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4 April 2019
Sinaloa Cartel Money Launderer Pleads Guilty; Admits Laundering $13 Million in Drug MoneyRead the Press Release
NEWS RELEASE SUMMARY – April 4, 2019
SAN DIEGO – Cesar Hernandez-Martinez of Tijuana pleaded guilty in federal court today to managing and supervising an “extensive” international money laundering organization that smuggled $13 million in narcotics proceeds from the United States to Mexico.
The narcotics - multi-kilogram quantities of cocaine, methamphetamine and heroin – were smuggled into the United States from Mexico by a drug-trafficking organization that Hernandez-Martinez acknowledged was a part of, or affiliated with, the Sinaloa Cartel.
Hernandez-Martinez, 29, was extradited from Mexico to the United States in September 2018 to face these charges. Through his plea agreement, Hernandez-Martinez admitted that, from approximately April 2013 until November 2015, he owned and operated currency exchange houses in Tijuana that received smuggled drug proceeds. Hernandez-Martinez further admitted to knowing that money received was from narcotics trafficking activity in the United States. Hernandez-Martinez also coordinated couriers involved in smuggling this currency from the United States to Mexico, ensuring that they picked up the currency from the correct sources who were primarily located in Southern California.
Hernandez-Martinez pleaded guilty before U.S. Magistrate Judge Bernard G. Skomal. Hernandez-Martinez will be sentenced on July 8, 2019 at 9:00 a.m. before U.S. District Judge Roger T. Benitez. Hernandez-Martinez faces up to 20 years in prison and a maximum fine of $26 million (twice the value of the funds involved). Three other defendants previously entered guilty pleas in this case and were sentenced (Omar Ayon-Diaz; Osvaldo Contreras-Arriaga; and Joel Acedo-Ojeda).
The U.S. Attorney’s Office is working this matter together with the Money Laundering and Asset Recovery Section of the Criminal Division of the Department of Justice in Washington, D.C.
DEFENDANT Case Number 15-cr-950
Cesar Hernandez-Martinez Age: 29 Tijuana, Mexico
SUMMARY OF CHARGE TO WHICH GUILTY PLEA ENTERED
Hernandez-Martinez
Conspiracy to Commit International Money Laundering, in violation of Title 18, U.S.C., Sec. 1956(a)(2)(B)(i) and (h).
Maximum Penalties: 20 years in prison; $500,000 fine or twice the value of the funds involved.
Prior Guilty Pleas and Sentences
Joel Acedo-Ojeda: Pleaded guilty to Conspiracy to Commit International Money Laundering, in violation of Title 18, U.S.C., Sec. 1956(a)(2)(B)(i) and (h); sentenced to 135 months custody and $20,000 fine.
Omar Ayon-Diaz: Pleaded guilty to Conspiracy to Commit International Money Laundering, in violation of Title 18, U.S.C., Sec. 1956(a)(2)(B)(i) and (h); sentenced to 120 months custody and $15,000 fine.
Osvaldo Contreras-Arriaga: Pleaded guilty to Conspiracy to import cocaine, in violation of Title 21, U.S.C., Secs. 952, 960 and 963; sentenced to 132 months custody and $1,000 fine.
INVESTIGATING AGENCY
Homeland Security Investigations
Sinaloa Cartel Money Launderer Pleaded Guilty to Laundering $13 Million in Hard Narcotics ProceedsRead the Press Release
A man from Tijuana, Mexico pleaded guilty in federal court today to managing and supervising an “extensive” international money laundering organization that smuggled, from the United States to Mexico, through Southern California and elsewhere, under his direction, $13 million of narcotics proceeds.
Assistant Attorney General Brian A. Benczkowski of the Justice Department’s Criminal Division, U.S. Attorney Robert S. Brewer Jr. for the Southern District of California and Special Agent in Charge Dave Shaw of U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) San Diego Field Office, made the announcement.
Cesar Hernandez-Martinez, 29, pleaded guilty to conspiracy to commit international money laundering before U.S. Magistrate Judge Bernard G. Skomal. Hernandez-Martinez was extradited from Mexico to the United States in September 2018. The narcotics -- multi-kilogram quantities of cocaine, methamphetamine and heroin – were smuggled into the United States from Mexico by a drug trafficking organization that Hernandez-Martinez acknowledged was a part of, or affiliated with, the Sinaloa Cartel. Through his plea agreement, Hernandez-Martinez admitted that, from approximately April 2013 until November 2015, he owned and operated currency exchange houses in Tijuana that received smuggled proceeds. Hernandez-Martinez further admitted to knowing that these smuggled proceeds were from narcotics trafficking activity in the United States. According to the plea agreement, Hernandez-Martinez also coordinated couriers involved in smuggling this currency from the United States to Mexico, ensuring that they picked up the currency from the correct sources who were primarily located in Southern California.
Hernandez-Martinez will be sentenced on July 8, 2019 before U.S. District Judge Roger T. Benitez. Three other defendants previously entered guilty pleas in this case and have been sentenced including:
- Joel Acedo-Ojeda, 34, of Culiacan, Sinaloa, Mexico, pleaded guilty to conspiracy to commit international money laundering and was sentenced to serve 135 months in prison and ordered to pay a $20,000 fine;
- Omar Ayon-Diaz, 40, of Tijuana, pleaded guilty to conspiracy to commit international money laundering and was sentenced to serve 120 months in prison and was ordered to pay a $15,000 fine; and
- Osvaldo Contreras-Arriaga, 31, of Culiacan, Sinaloa, Mexico, pleaded guilty to conspiracy to import cocaine and was sentenced to serve 132 months in prison and pay a $1,000 fine.
HSI San Diego conducted the investigation. Senior Trial Counsel Mark A. Irish of the Criminal Division’s Money Laundering and Asset Recovery Section and Assistant U.S. Attorney Lawrence A. Casper of the Southern District of California are prosecuting the case.
Shreveport man pleads guilty to lying on a federal firearms formRead the Press Release
SHREVEPORT, La. – United States Attorney David C. Joseph announced today that Joseph Shaquille Brown, 25, of Shreveport, pleaded guilty before U.S. District Judge Donald E. Walter for making a false statement on a federal firearms transaction record, known as an ATF Form 4473.
According to the guilty plea, Brown completed an ATF Form 4473 at a Shreveport business on November 17, 2017. On the form, Brown indicated he was not subject to a court authorized restraining order. However, he was subject to two such restraining orders that were issued following his arrest on October 4, 2017 for telephone harassment and stalking his ex-wife. The Caddo Parish District Court issued a restraining order on October 9, 2017, and the Caddo parish Juvenile Court issued another restraining order on October 27, 2017.
Brown faces up to five years in prison, three years of supervised release and a $250,000 fine. Judge Donald Walter set Brown’s sentencing date for July 2, 2019.
The ATF conducted the investigation. Assistant U.S. Attorney Brian C. Flanagan is prosecuting the case.
Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN) is the centerpiece of the Department of Justice’s violent crime reduction efforts. Project Safe Neighborhoods 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, Project Safe Neighborhoods focuses enforcement efforts on the most violent offenders and partners with locally based prevention and reentry programs for lasting reductions in crime.
Seven Ohio Men Plead Guilty to Crimes Related to Sexually Abusing Children, Creating Child PornographyRead the Press Release
COLUMBUS, Ohio – Seven Ohio men have pleaded guilty to related crimes regarding child pornography and the sexual abuse of two 10-year-old children.
Four of the men were charged in a second superseding indictment returned by a federal grand jury in August 2018, for crimes related to producing child pornography and the repeated sexual abuse of a 10-year-old girl. They include: William G. Weekley, 35, of Newark; Timothy F. Sullivan, 50, of Canal Winchester; Franklin Eugene Perry, 63, of Columbus; and Brian S. Perkins, 42, of Mt. Vernon.
Three other defendants were discovered in the course of the investigation that was initiated by the discovery of Weekley’s activities. Those three men were each charged in separate cases on August 23, 2018. Grant Michalski, 29, of Columbus, was charged by criminal complaint. A federal grand jury charged Eric Zevely, 34, of Columbus, to offenses related to the production of child pornography and sexual abuse of another 10-year-old girl. Finally, in a fourth case, Jordan I. Makowski, 33, of Greenville, Ohio, was indicted by a federal grand jury for distributing and receiving child pornography.
Benjamin C. Glassman, United States Attorney for the Southern District of Ohio, Todd A. Wickerham, Special Agent in Charge, Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), Cincinnati Division, Ohio Attorney General Dave Yost, Steve Francis, Special Agent in Charge, Homeland Security Investigations (HSI), Franklin County Sheriff Dallas Baldwin, Westerville Acting Police Chief Charles Chandler and other members of the FBI Crimes Against Children Task Force announced the pleas entered into before Chief U.S. District Judge Edmund A. Sargus, Jr.
This investigation began when Ohio Bureau of Criminal Investigations Special Agent/FBI Task Force Officer Larry McCoy communicated undercover with Weekley online. From that initial investigation into Weekley, investigators were able to discover the additional defendants.
According to court documents, the defendants made online contact with each other and others who shared, or whom they believed to share, their sexual interest in minors, incest and child pornography.
After making initial contact through Craigslist, Weekley – who pleaded guilty in U.S. District Court today – communicated with each of the other defendants on an ongoing basis through text and various other apps, including Wickr.
Weekley had regular access to a female child (Jane Doe), who was approximately 10 to 11 years old during the offenses detailed. Weekley sexually abused Jane Doe and created images and videos of the molestation, which he shared with others, including some of the co-defendants.
Weekley and Perry discussed sexually abusing Jane Doe together, and made plans for Perry to join Weekley in the sexual abuse of Jane Doe. Perry encouraged Weekley to continue abusing the victim and did eventually sexually abuse the victim together with Weekley.
Likewise, Perkins and Sullivan requested that Weekley bring Jane Doe to meet them for the purpose of sexually abusing Jane Doe, but it is not believed that Perkins or Sullivan actually met with Weekley.
One of the conversations found on Weekley’s phone between him and Sullivan was initiated when Weekley responded to an online classified ad Sullivan posted entitled “I AM LOOKING TO PRIVATELY MEET AN INCEST FAMILY. Mom son brother sister.”
Weekley and Michalski messaged on Craigslist about interests in sexual topics like “family, forced” and “K9 and more.”
Zevely engaged in thousands of communications with numerous other individuals in response to ads placed on Craigslist, including with Weekley. Investigators discovered Zevely sexually abused a different 10-year-old victim who was not Jane Doe. Zevely also engaged in communications about sexually abusing minors with both HSI and FBI undercover task force officers.
In a conversation on Kik messenger, Makowski sent several files containing child pornography to another individual.
Weekley pleaded guilty today to three counts of production of child pornography (15 to 30 years in prison), one count of attempted coercion of a minor (10 years to life in prison) and two counts of distributing child pornography (five to 20 years in prison).
Sullivan pleaded guilty on Tuesday to attempted coercion or enticement of a minor to engage in illegal sexual activity (10 years to life in prison).
Perry pleaded guilty in January 2019 to coercion or enticement of a minor to engage in illegal sexual activity (10 years to life in prison).
Perkins, Zevely and Michalski all pleaded guilty in November 2018. Perkins and Michalski pleaded guilty to receipt of child pornography (five to 20 years in prison), and Zevely pleaded guilty to producing child pornography (15 to 30 years in prison).
Makowski pleaded guilty in February 2019 to distributing child pornography (five to 20 years in prison).
U.S. Attorney Glassman commended the investigation of this case by the FBI Crimes Against Children Task Force, the Franklin County Sheriff’s Office Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force, and Assistant United States Attorneys Heather A. Hill and S. Courter Shimeall, who are prosecuting the cases.
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Sacramento County Man Indicted on Conspiracy, Armed Robbery, and Fraud ChargesRead the Press Release
SACRAMENTO, Calif. — A federal grand jury returned a nine-count indictment today against Damian Deleal, 30, of Carmichael, charging him with conspiracy to commit offenses against the United States, armed robbery of a U.S. Mail carrier, possession of a stolen Postal Service key, bank fraud, aggravated identity theft, and possession of stolen U.S. mail, U.S. Attorney McGregor W. Scott announced.
According to court documents, in March 2018, Deleal conspired with other individuals to rob a mail carrier of a U.S. Postal Service key that was capable of opening numerous residential mailboxes in Sacramento. Deleal conspired to obtain the key so he and his coconspirators – including Jayce Powell, Brandon Moses, and Loren Patrick – could commit bank fraud and identity theft using bankcards, checks, and other financial instruments stolen from the mail.
On March 9, 2018, in South Sacramento, an unnamed co-conspirator robbed a mail carrier at gunpoint and took a Postal Service key. Although the gun resembled a real firearm, investigators later determined it was a BB gun that Deleal supplied as part of the conspiracy. During the following week, Deleal, Powell, Moses, and Patrick used the key to steal mailed bankcards and checks. They then posed as the victims and attempted to use their bankcards and checks to purchase goods and obtain cash.
Deleal and Powell further conspired to fraudulently claim reward money offered for information relating to the robbery and the stolen Postal Service key. In executing this plan, they planted the stolen key on Moses while he was sleeping in his car and called the U.S. Postal Service to report Moses’ location and inquire about the reward. After receiving this tip, investigators worked quickly to make arrests and learned that Deleal orchestrated the conspiracy and related crimes.
This case is the product of an investigation by the U.S. Postal Inspection Service, the Sacramento County Sheriff’s Department, and the Sacramento Police Department. Assistant U.S. Attorney Michelle Rodriguez and Special Assistant U.S. Attorney Robert J. Artuz are prosecuting the case.
Deleal is currently in custody on unrelated charges. Powell, Moses, and Patrick have already pleaded guilty to federal charges in the following related cases in this district: U.S. v. Patrick, 2:18-cr-079-MCE; U.S. v. Powell, 2:18-cr-083-MCE; and U.S. v. Moses, 2:18-cr-090‑MCE.
If convicted of bank fraud, Deleal faces a maximum statutory penalty of 30 years in prison and a $1 million fine. If convicted of armed robbery, he faces a maximum statutory penalty of 25 years in prison and a $1 million fine. If convicted of aggravated identity theft, he faces a mandatory sentence of two years in prison consecutive to any other sentence imposed. The maximum sentence for conspiracy is five years in prison and a $250,000 fine. Any sentence, however, would be determined at the discretion of the court after consideration of any applicable statutory factors and the Federal Sentencing Guidelines, which take into account a number of variables. The charges are only allegations; the defendant is presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt.
