Latest Records
Newest first across public DOJ and U.S. Attorney press releases.
Tuesday 29 January 2019
Retired Massachusetts State Trooper Pleads Guilty in Overtime Abuse InvestigationRead the Press Release
BOSTON – A retired Massachusetts State Police Trooper pleaded guilty yesterday in connection with the ongoing investigation of overtime abuse at the Massachusetts State Police (MSP).
Daren DeJong, 57, of Uxbridge, pleaded guilty to one count of embezzlement from an agency receiving federal funds. U.S. District Court Senior Judge Mark L. Wolf scheduled sentencing for May 1, 2019. DeJong was arrested on July 25, 2018, and indicted on Sept. 6, 2018.
DeJong, who is currently retired, was a Trooper assigned to Troop E, which is responsible for enforcing criminal law and traffic regulations along the Massachusetts Turnpike, Interstate I-90. DeJong received overtime pay for hours that he either did not actually work at all, or shifts in which he departed one to seven hours early.
The conduct involves overtime pay for selective enforcement initiatives, including the Accident and Injury Reduction Effort program (AIRE) and the “X-Team” initiative. Both initiatives are intended to reduce accidents, crashes, and injuries on I-90 through an enhanced presence of MSP Troopers and targeting vehicles traveling at excessive speeds. DeJong was required to work the entire duration of the shifts – either four or eight hours – and truthfully report the date, time and sector of deployment on the citations issued during the shift. DeJong concealed the fraud by submitting citations that were issued outside the overtime shift, altered the citations to create the appearance that citations were issued during the overtime shift, and/or submitted citations that were never issued and never took place.
Trooper DeJong earned $200,416 in 2016, which included approximately $68,394 in overtime, of which more than $14,000 was attributable to AIRE and X-Team shifts that DeJong either left early or did not show up for.
In 2015 and 2016, MSP received annual benefits from the U.S. Department of Transportation in excess of $10,000, which were funded pursuant to numerous federal grants.
Thus far, eight MSP troopers have been charged in the ongoing investigation, seven of whom have pleaded guilty or have agreed to do so.
The charge of theft of government funds provides for a sentence of no greater than 10 years in prison, three years of supervised release, and a fine of $250,000 or twice the gross gain or loss. Sentences are imposed by a federal district court judge based upon the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors.
United States Attorney Andrew E. Lelling; Joseph R. Bonavolonta, Special Agent in Charge of the Federal Bureau of Investigation, Boston Field Division; and Douglas Shoemaker, Special Agent in Charge of the U.S. Department of Transportation’s Office of Inspector General made the announcement. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Dustin Chao and Mark Grady of Lelling’s Public Corruption Unit are prosecuting the case.
Registered Sex Offender Sentenced to 10 Years in Prison for Possessing Child PornographyRead the Press Release
PROVIDENCE, RI – A registered sex offender on federal supervised release who was found to be in possession of child pornography less than 5 months after completing a 7-year federal prison sentence on child pornography charges has been sentenced to 120 months in federal prison.
During a routine home visit on January 24, 2018, a United States probation officer observed inappropriate materials on a cell phone belonging to Robert L. MacGregor, 56, of Providence. A forensic examination of the cell phone by members of the Rhode Island State Police Internet Crimes Against Children (RI ICAC) task force determined that MacGregor was in possession of approximately 100 images of child pornography.
MacGregor was arrested on February 7, 2018, by members of the ICAC task force and agents from Homeland Security Investigations (HSI). He pleaded guilty on September 27, 2018, to possession of child pornography.
At sentencing, on January 11, 2019, U.S. District Court Chief Judge William E. Smith also ordered MacGregor to serve a term of lifetime supervised release upon completion of his term of incarceration. MacGregor pleaded guilty on September 27, 2018, to possession of child pornography.
MacGregor’s sentence is announced by United States Attorney Aaron L. Weisman, Special Agent in Charge of HSI for New England Peter C. Fitzhugh, and Superintendent of the Rhode Island State Police Colonel Ann C. Assumpico.
The case was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney John P. McAdams.
###
Rapid City Man Sentenced for Failure to RegisterRead the Press Release
United States Attorney Ron Parsons announced that a Rapid City, South Dakota, man convicted of Failure to Register as a Sex Offender was sentenced on January 2, 2019, by U.S. District Judge Roberto A. Lange.
Ehoni Johns, age 21, was sentenced to 30 months in federal prison, followed by 5 years of supervised release, and a special assessment to the Federal Crime Victims Fund in the amount of $100.
Johns was indicted by a federal grand jury on August 13, 2018. He pled guilty on November 6, 2018.
The conviction stemmed from when Johns, who is required to register under the Sex Offender Registration and Notification Act, knowingly failed to register and update his registration between November 6, 2017, and January 6, 2018.
This case was investigated by the U.S. Marshal Service. Assistant U.S. Attorney Jay Miller prosecuted the case.
Johns was immediately turned over to the custody of the U.S. Marshals Service.
