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21 March 2019
Mercer County Woman Pleads Guilty to Theft of Social Security Income MoneyRead the Press Release
Defendant fraudulently obtained over $50,000
BLUEFIELD, W.Va. – Kimberly Hall entered a guilty plea yesterday to the felony offense of fraudulently obtaining Social Security income benefits, announced United States Attorney Mike Stuart. Hall, 43, of Bluefield, Mercer County, West Virginia faces up to 5 years of in prison when she is sentenced on August 7, 2019. She will also be required to pay restitution back to the United States Treasury. United States Attorney Mike Stuart praised the work of the Social Security Administration (SSA) and SSA-Office of Inspector General (OIG).
“Theft of Social Security benefits is widespread in West Virginia,” said United States Attorney Mike Stuart. “We are working closely with SSA-OIG to prosecute those who steal income benefits to which they aren’t entitled.”
Hall applied for Title II Social Security benefits in 2007 and to be a representative payee for a minor child. These Social Security benefits are based on income and living arrangements, and create a duty to report a change in income or living arrangements. From 2011 to 2016, the minor child no longer resided in Hall’s home. This was a change in SSI benefits that must be reported because this change in living arrangement would have lowered the amount of money she was receiving every month. Hall further indicated that the minor child resided at her home when the child no longer resided there. From August 2011 through September 2016, Hall received $50,012 in Social Security benefits in excess of the amount she was due. On November 9, 2016, Hall gave a false statement to a SSA claims representative concerning the minor child. SSA-OIG investigators investigated the claims and Hall admitted to them that the she had given false statements and that the minor child no longer resided at her home. She also knew that she was receiving money that she was not entitled to receive.
Assistant United States Attorney Erik S. Goes handled the prosecution. Senior United States District Judge David F. Faber presided over the hearing.
Follow us on Twitter: @SDWVNews and @USAttyStuart
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Medstar Health to Pay U.S. $35 Million to Resolve Allegations that it Paid Kickbacks to a Cardiology Group in Exchange for ReferralsRead the Press Release
Baltimore, Maryland – MedStar Health, Inc. (MedStar) in Columbia, Md., MedStar Union Memorial Hospital, and MedStar Franklin Square Medical Center, both in Baltimore, have agreed to pay the United States $35 million to settle allegations under the False Claims Act that it paid kickbacks to MidAtlantic Cardiovascular Associates (MACVA), a cardiology group based in Pikesville, Maryland, in exchange for referrals, through a series of professional services contracts at Union Memorial and Franklin Square Hospitals in Baltimore.
The settlement was announced by United States Attorney for the District of Maryland Robert K. Hur; Assistant Attorney General Jody Hunt of the Justice Department’s Civil Division; and Special Agent in Charge Maureen Dixon of the Department of Health and Human Services, Office of Inspector General - Office of Investigations.
“Kickbacks give doctors an incentive to pursue unnecessary treatments that are costly and sometimes even dangerous to patients,” said U.S. Attorney Robert K. Hur. “We will not tolerate medical care providers who put their patients at risk and waste taxpayers’ dollars in order to line their own pockets.”
“Kickbacks made in connection with the provision of medical services undermine the integrity of our health care system,” said Jody Hunt, Assistant Attorney General for the Civil Division of the Department of Justice. “We will take action against medical service providers who through unlawful conduct put their own financial interests ahead of the best interests of patients, we will take action.”
“Patients rightly expect their doctors will make recommendations based on sound medical practice -- not payoffs that too often result in needless and sometimes even harmful procedures,” said Maureen R. Dixon, Special Agent in Charge for the Office of Inspector General of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. “We will continue to protect patients and taxpayer-funded government health programs from these unnecessary services, as the government contended in this case.”
The allegations resolved in the settlement include the payment of kickbacks to MACVA under the guise of professional services agreements, in return for MACVA’s referrals to Union Memorial of lucrative cardiovascular procedures, including cardiac surgery and interventional cardiology procedures, from January 1, 2006 through July 31, 2011.
Under the settlement MedStar also agrees to settle allegations that it received Medicare payments from January 1, 2006 through December 28, 2012, for medically unnecessary stents performed by John Wang, M.D., a one-time employee of MACVA who was later employed by MedStar.
The settlement resolves a lawsuit brought by whistleblowers Stephen D. Lincoln, M.D.; Peter Horneffer, M.D.; and Garth McDonald, M.D., cardiac surgeons who practiced together as members of Cardiac Surgery Associates in Baltimore. The lawsuit, which was filed in the District of Maryland in June 2010, alleges that Union Memorial and Franklin Square, and others, violated the Anti-Kickback Act and the False Claims Act by paying various forms of illegal remuneration to MACVA to induce referrals of patients insured by Medicare for cardiac procedures which caused false claims to be submitted to Medicare.
The settlement also resolves another lawsuit brought by whistleblowers who were former patients of John Wang, M.D. who claimed that Dr. Wang, MedStar, and Union Memorial engaged in a pattern and practice of performing medically unnecessary percutaneous transluminal coronary angioplasty with stent placement procedures and submitted false claims to Medicare for those cardiac stent procedures. The lawsuit was filed in the District of Maryland in December 2012.
The whistleblowers, or relators, brought their actions under the qui tam or whistleblower provisions of the False Claims Act, which permit private citizens with knowledge of false claims against the government to bring a lawsuit on behalf of the United States and to share in any recovery. Under the civil settlement announced today, the relators will receive a portion of the federal share of the recovery.
The settlement announced today was the result of an investigation by the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Maryland and the Commercial Litigation Branch of the Justice Department’s Civil Division with assistance from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Office of Inspector General. The case was handled by Maryland Assistant U.S. Attorneys Matthew P. Phelps and Roann Nichols.
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MedStar Health to Pay U.S. $35 Million to Resolve Allegations that it Paid Kickbacks to a Cardiology Group in Exchange for ReferralsRead the Press Release
MedStar Health Inc. (MedStar) in Columbia, Maryland., MedStar Union Memorial Hospital, and MedStar Franklin Square Medical Center, both in Baltimore, have agreed to pay the United States $35 million to settle allegations under the False Claims Act that it paid kickbacks to MidAtlantic Cardiovascular Associates (MACVA), a cardiology group based in Pikesville, Maryland, in exchange for referrals, through a series of professional services contracts at Union Memorial and Franklin Square Hospitals in Baltimore.
The settlement was announced by Assistant Attorney General Jody Hunt of the Justice Department’s Civil Division, United States Attorney for the District of Maryland Robert K. Hur; and Special Agent in Charge Maureen Dixon of the Department of Health and Human Services, Office of Inspector General - Office of Investigations.
“Kickbacks made in connection with the provision of medical services undermine the integrity of our health care system,” said Assistant Attorney General Jody Hunt for the Department of Justice’s Civil Division. “We will take action against medical service providers who through unlawful conduct put their own financial interests ahead of the best interests of patients.”
“Kickbacks give doctors an incentive to pursue unnecessary treatments that are costly and sometimes even dangerous to patients,” said U.S. Attorney Robert K. Hur. “We will not tolerate medical care providers who put their patients at risk and waste taxpayers’ dollars in order to line their own pockets.”
“Patients rightly expect their doctors will make recommendations based on sound medical practice – not payoffs that too often result in needless and sometimes even harmful procedures,” said Maureen R. Dixon, Special Agent in Charge for the Office of Inspector General of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. “We will continue to protect patients and taxpayer-funded government health programs from these unnecessary services, as the government contended in this case.”
The allegations resolved in the settlement include the payment of kickbacks to MACVA under the guise of professional services agreements, in return for MACVA’s referrals to Union Memorial of lucrative cardiovascular procedures, including cardiac surgery and interventional cardiology procedures, from Jan. 1, 2006, through July 31, 2011.
Under the settlement MedStar also agrees to settle allegations that it received Medicare payments from Jan. 1, 2006, through Dec. 28, 2012, for medically unnecessary stents performed by John Wang, M.D., a one-time employee of MACVA who was later employed by MedStar.
The settlement resolves a lawsuit brought by whistleblowers, Stephen D. Lincoln, M.D.; Peter Horneffer, M.D.; and Garth McDonald, M.D., cardiac surgeons who practiced together as members of Cardiac Surgery Associates in Baltimore. The lawsuit, which was filed in the District of Maryland in June 2010, alleges that Union Memorial and Franklin Square, and others, violated the Anti-Kickback Act and the False Claims Act by paying various forms of illegal remuneration to MACVA to induce referrals of patients insured by Medicare for cardiac procedures which caused false claims to be submitted to Medicare.
The settlement also resolves another lawsuit brought by whistleblowers who were former patients of John Wang, M.D. who claimed that Dr. Wang, MedStar, and Union Memorial engaged in a pattern and practice of performing medically unnecessary percutaneous transluminal coronary angioplasty with stent placement procedures and submitted false claims to Medicare for those cardiac stent procedures. The lawsuit was filed in the District of Maryland in December 2012.
The whistleblowers, or relators, brought their actions under the qui tam or whistleblower provisions of the False Claims Act, which permit private citizens with knowledge of false claims against the government to bring a lawsuit on behalf of the United States and to share in any recovery. Under the civil settlement announced today, the relators will receive a portion of the federal share of the recovery.
The settlement announced today was the result of an investigation by the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Maryland and the Commercial Litigation Branch of the Justice Department’s Civil Division with assistance from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Office of Inspector General. The case was handled by Maryland Assistant U.S. Attorneys Matthew P. Phelps and Roann Nichols.
Marion County Man Sentenced to More Than 17 Years for Shooting at Veterans Clinic in the VillagesRead the Press Release
Ocala, Florida – Senior United States District Judge James D. Whittemore today sentenced Stephen Cometa (63, Marion County) to 17 years and 3 months in federal prison for forcibly assaulting and resisting federal employees with a deadly and dangerous weapon, and for discharging a firearm during a crime of violence. A federal jury previously found Cometa guilty of the offenses on December 13, 2018.
According to the testimony and evidence presented in court, in December 2016, Cometa entered a Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) clinic in The Villages carrying a loaded AR-15 assault rifle, a concealed handgun, and hundreds of rounds of extra ammunition for both firearms. Cometa walked through the clinic to a psychiatrist’s office, interrupted an ongoing treatment session, and pointed the assault rifle at the psychiatrist as he opened the door. The psychiatrist, as well as a VA contractor and two VA police officers, struggled with Cometa for control of the assault rifle and eventually subdued him. During the struggle, Cometa fired the assault rifle, shooting holes in the walls, ceiling, and furniture.
This case was investigated by the FBI—Ocala Resident Agency, the Marion County Sheriff’s Office, and the Department of Veterans Affairs Police Service. It was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorneys William S. Hamilton and Robert E. Bodnar, Jr.
Manhattan U.S. Attorney Announces Action to Recover Ukrainian Painting Looted by NazisRead the Press Release
Geoffrey S. Berman, the United States Attorney for the Southern District of New York, and William F. Sweeney Jr., the Assistant Director-in-Charge of the New York Field Office of the Federal Bureau of Investigation (“FBI”), announced today the filing of a civil forfeiture action seeking the return to its rightful owner of a painting looted from a Kyiv museum in Nazi-controlled Ukraine in the closing days of World War II. The piece, formerly entitled A Family Portrait and currently entitled An Amorous Couple or alternatively A Loving Glance (the “Painting”), painted by Pierre Louis Goudreaux, a student of Jean-Honoré Fragonard, was allegedly stolen from the Bohdan and Varvara Khanenko National Museum of the Arts in Kyiv, Ukraine, around 1943.
Manhattan U.S. Attorney Geoffrey Berman said: “Our Office has a long history of righting wrongs, no matter how long ago a crime was committed. Today’s action is an example of our continued commitment to ensuring that art looted by Nazis more than 75 years ago is returned to its rightful owners.”
FBI Assistant Director in Charge William F. Sweeney Jr. said: “The occupying forces during World War II believed they had the right to surround themselves with the spoils of their invasion, to include art work that didn't belong to them. The Nazis secreted these works away from the public and over the course of decades many were lost forever. The FBI New York Art Crime Team works diligently to restore these paintings and artifacts to their rightful owners because the some of the wounds of that dark time can be mended even decades later.”
According to the Complaint filed today in Manhattan federal court:
Before the outbreak of the World War II in the Soviet Union, the Khanenko Museum maintained the Painting under the name A Family Portrait, after the Painting had been willed to the Museum by art collector Vasilii Aleksandrovich Shchavinskii in 1924 upon his death. The Painting is seen in numerous photographs of the interior of the Khanenko Museum in the 1930s.
As part of the invasion of the Soviet Union during World War II, German troops crossed the Dnieper River into Kyiv in August 1941. To protect its inventory from the invading troops, the Khanenko Museum evacuated some of its artwork eastward into Soviet Russia, but the Painting was not listed in the checklists of the evacuated items. When the German troops occupied Kyiv beginning in 1941, Nazi Germany occupied Ukraine through an administrative entity called the Reichskommissariat Ukraine (the “RKU”). The RKU seized numerous pieces from the Khanenko Museum for display in the residences of occupying authorities. The Painting was not listed in the ledger of such seized pieces. When Soviet troops began approaching Kyiv to try to retake the city in 1943, the German authorities seized artwork for export to Germany, but the Painting was not listed in the German ledger of the exported artworks. Kyiv became a military zone in the final days of the war in Ukraine, and retreating German troops looted many remaining valuables.
In July 1944, after the Soviet Union had re-taken Kyiv from Nazi rule, the Committee for Art under the Soviet of Ministers for the Ukrainian Soviet Socialist Republic began to review pieces stolen from the Khanenko Museum. The Committee listed the Painting, under the title An Amorous Couple, as a missing piece when the review was completed in August 1948.
In January 2013, the Painting resurfaced when it was listed on the official website of a New York auction house (the “New York Auction House”). The provenance accompanying the auction notice stated that the Painting had been held in a private collection in London and then a private collection in Massachusetts. Further investigation by the FBI established that in December 1993, the Painting was purchased from an auction house in Deerfield, Massachusetts, by a New York art dealer (the “Art Dealer”). The Art Dealer held the Painting until consigning it to the New York Auction House in January 2013. The Painting was posted for auction under the alternate title of A Loving Glance.
The U.S. Attorney’s Office and the FBI are seeking forfeiture of the painting so it can be returned to its rightful owners.
Mr. Berman thanked the FBI’s Art Crime Team for their assistance.
The case is being handled by the Office’s Money Laundering and Transnational Criminal Enterprises Unit. Assistant U.S. Attorney Samuel L. Raymond is in charge of the case.
Man Sentenced to 15 Years for Producing Child PornographyRead the Press Release
Madison, Wis. – Scott C. Blader, United States Attorney for the Western District of Wisconsin, announced that Andrew Steiskal, 23, New Lisbon, Wisconsin, was sentenced today by U.S. District Judge James Peterson to 15 years in federal prison for producing child pornography. Steiskal pleaded guilty to this offense on December 7, 2018.
In January 2018, a minor in Dorchester, South Carolina went to the police and reported that she had been having contact with a Snapchat user who sent her a Dropbox link to sexually explicit pictures of an adult male and a young child. Law enforcement officers ultimately were able to identify the sender, who had the user name “steisdaddy95,” as Andrew Steiskal.
Law enforcement officers searched the minor’s phone and saw the images the minor described. They also found numerous Snapchat messages from Steiskal identifying himself and the minor child as the people shown in the sexually explicit images.
The mother of the child who appears in the sexually explicit images told the Court that there were not enough words to describe how horrible the experience has been for her and her child.
In sentencing the defendant, Judge Peterson said that part of what made the crime so horrible is that the defendant exploited a child who was incapable of defending herself or calling for help. Judge Peterson also pointed out that there were a number of victims here, and that the effects of the defendant’s actions would be felt long into the future.
The charges against Steiskal were the result of an investigation conducted by the Juneau County Sheriff’s Department, the Wisconsin Department of Justice Division of Criminal Investigation, and the Dorchester County (South Carolina) Sheriff’s Office. The prosecution of the case has been handled by Assistant U.S. Attorney Elizabeth Altman.