Rhode Island Man Indicted by Federal Grand Jury for the Kidnapping of Jassy CorreiaRead the Press Release
BOSTON – Louis Coleman III was indicted today by a federal grand jury in Boston for the kidnapping resulting in the death of Jassy Correia.
Coleman, 32, of Providence, R.I., was indicted on one count of kidnapping resulting in death. An arraignment date will be scheduled by the Court. Coleman was arrested on Feb. 28, 2019, in Delaware, charged by complaint in the District of Massachusetts on March 3, and appeared in federal court in Boston on March 11. He has been detained since his arrest.
According to the charging documents, after learning of the disappearance of Correia, law enforcement reviewed surveillance tape from outside of the Venu nightclub, the last place Correia had been seen by her friends, which showed Correia leaving the area and entering a vehicle with a man later identified as Coleman. Surveillance footage from Coleman’s Providence, R.I., apartment building showed Coleman, at about 4:15 a.m. on Sunday, Feb. 24, 2019, parking and exiting the vehicle, and then returning a short time later carrying a blanket. He then walked from the car to the front of the building carrying a body with long hair and clothing consistent with the description of Ms. Correia. Once he entered the building, surveillance video showed Coleman dropping the victim on the floor and dragging her towards the elevator, and subsequently towards his apartment unit. The victim was not moving and her body was limp.
It is alleged that on Feb. 26, 2019, surveillance video from the defendant’s apartment building showed Coleman enter the apartment building with Walmart shopping bags. Law enforcement subsequently obtained video surveillance and a receipt from a Walmart in Providence, R.I., that revealed Coleman had purchased three Tyvek suits, duct tape, two candles, electrical tape, one mask, surgical gloves, two pairs of safety goggles, an odor respirator and CLN release bleach bath.
At approximately 9:58 p.m. on Feb. 27, 2019, Coleman is seen on video surveillance entering the apartment building with what appeared to be a new, large suitcase. At 1:15 a.m., on Feb. 28, 2019, Coleman is seen in the video wheeling the suitcase away from his apartment unit towards the elevator, eventually out of the building and into the parking lot where his vehicle was parked. Coleman appeared to have difficulty lifting the suitcase into the trunk of his car.
Additional surveillance video showed Coleman on several occasions exiting his apartment building with other items, including trash bags, cardboard boxes, a bottle of bleach, a laptop case, a computer tower and a small duffle bag.
Later in the day on Feb. 28, 2019, a search warrant was executed at Coleman’s apartment, where two packages of hooded coveralls and two respirator masks were recovered. A sofa with four large cushions, one of which was missing a cover, was also observed. In a dumpster outside of the apartment complex, white trash bags, a bag containing plastic sheets, men’s jeans with bleach stains and a belt, a white nylon hooded coverall, an empty box of baking soda, clear safety goggles, a respirator mask, duct tape packaging, rubbing alcohol, Walmart bags, used plastic gloves, an empty package from a car air freshener, three empty packages of purifying charcoal and a sponge were recovered.
On the afternoon of Feb. 28, 2019, Coleman’s vehicle was stopped by Delaware authorities on I-95 South near Wilmington, Delaware. Officers ordered Coleman out of the vehicle and asked him if anyone else was in the vehicle with him. It is alleged that Coleman stated words to the effect: “She’s in the trunk.”
Officers discovered the victim’s body in the trunk of Coleman’s vehicle, wrapped in a sofa cushion cover, which was inside of a black trash bag, inside of a large suitcase that matches the suitcase Coleman was observed bringing into his apartment on Feb. 27, 2019. The victim had significant bruising, a bloodied face, was bound with gray duct tape, and was covered in what is believed to be baking soda.
A duffle bag, a pair of new long-handled loppers, plastic garbage bags, clothing, a red plastic gas container, a green butane lighter, black gloves, charcoal air purifiers, air fresheners, tinted safety glasses, plastic Walmart bags, work towels, cloth work-gloves, a new set of DeWalt pliers, a laptop, a computer hard-drive/tower, and disinfectant wipes were also recovered in Coleman’s vehicle.
It is further alleged that photographs of the defendant’s vehicle depict a windshield that is cracked in two locations on the passenger side and a white substance, believed to be baking soda, in the trunk of the vehicle.
Coleman was taken into custody and transported to a Delaware State Police barracks. There, it was noted that Coleman had a large bandage on the right side of his face. When asked about it, he allegedly replied, “It’s from the girl.”
The charge of kidnapping resulting in death provides for a sentence of death or life in prison. 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; Boston Police Commissioner William G. Gross; Joseph R. Bonavolonta, Special Agent in Charge of the Federal Bureau of Investigation, Boston Field Division; John Gibbons, U.S. Marshal for the District of Massachusetts; Suffolk County District Attorney Rachael Rollins; Colonel Nathaniel McQueen Jr., Delaware State Police; and Colonel Hugh T. Clements Jr., Chief of Police, Providence Police Department, made the announcement today. The U.S. Attorney’s Office would also like to acknowledge the cooperation and assistance of Rhode Island Attorney General Peter F. Neronha; United States Attorney David C. Weiss, District of Delaware; and the Massachusetts State Police. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Kenneth G. Shine and Robert Richardson of Lelling’s Major Crimes Unit are prosecuting the case.
The details contained in the charging documents are allegations. The defendant is presumed to be innocent unless and until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.
Rapid City Man Charged with Firearm and Drug CrimesRead the Press Release
United States Attorney Ron Parsons announced that a Rapid City, South Dakota, man was charged in federal district court with Possession with Intent to Distribute a Controlled Substance and Possession of a Firearm by a Prohibited Person.
Dana Standing Bear, age 40, was indicted on March 19, 2019. He appeared before U.S. Magistrate Judge Daneta Wollmann and pleaded not guilty to the charges. The penalty upon conviction is a minimum of 5 years up to 40 years in federal prison and/or a $5,000,000 fine, a minimum of 4 years up to lifetime supervised release, and a $100 assessment to the Federal Crime Victims Fund. Restitution may also be ordered.
The charges relate to Standing Bear knowingly being in possession of two 9mm semi-automatic pistols, as well as methamphetamine in February 2019 at Rapid City. The charges are merely an accusation and Standing Bear is presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty.
Drug trafficking is an inherently violent activity. Firearms are tools of the trade for drug dealers. It is common to find drug traffickers armed with guns in order to protect their illegal drug product and cash, and enforce their illegal operations.
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 its 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 local communities to develop effective, locally-based strategies to reduce violent crime.
The investigation is being conducted by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives, and the Rapid City Police Department. Assistant U.S. Attorney Ben Patterson is prosecuting the case.
Standing Bear was detained pending trial. A trial date has not been set.
Physician Sentenced for His Role in Prolific Georgia Pill MillsRead the Press Release
VALDOSTA - The final defendant involved in a multi-city pill mill conspiracy was sentenced to 72 months in prison Wednesday, said U.S. Attorney Charles “Charlie” Peeler. Dr. Vinod Shah, 69, of Salisbury, NC previously pleaded guilty to conspiracy to dispense controlled substances outside the usual course of medical practice and a legitimate medical purpose and was sentenced to prison on April 3, 2019 by the Honorable Hugh Lawson. Dr. Shah will serve three years supervised release. There is no parole in the federal system.
Dr. Shah joins seven other co-defendants who have been sentenced for their roles in operating pill mills at The Wellness Center of Valdosta and The Relief Institute of Columbus, where tens of thousands of prescriptions for highly addictive opioids were dispensed to people and more than $2 million dollars in cash was paid out by patients seeking prescriptions. Dr. Shah was recruited after a long career in medicine and was employed from 2012-2013, first training in Valdosta under co-defendant Dr. William Bacon, 83, of St. Johns, FL. There, he was taught to prescribe “cocktails” of Oxycodone and Alprazolam (commonly known as Xanax). In Columbus, Dr. Shah saw, at most, 45 patients a day, and the clinic stayed open late into the evening to see patients coming in from out of state. The clinics operated on a “cash only” basis. Patients paid $325 in cash for the first visit, $250 for subsequent visits. Almost every patient seen by Dr. Shah had a diagnosis of low back pain and was prescribed large quantities of two different dosages of Oxycodone and Alprazolam. Dr. Shah admitted in his plea agreement that many of the patients he saw were seeking drugs and many had no legitimate need for the prescriptions that were written. Dr. Shah also admitted that he did not adequately examine the patients and deliberately ignored obvious signs that the clinics were operating outside the legitimate practice of medicine. Dr. Shah was paid $1200 a day during his employment.
“There is no excuse for doctors and health care professionals who turn away from their oath to ethically care for sick people and instead prescribe opioids to addicts in return for cash,” said Charles “Charlie” Peeler, the United States Attorney for the Middle District. “The opioid epidemic is a scourge, and is creating serious harm in every pocket of our society. Law enforcement is working to root out those in the medical field illegally profiting from others’ destruction.”
A total of seven co-defendants in this case were sentenced in December 2018. Dr. Bacon was sentenced to 72 months in prison and the forfeiture of over $95,000. Dr. Donatus O. Mbanefo, 65, of Columbus, GA was sentenced to 96 months in prison. Following a two-week trial that began on May 29, 2018, a Valdosta jury found both Dr. Bacon and Dr. Mbanefo guilty of conspiracy to dispense controlled substances outside the usual course of medical practice and a legitimate medical purpose. Dr. Mbanefo was also convicted of two additional counts of unlawful dispensation of controlled substances.
Five co-conspirators previously entered guilty pleas for their involvement in or knowledge and concealment of the conspiracy, and were sentenced in federal court on Thursday, December 6, 2018.
On charges of conspiracy:
1. Carol Neema Biggs a/k/a Carol Johnson, 33, of Hollywood, FL: 60 months imprisonment, plus 36 months consecutive in prison for a total of 96 months imprisonment
2. Junior Alexander Biggs, 40, of Hollywood, FL: 50 months imprisonment, plus 36 months consecutive in prison for a total of 86 months imprisonment
3. Nilaja C. Biggs, 36 of Hialeah, FL: 36 months imprisonment
On charges of knowledge and concealment of the conspiracy:
4. Shavonta Devon Bright, 35 of Miami, FL: 3 years probation
5. Ionie Whorms, 55 of Goose Creek, SC: 3 years probation
Evidence presented during the 2018 trial of Dr. Bacon and Dr. Mbanefo showed that co-conspirators Carol Biggs, Nilija Biggs and Junior Biggs formed the Wellness Center of Valdosta (WCV) in June 2011, located at 2016 E. Adair Street, to operate as a pain clinic. Dr. Bacon began working there in September 2011 and saw patients until the clinic closed. The clinic saw unrealistically large numbers of patients daily, including people from out of state, and accepted no forms of insurance or government benefits but took cash payments only. No diagnostic testing was offered and no alternative treatments outside prescribing large quantities of a “cocktail” of pain medications and other controlled substances were offered to patients. The “cocktail” generally included such highly addictive controlled substances as Oxycodone and Xanax, but also included Hydromorphone, Hydrocodone, Soma, Valium and Ambien. During the approximately 27 months during which Dr. Bacon worked at the Wellness Center of Valdosta, he wrote more than 29,000 prescriptions for controlled substances.
In June 2012, Carol and Junior Biggs opened another pain clinic in Columbus known as the Relief Institute of Columbus. The Relief Institute of Columbus operated in the same fashion as the Wellness Center of Valdosta by unlawfully dispensing controlled substances. Dr. Mbanefo saw patients at the Relief Institute between mid-March 2013 and mid-June 2013. During that three month period of time, Dr. Mbanefo wrote more than 2,900 prescriptions for controlled substances, including prescribing large quantities of Oxycodone and Xanax to an undercover agent, who had no legitimate medical issues. The doctors at both clinics were paid $1200 to $1400 per day to see patients, with a bonus for Dr. Bacon when he saw more than 40 patients in a single day. During the operation of the two clinics, patients made cash payments of more than $2 million.
The case was investigated by the Drug Enforcement Administration, the Georgia Bureau of Investigation and Internal Revenue Service – Criminal Investigation. Assistant United States Attorneys Robert D. McCullers and K. Alan Dasher prosecuted the case for the United States.
Questions can be directed to Pamela Lightsey, Public Information Officer, United States Attorney’s Office, at (478) 621-2603 or Melissa Hodges, Public Affairs Director (Contractor), United States Attorney’s Office, at (478) 765-2362.
Oshkosh Couple Indicted on Federal Firearm ChargesRead the Press Release
United States Attorney Matthew D. Krueger of the Eastern District of Wisconsin, announced that on April 2, 2019, a federal grand jury issued an indictment against Scott E. Billington (age: 28) and Kody E. Gurske (age: 23) both of Oshkosh, Wisconsin.
The indictment alleges that Billington and Gurske possessed firearms in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime in violation of Title 18, United States Code, Section 924(c)(1)(A). The indictment also alleges that Gurske sold or disposed of a firearm to a person prohibited by law from possessing a firearm in violation of Title 18, United States Code, Section 922(d)(9), and that Billington possessed firearms after a conviction for a crime of domestic violence contrary to Title 18, United States Code, Section 922(g)(9).
If convicted of possessing a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime, each faces a mandatory 5 year prison sentence and up to a lifetime of imprisonment. Billington and Gurske’s other charges carry a maximum penalty of up to ten years imprisonment and a $250,000 fine.
This case was investigated by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives, and the Oshkosh Police Department. It will be prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Daniel R. Humble.
An indictment is only a charge and is not evidence of guilt. The defendants are presumed innocent and is entitled to a fair trial at which the government must prove him guilty beyond a reasonable doubt.
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Opelika, Alabama Woman Pleads Guilty to Marijuana DistributionRead the Press Release
MUSKOGEE, OKLAHOMA – The United States Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of Oklahoma announced that Shara Tyesha Cumins, age 29, of Opelika, Alabama, entered a guilty plea to Possession With Intent To Distribute Marijuana, in violation of Title 21, United States Code, Sections 841(a)(1) and 841(b)(1)(D) and Title 18, United States Code, Section 2, punishable by not more than 5 years imprisonment, up to a $250,000.00 fine, or both.
The Indictment alleges that on or about December 22, 2018, within the Eastern District of Oklahoma, the defendant did knowingly and intentionally possess with intent to distribute less than 50 kilograms of marijuana, a Schedule I controlled substance.
The charges arose from an investigation by the Okmulgee County Sheriff’s Office and the Federal Bureau of Investigation.
