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29 April 2019
Columbia Man Pleads Guilty to Meth Conspiracy Following ShootingRead the Press Release
JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. – A Columbia, Mo., man pleaded guilty in federal court today to his role in a conspiracy to distribute methamphetamine following the shooting of a co-conspirator at his residence.
Brian Keith Davis, 55, pleaded guilty before U.S. Magistrate Judge Willie J. Epps, Jr., to participating in a conspiracy to distribute methamphetamine and to possessing a firearm in furtherance of a drug-trafficking crime.
Columbia, Mo., police officers were called to Davis’s residence on Dec. 3, 2017, after he reported that someone broke into his residence and shot a co-conspirator. A man with several gunshot wounds was transported to the hospital for treatment of his injuries. Davis told officers that two men, one wearing all black and the other wearing a green camo mask, had pushed the co-conspirator from behind and forced their way into the residence. Davis said he heard three or four shots and saw that his co-conspirator had been shot in the head.
Officers executed a search warrant at Davis’s residence the next day, Dec. 4, 2017, and found a five-gallon bucket in his bedroom closet that contained five packages with a total of more than two kilograms of methamphetamine. There were two additional packages that contained approximately 390.9 grams of cocaine hydrochloride and two additional packages that contained a total of 680.4 grams of cocaine. Also in the closet, officers found a loaded Smith & Wesson .38 Special handgun and a safe that contained $73,553, which Davis must forfeit to the government.
Under federal statutes, Davis is 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 Lawrence E. Miller. It was investigated by the Drug Enforcement Administration, the Columbia, Mo., Police Department and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives.
Colchester Man Charged with Federal Migratory Bird Violations and Unlawful Possession of a Firearm and AmmunitionRead the Press Release
The Office of the United States Attorney for the District of Vermont stated that Jeremiah Ruhl, 43, of Colchester, Vermont was charged with the unlawful killing of a crow and woodcock without a license and unlawful possession of a turkey vulture. All three of these birds are “migratory birds” and protected by the Migratory Bird Treaty Act. Ruhl was also charged with unlawfully possessing a Stevens .410 shotgun and rifle ammunition after having been convicted of a felony. The indictment, returned by a federal grand jury sitting in Burlington, contains a total of six counts.
Ruhl pled not guilty to all counts on April 26, 2019. The government moved for detention and a detention hearing was held on April 29, 2019. United States Magistrate Judge John M. Conroy ordered that Ruhl be detained pending trial and remanded him to the custody of the U.S. Marshals Service.
If convicted of the firearms violation, Ruhl could face a maximum penalty of ten years imprisonment and a maximum fine of $250,000. If convicted of the Migratory Bird Treaty Act violations, Ruhl could face six months imprisonment and a $5,000 fine for each of the three counts. The indictment is an accusation only and that the defendant is presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty. If convicted the defendant’s actual sentence will be advised by the Federal Sentencing Guidelines.
United States Attorney Christina Nolan stated: “This case represents a firm commitment by my office to work with state game wardens and federal wildlife agents to vigorously investigate and prosecute federal wildlife crimes that undermine state and federal efforts to protect the precious natural resources of our beautiful State.”
Colonel Jason Batchelder of the Vermont Fish and Wildlife Department stated: “Thanks to our dedicated State Game Warden investigators, and federal agents and prosecutors working in concert, crimes against the natural resources of Vermont and migratory bird species we share with neighboring states, will see an appropriate response.” This case was investigated by the State Game Wardens in the Law Enforcement Division of the Vermont Fish and Wildlife Department, the Colchester Police Department, and the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. This case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Joe Perella. Ruhl is represented by the Federal Public Defenders Office.
Centralia Man Arrested on Drug Trafficking, Gun ChargesRead the Press Release
David Herron, 47, of Centralia, Illinois, has been arrested on a criminal complaint charging him with possession with intent to distribute 50 grams or more of methamphetamine, possession of a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime, and unlawful possession of a firearm by a convicted felon.
According to court documents, an FBI task force made up of federal, state, and local law enforcement has been investigating Herron for narcotics trafficking activities in the Centralia area. On several occasions this year, investigators allegedly made undercover purchases of controlled substances from Herron at two locations in Centralia. On April 24, 2019, the task force arrested Herron. During a subsequent search of the residence where he was staying, investigators reportedly found a gun and suspected narcotics that field-tested positive for methamphetamine. The complaint alleges that Herron is a convicted felon, which prohibits him from possessing a firearm.
A criminal complaint is merely a formal charge against a defendant. Under the law, a defendant is presumed to be innocent of a charge until proved guilty beyond a reasonable doubt to the satisfaction of a jury.
The methamphetamine charge carries a penalty of 10 years to life imprisonment and at least five years of supervised release. If convicted of possessing the gun in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime, Herron faces an additional five years to life imprisonment, which by law must run consecutively to any sentence imposed on the other charges.
Herron made his initial appearance in federal court on April 25. He is being held pending a detention hearing on April 30.
The case is being investigated by the FBI and members of the FBI task force, including the Centralia Police Department, the Marion County Sheriff’s Office, the Washington County Sheriff’s Office, and the Carlyle Police Department.
California Man Sentenced for Wire FraudRead the Press Release
United States Attorney Joe Kelly announced that Robert S. Goldman, age 60, of Palm Desert, California, was sentenced today in federal court for Wire Fraud. Senior U.S. District Court Judge Laurie Smith Camp sentenced Goldman to 27 months’ imprisonment and ordered restitution in the amount of $221,414. There is no parole in the federal system. Goldman will begin a 3-year term of supervised release upon his release from prison.
An investigation conducted by the Federal Bureau of Investigation determined that in January 2016, Goldman fraudulently obtained personal bank account information of a victim, age 90, who resided in the District of Nebraska. From January 2016 and continuing through August 2017, Goldman made approximately 180 unauthorized wire payments from the victim’s personal bank account to Goldman’s credit card account, which totaled more than $221,414. Investigators determined that Goldman used the fraudulently obtained funds to pay for trips to Hawaii and Las Vegas, shopping excursions, gambling, and other personal expenses.
This case was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation.
California Man Pleads Guilty to Conspiracy to Riot in Charlottesville, CaliforniaRead the Press Release
Charlottesville, VIRGINIA – Thomas Walter Gillen, a member of the white-supremacist organization known as the Rise Above Movement (RAM), pleaded guilty today in U.S. District Court in Charlottesville to one count of conspiracy to riot in connection with the August 2017 “United the Right” rally in Charlottesville and other purported political rallies in California. United States Attorney Thomas T. Cullen, Colonel Gary T. Settle of the Virginia State Police, and Special Agent in Charge David Archey of the FBI’s Richmond Division made the announcement.
“The First Amendment protects an individual’s or organization’s right to speak, assemble, and espouse political views, but it does not license insensate acts of violence committed under the guise of First Amendment expression,” U.S. Attorney Cullen stated today. “As Mr. Gillen has admitted as part of his guilty plea, he and other members of RAM attended the Unite the Right rally and other purported political demonstrations in California to incite and commit acts of violence, not to exercise their rights to free speech. We are grateful for the commitment of the FBI and the Virginia State Police in bringing these defendants to justice.”
“When the defendant conspired to commit violent acts at the Charlottesville rally, he damaged an entire community,” Special Agent Archey said today. “The FBI and its partners will continue to aggressively investigate these types of violations. We are grateful for the partnership of the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Western District of Virginia and the Virginia State Police on this case.”
According to plea documents filed during today’s hearing, Gillen, 25, of Redondo Beach, Calif., was a member of RAM, which was a California-based, combat-ready, militant group that represented itself as part of the new nationalist and white supremacy movement. Fellow RAM members Benjamin Drake Daley, Michael Paul Miselis and Cole Evan White were indicted in October 2018, along with Gillen, and charged with violating the federal riots statute.
White pleaded guilty on November 30, 2018 to one count of conspiracy to riot.
RAM openly identified as “alt-right” and “nationalist” and its members and associates frequently posted photographs and videos of themselves engaging in physical training and mixed martial arts street-fighting techniques, along with messages and propaganda related to their alt-right, anti-Semitic, and white-supremacist views. In addition, RAM members and associates expressed and promoted violence against those who they believed held opposing political views.
From on or about March 2017 to on or about August 2017, RAM and its members, including Gillen, traveled to multiple political rallies and organized demonstrations in Virginia and California where they prepared to, and engaged in, acts of violence.
On March 25, 2017, Gillen attended a political rally in Huntington Beach, Calif. with several RAM members. At that event, RAM members pursued and assaulted protestors, and others, and later celebrated the news coverage depicting photographs of the assaults. RAM members went so far as to use the photographs and videos of the assaults to recruit members to engage in violent confrontations at future events.
On April 15, 2017, Gillen attended a purported political rally in Martin Luther King Jr. Civic Park in Berkley, Calif. There were violent clashes between attendees and protestors throughout the day. As the rally broke up, Gillen and other RAM members followed and attacked a group of protestors as they left the area. Specifically, Gillen punched one protestor several times and stomped on him once. Gillen’s encounter was captured on video and subsequently posted to YouTube. Following the rally, Gillen sent a text message to a friend with the YouTube video attached. In the message, he wrote: “20 seconds in I’m in the grey shirt turning up a commie.”
RAM members further celebrated the violence in Berkley. For example, the RAM Instagram account posted a photograph of a RAM member wearing a black skull mask at the Berkley event along with the comment, “#rightwingdeathsquad.”
In August 2017, Gillen, Daley, Miselis, and Cole planned to travel to Charlottesville, Va., to attend the Unite the Right Rally. Gillen purchased a one-way ticket from American Airlines departing August 11, 2017. At the time of his travel, Gillen expected that either he or his fellow RAM members would engage in violent confrontations with protestors or other individuals at the upcoming events in Charlottesville.
Upon arrival and in anticipation of violence, RAM members, including Gillen, purchased athletic tape at Wal-Mart to wrap their wrists to prevent their hands from breaking when they engaged in street violence.
On August 11, 2017, the evening prior to the scheduled Unite the Right Rally, Gillen and other members of RAM, joined hundreds of individuals in a torch-lit march on the grounds of the University of Virginia in Charlottesville. Throughout the march, participants chanted “Blood and soil!” and “Jews will not replace us!” The march culminated near a statue of Thomas Jefferson where a small group of students gathered to protest white supremacy. Violence erupted among the crowd, with some punching, kicking, spraying chemical irritants and swinging torches. During and in furtherance of this riot, RAM members, including Gillen, struck multiple individuals with a torch. These actions were not in self-defense.
On the morning of August 12, 2017, Gillen and other members of RAM, with hands wrapped in white athletic tape, were part of a large group of over 40 individuals seeking entry into Emancipation Park by way of Second Street when they were told by law enforcement to enter at a different location. The group, including Gillen and other RAM members, turned, lined up, and began to make their way through a group of over 20 individuals who had come to the rally to protest against discrimination. As they made their way through the group of protestors, the RAM members collectively pushed, punched, kicked, chocked, head-butted, and otherwise assaulted several individuals, resulting in a riot. These actions were not in self-defense.
The investigation of the case was conducted by the Federal Bureau of Investigation and the Virginia State Police. United States Attorney Thomas T. Cullen, Assistant United States Attorney Christopher Kavanaugh, and Assistant United States Attorney Justin Lugar are prosecuting the case for the United States.
California Man Arrested in Terror Plot to Detonate Explosive Device Designed to Kill InnocentsRead the Press Release
Mark Steven Domingo, 26, of Reseda, California, was arrested Friday night after he received what he thought was a live bomb, but in fact was an inert explosive device that was delivered by an undercover law enforcement officer as part of an investigation by the FBI’s Joint Terrorism Task Force.
Domingo, a former U.S. Army infantryman with combat experience in Afghanistan, faces federal charges in a terrorist plot in which he planned to detonate an improvised explosive device (IED) for the purpose of causing mass casualties.
Assistant Attorney General for National Security John C. Demers, U.S. Attorney Nick Hanna for the Central District of California and Assistant Director in Charge Paul D. Delacourt of the FBI’s Los Angeles Field Office made the announcement.
“Domingo, a former U.S. Army Infantryman, wanted to use improvised explosive devices against innocent civilians and he selected components that would make the bombs even more deadly to the victims he targeted,” said Assistant Attorney General Demers. “His arrest today mitigates the threat he posed to others in the Los Angeles community. I want to thank the agents, analysts, and prosecutors who are responsible for this investigation and arrest.”
“This investigation successfully disrupted a very real threat posed by a trained combat soldier who repeatedly stated he wanted to cause the maximum number of casualties,” said U.S. Attorney Hanna. “Protecting Americans from terror attacks is the number one priority of the Justice Department, and anyone who plots to use a weapon of mass destruction will be held to account.”
“The individual charged in this case wanted to carry out a mass casualty attack with explosive devices, and he moved very quickly from talking about violence to mobilizing to commit such an attack,” said Assistant Director Michael McGarrity of the FBI’s Counterterrorism Division. “This case should remind the public of the need to be vigilant and notify law enforcement if you see suspicious behavior.”
“I’m extremely glad to be announcing that we interdicted a potential terrorist attack, rather than outlining the FBI’s response to yet another tragedy,” said Assistant Director Delacourt of the FBI’s Los Angeles Field Office. “At no time was the public in danger and there is currently no known threat to public safety. I’m very proud of the agents and officers assigned to the Joint Terrorism Task Force who diligently marshaled the resources of our law enforcement partners in a short period of time and in doing so, ensured the safety of Southern California residents.”