Maine Man Sentenced to 63 Months for Fentanyl TraffickingRead the Press Release
CONCORD - Donald Fillmore, 42, of Exeter, Maine, was sentenced to 63 months in prison for fentanyl trafficking, United States Attorney Scott W. Murray announced today.
According to court documents and statements made in court, on November 14, 2017, members of the New Hampshire State Police conducted a routine traffic stop and encountered Fillmore. Pursuant to a consent search, the troopers recovered approximately 714 grams of fentanyl, which Fillmore admitted belonged to him.
Fillmore previously pleaded guilty to possession of fentanyl with intent to distribute on October 29, 2018.
“Fentanyl has been responsible for hundreds of overdose deaths in New Hampshire,” said U.S. Attorney Murray. “I commend the New Hampshire State Police for their efforts in this case, which led to the seizure of a significant quantity of this deadly drug. By removing this fentanyl from the distribution chain, they may have given many people a chance to survive.”
This matter was investigated by the New Hampshire State Police. The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Cam T. Le.
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Leader of Serial Robbery Crew Sentenced to over 17 Years in PrisonRead the Press Release
LAS VEGAS, Nev. – The leader of a serial robbery crew was sentenced today to 210 months in federal prison for two armed robberies in Las Vegas, announced U.S. Attorney Nicholas A. Trutanich for the District of Nevada.
Cortez Harris, 29, previously pleaded guilty to conspiracy to interfere with commerce by robbery, two counts of interference with commerce by robbery, and brandishing a firearm during and in relation to a crime of violence. In addition to the prison term, U.S. District Judge Richard F. Boulware II sentenced Harris to five years of supervised release.
According to court documents, on the morning of July 13, 2017, Harris and co-conspirators Leonard Tremillo Jr., Janellcie Gibbons, and a juvenile robbed a convenience store located on S. Rainbow Blvd. in Las Vegas. Harris pointed a firearm towards the customers in the lobby, then he and the juvenile walked behind the counter. He then pointed the firearm at an employee and told the victim to open the safe. After the victim gave Harris money from the safe, he demanded more money, pointed the gun at her head, and threatened to kill her. Tremillo stayed in the lobby with the customers. They stole approximately $1,626, and fled from the business.
Less than one hour later, Harris and his co-conspirators robbed a cash advance business located on E. Bonanza Rd. Harris approached an employee and told her not to call the police while he held a firearm to her head. During the robbery, Harris pistol-whipped the victim. They stole approximately $4,838, and fled in a get-away car driven by co-conspirator, Janellcie Gibbons.
Law enforcement identified Harris and his co-conspirators from video surveillance footage at both businesses. The robbery crew was linked to a larger series of armed robberies in Utah, Texas, and Colorado, between July 3 and July 25, 2017.
Leonard Tremillo Jr. pleaded guilty and was sentenced to 108 months in prison; Janellcie Gibbons pleaded guilty and was sentenced to 87 months in prison; and the juvenile co-conspirator pleaded guilty and was sentenced in Texas for a related robbery.
The case was investigated by the FBI and the Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department. Assistant U.S. Attorney Alexandra Michael prosecuted the case.
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Leader of Local Hip-Hop Group Is Sentenced to Nine Years for Bank and Wire Fraud Conspiracy and Aggravated Identity Theft ChargesRead the Press Release
CHARLOTTE, N.C. – Andrew Murray, U.S. Attorney for the Western District of North Carolina, announced today that Damonte Withers, 30, of Charlotte, was sentenced to 108 months for bank fraud conspiracy, wire fraud conspiracy, and aggravated identity theft charges in connection to a bank and identity theft scheme. In addition to the prison term imposed, Withers was ordered to serve two years under court supervision and to pay $1,068,511.87 in restitution.
U.S. Attorney Murray is joined in making today’s announcement by David M. McGinnis, Inspector in Charge of the Charlotte Division of the U.S. Postal Inspection Service; Reginald DeMatteis, Special Agent in Charge of the U.S. Secret Service, Charlotte Field Office; and Chief Kerr Putney of the Charlotte Mecklenburg Police Department.
According to court documents and today’s sentencing hearing, Withers, also known as “Tony da Boss” on social media, and his co-conspirators, were members of a local hip-hop group known as the “FreeBandz Gang” or “FBG.”
According to court documents, from February 2014 through January 2016, Withers conspired with others to commit bank fraud by engaging in what is commonly known as a “card-cracking” scheme. As part of the scheme, Withers and his co-conspirators recruited individuals to hand over their bank account ATM/debit cards and PINs in exchange for the promise of an easy pay-day. Withers and other members of FBG would then deposit fraudulent or stolen checks into the bank accounts using the corresponding ATMs or mobile banking applications, triggering a credit to the account. Court records show that Withers and his co-conspirators would then quickly withdraw cash from the accounts, before the banks could determine the deposited checks were worthless.
In addition to the card-cracking scheme, in October 2016, Withers and several members of FBG also executed wire fraud conspiracy in which they used victims’ stolen identities to fraudulently acquire cellular phones, tablets and other goods so they could resell them for profit. Withers and other members of the conspiracy obtained victims’ names, Social Security Numbers, dates of birth, and other personal identifying information, using an Internet-based database and used that information to manufacture fake IDs, which they then used to open phone lines and complete fraudulent credit applications in the identity theft victims’ names. Over the course of the investigation, law enforcement found Withers to be in possession of several items used to manufacture the fictitious identification cards, and of the personal identifying information of at least 18 individuals. Withers’ fraudulent conduct continued at least until he was charged in December 2017. Withers previously admitted to causing between $550,000 and $1.5 million in losses as a result of his fraud.
Withers’ co-defendants were previously sentenced as follows: Nemiah Davis was sentenced to 70 months in prison and three years of supervised release; Quadarius Thomas was sentenced to 65 months in prison and two years of supervised release; Jeffrey Monteith was sentenced to 58 months in prison and three years of supervised release; Deandre Howze was sentenced to 57 months in prison and three years of supervised release; Laerek Williams was sentenced to 54 months in prison and two years of supervised release; and James Willingham was sentenced to 52 months in prison and three years of supervised release.
In making today’s announcement, U.S. Attorney Murray commended the work of the United States Secret Service, the United States Postal Inspection Service, and the Charlotte Mecklenburg Police Department for their investigation of this case.
Assistant United States Attorney Dallas J. Kaplan of the U.S. Attorney’s Office in Charlotte is in charge of the prosecution.
Las Vegas Man Convicted of Distributing OxycodoneRead the Press Release
LAS VEGAS, Nev. – Following a two-day jury trial, a Las Vegas resident was convicted of distributing large quantities of Oxycodone pills, announced U.S. Attorney Nicholas A. Trutanich for the District of Nevada and Assistant Special Agent in Charge Daniel W. Neill for the DEA Las Vegas office.
Damien Norris, 39, was found guilty of distributing Oxycodone, a Schedule II opioid. United States District Judge Jennifer A. Dorsey scheduled sentencing for June 24, 2019. The maximum statutory penalty is 20 years in prison and a $250,000 fine.
According to evidence presented at trial, Norris trafficked large quantities of Oxycodone in Las Vegas. He sold Oxycodone to an individual who made bi-weekly trips from Arizona for the purpose of purchasing pills from Norris. On February 23, 2107, Norris sold approximately 900 30mg oxycodone pills for $15,300.
The case was investigated by the DEA. Assistant U.S. Attorney Brian Whang is prosecuting the case.
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KC Man Sentenced to 11 Years for Armed RobberyRead the Press Release
KANSAS CITY, Mo. – A Kansas City, Mo., man was sentenced in federal court today for his role in an armed robbery that was part of a three-month-long spree of armed robberies at metropolitan area businesses.
Donald L. Boggess, also known as “Old School,” 57, was sentenced by U.S. District Judge Brian C. Wimes to 11 years and nine months in federal prison without parole. The court also ordered Boggess to pay $19,796 in restitution, for which he is jointly and severally liable.
On Dec. 19, 2017, Boggess pleaded guilty to the Aug. 30, 2015, armed robbery of a 7-Eleven store at 1701 Independence Ave., Kansas City, Mo.
The crime spree, which lasted from July 25 to Oct. 20, 2015, involved 13 armed robberies of businesses in the metropolitan area in which $19,796 was stolen.
Boggess is the fourth and final defendant to be sentenced in this case. Isaac J. Williams, also known as “Dat Flyguy,” 26, of Kansas City, Mo., also pleaded guilty and was sentenced to 11 years in federal prison without parole. Rahnice J. Clay, 25, of Kansas City, Mo., also pleaded guilty and was sentenced to eight years in federal prison without parole. Deitra M. Turner, also known as “Detrix Mob Turner,” 26, of Kansas City, Mo., also pleaded guilty and was sentenced to eight years in federal prison without parole.
During the armed robbery of the metroPCS store at 4513 Independence Ave., Kansa City, Mo., on Aug. 18, 2015, metroPCS robbery, Boggess was armed with a silver handgun while Williams stood by the door looking out. When Boggess demanded money, the sales clerk motioned to the cash register and Boggess opened the drawer, took approximately $2,627, and stuffed it into his hooded sweatshirt pocket. While taking the cash from the drawer, Boggess continued to point the handgun at the clerk and another employee. Williams and Boggess then fled the store and got into the getaway car with the Turner and Clay. All four divided and shared in the proceeds from the robbery.
During the armed robbery of the Phillips 66 gas station at 7531 Troost Ave., Kansas City, Mo., on Aug. 21, 2015, Williams and Turner entered the store, while Clay was at the gas pump as the lookout and Boggess remained in the car, as he was the getaway driver. The cashier was in the middle of a transaction with a customer who had just handed her a $100 bill when Williams pushed the customer out of the way and demanded the money in the register. He then pulled out a silver handgun that was wrapped in a t-shirt and pointed it at her. The cashier opened the cash register and took out all of the cash and placed it onto the counter. Williams grabbed the cash, then he and Turner (who was standing by the door as a lookout) left the store. They got into Boggess’s vehicle and Boggess drove away. The money from the robbery was split equally among the four of them.
Clay admitted that, in two robberies, she entered the store prior to the robbery then left the store when there were no other customers. A short time later, Williams and Turner entered the store. Williams, armed with a handgun, demanded money.
During the armed robbery of the metroPCS store at 723 Southwest Blvd., Kansas City, Mo., on Sept. 11, 2015, Turner grabbed a blue metroPCS bag from the store to put the money in to. The employee handed over approximately $312. Williams and Turner ordered her to the back to unlock the safe, but she was unable to unlock the safe.
During the armed robbery of the GameStop store at 906 Westport Rd., Kansas City, Mo., on Sept. 12, 2015, Turner took one of the employees to the back and collected game systems. The employee stated he handed over approximately $555 and games. Two witnesses outside the GameStop store saw Williams and Turner run to and get into Clay’s red Toyota; Clay, the getaway driver, was already in the car. Williams, Turner, and Clay split the money and video game systems.
This case was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney D. Michael Green. It was investigated by the Kansas City, Mo., Police Department, the Grandview, Mo., Police Department, the Roeland Park, Kan., Police Department and the FBI.
Justice Department Awards $5.7 M to Support Native American Crime Victims in Seven StatesRead the Press Release
TULSA, Okla. – U.S. Attorney Trent Shores and The Office of Justice Programs’ Office for Victims of Crimes announced this week that two northeastern Oklahoma tribes were awarded more than $1.28 million to support crime victims.
The two tribes in the Northern District of Oklahoma that received funding are the Eastern Shawnee Tribe of Oklahoma and Wyandotte Nation.
The Eastern Shawnee Tribe of Oklahoma received $704, 949 to hire a crime victim advocate and to develop a cultural outreach program for those affected by violence. The funding will also help improve transportation for crime victims and provide emergency shelter services and counseling services.
The Wyandotte Nation of Oklahoma was awarded $579,596 to expand services to victims of domestic violence, elder abuse, sexual assault, dating violence and human trafficking by hiring a victim advocate. The award will also fund transportation to reach survivors in remote areas and provide legal and mental health services to those impacted by crime.
Nationwide, the Office for Victims of Crime (OVC) awarded more than $5.7 million to support crime victims in Native American communities in seven states: Alaska, California, Colorado, Minnesota, Oklahoma, Washington and Wisconsin. The group of 10 awards is the second in a series of grants being made by OVC to American Indian and Alaska Native communities. OVC has now awarded more than $9 million of up to $100 million to support tribal victim service programs.
The awards—17 in total so far—will fund critical crime victim services, such as counseling, transitional housing, emergency services and transportation. The grants are supported by the Crime Victims Fund, a repository of federal criminal fines, fees and special assessments. The fund includes zero tax dollars.
“American Indian and Alaska Native communities face extensive public safety challenges, but through creative approaches that combine traditional methods with innovative solutions, they are demonstrating their determination to meet the needs of victims in their communities,” said Principal Deputy Assistant Attorney General Matt M. Dummermuth. “These grants, part of historic levels of funding awarded by the Department of Justice to American Indian and Alaska Native communities, will provide significant resources to bring critical services to those who suffer the effects of crime and violence.”
“From domestic violence to sexual assaults, the sad fact is that Native Americans are overrepresented as victims of violent crime, particularly women and children. The Justice Department is committed to changing this alarming statistic. We must give voice to victims of violent crime in Indian Country, especially those who are murdered or missing,” said Trent Shores, U.S. Attorney for the Northern District of Oklahoma and Chairman of the Attorney General’s Advisory Subcommittee on Native American Issues. “The more than $5.7 million in grant funding reflects the Justice Department’s strong commitment to partnering with Native American communities to identify key services needed to support victims of violent crime. In my district, the Eastern Shawnee Tribe of Oklahoma and Wyandotte Nation have been selected to receive more than $1.28 million in grants. It is important to facilitate the creation of victim advocate positions in tribal communities. Victim advocates are key to providing resources and support to victims who have suffered unspeakable crimes.”
According to the Bureau of Justice Statistics, American Indians and Alaska Natives experience violent crime at rates far greater than the general population.
The following eight tribes also received grant awards this week. Nearly 170 tribes are eligible to receive this funding this spring to help their communities support crime victims over the next three years:
• The Chickasaw Nation (Oklahoma) was awarded $628,737 to improve victim services by hiring additional staff and enhancing training, while also providing much-needed transportation for crime victims.
• Red Cliff Band of Lake Superior Chippewa (Wisconsin) received $671,543 to enhance current victim services by providing transitional housing, transportation and security to victims, particularly those affected by the drug epidemic. The funds will also enable the tribe to hire victim advocacy staff for child abuse victims and expand office space to house Indian Child Welfare staff plus a victim interview room.
• The Leech Lake Band of Ojibwe (Minnesota) was awarded $719,962 to hire victim services staff who specialize in serving children, youth and families affected by crime. The funding will also provide transportation and emergency services for crime victims, and expand community outreach and awareness.
• Nenana Native Association (Alaska) received $251,912 to increase the capacity of its existing victim services program by hiring a victim services coordinator and to improve training for the staff. Funds will also support travel for victims to access necessary services locally and in Fairbanks.
• The Kalispel Indian Community of the Kalispel Reservation (Washington) was awarded $679,259 to expand the tribe’s victim assistance program to serve human trafficking victims, and develop a strategic plan to improve services to victims. The funding will also support the hiring of a victim advocate, as well as travel and training costs for staff.
• Skokomish Indian Tribe (Washington) was awarded $446,234 to expand its elder abuse program by hiring a victim advocate to focus on adult protective services. The funds will also support staff training, provide essential transportation and help purchase project-related supplies.
• Southern Indian Health Council, Inc. (California) was awarded $720,000 to improve services for child abuse victims by providing intervention, support and education. The funding will enable the tribe to hire a social worker and other staff, improve transportation for victims and cover the costs of training and program supplies.
• Southern Ute Indian Tribe (Colorado) received $391,425 to enhance staff training and improve forensic interviews with child abuse victims, while also offering trauma-informed clinical therapeutic services for crime victims. In addition, the funding will provide essential supplies and new equipment for forensic medical services.
“American Indian and Alaska Native crime victims continue to face challenges in accessing vital services and resources needed to help survivors address their trauma and navigate a complex system,” said OVC Director Darlene Hutchinson. “The Justice Department has made it a priority to partner with tribes to help victims and their families rebuild their lives in the aftermath of violence.”