The Honorable Kimberly E. West, U.S. Magistrate Judge in the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Oklahoma, in Muskogee, accepted the plea and ordered the completion of a presentence investigation report.
Assistant United States Attorney Dean Burris represented the United States.
Op-Ed from the U.S. Attorney re: National Crime Victims’ Rights Week April 7-13, 2019Read the Press Release
It was forty-five years ago. I still think about it. I think about how helpless I was when the three thugs on a city bus robbed me of my valuables at knifepoint as I was coming home from school. My experience pales in comparison to what so many crime victims deal with on a day-to-day basis. But, my experience allows me to empathize to a much greater degree than I would otherwise be able to do. Each year the Department of Justice and United States Attorneys’ offices—including mine—observe National Crime Victims’ Rights Week nationwide by taking time to honor victims of crime and those who advocate on their behalf.
Our office has worked with hundreds of victims over the past year. And we have in every instance worked to get them justice. Victims of fraud, victims of sexual exploitation, victims of the opioid epidemic and elder victims have all exhibited the courage to come forward and describe their often heart-wrenching experiences. Sometimes the pain associated with the crime has to be relived again and again as the court proceedings are concluded. It is painful for them—every single time. But, without their courage we could not do our jobs of prosecuting the perpetrators of the crimes and advocate appropriate punishments.
Our prosecutions have led to the removal of hundreds of pounds of dangerous drugs, the prosecution of several adults who sexually exploited children and doctors who have monetized their efforts to keep their patients addicted to opioids. We have also spent many hours in the community educating children and adults about the dangers of drugs, addiction, social media and internet schemes.
Our attorneys and the law enforcement community continue to pursue the fraudsters, drug dealers, exploiters of children and the elderly alike. But, our work would be impossible without the courageous victims. Hopefully, their efforts will encourage the many victims who are too afraid to come forward or feel foolish that they were taken advantage of. To those victims, I say, I understand, but we want to help you and we need your help. It is why we do what we do, and we are proud to honor all crime victims this month.
-U.S. Attorney Bill Powell, the Northern District of West Virginia
Ontario Woman Pleads Guilty for Her Role in Financial Fraud SchemeRead the Press Release
CONTACT: Barbara Burns
PHONE: (716) 843-5817
FAX #: (716) 551-3051BUFFALO, N.Y. - U.S. Attorney James P. Kennedy, Jr. announced today that Sheila Offor, 41, of Scarborough, Ontario, pleaded guilty before U.S. District Judge Elizabeth A. Wolford to conspiracy to commit wire fraud. The charge carries a maximum penalty of 20 years in prison and a $250,000 fine.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Jonathan P. Cantil, who is handling the case, stated that between July 2005 and May 2011, the defendant and others conspired to defraud individuals seeking loans and to obtain money from these individuals seeking loans.In furtherance of the scheme, a number of individuals established websites for fictitious financial services companies offering to arrange loans to U.S. residents with credit problems. Applicants provided their names, phone numbers, state of residence, requested loan amount, and approximate credit scores. Applicants were then contacted by persons posing as company representatives and told that a lender would be contacted for approval. When informed that a loan was arranged, applicants were instructed to sign and return a loan agreement, provide bank account information, and pay an “insurance deposit” for the lender to process the loan. Applicants were provided wire instructions for the lender’s “insurance deposit,” including the name of the company representative (payee), the amount, date, and Western Union location.
Offor served as a payee in this scheme and traveled from Canada to the United States, picked up wired funds, and transported them back to Canada. The monies were then delivered to other individuals who were managing the scheme. Applicants never received the loans, but they were often coerced into making multiple deposits under various pretexts.
In total, the defendant received $134,172.60 in fraudulent “insurance deposits” from 77 different victims.
Today’s plea is the culmination of an investigation on the part of Special Agents of Homeland Security Investigations, under the direction of Special Agent-in-Charge Kevin Kelly; U.S. Customs and Border Protection, under the direction of Director of Field Operations Rose Brophy; the Canada Border Services Agency; and the Federal Trade Commission.
Sentencing is scheduled for July 24, 2019, at 1:00 p.m. before Judge Wolford.
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North Pittsburgh Man Sentenced to Prison for Selling Drug ParaphernaliaRead the Press Release
PITTSBURGH - A resident of Glenshaw, Pennsylvania, has been sentenced in federal court to two years of incarceration and three years of supervised release on his convictions for criminal contempt and selling drug paraphernalia, United States Attorney Scott W. Brady announced today.
United States District Judge Cathy Bissoon imposed the sentence on Mayank Mishra, 38. Judge Bissoon also ordered the sentence to be served consecutively to a 12-year sentence imposed previously on Mishra for conspiring to distribute more than a kilogram of heroin.
According to information presented to the court, Mayank Mishra and other members of his family operated stores that sold drug paraphernalia, including diluents used to manufacture heroin and the glassine bags in which heroin is typically sold. In February 2013, federal agents executed search warrants at the business and home of Mishra, and those searches revealed that Mishra was selling drug paraphernalia. He was released on conditions of bond, which, among other things, precluded him from violating any federal or state law.
Subsequent to his release, law enforcement received information that Mayank Mishra was continuing to sell cutting agents and glassine bags. Based on that information, law enforcement used a confidential informant to purchase cutting agents and glassine bags from Mayank Mishra, and the confidential informant successfully recorded the transaction. The confidential informant explicitly asked for "cut" and "bags", and Mayank Mishra provided a material typically used to dilute heroin and the bags typically used to store and sell heroin. Based on that information, law enforcement obtained another set of search warrants for Mayank Mishra’s business and home, where law enforcement found more cutting agents, glassine bags, marijuana paraphernalia, and $86,000 in cash. Law enforcement arrested Mayank Mishra a second time, and this time the Court did not release him on bond.
Assistant United States Attorney Brendan T. Conway prosecuted this case on behalf of the government.
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
United States Attorney Brady commended the Greater Pittsburgh Safe Streets Task Force consisting of Pittsburgh Bureau of Police, Allegheny County Sheriff's Office, Wilkinsburg Police Department, Allegheny County Police Dept., Oakdale Police Department, the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, the Drug Enforcement Administration and the Federal Bureau of Investigation, for the investigation leading to the successful prosecution of Mishra.
Newark Man Convicted of Possession of Heroin and FirearmRead the Press Release
NEWARK, N.J. – A Newark man previously convicted of four felonies in state court and a federal drug distribution crime was convicted by a federal jury today of possession with the intent to distribute heroin, possession of a handgun while committing a drug crime, and being a convicted felon in possession of a handgun, U.S. Attorney Craig Carpenito announced.
Jihad Garrett, 35, was convicted after a four-day trial before U.S. District Judge William J. Martini in Newark federal court. The jury deliberated for two and a half hours before returning the guilty verdicts.
According to documents filed in this case and the evidence at trial:
On Feb. 23, 2018, Newark police officers saw Garrett in a vehicle that was similar to a vehicle wanted in a series of carjacking and shooting incidents over the previous month. When the police officers approached the car, Garrett told them, among other things, that he also was a police officer. While talking with Garrett, the police officers saw that Garrett had over $2,500 in cash rolled up in his breast pockets. After a canine unit indicated that there were drugs in the car, the car was towed and the police obtained a search warrant to conduct a further search of the car. The police found over 500 individual doses of heroin packaged for street-level distribution and a .40 caliber handgun in the front seat area of the car.
Garrett had previously been convicted of four drug felonies in Essex and Union counties. In 2011, Garrett was sentenced to 74 months in federal prison after being convicted for distribution of heroin.
The defendant is facing a maximum potential penalty of life in prison and a fine of up to $250,000. Sentencing is scheduled for Aug. 15, 2019.
U.S. Attorney Carpenito credited law enforcement officers of the Newark Police Department, under the leadership of Public Safety Director Anthony Ambrose; special agents of the FBI, under the direction of Special Agent in Charge Gregory W. Ehrie in Newark; the Bureau of Alcohol Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, under the direction of Special Agent in Charge Charlie Patterson; and the Essex County Sheriff’s Department, under the direction of Sheriff Armando Fontoura, with the investigation leading to today’s conviction.
The government was represented at trial by Senior Trial Counsel Robert Frazer and Assistant U.S. Attorney Desiree Latzer of the U.S. Attorney’s Office Organized Crime/Gangs Unit in Newark.
New York Man Sentenced to 130 Months for Crack, Heroin and Fentanyl TraffickingRead the Press Release
Bangor, Maine: United States Attorney Halsey B. Frank announced that Frankie Dejesus, 29, of Rochester, New York, was sentenced today in U.S. District Court by Judge John A. Woodcock, Jr. to 130 months in prison and three years of supervised release for conspiracy to distribute heroin, fentanyl and cocaine base, commonly known as “crack.”
According to court records, between June 2015 and March 2017, Dejesus conspired with others to acquire heroin, fentanyl and crack in Rochester and to distribute it from at least 12 residences in Central Maine. The defendant was sent to Central Maine to distribute the drugs while residing with several Central Maine residents who were paid in heroin and crack for their participation.
On June 26, 2016, Dejesus exchanged gunfire with Reginald McBride in the parking lot of the Walmart in Augusta, Maine. In imposing sentence, Judge Woodcock recounted the drug-related backdrop leading up to the “wild west shootout” between Dejesus and McBride.
The case was investigated by the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration, the Maine Drug Enforcement Agency, and the Kennebec County Sheriff’s Department, with assistance provided by the Augusta, Maine Police Department. This case was investigated and prosecuted as part of the Department of Justice’s Strategy to Combat the Opioid Epidemic.
New York City Man Sentenced to 135 Months for Drug DistributionRead the Press Release
Bangor, Maine: United States Attorney Halsey B. Frank announced that Ambrose Wan, a/k/a “Ambrose Won,” a/k/a “Bruno,” 34, of New York, New York, was sentenced today in U.S. District Court by Judge John A. Woodcock, Jr. to 135 months in prison and eight years of supervised release for conspiracy to distribute heroin, fentanyl, cocaine and cocaine base, commonly known as “crack” and possession with the intent to distribute cocaine, crack and heroin, and possession with the intent to distribute fentanyl, heroin and cocaine.
According to court records, between July and September 2017 Wan conspired with others to distribute the drugs in Central Maine. The drugs were obtained from sources in New York and distributed through a network of dealers in Central Maine. On September 6, 2017 and again on September 28, 2017, the Waterville Police Department recovered drugs from two separate hotel rooms in the city. The drugs were intended for distribution by Wan and others.
In imposing sentence, Judge Woodcock observed that Wan had been a “professional drug dealer” for most of his adult life.
The case was investigated by the Waterville Police Department and the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration, with the assistance of the Maine Drug Enforcement Agency. This case was investigated and prosecuted as part of the Department of Justice’s Strategy to Combat the Opioid Epidemic.
New Orleans Man Charged with Wire FraudRead the Press Release
NEW ORLEANS, LOUISIANA – JASON PICK, age 38, a resident of New Orleans, Louisiana, was charged yesterday in a one-count bill of information for wire fraud announced U.S. Attorney Peter G. Strasser.
According to court documents, PICK was employed as an accountant for Company A between August 2016 and June 2018. Part of PICK’s duties was handling the credit card accounts of Company A. Without authorization, PICK used Company A’s credit cards for his own personal expenses. In total, PICK stole approximately $129,741.40 from Company A.
If convicted, PICK faces 20 years of imprisonment followed by up to three (3) years of supervised release and a fine up to $250,000.
U.S. Attorney Strasser reiterated that the bill of information is merely a charge, and that the guilt of the defendant must be proven beyond a reasonable doubt.
U.S. Attorney Strasser praised the work of the United States Secret Service in investigating this matter. The prosecution of this case is being handled by Assistant U. S. Attorney G. Dall Kammer, Supervisor, General Crimes.
New Mexico Man Sentenced to Four Years in Prison for Role in Multi-State Dog Fighting ConspiracyRead the Press Release
Robert Arellano, 65, of Albuquerque, New Mexico, was sentenced today in federal court in Trenton, New Jersey, to a total of four years in prison for his role in a multi-state dog fighting conspiracy. Assistant Attorney General Jeffrey Bossert Clark of the Justice Department’s Environment and Natural Resources Division and U.S. Attorney Craig Carpenito of the District of New Jersey made the announcement.
A jury previously convicted Arellano of one felony count of conspiracy to violate the animal fighting prohibitions of the federal Animal Welfare Act, and two felony counts of selling, transporting, and delivering dogs intended for use in an animal fighting venture. Arellano also pleaded guilty to three felony counts of possessing a dog intended for use in an animal fighting venture in a related federal case in New Mexico that was consolidated with his New Jersey case for sentencing. Judge Peter G. Sheridan presided over the trial and imposed the sentence, which includes three years’ supervised release following Arellano’s term of imprisonment.
Three other defendants were convicted as part of the same jury trial; two defendants will be sentenced on May 29, 2019, and the third defendant will be sentenced on May 30, 2019.
“Animal fighting for sport is not an activity a civilized country tolerates,” said Assistant Attorney General Clark. “Our Division will continue to pursue and prosecute illegal animal fighting ventures across the country.”
“Dog fighting is vicious and cruel. Beyond the needless suffering it inflicts on animals, it exacts a toll on local animal shelters, humane organizations, and the taxpayers of New Jersey,” U.S. Attorney Carpenito said. “As today’s sentencing shows, if you fight dogs in New Jersey, you will face prosecution and imprisonment.”
“Dogfighting for entertainment and profit is the organized and heinous business of breeding and conditioning dogs to fight each other until one dog kills the other,” said U.S. Attorney John C. Anderson for the District of New Mexico. “Today’s sentencing brings to an end Mr. Arellano’s 30 years in this unconscionable business, and hopefully will deter others who seek to profit from forcing animals fight to the death. In New Mexico, we will continue to seek out and punish those who exploit and abuse animals.”
According to trial evidence and court documents filed in connection with the cases, the defendant and his associates regularly fought dogs – including to the death – and repeatedly trafficked in dogs with other dog fighters across several states for the purpose of dog fighting. Arellano and the other defendants also maintained significant numbers of fighting dogs and substantial dog fighting equipment, such as dog treadmills, intravenous drug bags and lines, “breeding stands” used to immobilize female dogs, and chains weighing up to several pounds per linear foot. A defendant who pleaded guilty to charges in a related case admitted that his dog died in his car on the way home after a dog fight. Evidence at trial showed that dog deaths from fighting were a common outcome. Another defendant convicted at trial attempted to set up a “class” for dog fighters to practice administering I.V. fluids to injured dogs, using live dogs as their practice subjects.