“I can tell you, unequivocally, that this partnership, coupled with our ability to be nimble, ultimately resulted in dozens of innocent lives being saved in Southern California,” said Los Angeles Police Chief Michel R. Moore.
In a criminal complaint filed by federal prosecutors on April 27, 2019, and unsealed earlier today, Domingo was charged with providing and attempting to provide material support to terrorists. Domingo, who has been in federal custody since his arrest, is expected to make his initial appearance this afternoon in United States District Court.
According to a 30-page affidavit in support of the complaint, since early March, Domingo “planned and took steps to manufacture and use a weapon of mass destruction in order to commit mass murder.”
In online posts and in conversations with an FBI source, Domingo expressed support for violent jihad, a desire to seek retribution for attacks against Muslims, and a willingness to become a martyr, according to the affidavit. After considering various attacks – including targeting Jews, churches, and police officers – Domingo decided to detonate an IED at a rally scheduled to take place in Long Beach this past weekend. As part of the plot, Domingo asked his confederate – who actually was cooperating with the FBI as part of the investigation – to find a bomb-maker, and Domingo last week purchased several hundred nails to be used as shrapnel inside the IED.
“Domingo said he specifically bought three-inch nails because they would be long enough to penetrate the human body and puncture internal organs,” the affidavit states.
After Domingo provided the nails to the undercover operative for use in the construction of the bomb, Domingo sent a message on Thursday indicating that the operation was to proceed, according to the affidavit. On Friday evening, the undercover operative delivered multiple inert devices, which Domingo believed were weapons of mass destruction. After inspecting the devices and travelling to a park in Long Beach to surveil the location of the planned attack, Domingo was taken into custody.
According to the criminal complaint, Domingo posted an online video professing his Muslim faith on March 2, and the next day made another posting in which he said “America needs another vegas event” (referring to the October 2017 mass shooting in Las Vegas, Nevada) that would give “them a taste of the terror they gladly spread all over the world.” Following an attack on a mosque in New Zealand on March 13, Domingo posted, “there mustbe retribution.”
In response to the postings, an FBI “confidential human source” (CHS) began an online conversation that resulted in a series of in-person meetings with Domingo. During the first meeting, on March 18, “Domingo discussed with the CHS different targets for an attack, including Jews, police officers, churches, and a military facility,” according to the affidavit.
During subsequent meetings outlined in the affidavit, Domingo continued to express his desire to commit a terrorist act, at points contemplating a drive-by shooting with a modified AK-47-style rifle he owned, and at other points considering the use of an IED. During an April 3 meeting, Domingo allegedly expressed support for ISIS and said “if ISIS ‘came here,’ he would swear allegiance to ISIS,” according to the complaint.
The plan to target the rally came into shape during an April 19 meeting, when Domingo arrived to a meeting with the CHS armed with an AK-47-style rifle “to show you that I’m serious,” according to the complaint. During that meeting, Domingo referenced the Boston Marathon bombing and asked the CHS to find a person to construct an IED that he said could cause 50 casualties.
During several of the meetings, Domingo urged the CHS to maintain secrecy, stating what they were discussing were “federal charges” and “We broke federal law,” according to the complaint.
A criminal complaint contains allegations that a defendant has committed a crime. Every defendant is presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt.
If convicted of the charge of providing and attempting to provide material support to terrorists, Domingo would face a statutory maximum sentence of 15 years in federal prison.
This matter is being investigated by the FBI’s Joint Terrorism Task Force, which includes special agents with the FBI and officers with the Los Angeles Police Department. JTTF members who participated in the investigation include the Naval Criminal Investigative Service, the Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department and the Long Beach Police Department.
This case is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorneys Reema M. El-Amamy and David T. Ryan of the Terrorism and Export Crimes Section.
Bullhead Woman Charged with Drug TraffickingRead the Press Release
United States Attorney Ron Parsons announced that a Bullhead, South Dakota, woman has been indicted by a federal grand jury for Distribution of a Controlled Substance.
Karen Crow Necklace, age 66, was indicted on March 12, 2019. She appeared before U.S. Magistrate Judge Mark A. Moreno on April 23, 2019, and pled not guilty to the Indictment.
The maximum penalty upon conviction is up to 20 years in federal prison and/or a $1,000,000 fine, 3 years up to life of supervised release, and $100 to the Federal Crime Victims Fund. Restitution may also be ordered.
The Indictment alleges that between December 21, 2016, and March 27, 2017, Crow Necklace knowingly and intentionally distributed a substance containing a detectable amount of Hydrocodone and Oxycodone.
The charge is merely an accusation and Crow Necklace is 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.
Crow Necklace was remanded to the custody of the U.S. Marshals Service pending trial. A trial date has not been set.
Bullhead Man Charged with Drug TraffickingRead the Press Release
United States Attorney Ron Parsons announced that a Bullhead, South Dakota, man has been indicted by a federal grand jury for Distribution of a Controlled Substance.
Quenton James Brown Otter, age 72, was indicted on April 9, 2019. He appeared before U.S. Magistrate Judge Mark A. Moreno on April 23, 2019, and pled not guilty to the Indictment.
The maximum penalty upon conviction is up to 20 years in federal prison and/or a $1,000,000 fine, 3 years up to life of supervised release, and $100 to the Federal Crime Victims Fund. Restitution may also be ordered.
The Indictment alleges that between December 21, 2016, and March 27, 2017, Brown Otter knowingly and intentionally distributed a substance containing a detectable amount of Hydrocodone.
The charge is merely an accusation and Brown Otter is 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.
Brown Otter was released on bond pending trial. A trial date has not been set.
Boone County Women Sentenced to Prison for Drug CrimesRead the Press Release
CHARLESTON, W.Va. – Two Boone County women were sentenced today for federal drug crimes, announced United States Attorney Mike Stuart. Megan Rose Mitchell, age 38, was sentenced to 34 months in prison for conspiracy to distribute methamphetamine and distribution of methamphetamine. Mitchell’s sister-in-law, Marlena Sperry, was sentenced to 12 months and one day in prison for conspiracy to distribute methamphetamine and aiding and abetting the distribution of methamphetamine.
“Sisters-in-law and partners in crime,” said United States Attorney Mike Stuart. “Boone County needs new businesses and entrepreneurs, but none like this sister act. Meth is more powerful today than ever before and we’re working overtime to lock up meth dealers whether they are sisters-in-law or sisters in fact.”
Between July of 2016 until August of 2017, Mitchell sold methamphetamine to customers in Boone County, West Virginia. Mitchell and co-defendant, Marlena Sperry, would travel together, usually to Charleston, to meet their source of supply, Avante Jones. Jones sold them various amounts of methamphetamine for resale. Mitchell and Sperry would then return to Boone County and sell what they had purchased from Jones. On occasion, when a customer would arrange a purchase from Mitchell, Sperry would actually distribute the methamphetamine. On other occasions, an uncharged third party actually distributed the methamphetamine for Mitchell.
Mitchell and Sperry also brought other customers to Jones. In exchange for bringing customers, Jones sold the pair methamphetamine at a reduced rate. Mitchell and Sperry communicated with Jones primarily through Facebook Messenger. Investigating agents obtained Facebook Messenger posts of Mitchell, Sperry and Jones. Those posts discuss meetings to conduct drug transactions with themselves as well as for others.
Agents with the Drug Enforcement Administration, the U.S. 119 Drug and Violent Crime Task Force, and the Boone County Sheriff’s Department investigated the case. Assistant United States Attorney R. Gregory McVey handled the prosecution. The hearings were held before United States District Court Judge Joseph R. Goodwin.
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Bellefonte Man Sentenced to 17 Years in Prison for Securities FraudRead the Press Release
The United States Attorney’s Office for the Middle District of Pennsylvania announced that James Hocker, age 49, was sentenced on April 26, 2019, by United States District Court Judge Matthew W. Brann to 204 months’ imprisonment and three years of supervised release for committing securities fraud. Judge Brann also ordered Hocker to pay restitution to the victims in the amount of $1,495,782.62.
According to U.S. Attorney David J. Freed, Hocker, an insurance agent, defrauded approximately thirty-eight investors of more than $1.4 million from 2009 to 2018. Hocker told victims that he would invest their money in funds with guaranteed returns of up to thirty percent, but instead used the money for personal expenses. Many of the victims were elderly and liquidated their retirement accounts and insurance products in order to invest with Hocker.
The matter was investigated by the United States Securities and Exchange Commission’s Enforcement Division and the Federal Bureau of Investigation. Assistant United States Attorney Alisan V. Martin prosecuted the case.
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Bank Robber Sentenced to 63 Months of ImprisonmentRead the Press Release
SCRANTON – The United States Attorney’s Office for the Middle District of Pennsylvania announced today that Douglas Sickler, age 38, of Hanover Township, Pennsylvania, was sentenced on April 25, 2019, by United States District Judge Robert D. Mariani to 63 months of imprisonment and three years of supervised release, for an armed bank robbery.
According to United States Attorney David J. Freed, Sickler and his co-defendant, Shawn Cavanaugh, robbed the PNC Bank in Avoca, Pennsylvania on June 21, 2017, while brandishing pellet guns. Sickler and Cavanaugh were arrested on June 22, 2017, and have remained in custody since. Sickler pleaded guilty to the offense on September 14, 2017. In addition to the sentence of imprisonment, Judge Mariani ordered that Sickler pay $909 to the victim of his crime.
Sickler’s co-defendant, Shawn Cavanaugh, also pleaded guilty and is awaiting sentencing.
The matter was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation and the Kingston Police Department. The case was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorneys Phillip J. Caraballo and Robert J. O’Hara.
This case is part of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), a program bringing together all levels of law enforcement and the communities they serve to reduce violent crime and make our neighborhoods safer for everyone. The Department of Justice reinvigorated PSN in 2017 as part of the Department’s renewed focus on targeting violent criminals, directing all U.S. Attorney’s Offices to work in partnership with federal, state, local, and tribal law enforcement and the local community to develop effective, locally-based strategies to reduce violent crime.
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Albany Woman Sentenced to 120 Months on Child Pornography ConvictionRead the Press Release
ALBANY, NEW YORK – Michelle M. Syler, age 50, of Albany, was sentenced today to 120 months in prison after admitting to downloading and possessing child pornography.
The announcement was made by United States Attorney Grant C. Jaquith and James N. Hendricks, Special Agent in Charge of the Albany Field Office of the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI).
United States District Judge Mae A. D’Agostino also imposed a life term of supervised release, to begin after Syler is released from prison.
This case was investigated by the FBI and its Child Exploitation Task Force, which includes investigators from the Colonie Police Department. The case was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Michael Barnett.
This case is being prosecuted as part of Project Safe Childhood. Launched in May 2006 by the Department of Justice, Project Safe Childhood is 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 better locate, apprehend and prosecute individuals who exploit children via the Internet, as well as to identify and rescue victims. For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit https://www.justice.gov/psc.
26 April 2019
Virginia Man Sentenced to 15 Years in Prison for Producing Child PornographyRead the Press Release
WASHINGTON – A Virginia man was sentenced today to 15 years in prison to be followed by five years of supervised release following his conviction at trial for producing child pornography.
Assistant Attorney General Brian A. Benczkowski of the Justice Department’s Criminal Division and U.S. Attorney G. Zachary Terwilliger for the Eastern District of Virginia made the announcement.
Logan Roy McCauley, 25, of Hamilton, Virginia, was sentenced by Senior U.S. District Judge T.S. Ellis III for the Eastern District of Virginia. According to court documents and evidence presented at trial, in 2016 and 2017, McCauley repeatedly went online and engaged in sexualized conversations with individuals who identified themselves as minors. Then, in November 2017, after meeting a 13-year-old online, McCauley drove to the minor’s residence in West Virginia, picked up the minor, and drove the minor back to his residence in Hamilton. Within hours of arriving, McCauley engaged in sexual intercourse with the minor for purposes of using a smartphone to record a portion of the sexual abuse. Soon after creating the video, McCauley sent an online message to another person admitting he had made the video that morning. The day after McCauley created the video, law enforcement went to McCauley’s residence in search of the minor. Both McCauley and the minor were present, and McCauley told law enforcement about the video, which was still on McCauley’s smartphone.
The case was investigated by the FBI and the Loudoun County Sheriff’s Office. Trial Attorney Gwendelynn Bills of the Criminal Division’s Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section and Assistant U.S. Attorneys Alexander Berrang and Jay Prabhu of the Eastern District of Virginia 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 U.S. Attorneys’ Offices and the Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section (CEOS), Project Safe Childhood marshals federal, state and local resources to better locate, apprehend and prosecute individuals who exploit children via the Internet, as well as to identify and rescue victims. For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit www.justice.gov/psc.
U.S. Attorney's Office and DEA Encourage Minnesotans to Take Part in National Prescription Drug Take Back DayRead the Press Release
United States Attorney Erica H. MacDonald and DEA Special Agent in Charge Richard Salter Jr. announced that the DEA and its national, tribal and community partners will host the 17th National Prescription Drug Take Back Day, Saturday, April 27, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., at more 6,000 sites nationwide, including 116 locations in Minnesota. To date, 48 counties in Minnesota will host drop-off locations, including sites on the Bois Fort, Leech Lake, Lower Sioux, Upper Sioux and White Earth Reservations. Individuals can dispose of expired, unused and unwanted prescription medications. This service is free and anonymous, however DEA cannot accept liquids, needles or other sharp objects.