The Office of Justice Programs, directed by Principal Deputy Assistant Attorney General Matt M. Dummermuth, provides federal leadership, grants and resources to improve the nation’s capacity to prevent and reduce crime, assist victims and enhance the rule of law by strengthening the criminal justice system. More information about OJP and its components can be found at www.ojp.gov
Jury Convicts Florida Man of Attempting to Entice A Minor to Engage in Sexual Activity and Attempting to Transfer Obscene MaterialRead the Press Release
Tampa, Florida– A federal jury today found Justin Scott Hunt (31, Tampa) guilty of attempting to entice a minor to engage in sexual activity and attempting to transfer obscene material to a minor. Hunt faces a mandatory term of 10 years, and up to life, in federal prison. His sentencing hearing is scheduled for June 14, 2019.
A grand jury had indicted Hunt on August 16, 2017.
According to testimony and evidence presented at trial, Hunt engaged in six months of online conversation with someone he believed to be a small child and the child’s mother. In reality, he was actually talking to an undercover agent. On numerous occasions, Hunt requested to meet the “child” and described, in graphic detail, the sex acts that he planned to engage in with the minor. He also sent two pictures of his erect penis to whom he believed to be the mother of the child, encouraging her to show the child the pictures, expressing hope that the child would then begin to develop “a lust or fantasy” about Hunt.
This case was investigated by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s Homeland Security Investigations. It is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorneys Gregory T. Nolan and Candace Garcia Rich.
This case was brought as part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative launched in May 2006 by the Department of Justice to combat the growing epidemic of child sexual exploitation and abuse. Led by United States Attorneys’ Offices and the Criminal Division’s Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section (CEOS), Project Safe Childhood marshals federal, state, and local resources to locate, apprehend, and prosecute individuals who sexually exploit children, and to identify and rescue victims. For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit www.projectsafechildhood.gov.
Judge Sentences Bank Robber to 8 Years in Federal PrisonRead the Press Release
PITTSBURGH, PA. - A resident of Pittsburgh, PA has been sentenced in federal court to eight years (96 months) in prison followed by five years of supervised release and was ordered to pay $4,000 in restitution on his conviction of armed robbery, United States Attorney Scott W. Brady announced today.
United States District Judge Nora Barry Fischer imposed the sentence on Derek Hanner, age 30.
According to information presented to the court, Hanner committed the armed robbery of the following banks:
• Citizens Bank, 2021 Wharton Street, Pittsburgh, PA 15203 of $8,233:
• Citizens Bank, 5550 Centre Avenue, Pittsburgh PA 15232 of $ $8,024;
• Brentwood Bank, 5259 Library Road, Bethel Park, PA 15102 of $12,470; and
• Brentwood Bank, 5259 Library Road, Bethel Park, PA 15102 of $4,000.
Assistant United States Attorney Cindy K. Chung prosecuted this case on behalf of the government.
United States Attorney Brady commended the Federal Bureau of Investigation, the Pittsburgh Bureau of Police and the Bethel Park Police Department for the investigation leading to the successful prosecution of Hanner.
Judge Finds Pittsburgh Felon Guilty of Illegally Possessing AmmunitionRead the Press Release
PITTSBURGH, PA - A former resident of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, has been convicted in federal court for violating federal firearms laws, United States Attorney Scott W. Brady announced today.
Ambrose J. Sample, II, 38, was convicted after a January 2019, bench trial before Senior United States District Court Judge Joy Flowers Conti. The defendant was found guilty of one count of possession of ammunition by a convicted felon, and acquitted of a charge related to possession of a firearm. The Judge issued the verdict today after receiving and considering findings of fact and conclusions of law by the parties.
The charges in the Indictment arose from an incident wherein the defendant pulled a firearm from his waistband and fired shots into the air after a dispute with neighbors. The Court was advised that after the defendant fired shots into the air, witnesses observed his girlfriend drive away from the scene shortly after officers responded to the area. The defendant agreed to submit to a gunshot residue test of his hands and it was found that he had components of primer-gunshot residue on both of his hands. Officers obtained search warrants for the defendant’s residence as well as the residence of his girlfriend. In the defendant’s residence, officers recovered one GFL .380 ammunition. From his girlfriend’s residence, under the bed where she had been sleeping, officers recovered a firearm. Sample has been previously convicted of the charges of murder of the third degree, aggravated harassment by a prisoner, simple assault, fleeing and eluding police and tampering with physical evidence, all of which preclude him from possessing ammunition or firearms. The Court found the defendant guilty of possessing the ammunition that was present in his residence. The Court, however, found the defendant not guilty of possessing the firearm recovered from his girlfriend’s residence, as it was not proven beyond a reasonable doubt that the firearm was the same one possessed by the defendant.
Judge Conti scheduled sentencing for July 18, 2019. The law provides for a total sentence of not more than 10 years in prison, a fine of $250,000, or both. Under the Federal Sentencing Guidelines, the actual sentence imposed would be based upon the seriousness of the offense and the prior criminal history of the defendant.
Judge Conti ordered that Sample remain detained pending sentencing.
Assistant United States Attorneys Shanicka L. Kennedy and Yvonne Saadi are prosecuting this case on behalf of the government.
The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives and the City of Pittsburgh Bureau of Police conducted the investigation leading to the Indictment in this case.
This case is being prosecuted under Project Safe Neighborhoods, a collaborative effort by federal, state and local law enforcement agencies, prosecutors and communities to prevent, deter and prosecute gun crime. 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.
Irving, Texas Man Sentenced to 5 Months for Conspiracy to Commit Wire FraudRead the Press Release
MUSKOGEE, OKLAHOMA – The United States Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of Oklahoma announced that Miguel Leon Bejarano, age 25, of Irving, Texas, was sentenced to 5 months’ imprisonment and 4 years of supervised release for Conspiracy to Commit Wire Fraud, in violation of Title 18, United States Code, Section 1349. The charges arose from an investigation by the Lighthorse Police Department, the Waxahachie Police Department, and the United States Secret Service.
The Indictment alleged that in or about November, 2017, to on or about March 27, 2018, in the Eastern District of Oklahoma and elsewhere, the defendant knowingly and willfully conspired with others known and unknown to the Grand Jury, to transmit or cause to be transmitted by means of a wire communication, in interstate commerce, writings, signs, signals, pictures, and sounds in order to obtain money by means of false and fraudulent pretenses, representations, and promises. The conspiracy involved the use of credit card “skimming devices” placed on gas pumps by members of the conspiracy to steal credit card information, create credit cards with the information and then use those cards to receive cash at ATM’s at the Winstar and border casinos located in Thackerville, Oklahoma.
“The use of skimming devices to steal credit card information is not a new trend, but the devices used today are more difficult to detect. There are precautions we should all take to protect our credit and bank card information from thieves using skimming devices. For example, before using a gas pump, make sure the panel is closed and doesn’t show signs of tampering. Many pumps now have a security seal. If the seal is broken, don’t use that pump,” United States Attorney Brian J. Kuester said. “Awareness that thieves are using this technology and exercising caution before using your credit card at the pump or at ATM’s are important to help us avoid being victims of this type of criminal scheme.”
The U.S. Federal Trade Commission has additional information about this and other schemes to defraud consumers. This can be found at https://www.consumer.ftc.gov/blog
The Honorable Ronald A. White, U.S. District Judge in the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Oklahoma, in Muskogee, presided over the hearing. Assistant United States Attorney Shannon Henson represented the United States.
Independence Man Sentenced to 108 Months Imprisonment after Previously Pleading Guilty to Receiving Child PornographyRead the Press Release
NEW ORLEANS – U.S. Attorney Peter G. Strasser announced that ROY DAVID MELANCON, age 40, a resident of Independence, Louisiana, was sentenced today by United States District Judge Carl J. Barbier to 108 months after previously pleading guilty to a one-count Indictment charging him with receipt of images and videos depicting the sexual exploitation of children. Judge Barbier also sentenced MELANCON to a period of 5 years of supervised release after he is released from prison and ordered him to pay $10,000 in restitution to those victims who sought restitution. MELANCON will also have to register as a sex offender.
According to court documents, law enforcement officials executed a search warrant at MELANCON’S residence on February 20, 2018. Probable cause for the search warrant came from information developed in the March 2016 arrest of an individual in Canada who had traded images and videos containing depictions of children engaged in sexually explicit conduct via a cellular phone application with an individual utilizing username “makemehappy74,” who law enforcement authorities determined to be MELANCON. During the execution of the search warrant, special agents with the Louisiana Bureau of Investigation seized electronic items including one cellular telephone and one Amazon Kindle Fire tablet that contained images and videos depicting the sexual victimization of children. A forensic examination of the devices revealed that MELANCON used them to search for, download, and save images and videos of child pornography. Some of the child victims depicted in the materials possessed by MELANCON were less than three (3) months old. Agents determined that MELANCON also sought and traded images and videos depicting the sexual victimization of children via a cell phone application. The forensic examination located not fewer than 1,000 images and 200 videos on MELANCON’S digital devices depicting children forced to engage in sexually explicit conduct.
This case was brought as part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative to combat the growing epidemic of child sexual exploitation and abuse launched in May 2006 by the Department of Justice. Led by United States Attorney’s= Offices and the Criminal Division's Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section (CEOS), Project Safe Childhood marshals federal, state and local resources to better locate, apprehend and prosecute individuals who exploit children via the Internet, as well as to identify and rescue victims. For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit www.projectsafechildhood.gov.
U.S. Attorney Strasser praised the work of the Louisiana Bureau of Investigation. Assistant United States Attorney Jordan Ginsberg was in charge of the prosecution.
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Illinois Woman Pleads Guilty to Conspiring to Provide Material Support to TerroristsRead the Press Release
St. Louis, MO – Mediha Medy Salkicevic, a/k/a Medy Ummuluna, a/k/a Bosna Mexico, 38, pled guilty today to one federal count of conspiring to provide material support to terrorists. Salkicevic appeared today before Judge Catherine D. Perry who accepted her plea and set her sentencing for June 18, 2019.
According to court documents, on or before February 5, 2015, Salkicevic conspired with others to support the activities of Abdullah Ramo Pazara and others, including a conspiracy to commit outside the United States an act that would constitute the offense of murder or maiming if committed in the special maritime and territorial jurisdiction of the United States. Salkicevic intended to support and provide resources to Pazara, knowing that he and his co-conspirators would use the support and resources in furtherance of their combat against Syrian government forces and others. The support consisted of money and supplies such as military uniforms, first aid material, rifle scopes, combat boots, and other supplies useful to fighters engaged in combat.
Salkicevic faces up to 15 years imprisonment and/or a fine of up to $250,000. In determining the actual sentence, a judge is required to consider the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines, which provide recommended sentencing ranges.
This case was investigated by the St. Louis and Chicago FBI’s Joint Terrorism Task Force, U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), Homeland Security Investigations (HSI), U.S. Postal Inspection Service, St. Louis Metropolitan and St. Louis County Police Departments. The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Matthew Drake, Howard Marcus and Kenneth Tihen of the Eastern District of Missouri and Trial Attorney Joshua Champagne of the Department of Justice’s Counterterrorism Section.
Honduran Removed Twice Indicted for Illegally Re-entering the U.S.Read the Press Release
PITTSBURGH - A former resident of Honduras has been indicted by a federal grand jury in Pittsburgh on a charge of violating federal immigration laws, United States Attorney Scott W. Brady announced today.
The one-count indictment, returned on March 20, named Belfran Joel Najera-Chirinos, 37, as the sole defendant.
According to the indictment presented to the court, on or about February 19, 2019, Najera-Chirinos was found to be unlawfully present within the United States. Najera-Chirinos had been previously ordered deported and removed from the United States on March 13, 2007 and was removed from the United States on November 9, 2018. The defendant subsequently reentered the United States, and was found to be present in this country without the permission of the Attorney General of the United States or her successor the Secretary of the Department of Homeland Security.
The law provides for a maximum total sentence of two years in prison, a fine of $250,000, or both. Under the Federal Sentencing Guidelines, the actual sentence imposed would be based upon the seriousness of the offense and the prior criminal history, if any, of the defendant.
Assistant United States Attorney Ross E. Lenhardt is prosecuting this case on behalf of the government.
The U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE)/Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) conducted the investigation leading to the indictment in this case.
An indictment is an accusation. A defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.
High Ranking Member of the Gangster Disciples in Tennessee Sentenced to 27 Years in Prison for Racketeering ConspiracyRead the Press Release
A Gangster Disciples gang member was sentenced today to 324 months in prison followed by five years of supervised release for participating in both racketeering and drug conspiracies.
Assistant Attorney General Brian A. Benczkowski of the Justice Department’s Criminal Division, U. S. Attorney D. Michael Dunavant of the Western District of Tennessee, Special Agent in Charge M.A. “Mo” Myers of the FBI’s Memphis Division and Special Agent in Charge Marcus Watson of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) Memphis Field Division, made the announcement.
Derrick Kennedy Crumpton, aka “38,” 35, of Memphis, Tennessee, was sentenced by U.S. District Judge John T. Fowlkes Jr. of the Western District of Tennessee. Crumpton previously pleaded guilty to both racketeering and drug conspiracy charges.
According to the indictment, the Gangster Disciples is a highly organized national gang active in more than 35 states. The scope of the Gangster Disciples’ crimes is wide-ranging and consistent throughout its national operation. The gang protects its power through threats, intimidation and violence, including murder, attempted murder, assault and obstruction of justice. The Gangster Disciples promotes its enterprise through member-only activities and provides support to members charged with or incarcerated for gang-related offenses.
According to the indictment, Crumpton served as the “Assistant Governor” of the Gangster Disciples for the state of Tennessee, reporting directly to the Governor of the state for the enterprise. In that role, Crumpton directed other members and associates of the enterprise in carrying out criminal activity with other Gangster Disciples gang leaders, as well as participated directly in the criminal activities of the enterprise – including acts involving murder, kidnapping, assault, witness intimidation, narcotics distribution and weapons trafficking.
The FBI; ATF; the Memphis Multi-Agency Gang Unit; the Memphis Police Department; the Shelby County, Tennessee Sheriff’s Office; the Jackson Police Department Gang Enforcement Team; the Tennessee Bureau of Investigation; the Madison County, Tennessee Sheriff’s Department; the 28th District West Tennessee Drug Task Force; the Tipton County, Tennessee, Sheriff’s Office; the 26th Judicial District Attorney General’s Office; the 25th Judicial District Attorney General’s Office; the Atascosa County, Tennessee District Attorney’s Office and the Shelby County District Attorney General’s Office investigated this case. Trial Attorneys Francesca Liquori and Marianne Shelvey of the Criminal Division’s Organized Crime and Gang Section and Assistant U.S. Attorneys Beth Boswell of the Western District of Tennessee and Samuel Stringfellow of the Northern District of Mississippi prosecuted the case.
High Ranking Member of the Gangster Disciples Sentenced to 27 Years in Prison for Racketeering ConspiracyRead the Press Release
Memphis, TN – A Gangster Disciples gang member was sentenced today to 324 months in prison followed by five years of supervised release for participating in both racketeering and drug conspiracies.
Assistant Attorney General Brian A. Benczkowski of the Justice Department’s Criminal Division, U. S. Attorney D. Michael Dunavant of the Western District of Tennessee, Special Agent in Charge M.A. "Mo" Myers of the FBI’s Memphis Division and Special Agent in Charge Marcus Watson of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) Memphis Field Division, made the announcement.
Derrick Kennedy Crumpton, aka "38," 35, of Memphis, Tennessee, was sentenced by U.S. District Judge John T. Fowlkes Jr. of the Western District of Tennessee. Crumpton previously pleaded guilty to both racketeering and drug conspiracy charges.
According to the indictment, the Gangster Disciples is a highly organized national gang active in more than 35 states. The scope of the Gangster Disciples’ crimes is wide-ranging and consistent throughout its national operation. The gang protects its power through threats, intimidation and violence, including murder, attempted murder, assault and obstruction of justice. The Gangster Disciples promotes its enterprise through member-only activities and provides support to members charged with or incarcerated for gang-related offenses.