Power Plant Owner Pleads Guilty to Failing to Remove 224,000 Square Feet of Asbestos Before Demolishing Power Plant for Scrap MetalRead the Press Release
CINCINNATI – Mark Harris, 59, of Versailles, Ky., pleaded guilty in U.S. District Court to knowingly failing to remove asbestos in a South Point, Ohio electric power plant.
Benjamin C. Glassman, United States Attorney for the Southern District of Ohio, Jennifer Lynn, Special Agent in Charge, Criminal Enforcement Program, United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), Laurie A. Stevenson, Director, Ohio EPA and Ohio Attorney General Dave Yost announced the plea entered into yesterday afternoon before U.S. District Judge Susan J. Dlott.
Harris was the majority owner and operator of South Point Biomass Generation LLC. He acquired the coal burning electric power plant on Collins Avenue in South Point to convert it to a power generating plant that would use renewable energy.
The plant contained seven dormant coal-burning boilers along with their associated piping.
According to court documents, Harris commissioned an asbestos survey on the boiler room in 2008, which revealed nearly 224,000 square feet of materials containing asbestos.
Beginning in 2011 through October 2013, Harris and others removed approximately two and a half million pounds of metal from the facility and sold it as scrap. Harris knew significant portions of the metal removed were covered in asbestos.
He directed others to help him cut through the asbestos labeling on several pipes in order to obtain the scrap metal underneath. The asbestos was stripped from the metal while dry and left on each of the six floors of the power plant.
Harris pleaded guilty to one count of violating the Clean Air Act.
The parties involved have recommended two days in prison, 58 days of house arrest and 200 hours of community service as a sentence in this case. Judge Dlott will consider that recommendation at a future sentencing hearing.
“The defendant knew the rules regarding the legal removal of asbestos containing materials, but ignored them,” said Jennifer Lynn, Special Agent in Charge of EPA’s criminal enforcement program in Ohio. “In this way, he threatened not only the environment but the safety of those working at the site and the general public. This case demonstrates that EPA and its partner agencies will not abide those who try to make money by breaking the law.”
“This man will answer for his misdeeds thanks to a successful collaboration between my office, the Ohio Environmental Protection Agency, the U.S. EPA and the U.S. Attorney’s Office,” Ohio Attorney General Yost said. “Laws outlining the proper removal of asbestos are in place to protect human health and environment. People who choose to ignore these laws will face criminal consequences.”
U.S. Attorney Glassman commended the investigation of this case by the U.S. EPA, Ohio EPA, and Ohio Bureau of Criminal Investigation (BCI), as well as Assistant United States Attorney Kyle J. Healey, who is representing the United States in this case.
# # #
Port Barre man sentenced to 24 months for possessing child pornography on home computerRead the Press Release
LAFAYETTE, La. – United States Attorney David C. Joseph announced that a Port Barre man was sentenced on January 2, 2019 to two years in prison for possessing child pornography on his computer and an external hard drive.
John G. Bertrand, 35, of Port Barre, Louisiana, was sentenced by U.S. District Judge Dee. D. Drell on one count of possession of child pornography. He was also sentenced to seven years of supervised release and is required to register as a sex offender. According to the July 25, 2018 guilty plea, law enforcement agents identified an IP address associated with Bertrand’s residence as downloading child pornography from the internet. Agents searched Bertrand’s home on December 15, 2016, and found a MacBook laptop containing 491 images and 88 video files of child pornography. They also found an external hard drive containing 292 images and 43 video files of child pornography. Bertrand admitted to agents that he had downloaded and stored the child pornography on these devices.
This case is part of Project Safe Childhood, a U.S. Department of Justice nationwide initiative to combat the growing epidemic of child sexual exploitation and abuse. Led by U.S. Attorneys’ Offices and the Criminal Division’s Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section, Project Safe Childhood combines 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.
The U.S. Department of Homeland Security and U.S. Immigration & Customs Enforcement (ICE) also encourage the public to report suspected child predators and any suspicious activity through its toll-free hotline at (866) 347-2423. Investigators are available at all hours to answer hotline calls. Tips or other information can also be submitted to ICE online by visiting their website at www.ice.gov/exec/forms/hsi-tips/tips.asp or through the Operation Predator smartphone application www.ice.gov/predator/smartphone-app. Tips may be submitted anonymously.
The U.S. Department of Homeland Security conducted the investigation. Assistant U.S. Attorney Robert C. Abendroth prosecuted the case.
Pierre Woman Charged with Harboring a FugitiveRead the Press Release
United States Attorney Ron Parsons announced that a Pierre, South Dakota, woman has been indicted by a federal grand jury for Concealing Person from Arrest.
Carmen Burgee, age 52, was indicted on December 11, 2018. She appeared before U.S. Magistrate Judge Mark A. Moreno on December 31, 2018, and pled not guilty to the Indictment.
The maximum penalty upon conviction is up to 5 years in federal prison and/or a $250,000 fine, 3 years of supervised release, and $100 to the Federal Crime Victims Fund. Restitution may also be ordered.