Every year, America is losing more than 70,000 people to drug overdose deaths. This is the equivalent of the capacity of Minnesota’s U.S. Bank Stadium with additional space needed for 4,000 more people. In 2017, an estimated 3.2 million Americans age 12 or older reported misusing prescription pain relievers within the last month, making prescription opioids the second-most abused drug after marijuana in the United States. The majority of prescription drug abusers say they get their drugs free from friends and family, including from the home medicine cabinet.
“In Minnesota, 2,503 people died of opioid overdose between 2014 and 2017,” DEA Omaha Division Special Agent in Charge Richard Salter Jr., said. “These were mothers, fathers, children, friends and neighbors in our communities who didn’t need to die. National Prescription Drug Take Back Day is a way in which members of our communities can do their part to prevent the next overdose death by cleaning out their cabinets and those of their loves ones and getting rid of unused, unwanted and expired medications that have the potential for abuse.”
“I encourage Minnesotans to take an active role in ending the opioid epidemic by safely and responsibly disposing of their unused prescription medications. This one small step toward prevention could save the life of a friend, neighbor or loved one,” said U.S. Attorney Erica MacDonald.
Now in its ninth year, the National Prescription Drug Take Back Day initiative continues to remove high amounts of opioids and other medicines from homes, where they are vulnerable to misuse, theft or abuse by family members and visitors, including children and teens. Since the first National Prescription Drug Take Back Day held in 2010, DEA has collected nearly 11 million pounds of medications.
To locate a DEA Take Back site, visit www.DEATakeBack.com or call 1-800-882-9539.Visit http://www.deatakeback.com to find a drop off site near you.
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Two Men Sentenced for Illegal Sports GamblingRead the Press Release
BOSTON – Two Massachusetts men were sentenced in federal court in Worcester in connection with operating separate illegal sports gambling businesses.
Keith Bianchini, 40, of Holden, was sentenced today by U.S. District Court Judge Timothy S. Hillman to two years of probation, with the first six months to be served on house arrest, and ordered to pay a $10,000 fine and $56,000 in forfeiture. In January 2019, Bianchini pleaded guilty to one count of operating an illegal gambling business.
According to court documents, Bianchini’s bookmaking operation used an offshore website to place and track wagers on National Football League games and other sporting events. During the time that Bianchini managed the gambling business, he oversaw various agents who recruited bettors and met face-to-face with bettors to collect cash payments associated with losing bets. While operating the bookmaking business, Bianchini was a correctional officer with the Massachusetts Department of Correction.
On Monday, April 22, Anthony Seariac, 38, of Framingham, was sentenced to two years of probation, to include six months of home confinement, and ordered to pay a $10,000 fine and $92,000 in forfeiture. In January 2019, Seariac pleaded guilty to one count of operating an illegal gambling business.
According to court documents, Seariac operated an illegal sports gambling business that utilized an offshore website to place and track wagers on National Football League games, National Basketball Association games, National College Athletic Association football and basketball games, and other sporting events. Seariac managed and oversaw more than 10 agents who recruited bettors and met face-to-face with bettors to collect cash payments associated with losing bets. Seariac failed to pay federal or state taxes on his gambling income.
United States Attorney Andrew E. Lelling; Joseph R. Bonavolonta, Special Agent in Charge of the Federal Bureau of Investigation, Boston Field Office; and Colonel Kerry Gilpin, Superintendent of the Massachusetts State Police, made the announcement today. Assistant U.S. Attorney Bill Abely of Lelling’s Criminal Division prosecuted the cases.
Two Illegal Aliens Sentenced for Conspiracy to Distribute MethamphetamineRead the Press Release
Ocala, Florida – Senior U.S. District Judge James D. Whittemore has sentenced two illegal aliens, Mario Perez-Ramos (33) and Ansonitc Torres-Ibarra (34), both of Mt. Dora, to 87 months and 78 months in federal prison, respectively, for their roles in a drug conspiracy involving the distribution of large quantities of methamphetamine in Lake County. Both individuals have been detained since their arrest and are expected to be deported to Mexico following their prison sentences.
Perez-Ramos and Torres-Ibarra had entered guilty pleas on January 24, 2019.
According to court documents, agents from Homeland Security Investigations arrested Perez-Ramos and Torres-Ibarra on December 3, 2018, in the parking lot of a Mt. Dora motel. The men had two kilograms of methamphetamine in their possession that they had planned to sell to an undercover law enforcement officer.
“These individuals were members of an international money laundering drug trafficking organization who sold dangerous drugs in our community,” said HSI Orlando Assistant Special Agent in Charge David J. Pezzutti. “After they are held accountable for these crimes in U.S. prison, they will be deported to Mexico.”
This case was investigated by Homeland Security Investigations and the Lake County Sheriff’s Office. It was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Michael P. Felicetta.
Three Charged in Criminal Complaint with KidnappingRead the Press Release
HAMMOND- Jaron Johnson, 22, Jarod Johnson, 20, and Patricia Carrington, 46, all of Gary, Indiana, were charged in a criminal complaint with kidnapping, announced U.S. Attorney Kirsch.
The criminal complaint alleges that on April 14, 2019, the defendants forced the victim in this case into a car, bound and beat her, in an effort to extract information from her about the whereabouts of her sister, who was supposed to testify in state court the following day against Jarod Johnson. Jarod Johnson is awaiting a state trial for attempted murder of the victim’s sister and the sister’s boyfriend. The federal criminal complaint further alleges that the victim was driven to an abandoned house in Gary where she was shot several times and left for dead. The wounded victim was able to get help and alert investigators to the incident. The subsequent investigation uncovered electronic data, from an active ankle monitor, linking Jarod Johnson to the location where the victim allegedly was held and shot. Investigators also located shell casings, a substance consistent with blood, and a piece of duct tape in the area.
US Attorney Thomas Kirsch II said, “Intimidation of witnesses, whether in state court cases or federal court cases, is completely intolerable. My office will not hesitate to devote federal resources to bring individuals who engage in this lawless behavior to justice.”
Lake County Prosecuting Attorney Bernard A. Carter stated, “The Lake County Prosecutor’s Office is extremely appreciative for its relationship with the United States Attorney’s Office. The high degree of cooperation formed from this relationship has allowed us to create a united front, through which we are able to choose the best avenue to prosecute criminal cases in our county. In this particular instance filing criminal charges in the federal system is the best manner to pursue this case. The high degree of assistance provided by Mr. Thomas Kirsch and his office is an invaluable asset and I would like to thank United States Attorney Kirsch and his office for their assistance in this matter.”
The United States Attorney’s Office emphasizes that a criminal complaint is merely an allegation and that all persons are presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty in court.
If convicted, any specific sentence to be imposed will be determined by the judge after a consideration of federal sentencing statutes and the Federal Sentencing Guidelines.
This case is being investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation’s Gang Response Investigative Team with the assistance of the Gary Police Department and Lake County Prosecutor’s Office. This case is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Thomas Mahoney and Special Assistant United States Attorney Michael Toth.
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Terrell Sivells, a Leader of Violent West Baltimore Gang, Sentenced to Life in Prison for Federal Racketeering and Drug Conspiracy Charges, Including Murders and Witness IntimidationRead the Press Release
Baltimore, Maryland – U.S. District Judge Catherine C. Blake today sentenced Terrell Sivells, a/k/a Rell, age 27, of Baltimore, to life in prison, followed by 10 years of supervised release, for conspiring to participate in a violent racketeering enterprise known as Trained To Go (TTG). The racketeering conspiracy included eight murders—one committed by Sivells—as well as drug trafficking. Sivells and his co-defendants were also convicted of conspiracy to distribute and possess with intent to distribute heroin, marijuana, and cocaine. A federal jury convicted Sivells and seven co-defendants on October 31, 2018.
The sentencing was 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; Acting Special Agent in Charge Jennifer Moore of the Federal Bureau of Investigation, Baltimore Field Office; Commissioner Michael Harrison of the Baltimore Police Department; Special Agent in Charge Rob Cekada of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) Baltimore Field Division; Assistant Special Agent in Charge Don A. Hibbert of the Drug Enforcement Administration, Baltimore District Office; Anne Arundel County Police Chief Tim Altomare; and Baltimore City State’s Attorney Marilyn J. Mosby.
“Terrell Sivells and his brother, Montana Barronette, led one of the most violent gangs operating in Baltimore City. Sivells personally participated in at least one murder and was a leader in the gang’s drug dealing,” said U.S. Attorney Robert K. Hur. “He and his fellow gang members terrorized the Sandtown neighborhood in order to profit from the drug trade. As a result of today’s sentence, justice has been served. Federal, state and local law enforcement will continue to work together to remove armed, violent criminals from our neighborhoods and bring them to justice in the federal system, which has no parole—ever.”
According to the evidence presented at their 24-day trial, Sivells and his co-defendants are all members of TTG, a criminal organization that operated in the Sandtown neighborhood of West Baltimore, whose members engaged in drug distribution and acts of violence including murder, armed robbery, and witness intimidation. As part of the conspiracy, each defendant agreed that a conspirator would commit at least two acts of racketeering activity for TTG.
The evidence at trial showed that Terrell Sivells and Montana Barronette served as the leadership for TTG. Members and associates of TTG sold heroin, cocaine, and marijuana, and worked to defend their exclusive right to control who sold narcotics in TTG territory.
Specifically, the evidence proved that between May 20, 2010 and January 9, 2017, Sivells, his co-defendants, and other members of TTG committed acts of violence, including eight murders, shootings, armed robbery, and witness intimidation. Sivells was convicted of personally participating in at least one murder. The violent acts were intended to further the gang’s activities, protect the gang’s drug territory, and maintain and increase a member’s position within the organization. Murders were committed in retaliation for individuals robbing TTG members of drugs and drug proceeds, or while TTG members robbed others of their drugs and drug proceeds, as well as in murder-for-hire schemes. Further, the defendants engaged in witness intimidation through violence or threats of violence, to prevent individuals from cooperating with law enforcement.
Montana Barronette, a/k/a Tana, and Tanner, age 23, of Baltimore, was sentenced to life in prison on February 15, 2019. Co-defendant Brandon Wilson, a/k/a Ali, age 24, also of Baltimore, was sentenced to 25 years in prison on March 1, 2019. Two other co-defendants, John Harrison, a/k/a Binkie, age 28, and Linton Broughton, a/k/a Marty, age 25, both from Baltimore, were sentenced to life in prison and to 30 years in prison, respectively, on March 15, 2019.
The remaining defendants convicted at the trial are all from Baltimore, and face a maximum sentence of life in prison on the racketeering and drug conspiracies. They include: Taurus Tillman, a/k/a Tash, age 29, of Baltimore; Dennis Pulley, a/k/a Denmo, age 31; and Timothy Floyd, a/k/a Tim Rod, age 28. The defendants remain detained.
Three other TTG members previously pleaded guilty and were sentenced to between five and 25 years in prison. Another defendant, Roger Taylor, a/k/a Milk, is a fugitive.
The investigation was conducted by the FBI Baltimore Safe Streets Task Force, which includes FBI special agents and task force officers from the Baltimore, Baltimore County, and Anne Arundel County Police Departments. FBI Baltimore Safe Streets Violent Gang Task Force is responsible for identifying and targeting the most violent gangs in the Baltimore metropolitan area, to address gang violence and the associated homicides in Baltimore. The vision of the program is to use federal racketeering statutes to disrupt and dismantle significant violent criminal threats and criminal enterprises affecting the safety and well-being of our citizens and our communities.
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. 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.
United States Attorney Robert K. Hur and Assistant Attorney General Brian A. Benczkowski commended the FBI, the Baltimore Police Department, the ATF, the DEA, the Anne Arundel County Police Department, and the Office of the State’s Attorney for Baltimore City, for their work in the investigation. Mr. Hur thanked Assistant U.S. Attorneys Daniel C. Gardner, Christopher J. Romano, and Special Assistant U.S. Attorney John C. Hanley formerly of the Justice Department’s Organized Crime and Gang Section, who prosecuted this Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Force case.
Springfield Man Charged with Threatening to Murder Federal Law Enforcement OfficerRead the Press Release
BOSTON - A Springfield man was charged yesterday in federal court in Worcester with threatening to murder a federal law enforcement officer.
Carlos Maldonado, 30, was charged with threatening to murder a federal law enforcement officer in retaliation for the federal officer’s performance of his official duties. Maldonado is presently serving a 42-month federal sentence, a compilation of a 30-month sentence as a result of his conviction for cocaine distribution in 2016, and a consecutive 12-month sentence for his violation of supervised release conditions related to a prior conviction for distributing heroin in 2014.
If convicted on the charge of threatening a federal law enforcement officer, Maldonado faces a sentence of no greater than 10 years in prison, three years of supervised release, and a $250,000 fine. Sentences are imposed by a federal district court judge based upon the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors.
United States Attorney Andrew E. Lelling and Joseph R. Bonavolonta, Special Agent in Charge of the Federal Bureau of Investigation, Boston Field Division, made the announcement. Assistant U.S. Attorney Greg A. Friedholm of Lelling’s Worcester Branch Office is prosecuting the case.
The details contained in the indictment are allegations. The defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.
Somerville Man Sentenced for Assaulting Two Federal OfficersRead the Press Release
BOSTON - A Somerville man was sentenced today in federal court in Boston for assaulting two federal officers.