According to the indictment, Crumpton served as the "Assistant Governor" of the Gangster Disciples for the state of Tennessee, reporting directly to the Governor of the state for the enterprise. In that role, Crumpton directed other members and associates of the enterprise in carrying out criminal activity with other Gangster Disciples gang leaders, as well as participated directly in the criminal activities of the enterprise – including acts involving murder, kidnapping, assault, witness intimidation, narcotics distribution and weapons trafficking.
The FBI; ATF; the Memphis Multi-Agency Gang Unit; the Memphis Police Department; the Shelby County Sheriff’s Office; the Jackson Police Department Gang Enforcement Team; the Tennessee Bureau of Investigation; the Madison County Sheriff’s Department; the 28th District West Tennessee Drug Task Force; the Tipton County Sheriff’s Office; the 26th Judicial District Attorney General’s Office; the 25th Judicial District Attorney General’s Office; the Atascosa County District Attorney’s Office and the Shelby County District Attorney General’s Office investigated this case.
Trial Attorneys Francesca Liquori and Marianne Shelvey of the Criminal Division’s Organized Crime and Gang Section and Assistant U.S. Attorneys Beth Boswell of the Western District of Tennessee and Samuel Stringfellow of the Northern District of Mississippi prosecuted the case.
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Hedge Fund Manager Sentenced for Operating Multi-Million Dollar Ponzi SchemeRead the Press Release
BOSTON – A Boston-area hedge fund manager was sentenced today in federal court in Boston for running a multi-million dollar Ponzi scheme.
Raymond K. Montoya, 70, of Allston, was sentenced by U.S. Senior District Court Judge George A. O’Toole Jr. to 175 months in prison, three years of supervised release and restitution to be determined at a later date. In October 2018, Montoya pleaded guilty to three counts of wire fraud, five counts of mail fraud, and two counts of conducting an unlawful monetary transaction.
Between 2009 and June 2017, Montoya ran a pooled investment hedge fund in Boston called RMA Strategic Opportunity Fund, LLC. Montoya falsely told his investors—including his family, friends, and acquaintances who resided in Massachusetts, Ohio, and California—that the fund was earning substantial returns, when in fact, by 2014, the RMA Fund was sustaining substantial losses. The investors transferred millions of dollars of their personal savings and 401(k) retirement plans to Montoya and the RMA Fund. Montoya told the investors that he would invest their money in stocks and bonds, but he actually invested only a portion of their money, while diverting the rest—totaling millions of dollars—to business and personal bank accounts. Montoya used the diverted money for personal expenses such as luxury vehicles and the mortgage on his son’s residence.
Montoya was previously charged with securities fraud in a civil complaint by the Massachusetts Securities Division.
United States Attorney Andrew E. Lelling; Joseph R. Bonavolonta, Special Agent in Charge of the Federal Bureau of Investigation, Boston Field Division; and Kristina O’Connell, Special Agent in Charge of the Internal Revenue Service’s Criminal Investigation in Boston, made the announcement today. The Massachusetts Securities Division provided valuable assistance. Assistant U.S. Attorney Neil J. Gallagher Jr. of Lelling’s Criminal Division is prosecuting the case.
Hancock County Man Gets 10 Years in Prison for Illegally Possessing AmmunitionRead the Press Release
Gulfport, Miss – William Rex Roderick, Jr., 30, of Hancock County, was sentenced Tuesday by U.S. District Judge Sul Ozerden to 120 months in prison followed by three years of supervised release for being a felon in possession of a firearm, announced U.S. Attorney Mike Hurst and Special Agent in Charge Dana Nichols with the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives. Roderick was also ordered to pay a $5000 fine.
Roderick has previous convictions for possession with intent to distribute controlled substances and transfer of controlled substances in Hancock County in 2015 and 2017. He was on supervised release with the Mississippi Department of Corrections (MDOC) at the time of the federal charge. During an MDOC home visit, Roderick was found in possession of ammunition.
A subsequent investigation and search of Roderick’s cell phone by the Bureau of Alcohol Tobacco Firearms and Explosives discovered that Roderick was buying and selling firearms to known Simon City Royals gang members. Through the investigation, ATF determined Roderick had at least 6 firearms from December 28, 2017 through May 2018, including a .22 caliber assault rifle with 2 thirty round magazines.
The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives investigated the case. It was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Annette Williams.
Hamburg Man Sentenced for Drug Conspiracy and Threatening A WitnessRead 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 Joseph C. Paternostro, 28, of Hamburg, NY, who was convicted of conspiracy to possess with the intent to distribute, and distribution of, five kilograms or more of cocaine and retaliating against a witness, was sentenced to serve 132 months in prison by Chief U.S. District Judge Frank P. Geraci, Jr. In addition, the defendant was ordered to forfeit $200,000 in drug proceeds.
Assistant U.S. Attorneys Meghan A. Tokash and Charles J. Volkert, Jr., who handled the case, stated that on July 12, 2018, the defendant pleaded guilty in federal court to a charge of conspiracy to possess with the intent to distribute, and distribution of, five kilograms or more of cocaine. Shortly thereafter, Paternostro started writing letters from prison threatening to hurt or kill the victim who was a witness against the defendant in his drug case. The defendant was indicted in September 2018 for the threats and pleaded guilty in December 2018.
Today’s sentencing is the culmination of an investigation by the Drug Enforcement Administration, under the direction of Special Agent-in-Charge Ray Donovan, New York Field Division; the Southern Tier Regional Drug Task Force, under the direction of Chautauqua County Sheriff Jim B. Quattrone; and the Evans Police Department, under the direction of Chief Douglas Czora.
Hagerstown Man Sentenced to 14 Years in Federal Prison for Managing a Fentanyl Distribution Conspiracy that Resulted in at Least Two Fatal OverdosesRead the Press Release
Baltimore, Maryland – U.S. District Judge Richard D. Bennett sentenced Antoine Jamel Henderson age 35, of Hagerstown, Maryland, today to 14 years in federal prison, followed by five years of supervised release, for conspiring to distribute 40 or more grams of fentanyl—as little as 2 milligrams of fentanyl can be a lethal dose. As detailed in his plea agreement, Henderson and others distributed at least 280 grams of fentanyl in the area of Washington County, Maryland—enough fentanyl to kill most of the residents of Washington County. Further, Henderson admitted that the drug trafficking organization that he supervised sold fentanyl that resulted in both fatal and non-fatal overdoses, including the fatal overdoses of two Pennsylvania men.
The sentence was announced by United States Attorney for the District of Maryland Robert K. Hur; Assistant Special Agent in Charge Don A. Hibbert of the Drug Enforcement Administration, Baltimore District Office; the Washington County Narcotics Task Force, led by Washington County Sheriff Douglas Mullendore; and Washington County State’s Attorney Charles P. Strong, Jr.
“Antoine Henderson supervised an organization that distributed fentanyl in Washington County and the surrounding area, leading to at least two overdose deaths,” said U.S. Attorney Robert K. Hur. “Henderson will now spend 14 years in federal prison, where there is no parole—ever. Drug traffickers are on notice that dealing in fentanyl increases their odds of federal prosecution and federal prison.”
According to his plea agreement, from at least 2017 through January 2018, Henderson conspired with others to distribute at least 280 grams of fentanyl in the area of Washington County, Maryland. Henderson knew that the fentanyl that was distributed during the conspiracy resulted in both fatal and non-fatal overdoses, including the fatal overdoses of Marc Brumbaugh, age 27, and Nathan Bolden, age 31, both from Waynesboro, Pennsylvania.
Between August and September 2017, investigators conducted at least six controlled purchases of either fentanyl or crack cocaine from Henderson or his co-defendant. According to the plea agreement, the controlled purchases were supposed to be heroin, but lab results showed that the substances provided by Henderson and his co-defendant were in fact fentanyl, not heroin.
On January 17, 2018, search warrants were executed at two locations and three vehicles involved in the Henderson Drug Trafficking Organization (DTO). At Henderson’s stash house, located on Atlantic Drive in Hagerstown, agents recovered 80.22 grams of fentanyl. The fentanyl was located in the bottom compartment of a Coca-Cola vending machine in the garage. The agents also recovered 9 mm ammunition, a drug press, digital scales, drug packaging equipment, plastic bags containing fentanyl residue, cellular phones, and other drug paraphernalia.
At Henderson’s primary residence, located on Lantern Lane in Hagerstown, the agents recovered additional cellular phones, a currency counter, jewelry, and a garage opener that opened the garage at the stash house. Search warrants were obtained for the 28 cellular phones that were recovered from the houses and cars, as well as for the DVD from the surveillance system located at the stash house. Also on Henderson’s iPhone, agents found iPhone “notes” tracking law enforcement surveillance.
U.S Attorney Hur recognized Franklin County (PA) District Attorney Matt Fogal, the Waynesboro (PA) Police Department, the Franklin County Drug Task Force, the Franklin County Coroner’s Office, the Washington County Special Response Team, and the Maryland Natural Resources Police for their assistance in the investigation and prosecution.
Franklin County (PA) District Attorney Matt Fogal stated, “Law Enforcement in Franklin County, PA is very grateful to the outside agencies for working together in pursuit of justice for our lost victims. While much of our law enforcement time is now spent assisting those who suffer from the disease of addiction, those who solely profit from and prey upon our suffering victims are uniquely villainous.”
United States Attorney Robert K. Hur commended the DEA; the Washington County Narcotics Task Force, led by Washington County Sheriff Douglas Mullendore; and Washington County State’s Attorney Charles P. Strong, Jr. for their work in the investigation. Mr. Hur thanked Assistant U.S. Attorneys Joan C. Mathias and Michael C. Hanlon, who are prosecuting this Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Force case.
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Former Oroville Resident Sentenced to Home Detention for Making a False Bomb ThreatRead the Press Release
SACRAMENTO, Calif. — U.S. District Judge Troy L. Nunley sentenced Kao Xiong, 34, of Saint Paul, Minnesota, today to time served plus five months of home detention and three years of supervised release for making a false bomb threat, U.S. Attorney McGregor W. Scott said today.
According to court documents, in August 2017, while Xiong was living in Oroville, Xiong mailed a letter to a company in Sunnyvale, informing the company that Xiong and others were going to bomb the location. The bomb threat was reported to the Sunnyvale Police Department who responded to the scene to investigate, and ultimately reported the incident to the FBI. The letter was identified as one of approximately 150 letters Xiong mailed between January and December 2017, containing false information about bombings and assassinations. Although the U.S. Postal Service intercepted many of the letters, others were delivered to the intended recipients who were located across the United States, including FBI offices, an airport, a mall, and the current and former presidents of the United States.
Xiong was arrested on December 22, 2017, and remained in custody until May 23, 2018, which is approximately 153 days. Xiong pleaded guilty on January 3, 2019.
This case was the product of an investigation by the Federal Bureau of Investigation, the U.S. Secret Service, and the U.S. Postal Inspection Service. Assistant U.S. Attorney Shelley D. Weger prosecuted the case.
Former Hedge Fund Manager Sentenced to 60 Months’ Imprisonment and Ordered to Pay $14.4 Million in Forfeiture for Role in International Securities Fraud and Computer Hacking SchemeRead the Press Release
Vitaly Korchevsky, a former hedge fund manager, was sentenced in federal court in Brooklyn today by United States District Judge Raymond J. Dearie to 60 months’ imprisonment for conspiracy to commit wire fraud, conspiracy to commit securities fraud and computer intrusion, conspiracy to commit money laundering and two counts of securities fraud. The Court also ordered Korchevsky to pay $14.4 million in forfeiture and a $250,000 fine. Co-defendant Vladislay Khalupsky, a securities trader, was convicted of the same charges, and was sentenced on January 11, 2019 to 48 months’ imprisonment.
Following a four-week jury trial, Korchevsky and Khalupsky were convicted in July 2018 for their roles in an international scheme to hack into three newswire services and steal press releases containing non-public financial information prior to their publication. The defendants and their co-conspirators then used this information to make trades generating approximately $30 million in illegal profits
Richard P. Donoghue, United States Attorney for the Eastern District of New York, William F. Sweeney, Jr., Assistant Director-in-Charge, Federal Bureau of Investigation, New York Field Office (FBI), and David E. Beach, Special Agent-in-Charge, United States Secret Service, New York Field Office (USSS), announced the sentences.
“Korchevsky and Khalupsky will now pay the price for using their experience as traders to generate millions of dollars in unlawful trades based on hacked information,” stated United States Attorney Donoghue. “Today’s sentence sends a powerful message that, no matter how sophisticated or novel the scheme, cybercriminals and traders who steal information from U.S. companies and undermine the integrity of our financial markets will be held accountable for their actions.” Mr. Donoghue expressed his grateful appreciation to the United States Attorney’s Office for the District of New Jersey (USAO-DNJ), the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) and the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) for their significant cooperation and assistance in this case.
“The Secret Service remains committed to aggressively investigating and pursuing those responsible for cyber-enabled financial crimes,” stated USSS Special Agent-in-Charge Beach. “The sentence today is testament to the Secret Service’s commitment to building strong partnerships between local, state and federal law enforcement and represents a win against those who chose to threaten the financial infrastructure of the United States.”
Between February 2010 and August 2015, computer hackers based in the Ukraine gained unauthorized access into the computer networks of Marketwired L.P., PR Newswire Association LLC and Business Wire, through a series of sophisticated cyberattacks. The hackers moved through the computer networks and stole press releases about upcoming announcements by public companies concerning earnings, revenues and other material non-public information.
In order to monetize that information, the hackers shared the stolen press releases with a network of traders, including Korchevsky and Khalupsky, through overseas computer servers controlled by the hackers, and/or through secure email accounts. Korchevsky and Khalupsky then generally traded ahead of the public distribution of the stolen releases, executing trades in extremely short windows of time, usually shortly after the close of the markets. As a result, the trading data often showed a flurry of trading activity around a stolen press release just prior to its public release. Korchevsky, Khalupsky and their co-conspirators traded on stolen press releases concerning hundreds of publicly traded companies.
The illegal trading by the criminal network resulted in gains of more than $30 million, much of which was routed back to the hackers. Korchevsky traded on the stolen press releases both in brokerage accounts that benefitted the criminal network, as well as in his personal brokerage accounts, and ultimately netted approximately $15 million in profits over the course of the scheme. Khalupsky primarily traded in accounts that benefited the criminal network, and received a percentage of the multi-million dollars in profits he generated by trading on the stolen press releases. He directed that payments received for the illegal profits he generated for the criminal network be made to offshore shell companies.
The charges against Korchevsky and Khalupsky were set forth in an indictment unsealed in August 2015 in connection with a broader investigation conducted by this Office, the USAO-DNJ, the FBI, the USSS and the DHS, as well as a parallel investigation by the SEC. In total, nine defendants were charged criminally for their roles in the scheme. All have either pleaded guilty or been convicted at trial, except for three defendants who remain at large.
The government’s case is being handled by the Office’s Business and Securities Fraud Section and National Security and Cybercrime Section. Assistant United States Attorneys Richard M. Tucker, Julia Nestor and David Gopstein are in charge of the prosecution. Assistant United States Attorney Tanisha Payne is in charge of forfeiture aspect of the case.
The Defendants:
VITALY KORCHEVSKY
Age: 53
Glen Mills, PennsylvaniaVLADISLAV KHALUPSKY
Age: 48
Brooklyn, New York and Odessa, UkraineE.D.N.Y. Docket No. 15 CR 381 (RJD)
Former Candidate for U.S. House of Representatives Pleads Guilty to Fraud and Campaign Finance ViolationRead the Press Release
A former candidate for the U.S. House of Representatives pleaded guilty today to wire fraud and willfully violating the Federal Election Campaign Act (FECA) by operating fraudulent and unregistered political action committees.
Assistant Attorney General Brian A. Benczkowski of the Justice Department’s Criminal Division and Assistant Director in Charge Nancy McNamara of the FBI’s Washington Field Office made the announcement.
Harold Russell Taub, 30, of Cranston, Rhode Island, pleaded guilty to one count of wire fraud and one count of willfully violating FECA before U.S. District Judge William E. Smith for the District of Rhode Island. Sentencing is set for July 12, 2019.