“The provisions of the Animal Welfare Act were designed to protect animals from being used in illegal fighting ventures, which often entail other forms of criminal activity involving drugs, firearms and gambling,” said Special Agent in Charge Bethanne M. Dinkins for U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Office of Inspector General. “Together with the Department of Justice, animal fighting is an investigative priority for USDA-OIG, and we will work with our law enforcement partners to investigate and assist in the criminal prosecution of those who participate in animal fighting ventures.”
“Dog fighting, far from being any kind of ‘sport’, shows a complete disregard for animals and is both despicable and cruel,” said Brian Michael, Special Agent in Charge, Homeland Security Investigations, Newark. “HSI will continue to cooperate with our local, state and national partners, as happened here, to investigate such crimes so the perpetrators can be prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law.”
This case is part of Operation Grand Champion, a coordinated effort across numerous federal judicial districts to combat organized dog fighting. The phrase “Grand Champion” is used by dog fighters to refer to a dog with more than five dog fighting “victories.” To date, eleven defendants from five states have been convicted and sentenced to a total of 164 months in prison as part of Operation Grand Champion. Additionally, 113 dogs have been rescued, and either surrendered or forfeited to the government. The government is represented by Trial Attorney Ethan Eddy of the Justice Department’s Environmental Crimes Section, and Assistant U.S. Attorney Kathleen O’Leary. The case is being investigated by the U.S. Department of Agriculture – Office of Inspector General, the U.S. Department of Homeland Security – Homeland Security Investigations, and the Federal Bureau of Investigation.
New Mexico Man Sentenced to Four Years in Prison for Role in Multi-State Dog Fighting ConspiracyRead the Press Release
TRENTON, N.J. – A New Mexico man was sentenced today to 48 months in prison for his role in a multi-state dog fighting conspiracy, U.S. Attorney Craig Carpenito of the District of New Jersey and Assistant Attorney General Jeffrey Bossert Clark of the Justice Department’s Environment and Natural Resources Division announced.
Robert Arellano, 65, of Albuquerque, New Mexico, was convicted Oct. 16, 2018, of one felony count of conspiracy to violate the animal fighting prohibitions of the federal Animal Welfare Act, and two felony counts of selling, transporting, and delivering dogs intended for use in an animal fighting venture. Arellano also pleaded guilty to three felony counts of possessing a dog intended for use in an animal fighting venture in a related federal case in New Mexico that was consolidated with his New Jersey case for sentencing. Judge Peter G. Sheridan presided over the trial and imposed the sentence today in Trenton federal court.
Three other defendants were convicted as part of the same jury trial; two defendants will be sentenced on May 29, 2019, and the third defendant will be sentenced on May 30, 2019.
“Dog fighting is vicious and cruel,” U.S. Attorney Carpenito said. “Beyond the needless suffering it inflicts on animals, it exacts a toll on local animal shelters, humane organizations, and the taxpayers of New Jersey. As today’s sentencing shows, if you fight dogs in New Jersey, you will face prosecution and imprisonment.”
“Our justice system will not tolerate the torment and death of animals in the fighting ring, as this week’s sentencing proceedings demonstrate,” Assistant Attorney General Clark said. “In our Division, we will continue to place a high priority on pursuing and prosecuting illegal animal fighting ventures across the country.”According to documents filed in this case and related cases and the evidence at trial:
Arellano and his associates regularly fought dogs – including to the death – and repeatedly trafficked in dogs with other dog fighters across several states for the purpose of dog fighting. Arellano and the other defendants also maintained significant numbers of fighting dogs and substantial dog fighting equipment, such as dog treadmills, intravenous drug bags and lines, “breeding stands” used to immobilize female dogs, and chains weighing up to several pounds per linear foot. A defendant who pleaded guilty to charges in a related case admitted that his dog died in his car on the way home after a dog fight. Evidence at trial showed that dog deaths from fighting were a common outcome. Another defendant convicted at trial attempted to set up a “class” for dog fighters to practice administering I.V. fluids to injured dogs, using live dogs as their practice subjects.
“The provisions of the Animal Welfare Act were designed to protect animals from being used in illegal fighting ventures, which often entail other forms of criminal activity involving drugs, firearms and gambling,” Special Agent in Charge Bethanne M. Dinkins of the U.S. Department of Agriculture-Office of Inspector General said. “Together with the Department of Justice, animal fighting is an investigative priority for USDA-OIG, and we will work with our law enforcement partners to investigate and assist in the criminal prosecution of those who participate in animal fighting ventures.”
In addition to the prison term, Judge Sheridan sentenced Arellano to three years of supervised release.
This case is part of Operation Grand Champion, a coordinated effort across numerous federal judicial districts to combat organized dog fighting. The phrase “Grand Champion” is used by dog fighters to refer to a dog with more than five dog fighting “victories.” To date, eleven defendants from five states have been convicted and sentenced to a total of 164 months in prison as part of Operation Grand Champion. Additionally, 113 dogs have been rescued, and either surrendered or forfeited to the government.
The government is represented by Assistant U.S. Attorney Kathleen O’Leary of the District of New Jersey and Trial Attorney Ethan Eddy of the Justice Department’s Environmental Crimes Section.
The case is being investigated by the U.S. Department of Agriculture – Office of Inspector General, the U.S. Department of Homeland Security – Homeland Security Investigations, and the Federal Bureau of Investigation.
Defense counsel: Samuel Bregman Esq., Albuquerque, New Mexico
New Haven Oral Surgeon Pays $252K to Settle False Claims AllegationsRead the Press Release
John H. Durham, United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut, today announced that ROBERT SORRENTINO, DDS and ORAL AND MAXILLOFACIAL SURGICAL ASSOCIATES P.C. have entered into a civil settlement agreement with the federal and state governments and have agreed to pay more than $252,000 to resolve allegations that they violated the federal and state False Claims Acts.
Sorrentino is the former owner and operator of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgical Associates P.C., (“OMSA”), a dental practice in New Haven. Sorrentino sold his practice and retired in November 2014.
The allegations against Sorrentino and OMSA involve fraudulent billing to Medicaid for oral surgery and maxillofacial services. The services include deep sedation or general anesthesia services, which were not provided, and the removal of bone or tissue, which were either not performed or were encompassed in services covered under claims for extractions that Sorrentino and OMSA submitted for the same date of service. The services also include surgical reduction of osseous tuberosity, which were not performed or were medically unnecessary.
To resolve the allegations under the federal and state False Claims Acts, Sorrentino and OMSA have agreed to pay $252,913.26 in order to reimburse the Medicaid program, which covers conduct occurring from January 1, 2010 to December 31, 2011.
Under the federal False Claims Act, the government can recover up to three times its actual damages, plus penalties of $11,181 to $22,363 for each false claim.
This matter was investigated by the Office of Inspector General for the Department of Health and Human Services, and the Connecticut Office of the Attorney General. The case was handled by Assistant U.S. Attorney Anne Thidemann, and Assistant Attorney General Robert Teitelman of the Attorney General’s Office.
People who suspect health care fraud are encouraged to report it by calling 1-800-HHS-TIPS or the Health Care Fraud Task Force at (203) 777-6311.
New Britain Man Pleads Guilty to Illegal Possession of Loaded HandgunRead the Press Release
John H. Durham, United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut, announced that JOHN ANDERSON, 38, of New Britain, pleaded guilty today in Hartford federal court to one count of possession of a firearm and ammunition by a convicted felon.
According to court documents and statements made in court, on October 11, 2018, Hartford Police officers responded to a ShotSpotter detection system alert of gunfire in the vicinity of Vernon Street. At the scene, officers observed Anderson and another man pacing back and forth before entering a vehicle. When officers approached the vehicle, they saw live ammunition in the center console cup holder. A subsequent search of the car revealed a loaded Ruger Model EC9S 9mm semi-automatic handgun with an obliterated serial number underneath the seat Anderson had occupied. Anderson later admitted to ownership of the firearm.
Anderson’s criminal history includes state felony convictions for burglary in the third degree and assault in the second degree.
It is a violation of federal law for a person previously convicted of a felony offense to possess a firearm or ammunition that has moved in interstate or foreign commerce.
Anderson is scheduled to be sentenced by U.S. District Judge Michael P. Shea on June 27, 2019, at which time he faces a maximum term of imprisonment of 10 years.
Anderson has been detained since his arrest on October 11.
This matter is being investigated by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives and the Hartford Police Department. The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Nathaniel J. Gentile.
This prosecution has been brought through Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), a program bringing together all levels of law enforcement and the communities they serve to reduce violent crime and make neighborhoods safer for everyone.
NEPA Doctor Sentenced to over 27 Years’ Imprisonment for Drug Distribution Resulting in Death, Money Laundering and Tax EvasionRead the Press Release
SCRANTON—The United States Attorney’s Office for the Middle District of Pennsylvania announced that Fuhai Li, age 54, of Milford, Pennsylvania, was sentenced to 330 months’ imprisonment followed by six years supervised release on April 3, 2019, by United States District Court Judge A. Richard Caputo for unlawfully prescribing oxycodone and other opioids to 23 former patients, including a Honesdale woman who died as a result of using the pills.
According to United States Attorney David J. Freed, Li was convicted by a jury on June 5, 2018 for drug distribution resulting in death, money laundering and tax evasion. Li unlawfully prescribed oxycodone to a pregnant woman outside the usual course of medical practice and not for a legitimate medical purpose. That woman gave birth to an opioid-dependent baby 11 days after Li prescribed her 120 oxycodone 30 milligram tablets. A neo-natal specialist testified that the baby spent ten days in intensive care withdrawing from the oxycodone prescribed to his mother by Li.
During the five-week trial before Senior U.S. District Court Judge A. Richard Caputo, prosecutors from the U.S. Attorney’s Office presented the testimony of 19 former patients and three former employees of Li, eight pharmacists, three other physicians, an expert on pain management, the medical records for 39 former patients of Li, and the testimony of federal law enforcement agents and investigators from the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) and its Diversion Division, and Internal Revenue Service (IRS) special agents.
Li owned and operated the Neurology and Pain Management Center in Milford, Pike County, Pennsylvania. Li was a physician licensed by the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania and authorized to prescribe Schedule II controlled substances for legitimate medical purposes and in the usual course of professional practice.
Li repeatedly prescribed oxycodone and other opioids outside the usual course of medical practice and not for a legitimate medical purpose.
Former patients testified that Li repeatedly prescribed them high doses of oxycodone and other opioids every month over several years without performing medical examinations and without verifying their prior medical treatment.
Evidence was presented that Li repeatedly falsified patient medical records and made material omissions in those records in an effort to legitimize the unlawful prescriptions.
Prosecutors presented evidence that between August 2011 and January 2015, Li wrote 26,985 prescriptions for Schedule II controlled substances, 99.37% of which were written for opioids. This included 18,115 prescriptions for oxycodone, of which 12,129 were written for oxycodone 30 milligrams, the highest dosage available in short acting oxycodone. Other opioids frequently prescribed by Li included methadone, OxyContin, hydrocodone and hydromorphone.
Former patients testified that they became dependent and addicted to opioids as a result of Li’s prescriptions. Evidence also established that Li prescribed high dose opioids to patients who he knew had recently completed drug rehabilitation and detoxification programs, resulting in those patients becoming addicted again to opioid pain medication.
Several former patients testified that they earned money by selling drugs prescribed for them by Li and used part of the money to buy heroin to support their own addiction. Some of those former patients also subsequently sold heroin on the streets of Pennsylvania and New Jersey.
One former female patient testified that she had sex with Li on almost every visit to his office during a four-year time period. Li prescribed that patient high doses of various opioids for approximately four years. Two additional former female patients testified to inappropriate sexual conduct by Li during office visits.
The jury also convicted Li of using two medical offices for the purpose of unlawfully prescribing opioids. Li’s first medical office was located at 104 Bennett Avenue in Milford, and the second office was located at 200 3rd Street in Milford.
DEA agents and investigators executed search warrants at Li’s Milford office and his residences in Milford and East Stroudsburg on January 29, 2015. Agents seized electronic medical records from Li’s office, and seized more than $1 million in cash, which was hidden under beds and in closets in his residences. Evidence at trial showed that many of Li’s patients paid cash for visits, drug screens, office tests, and injections.
The money laundering convictions related to Li’s use of criminal proceeds to pay off the mortgage on his East Stroudsburg residence on November 19, 2012, and to purchase his 200 3rd Street, Milford office on August 29, 2013. Li had $385,572.05 wired from a bank account funded in part by criminal proceeds to pay off the mortgage on the East Stroudsburg residence. He subsequently withdrew $158,699.30 from a bank account funded in part by criminal proceeds to purchase the Milford office.
Li was also convicted of tax evasion for the tax years 2011, 2012, and 2013. An IRS agent testified that Li underreported his taxable income for those years by more than $800,000.
The jury’s verdict also included the forfeiture to the United States of $1,030,960 in cash that was seized from Li’s two residences; $1,036,079.36 seized from various bank accounts; real property located at 200 3rd Street, Milford (Li’s medical office); and real property located at 4005 Milford Landing Drive, Milford. Judge Caputo signed a Preliminary Order of Forfeiture for these identified assets at the sentencing.
The four-year long investigation in this case was conducted by the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) and its Diversion Division, the Internal Revenue Service’s Criminal Investigation Division, and the Pike County District Attorney’s Office. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Michelle Olshefski, Francis P. Sempa and Evan Gotlob prosecuted the case.
This case was prosecuted as part of a district wide initiative to combat the nationwide epidemic regarding the use and distribution of heroin and other opioids. Led by the United States Attorney’s Office, the Heroin Initiative targets heroin and opioid traffickers operating in the Middle District of Pennsylvania and is part of a coordinated effort among federal, state and local law enforcement agencies to locate, apprehend, and prosecute individuals who commit opioid trafficking offenses.
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.
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Munster Man Sentenced to 29 Years in PrisonRead the Press Release
HAMMOND – Eric P. Krieg, age 47, of Munster, Indiana, was sentenced before U.S. District Court Judge Joseph S. Van Bokkelen upon his guilty plea to knowingly making an unregistered destructive device, mailing a destructive device, malicious use of explosive materials, and mailing a threatening communication, announced U.S. Attorney Kirsch.