Jessi Tombari, 34, was sentenced by U.S. District Court Judge Douglas P. Woodlock to time served, one year of supervised release, and 150 hours of community service. In November 2018, Tombari pleaded guilty to an Information charging him with assaulting two federal officers.
On the afternoon of April 23, 2018, Tombari approached a uniformed member of the Federal Protective Service, who was on routine patrol outside of the Moakley Federal Courthouse in Boston. Tombari asked the officer if he had a weapon, and then attempted to take the weapon from the officer. An altercation ensued, and a Deputy United States Marshal, who was also on routine patrol, interceded and eventually the two officers were able to place Tombari into custody.
United States Attorney Andrew E. Lelling; Timothy Bane, Regional Director, Department of Homeland Security, Federal Protective Service; and John Gibbons, U.S. Marshal for the District of Massachusetts, made the announcement. Assistant U.S. Attorney Kenneth G. Shine prosecuted the case.
San Francisco Man Sentenced to 5 Years in Prison for Possession of Child PornographyRead the Press Release
SAN FRANCISCO –Roland Aujero was sentenced today to 60 months in prison for possession of child pornography, announced United States Attorney David L. Anderson. The sentence was handed down by the Honorable Susan Illston, Senior U.S. District Judge.
Aujero, 49, formerly of San Francisco, pleaded guilty to the charge on November 30, 2018. According to his plea agreement, for the past several years, Aujero worked as a substitute teacher in San Francisco, South San Francisco, Mill Valley, San Rafael, and San Diego. As of April 26, 2017, he possessed approximately 20 videos and more than 300 photographic images depicting child pornography. Further, Aujero used messenger services to engage in chats with juveniles as young as 8 years old; Aujero admitted he has requested to meet juveniles during the chats.
On June 5, 2018, a federal grand jury indicted Aujero charging him with one count of possession of child pornography, in violation of 18 U.S.C. § 2252(a)(4)(B). Aujero pleaded guilty to the charge.
In addition to the prison term, Judge Illston sentenced Aujero to a 5-year term of supervised release. He has been remanded into custody since entering his guilty plea and will begin serving his sentence immediately.
Assistant United States Attorney Jonathan U. Lee is prosecuting the case with the assistance of Kimberly Richardson and Hector Lopez. The prosecution is the result of an investigation by the San Francisco Police Department’s Special Victims Unit.
The guardians of all known victims in this case have been contacted. If you have additional information about this case or other suspected child sexual exploitation or missing children, please report the information to the National Center for Missing & Exploited Children via its toll-free 24-hour hotline, 1-800-THE-LOST.
San Francisco Man Pleads Guilty to Conspiring to Launder Money for Illegal Gambling Business Operating in Sacramento and ElsewhereRead the Press Release
SACRAMENTO, Calif. — Bar Shani, 27, of San Francisco, pleaded guilty today to conspiring to launder money, U.S. Attorney McGregor W. Scott announced.
According to court documents, between October 2016 and November 2017, Shani conspired to launder the cash proceeds of an illegal gambling business run by Orel Gohar, 28, of San Francisco, and Yaniv Gohar, 35, of Berkeley, that placed and maintained video slot machines at businesses in Northern California, including Sacramento and other locations in the Eastern District of California.
According to court documents, Shani conspired with Atir Dadon, 34, of Sherman Oaks, and Orel Gohar to launder the proceeds of the gambling business. They agreed that Shani and Dadon would take the cash from the gambling business and use it to pay the workers in their cosmetics business. In exchange, Shani and Dadon would arrange for Orel Gohar to receive checks from the cosmetics business. Dadon indicated in the memo lines on the checks that Orel Gohar had provided consulting and training services when in fact, he had not. They used code words in their conversations about the transactions, referring to the money as bottles of alcohol or other non-cash items. Between October 2016 and November 2017, Shani and Dadon laundered over $150,000 from the Gohars’ gambling business. Dadon pleaded guilty on April 5.
This case is the product of an investigation by the Federal Bureau of Investigation and the California Department of Justice – Bureau of Gambling Control. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Matthew M. Yelovich and Miriam R. Hinman are prosecuting the case.
Yaniv Gohar and Orel Gohar fled the United States after their arrest in December 2017 and remain at large. Anyone with information about their whereabouts should call the FBI at (916) 746-7000.
Charges are pending against co‑defendants Adam Atari, 35, of Sherman Oaks; Raz Razla, 48, of Sherman Oaks; and Eran Buhbut, 33, of Oakland. The charges are only allegations; the defendants are presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt.
Shani and Dadon are scheduled to be sentenced by U.S. District Judge Garland E. Burrell Jr. on July 12. They face a statutory maximum penalty of 20 years in prison and a fine of up to $500,000, or twice the value of the monetary instrument or funds involved, whichever is greater. The actual sentence, however, will be determined at the discretion of the court after consideration of any applicable statutory factors and the Federal Sentencing Guidelines, which take into account a number of variables.
Saco Woman Pleads Guilty to Social Security Fraud and Theft of Public MoneyRead the Press Release
Portland, Maine: United States Attorney Halsey B. Frank announced that Kelly L. McCabe, 36, of Saco, Maine, pled guilty yesterday in U.S. District Court to social security fraud and theft of public money.
According to court records, McCabe applied for Supplemental Security Income (“SSI”) on behalf of her two daughters, who were found eligible to receive such benefits in 2006 and 2008, respectively. SSI benefits are paid to people with limited income who are blind, disabled, or elderly. Beneficiaries who are unable to care for themselves may seek the appointment of a representative payee who is responsible for spending the beneficiary’s benefits on their day-to-day needs. McCabe was appointed representative payee for her two daughters. In 2012, McCabe lost custody of her daughters and they were placed into the custody of the Massachusetts Department of Children and Families. After losing custody, McCabe continued to collect her daughters’ SSI benefits until July 2017 by concealing from the Social Security Administration (“SSA”), her daughters’ absence from her home and her personal use of their benefits. McCabe was also a recipient of SSI benefits and her use of her daughters’ benefits reduced her eligibility to receive SSI benefits, resulting in an additional loss to the benefit program.
McCabe faces up to five years in prison and a $250,000 fine for social security fraud and up to ten years in prison and a $250,000 fine for theft of public money charge. She also faces up to three years of supervised release. She will be sentenced after the completion of a presentence investigation report by the U.S. Probation Office.
The investigation was conducted by SSA’s Office of the Inspector General and the Maine Department of Health & Human Services’ Fraud Investigation and Recovery Unit.
Russian National Sentenced to 18 Months in Prison for Conspiring to Act as an Agent of the Russian Federation Within the United StatesRead the Press Release
WASHINGTON – Mariia Butina, a Russian national, was sentenced today to 18 months in prison after earlier pleading guilty to a federal charge of conspiracy to act as an agent of a foreign government.
The announcement was made by Assistant Attorney General for National Security John C. Demers, U.S. Attorney for the District of Columbia Jessie K. Liu, and Assistant Director in Charge Nancy McNamara of the FBI’s Washington Field Office.
Butina, 30, a Russian citizen who had been residing in Washington D.C., pled guilty on Dec. 13, 2018, in the U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia. She was sentenced by Judge Tanya S. Chutkan. Following her incarceration, she is to be deported to Russia.
According to the government’s evidence, from approximately 2015 to 2017, Butina acted as an agent of a Russian government official. Under his direction, she provided key information about Americans who were in a position to influence United States politics and took steps to establish an unofficial line of communication between Russia and these Americans. As described in the plea documents, Butina sought to do so for the benefit of the Russian Federation. She took these actions without providing the required notifications to the Attorney General that she was in fact acting as an agent of the Russian Federation.
Butina was arrested on July 15, 2018, in Washington, D.C., and has been in custody ever since. Butina will get credit for the time she already has served. The court also granted a government motion that led to a reduced sentence in the case.
The investigation into this matter was conducted by the FBI’s Washington Field Office. The case was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Erik M. Kenerson, Thomas N. Saunders, and Jolie Zimmerman of the National Security Section of the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Columbia, and Trial Attorney William A. Mackie of the National Security Division of the U.S. Department of Justice.
Russian National Sentenced to 18 Months in Prison for Conspiring to Act as an Agent of the Russian Federation within the United StatesRead the Press Release
Mariia Butina, a Russian national, was sentenced today to 18 months in prison after earlier pleading guilty to a federal charge of conspiracy to act as an agent of a foreign government.
The announcement was made by Assistant Attorney General for National Security John C. Demers, U.S. Attorney for the District of Columbia Jessie K. Liu, and Assistant Director in Charge Nancy McNamara of the FBI’s Washington Field Office.
Butina, 30, a Russian citizen who had been residing in Washington D.C., pled guilty on Dec. 13, 2018, in the U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia. She was sentenced by Judge Tanya S. Chutkan. Following her incarceration, she is to be deported to Russia.
According to the government’s evidence, from approximately 2015 to 2017, Butina acted as an agent of a Russian government official. Under his direction, she provided key information about Americans who were in a position to influence United States politics and took steps to establish an unofficial line of communication between Russia and these Americans. As described in the plea documents, Butina sought to do so for the benefit of the Russian Federation. She took these actions without providing the required notifications to the Attorney General that she was in fact acting as an agent of the Russian Federation.
Butina was arrested on July 15, 2018, in Washington, D.C., and has been in custody ever since. Butina will get credit for the time she already has served. The court also granted a government motion that led to a reduced sentence in the case.
The investigation into this matter was conducted by the FBI’s Washington Field Office. The case was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Erik M. Kenerson, Thomas N. Saunders, and Jolie Zimmerman of the National Security Section of the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Columbia, and Trial Attorney William A. Mackie of the National Security Division of the U.S. Department of Justice.
Roff Man Sentenced to 120 Months for Methamphetamine Distribution, Firearm PossessionRead the Press Release
MUSKOGEE, OKLAHOMA – The United States Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of Oklahoma announced that Stephen-Dean Dollard Schmidt, age 27, of Roff, Oklahoma, was sentenced to 120 months’ imprisonment and 5 years of supervised release for Possession With Intent To Distribute Methamphetamine, in violation of Title 21, United States Code, Sections 841(a)(1) and 841 (b)(1)(B); and for Possession Of Firearm In Furtherance Of Drug Trafficking Crime, in violation of Title 18, United States Code, Section 924(c). The charges arose as a result from an investigation by the Pontotoc County Sheriff’s Office, the Ada Police Department, and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives.
The Indictment alleged that on or about April 15, 2018, in the Eastern District of Oklahoma, the defendant, knowingly and intentionally possessed with the intent to distribute 50 grams or more of a mixture or substance containing a detectable amount of methamphetamine, a Schedule II controlled substance.
The Indictment further alleged that on or about April 15, 2018, in the Eastern District of Oklahoma, the defendant, knowingly possessed a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime for which he may be prosecuted in a court of the United States, that is, Possession with Intent to Distribute Methamphetamine, as alleged in the Indictment.
United States Attorney Brian J. Kuester said. “When drugs and guns are in the hands of a drug dealer, community safety is put in jeopardy. The Pontotoc County Sheriff’s Office, the Ada Police Department, the ATF, and the U.S. Attorney’s Office worked together to make a community safer. This is a great example of interagency teamwork having a positive impact for the people we serve.”
The Honorable Ronald A. White, U.S. District Judge in the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Oklahoma, in Muskogee, presided over the hearing. Assistant United States Attorney Dean Burris represented the United States.
Rochester Man Sentenced on Drug and Gun Charges, Forfeits over $230,000 of Drug ProceedsRead 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 Ramon Perdomo, 38, of Greece, NY, who was convicted of possession with intent to distribute 28 grams or more of crack cocaine, and being a felon in possession of a firearm and ammunition, was sentenced to serve 135 months in prison by Chief U.S. District Judge Frank P. Geraci, Jr.
Assistant U.S. Attorneys Katelyn M. Hartford and Sean C. Eldridge, who handled the case, stated that law enforcement officers executed a search warrant at the defendant’s residence at 164 Sheraton Drive in the Town of Greece on April 20, 2018. During the search, officers found approximately 80 grams of crack cocaine, 42 grams of powder cocaine, and $238,237 United States currency, which consisted of proceeds from the defendant’s cocaine drug sales. Officers also found a 9mm semi-automatic pistol and bullets in a closet located off the kitchen, as well as evidence of drug dealing and packaging throughout the house. At the time of his arrest, Perdomo was on probation for a prior felony conviction and was legally prohibited from possessing a firearm.
The defendant forfeited $238,237 in drug proceeds.
The sentencing is the result of an investigation by the Drug Enforcement Administration, under the direction of Ray Donovan, Special Agent-in-Charge; the Monroe County Sheriff’s Office and the Monroe County Heroin Task Force, under the direction of Sheriff Todd Baxter; the Rochester Police Department, under the direction of Chief La'Ron D. Singletary; the Gates Police Department, under the direction of Chief James VanBrederode; and the Monroe County DA’s Office, under the direction of District Attorney Sandra Doorley.
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Richmond Woman Convicted by Federal Jury for Trafficking OxycodoneRead the Press Release
Lexington — A federal jury has found Patsy Wardle, a 65 year old woman from Richmond, Kentucky, guilty of conspiring to distribute oxycodone. The jury also found Wardle guilty of two additional counts of distributing oxycodone on February 16, 2018 and March 7, 2018. The jury convicted Wardle on Wednesday, April 24, 2019, following a 3-day trial in U.S. District Court.