According to the Information, in late 2016, Taub began soliciting donations to an organization he called Keeping America in Republican Control (KAIRC), which he represented to be a legitimate political committee, organized in accordance with federal law to support Republican candidates at the state and federal level. In March 2018, Taub began soliciting donations to another purported political action committee, Keeping Ohio in Republican Control (KOIRC), with the stated purpose of supporting Republican candidates in Ohio. Taub collected a total of approximately $1,630,439 in contributions to KAIRC and KOIRC, but never registered either entity with the FEC or made required reports to the FEC, as required by FECA.
Taub admitted as part of the plea that he held KAIRC and KOIRC out as legitimate, federally-registered political actions committees on his website, in social media posts, and in email solicitations that reached hundreds of donors. Taub represented that all of KAIRC and KOIRC’s staff were volunteers and that “100 percent” of donations were used to support candidates. However, of the more than $1.6 million in contributions to KAIRC and KOIRC, Taub used more than $1 million for purely personal expenses. In furtherance of his fraudulent scheme, Taub also repeatedly used the name of a former Ambassador and high-level military officer without the knowledge or permission of the person, even after being instructed not to do so.
The FBI investigated the case. Trial Attorney Peter M. Nothstein of the Criminal Division’s Public Integrity Section is prosecuting the case.
Former Candidate for U.S. House of Representatives Pleads Guilty to Fraud and Campaign Finance ViolationRead the Press Release
WASHINGTON – A former candidate for the U.S. House of Representatives pleaded guilty today to wire fraud and willfully violating the Federal Election Campaign Act (FECA) by operating fraudulent and unregistered political action committees.
Assistant Attorney General Brian A. Benczkowski of the Justice Department’s Criminal Division and Assistant Director in Charge Nancy McNamara of the FBI’s Washington Field Office made the announcement.
Harold Russell Taub, 30, of Cranston, Rhode Island, pleaded guilty to one count of wire fraud and one count of willfully violating FECA before U.S. District Judge William E. Smith for the District of Rhode Island. Sentencing is set for July 12, 2019.
According to the Information, in late 2016, Taub began soliciting donations to an organization he called Keeping America in Republican Control (KAIRC), which he represented to be a legitimate political committee, organized in accordance with federal law to support Republican candidates at the state and federal level. In March 2018, Taub began soliciting donations to another purported political action committee, Keeping Ohio in Republican Control (KOIRC), with the stated purpose of supporting Republican candidates in Ohio. Taub collected a total of approximately $1,630,439 in contributions to KAIRC and KOIRC, but never registered either entity with the FEC or made required reports to the FEC, as required by FECA.
Taub admitted as part of the plea that he held KAIRC and KOIRC out as legitimate, federally-registered political actions committees on his website, in social media posts, and in email solicitations that reached hundreds of donors. Taub represented that all of KAIRC and KOIRC’s staff were volunteers and that “100 percent” of donations were used to support candidates. However, of the more than $1.6 million in contributions to KAIRC and KOIRC, Taub used more than $1 million for purely personal expenses. In furtherance of his fraudulent scheme, Taub also repeatedly used the name of a former Ambassador and high-level military officer without the knowledge or permission of the person, even after being instructed not to do so.
The FBI investigated the case. Trial Attorney Peter M. Nothstein of the Criminal Division’s Public Integrity Section is prosecuting the case.
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Former Army colonel pleads guilty to role in Fort Gordon fraud, kickback schemeRead the Press Release
AUGUSTA, Ga: A former active-duty U.S. Army colonel has pled guilty to accepting bribes in return for helping steer military contracts to a business fraudulently claiming status as a small business.
Anthony R. Williams, 58, of Vienna, Va., pled guilty to Conspiracy to Commit Bribery and felony conflict of interest in U.S. District Court, said Bobby L. Christine, U.S. Attorney for the Southern District of Georgia.
Williams faces a sentence of up to five years in prison, and has agreed to forfeit more than $1.2 million in proceeds derived from the scheme.
According to court documents and evidence entered during court proceedings, Williams, while serving as a colonel in the U.S. Army, accepted bribes to steer federal procurement contracts to the CREC Group, a company owned by Calvin Devear Lawyer, 60, a retired U.S. Army colonel. The CREC Group had received Small Business Administration (SBA) status as a small, disadvantaged business based on false representations from Lawyer and from Dwayne Oswald Fulton, 58, then an employee of a defense contractor.
Lawyer previously pled guilty in the case and is serving a 60-month prison sentence, while co-conspirator, Anthony Roper, 57, a former active duty U.S. Army colonel at Fort Gordon, also pled guilty and is serving a 60-month sentence.
The cases were investigated by the United States Army Criminal Investigations Division (CID), the Defense Criminal Investigative Service (DCIS), the Small Business Administration’s Office of Inspector General, and the United States Attorney’s Office.
“This investigation rooted out a significant conspiracy to defraud taxpayers by stealing money appropriated for the operation of our nation’s military services,” said Southern District of Georgia U.S. Attorney Bobby L. Christine. “It is particularly disappointing when members of the armed forces violate their oaths of office to line their own pockets, and our office will prosecute those crimes vigorously.”
“This guilty plea highlights the effectiveness of Defense Criminal Investigative Service (DCIS) investigations to ensure that Department of Defense programs and missions are protected from fraud and corruption,” said Special Agent in Charge John F. Khin, DCIS Southeast Field Office. “This defendant was part of an egregious conspiracy perpetrated by several former U.S. Army officers and contracting officials who deliberately corrupted the DoD procurement process to steal precious taxpayer dollars for their own personal gain. In concert with our law enforcement partners, DCIS aggressively pursues criminal prosecutions to bring violators to justice to face the consequences of their actions.”
“This guilty plea affirms that contract fraud directed at our government will not be tolerated,” said Frank Robey, director of the U.S. Army Criminal Investigation Command’s Major Procurement Fraud Unit. “Stealing money through fraud violates federal law, corrodes the trust within the contracting community, and threatens the readiness of our soldiers. We will continue to vigorously investigate fraud that targets our government contracting system.”
“Those who conspire to commit fraud against SBA and its programs will be brought to justice,” said SBA OIG's Eastern Region Special Agent-in-Charge Kevin Kupperbusch. “The actions of the defendant and his fellow conspirators denied other small businesses the opportunity to gain access to federal contracting opportunities. I want to thank the U.S. Attorney's office and our law enforcement partners for their support and dedication to pursuing justice in this case.”
Assistant U.S. Attorney Brian T. Rafferty is prosecuting the case on behalf of the United States.
Forestville Man Pleads Guilty to Child Pornography ChargesRead 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 Richard C. Miller, 51, of Forestville, NY, pleaded guilty to receipt and possession of child pornography before U.S. District Judge Lawrence J. Vilardo. The charges carry a minimum penalty of five years in prison, a maximum penalty of 40 years, and a $500,000 fine.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Jonathan P. Cantil, who is handling the case, stated that between 2006 and 2009, Miller produced child pornography by filming himself engaged in a sexual act with a minor. Between January 2016 and March 2017, Miller and co-defendant Harvey exchanged images of child pornography and engaged in illicit discussion regarding child pornography and pedophilia. In addition, a search of the residence shared by the defendants revealed multiple electronic devices that contained child pornography.
Charges remain pending against Joseph Harvey. The fact that a defendant has been charged with a crime is merely an accusation and the defendant is presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty.
The plea is the result of an investigation by Homeland Security Investigations, under the direction of Special Agent-in-Charge Kevin Kelly.
Sentencing is scheduled for August 28, 2019, at 9:30 a.m. before Judge Vilardo.
Five Aliens Indicted on 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 indictments charging ROBERTO CARLOS CATALAN-BOCANEGRA, age 33, of Mexico, NESTOR ALONZO DE LOS SANTOS-HERNANDEZ, age 26, of Mexico, and FLORENCIO WALDEMAR VICENTE-VICENTE, age 26, of Guatemala, Noel Romero-Espinal, age 37, of Honduras, and Favian Villa-Campos, age 35, of Mexico, with Illegal Reentry of a Deported Alien.
If convicted of illegal reentry of a deported alien, CATALAN-BOCANEGRA, previously deported after three convictions for driving while impaired and domestic violence protective order violations, DE LOS SANTOS-HERNANDEZ, previously deported and found in New Hanover County due to his convictions for second degree forcible rape and indecent liberties with a child, and VICENTE-VICENTE, previously deported and found in Wayne County due to his conviction for a drug-related offense, would face maximum penalties of two years’ imprisonment, a $250,000 fine, and a term of supervised release following any term of imprisonment.
ROMERO-ESPINAL, previously deported twice after a conviction for attempted trafficking in cocaine and a former MS-13 gang member, was found based on a hotline tip that he was living in Wake County, and VILLA-CAMPOS, previously deported twice and found in Craven County while serving two consecutive 66 to 92 month sentences for attempted trafficking and conspiracy to traffic cocaine, are both alleged to have been previously deported subsequent to a felony conviction. Therefore, if convicted, ROMERO-ESPINAL and VILLA-CAMPOS would face a maximum imprisonment term of 10 years, a $250,000 fine, and a term of supervised release following any term of imprisonment.
The charges and allegations contained in the indictments are merely accusations. The defendants are presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty in a court of law.
The cases are being investigated by ICE’s Enforcement and Removal Operations and Homeland Security Investigations.
Felon Convicted at Trial for Illegal Possession of a Loaded Firearm in PhiladelphiaRead the Press Release
PHILADELPHIA – United States Attorney William M. McSwain announced today that James Hill, of Philadelphia, PA, was convicted at trial of one count of possession of a firearm by a convicted felon. Sentencing is scheduled before United States District Judge Gerald McHugh.
At trial, the government presented evidence that in the early morning hours of July 8, 2018, Philadelphia police officers found the defendant in possession of a .9mm Sig Sauer pistol loaded with fourteen live rounds in the magazine. Further investigation revealed that the defendant was barred from possessing a firearm because he had a previous felony conviction.
“Reducing violent crime is a top priority of my Office and of the Department of Justice, and successful prosecutions of cases like this remain a key part of our deterrence strategy,” said U.S. Attorney McSwain. “My Office remains committed to working with the Philadelphia Police Department to clear the Philadelphia streets of firearms in the hands of convicted felons, which undeniably pose a serious threat to public safety in our City.”
“The investigation, arrest, and successful prosecution of James Hill serves as evidence of the effectiveness of strong and consistent collaboration between law enforcement agencies,” said Richard J. Ross, Jr., Philadelphia Police Commissioner. “With the conviction and impending sentencing, a recidivist offender will no longer be able to re-offend in our neighborhoods. This, along with the continuing efforts of the Project Safe Neighborhoods partner agencies, will have an appreciable impact on the quality of life of the residents of our great city.”
This case was brought as part of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), a nationwide program by the Department of Justice that has been historically successful in bringing together all levels of law enforcement to reduce violent crime and make our neighborhoods safer for everyone. The Department has made turning the tide of rising violent crime in America a top priority. In October 2017, to address this crime trend, the Department announced the reinvigoration of PSN. For more information about PSN, visit our website.
The case was investigated by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms and is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Jeanine Linehan.
Federal defendants sentenced in operation targeting Sex, Money, Murder gang in Richmond CountyRead the Press Release
AUGUSTA, GA: Three men charged with federal crimes as part of the multi-agency investigation of the Sex, Money, Murder criminal street gang in Richmond County have been sentenced to prison terms.
Christopher Cohen, 25, was sentenced to 46 months in federal prison by Senior U.S. District Court Judge Dudley H. Bowen after pleading guilty to Possession of a Firearm by a Convicted Felon, said Bobby L. Christine, U.S. Attorney for the Southern District of Georgia. Cohen’s sentence will run consecutively to more than two years of a probationary sentence for which he was deemed in violation.
Previously, Johnny Franklin, 26, was sentenced to 33 months in prison after pleading guilty to Possession of a Firearm by a Convicted Felon, while Rashad Smith, 22, was sentenced to 30 months in prison after pleading guilty to Receipt of a Firearm While Under Indictment.
Federal charges against the three were announced in September 2018 along with state charges against the three and six other defendants for multiple felonies, including violation of the Georgia Street Gang Terrorism and Prevention Act. The investigation by the Richmond County Sheriff’s Office and the FBI Safe Streets Task Force focused on Sex, Money, Murder (SMM), a subset of the Bloods criminal street gang. Much of the gang’s activities centered in an area south of Tobacco Road in Zone 7 of the Sheriff’s Office, and Sheriff Richard Roundtree reported a significant decrease in firearms-related crimes after the sweep of the gang members.
“The swift conclusion of these cases, from arrest to indictment to guilty plea and sentencing, is a testament to the diligent work of law enforcement and prosecutors in coordinating the details of the investigation,” said Bobby L. Christine, U.S. Attorney for the Southern District of Georgia. “Our intentional, focused strategy of combining our forces to combat these violent street gangs will continue to take these criminals out of our neighborhoods and make our communities safer.”
“The arrest and convictions of these gang members had a direct and immediate positive impact on the neighborhoods they prowled,” said Chris Hacker, Special Agent in Charge of FBI Atlanta. “The FBI’s Safe Streets Gang Task Force and its law enforcement members should be proud of those results and know that the citizens of those neighborhoods are safer today because of their hard work and determination.”
The cases in the operation were investigated by the FBI and the Richmond County Sheriff’s Office, and prosecuted by the Augusta Judicial Circuit District Attorney’s Office for the state of Georgia and by Assistant United States Attorney Tara Lyons for the United States. The operation is part of the U.S. Department of Justice’s Project Safe Neighborhoods program, which leverages law enforcement and community partnerships to combat violent crime.
Federal Jury Convicts Birmingham Man on Drug and Gun ChargesRead the Press Release
BIRMINGHAM – A federal jury on Wednesday evening, convicted a Birmingham man, of possessing with the intent to distribute more than 50 grams of methamphetamine with the intention to distribute, two counts of carrying a gun in relation to a drug-trafficking crime, two counts of possession of a firearm by a convicted felon, and possessing with the intent to distribute methamphetamine on a second occasion, announced U.S. Attorney Jay E, Town and Bureau of Alcohol Tobacco and Firearms Special Agent in Charge Marcus Watson.
Evidence at the trial proved that on October 2, 2017, JARRETT DENARD BOYKINS, 28, of Birmingham, was found in the Pleasant Grove City Park after dark with more than 50 grams of methamphetamine and a firearm. Approximately six months later, Boykins was stopped by a Homewood police officer and found to have approximately 152 tablets that contained methamphetamine in a diaper bag in the back seat of the vehicle next to his infant child. Also inside the diaper bag was another firearm. On October 2, 2018, Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms & Explosives agents along with officers from the Birmingham Police Department travelled to a residence in to arrest Boykins. Upon entering the residence, agents found Boykins in possession of another firearm, a non-controlled substance that was packaged for sale to appear like methamphetamine, and a large quantity of various calibers of ammunition scattered throughout the residence.
“This conviction serves as notice to every individual engaged in illegal narcotics distribution”, Town said. “Drug dealers who arm themselves to further their illegal drug trade have a bunk waiting for them in federal prison.”
“This sentence illustrates that the shooting cycle will be disrupted by the use of law enforcement and community partnerships,” Watson said. “ATF’s Crime Gun Intelligence Centers focus on removing the illegal firearms that affect our neighborhoods”.
Boykins will be sentenced by District Court Judge Abdul K. Kallon in June.
The penalty for possessing with intent to distribute 50 grams or more of methamphetamine is a minimum of 10 years in prison.
The minimum penalty for carrying a gun in relation to a drug crime is 5 years in prison. However, based on the second conviction for possessing a gun in furtherance of another drug crime, the penalty requires an extra 5 years.
The maximum penalty for being a convicted felon in possession of a firearm is 10 years in prison. Due to Boykins’ three prior robbery first-degree convictions at the time of his arrest in this case, this sentence could be increased in light of his extensive criminal history.
Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives, along with the Pleasant Grove Police Department, Homewood Police Department, and Birmingham Police Department investigated the case, which Assistant United States Attorneys Brad Felton and Alan Baty prosecuted.