The Indictment alleges that between September 14, 2016, and October 12, 2018, Burgee harbored and concealed an individual who had a felony arrest warrant issued for his apprehension.
The charge is merely an accusation and Burgee is presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty.
The investigation is being conducted by the U.S. Marshals Service. Assistant U.S. Attorney Jay Miller is prosecuting the case.
Burgee was released on bond pending trial. A trial date has not been set.
Pierre Man Charged with Assaulting a Federal OfficerRead the Press Release
United States Attorney Ron Parsons announced that a Pierre, South Dakota, man has been indicted by a federal grand jury for Assaulting, Resisting, and Impeding a Federal Officer.
Loren Goodlow, age 29, was indicted on October 16, 2018. He appeared before U.S. Magistrate Judge Mark A. Moreno on January 8, 2019, and pled not guilty to the Indictment.
The maximum penalty upon conviction is up to 8 years in federal prison and/or a $250,000 fine, 3 years of supervised release, and $100 to the Federal Crime Victims Fund. Restitution may also be ordered.
The Indictment alleges that on August 28, 2018, Goodlow did forcibly assault, resist, oppose, impede, and interfere with a Bureau of Indian Affairs Correction Officer, while they were performing their official duties.
The charge is merely an accusation and Goodlow is presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty.
The investigation is being conducted by the Bureau of Indian Affairs, Crow Creek Agency. Assistant U.S. Attorney Troy R. Morley is prosecuting the case.
Goodlow was released on bond pending trial. A jury trial has been scheduled for April 2, 2019.
Pelahatchie Man Pleads Guilty to Producing Child PornographyRead the Press Release
Jackson, Miss. – Kevin Douglas Jenkins, 35, of Pelahatchie, pled guilty on Friday, before Chief United States District Judge Daniel P. Jordan III, to the production of child pornography and the production of child pornography by a person who has custody of a minor, announced United States Attorney Mike Hurst, FBI Special Agent in Charge Christopher Freeze, and Mississippi Attorney General Jim Hood.
Jenkins was charged after the minor child came forward to disclose Jenkins’ actions. A forensic examination revealed videos of Jenkins engaged in sexually explicit conduct with the minor child. Jenkins was indicted by a federal grand jury in November.
Jenkins will be sentenced by Judge Jordan on April 26, 2019, at 9:00 a.m. The maximum penalties for the crimes charged are 30 years in prison and a $250,000 fine for each count.
The case was investigated by the FBI Jackson Division's Child Exploitation Task Force, which is made up of agents from the FBI and the Mississippi Attorney General's Office, and officers from the Prentiss County Sheriff's Office. The Rankin County Sheriff’s Office also assisted with the investigation. The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Kimberly Purdie.
Operation Panamera Defendant Sentenced to 5 Years in PrisonRead the Press Release
PROVIDENCE, RI – A former West Warwick man who admitted to assisting the ring-leader of a drug trafficking conspiracy that trafficked dozens of kilograms of fentanyl, cocaine, marijuana, and psilocybin mushrooms, dubbed “Operation Panamera,” was sentenced today to 60 months in federal prison.
At the time of his guilty plea, Jamaal M. Dublin, 35, admitted to the Court that he coordinated with the ring-leader of the drug trafficking conspiracy, Ramon Delossantos, 26, of Cumberland, to distribute at least 500 grams of cocaine and to collect payment for significant quantities of cocaine distributed by members of the drug trafficking conspiracy.
At sentencing, U.S. District Court Judge John J. McConnell, Jr., also ordered Dublin to serve 4 years supervised release upon completion of his term of incarceration. Dublin pleaded guilty on August 4, 2018, to conspiracy to distribute and to possess with the intent to distribute 500 grams or more of cocaine.
Dublin’s sentence is announced United States Attorney Aaron L. Weisman, Special Agent in Charge of the Drug Enforcement Administration’s New England Field Division Brian D. Boyle, and Lieutenant Colonel Kevin M. Barry, Acting Superintendent of the Rhode Island State Police.
According to court records, Delossantos, a Dominican national who maintained strong ties to the Dominican Republic, was responsible for distributing at least 50 kilograms of fentanyl and cocaine with the use of “runners.” Delossantos’ mode of transportation was a 2010 Porsche Panamera Turbo. Delossantos was arrested on October 2, 2017, and his Porsche Panamera was seized by law enforcement.
In total, 23 individuals were arrested and charged in the fall of 2017 with participating in the drug trafficking conspiracy.
Delossantos pleaded guilty on June 14, 2018, to conspiracy to distribute and to possess with intent to distribute 400 grams or more of fentanyl and conspiracy to distribute and to possess with intent to distribute 5 kilograms or more of cocaine. He is scheduled to be sentenced on March 15, 2019.
During the course of the investigation, which began in early 2017, more than 23 kilograms of fentanyl, 18 kilograms of cocaine, 11 kilograms of marijuana, and two kilograms of psilocybin mushrooms were seized. The seizures were made as the drugs moved through the U.S. Postal Service, during traffic stops, and during the execution of court-authorized searches of residences, storage units and vehicles.