According to trial testimony, Wardle and her co-conspirators, Shannon Allen, Bianca Pennington, Malik Chapman, and others, worked together to distribute oxycodone throughout Richmond, Kentucky and surrounding areas. Chapman and others were responsible for transporting oxycodone pills from Detroit, Michigan to Richmond, Kentucky, where Allen and Pennington would further distribute the pills to local drug dealers, like Wardle. Wardle primarily distributed the pills from her home in Richmond.
Wardle’s co-defendants, Shannon Allen, Bianca Pennington, Malik Chapman, Robert May, Doug Mayfield, Ryan Jones, Alyssa Parrish, and Victoria Grimes all pleaded guilty to conspiring to distribute oxycodone prior to trial.
Wardle is scheduled to be sentenced on August 29, 2019, at the federal courthouse in Lexington. Wardle and her co-defendants face sentences of imprisonment of not more than 20 years. The Court will impose a sentence after consideration of the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and the applicable federal statutes.
Robert M. Duncan, Jr., United States Attorney for the Eastern District of Kentucky; Christopher Evans, Special Agent in Charge, DEA, Louisville Field Division; Commissioner Richard Sanders, Kentucky State Police; Chief James Ebert, Richmond Police Department; Sheriff Mike Coyle, Madison County Sheriff’s Department; and Chief David Gregory, Berea Police Department jointly announced the jury’s verdict.
Rhode Island Foreclosed Property Preservationist Charged in $10 Million Fraud SchemeRead the Press Release
An East Greenwich, Rhode Island, woman whose business specialized in preserving the current condition of foreclosed homes for resale has been charged in U.S. District Court in Providence, announced Principal Deputy Assistant Attorney General Richard E. Zuckerman of the Justice Department’s Tax Division, U.S. Attorney for the District of Rhode Island Aaron L. Weisman, Special Agent in Charge of Internal Revenue Service Criminal Investigation Kristina O'Connell, and Special Agent in Charge of the FBI Boston Division Joseph R. Bonavolonta. The defendant allegedly operated a scheme whereby she raised and pocketed millions of dollars from investors, often times family members, friends, and business associates, by misrepresenting to them that she needed to raise tens of thousands of dollars for various repair projects. In return for their investment, investors were promised a return of 50 percent of the profit.
According to Court documents, it is alleged that Monique N. Brady, 44, misrepresented projects and solicited multiple bids for significantly more money than an individual project required. Brady performed relatively menial tasks such as grass mowing, snow removal, boiler service, etc., for as little as $20, but represented the bids to investors as full-fledged rehabilitation projects costing tens or hundreds of thousands of dollars.
It is alleged that Brady, owner and operator of MNB LLC, often convinced investors to invest substantial amounts of money claiming she had been awarded Freddie Mac rehabilitation projects, when in fact the projects were associated with real estate entities other than Freddie Mac. Brady allegedly used the Freddie Mac name to provide more credibility to her fraudulent solicitations.
A review of bank and other financial records revealed that Brady allegedly received approximately $10,076,291 in investments from 32 individuals based on numerous false and fraudulent representations. Many of these investors had close and personal relationships with Brady, including close friends, her step-brother and the former nanny for her children. The complaint charges that numerous investors suffered substantial harm as a result Brady’s fraudulent conduct, including an elderly woman who lost nearly all of her life savings and another elderly man with Alzheimer’s disease who lost his life savings to Brady.
As part of the alleged scheme, Brady often paid back some of the money she received from one investor with monies received from another. By the time the scheme ended after its discovery in the summer of 2018, 23 individuals had allegedly lost approximately $4,495,237 to Brady.
Monique Brady appeared today before U.S. District Court Magistrate Judge Lincoln D. Almond on a Criminal Complaint charging her with wire fraud.
The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Lee H. Vilker and Tax Division Trial Attorney Christopher P. O’Donnell.
A Criminal Complaint is merely an accusation. A defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.
Randolph County woman admits to methamphetamine chargeRead the Press Release
ELKINS, WEST VIRGINIA – Gina Carol McCauley, of Beverly, West Virginia, has admitted to her role in a methamphetamine distribution operation, United States Attorney Bill Powell announced.
McCauley, age 38, pled guilty to one count of “Conspiracy to Distribute Methamphetamine” and one count of “False Statement in Connection with the Acquisition of a Firearm.” McCauley admitted to conspiring with another to distribute methamphetamine in Randolph County from March to November of 2018. McCauley also admitted to lying to a firearms dealer when purchasing a .380 caliber pistol and 49 rounds of .380 caliber ammunition.
McCauley faces at least five years and up to 40 years incarceration and a fine of up to $5,000,000 for the drug count and up to five years incarceration and a fine of up to $250,000 for the firearms charge. 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 Stephen D. Warner is prosecuting the case on behalf of the government. The Bureau of Alcohol, Firearms, Tobacco and Explosives, The Mountain Region Drug & Violent Crime Task Force, the Greater Harrison Drug &Violent Crime Task Force, a HIDTA-funded initiative, the West Virginia State Police, Upshur County Sheriff’s Office, Lewis County Sheriff’s Office, the Buckhannon Police Department, and the Weston Police Department investigated.
The investigation was funded by the federal Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Force Program (OCDETF). The OCDETF program supplies critical federal funding and coordination that allows federal and state agencies to work together to successfully identify, investigate, and prosecute major interstate and international drug trafficking organizations and other criminal enterprises.
U.S. Magistrate Judge Michael John Aloi presided.
Prison Spells the end of the Road for Cahokia Man who led Police on High-Speed ChaseRead the Press Release
A man who once bragged about outrunning the cops won’t be going anywhere for a while. Lee E. Nichols, 35, of Cahokia, Illinois, has been sentenced to 71 months in federal prison for unlawfully possessing methamphetamine and a gun, United States Attorney Steven D. Weinhoeft announced. United States District Judge Staci M. Yandle handed down the sentence, which the parties agreed to in advance as part of a negotiated plea agreement. Nichols was also ordered to serve a three-year term of supervised release and must forfeit the gun.
Court proceedings revealed that sometime around midnight on June 21, 2017, a Dupo police officer attempted a traffic stop on a Corvette that Nichols was driving. Nichols fled and led police on a high-speed chase. The pursuit was eventually terminated for safety reasons on the Jefferson Barracks Bridge headed into Missouri, but recognizing Nichols from past encounters, officers obtained warrants for his arrest and immediately began looking for him. Meanwhile, just two hours after speeding away from police, Nichols posted about his reckless getaway on Facebook, boasting that he had been going over 120 mph. A week later, Nichols uploaded a braggadocios video to his Facebook page about his run from the law, claiming he would do it again and threatening to hurt any police officer who got in his way.
On July 16, 2017, Nichols was caught when an off-duty Dupo police officer recognized him at a bar in Columbia, Illinois. On-duty officers arrived and immediately arrested Nichols on the outstanding warrants. During the arrest, officers discovered .8 grams of methamphetamine in Nichols’ front pants pocket and a loaded Colt .22 pistol in his back pocket. Nichols is legally barred from possessing a firearm as a result of his criminal history, which includes a 2003 conviction for aggravated assault.
The case was investigated by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms and the Dupo Police Department and prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Christopher Hoell.
Prescription Drug “Take Back Day” in the Eastern District of WashingtonRead the Press Release
Spokane – Joseph H. Harrington, United States Attorney for the Eastern District of Washington, announced that Saturday, April 27, 2019, from 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m., is National Prescription Drug “Take Back Day.” This event will give the public its 17th opportunity in nine years to prevent pill abuse and theft by ridding their homes of potentially dangerous, expired, unused, and unwanted prescription drugs. The United States Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of Washington will be partnering this Saturday with the Drug Enforcement Administration, Spokane Police Department, and other community partners at C.O.P.S. North Central/Knox Presbyterian Church, 806 W. Knox Avenue, Spokane.
U.S. Attorney Harrington said, “Participating in drug take-back events is one step that individuals can do to help positively impact the opioid crisis and protect their loved ones. Opioid overdoses have skyrocketed since the late 1990’s, becoming the worst drug epidemic in modern American history. Over 42,000 Americans died from opioid overdoses in recent years – more than deaths from automobile accidents or firearm-related homicides.”
Last fall, Americans turned in nearly 460 tons (more than 900,000 pounds) of prescription drugs at more than 5,800 sites operated by the DEA and almost 4,800 of its state and local law enforcement partners. Of those numbers, Washington State collected 15,604 pounds of prescription drugs at approximately 96 collections sites operated by the DEA and 85 of its state and local law enforcement partners. In its 16 previous “take back” events, Washington State along has collected 224,037 pounds of prescription drugs. Overall, in its 16 previous Take Back events, DEA and its partners have taken in almost 11 million pounds – nearly 5,500 tons – of pills.
The disposal service is free and anonymous, no questions asked. Liquids, needles, or sharps cannot be accepted at the sites, only pills or patches.
This initiative addresses a vital public safety and public health issue. Medicines that languish in home cabinets are highly susceptible to diversion, misuse, and abuse. Rates of prescription drug abuse in the U.S. are alarmingly high, as are the number of accidental poisonings and overdoses due to these drugs. The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration’s National Survey on Drug Use and Health shows year after year that the majority of misused and abused prescription drugs are obtained from family and friends, including someone else’s medication being stolen from the home medicine cabinet. In addition, Americans are now advised that their usual methods for disposing of unused medicines—flushing them down the toilet or throwing them in the trash—pose potential safety and health hazards.
In the City of Spokane, year-round disposal sites are located at Spokane Police Department’s North Precinct, 5124 N. Market, Monday through Friday, 9:00 – 4:00; the Public Safety Building, 1100 W. Mallon Avenue, Monday through Friday 8:00 – 5:00; and Spokane Police Department’s Downtown Precinct in the Intermodal, 221 W. First, 24 hr/7 days a week. In Spokane County a year-round disposal site is located in the Spokane Valley Police Department lobby, 12710 E. Sprague Avenue, Monday through Friday, 8:00 – 5:00.
For more information about additional collection sites in Eastern Washington and the disposal of prescription drugs for the April 27, 2019, Take Back Day event, go to www.DEATakeBack.com
Prescription Drug Take Back Day Set for Saturday, April 27, 2019Read the Press Release
Roanoke, VIRGINIA – United States Attorney Thomas T. Cullen announced today that the United States Attorney’s Office is proud to partner with the Drug Enforcement Administration, local, state, and federal law enforcement agencies, and coalitions to collect expired, unused, and unwanted prescription drugs for safe destruction on Saturday, April 27, 2019 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. during Prescription Drug Take Back Day. Collections will take place at 18 area locations in the Roanoke Valley, and many more locations throughout the Western District. The public is invited to bring unused, unwanted, and expired medications to this free and anonymous event that is part of the DEA’s nationwide prescription drug “Take-Back” program that seeks to prevent prescription pill abuse, theft, and environmental concerns.
“In 2017, more than 72,000 Americans died from fatal drug overdoses—more than the total number of troops killed during the Vietnam War,” U.S. Attorney Cullen stated today. “We are committed to working with our federal, state, and local partners to reduce the supply of dangerous drugs, including unwanted prescription medications, but the public must also do its part by participating in National Drug Take-Back Day.”
“Addiction causes a tremendous amount of pain and suffering, not just for those addicted to drugs, but also for their families and friends,” said Acting DEA Administrator Uttam Dhillon. “Helping people keep their loved ones safe by disposing of unwanted, unused, and expired prescription medications is just one of many ways that DEA is working to break the cycle of addiction and overdose deaths plaguing this country.”
This is the Roanoke Valley’s 17th drug take back event. This Saturday there will be 18 collection locations in the valley: Blacksburg Recreation Center parking lot, the Department of Veterans Affairs hospital entrance at Building 143 in Salem, CVS Pharmacy parking lots at 9th Street SE and Towers Shopping Center, , , Franklin County Sheriff’s Office, Kroger parking lots on Lake Drive Plaza in Vinton, Tanglewood Mall, Valley Gateway, in Daleville, in Westlake in Franklin County, and Rocky Mount, Ransone’s Drug Store parking lot in Botetourt County, Roanoke City Police Department Solutions Center, Market Street Pharmacy parking lot in Craig County, the Roanoke County Fire and Rescue Station #1 on Hershberger Road, the Super Shoes parking lot on West Main in Salem, Walgreens parking lot at the corner of Electric Road and Brambleton Avenue, and Virginia State Police Division VI Headquarters on Main Street in Salem.
The public is encouraged to visit https://takebackday.dea.gov/ to find other collection sites sponsored by law enforcement throughout the region. The site also includes a locator feature to find year-round disposal collection sites hosted at local law enforcement agencies.
This initiative addresses vital public safety and public health issues. Medications that languish in home cabinets are highly susceptible to diversion, misuse, and abuse. Rates of prescription drug abuse in the U.S., in the valley, and throughout the district continue at alarming rates, as are the numbers of accidental poisonings and overdoses due to these drugs. Studies show that 90% of abused prescription drugs are obtained from family and friends, including from the home medicine cabinet. In fact, the majority of commonly-abused drugs by teenagers are prescription medications.
In addition, flushing medications down the drain can result in trace amounts of pharmaceuticals showing up in our nation’s waterways. This initiative offers a safe and convenient disposal option for district residents.