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Federal Charges Announced for Bank Fraud and Fraud in Naturalization ProcessRead the Press Release
RALEIGH – Robert J. Higdon, Jr., United States Attorney for the Eastern District of North Carolina, announces an Indictment charging JAMAL MOHAMMAD ELEIDY, 57, of Apex, with one count of conspiracy to commit bank fraud, two counts of attempted bank fraud, four counts of bank fraud, and two counts involving false and fraudulent statements in connection with his application for citizenship by naturalization.
According to the allegations in the Indictment, between March 2014 through the date of the Indictment, ELEIDY, and his co-conspirators used synthetic identities to apply for credit cards with at least 18 federally insured banks.
Synthetic identity fraud is a type of fraud in which various forms of information are combined to create a “new identity.” The forms of information often include stolen or fictitious SSNs, and/or stolen or fictitious driver’s licenses. The new synthetic identity, or “new identity,” is then used to open financial accounts and secure credit based upon the newly created identity. Once credit is obtained and purchases made, the applicant seldom makes payments to the issuers.
In the present case, ELEIDY and his co-conspirators are alleged to have applied for credit with synthetic identities on at least 350 different occasions. It is further alleged that over the course of the conspiracy, the conspirators caused a total loss of over $770,000 to various financial institutions.
In addition, ELEIDY is alleged to have secured his naturalization as a United States citizen contrary to law by making false statements on his naturalization application.
If convicted on all of the charges, ELEIDY would face a maximum penalty of 230 years imprisonment, an $8,040,000 fine, a term of supervised release of not more than 5 years, and restitution.
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.
Investigation of this case was conducted by the U.S. Postal Inspection Service, the Federal Bureau of Investigation, the U.S. Department of Homeland Security – Homeland Security Investigations, and the U.S. Department of Health & Human Services – Office of the Inspector General. Assistant United States Attorney Banumathi Rangarajan is prosecuting the case for the government.
Fayetteville Woman Sentenced for Filing False Income Tax Returns, Aggravated Identity Theft, and Making False StatementsRead the Press Release
RALEIGH – The United States Attorney for the Eastern District of North Carolina, Robert J. Higdon, Jr., announced that Chief United States District Judge Terrence W. Boyle sentenced KHADIJA FATIMA HOWARD, 38, of Fayetteville to 30 months imprisonment followed by three years of supervised release.
HOWARD was named in a three-count Criminal Information filed on February 26, 2018. On May 1, 2018, HOWARD pled guilty to Making and Filing False Income Tax Returns, Aggravated Identity Theft, and Making False Statements. Pursuant to the Plea Agreement, HOWARD agreed to make restitution to the Internal Revenue Service in the amount of $47,247 and, to the Social Security Administration in the amount of $44,000.
The investigation revealed that HOWARD applied for Title II disability benefits on July 20, 2009, claiming that the onset of her disability was April 1, 2009. After the SSA denied HOWARD’S application for disability benefits several times, HOWARD requested a hearing on November 21, 2012. Prior to the hearing, HOWARD’S attorneys submitted a memorandum outlining HOWARD’S theory of the case and provided relevant medical records and additional evidence. At the hearing on March 20, 2014, a medical doctor testified on HOWARD’S behalf and proposed an amended date of January 24, 2012, as the date of onset of her disability. On April 25, 2014, the SSA awarded HOWARD disability benefits dating back to January 24, 2012, for the following impairments: inflammatory arthritis, idiopathic peripheral neuropathy, degenerative disc disease, and anxiety.
From the time of her initial application and continuing until the hearing, HOWARD swore that she had no earnings, other than a $7,500 disability insurance distribution from her employer, after she became unable to work in April 2009. Additionally, HOWARD denied using other names or Social Security numbers (SSN) for any purposes, and denied owning any vehicles, bank accounts, or property of any kind. According to HOWARD’S representations, the only social services assistance she received was food stamps from the Department of Social Services in Fayetteville, North Carolina. At the hearing, HOWARD told the administrative law judge (ALJ) that she still owned a house in Baltimore, Maryland; however, there was no indication that HOWARD earned any income from the house, as HOWARD merely advised the ALJ that a friend was residing in the house.
In November 2014, investigators with the SSA learned that HOWARD had changed her name to Maryam Rachel Smith (Smith) and obtained a new SSN ending in 1431 in November 2008, after claiming she was the victim of abuse. The SSA permits a legal name change if a person claims harassment, abuse, or life endangerment, but does not require that a legal name change be made. HOWARD utilized the name Smith and the SSN ending in 1431 to file income tax returns with the Internal Revenue Service (IRS), reporting self-employment business income from HOWARD’S parents’ retail fragrance store. HOWARD’S self-employment business earnings were greater than the amounts allowable by SSA under substantial gainful activity (SGA). When SSA investigators confronted HOWARD, she claimed that her parents deposited funds into her bank account, which HOWARD improperly reported as income. The funds should have been reported as dividends on a Schedule B, rather than a Schedule C, since the payments reportedly represented a return on HOWARD’S $65,000 investment in her parents’ retail fragrance store. HOWARD’S mother advised that HOWARD did not earn the Schedule C business income reported on the Smith income tax returns. Moreover, her mother advised that she provided support to HOWARD and to HOWARD’S minor child, claiming both HOWARD and HOWARD’S daughter as dependents on her income tax returns. According to her mother, HOWARD prepared those income tax returns. HOWARD also falsely claimed that she had filed amended income tax returns for the tax years 2010, 2011, 2012, and 2013 to correct this mistake. HOWARD provided the SSA investigators with “copies” of the purportedly filed amended returns. Investigators with the IRS advised that the amended returns submitted to the SSA by HOWARD were never filed, contrary to HOWARD’S representations. As a result of HOWARD’S concealment of work, investigators with the SSA determined that she caused an overpayment of SSA funds in excess of $44,000.
An investigation conducted by the IRS determined that between February 22, 2011, and January 17, 2015, HOWARD filed seven false income tax returns. For tax years 2010 and 2011, HOWARD filed false income tax returns under her birth name of “Howard,” as well as under the name Smith. All four income tax returns were found to contain false representations. HOWARD also filed three false income tax returns for the tax years 2012, 2013 and 2014 in the name Smith. All seven income tax returns reported either wages or business income which were never earned by HOWARD under the name “Howard,” or under the name Smith. HOWARD also claimed head of household filing status and false dependents to qualify for earned income, child care, and making work pay credits, resulting in the issuance of seven fraudulent income tax refunds, totaling $47,247. The dependents who were claimed by HOWARD on her income tax returns were real individuals; however, they were not supported in any manner by HOWARD during those tax years.
The case was investigated by the Social Security Administration’s Office of Inspector General and the Internal Revenue Service Criminal Investigation. Assistant United States Attorney Susan B. Menzer prosecuted the case on behalf of the United States.
Father and Son Among Five More Defendants Pleading Guilty in Local Crips Gang CaseRead the Press Release
COLUMBUS, Ohio – A total of 10 of 19 Columbus men charged federally as being associated with a local Crips gang has pleaded guilty. The men were indicted in September 2018 and charged in a racketeering conspiracy that includes five murders, multiple attempted murders and other violent and drug-trafficking crimes.
Those who pleaded guilty in U.S. District Court today include:
Name
Also Known As
Age
Eric Henderson, Jr.
Lil Go, Little E
19
Eric Henderson, Sr.
Easy
39
Steve Henderson, Jr.
Big Go, Tana
25
Lee Devine McCrae
Capone
22
Marcus Walton
Ox, Wax
35
In January and February, Terrance Pyfrom, 21; Derrick Thornton, 29; Donovan Reed, 26; Andrew Harris, 30; and Dominique Bryant, 26, pleaded guilty.
Benjamin C. Glassman, United States Attorney for the Southern District of Ohio, Roland Herndon, Acting Special Agent in Charge, Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF), Todd Wickerham, Special Agent in Charge, Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), Cincinnati Division, Interim Columbus Police Chief Tom Quinlan, United States Marshal Pete Tobin and Franklin County Prosecutor Ron O’Brien announced the pleas entered into before U.S. District Judge Michael H. Watson.
According to court documents, the defendants are members and associates of the Trevitt and Atcheson Crips gang known as T&A.
The gang derived its name from Trevitt and Atcheson streets in the King-Lincoln District of Columbus, where its members predominantly reside.
Beginning in June 2010, T&A members and associates conspired in a racketeering enterprise and engaged in murders, attempted murders, drug trafficking, firearms trafficking, witness tampering, robbery, assault and other crimes.
The gang controlled the neighborhood through intimidation, fear and violence. Gang members were expected to retaliate with acts of violence when their members and associates were disrespected, threatened, intimidated or subjected to acts of violence.
Specifically, co-conspirators are charged with five murders:
the murder of Franky Tention on July 1, 2012, in the area of 431 Ellison Street;
the murder of William Moore on March 15, 2013;
the murder of Marvin Ector on December 23, 2013, on East 5th Avenue;
the murder of Quincy Story on January 24, 2015; and
the murder of Deaonte Fisher on March 4, 2016.
T&A engaged in a long-term operation of consistent transportation of heroin and crack from Columbus to Portsmouth, Ohio, for sale in various “trap houses.” In the summer of 2015, T&A, under the leadership of Eric Henderson, Sr., began to deliver large amounts of heroin, crack, and oxycodone from Columbus to Portsmouth on a weekly basis. Female associates and drug-addicted “mules” transported the drugs at the direction of T&A members and associates. The drugs were then sold on a daily basis out of a number of “trap houses” controlled by T&A members.
Henderson, Sr. pleaded guilty to conspiracy to commit racketeering and conspiracy to distribute one kilogram or more of heroin. He faces a minimum of 10 years and up to life in prison. According to his plea agreement, Henderson, Sr. participated extensively in the planning and organizing of the Portsmouth drug operation by recruiting accomplices and co-conspirators to carry out the trafficking.
Eric Henderson, Jr. pleaded guilty to the racketeering conspiracy. He admitted that on numerous occasions he sold gram quantities of crack cocaine in Columbus and Chillicothe. A sentence of 78 months in prison has been recommended to the court, and Judge Watson will consider that recommendation at a future sentencing hearing.
Steve Henderson, Jr. also pleaded guilty to the racketeering conspiracy. According to his plea agreement, Steve Henderson shot and attempted to murder rival Milo Bloods gang members in June 2014. He also opened fire on an individual after a dispute involving stolen narcotics in April 2015. All parties involved in Steve Henderson’s case have recommended a sentence of 240 months in prison for the court to consider.
As part of McCrae’s plea, he admitted to participating in the racketeering conspiracy (a crime punishable by up to 20 years in prison) by selling narcotics as part of the Portsmouth drug operation and also opening fire during the April 2015 drug dispute.
Walton pleaded guilty to conspiring to distribute more than one kilogram of heroin, a crime punishable by 10 years up to life in prison. According to his plea agreement, he arranged for heroin addicts to transport cocaine and heroin from Columbus to Portsmouth. Walton also sold narcotics in Portsmouth and was personally responsible for distributing between 1,000 and 3,000 grams of heroin himself.
Others charged in this case include:
Name
Also Known As
Age
Charles Carson
23
Jonathan Dantzler
Jesus
26
Terrell Hansard
T Body
21
Michael Henderson
Bang
20
Brandon Martin
Gunner
26
Shawn Nelms
Mook
25
Deswan Robinson
Dezzy
25
Thomas Seals
Bhomo
24
Michael Watson
Sossa
25
U.S. Attorney Glassman commended the investigation of this case by ATF, FBI and Columbus Police, as well as Assistant United States Attorneys David M. DeVillers, Kevin W. Kelley and Noah R. Litton, who are prosecuting the case.
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Dominican Woman Sentenced to Prison on Drug ChargesRead the Press Release
RICHMOND, Va. – A Dominican woman was sentenced today to two years in prison for possession with intent to distribute heroin.
According to court documents, in December 1997, Ninorka Sencion, 45, pleaded guilty to traveling on a bus from New York to Richmond for the purpose of delivering over 300 grams of heroin. After pleading guilty she was released on a bond. At that time, Sencion fled to the Dominican Republic and failed to appear for her originally scheduled sentencing hearing in March 1998. She was arrested in the Dominican Republic in August 2018 on an outstanding arrest warrant and extradited to the United States for sentencing on this charge.
G. Zachary Terwilliger, U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of Virginia, Robert Mathieson, U.S. Marshal for the Eastern District of Virginia, and Jesse R. Fong, Special Agent in Charge for the Drug Enforcement Administration’s (DEA) Washington Field Division, made the announcement after sentencing by Senior U.S. District Judge Robert E. Payne. Assistant U.S. Attorney Heather H. Mansfield prosecuted the case.
A copy of this press release is located on the website of the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of Virginia. Related court documents and information is located on the website of the District Court for the Eastern District of Virginia or on PACER by searching for Case No. 3:97-cr-329.
Detroit Man Pleads Guilty to Federal Drug ChargesRead the Press Release
CHARLESTON, W.Va. – A Detroit, Michigan, man admitted to distributing acetyl fentanyl and fentanyl, announced United States Attorney Mike Stuart. Tyrece Ramone Phillips, also known as “Ty,” 32, pled guilty yesterday before United States District Judge Joseph R. Goodwin. Stuart commended the investigation conducted by the Metropolitan Drug Enforcement Network Team (“MDENT”), Charleston Police Department, Kanawha County Sheriff’s Department, St. Albans Police Department, Nitro Police Department, and South Charleston Police Department.
“Phillips, who has a previous drug conviction, was caught selling acetyl fentanyl and fentanyl on Charleston’s west side,” said United State Attorney Mike Stuart. “Another Detroit drug dealer has booked his room at the ‘inn.’”
As established by public court filings and hearings, on July 2, 2018, a confidential police informant purchased acetyl fentanyl and fentanyl from Phillips near the 1000 block of 2nd Avenue in Charleston, West Virginia. Phillips’ maximum possible sentence was enhanced due to a prior conviction for possessing OxyContin with intent to distribute in June 2012.
Phillips is facing up to 30 years imprisonment when he is sentenced on June 17, 2019. Assistant United States Attorney Drew O. Inman is handling the prosecution.
Follow us on Twitter: @SDWVNews and @USAttyStuart
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Department of Justice Awards $5.7 Million to Support Native American Crime Victims in Seven StatesRead the Press Release
Spokane, Washington – Joseph H. Harrington, United States Attorney for the Eastern District of Washington, joined the Department of Justice in announcing ten awards totaling more than $5.7 million to support crime victims in Native American communities in seven states: Washington, Alaska, California, Oklahoma, Minnesota, New Mexico, and Wisconsin. One of the Native American communities receiving an award is located in the Eastern District of Washington. The Kalispel Indian Community of the Kalispel Reservation was awarded $679,259 to expand the Tribe’s victim assistance services program to serve victims of human trafficking. The funding will support the hiring of a victim advocate, as well as travel and training costs for staff. Funds will also be used to develop a strategic plan to improve crime victim services.
The group of 10 awards is the second in a series of grants being made by the Office of Justice Programs’ Office for Victims of Crime (OVC) to American Indian and Alaska Native communities. OVC has now awarded more than $9 million of up to $100 million to support tribal victim service programs. The awards—17 in total so far—will fund critical crime victim services, such as counseling, transitional housing, emergency services and transportation. The grants are supported by the Crime Victims Fund, a repository of federal criminal fines, fees and special assessments. The fund includes zero tax dollars.
“American Indian and Alaska Native communities face extensive public safety challenges, but through creative approaches that combine traditional methods with innovative solutions, they are demonstrating their determination to meet the needs of victims in their communities,” said Principal Deputy Assistant Attorney General Matt M. Dummermuth. “These grants, part of historic levels of funding awarded by the Department of Justice to American Indian and Alaska Native communities, will provide significant resources to bring critical services to those who suffer the effects of crime and violence.”
Joseph H. Harrington said, “This is a very significant award and it will enhance the Kalispel Indian Community’s ability to provide the important and critical services needed to effectively support victims of crime.”
According to the Bureau of Justice Statistics, American Indians and Alaska Natives experience violent crimes at rates far greater than the general population.