The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Milind M. Shah and Paul F. Daly, Jr.
The investigation was led by agents from by the Drug Enforcement Administration and members of the Rhode Island State Police High Intensity Drug Trafficking Area Task Force.
###
Oklahoma City Man Sentenced to 30 Years in Prison for Producing Child PornographyRead the Press Release
OKLAHOMA CITY – RICHARD SPILLANE, 30, of Oklahoma City, was sentenced today to 30 years in prison for producing child pornography, announced Robert J. Troester of the U.S. Attorney’s Office.
According to a complaint filed on July 16, 2018, law enforcement officers determined that an internet user with an email address linked to Mr. Spillane was engaging in conversations and sharing photographs depicting children engaged in sexually explicit conduct on a network often used to receive and distribute child pornography. Mr. Spillane was arrested on July 17, 2018, and has remained in federal custody since his arrest.
On August 7, 2018, a federal grand jury returned a six-count indictment charging Mr. Spillane with two counts of producing child pornography and four counts of knowingly receiving child pornography. According to the indictment, between October 15, 2017, and July 17, 2018, Mr. Spillane photographed two minors, "John Doe #1" and "John Doe #2," engaging in sexually explicit conduct. The indictment also alleged he received images via the internet on four specific days in June and July of 2018 that showed children engaging in sexually explicit conduct.
On October 31, 2018, Mr. Spillane pleaded guilty to Count 1 of the indictment and admitted he produced photographs of "John Doe #1" engaging in sexually explicit conduct and distributed them via the internet.
At a hearing this morning, U.S. District Judge Robin J. Cauthron sentenced Mr. Spillane to 30 years in prison—the maximum permitted by law. The judge underscored the seriousness of the offense and the need to deter others from engaging in similar conduct. The sentence includes five years of supervised release following Mr. Spillane’s imprisonment. On April 30, the court will determine the amount of restitution Mr. Spillane will be required to pay to his victims.
This case is the result of an investigation by the FBI and was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Julia E. Barry. It is part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative launched in May 2006 by the Department of Justice to combat child sexual exploitation and abuse. Led by U.S. Attorneys’ Offices and the Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section of the Department of Justice, Project Safe Childhood marshals federal, state, and local resources to better locate, apprehend, and prosecute individuals who exploit children via the Internet, as well as to identify and rescue victims. For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit www.justice.gov/psc.
Reference is made to court records for further information.
Ohio Man Who Distributed Heroin in Western PA will Remain Detained Pending SentencingRead the Press Release
PITTSBURGH, Pa. – An Ohio resident pleaded guilty in federal court in Pittsburgh to one count of conspiracy to distribute heroin and one count of conspiracy to launder money, United States Attorney Scott W. Brady announced today.
James Nelson, 31, of Wellsville, Ohio, pleaded guilty to two counts before United States District Judge David S. Cercone.
In connection with the guilty plea, the court was advised that from January 2015 to February 2016, Nelson conspired with others to possess with intent to distribute and to distribute one kilogram or more of heroin. He also conspired to launder $60,000 of the proceeds of the heroin trafficking.
Judge Cercone scheduled sentencing for May 20, 2019, at 11:30 a.m. The law provides for a maximum total sentence of not less than 15 years and up to life in prison, a fine of not more than $20,000,000, or both. Under the Federal Sentencing Guidelines, the actual sentence imposed is based upon the seriousness of the offenses and the prior criminal history of the defendant.
Pending sentencing, the court continued the defendant’s detention.
Assistant United States Attorney Tonya Sulia Goodman is prosecuting this case on behalf of the government.
The Drug Enforcement Administration, Hopewell Township Police Department, Beaver County District Attorney’s Office, Aliquippa Police Department, and the Beaver County Sheriff’s Office conducted the investigation that led to the prosecution of Nelson.
Ohio Man Indicted for Attempting to Provide Material Support to ISIS and Attempting to Commit a Violent Hate Crime Attack Against a Toledo SynagogueRead the Press Release
A federal grand jury sitting in the Northern District of Ohio returned a three-count indictment charging an Ohio man with attempting to provide material support to ISIS, attempting to commit a hate crime, and possessing firearms in furtherance of a crime of violence stemming from his plan to attack in a synagogue in the Toledo area.
Damon M. Joseph, 21, also known as Abdullah Ali Yusuf, of Holland, Ohio, was arrested in December after he took possession of two semi-automatic rifles.
The announcement was made by Assistant Attorney General for National Security John C. Demers, Assistant Attorney General Eric Dreiband for the Civil Rights Division, U.S Attorney Justin E. Herdman for the Northern District of Ohio and Acting Special Agent in Charge Robert E. Hughes of the FBI’s Cleveland Division.
According to documents filed in court, Joseph drew the attention of law enforcement in 2018 by posting photographs of weapons and various messages in support of ISIS on his social media accounts, as well as a photograph originally distributed by the media wing of ISIS. This activity led to multiple interactions between Joseph and undercover FBI agents.