This initiative is sponsored by the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration in partnership with state, local, and federal law enforcement agencies, local businesses, and community coalitions.
By working together to provide a free, secure place to dispose of unwanted medications, these partner agencies are helping prevent drug abuse, protecting our valley’s waterways, and making our communities safer.
Political Consultant Sentenced to Five Years for Bribery of Allentown and Reading, PA OfficialsRead the Press Release
PHILADELPHIA – Deputy U.S. Attorney Louis D. Lappen announced that the political consultant to then-Allentown Mayor Edwin Pawlowski, Michael Fleck, 40, formerly of Allentown, PA was sentenced today to five years in prison followed by three years of supervised release by Chief U.S. District Court Judge Juan R. Sanchez. Fleck must also pay $134,487 in restitution. The defendant was immediately remanded to federal custody to begin serving his sentence. Fleck previously pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy to commit extortion and bribery offenses and one count of tax evasion.
Fleck was a principal and co-owner of an Allentown-based consulting company that conducted fundraising and other campaign-related services for certain elected officials in Pennsylvania (“the political clients”), and lobbied these same political clients on behalf of individuals and companies who sought contracts and other favorable treatment from local governments (“the business clients”).
Mayor Vaughn Spencer of Reading, Mayor Edwin Pawlowski and Controller Mary Ellen Koval of Allentown were each elected officials in their respective cities as well as Fleck’s political clients. Spencer and Koval sought re-election to the offices they held, while Pawlowski aspired to win higher office through statewide election. Each of these three elected officials attempted to leverage their respective public offices – which gave them actual and perceived authority over the awarding of municipal contracts – for items of value, including campaign contributions.
As part of the “consulting” services that Fleck provided, he helped facilitate quid pro quo solicitations, offers and agreements, and obtained tens of thousands of dollars in campaign contributions from businesses and donors seeking to do business with the City of Allentown and the City of Reading for his political clients.
Fleck also filed fraudulent income tax returns for tax years 2011, 2012 and 2013, in which he concealed income from his consulting company of approximately $130,897.41, overstated certain deductions, and failed to remit approximately $43,467 in payroll taxes, causing a tax loss of approximately $77,738.
“Fleck manipulated our democratic systems of government to enrich himself and his associates at the expense of the citizens of Reading and Allentown,” said Deputy U.S. Attorney Lappen. “In doing so, Fleck and the corrupt mayors with whom he conspired did tremendous damage to the confidence that our citizens have in their local governments. Our Office remains committed to uncovering and prosecuting public corruption at all levels. Public officials and their cronies should start getting the message that they must serve the public rather than satisfy themselves and their venal desires.”
“Compliance with the tax laws in the United States relies heavily on self-assessments of taxes owed,” said IRS Criminal Investigation Special Agent in Charge Guy Ficco. “Michael Fleck took steps to prevent the assessment of his true tax liability; and the sentence he received shows how seriously the courts take federal tax crimes like this.”
The case was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation and the Internal Revenue Service and is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorneys Michelle Morgan and Anthony Wzorek.
Pelahatchie Man Sentenced to over 21 Years in Prison for Producing Child PornographyRead the Press Release
Jackson, Miss. – Kevin Douglas Jenkins, 35, of Pelahatchie, was sentenced today by Chief U.S. District Judge Daniel P. Jordan III to 262 months in federal prison, followed by a lifetime of supervised release, for producing child pornography, announced United States Attorney Mike Hurst, FBI Special Agent in Charge Christopher Freeze, and Mississippi Attorney General Jim Hood. Jenkins was also ordered to pay restitution in the amount of $3,000.
"Those who prey upon our most vulnerable will experience the full force and weight of the law upon them. Such wicked and evil acts committed against children are some of the worst crimes we investigate and prosecute. We will continue to marshal all levels of law enforcement and resources together to swiftly bring these individuals to justice, as well as deliver a measure of solace to victims," said U.S. Attorney Hurst.
"Producing child pornography is a serious crime that preys on our most vulnerable citizens," said FBI Special Agent in Charge Freeze. "If you are viewing, sharing or producing this kind of material, I encourage you to seek professional help, otherwise you could end up in prison like Mr. Jenkins. The cooperation of law enforcement at the local, state and federal level results in successful prosecutions and protects future victims from abuse by predators like this."
"We appreciate Judge Jordan and the agencies that worked together to put this pedophile behind bars where he deserves to be for producing child pornography videos of him molesting an innocent child," said Attorney General Hood. "This case is another example of how partnerships between agencies on a federal and state level is critical to help keep our children in Mississippi safe from these types of predators."
"This case is another example of cooperation between federal, state and local agencies all working together to make our community safer," said Rankin County Sheriff Bryan Bailey. "The Rankin County Sheriff’s Office is thankful for the quick response and great relationship we have with our state and federal agencies.
Jenkins was charged after the minor child came forward to disclose Jenkins’s actions. A forensic examination of electronic devices and email revealed videos of Jenkins engaged in sexually explicit conduct with the minor child.
Jenkins was indicted by a federal grand jury in November 2018. On January 25, 2019, Jenkins pled guilty to two counts of producing child pornography.
The case was investigated by the FBI Jackson Division's Child Exploitation Task Force, which is made up of agents from the FBI and the Mississippi Attorney General's Office, and officers from the Prentiss County Sheriff's Office. The Rankin County Sheriff’s Office also assisted with the investigation. The case was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Kimberly Purdie.
The case was brought as part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative to combat the growing epidemic of child sexual exploitation and abuse launched in May 2006 by the Department of Justice. Led by U.S. Attorneys' Offices and the Criminal Division's Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section (CEOS), Project Safe Childhood marshals federal, state and local resources to better locate, apprehend and prosecute individuals who exploit children via the Internet as well as to identify and rescue victims. For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit www.projectsafechildhood.gov.
Paterson, New Jersey, Man Found Guilty of Distributing HeroinRead the Press Release
NEWARK, N.J. – A federal jury today found a Paterson, New Jersey, man guilty of two counts of drug trafficking offenses, U.S. Attorney Craig Carpenito announced.
Reinaldo Rodriguez, 30, a/k/a “Memo,” and “Killa,” was convicted of conspiracy to distribute a kilogram or more of heroin and possession with the intent to distribute heroin following a four-day trial before U.S. District Judge Susan D. Wigenton in Newark federal court.
According to documents filed in this case and the evidence presented at trial:
From June 2015 through April 20, 2016, Rodriguez participated in a conspiracy to distribute heroin to street-level drug dealers in the Paterson area. The conspirators obtained their heroin from a supplier in Bronx, New York, where it was packaged and stamped “Goosebumps,” “Transformers,” “Wendy’s” and “New Jack City,” designating the source. Law enforcement officials conducted surveillance while Rodriguez delivered stamped “bricks” of heroin to a confidential source. Rodriguez was heard discussing drug trafficking on court-authorized wiretaps.
Rodriguez faces a mandatory minimum term of imprisonment of 10 years and a maximum of life in prison for the conspiracy count.
U.S. Attorney Carpenito credited special agents and task force officers of the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration, New Jersey Division, under the direction of Special Agent in Charge Susan A. Gibson, and the Paterson Police Department, with the investigation leading to today’s conviction.
This case was conducted under the auspices of the Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Force (OCDETF), a partnership between federal, state and local law enforcement agencies dedicated to identifying and dismantling the most serious drug trafficking, weapons trafficking and money laundering organizations.
The government is represented by Senior Trial Counsel Jamie L. Hoxie of the OCDETF/Narcotics Unit and Assistant U.S. Attorney Heather Suchorsky of the Organized Crime/Gangs Unit of the U.S. Attorney’s Office in Newark.
Okemah Man Sentenced to 8 Months for Abusive Sexual Contact with A Child in Indian CountryRead the Press Release
MUSKOGEE, OKLAHOMA – The United States Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of Oklahoma announced that Tyler Leevan Hill, age 28, of Okemah, Oklahoma, was sentenced to 8 months’ imprisonment, 6 months of home confinement upon his release from imprisonment, and 5 years of supervised release for Abusive Sexual Contact with a Child In Indian Country, in violation of Title 18, United States Code, Sections 1153, 2244(a)(3) and 2246. As conditions of his supervised release, Hill will be required to register as a sex offender, he will not be allowed any unsupervised contact with minors, he will attend and successfully complete sex offender treatment, and he will submit to any polygraphs and DNA testing that are requested. The charges arose from an investigation by the Muscogee Creek Nation Lighthorse Tribal Police and the Federal Bureau of Investigation.
The Indictment alleged that beginning on or about October 30, 2015 and continuing until on or about July 22, 2016, in the Eastern District of Oklahoma, in Indian Country, the defendant, an Indian, did knowingly engage in sexual contact as defined in Title 18, United States Code, Section 2246(3), with a person who had attained the age of 12 years, but had not attained the age of 16 years, and was at least four years younger than the defendant, with an intent to arouse and gratify the sexual desire of any person.
United States Attorney Brian J. Kuester said. “The courage required of a victim to come forward and talk to investigators and prosecutors should never be underestimated. Law enforcement professionals, despite our best efforts, cannot completely eliminate the stress and anxiety of having to relive the criminal actions of a defendant when remembering and talking about it. I applaud the victim in this case for being courageous.”
The Honorable Ronald A. White, U.S. District Judge in the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Oklahoma, in Muskogee, presided over the hearing. Assistant United States Attorney Sarah McAmis represented the United States.
North Pittsburgh Man Charged with Attempted Coercion of a Minor for SexRead the Press Release
PITTSBURGH, PA – A resident of Ross Township, Pennsylvania, has been indicted by a federal grand jury in Pittsburgh on a charge of Attempted Coercion and Enticement of a Minor to Engage in Illegal Sexual Activity, United States Attorney Scott W. Brady announced today.
The one-count Indictment, returned on April 24, 2019, named Thomas Perry Stultz, 36, as the sole defendant.
According to Indictment, from February 6, 2019 until on or about April 5, 2019, Stultz used a facility or means of interstate commerce, specifically the Internet and over a cellular phone network, to knowingly attempt to persuade, induce, entice and coerce a minor to engage in sexual activity.
The law provides for a maximum total sentence of life in prison, a fine of $250,000, or both. Under the Federal Sentencing Guidelines, the actual sentence imposed would be based upon the seriousness of the offense and the prior criminal history, if any, of the defendant.
Assistant United States Attorney Heidi M. Grogan is prosecuting this case on behalf of the government.
The FBI conducted the investigation leading to the Indictment in this case.
An indictment is an accusation. A defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.
This case was brought as part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative launched in May 2006 by the Department of Justice to combat the growing epidemic of child sexual exploitation and abuse. Led by the United States Attorneys' Offices and the Criminal Division's Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section, Project Safe Childhood marshals federal, state, and local resources to locate, apprehend, and prosecute individuals, who sexually exploit children, and to identify and rescue victims. For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit www.justice.gov/psc.
New York Man Charged with Assault Aboard Cruise ShipRead the Press Release
BOSTON – A New York man was arrested today and charged in federal court in Boston for assaulting a woman aboard a cruise ship.
Adam Damian Panetta, 45, of Farmingville, N.Y., was charged with one count of assault and one count of assault resulting in substantial bodily injury. He will appear in federal court in Boston today at 5:00 p.m.
According to the charging document, on April 25, 2019, while aboard the Norwegian Cruise Line’s Gem, Panetta was observed on surveillance video pulling a woman by her hair down the full length of a hallway. The two were then observed outside of one of the cabins. While Panetta attempted to open the cabin door, the woman was striking Panetta in the face with an open hand. Panetta then allegedly turned toward the woman and punched her twice in the side of her head with a closed fist. The woman fell to the ground and appeared to be unconscious. Panetta entered the cabin and left the woman on the floor in the hallway.
After about one minute, Panetta came out of the cabin and leaned down to the woman, who was unresponsive. Eventually, the woman began to crawl into the room. Panetta did not appear to assist her, and as she began to crawl, Panetta kicked her twice in the buttocks. He then followed her into the room.
The two left the room a short while later and the woman was holding a white towel over her head, which appeared to be stained with blood. The two arrived at the ship’s medical center where the woman was treated for her injuries, which included approximately 8cm of swelling on the right side of her head as well as a 2.5 cm laceration that required five stiches.
At the time of the alleged assault, the ship was approximately 200 miles off the coast of New Jersey. Panetta was taken into custody when the ship arrived into the port of Boston today.
The charge of assault carries a sentence of no greater than one year in prison, one year of supervised release and a fine of up to $100,000. The charge of assault resulting in substantial bodily injury provides a sentence of no greater than five years in prison, three years of supervised release and a fine of up to $250,000. Sentences are imposed by a federal district court judge based upon the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors.
United States Attorney Andrew E. Lelling and Joseph R. Bonavolonta, Special Agent in Charge of the Federal Bureau of Investigation, Boston Field Division made the announcement today. Assistant U.S. Attorney Suzanne Sullivan Jacobus of Lelling’s Major Crimes Unit is prosecuting the case.
The details contained in the complaint are allegations. The defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.
New Orleans Man Sentenced for Carjackings, Bank Robberies, and Firearms ViolationsRead the Press Release
NEW ORLEANS – U.S. Attorney Peter G. Strasser announced today that Chief United States District Judge Nannette Jolivette Brown sentenced DWAYNE WINANS JR., a/k/a “Butter,” to 30 years of imprisonment, to be followed by five years of supervised release. WINANS is also required to pay $12,187 in restitution to Gulf Coast Bank. WINANS JR., age 25, of New Orleans, and BRYSON TUESNO, age 24, also of New Orleans, were convicted on April 26, 2018, after a four-day jury trial.