“American Indian and Alaska Native crime victims continue to face challenges in accessing vital services and resources needed to help survivors address their trauma and navigate a complex system,” said OVC Director Darlene Hutchinson. “The Justice Department has made it a priority to partner with tribes to help victims and their families rebuild their lives in the aftermath of violence.”
The Office of Justice Programs, directed by Principal Deputy Assistant Attorney General Matt M. Dummermuth, provides federal leadership to improve the nation’s capacity to prevent and reduce crime, assist victims, and enhance the rule of law by strengthening the criminal justice system. More information about OJP and its components can be found at www.ojp.gov.
Department of Homeland Security’s Nonprofit Security Grant Program Funds Training and Security EnhancementsRead the Press Release
SACRAMENTO, Calif. — In the aftermath of the deadly shooting that occurred in New Zealand, U.S. Attorney McGregor W. Scott recommends continued training and preparation for active shooter incidents to ensure the safety of all communities.
Following the shooting at the Tree of Life Synagogue in Pennsylvania last October, the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of California brought together faith leaders to discuss strategies and to provide training to deal with active shooter incidents in houses of worship. In an ongoing effort to keep our community safe, the Department of Homeland Security provides practical assistance to high risk groups.
The Department of Homeland Security’s Nonprofit Security Grant Program (NSGP) competitively awards grant funding to assist nonprofit organizations that are considered to be at high risk of terrorist attack and located within a designated urban area. NSGP provides up to $75,000 to nonprofit organizations for training and physical security enhancements, including fencing, surveillance systems, security systems, and lighting. It is also designed to promote coordination and collaboration in emergency preparedness activities among public and private community representatives, as well as state and local government agencies.
The grant program is administered by the California Office of Emergency Services (Cal OES) Infrastructure Grants Unit, which administers the program for the Department of Homeland Security. The Department of Justice does not administer the grant program.
In preparation for the release of the Notice of Funding Opportunity, Cal OES will be conducting a webinar on Tuesday, April 2 to explain the NSGP requirements and assist nonprofit organizations with the application process. . Please see the attachment for further details.
DHS has indicated that there will be $60 million in grants available nationwide for nonprofit 501(c)(3) tax-exempt groups.
DEA Task Force Investigation Dismantles Waterbury Drug Ring; 29 ChargedRead the Press Release
John H. Durham, United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut, Brian D. Boyle, Special Agent in Charge of the Drug Enforcement Administration for New England, Waterbury Police Chief Fernando C. Spagnolo and Naugatuck Police Chief Steven Hunt today announced that 29 individuals have been charged with federal narcotics offenses related to the distribution of heroin, cocaine and crack cocaine in and around Waterbury.
As alleged in court documents and statements made in court, the arrests stem from a joint investigation headed by the DEA New Haven Task Force and the Waterbury and Naugatuck Police Departments. The investigation, which began last year and has included the use of court-authorized wiretaps, physical surveillance and controlled purchases of narcotics, revealed that Keith Jordan, also known as “Knowledge,” received large quantities of heroin and cocaine from various suppliers and sold the drugs to street-level distributors in and around Waterbury.
On March 13, 2019, a grand jury in Hartford returned an indictment charging each of the following individuals with conspiracy to distribute, and to possess with intent to distribute, various quantities of heroin, cocaine and cocaine base (“crack cocaine”):
KEITH JORDAN, a.k.a. “Knowledge,” 50, of Waterbury
KATINA REED, a.k.a. “Tina,” 46, of Waterbury
DOMINGO ALVES, a.k.a. “Mingo,” 49, of Waterbury
SUNJI CRAMER, 39, of Meriden
CARLOS MORAIS, a.k.a. “Los,” 35, of Waterbury
LARRY HALL, a.k.a. “Chuito” and “Bobo,” 48, of Naugatuck
JEAN CARLOS FABAL-GONZALEZ, 24, of Waterbury
LLIVER ABREU-BAEZ, a.k.a. “Domi” and “Papi,” 27, of Waterbury
JUNIO ACEVEDO, 34, of Waterbury
MICHAEL ALTIERI, 28, of Waterbury
LANCE BAPTISTE, 40, of Waterbury
TIMOTHY BOOKER, a.k.a. “Book,” 60, of Waterbury
TYRELL CAMPBELL, a.k.a. “Bricks,” 29, of Waterbury
ROSEMARY COLON, 35, of Naugatuck
DAMON DAVIS, 24, of Waterbury (currently in state custody)
DAVID FLAHERTY, 48, of Waterbury
VINA FRAZIER, 35, of Waterbury
JERMAINE FOSTER, 48, of New Haven
BIENVENIDO GONZALEZ, a.k.a. “Toto,” 41, of Waterbury
NAZARIEL GONZALEZ, 39, of West Hartford
JOSE GONZALEZ, 30, of Waterbury
JAMES TYRONE HAYES, a.k.a. “Ty,” 49, of Newburgh, New York
OMAR HERNANDEZ, 39, of Waterbury
JORDAN JAMISON, 23, of Waterbury
FRANCISCO LOPEZ, 32, of Waterbury
Twenty-three defendants were arrested yesterday, and one was arrested this morning. One defendant has been in state custody. Four defendants are currently being sought.In association with yesterday’s arrests, law enforcement officers seized approximately 3,000 bags of heroin, 400 grams of cocaine, 350 grams of fentanyl/heroin mixed, 400 grams of heroin, 10 grams of crack, 20 pounds of marijuana, fentanyl patches, a one-kilogram press, four handguns, approximately $120,000 in cash and four vehicles.
The indictment alleges that, between approximately February 2018 and March 2019, each defendant conspired to distribute various narcotics. If convicted of this charge, based on the type and quantity of narcotics involved, Keith Jordan, Reed, Alves, Cramer, Hall, Bienvenido Gonzalez and Abreu-Baez face a mandatory minimum term of imprisonment of 10 years and a maximum term of imprisonment of life; Morais, Fabal-Gonzalez, Acevedo, Altieri, Booker, Campbell, Colon, Davis, Flaherty, Frazier, Foster, Nazariel Gonzalez, Hayes, Hernandez, and Lopez face a mandatory minimum term of imprisonment of five years and a maximum term of imprisonment of 40 years, and Baptiste, Jose Gonzalez, and Jamison face a maximum term of imprisonment of 20 years.
The indictment also charges Keith Jordan, Alves, Hayes and Jamison with one or more counts of possession and/or distribution of heroin.
“It is alleged that members of this drug trafficking organization distributed significant quantities of heroin and cocaine in and around Waterbury,” said U.S. Attorney Durham. “The opioid epidemic, which in large part has led to the deaths of far too many people from heroin and fentanyl overdoes, continues to destroy lives across our state. The United States Attorney’s Office is committed to doggedly prosecuting those who choose to profit from this deadly trade. We thank the DEA Task Force members, including the Waterbury and Naugatuck Police Departments, for their outstanding work in this investigation. Their efforts literally have saved lives.”
“DEA is committed to investigating and dismantling poly drug trafficking organizations like this one operating in the Waterbury area,” said Special Agent in Charge Boyle. “This organization was responsible for supplying large quantities of heroin and cocaine throughout the streets of Connecticut. Let these arrests serve as an example to those who distribute this poison in order to profit and destroy people’s lives, that DEA will aggressively pursue and hold you accountable. This investigation demonstrates the strength of collaborative local, state and federal law enforcement efforts and our strong partnership with the U.S. Attorney’s Office to seek and bring to justice anyone who engages in these crimes.”
“Waterbury Police are grateful to be working with the DEA on this specific case as well as having a detective assigned to the DEA Task Force,” said Chief Spagnolo. “The intense work, in collaboration with the U.S. Attorney’s Office, on this investigation will make an impact on the illegal drug trade and will make Waterbury a safer city.”
“This investigation is a perfect example of what can be accomplished when local, state and federal agencies work collaboratively to target large-scale drug trafficking operations,” said Chief Hunt. “Today’s arrests and seizures have dealt a significant blow to the narcotics being dealt in the Waterbury/Naugatuck area and have ultimately made our communities safer.”
The 23 individuals who were arrested yesterday appeared before U.S. Magistrate Judges Robert M. Spector and Sarah A. L. Merriam in New Haven. Nineteen of the 23 are currently detained.
U.S. Attorney Durham stressed that an indictment is not evidence of guilt. Charges are only allegations, and each defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt.
This investigation is being conducted by the Drug Enforcement Administration New Haven Task Force, Waterbury Police Department and Naugatuck Police Department, with the critical assistance of the U.S. Secret Service, New York Field Office. The DEA New Haven Task Force includes participants from the U.S. Marshals Service, Internal Revenue Service – Criminal Investigation Division, and the New Haven, Hamden, West Haven, North Haven, Branford, Ansonia, Meriden, Derby, Middletown, Naugatuck and Waterbury Police Departments.
The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorneys S. Dave Vatti and Natasha M. Freismuth.
Convicted Felon Pleads Guilty to Firearms ChargesRead the Press Release
RICHMOND, Va. – A Chesterfield man pleaded guilty today to possession of a firearm by a convicted felon.
According to court documents, Carlos Azucar Menjivar, 21, was encountered by Chesterfield County police officers after they observed his vehicle parked at a construction site after hours. Officers approached the vehicle and noticed that it was missing tags. As officers were speaking with him, they observed a license plate in the front windshield, and when officers ran that tag, it came back to another vehicle. During this interaction, one officer observed the magazine well of a firearm as well as a box of ammunition in plain view in Menjivar’s vehicle.
Officers then had Menjivar, who was previously convicted for attempted robbery in 2015, exit the vehicle and searched the vehicle to retrieve the firearm. In a backpack in the rear of the vehicle, officers found a total of three, individually packaged firearms with prices written on the outside of the packaging. Another firearm was located in the glove compartment of the vehicle.
Menjivar pleaded guilty to possession of a firearm by a convicted felon and faces a maximum penalty of 10 years in prison when sentenced on June 25. Actual sentences for federal crimes are typically less than the maximum penalties. A federal district court judge will determine any sentence after taking into account the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors.
This case is part of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), which is the centerpiece of the Department of Justice’s violent crime reduction efforts. PSN is an evidence-based program proven to be effective at reducing violent crime. Through PSN, a broad spectrum of stakeholders work together to identify the most pressing violent crime problems in the community and develop comprehensive solutions to address them. As part of this strategy, PSN focuses enforcement efforts on the most violent offenders and partners with locally based prevention and reentry programs for lasting reductions in crime.
G. Zachary Terwilliger, U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of Virginia, Ashan M. Benedict, Special Agent in Charge of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives’ (ATF) Washington Field Division, made the announcement after U.S. District Judge John A. Gibney, Jr. accepted the plea. Assistant U.S. Attorney Heather H. Mansfield is prosecuting the case.
A copy of this press release is located on the website of the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of Virginia. Related court documents and information is located on the website of the District Court for the Eastern District of Virginia or on PACER by searching for Case No. 3:19-cr-10.
Colombian National Sentenced to More Than 11 Years for Trafficking MethamphetamineRead the Press Release
ASHEVILLE, N.C. – Today, U.S. District Judge Martin Reidinger sentenced Linda Liceth Prada-Ardilla, 29, a Colombian national residing in Asheville, N.C. to 135 months in prison and five years of supervised release for possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine, announced Andrew Murray, U.S. Attorney for the Western District of North Carolina.
U.S. Attorney Murray is joined in making today’s announcement by Robert J. Murphy, Special Agent in Charge of the Atlanta Field Division of the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA), which oversees the Charlotte District Office; Interim Chief Wade Wood of the Asheville Police Department; and Sheriff Quentin Miller of the Buncombe County Sheriff’s Office.
According to court documents and today’s sentencing hearing, in July 2017, law enforcement became aware that Prada-Ardilla and her co-defendant, Oscar Orlando Navarro-Melendez, were trafficking methamphetamine in and around Buncombe County. Court records show that law enforcement recovered from an Asheville-area hotel a suitcase which belonged to Prada-Ardilla and her co-defendant. Inside the suitcase, law enforcement located methamphetamine, cocaine, drug paraphernalia, a firearm and 25 rounds of ammunition. Law enforcement also searched Prada-Ardilla’s hotel room, where they found additional quantities of methamphetamine and cocaine, a firearm and more ammunition.
Prada-Ardilla is currently in federal custody and will be transferred to the custody of the federal Bureau of Prisons upon designation of a federal facility. All federal sentences are served without the possibility of parole. The charges against Navarro-Melendez are still pending.
In making today’s announcement, U.S. Attorney Murray thanked the DEA and the Buncombe County Anti-Crime Task Force (B-CAT) for their investigation of this case.
Assistant United States Attorney John Pritchard, of the U.S. Attorney’s Office in Asheville, is in charge of the prosecution.
City of Chicago Alderman Pleads Guilty to Federal Fraud Charge for Using Charitable Funds to Pay Personal ExpensesRead the Press Release
CHICAGO — City of Chicago Alderman WILLIE B. COCHRAN pleaded guilty today to a federal fraud charge for pocketing money from a charitable fund intended to help families and children in his South Side ward.
Cochran, 66, of Chicago, pleaded guilty to one count of wire fraud. The conviction is punishable by up to 20 years in prison. U.S. District Judge Jorge L. Alonso set sentencing for June 20, 2019, at 2:00 p.m.
The guilty plea was announced by John R. Lausch, Jr., United States Attorney for the Northern District of Illinois; and Jeffrey S. Sallet, Special Agent-in-Charge of the Chicago office of the Federal Bureau of Investigation. The FBI initiated the investigation after receiving information from the former City of Chicago Legislative Inspector General’s Office, which was headed at that time by Faisal Khan. The government is represented by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Heather McShain and Christopher Stetler.
While representing the 20th Ward in the Chicago City Council, Cochran operated the “20th Ward Activities Fund,” which he purported to use for charitable endeavors to help families and children living in the ward. Cochran controlled a bank account connected to the fund. When soliciting donations to the fund, Cochran falsely represented that all contributions would be used for charitable events, including a back-to-school picnic, a Valentine’s Day party for senior citizens, and events during the holiday season in November and December.
Cochran admitted in a plea agreement that he used some of the contribution money for his own personal use, including paying his daughter’s college tuition, withdrawing cash at casino ATM’s, and purchasing items for his home. From January 2010 to April 2014, Cochran pocketed approximately $14,285 from the fund and converted the money to his own personal use, the plea agreement states.
Choctaw Tribal Member Sentenced to 45 Years in Prison for Second Degree MurderRead the Press Release
Jackson, Miss. – Jerome Steve, 33, of Philadelphia, was sentenced today by Chief U.S. District Judge Daniel P. Jordan III to 540 months in prison, followed by five years of supervised release, for second degree murder, announced U.S. Attorney Mike Hurst and Special Agent in Charge Christopher Freeze with the Federal Bureau of Investigation. Steve was also ordered to pay a $1,500 fine.
Steve entered a guilty plea on July 3, 2018, to one count of second degree murder. On November 2, 2017, four members of the Mississippi Band of Choctaw Indians assaulted and killed another Tribal member in the Tucker Community. Steve’s co-defendant, Keenan Martin, will be sentenced on March 22, 2019. The sentencing of a third defendant, Keyshawn Willis, will be set at a later date. A fourth defendant, Monte Isaac, died while awaiting sentencing.
The case is being prosecuted by Deputy Criminal Chief Patrick Lemon, Assistant United States Attorney Erin Chalk, and Special Assistant United States Attorney Kevin Payne. It was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation and the Choctaw Police Department.
Chicago Man Sentenced to 66 Months for Distributing HeroinRead the Press Release
MADISON, WIS. – Scott C. Blader, United States Attorney for the Western District of Wisconsin, announced that Terry Glaspie, 55, Chicago, Illinois was sentenced today by U.S. District Judge William M. Conley to 66 months in federal prison for possessing with intent to distribute 100 grams for more of heroin. Glaspie pleaded guilty to this charge on January 21, 2019.
On January 31, 2018, law enforcement officers recovered approximately 104 grams of fentanyl-laced heroin during a traffic stop of a vehicle which was occupied by Glaspie and two other individuals. During the course of their investigation, law enforcement determined that Glaspie helped transport the heroin from Chicago so it could be sold in Minneapolis, Minnesota.