During his communication with undercover agents, Joseph stated his support for ISIS and produced propaganda in support of ISIS recruitment. In September, Joseph made videos that he sent to the undercover agent, hoping they would be used to recruit people to ISIS. He also complained that the mosque he attended was critical of ISIS.
Joseph stated his support for violent attacks and operations. For example, on Oct. 21, 2018, Joseph expressed support for “martyrdom operations” and stated: “what must be done, must be done” and “there are always casualties of war.”
On Oct. 30, Joseph and the undercover communicated regarding the mass shooting at a Jewish synagogue in Pittsburgh. Joseph stated: “I admire what the guy did with the shooting actually.” He added: “I can see myself carrying out this type of operation inshallah. They wouldn[’]t even expect [an attack] in my area...”
Over the next few weeks, Joseph continued stating he wanted to participate in an attack on behalf of ISIS. On Dec. 2 he forwarded a document that laid out his plans for an attack, using the name “Abdullah Ali Yusuf” for himself. In the document, he described plans to attack where the greatest number of people are gathered, inflict the most casualties during the attack and make sure no one escaped.
Joseph then stated that he did not see this necessarily as “a martyrdom operation” as his plan accounted for an escape and potential combat with law enforcement.
On Dec. 4, Joseph stated he was deciding between two synagogues in the area to attack. He stated the choice would depend on “Which one will have [the] most people, what time and what day. Go big or go home.”
The next day, Joseph met with an undercover FBI agent and discussed conducting a mass shooting at a synagogue. Joseph identified two synagogues he viewed as targets in the greater Toledo area, and discussed the types of weapons he believed would be able to inflict mass casualties.
Joseph made written notes about the firearms he wanted and provided them to the undercover agent, stating he wanted AR 15s, AK 47s, Glocks and ammunition.
On Dec. 6, Joseph met with an undercover agent in the Toledo area and stated it would be ideal to attack two synagogues, but that it was probably more realistic to only attack one. Joseph also stated specifically that he wanted to kill a rabbi.
Also on Dec. 6, Joseph wrote the name and address of the synagogue where the attack was to occur. Joseph stated he had conducted research to determine when the Jewish sabbath was so that more people would be present. Joseph pulled up photographs of the inside of the synagogue and said he wanted the attack to begin in the sanctuary. Joseph told the undercover agent that he would hide two semi-automatic rifles at his house once the undercover purchased them.
Later that day, the undercover agent told Joseph that he purchased rifles for the attack. The two met on Dec. 7 at a predetermined location and Joseph took a black duffel bag containing two semi-automatic rifles, which had been rendered inoperable by law enforcement officers so that they posed no danger to the public. Joseph was then arrested.
An indictment is only a charge, and the defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.
The FBI’s Joint Terrorism Task Force, which is comprised of members of the FBI, Homeland Security and Investigations, U.S. Customs and Border Protection, Ohio State Highway Patrol and Toledo Police Department, is leading the ongoing investigation.
The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Michelle Baeppler of the Northern District of Ohio, Trial Attorneys Josh Champagne and Kyle Phillips of the National Security Division’s Counterterrorism Section, and Trial Attorney Dana Mulhauser of the Civil Rights Division.
Northern Nevada Tax Return Preparer Sentenced to Five Years in Prison for Tax Fraud Conspiracy and Theft of Elder Client's MoneyRead the Press Release
RENO, Nev. – A Winnemucca tax preparer was sentenced today to a total of five years in federal prison for his role in a tax return conspiracy, announced U.S. Attorney Nicholas A. Trutanich for the District of Nevada and Special Agent in Charge Tara Sullivan for the IRS-Criminal Investigation.
“As tax season approaches, today’s sentence serves as a reminder that preparing or filing false tax returns is crime,” said U.S. Attorney Trutanich. “Our office will continue to work closely with the IRS to pursue justice when individuals attempt to evade tax obligations.”
“Mr. Bidegary used his knowledge as a former IRS employee to steal from his clients and the government,” said SAC Sullivan. “Mr. Bidegary does not represent the integrity of IRS employees and IRS-Criminal Investigation will continue to prosecute cases that bring harm to both the community and the government.”
Thomas Michael Bidegary, 67, a former IRS employee who co-owned Winnemucca Tax and Bookkeeping Service, a tax preparation and bookkeeping services business, previously pleaded guilty to conspiracy to commit tax fraud and theft of government money, related to two separate criminal indictments. In addition to the prison term, U.S. District Judge Robert C. Jones sentenced Bidegary to three years of supervised release.
Bidegary conspired with a co-defendant to prepare and file fraudulent individual income tax returns on behalf of clients. Beginning in at least 2009 and continuing through December 2014, he advised clients that by making small “investments” into various businesses he owned, the clients could decrease their annual taxable income and increase their tax refunds. As part of the scheme, after receiving checks from clients, Bidegary would prepare false tax forms for the corresponding tax year that included large fictitious business losses in order to reduce the client’s taxable income and obtain a larger refund than what the client was entitled to receive. As a result of the false tax returns, he caused a tax loss of approximately $259,880.