The jury found WINANS guilty of committing two carjackings, on August 12, 2016, in New Orleans, and two counts of using firearms during the commission of those crimes.
The jury also found WINANS and TUESNO guilty of robbing, on August 15, 2016, the Regions Bank located at 3836 Elysian Fields Avenue in New Orleans and the Gulf Coast Bank located at 1900 Oak Harbor Boulevard in Slidell. The men were additionally convicted of two counts of using firearms during the commission of those crimes. WINANS and TUESNO used one of the carjacked vehicles to commit the bank robberies.
TUESNO is scheduled for sentencing on May 23 before Chief Judge Brown.
U.S. Attorney Strasser praised the work of the Federal Bureau of Investigation. Assistant United States Attorneys Michael E. McMahon, Jeffrey Sandman, and David Howard Sinkman prosecuted the case.
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New Orleans Man Charged with Possessing a Firearm at Veterans Affairs Hospital in Violation of Domestic Violence Court Restraining OrderRead the Press Release
NEW ORLEANS – U.S. Attorney Peter G. Strasser announced that MEKAILL HARRIS, age 20, of New Orleans, was charged yesterday in a one count federal indictment with possession of a firearm while under a domestic violence court restraining order. Federal law prohibits individuals who are subject to a domestic violence court restraining order from possessing firearms during the duration of the restraining order.
If convicted, HARRIS faces a maximum sentence of 10 years imprisonment, a fine of up to $250,000.00, a period of supervised release of 3 years, and a mandatory special assessment of $100.00.
U.S. Attorney Strasser reiterated that an Indictment is merely a charge and that the guilt of the defendant must be proven beyond a reasonable doubt.
Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN) is the centerpiece of the Department of Justice’s violent crime reduction efforts. PSN is an evidence-based program proven to be effective at reducing violent crime. Through PSN, a broad spectrum of stakeholders work together to identify the most pressing violent crime problems in the community and develop comprehensive solutions to address them. As part of this strategy, PSN focuses enforcement efforts on the most violent offenders and partners with locally based prevention and reentry programs for lasting reductions in crime.
U.S. Attorney Strasser praised the work of the law enforcement officers at the Veterans Affairs Hospital in investigating this matter. Assistant United States Attorney Brittany L. Reed is in charge of the prosecution.
New Orleans Caregiver Pleads Guilty to Stealing over $149,500 from Deceased Elderly WomanRead the Press Release
NEW ORLEANS – U.S. Attorney Peter G. Strasser announced that TRINA ROBAIR, age 44, of New Orleans, Louisiana pleaded guilty Wednesday, April 24, 2019 to a one count Bill of Information charging her with Bank Larceny in relation to stealing at least $149,500 from an elderly deceased woman for whom ROBAIR was a caretaker, in violation of Title 18, United States Code, Section § 2113(b).
The charging document, filed in court, states that ROBAIR had access to the elderly woman’s accounts because she was incapacitated. ROBAIR did not have permission to steal the money. The Bill of Information further states that ROBAIR stole $149,500.
In a document filed in open court and signed by ROBAIR, she admitted to four schemes she used to steal money. Scheme one involved ROBAIR simply forging the deceased woman’s signature on checks drawn from her account. Scheme two involved withdrawing money from the accounts of the deceased woman using ATM and electronic funds transfers. The third scheme involved ROBAIR impersonating the deceased woman in a telephone conversation with Fidelity Investments and convincing Fidelity that she was the deceased woman. She was able to steal $49,000 in this manner. Finally, ROBAIR and co-defendant Michael Reed, age 62, of New Orleans devised a false repair kickback scheme where Reed would purportedly repair the house of the elderly woman and submit invoices. In reality the repairs were never done and ROBAIR received a $20,000 kickback. Reed’s sentencing is scheduled for June 26, 2019.
The statutory penalty for Bank Larceny is ten (10) years imprisonment, $250,000 fine, three (3) years supervised release, restitution and a $100 special assessment. Sentencing is set for August 7, 2019.
The case was investigated by the United States Postal Inspection Service and is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney, Carter K. D. Guice, Jr.
New Hampton Man Pleads Guilty to Distribution and Possession of Child PornographyRead the Press Release
A man who distributed and possessed child pornography pled guilty today in federal court in Cedar Rapids.
William Rolen, age 56, from New Hampton, Iowa, was convicted of one count of distribution of child pornography and one count of possession of child pornography. At the plea hearing, Rolen admitted that, in 2018, he knowingly distributed child pornography. He also admitted that he possessed child pornography, including one or more depictions of prepubescent children.
Sentencing before United States District Court Judge C.J. Williams will be set after a presentence report is prepared. Rolen remains in custody of the United States Marshal pending sentencing. Rolen faces a mandatory minimum sentence of 5 years’ imprisonment and a possible maximum sentence of 40 years’ imprisonment, a $500,000 fine, $10,200 in special assessments, and supervised release for 5 years to life following any imprisonment.
This case is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Mark Tremmel and was investigated by the Iowa Division of Criminal Investigation, Homeland Security Investigations, the Eau Claire, Wisconsin, Police Department, the New Hampton Police Department, and the Chickasaw County Sheriff’s Office.
This case was brought as part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative launched in May 2006 by the Department of Justice to combat the growing epidemic of child sexual exploitation and abuse. Led by the United States Attorneys’ Offices and the Criminal Division’s Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section, Project Safe Childhood marshals federal, state, and local resources to locate, apprehend, and prosecute individuals who sexually exploit children, and to identify and rescue victims. For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit www.usdoj.gov/psc. For more information about Internet safety education, please visit www.usdoj.gov/psc and click on the tab “resources.”
Court file information is available at https://ecf.iand.uscourts.gov/cgi-bin/login.pl. The case file number is CR 19-2014.
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NDTX Roundup -- 4/26/19Read the Press Release
SENTENCING -- Mario Melendez
On April 26, Dallas tax return preparer Mario Melendez was sentenced to 51 months in prison for conspiring to defraud the United States and aiding in the preparation of false tax returns. From November 2013 to April 2014, Mr. Melendez, a manager at Uptown Multi Services, helped prepare fraudulent income tax returns for clients, including false education credits, Schedule C expenses, and other items. He also assisted in trainings instructing new employees how to prepare fraudulent tax returns. The IRS – Criminal Investigations unit conducted the investigation.INDICTMENT* – J. Concepcion Serrano-Alba
On April 24, a federal grand jury indicted J. Concepcion Serrano-Alba, 47, on three counts of straw purchase, or acquiring a firearm from a licensed dealer by false or fictitious statement. Over a 13-month period, Mr. Alba allegedly purchased several pistols from pawn shops across the Northern District of Texas. He told the shops that he was the actual buyer of the firearm, when in fact, the guns were meant for someone else. If convicted, Mr. Serrano-Alba faces 30 years in federal prison. The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms & Explosives investigated.INDICTMENT* – Austin Reed
On April 24, a federal grand jury indicted Austin David Reed, 26, of Dallas, Texas, for carjacking and brandishing a firearm during a crime of violence. When Dallas police officers responded to a domestic violence all at his hotel room, Mr. Reed allegedly donned a bullet-proof vest and stated he was “not going down like this.” He then lead officers on a dangerous pursuit through a wooded area and into a neighborhood, firing several rounds at officers as he fled. Once inside the neighborhood, he allegedly brandished his weapon to carjack a vehicle, which he promptly crashed into a light pole. He exited the mangled vehicle and entered a home, where he demanded the keys to another car. When the victims confronted him with a gun, he fled the home through the garage. If convicted, Mr. Reed faces up to 22 years in federal prison. ATF and Dallas Police Department and investigated the case.INDICTMENT* – Lilla Haiddar
On April 24, a federal grand jury indicted Lilla Haiddar, 56 of Arlington, Texas on two counts of making false statements in her passport applications. In October 2011 and again in November 2018, Ms. Haiddar applied for a passport without disclosing a name she had used previously: Marufa Khashim Surgul. If convicted, Ms. Haiddar faces up to 120 months in federal prison on each count. United States Department of State, Diplomatic Security Service conducted the investigation.SENTENCING – Toure couple
On April 22, Mohamed Toure, 58, and Denise Cros-Toure, 58, of Southlake, Texas, were sentenced seven years in prison each and ordered to pay $288,620.24 in restitution following a January forced labor conviction. According evidence preented at trial, the defendants, members of powerful Guinean families, arranged for the victim, then a young child from a rural Guinean community, to travel alone from her home in West Africa to the defendants’ home in Southlake, Texas, in early 2000. Once in the United States, the defendants forced the victim to cook, clean, and take care of their biological children, some of whom were close in age to the victim, without pay for the next 16 years. The U.S. Department of State’s Diplomatic Security Service, Houston Field Office, investigated the case. More here.SENTENCING -- Matias Alacala
On April 22, 23-year-old Matias Medina Alcala, of Zacatecas, Mexico, was sentenced to 97 months confinement in federal prison for conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute methamphetamine. According to Court documents, in December 2015, Mr. Alcala delivered approximately 1 kilogram of meth to another individual at the request of Domingo Arreola Avalos (see below). As part of the plea agreement, the defendant, who was in the U.S. illegally at the time of the offense, agreed to forfeit a firearm and $36,900 in U.S. currency. The case was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation and the IRS – Criminal Investigations Division and prosecuted by AUSA George Leal.SENTENCING -- Pedro Barriga-Avalaos
On April 22, 28- year-old Pedro Barriga-Avalos, of Michoacán, Mexico, was sentenced to 97 months confinement in federal prison for conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute methamphetamine. Court documents indicate that on New Year’s Day 2016, the defendant delivered approximately 1 kilogram of methamphetamine to another person. During the delivery, the defendant advised he had two kilograms of methamphetamine but one was for another person. Mr. Barriga Avalos, who was in the U.S. illegally at the time of the offense, forfeited $9236.00 in U.S. currency, as well as a firearm. The case was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation and the IRS – Criminal Investigations Division and prosecuted by AUSA George Leal.* An indictment is merely an accusation of criminal conduct, not evidence. All criminal defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.
Mt. Sterling Man Sentenced to 25 Years for Distribution of Fentanyl that Caused a Fatal Overdose in the Montgomery County Regional JailRead the Press Release
LEXINGTON, Ky. – Kloud Logan Jones, 27, of Mt. Sterling, Kentucky, was sentenced today, to 25 years in federal prison, by United States District Judge Danny C. Reeves, for distributing fentanyl that caused a death.
Jones previously pleaded guilty to the charge, admitting that, on November 23, 2017, he distributed the lethal drug to an individual identified as R.A.S., while both were confined as inmates at the Montgomery County Regional Jail. Video surveillance from the jail captured the incident.
Under federal law, Jones must serve 85 percent of his sentence. Upon completion of his imprisonment, he will be under supervision by the United States Probation Office for a term of three years.
“We continue to confront the tragedy of the opioid epidemic,” said Robert M. Duncan, Jr., United States Attorney for the Eastern District of Kentucky. “Those who distribute these dangerous drugs need to understand that we are committed to combatting this problem, to using all the tools available to us, and to prosecuting those who further this loss of life through their criminal conduct. This conduct has serious consequences and we will be vigilant in our efforts to confront this challenge.”
U.S. Attorney Duncan; Darrell Christopher Evans, Special Agent in Charge, DEA Louisville; and David Charles, Montgomery County Sheriff, jointly made the announcement. Assistant United States Attorney Todd Bradbury prosecuted the cases on behalf of the United States.
Memphis, Tennessee Woman Sentenced to 42 Months for Methamphetamine DistributionRead the Press Release
MUSKOGEE, OKLAHOMA – The United States Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of Oklahoma announced that Keaunta Keshawna Robinson, age 28, of Memphis, Tennessee was sentenced to 42 months’ imprisonment and 3 years of supervised release for Possession With Intent To Distribute Methamphetamine, in violation of Title 21, United States Code, Sections 841(a)(1) and 841(b)(1)(A). The charges arose from an investigation by the Oklahoma Highway Patrol and the Drug Enforcement Administration.
The Indictment alleged that on or about April 26, 2018, within the Eastern District of Oklahoma, the defendant, did knowingly and intentionally possess with intent to distribute 50 grams or more of methamphetamine (actual), a Schedule II controlled substance. The investigation originated with a traffic stop in Okmulgee County on I-40.
United States Attorney Brian J. Kuester said, “Over 50 grams of methamphetamine did not reach the destination intended by the defendant because of the good work of the Oklahoma Highway Patrol. That intended destination was into towns and cities and into the hands of dealers and users. Her motive was profit, but instead she lost her freedom. We and our law enforcement partners must continue to be diligent to stop the flow of methamphetamine and other dangerous drugs into our communities.”
The Honorable Ronald A. White, U.S. District Judge in the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Oklahoma, in Muskogee, presided over the hearing. Assistant United States Attorney Dean Burris represented the United States.
Maryland MS-13 Gang Member Sentenced to 35 Years in Federal Prison for a Violent Racketeering Conspiracy, Including MurderRead the Press Release
Greenbelt, Maryland – U.S. District Judge Paula Xinis sentenced Oscar Ernesto Delgado-Perez, a/k/a “Complicado” and “Indio,” age 26, of Gaithersburg, Maryland today to 35 years in federal prison, followed by five years of supervised release, for conspiring to participate in a racketeering enterprise known as La Mara Salvatrucha, or MS-13.