During sentencing, Judge Conley stated that, despite knowing the risk of heroin to users, Glaspie was “part of the world that is putting this drug on the street to ensnare people.”
United States Attorney Blader echoed Judge Conley’s remarks when he stated that too many communities are being victimized by the heroin crisis. United States Attorney Blader said, “The United States Attorney’s Office is committed to battling this epidemic by prosecuting individuals who sell illegal drugs on our streets or transport them through our district.”
Dunn County District Attorney Andrea Nodolf thanked all of the federal, state, and local law enforcement agencies who participated in the investigation. She also noted how drugs like heroin have a “ripple effect throughout our communities.”
The charge against Glaspie was the result of an investigation conducted by the Dunn County Sheriff’s Office, Menomonie Police Department, Wisconsin State Patrol, Dunn County District Attorney’s Office, and the Drug Enforcement Administration. The prosecution of the case has been handled by Special Assistant U.S. Attorney Chadwick M. Elgersma.
Cesar Sayoc Pleads Guilty to 65 Felonies for Mailing 16 Improvised Explosive Devices in Connection with October 2018 Domestic Terrorist AttackRead the Press Release
Cesar Altieri Sayoc, aka “Cesar Randazzo,” “Cesar Altieri,” and “Cesar Altieri Randazzo,” pled guilty today to a 65-count Superseding Information in Manhattan federal court before U.S. District Judge Jed S. Rakoff. In connection with the guilty plea, Sayoc admitted to mailing 16 improvised explosive devices (IEDs) to 13 victims throughout the country, including 11 current or former U.S. government officials, and that he intended to use the IEDs as weapons and to cause injuries. Assistant Attorney General John C. Demers for the National Security Division, U.S. Attorney Geoffrey S. Berman for the Southern District of New York, Assistant Director Michael McGarrity of the FBI’s Counterterrorism Division, Assistant Director in Charge William F. Sweeney, Jr. of the FBI’s New York Field Office and Police Commissioner James P. O’Neill of the NYPD made the announcement.
“Cesar Sayoc has admitted to acts of domestic terrorism that are repulsive to all Americans who cherish a society built on respectful and non-violent political discourse, no matter how strongly held one’s views,” said Assistant Attorney General Demers. “Our democracy will simply not survive if our political discourse includes sending bombs to those we disagree with. I applaud the efforts of so many in our law enforcement community whose alertness and tirelessness led to the prompt arrest of the defendant before he was able to injure anyone, as well as those whose efforts led to today’s plea.”
“For five days in November 2018, Cesar Sayoc reigned terror across the country, sending high-ranking officials and former elected leaders explosive packages through the mail,” said U.S. Attorney Berman. “Thankfully no one was hurt by these dangerous devices, but his actions left an air of fear and divisiveness in their wake. Sayoc has taken responsibility for his crimes, and will soon be sentenced to significant time in prison.”
“This case shows that the FBI will be tenacious in pursuing all those who wish to intimidate those they disagree with by threatening violence,” said Assistant Director Michael McGarrity of the FBI’s Counterterrorism Division. “When it comes to identifying and stopping those who terrorize our communities, we won’t hesitate to bring the full force of our combined resources of the FBI and our partners.”
“Sayoc's crimes were intended to incite fear among his targets and uncertainty among the general public, leading to a significant deployment of various law enforcement resources in a nationwide search to find him,” said Assistant Director Sweeney. “When called upon, our FBI JTTFs across the country—along with our partner agencies—did what we do best, working swiftly, and side by side, to bring him to justice. Unlike most of our investigations, this case played out in plain view from beginning to end. The announcement of today's plea is as good a time as any to remind the public that our JTTFs are working behind the scenes on a daily basis, in much the same way, to keep our communities safe.”
“The NYPD and our law enforcement partners will continue to work tirelessly to keep New York City safe from threats of terror,” said Commissioner O’Neill. “I commend the members of the New York Joint Terrorism Task Force, and the Southern District of New York for their work in this case.”
According to the allegations in the Complaint, Superseding Information, other court filings, and statements made during court proceedings:
In October 2018, Sayoc mailed from Florida 16 padded envelopes, each containing an IED, to addresses in New York, New Jersey, Washington, D.C., Delaware, Atlanta, and California. Sayoc packed each IED with explosive material and glass shards that would function as shrapnel if the IED exploded. Sayoc also attached to the outside of each IED a picture of the intended victim marked with a red “X.” As Sayoc admitted today during his plea, he designed the IEDs for use as weapons and mailed them understanding that they were capable of exploding and causing injuries and property damage. In alphabetical order, Sayoc’s intended victims were former Vice President Joseph Biden, Senator Cory Booker, former CIA Director John Brennan, former Director of National Intelligence James Clapper, former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton, CNN, Robert De Niro, Senator Kamala Harris, former Attorney General Eric Holder, former President Barack Obama, George Soros, Thomas Steyer, and Representative Maxine Walters. Between Oct. 22 and Nov. 2, 2018, the FBI and the U.S. Postal Service recovered all of the 16 IEDs mailed by Sayoc.
The FBI arrested Sayoc in Plantation, Florida, on Oct. 26, 2018—less than five days after the October 22 recovery of the first IED, which Sayoc mailed to Soros in New York. The FBI seized a laptop from Sayoc’s van, which contained lists of physical addresses that match many of the labels on the envelopes that Sayoc mailed. The lists were saved at a file path on the laptop that includes a variant of Sayoc’s first name: “Users/Ceasar/Documents.” A document from that path, titled “Debbie W.docx” and bearing a creation date of July 26, 2018, contained repeated copies of an address for “Debbie W. Schultz” in Sunrise, Florida, that is nearly identical, except for typographical errors, to the return address that Sayoc used on the packages. Similar documents bearing file titles that include the name “Debbie,” and creation dates of Sept. 22, 2018, contain exact matches of the return address used by Sayoc on the 16 envelopes.
Sayoc’s laptop also revealed extensive Internet search history related to his investigation of the intended victims and his desire to injure or kill them. For example, Sayoc conducted the following Internet searches, among others, on the dates indicated in 2018:
- July 15: “hilary Clinton hime address”
- July 26: “address Debbie wauserman Shultz”
- Sept. 19: “address kamila harrias”
- Sept. 26: “address for barack Obama”
- Sept. 26: “michelle obama mailing address”
- Sept. 26: “joseph biden jr”
- Oct. 1: “address cory booker new jersey”
- Oct. 20: “tom steyers mailing address”
- Oct. 23: “address kamala harris”
* * *
Sayoc, 57, of Southern Florida, pled guilty to four sets of charges related to each of the 16 IEDs: (1) sixteen counts of using a weapon of mass destruction; (2) sixteen counts of interstate transportation of an explosive device; (3) sixteen counts of conveying a threat in interstate commerce; and (4) sixteen counts of the illegal mailing of explosives with the intent to kill or injure another. Sayoc also pled guilty to using an explosive to commit a felony, which relates to felonies committed in connection with the use and mailing of all 16 IEDs. A chart identifying the charges and maximum penalties applicable to Sayoc is below.
Counts
Charge
Penalties Per Count
1 – 16
Using a weapon of mass destruction
Maximum per count: life
17 – 32
Interstate transportation of an explosive
Maximum per count: 10 years
33 – 48
Conveying a threat in interstate commerce
Maximum per count: 5 years
49 – 64
Illegal mailing of explosives with intent to kill or injure another
Maximum per count: 20 years
65
Carrying an explosive during the commission of a felony
Mandatory minimum: 10 years to run consecutively to any other sentence imposed
The maximum and minimum potential sentences in this case are prescribed by Congress and are provided here for informational purposes only, as any sentencing of the defendant will be determined by a judge. The defendant is scheduled to be sentenced before Judge Rakoff on Sept. 12, 2019.
Mr. Demers and Mr. Berman praised the outstanding efforts of the Federal Bureau of Investigation’s New York Joint Terrorism Task Force, which principally consists of agents from the FBI and detectives from the New York City Police Department and the U.S. Postal Inspection Service. Mr. Demers and Mr. Berman also thanked the U.S. Attorney’s Offices for the Southern District of Florida, the District of Columbia, the District of Delaware, the District of New Jersey, the Central District of California, the Eastern District of California, the Northern District of California and the Northern District of Georgia for their assistance in the investigation.
Assistant U.S. Attorneys Sam Adelsberg, Emil J. Bove III, Jane Kim, and Jason A. Richman are in charge of the prosecution, with assistance from Trial Attorney David Cora of the Counterterrorism Section of the Department of Justice’s National Security Division.
Cesar Sayoc Pleads Guilty to 65 Felonies for Mailing 16 Improvised Explosive Devices in Connection with October 2018 Domestic Terrorist AttackRead the Press Release
Geoffrey S. Berman, the United States Attorney for the Southern District of New York, John C. Demers, the Assistant Attorney General for National Security, William F. Sweeney Jr., Assistant Director-in-Charge of the New York Office of the Federal Bureau of Investigation (“FBI”), Philip R. Bartlett, Inspector-in-Charge of the New York Field Division of the United States Postal Inspection Service (“USPIS”), and James P. O’Neill, Police Commissioner of the City of New York (“NYPD”), announced today that CESAR ALTIERI SAYOC, a/k/a “Cesar Randazzo,” “Cesar Altieri,” and “Cesar Altieri Randazzo,” pled guilty today to a 65-count Superseding Information in Manhattan federal court before U.S. District Judge Jed S. Rakoff. In connection with the guilty plea, SAYOC admitted to mailing 16 improvised explosive devices (“IEDs”) to 13 victims throughout the country, including 11 current or former U.S. government officials, and that he intended to use the IEDs as weapons and to cause injuries.
Manhattan U.S. Attorney Geoffrey S. Berman said: “For five days in October 2018, Cesar Sayoc rained terror across the country, sending high-ranking officials and former elected leaders explosive packages through the mail. Thankfully no one was hurt by these dangerous devices, but his actions left an air of fear and divisiveness in their wake. Sayoc has taken responsibility for his crimes, and will soon be sentenced to significant time in prison.”
Assistant Attorney General for National Security John C. Demers said: “Cesar Sayoc has admitted to acts of domestic terrorism that are repulsive to all Americans who cherish a society built on respectful and non-violent political discourse, no matter how strongly held one’s views. Our democracy will simply not survive if our political discourse includes sending bombs to those we disagree with. I applaud the efforts of so many in our law enforcement community whose alertness and tirelessness led to the prompt arrest of the defendant before he was able to injure anyone, as well as those whose efforts led to today’s plea.”
FBI Assistant Director William F. Sweeney Jr. said: “Sayoc’s crimes were intended to incite fear among his targets and uncertainty among the general public, leading to a significant deployment of various law enforcement resources in a nationwide search to find him. When called upon, our FBI JTTFs across the country – along with our partner agencies – did what we do best, working swiftly, and side by side, to bring him to justice. Unlike most of our investigations, this case played out in plain view from beginning to end. The announcement of today’s plea is as good a time as any to remind the public that our JTTFs are working behind the scenes on a daily basis, in much the same way, to keep our communities safe.”
USPIS Inspector-in-Charge Philip R. Bartlett said: “Today’s plea represents the hard work of Postal Inspectors and their law enforcement partners to keep USPS employees, customers and the sanctity of the US Mail safe from those who wish to harm the American public based on their distorted political or ideological agenda.”
NYPD Commissioner James P. O’Neill said: “The NYPD and our law enforcement partners will continue to work tirelessly to keep New York City safe from threats of terror. I commend the members of the New York Joint Terrorism Task Force, and the Southern District of New York for their work in this case.”
According to the allegations in the Complaint, Superseding Information, other court filings, and statements made during court proceedings:
In October 2018, SAYOC mailed from Florida 16 padded envelopes, each containing an IED, to addresses in New York, New Jersey, Washington, D.C., Delaware, Atlanta, Georgia, and California. SAYOC packed each IED with explosive material and glass shards that would function as shrapnel if the IED exploded. SAYOC also attached to the outside of each IED a picture of the intended victim marked with a red “X.” As SAYOC admitted today during his plea, he designed the IEDs for use as weapons and mailed them understanding that they were capable of exploding and causing injuries and property damage. In alphabetical order, SAYOC’s intended victims were former Vice President Joseph Biden, Senator Cory Booker, former CIA Director John Brennan, former Director of National Intelligence James Clapper, former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton, CNN, Robert De Niro, Senator Kamala Harris, former Attorney General Eric Holder, former President Barack Obama, George Soros, Thomas Steyer, and Representative Maxine Waters. Between October 22 and November 2, 2018, the FBI and the U.S. Postal Service recovered all of the 16 IEDs mailed by SAYOC.
The FBI arrested SAYOC in Plantation, Florida, on October 26, 2018 – less than five days after the October 22 recovery of the first IED, which SAYOC mailed to Soros in New York. The FBI seized a laptop from SAYOC’s van, which contained lists of physical addresses that match many of the labels on the envelopes that SAYOC mailed. The lists were saved at a file path on the laptop that includes a variant of SAYOC’s first name: “Users/Ceasar/Documents.” A document from that path, titled “Debbie W.docx” and bearing a creation date of July 26, 2018, contained repeated copies of an address for “Debbie W. Schultz” in Sunrise, Florida, that is nearly identical, except for typographical errors, to the return address that SAYOC used on the packages. Similar documents bearing file titles that include the name “Debbie,” and creation dates of September 22, 2018, contain exact matches of the return address used by SAYOC on the 16 envelopes.
SAYOC’s laptop also revealed extensive Internet search history related to his investigation of the intended victims and his desire to injure or kill them. For example, SAYOC conducted the following Internet searches, among others, on the dates indicated in 2018:
- July 15: “hilary Clinton hime address”
- July 26: “address Debbie wauserman Shultz”
- Sept. 19: “address kamila harrias”
- Sept. 26: “address for barack Obama”
- Sept. 26: “michelle obama mailing address”
- Sept. 26: “joseph biden jr”
- Oct. 1: “address cory booker new jersey”
- Oct. 20: “tom steyers mailing address”
- Oct. 23: “address kamala harris”
* * *
SAYOC, 57, of Southern Florida, pled guilty to four sets of charges related to each of the 16 IEDs: (1) sixteen counts of using a weapon of mass destruction; (2) sixteen counts of interstate transportation of an explosive device; (3) sixteen counts of conveying a threat in interstate commerce; and (4) sixteen counts of the illegal mailing of explosives with the intent to kill or injure another. SAYOC also pled guilty to using an explosive to commit a felony, which relates to felonies committed in connection with the use and mailing of all 16 IEDs. A chart identifying the charges and maximum penalties applicable to SAYOC is below.
Counts
Charge
Penalties Per Count
1 – 16
Using a weapon of mass destruction
Maximum per count: life
17 – 32
Interstate transportation of an explosive
Maximum per count: 10 years
33 – 48
Conveying a threat in interstate commerce
Maximum per count: 5 years
49 – 64
Illegal mailing of explosives with intent to kill or injure another
Maximum per count: 20 years
65
Carrying an explosive during the commission of a felony
Mandatory minimum: 10 years to run consecutively to any other sentence imposed
The maximum and minimum potential sentences in this case are prescribed by Congress and are provided here for informational purposes only, as any sentencing of the defendant will be determined by a judge. The defendant is scheduled to be sentenced before Judge Rakoff on September 12, 2019 at 4:00 p.m.
Mr. Berman and Mr. Demers praised the outstanding efforts of the Federal Bureau of Investigation’s New York Joint Terrorism Task Force, which principally consists of agents from the FBI and detectives from the New York City Police Department, and the U.S. Postal Inspection Service. Mr. Berman and Mr. Demers also thanked the U.S. Attorney’s Offices for the Southern District of Florida, the District of Columbia, the District of Delaware, the District of New Jersey, the Central District of California, the Eastern District of California, the Northern District of California, and the Northern District of Georgia for their assistance in the investigation.
This prosecution is being handled by the Office’s Terrorism and International Narcotics Unit. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Sam Adelsberg, Emil J. Bove III, Jane Kim, and Jason A. Richman are in charge of the prosecution, with assistance from Trial Attorney David Cora of the Counterterrorism Section of the Department of Justice’s National Security Division.