According to documents in this case, Krieg was sued for making disparaging statements on his online blog. To settle the lawsuit, Krieg had to pay $45,000 and post an apology on his blog. Krieg retaliated by constructing a pipe bomb and placing it in the mail, addressed to the home of the attorney who represented the individual who had sued Krieg. The bomb detonated prematurely in the East Chicago Post Office injuring a female postal employee.
Krieg also made threats arising from a grudge he had against another individual. He placed a bullet wrapped in tape in the mail addressed to that individual with the message, “The next one will be in the back of your head.”
US Attorney Kirsch said, “I am pleased that Judge Van Bokkelen accepted my sentencing recommendation as set forth in the plea agreement. For his conduct, Krieg has been severely punished. Krieg intended to send a message of fear and to harm those with whom he had disagreements. He failed to do physical harm to his enemies, but not for lack of trying. And, his conduct resulted in injury to a totally innocent postal worker just trying to do her job. This should have never happened. The sentence of 29 years, imposed today, sends a strong and clear message that individuals who engage in this type of conduct – sending bombs through the mail, intending to harm or kill others – will be brought to justice. I am thankful to all the law enforcement officials who participated in this case for their service and hard work, bringing this matter to a final and just resolution.”
“The public has a right to expect the U.S. Mail to be safe, and Mr. Krieg’s actions eroded that trust when he mailed a pipe bomb that exploded and injured an East Chicago Postal employee in September of 2017,” said Inspector in Charge Patricia Armstrong, of the U.S. Postal Inspection Service’s Detroit Division. “The investigative collaboration with our law enforcement partners and our brave, quick-thinking Postal employees ensured Mr. Krieg faced swift justice.”
“This sentence sends a strong message that actions such as Mr. Krieg’s, which endanger the public, will not be tolerated,” said Grant Mendenhall, Special Agent in Charge of the FBI’s Indianapolis Division. “The FBI and our law enforcement partners will continue to diligently identify and investigate those who put lives at risk through their violent actions.”
“The ATF takes seriously the illegal manufacturing of destructive devices coupled with serious threats of intimidation,” remarked Special Agent in Charge Tim Jones of the Chicago Field Division of the ATF. “We will continue to work alongside our law enforcement partners to investigate violent threats and protect the community.”
This case resulted from an investigation by the United States Postal Inspection Service; Federal Bureau of Investigation; Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco Firearms and Explosives; United States Marshal’s Service; East Chicago Police; Hammond Police; Indiana State Police; Munster Police; and Porter County Sheriff’s Department. This case was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Jennifer Chang.
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Morris County, New Jersey, Man Charged with Possessing Bombs, and Being Felon in Possession of Guns and Explosive MaterialsRead the Press Release
NEWARK, N.J. – A Morris County, New Jersey, man has been arrested and charged in connection with allegedly building and exploding a bomb, U.S. Attorney Craig Carpenito announced.
Christopher Faschan, 31, of Landing, New Jersey, is charged by complaint with one count each of possession of numerous explosive/destructive devices, possession of precursor materials, and being a felon in possession of explosive materials, firearms and ammunition. He is scheduled to appear April 5, 2019, before U.S. Magistrate Judge Mark Falk in Newark federal court.
According to documents filed in this case and statements made in court:
On Feb. 1, 2019, Faschan drove to the home of “Individual 1” in Stanhope, New Jersey, and displayed what he claimed to be a bomb to Individual 1. According to Individual 1, Faschan stated: “this may be a good area to let this thing off” before leaving the area. Shortly thereafter, Faschan detonated the bomb in the area of Lake Lackawanna in Stanhope. He then called Individual 1 and stated: “That’s something that could easily be put under someone’s car, not that I would do that or anything.”
On Feb. 4, 2019, law enforcement agents interviewed Faschan, who said that he had ignited the bomb. He described it as two pounds in weight and explained how he used and mixed Potassium Perchlorate, Aluminum Powder, and Tannerite to make several bombs that were in his home. At Faschan’s home, law enforcement agents found explosive devices, precursor materials, weapons and ammunition.
U.S. Attorney Carpenito credited special agents of the ATF, under the direction of Special Agent in Charge Charlie J. Patterson in Newark; the FBI, under the direction of Special Agent in Charge Gregory W. Ehrie in Newark; officers of the Byram Police Department, under the direction of Chief Peter J. Zabita; the Roxbury Police Department, under the direction of Chief Marc Palanchi; the Sussex County Prosecutor’s Office, under the direction of Francis A. Koch; Morris County Sheriff James M. Gannon; Morris County Prosecutor Frederic M. Knapp; and the N.J. State Police, under the direction of Col. Patrick J. Callahan, with the investigation leading to the charges.
The counts of possession of a destructive device, possession of explosive materials by a convicted felon, and possession of firearms by a previously convicted felon each carry a maximum penalty of 10 years in prison and a $250,000 fine.
The government is represented by Assistant U.S. Attorney Dean C. Sovolos of the U.S. Attorney’s Office National Security Unit.
The charges and allegations contained in the complaint are merely accusations and the defendant is considered innocent unless and until proven guilty.
Monroe County Man Convicted of Federal Gun and Drug CrimesRead the Press Release
OXFORD – A Monroe County man was convicted Tuesday night of a federal gun violation and drug trafficking crimes following a two-day jury trial presided over by Senior US District Judge Neal Biggers. Jerry Lee Quinn, 50, formerly of Aberdeen and West Point, was found guilty of Possession of a Firearm by a Convicted Felon, Possession of a Controlled Substance with Intent to Distribute, and Distribution of a Controlled Substance. The announcement regarding Quinn’s conviction was made by Joseph Frank, Supervisory Special Agent for the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives in Oxford, and U.S. Attorney William C. Lamar.
Information presented during the trial revealed that Quinn was a convicted felon who was on the run from law enforcement with several outstanding arrest warrants in September of 2013. During an investigation into Quinn’s whereabouts, investigators obtained information on the night of September 11, 2013, that Quinn was at a residence in Southaven, Mississippi, and surrounded the house in an attempt to apprehend Quinn. Quinn fled the residence, but was eventually apprehended after a struggle with Desoto County Sheriff’s Deputies and members of the US Marshals Fugitive Task Force. During a search of bags belonging to Quinn that were found at the residence, officers located two loaded firearms, ammunition, and marijuana packaged for sale.
Following the verdict, U.S. Attorney William C. Lamar praised investigators for their joint efforts to apprehend Quinn, and reiterated the commitment of his office to hold accountable those who threaten the safety of our neighborhoods through violence, drug trafficking and illegal possession of firearms. Lamar remarked, “This investigation and today’s verdict are the result of a collaborative and targeted effort by local and federal law enforcement to ensure the safety and security of our communities. We are committed to doing everything possible to keep our neighborhoods, towns and cities safe and when law enforcement agencies work together, we can hold accountable those individuals who violate the law and threaten the safety of our residents. We will continue to work diligently with our local, state and federal partners to enforce the federal firearms laws and to see that individuals who violate those laws are held accountable.”
The investigation, arrest and prosecution of Quinn was the result of a joint Federal and State investigation by ATF, the US Marshals Gulf Coast Regional Fugitive Task Force, Desoto County Sheriff’s Office, Southaven Police Department and Olive Branch Police Department. The case was prosecuted as a part of the Project Safe Neighborhoods Initiative by AUSA Robert Mims and AUSA Susan Bradley.
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Minot Woman Indicted for Bank Fraud and Identity TheftRead the Press Release
BISMARCK – United States Attorney Christopher C. Myers announced that on April 3, 2019, Nicole Marie Rogers, age 31, from Minot, ND, was charged by Indictment with two counts of Bank Fraud, Possession of Stolen Mail, and Aggravated Identity Theft.
The Indictment alleges that from December 2018 to March 2019, while in McLean and Ward Counties, Ms. Rogers possessed hundreds of articles of stolen mail, two of which were checks she altered to reflect that she was entitled to $43,334.22, and deposited or cashed them at financial institutions. Rogers also committed aggravated identity theft when she attempted to commit a separate bank fraud crime by using a stolen passport to cash another stolen check.
Roger’s initial appearance was before Magistrate Judge Alice R. Senechal, on March 26, 2019. After a detention hearing on March 29, 2019, Judge Senechal ordered Rogers be detained pending trial. Ms. Rogers' arraignment is scheduled for Friday, April 12, 2019, at 10:30 a.m. in Bismarck.
The Indictment in this case is not evidence of guilt. The defendant is presumed innocent unless or until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt at trial.
This case was investigated by United States Postal Inspection Service, the McLean County Sheriff’s Department, and the Minot Police Department.
This case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Jonathan J. O’Konek.
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Mineral County man admits to role in a drug distribution operationRead the Press Release
MARTINSBURG, WEST VIRGINIA – Nathan E. Carpenter, of Elk Garden, West Virginia, has admitted to his involvement in a drug distribution conspiracy, United States Attorney Bill Powell announced.
Carpenter, age 29, pled guilty to one count of “Conspiracy to Distribute Methamphetamine.” Carpenter admitted to working with others to distribute methamphetamine from August 2017 to June 2018 in Mineral, Hardy, and Hampshire Counties and elsewhere.
Carpenter faces up to 20 years incarceration and a fine of up to $1,000,000. Under the Federal Sentencing Guidelines, the actual sentence imposed will be based upon the seriousness of the offenses and the prior criminal history, if any, of the defendant.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Lara Omps-Botteicher is prosecuting the case on behalf of the government. The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, The West Virginia State Police, and the Potomac Highlands Drug & Violent Crimes Task Force investigated.
The investigation was funded in part by the federal Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Force Program (OCDETF). The OCDETF program supplies critical federal funding and coordination that allows federal and state agencies to work together to successfully identify, investigate, and prosecute major interstate and international drug trafficking organizations and other criminal enterprises.
U.S. Magistrate Judge Robert W. Trumble presided.
Millinocket Man Pleads Guilty to Theft of a FirearmRead the Press Release
Bangor, Maine: United States Attorney Halsey B. Frank announced that Randolph Bourgoin, III, 31, of Millinocket, Maine, pled guilty yesterday in U.S. District Court to theft of a firearm from a federally licensed dealer.
According to court records, on November 27, 2018, Bourgoin stole the gun from a display case at a gun dealer in Milo. The theft was caught on surveillance video, and Mr. Bourgoin later admitted to the theft.
Bourgoin faces up to 10 years in prison, a $250,000 fine, and three years of supervised release. He will be sentenced after the completion of a presentence investigation report by the U.S. Probation Office.
The case was investigated by the Milo Police Department and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives. This case was brought as part of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN). PSN is the centerpiece of the Department of Justice’s violent crime reduction efforts. PSN is an evidence-based program proven to be effective at reducing violent crime. Through PSN, a broad spectrum of stakeholders work together to identify the most pressing violent crime problems in the community and develop comprehensive solutions to address them. As part of this strategy, PSN focuses enforcement efforts on the most violent offenders and partners with locally based prevention and reentry programs for lasting reductions in crime
Milford Man Sentenced to 12½ Years for RobberyRead the Press Release
Bangor, Maine: United States Attorney Halsey B. Frank announced that Richard F. Moloney, 43, of Milford, Maine, was sentenced today in U.S. District Court by Judge Lance E. Walker to 12½ years in prison and three years of supervised release for interfering with commerce by robbery and bank robbery. The charges arose from the robbery of the County Road Market in Milford and the Bangor Savings Bank branch located in Orono, Maine in June 2018.
Court records reveal that on June 10, 2018, the defendant entered the County Road Market, pointed what appeared to be a dark-colored handgun at a cashier and told her to give him money. The defendant was wearing a grey hooded sweatshirt and sunglasses, and had socks on his hands and a cloth over his face. A second cashier opened the register and put the cash tray on the counter. The defendant absconded with the money.
Two days later, the defendant robbed a Bangor Savings Bank branch. He was wearing a black mask, a grey hooded sweatshirt with the hood pulled up, sunglasses with reflective lenses, jeans, and white socks on his hands. The defendant walked to the teller counter where a customer was conducting a transaction and displayed a note to the bank teller that read: “Give me all the money fast in a bag. No tracer or dye packs got a gun.” The teller gave the defendant cash from the drawer to the defendant and he absconded with it.
The investigation was conducted by the Penobscot County Sheriff’s Office; the Old Town, Bangor and Orono Police Departments; the Maine State Police Crime Laboratory; the Maine State Police; and the FBI.
Mexican National Indicted on Methamphetamine Distribution and Illegal Reentry ChargesRead the Press Release
RALEIGH – Robert J. Higdon, Jr., United States Attorney for the Eastern District of North Carolina, announces that a federal grand jury in Raleigh has returned an indictment charging ALEJANDRO AVILEZ-PEREZ, age 41, of Mexico, with Conspiracy to Distribute more than 50 grams of Methamphetamine, Possession with Intent to Distribute more than 50 grams of Methamphetamine, and Illegal Reentry of a Deported Alien.
If convicted of each drug count, AVILEZ-PEREZ, having been previously convicted of a serious drug felony (Possession with Intent to Distribute Cocaine) would face a minimum of 15 years imprisonment and a maximum penalty of life imprisonment, a $20,000,000 fine, and a term of supervised release following any term of imprisonment.
If convicted of illegal reentry subsequent to an aggravated felony conviction, AVILEZ-PEREZ, previously convicted of Possession with Intent to Distribute Cocaine and Illegal Reentry of a Deported Alien, would face maximum penalties of 20 years imprisonment, a $250,000 fine, and a term of supervised release following any term of imprisonment.
The charges and allegations contained in the indictment are merely accusations. The defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty in a court of law.
The case is being investigated by DEA, ICE’s Enforcement and Removal Operations and Homeland Security Investigations, State Bureau of Investigation, and the Nash County Sheriff’s Office.
Mexican National Charged for Failure to Register or Update His Registration as Sex OffenderRead the Press Release
FRESNO, Calif. — A federal grand jury returned a one-count indictment today against Jose Reyes-Delgado, 57, a Mexican national residing in Fresno, charging him with failure to register or update his registration as a sex offender, U.S. Attorney McGregor W. Scott announced.
According to court documents, from April 2018 until March 2019, Reyes-Delgado was present in the State of California but failed to register as a sex offender as required by law. Reyes-Delgado was previously convicted in 1989 in California for lewd conduct with a child under 16, at which time he acquired his registration requirement.
This case is the product of an investigation by the U.S. Marshals Service, and ICE Enforcement and Removal Operations. Assistant U.S. Attorney Laura D. Withers is prosecuting the case.