The sentence was announced by United States Attorney for the District of Maryland Robert K. Hur; Special Agent in Charge Jesse R. Fong of the Drug Enforcement Administration - Washington Field Division; Acting Special Agent in Charge Cardell T. Morant of U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s (ICE) Homeland Security Investigations (HSI); Acting Chief Russell E. Hamill, III of the Montgomery County Police Department; Chief Henry P. Stawinski III of the Prince George’s County Police Department; Prince George’s County State’s Attorney Aisha Braveboy; and Montgomery County State’s Attorney John McCarthy.
“We will not tolerate the violence perpetrated by MS-13 in Maryland,” said U.S. Attorney Robert K. Hur. “Today’s sentence sends a strong message to MS-13 gang members that federal, state, and local law enforcement will continue to work together to find and bring to justice MS-13 members who commit these heinous crimes.”
“The most foundational tenets of MS-13 rest on unadulterated evil,” said Acting Special Agent in Charge Cardell T. Morant, HSI Baltimore. “Our investigators will not stand for this or any other transnational criminal organization living and operating here without detection and, ultimately, consequence.”
MS-13 is a gang composed primarily of immigrants or descendants of immigrants from El Salvador, with members operating in the State of Maryland, including Montgomery County, Prince George’s County, and Frederick County, and throughout the United States. Branches or “cliques” of MS-13 often work together cooperatively as “Programs,” with the purpose of increasing the gang’s levels of organization, violence, extortion, and other criminal activity, and to assist one another in avoiding detection by law enforcement. In Maryland and the surrounding area, these cliques include Parkview Locos Salvatrucha (“PVLS”), Normandie Locos Salvatrucha (“NLS” or “Normandie”), Sailors Locos Salvatrucha Westside (“SLSW” or “Sailors”), Langley Park Salvatrucha (“LPS”), Weedoms Locos Salvatrucha (“Weedoms”), and Cabanas Locos Salvatruchas (“Cabanas”). A person within the participating cliques is selected as the Program leader.
To protect the gang and to enhance its reputation, MS-13 members and associates are expected to use any means necessary to force respect from those who show disrespect, including acts of intimidation and violence. MS-13’s creed is based on one of its mottos, “Mata, roba, viola, controla,” which translates to, “kill, steal, rape, control.”
According to his plea agreement, beginning before June 2016, Delgado-Perez was a member of the Sailors clique of MS-13. Delgado-Perez admitted that he conspired with other MS-13 members and associates to participate in numerous acts in furtherance of the racketeering conspiracy, including extortion and murder.
As detailed in his plea agreement, in 2016 in the area of Gaithersburg, Maryland, Delgado-Perez, distributed illegal drugs for the gang, including marijuana and cocaine.
According to his plea agreement, on June 15 and June 16, 2016, Delgado-Perez, along with other MS-13 members and associates, planned and conspired to murder an individual, whom they believed to be a member of the rival 18th Street gang. On June 16, 2016, as part of the plan to murder the victim, a female MS-13 co-conspirator lured the victim to a wooded area within the Malcolm King Park in Gaithersburg, Maryland. While the victim was with the female co-conspirator in the park, Delgado-Perez and another co-conspirator attacked the victim, stabbing the victim multiple times with knives, with the intention of killing him. Two other MS-13 co-conspirators also took part in the attack, and stabbed the victim, who died as a result of the attack. According to the autopsy report, the injuries to the victim included approximately 153 sharp force injuries consisting of stab wounds, puncture wounds and cutting wounds.
Co-defendants Jose Augustin Salmeron-Larios, a/k/a “Joseph Morales-Martinez,” “Angel Salvador Gutierrez,” “Yankee,” and “Kean,” age 26, of Severn, Maryland; Juan Carlos Espinal-Rapalo, a/k/a “Chiki,” age 21; Daniel Adonai Ramos-Romero, a/k/a “Romero Taylor Binga,” “Taylor Romero,” and “Binga,” age 22; and all of Gaithersburg, Maryland, have pleaded guilty to the racketeering conspiracy and other charges related to their MS-13 gang activity. They remain detained as they await sentencing.
Co-defendants Noe Coreas-Mejia, a/k/a “Tsunami,” age 22, of Hyattsville, Maryland and Kevin Henriquez-Chavez, a/k/a “Loco” and “Crazy,” age 24, of Washington Grove, Maryland, also pleaded guilty to the racketeering conspiracy and were sentenced to 33 years and 30 years in federal prison, respectively.
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. Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN) is the centerpiece of the Department of Justice’s violent crime reduction efforts. PSN is an evidence-based program proven to be effective at reducing violent crime. Through PSN, a broad spectrum of stakeholders work together to identify the most pressing violent crime problems in the community and develop comprehensive solutions to address them. As part of this strategy, PSN focuses enforcement efforts on the most violent offenders and partners with locally based prevention and reentry programs for lasting reductions in crime.
United States Attorney Robert K. Hur commended the DEA; HSI Baltimore, the Prince George’s County Police Department, the Montgomery County Police Department, the Prince George’s County State’s Attorney’s Office, and the Montgomery County State’s Attorney’s Office for their work in the investigation. Mr. Hur also recognized the Gaithersburg Police Department, the Montgomery County and Prince George’s County Departments of Corrections, HSI Baltimore’s Operation Community Shield Task Force, and the Maryland Department of Corrections Intelligence Unit for their assistance. Mr. Hur thanked Assistant United States Attorneys William D. Moomau, Ray D. McKenzie, Catherine K. Dick, and Burden H. Walker who are prosecuting this Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Force case.
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Maplewood Dentist to Pay $75,000 for Illegally Prescribing Opioids in Violation of the Controlled Substances ActRead the Press Release
United States Attorney Erica MacDonald today announced that Maplewood dentist DR. JERRY KENT BRUNSOMAN and his clinic INSTITUTE OF FACIAL SURGERY ST. PAUL, PLLC, d/b/a/ IDEALSKIN LASER REJUVENATION CENTER has agreed to pay $75,000 in civil penalties for allegedly issuing illegitimate prescriptions for opioid medications and repeatedly failing to comply with the recordkeeping requirements of the Controlled Substances Act.
According to the allegations in the complaint, BRUNSOMAN unlawfully issued multiple prescriptions for Schedule II controlled substances, namely, oxycodone and hydrocodone, without a legitimate medical purpose. The complaint further alleges that BRUNSOMAN failed to keep complete and accurate records regarding the receipt and dispensing of controlled substances used at his clinic. Congress enacted the recordkeeping and prescribing requirements to prevent the diversion of controlled substances for illegal purposes. As a result of BRUNSOMAN’S alleged actions, hundreds of doses of controlled substances went unaccounted for and are presumed to have been diverted for illicit purposes.
“Prescription drug abuse is a very real threat to the health and safety of our community. Doctors and medical professionals have a unique responsibility in preventing these dangerous drugs from falling into the wrong hands,” said U.S. Attorney Erica MacDonald. “The United States Attorney’s Office and our partners at the DEA are committed to pursuing those who divert prescription opioids in violation of the Controlled Substances Act.”
Prior to the federal civil suit, the Minnesota Board of Dentistry conducted an independent investigation that resulted in a public discipline order. The Board required BRUNSOMAN to voluntarily surrender his license to practice dentistry and his DEA registration to prescribe controlled substances. BRUNSOMAN is no longer practicing dentistry in Minnesota.
“Communities rely on doctors to help treat and improve their quality of life,” DEA Omaha Division Diversion Program Manager William Stockman said. “Doctors are held to a certain standard and are not expected to disregard controlled substance laws and regulations. When doctors disregard laws, they allow pharmaceutical drugs to be illegally channeled into our community and contribute to increased drug abuse. The DEA continues to fight the opioid crisis by working alongside the USAO and the Minnesota state boards.”
This case was investigated by the Diversion Group of the Drug Enforcement Administration, Minneapolis-St. Paul District Office and handled by the Affirmative Civil Enforcement unit of the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Minnesota, with cooperation from the Minnesota State Board of Dentistry.
The case is captioned United States of America v. Jerry Kent Brunsoman, Institute of Facial Surgery St. Paul, PLLC, d/b/a/ IdealSkin Laser Rejuvenation Center, Civil No. 18-CV-2172 (JRT/BRT). The claims resolved by the settlement are allegations only; there has been no determination of liability.
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United States Attorney’s Office, District of Minnesota: (612) 664-5600
Man Sentenced to Prison for Producing Child PornographyRead the Press Release
ALEXANDRIA, Va. – A Hamilton man was sentenced today to 15 years in prison for producing child pornography.
“The nature and vile actions of McCauley are nothing short of despicable and among the most serious crimes contemplated by the federal criminal code,” said G. Zachary Terwilliger, U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of Virginia. “The production of child pornography is heinous and causes incalculable and unknowable harm to victims. I want to thank our local, state and federal law enforcement partners for their tremendous work on this case and for protecting our most vulnerable victims from horrendous criminals like McCauley.”
According to court documents and evidence presented at trial, in 2016 and 2017, Logan Roy McCauley, 25, repeatedly went online and engaged in sexualized conversations with individuals who identified themselves as minors. Then, in November 2017, after meeting a 13-year-old online, McCauley drove to the minor’s residence in West Virginia, picked up the minor, and drove the minor back to his residence in Hamilton. Within hours of arriving, McCauley engaged in sexual intercourse with the minor for purposes of using a smartphone to record a portion of the sexual abuse. Soon after creating the video, McCauley sent an online message to another person admitting he had made the video that morning. The day after McCauley created the video, law enforcement went to McCauley’s residence in search of the minor. Both McCauley and the minor were present, and McCauley told law enforcement about the video, which was still on McCauley’s smartphone.
“This sentence is a result of the hard work of dedicated law enforcement personnel who work to safeguard children against these atrocious acts and people," said Matthew J. DeSarno, Special Agent in Charge of the Washington Field Office’s Criminal Division. “On behalf of the FBI, I would like to thank our law enforcement partners across multiple states who assisted in the safe recovery of the minor victim.”
This matter was investigated by the FBI Washington Field Office’s Child Exploitation and Human Trafficking Task Force, which is composed of FBI agents, along with detectives from the Fairfax County Police, Arlington County Police, Prince William County Police, Loudoun County Sheriff’s Office, Leesburg Police, Alexandria City Police, Washington Metropolitan Police, Fauquier County Sheriff’s Office, George Mason University Police, United States Marshal’s Service, and agents of various Office of Inspector Generals. This matter was brought to the task force as a result of interagency cooperation between West Virginian local authorities and FBI’s Pittsburgh Field Office in an attempt to locate the victim who was reported missing.
This case was brought as part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative launched in May 2006 by the Department of Justice to combat the growing epidemic of child sexual exploitation and abuse. Led by U.S. Attorney’s Offices and the Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section (CEOS), Project Safe Childhood marshals federal, state, and local resources to better locate, apprehend, and prosecute individuals who exploit children via the internet, as well as to identify and rescue victims. For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit www.justice.gov/psc.
G. Zachary Terwilliger, U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of Virginia, Brian A. Benczkowski, Assistant Attorney General of the Justice Department’s Criminal Division, Matthew J. DeSarno, Special Agent in Charge, Criminal Division, FBI Washington Field Office, and Michael L. Chapman, Loudoun County Sheriff, made the announcement after sentencing by Senior U.S. District Judge T.S. Ellis III. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Alexander P. Berrang and Jay V. Prabhu, and Special Assistant U.S. Attorney Gwendelynn E. Bills prosecuted the case.
A copy of this press release is located on the website of the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of Virginia. Related court documents and information are located on the website of the District Court for the Eastern District of Virginia or on PACER by searching for Case No. 1:18-cr-330.
Man Sentenced on Federal Charge of Illegally Possessing a Firearm While Using DrugsRead the Press Release
St. Louis, MO – William Hampton, 21, of St. Louis, was sentenced to 48 months in prison today for illegally possessing a firearm while being an unlawful user of a controlled substance. He appeared in federal court today before U.S. District Judge Rodney W. Sippel. Hampton’s sentence was ordered to run consecutive to any sentence imposed in Hampton’s pending State case, Cause Number1822-CR1904, Circuit Court, City of St. Louis.
According to court documents and information at sentencing, on June 19, 2016, St. Louis Metropolitan Police Department officers located Hampton asleep in the driver’s seat of a stolen vehicle. The vehicle was parked in the middle of the street. The engine was running. Hampton had a nine millimeter firearm on his lap. Hampton was also in the possession of controlled substances. Hampton was arrested and later charged federally with one count of being a user of controlled substances in the possession of a firearm.
At the time of his arrest in connection with the federal indictment, Hampton attempted to escape arresting officers by driving his vehicle at a dangerously high rate of speed on City of St. Louis streets and the highway. Hampton violated stop signs and traffic signals. Hampton eventually lost control of his vehicle and ran. Officers chased Hampton on foot and ultimately took him into custody. The officers searched Hampton’s vehicle and recovered a stolen, loaded .40 caliber handgun.
This case was investigated by the Drug Enforcement Administration and St. Louis Metropolitan Police Department as part of the United States Attorney’s Office’s sustained effort to combat violent crime within the City of St. Louis. Assistant U.S. Attorney Jennifer Roy is handling the case for the U.S. Attorney’s Office.