of cocaine from October, 2017 and continuing through February 17, 2019. The maximum possible penalty if convicted is 40 years imprisonment, $5,000,000 fine, 4 year term of supervised release, and a $100 special assessment. There is also an allegation to forfeit United States currency and a 2011 Nissan Altima seized on or about February 17, 2019.
* Robert Lee Wright, age 36, of Cleveland, Tennessee, is charged in a two-count Indictment. Count I charges the defendant with transportation of child pornography on or about December 1, 2018. The maximum possible penalty if convicted is 20 years imprisonment, a $250,000 fine, Life term of supervised release, a $100 special assessment and a $5,000 additional special assessment. Count II charges the defendant with possession of child pornography on or about December 23, 2018. The maximum possible penalty if convicted is 20 years imprisonment, a $250,000 fine, Life term of supervised release, a $100 special assessment and a $5,000 additional special assessment.
Manhattan U.S. Attorney Announces the Appointment of Deputy U.S. Attorney and Chief Counsel to the U.S. AttorneyRead the Press Release
Geoffrey S. Berman, the United States Attorney for the Southern District of New York, today announced the selection of Audrey Strauss as Deputy U.S. Attorney and Craig A. Stewart as Chief Counsel to the U.S. Attorney. Ms. Strauss will replace Robert Khuzami on his departure April 12. Rob will return to his home in Washington DC after commuting to the Office weekly while serving as Deputy U.S. Attorney.
Mr. Stewart, who is leaving his partnership at Arnold & Porter, will return to the Office on March 25, 2019. At that firm, his work consisted primarily of representing companies and individuals in connection with civil and appellate litigation and investigations by federal and state prosecutors and regulators. Mr. Stewart served as an Assistant United States Attorney from August 1987 through October 1998 and worked in both the Civil and Criminal Divisions. During his tenure, Mr. Stewart spent more than three years in the Civil Division, handling a mix of affirmative and defensive litigation, and then eight years in the Criminal Division, where he worked in the General Crimes, Narcotics, Special Narcotics, and Organized Crime units. He also held a number of supervisory positions, including Chief of the Narcotics Unit, Deputy Chief of the Criminal Division and, finally, Chief Appellate Attorney. Mr. Stewart earned his Juris Doctor degree at Harvard Law School in 1983, and also holds bachelor of arts and masters degrees from Yale University, where he graduated suma cum laude and Phi Beta Kappa. Following his graduation from law school, Mr. Stewart worked as a law clerk for the Honorable Constance Baker Motley, then the Chief United States District Judge for the Southern District of New York.
In making the appointments, Manhattan U.S Attorney Geoffrey S. Berman said: “Rob Khuzami is an extraordinary and brilliant lawyer who has upheld the ideals of integrity and professionalism that characterize the work of this Office. There can be no higher praise. As an example of his extraordinary commitment to the Office, Rob has been commuting weekly from Washington, D.C., since January 2018. While his desire to continue to serve remains strong, he understandably has decided to return home to his family. Audrey Strauss, who has been invaluable as Senior Counsel, will undoubtedly continue the important work of the Deputy U.S. Attorney. Additionally, I am pleased that Craig Stewart will be joining my leadership team as Chief Counsel. I am certain that Audrey and Craig will support the Office with excellence and insight.”
Manchester Man Pleads Guilty to Fentanyl TraffickingRead the Press Release
CONCORD - Nestor Santiago Torres, 33, of Manchester, pleaded guilty in federal court to possession of fentanyl with intent to distribute, United States Attorney Scott W. Murray announced today.
According to court documents and statements made in court, on the evening of January 31, 2018, a New Hampshire State Trooper made a traffic stop of a Ford Expedition on Interstate 93 in the Salem. The defendant was a passenger in the vehicle. During a consensual search of the vehicle, a Trooper located a clear plastic package beneath the front passenger’s seat that contained approximately 373.8 grams of fentanyl. Multiple sandwich bags and a digital scale also were recovered from the motor vehicle. During a later interview, the, defendant Torres admitted that the drugs belonged to him and that he had been engaged in the distribution of drugs.
Torres is scheduled to be sentenced on July 9th 2019.
“The illegal distribution of fentanyl poses an immediate and ongoing threat to people of New Hampshire,” said U.S. Attorney Murray. “In order to eliminate this threat, we will continue to work closely with the entire law enforcement community to identify and prosecute those who are responsible. I commend the State Police for their highway enforcement work in this case. Their efforts prevented a substantial amount of this deadly substance from being distributed in the Granite State.”
“This prosecution is another win for the people of New Hampshire and our region,” said Peter C. Fitzhugh, Special Agent in Charge, U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s Homeland Security Investigations (HSI). “HSI and our law enforcement partners stand ever-ready to fight against the plague of opioid and fentanyl trafficking in our communities.”
This matter was investigated by the New Hampshire State Police and Homeland Security Investigations. The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney John P. Davis.
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