If convicted, Reyes-Delgado faces a maximum statutory penalty of 10 years in prison and a $250,000 fine. Any sentence, however, would be determined at the discretion of the court after consideration of any applicable statutory factors and the Federal Sentencing Guidelines, which take into account a number of variables. The charges are only allegations; the defendant is presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt.
Marijuana User Who Illegally Possessed a Gun Sentenced to Two Years in Federal PrisonRead the Press Release
A man who illegally possessed a firearm was sentenced April 3, 2019, to two years in federal prison.
Trevon Parham-Holmes, age 20, from Cedar Rapids, Iowa, received the prison term after an October 30, 2019, guilty plea to possession of a firearm and ammunition by a drug user.
Evidence during the case established that police tried to stop a car in Waterloo after receiving that information that one of the occupants was fighting with an area gang. The car ignored the police, failed to stop, and led officers on a pursuit, during which the occupants of the vehicle, including Parham-Holmes, threw multiple guns from the car. The gun Parham-Holmes possessed had previously been stolen.
Parham-Holmes was sentenced in Cedar Rapids by United States District Court Judge C. J. Williams. Parham-Holmes was sentenced to 24 months’ imprisonment. He must also serve a three-year term of supervised release after the prison term. There is no parole in the federal system.
This case was brought as part of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN). PSN is the centerpiece of the Department of Justice’s violent crime reduction efforts. PSN is an evidence-based program proven to be effective at reducing violent crime. Through PSN, a broad spectrum of stakeholders work together to identify the most pressing violent crime problems in the community and develop comprehensive solutions to address them. As part of this strategy, PSN focuses enforcement efforts on the most violent offenders and partners with locally based prevention and reentry programs for lasting reductions in crime.
Parham-Holmes was released on the bond previously set and is to surrender to the Bureau of Prisons on a date yet to be set.
The case was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Lisa C. Williams and investigated by was investigated by a Federal Task Force composed of the Waterloo Police Department, Federal Bureau of Investigation, and Bureau of Alcohol Tobacco and Firearms assisted by the Black Hawk County Sheriff’s Office and Cedar Falls Police Department..
Court file information at https://ecf.iand.uscourts.gov/cgi-bin/login.pl.
The case file number is 18-CR-2049.
Follow us on Twitter @USAO_NDIA.
Man charged with making false statements involving international terrorismRead the Press Release
MISSOULA—A man who was arrested at a Bozeman shooting range on Wednesday after having recently traveled to Montana from New York appeared in court today on false statement and firearm charges. U.S. Attorney Kurt Alme for the District of Montana and Special Agent in Charge Paul Haertel of the FBI’s Salt Lake City Field Office made the announcement.
Fabjan Alameti, 21, had an initial appearance on a criminal complaint before U.S. Magistrate Judge Jeremiah C. Lynch. The complaint charges Alameti with possession of a firearm by unlawful user of a controlled substance and with making false statements involving international terrorism.
Court documents filed in the case said law enforcement officers arrested Alameti without incident at a Bozeman shooting range. Alameti was taken into custody after he allegedly took possession of an M1A firearm he had rented.
“Fabjan Alameti recently moved to Bozeman from another state,” said Paul Haertel, special agent in charge of the FBI’s Salt Lake City Field Office. “We want to make it absolutely clear that Mr. Alameti has no known ties to Montana or any affiliation with the Muslim community in Bozeman,” he said.
The complaint is merely an accusation and Alameti is presumed innocent until proven guilty. If convicted of the most serious crime, Alameti faces a maximum 10 years in prison, a $250,000 fine and three years of supervised release.
Judge Lynch ordered Alameti be detained. Alameti reserved his right to request a detention hearing at later date.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Jeff Starnes and Trial Attorney Rebecca Magnone, from National Security Division’s Counterterrorism Section, are prosecuting the case, which was investigated by the FBI.
Pacer case reference. 19-mj-0029. The case may be followed through the U.S. District court Calendar and the PACER system. To establish a PACER account, which will allow you to review documents filed in the case, please go to, http://www.pacer.gov/register.html. To access the district court’s calendar, please go to https://ecf.mtd.uscourts.gov/cgi-bin/PublicCalendar.pl.
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Man Sentenced for Distributing Methamphetamine into Red Cliff ReservationRead the Press Release
MADISON, WIS. – Scott C. Blader, United States Attorney for the Western District of Wisconsin, announced that Tyrone Butterfield, 39, Red Cliff, Wisconsin, pleaded guilty and was sentenced yesterday by U.S. District Judge William M. Conley to 14 years in federal prison for distributing methamphetamine.
The amount of methamphetamine attributable to Butterfield was approximately 680 grams, which Judge Conley described as a conservative estimate. Butterfield conspired with others, including Ryan Witter, whom he met when they were in prison together. Butterfield arranged for the shipment of numerous packages of methamphetamine from sources in California to Bayfield, Wisconsin. At Butterfield’s direction, several of his associates wired money to California and accepted packages of methamphetamine on his behalf. Almost all of the methamphetamine was distributed into the Red Cliff Reservation.
The Court considered Butterfield’s role as a manager or supervisor of the drug conspiracy and also his use of his residence for the purpose of distributing methamphetamine when imposing his sentence.
Tyrone Butterfield and three other individuals were charged for their roles in this methamphetamine distribution conspiracy. Butterfield is the last to plead and be sentenced. Simon Sayers was sentenced to 90 months for his role in the conspiracy. Rita Witter was sentenced to three years, and Ryan Witter, Rita Witter’s son, was sentenced to 126 months.
The charge against Butterfield was the result of an investigation conducted by the Red Cliff Police Department; Wisconsin Department of Justice Division of Criminal Investigation; U.S. Postal Inspection Service; Drug Enforcement Administration in Wisconsin and California; Bayfield County Sheriff’s Office; Ashland Police Department; and the Fremont (California) Police Department. The prosecution of the case has been handled by Assistant U.S. Attorney Diane Schlipper.
Man Sentenced to 30 Years in PrisonRead the Press Release
HAMMOND – Rickey D. Brown, Jr., age 41, of Hobart, Indiana, who previously lived in Florida, was sentenced before U.S. District Court Judge Joseph S. Van Bokkelen upon his plea of guilty to possession and production of child pornography, announced U.S. Attorney Kirsch.
Brown was sentenced to 360 months in prison followed by 20 years of supervised release.
“This 30 year sentence should send a strong message to all other sexual predators,” said U.S. Attorney Kirsch. “Children are the most vulnerable victims and my Office will do everything in our power to prosecute and to seek appropriate sentences against sexual predators.”
According to documents in the case, between January 1, 2014 and April 29, 2015, Rickey D. Brown produced photographs of a six to seven-year-old child diagnosed with Autism, who he persuaded to engage in sexually explicit conduct. He admitted to molesting the child on more than one occasion while the child was in his care. Brown also possessed child pornography, including depictions of minors under age twelve.
This case was investigated by the FBI, and prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Jill R. Koster.
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Long Island Man Pleads Guilty to Heroin Distribution ConspiraciesRead the Press Release
Earlier today, in federal court in Brooklyn, Stanley Fuller pleaded guilty to two heroin distribution conspiracies before United States Magistrate Judge Lois Bloom. The conspiracies, charged in two indictments, detail Fuller’s role as a supplier of substantial quantities of heroin to co-conspirators who trafficked the drugs in Jamaica, Queens. When sentenced, Fuller faces a statutory maximum of life in prison for the first conspiracy, and up to 20 years’ imprisonment for the second conspiracy.
Richard P. Donoghue, United States Attorney for the Eastern District of New York, Angel M. Melendez, Special Agent-in-Charge, Department of Homeland Security, Homeland Security Investigations, New York, Ray Donovan, Special Agent-in-Charge, Drug Enforcement Administration, New York Division, and James P. O’Neill, Commissioner, New York City Police Department, announced the guilty plea.
Between April 2013 and July 2015, law enforcement agents intercepted telephone communications during which Fuller discussed the quality of heroin being sold under the brand names “Sweet Dreams,” “Pepsi” and “Coca Cola.” In May 2017, following his arrest and indictment for heroin distribution conspiracy, Fuller was released on bond and placed on home confinement. Notwithstanding, Fuller continued supplying heroin to street-level dealers for distribution. Law enforcement agents again intercepted numerous telephone communications during which Fuller discussed heroin being sold under the brand names “9 & 1/2” and “Tom & Jerry.” In January 2019, Fuller was charged in a second indictment with heroin distribution conspiracy while on pre-trial release.
Fuller is the last of 12 defendants in the first indictment to plead guilty, nine of whom have been sentenced.
The government’s case is being prosecuted by the Office’s International Narcotics and Money Laundering Section. Assistant United States Attorneys Marcia M. Henry, Alicia N. Washington, Erin Reid, Jonathan Algor, Michael Robotti and Lauren Elbert are in charge of the prosecution.
The Defendants:
STANLEY FULLER (also known as “We,” “Webo” and “Morty”)
Age: 43
Valley Stream, New YorkE.D.N.Y. Docket Nos. 15-CR-382 (S-2) (JBW) and 19-CR-21 (JBW)
Lee County Ambulance Service and its Director Agree to Pay $253,930 to Resolve Allegations of False Claims to MedicareRead the Press Release
LEXINGTON, Ky. – The Lee County Fiscal Court (“Lee County”) and the former director of its ambulance service, Joseph Broadwell, have agreed to resolve civil allegations that Lee County Ambulance violated the False Claims Act, a federal law that prohibits the submission of false or fraudulent claims, agreeing to pay $253,930 to the federal government.
The agreement resolves a civil lawsuit that was filed by the United States against Lee County and Broadwell, on September 14, 2018. In the lawsuit, the United States alleged that the ambulance service, at Mr. Broadwell’s direction, submitted over one thousand false claims to Medicare, seeking payment for unnecessary non-emergency ambulance transports, from January 2013 to June 2016. Medicare pays for non-emergency ambulance transports only if the patient’s condition is such that taking other forms of transportation would endanger the patient’s health. The United States alleged that Lee County and Broadwell knowingly disregarded the Medicare rules related to ambulance transports, despite having received years of training on these rules, and submitted claims to Medicare for the transport of patients to and from dialysis clinics without the required medical need. The United States further alleged that the ambulance service and Broadwell made false statements in the medical records supporting the patients’ medical conditions, to secure the reimbursement.
As part of the agreement, Lee County and Broadwell acknowledged that they engaged in this conduct, including the submission of false claims and the creation of false records. In the reaching the agreement, Lee County admitted to submitting false claims to Medicare for non-emergency ambulance transports of two patients to and from dialysis treatment. The transports, which occurred from January 1, 2013, to June 15, 2016, resulted in the submission of over one thousand false claims for reimbursement. Lee County also admitted that it made, or caused to be made and used, false records related to the medical conditions of the patients. Lee County acknowledged that the claims for reimbursements submitted to Medicare were done with a reckless disregard for the truth or falsity of the information submitted. Lee County agreed that its conduct caused damage to the United States.
Last year, the United States entered into additional settlement agreements, with paramedic Daniel Williams, who served as Lee County Ambulance’s Captain of Operations, and Lee County’s third-party billing company, Medical Claims Assistance, Inc., to resolve allegations that they also violated the False Claims Act, by causing Lee County’s submission of the false claims. Through these combined agreements, the United States has recovered over $515,000 in connection with Lee County’s submission of false claims to Medicare and Medicaid.
“Lee County Ambulance admitted it submitted false claims to the Medicare Program and received improper payments,” said Robert M. Duncan, Jr., United States Attorney for the Eastern District of Kentucky. “Unfortunately, this conduct represents another example of a common ambulance service scheme, one where Medicare pays hundreds of thousands of dollars to transport patients who simply had no need for an ambulance. No matter who submits them, the payment of false or fraudulent claims damages the public and reduces the limited tax dollars available to pay legitimate claims intended to help program recipients. The public deserves a watchful eye to prevent the submission of false or fraudulent Medicare claims, and our Office will continue to do its part in that effort.”
“Medicare only pays for ambulance transports when a patient cannot be safely transported by other means,” said Derrick L. Jackson, Special Agent in Charge at the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Office of Inspector General. “This company billed for patients who could walk unassisted and did not need a stretcher to get them to their medical appointments."
This case was investigated by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Office of Inspector General, and the Office of the Kentucky Attorney General’s Medicaid Fraud and Abuse Control Unit. Assistant United States Attorneys Jennifer Williams and Mary Melton handled the matter for the United States.
Laurel Man Pleads Guilty to Committing Five Armed Robberies of Pharmacies in Howard, Anne Arundel, and Prince George’s CountiesRead the Press Release
Baltimore, Maryland – Jawanza Kevin Carter, age 22, of Laurel Maryland, pleaded guilty on April 3, 2019, to robbery involving controlled substances, and to carrying and brandishing of a firearm during and in relation to a crime of violence, in connection with the armed robbery or attempted armed robbery of five pharmacies and the theft of tens of thousands of dollars’ worth of opioids.
The guilty plea was announced by United States Attorney for the District of Maryland Robert K. Hur; Acting Special Agent in Charge Jennifer L. Moore of the Federal Bureau of Investigation, Baltimore Field Office; Chief Henry P. Stawinski III of the Prince George’s County Police Department; Acting Chief Paul Herman of the Annapolis Police Department; Anne Arundel County Police Chief Tim Altomare; Acting Chief Russell E. Hamill, III of the Montgomery County Police Department; Chief Lisa D. Myers of the Howard County Police Department; and Anne Arundel County State’s Attorney Anne Colt Leitess.
According to Carter’s plea agreement, between May 5 and November 29, 2017, Carter and his co-conspirator Arthur Prince participated in five armed robberies of pharmacies. In each robbery, Carter pointed a gun at the clerk, and Carter and Prince demanded opioid narcotics such as Oxycodone, OxyContin, Percocet, and Codeine. In most of the robberies, Carter and Prince also stole money from the cash register and/or robbed the clerk.
Specifically, Carter admitted that he robbed: the Howard Pharmacy in Columbia, Maryland on May 5, 2017; the Lorven Pharmacy in Laurel Maryland on June 19, 2017; the Pasadena Pharmacy in Pasadena, Maryland on August 25, 2017; and the Annapolis Professional Pharmacy in Annapolis, Maryland on November 29, 2017. Carter and Prince also attempted to rob the Pace Wellness Pharmacy in Pasadena on August 25, 2017, but were not able to steal narcotics when the clerk didn’t know where the drugs were located. Instead, Carter and Prince stole $180 from the cash register and robbed the clerk of her purse, which contained $50 in cash and credit cards, among other things.