In a separate criminal case filed against Bidegary, he prepared and filed an unauthorized tax return on behalf of an elderly woman in Battle Mountain, Nevada. After receiving the $12,500 tax refund, he deposited the check into a bank account which was then converted for his own personal use.
The case was investigated by the IRS-Criminal Investigation. The case was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Sue Fahami.
###
North Las Vegas Man Sentenced to 10 Years in Prison for Distributing Child Pornography on Social Media SiteRead the Press Release
LAS VEGAS, Nev. – A North Las Vegas resident was sentenced to 10 years in federal prison for distributing images of child pornography to his Tumblr account, announced U.S. Attorney Nicholas A. Trutanich of the District of Nevada.
Johne Lewis Owens II, 43, of North Las Vegas, previously pleaded guilty to one count of distribution of child pornography. In addition to the prison term, U.S. District Judge Jennifer A. Dorsey ordered a lifetime term of supervised release.
Between November 2015 and May 2016, Owens admitted that he uploaded numerous images of child pornography to his Tumblr account. On May 14, 2017, Owens’ wife saw sexually explicit and sexual abuse photos of him and a child on his Tumblr account. His wife alerted law enforcement and filed a report. A search warrant on Owens’ Tumblr account revealed his account is “open” and may be viewed by the public. He confessed to taking photos and videos of sex acts with the child, then uploading them onto his Tumblr account thereby distributing the images over the internet.
The case was investigated by the FBI and the North Las Vegas Police Department. Assistant U.S. Attorney Elham Roohani prosecuted the case.
If you have information regarding the sexual exploitation of children, contact the National Center for Missing & Exploited Children Cyber Tipline at www.cybertipline.org.
This case was brought as part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative launched in May 2006 by the Department of Justice to combat the growing epidemic of child sexual exploitation and abuse. Led by U.S. Attorneys’ Offices and the Criminal Division’s Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section, Project Safe Childhood marshals federal, state and local resources to better locate, apprehend and prosecute individuals who exploit children via the Internet, as well as to identify and rescue victims. For more information about Project Safe Childhood and for information about internet safety education, please visit www.justice.gov/psc.
###
Newark-Based Company and CEO Agree to Pay $2.75 Million to Resolve Allegations of Government Contracting FraudRead the Press Release
WILMINGTON, Del. – David C. Weiss, United States Attorney for the District of Delaware, announced today that E.M. Photonics, Inc. (“EMP”) and its Chief Executive Officer, Eric Kelmelis, have agreed to pay $2.75 million to resolve allegations that they violated the False Claims Act by seeking disbursements from federal agencies for falsified labor costs and duplicative work in order to maximize charges to contracts awarded by federal agencies.
As alleged in the settlement agreement, from January 2009 to April 2014, EMP received funds under seven different contracts and grants awarded through the federal Small Business Innovation (“SBIR”) and Small Business Technology Transfer (“STTR”) programs. These two federal initiatives are the nation’s largest source of early stage/high risk funding for start-ups and small businesses. To be eligible, the small business must be American-owned, organized as a for-profit entity, and have less than 500 employees. There are eleven federal agencies that participate annually in the SBIR program and five that participate in the STTR program. Here, the contracts and grants at issue were awarded by a variety of federal agencies, including the Department of the Navy; Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency; Department of the Air Force; Department of Energy; and the National Aeronautics and Space Administration.
The government alleged that Kelmelis and EMP engaged in two principle schemes to defraud the SBIR/STTR programs. First, EMP and Kelmelis directed EMP employees, or caused others to direct EMP employees, to falsely complete timesheets for direct labor that the employees did not perform and submit false invoices and public vouchers to the funding agencies for direct labor that was not performed on these contracts and grants. Second, EMP and Kelmelis sought and received SBIR/STTR funding for essentially equivalent work already performed and funded by another government agency and falsely certified that such work was, in fact, non-duplicative. The government alleged that both of these schemes were designed to maximize charges to each contract or grant.
U.S. Attorney David C. Weiss said, “The SBIR and STTR programs are critical components to our government’s economic strategy to fuel innovative small businesses across the United States. Any small business who seeks to participate in these programs must do so with integrity. In this era of limited government resources, our Office is committed to ensuring that every dollar spent on these critical economic programs is properly used – the public demands nothing less.”
"One of the top investigative priorities of the Defense Criminal Investigative Service (DCIS) is to ensure the integrity of the U.S. Department of Defense's (DoD) procurement system, to include the DoD's research and development programs," stated Leigh-Alistair Barzey, Special Agent-in-Charge of the DCIS Northeast Field Office. "The settlement agreement announced today is the result of a joint investigative effort and is demonstrative of the DCIS' ongoing commitment to work with its law enforcement agency partners and the U.S. Attorney's Office, District of Delaware, to identify those who submit false claims to the federal government in order to fraudulently receive SBIR and STTR funding."