In each robbery, cell-site records showed that Carter’s phone was in the immediate area of the pharmacy at the time of the robbery, and his DNA was found on a reusable shopping bag left by the robbers at the Howard Pharmacy and on a mask Carter wore during the Annapolis Professional Pharmacy that law enforcement later recovered. In addition, law enforcement recovered Carter’s fingerprints on one of the getaway vehicles used by the robbers, and text messages between Carter and Prince concerning one of the robberies. Photos from Carter’s Snapchat account also appear to reflect large purchases in the days and weeks after some of the robberies, including luxury items from Gucci, a gold watch, and designer tennis shoes.
Prince was arrested after the robbery on November 29, 2017, in Odenton, Maryland, not far from where law enforcement located the stolen narcotics. Carter was arrested at the home of his girlfriend in Laurel, Maryland. Searches executed at locations associated with Carter recovered three boxes of .40-caliber ammunition, a gun cleaning kit and related items, and an empty handgun carrying case with a clip in it.
After his arrest and while he was detained, Carter attempted to obstruct justice. In recorded jail calls, Carter instructed his girlfriend to get rid of a bag used in connection with one of the robberies, which she did. On December 4, 2017, Carter coached his girlfriend on what to say to law enforcement about two vehicles used in the robberies that were titled and registered to her. Carter told his girlfriend to tell law enforcement that one of the cars is a “family and friends car,” and that she drove the other vehicle.
Carter faces a maximum of 25 years in prison for robbery involving controlled substances; and a mandatory minimum of seven years and up to life in prison for brandishing of a firearm during and in relation to a crime of violence. Chief U.S. District Judge James K. Bredar has scheduled sentencing for August 21, 2019, at 2:30 p.m.
Co-conspirator Arthur Raymond Prince, age 20, of Laurel Maryland, previously pleaded guilty to aiding and abetting robbery involving controlled substances, and aiding and abetting the brandishing of a firearm during and in relation to a crime of violence, in connection with the armed robberies of five pharmacies. Prince also faces a maximum of 25 years in prison for aiding and abetting robbery involving controlled substances; and a mandatory minimum of seven years and up to life in prison for aiding and abetting the brandishing of a firearm during and in relation to a crime of violence. Judge Bredar has scheduled Prince’s sentencing for April 9, 2019, at 10 a.m.
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 FBI, the Prince George’s County Police Department, the Annapolis Police Department, the Anne Arundel County Police Department, the Montgomery County Police Department, the Howard County Police Department, and the Anne Arundel County State’s Attorney’s Office for their work in the investigation. Mr. Hur thanked Assistant U.S. Attorneys Paul A. Riley and Brandon K. Moore, who are prosecuting the case.
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Las Vegas Man Convicted of Two Armed Bank RobberiesRead the Press Release
LAS VEGAS, Nev. – A Las Vegas man was convicted by a jury today to committing two armed robberies at the same bank in Henderson, announced U.S. Attorney Nicholas A. Trutanich for the District of Nevada.
After three days of trial, a federal jury found Anthony Delano Hylton Jr., 33, guilty of two counts of armed bank robbery and two counts of use and carry of a firearm during and in relation to a crime of violence. He was also found guilty of one count of felon in possession of a firearm at a separate bench trial. United States District Judge Howard D. McKibben presided over both trials and scheduled sentencing for September 17, 2019.
The evidence at trial established that on October 7, 2016, Hylton entered a Citibank on S. Eastern Avenue in Henderson, armed with a .45 caliber semi-automatic handgun. Once inside he pointed the gun at the customers and bank employees and ordered everyone to get down on the ground. He jumped over the teller counter and discharged the firearm into the floor. He then demanded money from the tellers while pointing his gun at them. He fled the bank with approximately $69,565. Three months later, on January 17, 2017, he entered the same bank armed with a revolver. He pointed the gun at the customers and bank employees and ordered everyone to the ground. He again jumped over the counter and demanded money from the tellers at gunpoint. The tellers complied and Hylton fled the bank with approximately $13,046.
Hylton is a previously convicted felon for battery with substantial bodily harm in Clark County, Nevada.
At the sentencing hearing, Hylton faces a minimum of 17 years in prison.
The case was investigated by the FBI and Henderson Police Department. Assistant United States Attorneys Lisa Cartier-Giroux and Peter S. Levitt are prosecuting the case.
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Large Volume Cocaine Dealer Sentenced to 125 Months for His Role in South Georgia Drug Crime NetworkRead the Press Release
VALDOSTA— A cocaine distributor in South Georgia involved in trafficking hundreds of kilograms will spend more than ten years in prison for his crimes, said U.S. Attorney Charles “Charlie” Peeler. Henry “Poochie” Austin, II, 49, of Valdosta was sentenced on April 3, 2019 to 125 months in prison and six years supervised released by United States District Judge Hugh Lawson. Mr. Austin was convicted in October 2018 of conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute cocaine and cocaine base following a three day trial and just one hour of jury deliberations. There is no parole in the federal system.
Mr. Austin was involved in a cocaine and crack cocaine distribution ring between 2013 and 2014 stretching from Atlanta to South Georgia, including Tifton, Valdosta, Omega, Hahira, Adel, Moultrie, and other nearby communities. Austin and 18 co-conspirators, all who previously pled guilty and have been sentenced, distributed hundreds of kilograms of cocaine sold as powder and also manufactured into crack cocaine, averaging between 10 to 15 kilograms of cocaine per week. Mr. Austin’s drug dealing career dates back to the 1990s.
“A dangerous drug ring moving hundreds of kilos of cocaine across our state is ended, and all involved have now faced the consequences of their crimes,” said Charles “Charlie” Peeler, the United States Attorney for the Middle District. “I want to thank our law enforcement partners who are tracking down and stopping these illegal and deadly drug networks from causing more harm in our communities.”
This case was investigated by the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA), Georgia Bureau of Investigation (GBI), Mid-South Narcotics Task Force, and the Tift, Crisp, Cook, Colquitt and Lowndes County Sheriff’s Offices. Assistant United States Attorneys Julia Bowen and Michael Solis prosecuted the case for the United States.
Questions can be directed to Pamela Lightsey, Public Information Officer, and United States Attorney’s Office, at (478) 621-2603 or Melissa Hodges, Public Affairs Director (Contractor), United States Attorney’s Office, at (478) 765-2362.
Lafayette business owner pleads guilty to stealing nearly $300,000 from three finance companiesRead the Press Release
LAFAYETTE, La. – United States Attorney David C. Joseph announced that Leonard Espree, 55, formerly of Lafayette, pleaded guilty yesterday before Chief U.S. District Judge S. Maurice Hicks Jr. for stealing nearly $300,000 from three finance companies.
According to the guilty plea, Espree was the owner and operator of Ameritek Office Solutions in Lafayette, which sold and serviced office equipment. Espree submitted false documentation in the names of existing local businesses to three finance companies in 2015 and 2016 to obtain payment for office equipment supposedly supplied to these businesses. The three companies approved eight of the transactions for which Espree received a total of $294,292.12. However, Espree never sold or delivered equipment to any of the businesses.
Espree faces up to 30 years in prison, five years of supervised release and a $1 million fine for one count of wire fraud. The court set a July 10, 2019 sentencing date.
The FBI investigated the case. Assistant U.S. Attorney David J. Ayo is prosecuting the case.
Las Cruces Middle School Principal Arrested on Federal Child Pornography ChargesRead the Press Release
ALBUQUERQUE – Joel Aguilar Villanueva, 42, of Las Cruces, N.M., made his initial appearances in federal court in Las Cruces this morning on a criminal complaint charging him with transporting child pornography in interstate or foreign commerce and possession of child pornography. According to the criminal complaint, Villanueva is the principal of a middle school in Las Cruces public school system. Villanueva remains in custody pending a preliminary hearing and a detention hearing, both of which are scheduled for April 9, 2019.
The investigation resulting in the charges against Villanueva began in Oct. 2018, when the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children received a tip that a certain Twitter account was being used to share videos of suspected child pornography. The investigation revealed that the Twitter account allegedly was subscribed to Villanueva, who listed a Las Cruces-area apartment as his residence. On April 3, 2019, law enforcement officers executed a state search warrant at the apartment, and seized an external hard drive that contained suspected child pornography. Villanueva was arrested while the officers were executing the search warrant.
If convicted of the charges in the criminal complaint, Villanueva faces a statutory mandatory minimum of five years and a maximum of 20 years of imprisonment on the transportation of child pornography charge, and a maximum 20 years of imprisonment on the possession of child pornography charge.
Charges in criminal complaints are only accusations, and defendants are presumed innocent unless found guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.
The case was investigated by the Las Cruces office of Homeland Security Investigations, the New Mexico State Police, the Las Cruces Police Department, and the New Mexico Office of the Attorney General. Assistant U.S. Attorney Marisa A. Ong is prosecuting the case as part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative launched in May 2006 by the Department of Justice (DOJ) to combat the growing epidemic of child sexual exploitation and abuse. Led by United States Attorneys’ Offices and DOJ’s Criminal Division’s Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section, 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 http://www.justice.gov/psc/.
Jury Convicts Independence Man of Illegal Firearm After He Shoots His GirlfriendRead the Press Release
KANSAS CITY, Mo. – An Independence, Mo., man was convicted by a federal trial jury today of illegally possessing a firearm that he used to shoot his girlfriend.
William C. McGee, 43, was found guilty of being a felon in possession of a firearm. He was charged as a career criminal due to his prior felony convictions.
Police officers were called to the Great Western Motel in Independence on June 13, 2018, in response to a report from a motel guest who heard gunshots. The caller also told police that the suspected shooter was in a green Toyota Camry, last seen traveling west on 24 Highway.
Officers located the green Toyota Camry in a nearby driveway. McGee was standing beside the vehicle. When he saw the police officers, McGee reached behind his back, pulled out a black Hi-Point 9mm handgun, and threw it over the vehicle. McGee, who had an active arrest warrant for domestic assault, was placed under arrest. The firearm was loaded with one round of 9mm ammunition.
McGee’s girlfriend, who was standing beside him, told officers that McGee had shot her outside their camper home, which was parked at that location, and she had a gunshot wound to her buttocks. Located in the camper were multiple rounds of 9mm ammunition – the same brand of ammunition as found in the firearm.
Under federal law, it is illegal for anyone who has been convicted of a felony to be in possession of any firearm or ammunition. McGee has three prior felony convictions for delivery of a controlled substance and prior felony convictions for distributing a controlled substance, possessing a controlled substance, and carrying a concealed weapon.
Following the presentation of evidence, the jury in the U.S. District Court in Kansas City, Mo., deliberated for approximately 30 minutes before returning the guilty verdict to U.S. Chief District Judge Beth Phillips, ending a trial that began Wednesday, April 3, 2019.
Under federal statutes, McGee 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 Jeffrey Q. McCarther and Special Assistant U.S. Attorney Sean T. Foley. It was investigated by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives and the Independence, Mo., Police Department.
Project Safe Neighborhoods
The U.S. Attorney’s Office is partnering with federal, state, and local law enforcement to specifically identify criminals responsible for significant violent crime in the Western District of Missouri. A centerpiece of this effort is Project Safe Neighborhoods, a program that brings together all levels of law enforcement to reduce violent crime and make neighborhoods safer for everyone. Project Safe Neighborhoods is an evidence-based program that identifies the most pressing violent crime problems in the community and develops comprehensive solutions to address them. As part of this strategy, Project Safe Neighborhoods focuses enforcement efforts on the most violent offenders and partners with locally based prevention and reentry programs for lasting reductions in crime.Individual Sentenced to 56 Months in Prison for Defrauding the U.S. Army Reserve Recruiting Assistance ProgramRead the Press Release
SAN JUAN, Puerto Rico – Luis De Jesús-Negrón, former Army Reserve Recruiter was sentenced by United States District Judge Aida Delgado-Colón to serve 56 months in prison and to pay restitution in the amount of $19,000 to the US Army, announced Rosa Emilia Rodríguez-Vélez, United States Attorney for the District of Puerto Rico. De Jesús-Negrón was found guilty of twenty six counts on December 6, 2018 after an eight-day jury trial.
In 2007 United States Army Reserve established the Army Reserve Recruiting Assistance Program (AR-RAP) through a task order under a contract then existing between the National Guard Bureau and the corporation Document and Packaging Broker, Inc. (Docupak). The AR-RAP was a recruiting program designed to offer referral bonus payments to Reserve soldiers to recruit civilians to serve in the Army Reserve. The Program had two primary participants: (1) Recruiters: whose job it was to assist the Docupak subcontractors in enlisting new members into the Army Reserve; and (2) Recruiter Assistants, whose job it was to identify and assist recruit new potential members into the Army Reserve, and assist Recruiters with other related duties. Under the contract specifications of the Program, only Recruiter Assistants were eligible for recruiting referral bonuses.
Luis De Jesús-Negrón, a Recruiter for the Army Reserve at the time of the offenses, was found guilty in Count One of the Second Superseding Indictment of conspiring to intentionally steal and obtain by fraud property belonging to the United States, to wit: the AR-RAP bonus payments. To do so, De Jesús-Negrón and a co-conspirator would set up an online account on the Docupak administered website for the Program; without authorization, utilize the personal identifiying information of the potential Soldiers, given to a Recruiter or the co-conspirator, to create a profile for the potential Soldier in the online Program account of the Recruiter Assistant; make other false entries in the online Program account to make it appear that the potential Soldier had in fact been recruited by the Recruiter Assistant; apply for the Recruiting Program eligible bonuses based on these false misrepresentations; and when the bonuses were approved cause an interstate wire transfer for payment. In a separate scheme, De Jesús-Negrón was found guilty of obtaining money and property from Docupak by falsely representing himself to be another Army Reserve solider who was eligible to be a Recruiter Assistant under the Recruiting Program, so that Luis De Jesús-Negrón could receive referral bonus payments to which he was not entitled. Additional counts of conviction were for wire fraud and aggravated identity theft.
“This former military recruiter defrauded a program designed to enhance military recruitments at a time when qualified Soldiers were desperately needed perform America’s ongoing missions around the world,” said Special Agent in Charge John F. Khin, Southeast Field Office, Defense Criminal Investigative Service. “DCIS remains fully committed to holding accountable anyone who chooses to fraudulently enrich themselves and violate positions of trust. Today's conviction is a testament to our dedication in the fight against fraud and corruption affecting Department of Defense programs.”