"I applaud the outstanding efforts of our agents and law enforcement partners, who successfully investigated this matter and with this agreement highlight the importance of protecting federal research funds," said NASA OIG Special Agent in Charge, Curtis Vaughn.
The claims resolved by the civil agreement are allegations only, and there has been no determination of civil liability.
This case was investigated by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Jamie M. McCall and Jennifer Hall. This matter was investigated by multiple agencies, including the Defense Criminal Investigative Service, National Aeronautics and Space Administration's Office of Inspector General, Naval Criminal Investigative Service Northeast Field Office, U.S. Air Force Office of Special Investigations, U.S. Army Criminal Investigation Command, and U.S. Department of Energy's Office of Inspector General.
Monroe felon sentenced to more than nine years in prison for possessing shotgunRead the Press Release
MONROE, La. – United States Attorney David C. Joseph announced that a Monroe felon was sentenced on January 2, 2019 to more than nine years in prison for possessing a 12-gauge shotgun.
Adrian Terrell Riser, 32, of Monroe, Louisiana, was sentenced to 110 months imprisonment by U.S. District Judge Terry A. Doughty on one count of felon in possession of a firearm. He was also sentenced to three years of supervised release. According to the September 10, 2018 guilty plea, a Monroe Police Officer observed Riser on February 28, 2018 outside of an apartment on Richwood Road with a firearm in the left leg of his pants. He was arrested, and the weapon was found to be a Maverick Arms 12-gauge shotgun loaded with six rounds of ammunition. The defendant was previously convicted of possession with intent to distribute marijuana in 2012, possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine in 2014 and possession of cocaine in 2016. These felonies barred him from possessing a firearm under federal law.
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 re-entry programs for lasting reductions in crime.
The ATF and the Monroe Police Department conducted the investigation. Assistant U.S. Attorney Brian C. Flanagan prosecuted the case.
Mississippi Couple Charged with Receiving $1.7 Million in Health Care Kickback SchemeRead the Press Release
NEW ORLEANS – U.S. Attorney Peter G. Strasser announced that a Mississippi couple, KIMBERLY HOMRIGHAUSEN, age 42, and RICHARD HOMRIGHAUSEN, age 35, were charged on January 22, 2019, with conspiracy to pay and receive kickbacks related to compounded medications paid for by TRICARE, a federally funded health care benefit program that serves United States military personnel and their families.
As alleged in the bill of information, the defendants paid kickbacks to TRICARE beneficiaries to induce them to obtain compounded medications, costing TRICARE a total of approximately $9 million. According to the bill of information, the defendants received a total of about $1.7 million in kickbacks for referring the beneficiaries. If convicted, each defendant faces up to five years’ imprisonment.
U.S. Attorney Strasser reiterated that the bill of information is merely a charge and that the guilt of the defendants must be proven beyond a reasonable doubt.
U.S. Attorney Strasser praised the work of the Defense Criminal Investigative Service, the Department of Homeland Security - Homeland Security Investigations, the Federal Bureau of Investigation, the United States Postal Service - Office of Inspector General, and the Department of Veterans Affairs - Office of Inspector General in investigating this matter. Assistant United States Attorney Chandra Menon is in charge of the prosecution.
Mission Man Indicted on Assault and Abusive Sexual Contact ChargesRead the Press Release
United States Attorney Ron Parsons announced that a Mission, South Dakota, man has been indicted by a federal grand jury for Assault Resulting in Serious Bodily Injury and Abusive Sexual Contact.
Everett Joseph Menard, a/k/a Everette J. Menard, age 20, was indicted on October 16, 2018. He appeared before U.S. Magistrate Judge Mark A. Moreno on January 17, 2019, and pled not guilty to the Indictment.
The maximum penalty upon conviction is up to 10 years in federal prison and/or a $250,000 fine, 5 years of supervised release, and $100 to the Federal Crime Victims Fund. Restitution may also be ordered.
The Indictment alleges that on September 27, 2018, Menard assaulted an individual and that the assault resulted in serious bodily injury. The Indictment further alleges that Menard did knowingly engage in sexual contact by the use of force with the same individual.
The charges are merely accusations and Menard is presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty.
The investigation is being conducted by the Rosebud Sioux Tribe Law Enforcement Services. Assistant U.S. Attorney Kirk Albertson is prosecuting the case.
Menard was remanded to the custody of the U.S. Marshals Service pending trial. A trial date has not been set.
Mineral County man indicted for firearms chargesRead the Press Release
MARTINSBURG, WEST VIRGINIA – Robert Kenneth Niland, of Keyser, West Virginia, was indicted by a federal grand jury sitting in Martinsburg on January 23, 2019 on firearms charges, United States Attorney Bill Powell announced.
Niland, age 49, is charged with one count of “False Statement in Connection with the Acquisition of a Firearm,” one count of “Unlawful Possession of a Firearm,” and one count of “False Statement to a Federal Agent.” Niland is accused of making a false written statement when purchasing a 9mm pistol from a licensed dealer in New Creek, West Virginia in October 2018. Niland, a person prohibited from having firearms, is accused of possessing the 9mm pistol and lying to an ATF agent about the whereabouts of said firearm in November 2018.