The case was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Myriam Y. Fernández-González.
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Houston Man Sentenced to Thirty Years in Prison for Money Laundering Conspiracy and Tax Crimes Relating to Second-Hand Drug SchemeRead the Press Release
A Houston, Texas, man was sentenced today to 360 months in prison for multiple conspiracy and tax charges, announced Principal Deputy Assistant Attorney General Richard E. Zuckerman of the Justice Department’s Tax Division.
On Nov. 14, 2018, a jury convicted Kenneth J. Coleman, 52, of nine counts, including conspiracy to commit money laundering, conspiracy to structure currency transactions, corporate tax evasion, filing false tax returns with the Internal Revenue Service (IRS), and failing to file tax returns.
The evidence at trial established that Coleman facilitated the fraudulent sale of second-hand prescription medications to Utah-based Green Valley Medical Distributors, LLC (Green Valley). Coleman owned Acacia Pharma Distributors Inc. (Acacia) and Four Corner Suppliers Inc. (Four Corner), which purchased bottles of prescription medications from illegitimate sources and then sold them to Green Valley, which then sold the medications to pharmacies as brand-new.
Federal regulation requires wholesale distributors of prescription medications to provide to a buyer a pedigree – a written statement identifying each prior sale, purchase or trade of the drugs being sold that includes the business name and information of all parties to the prior transactions, starting with the manufacturer. Coleman and others acting at his direction created false pedigrees and provided the fraudulent documents to Green Valley. Evidence at trial showed that Green Valley would withhold payment to Coleman until it received these false pedigrees.
Coleman and his co-defendant, Marcus Weathersby, deposited proceeds from the fraudulent sale of these second-hand prescription drugs into Acacia’s and Four Corner’s business bank accounts and used the funds to pay the suppliers of the illicit pharmaceuticals. At trial, the government proved that Weathersby and others acting at Coleman’s direction laundered more than $41.5 million of illicit funds, including over $2.9 million in more than 230 cash withdrawals made in amounts less than $10,000, in order to evade bank-reporting requirements.
Coleman also evaded the assessment and payment of Acacia’s and Four Corner’s income tax liabilities, failed to file an individual tax return for tax year 2011, failed to file corporate income tax returns for tax years 2011 and 2012, and filed false individual income tax returns for the tax years 2012 and 2013. The combined loss of corporate and individual income taxes was more than $700,000.
Coleman’s co-defendant, Weathersby, formerly of Houston, Texas, pleaded guilty to conspiracy to commit money laundering and was sentenced in June 2018 to 58 months in prison. He testified at trial against Coleman.
In addition to the term of imprisonment imposed, U.S. District Court Judge David Hittner ordered Coleman to serve three years of supervised release, imposed a criminal forfeiture money judgment of $20,326,464.17, and ordered Coleman to pay $716,986 in restitution to the Internal Revenue Service.
Principal Deputy Assistant Attorney General Richard E. Zuckerman thanked agents of IRS-Criminal Investigation, the Federal Bureau of Investigation, and the Food and Drug Administration-Criminal Investigation, who conducted the investigation, and Trial Attorneys Sean Beaty and Terri-Lei O’Malley of the Tax Division, who prosecuted the case. Principal Deputy Assistant Attorney General Zuckerman also thanked U.S. Attorney Ryan K. Patrick of the Southern District of Texas and his office for their assistance in this matter.
Additional information about the Tax Division’s enforcement efforts can be found on the division’s website.
Honduran National Sentenced for Illegal Re-entryRead the Press Release
NEW ORLEANS – U.S. Attorney Peter G. Strasser announced that RICARDO MACHADA-BACA age 25, a citizen of Honduras, was sentenced yesterday by U.S. District Judge Lance M. Africk after previously pleading guilty to a one-count Bill of Information for illegally re-entering the United States in violation of Title 8, United States Code, Section 1326(a).
According to the Bill of Information, MACHADA-BACA was found in the United States on or about November 13, 2018, after having been previously removed therefrom on or about March 10, 2017.
RICARDO MACHADA-BACA was sentenced to 14 months incarceration, and three years of supervised release.
U.S. Attorney Strasser praised the work of the United States Department of Homeland Security, Immigration and Customs Enforcement in investigating this matter. Assistant United States Attorney Irene González is in charge of the prosecution.
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Heroin/Fentanyl Pipeline to Wilmington DisruptedRead the Press Release
WILMINGTON – United States Attorney Robert J. Higdon, Jr. announced the conclusion of OCDETF Operation “Tooth Fairy”. An Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Force (OCDETF) is a joint federal, state, and local cooperative approach to combatting drug trafficking and is the nation’s primary tool for disrupting and dismantling major drug trafficking organizations, targeting national and regional level drug trafficking organizations, and coordinating the necessary law enforcement entities and resources to disrupt or dismantle the targeted criminal organization and seize their assets.
The defendants’ convictions and sentencings were the culmination of a multi-year and multi-agency investigation into a heroin/fentanyl trafficking ring operating primarily around Wilmington, North Carolina and the surrounding counties.
On September 19, 2016, in a joint investigation between the Federal Bureau of Investigation’s (FBI) Safe Streets Task Force (Gang Unit) and the New Hanover County Sheriff’s Office Vice Division, law enforcement arranged an undercover purchase of heroin from DEANDRE SWEET. When DEANDRE SWEET arrived in a parking lot in Wilmington to complete the sale, law enforcement stopped his rental car and found 500 bags of heroin. DEANDRE SWEET was then arrested.
In the same joint investigation, between June and October 2017, law enforcement conducted several undercover purchases of heroin from KYERIC SWEET and DIQUELLE SWEET. The investigation revealed that ANDREW LIGE was a source of supply for the Sweets. On October 12, 2017, law enforcement arrested KYERIC SWEET in possession of a quantity of heroin and more than $2,500. On October 10, 2017, DIQUELLE SWEET was a passenger in a vehicle that attempted to flee from the Elizabethtown Police following a traffic checking station. Officers stopped the vehicle and found SWEET seated on a loaded Taurus 9mm handgun with a bullet in the chamber. The driver was prosecuted by the Bladen County District Attorney’s Office for an additional firearm.
On July 26, 2016, TEREK HARPER was stopped in Sampson County for a traffic violation and found to be in possession of a large quantity of heroin. HARPER was travelling to Wilmington to distribute the heroin. HARPER is currently awaiting sentencing in North Carolina State Court on this charge.
On July 26, 2016, Duplin County Sheriff’s Deputies and the North Carolina Highway Patrol attempted to stop a car driven ANDREW JEROME LIGE. LIGE led law enforcement on a lengthy chase through Duplin County – reaching speeds in excess of 115 miles per hour. During the chase, KEVIN SIMPKINS, the passenger in the car, threw out a bag containing more than 9,800 bags of heroin (more than 130 grams). A trooper was finally able to immobilize the car. During the investigation, it was determined that LIGE had been making trips to New Jersey to acquire heroin for distribution in Eastern North Carolina.
On November 26, 2017, LIGE was the victim of a home invasion robbery. LIGE was shot and found in close proximity to a handgun. At the time of the robbery, LIGE, a convicted felon, was prohibited from possessing handgun.
On November 30, 2017, New Hanover County Sheriff’s Detectives searched SHAWQI GRAY’s residence and a trailer on the property. Law enforcement found the following items: more than 130 grams of a heroin/fentanyl mixture, more than 150 grams of a mixture of heroin and ketamine, 90 grams of heroin, 5 loaded handguns (2 of which were stolen) and more than $47,000 in cash. The investigation uncovered that GRAY had been involved in the distribution of more than a kilogram and half of heroin and fentanyl from 2017 until the time of his arrest. At the time of his arrest in November 2017, GRAY was a fugitive from Pennsylvania. On August 4, 2016, the Easton Police Department in Pennsylvania had searched GRAY’s Pennsylvania residence. GRAY was not present for the search, during which law enforcement found 20 grams of heroin, 68 grams of crack cocaine, and more than $19,000 in cash.
On February 26, 2018, the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) and the Wilmington Police Department received information that LIGE was transporting a load of heroin to the Wilmington area. As a result, law enforcement stopped LIGE’s BMW in which TONY SIMS was driving and LIGE was a passenger. In the car, law enforcement found 5,000 bags of heroin (approximately 100 grams).
On April 5, 2018, the United States Marshals Service Fugitive Task Force and the Wilmington Police Department arrested TEREK HARPER at a motel in Wilmington. HARPER was found in possession of more than 3,400 bags of heroin (approximately 68 grams of heroin) and more than 9,000 in cash.
The defendants include:
- SHAWQI GRAY, 37, of Wilmington, NC. GRAY was sentenced to 204 months’ imprisonment in February 2019. GRAY pled guilty to conspiracy to distribute and possess with the intent to distribute one hundred (100) grams or more of heroin and a quantity of fentanyl, possession with intent to distribute one hundred (100) grams and possession of a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking offense.
- ANDREW JEROME LIGE, also known as “Shotgun,” 40, of Wilmington, NC. LIGE was sentenced to 132 months’ imprisonment on January 9, 2019. LIGE pled guilty to conspiracy to distribute and possess with the intent to distribute one hundred (100) grams or more of heroin and possess with the intent to distribute one hundred (100) grams or more of heroin.
- KEVIN SIMPKINS, 50, of Wilmington, NC. SIMPKINS was sentenced to 132 months’ imprisonment. SIMPKINS pled guilty to conspiracy to distribute and possess with the intent to distribute one hundred (100) grams or more of heroin and possess with the intent to distribute one hundred (100) grams or more of heroin.
- DEANDRE SWEET, 27, of Wilmington, NC. SWEET was sentenced to 105 months’ imprisonment in October 2018. SWEET pled guilty to conspiracy to distribute and possess with intent to distribute a quantity of heroin and possess with intent to distribute a quantity of heroin.
- DIQUELLE SWEET, 22, of Wilmington NC, SWEET was sentenced to 105 months imprisonment in September 2018. SWEET pled guilty to 5 counts of distribution of a quantity of heroin and possession of a firearm by a convicted felon.
- KYERIC SWEET, 25, of Wilmington, NC. SWEET was sentenced to 90 months’ imprisonment on October 2018. SWEET pled guilty to possession with intent to distribute a quantity of heroin.
- TEREK HARPER, also known as “Reek,” 34, of New Jersey. HARPER pled guilty to conspiring to distribute and possess with the intent to distribute a 100 grams or more of heroin and possession with intent to distribute 100 grams or more of heroin. HARPER was sentenced to 87 months’ imprisonment on April 1, 2019. HARPER is awaiting sentencing in North Carolina State Court and faces a mandatory minimum active sentence to be served following the expiration of his federal sentence.
- TONY SIMS, 52, of Wilmington, NC. SIMS was sentenced to 48 months’ imprisonment on January 25, 2019. SIMS pled guilty to conspiracy to distribute and possess with the intent to distribute a quantity of heroin and possession with the intent to distribute a quantity of heroin
The investigation of this case was conducted by the Federal Bureau of Investigation’s Safe Streets and Coastal Carolina Criminal Enterprise Task Forces; Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives; United States Marshals Service Fugitive Task Force; Wilmington Police Department (Gang Unit); Elizabethtown Police Department; Duplin County Sheriff’s Office; New Hanover County Sheriff’s Office; Sampson County Sheriff’s Office; and, North Carolina Highway Patrol. Assistant United States Attorney Timothy Severo prosecuted these cases on behalf of the government.
Hartford Man Who Pointed Gun at Undercover Officers Sentenced to 30 Months in PrisonRead the Press Release
John H. Durham, United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut, announced that ENRIQUE LUCIANO, 32, of Hartford, was sentenced today by U.S. District Judge Victor A. Bolden in Bridgeport to 30 months of imprisonment, followed by three years of supervised release, for illegally possessing a firearm and ammunition.
According to court documents and statements made in court, on June 4, 2018, Luciano approached a car on Cabot Street in Hartford and pointed a gun at the car. The car was occupied by two undercover Hartford Police detectives investigating drug activity on Cabot Street. After the detectives identified themselves as police officers, Luciano fled and discarded the gun. Luciano was apprehended and the firearm, a loaded 9mm Taurus PT 908 handgun with an obliterated serial number, was recovered.
Luciano has a previous federal conviction for possession of a firearm by a convicted felon and, in May 2010, was sentenced to 60 months of imprisonment for that offense. He also has prior convictions in state court for drug offenses.
Luciano has been detained since his arrest. On December 3, 2018, he pleaded guilty to one count of possession of a firearm and ammunition by a convicted felon.
This investigation was conducted by the Hartford Police Department and the FBI’s Connecticut Violent Crime Task Force. The case was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Ray Miller.
This prosecution 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 neighborhoods safer for everyone.
Harrison County man sentenced for role in heroin distribution operationRead the Press Release
CLARKSBURG, WEST VIRGINIA – David C. Chalfant, of Bridgeport, West Virginia, was sentenced today to 10 months incarceration for his role in a heroin distribution operation, United States Attorney Bill Powell announced.
Chalfant, age 26, pled guilty to one count of “Aiding and Abetting the Distribution of Heroin” in May 2018. Chalfant admitted to selling heroin in March 2016 in Harrison County.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Traci M. Cook prosecuted the case on behalf of the government. The Greater Harrison Drug and Violent Crimes Task Force, a HIDTA-funded initiative, investigated.
Senior U.S. District Judge Irene M. Keeley presided.Hampden Woman Sentenced to Five Years of Probation for Conspiracy to Commit Marriage FraudRead the Press Release
Bangor, Maine: United States Attorney Halsey B. Frank announced that Marena Mushero, 28, recently of Hampden, Maine, was sentenced yesterday in U.S. District Court by Judge Lance E. Walker to five years of probation for conspiring to enter a marriage in order to evade U.S. immigration laws.
According to court records, Mushero, a United States citizen, posted an advertisement on an on-line forum, in which she offered to marry a person in need of permanent resident status in exchange for money. On June 13, 2018, she received a response from a Nepalese citizen who was lawfully in the U.S. and living in another state. Mushero agreed to marry him in exchange for cash payments so that he could get a “green card.” On June 25, 2018, Mushero and her coconspirator were married in Brewer, Maine. Before and after the wedding, Mushero received hundreds of dollars via wire transfers from her coconspirator, who continued to live and work in another state.
In imposing the sentence, Judge Walker noted that Mushero is due to complete an eight-month state prison term next week for an unrelated offense.
The investigation was conducted by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s Homeland Security Investigations, U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services, and the Brewer Police Department.