Niland faces up to 10 years incarceration and a fine of up to $250,000 for the firearms counts. He faces up to five years incarceration and a fine of up to $250,000 for the false statement count. Under the Federal Sentencing Guidelines, the actual sentence imposed will be based upon the seriousness of the offenses and the prior criminal history, if any, of the defendant.
This case was brought as part of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN). Project Safe Neighborhoods is the centerpiece of the Department of Justice’s violent crime reduction efforts. PSN is an evidence-based program proven to be effective at reducing violent crime. Through PSN, a broad spectrum of stakeholders work together to identify the most pressing violent crime problems in the community and develop comprehensive solutions to address them. As part of this strategy, PSN focuses enforcement efforts on the most violent offenders and partners with locally based prevention and reentry programs for lasting reductions in crime.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Kimberley D. Crockett is prosecuting the case on behalf of the government. The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives investigated.
An indictment is merely an accusation. A defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.
Middlesex County, New Jersey, Man and Woman Charged with Conspiring to Distribute Misbranded DrugsRead the Press Release
NEWARK, N.J. – A Middlesex County, New Jersey, man and woman appeared in court today after being arrested for their roles in a scheme to market and distribute misbranded and unapproved new drugs, U.S. Attorney Craig Carpenito announced.
Keith Kovaleski, 54, of South Amboy, New Jersey, and Ines Maltez, 33, of Sayreville, New Jersey, were both charged by complaint with conspiring to distribute and cause the receipt and delivery of misbranded drugs and unapproved new drugs, and to impede the functions of the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA). They were arrested today and appeared before U.S. Magistrate Judge Michael A. Hammer in Newark federal court. Both defendants were released on $100,000 unsecured bond.
According to documents filed in this case and statements made in court:
The FDA is responsible for protecting the health and safety of the American public by enforcing the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act (FDCA), a law intended to assure that drugs are safe, effective, and bear accurate labeling containing all required information. The FDA regulates the manufacture, labeling, and distribution of all drugs shipped or received in interstate commerce.
From 2014 to January 2019, Kovaleski was the principal of AA Peptide LLC, a/k/a All American Peptide (AAP). AAP used its website to market and distribute substances used by bodybuilders and others engaged in weight training to enhance performance and mitigate the side effects of performance-enhancing substances.
The AAP website included a bogus legal disclaimer that its products were intended for laboratory research use only, and not as drugs or food. Kovaleski employed the bogus “research chemicals” disclaimer to conceal that he and others were distributing misbranded drugs and unapproved new drugs for use by their customers.
Between April 2018 and December 2018, an undercover law enforcement agent made five purchases of misbranded drugs and unapproved new drugs from the AAP website. Each undercover purchase was made through the website without a prescription, and none of the substances purchased contained an “Rx-only” designation on their labels. None of the substances purchased from AAP contained adequate directions for use or warnings regarding known side-effects. Two of the purchases included pills containing tadalafil, the active ingredient in Cialis, in dosages significantly higher than the highest recommended dosage.
Maltez participated in the scheme by packaging and mailing misbranded and unapproved drugs, and by receiving payments from customers.
The conspiracy charge carries a maximum potential penalty of up to five years in prison and a fine of up to $250,000 or twice the gross pecuniary gain or loss.
U.S. Attorney Craig Carpenito credited special agents of the FDA, under the direction of Special Agent in Charge Jeffrey J. Ebersole, FDA Office of Criminal Investigations’ New York Field Office; postal inspectors with the U.S. Postal Inspection Service, under the direction of Inspector in Charge James V. Buthorn, Newark Division, and special agents of AMTRAK Office of Inspector General, under the direction of Special Agent in Charge Michael J. Waters, Eastern Field Office, with the investigation leading to the charges.
The government is represented by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Karen Stringer and Cari Fais of the Special Prosecutions Division.
The charges and allegations contained in the indictment are merely accusations, and the defendants are presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty
Miami-Dade County Resident Sentenced to Twenty-Five Years in Prison for Cocaine TraffickingRead the Press Release
Eugene Hilton Russell, 51, of Miami-Dade County, was sentenced today by U.S. District Judge to Jose E. Martinez to 300 months in prison for trafficking in cocaine.
Ariana Fajardo Orshan, U.S. Attorney for the Southern District of Florida, Mark Selby, Special Agent in Charge, U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s Homeland Security Investigations (ICE-HSI), Miami Field Office, Diane J. Sabatino, Director, Field Operations, U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP), Miami Field Office, U.S. Coast Guard (USCG), 7th District, and Adolphus P. Wright, Special Agent in Charge, Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA), Miami Field Office made the announcement.
On November 28, 2018, Russell was convicted by a trial jury of importation, and possession with the intent to distribute, five kilograms or more of cocaine (Case No. 18-20518-CR). The sentence imposed for the cocaine trafficking offenses of conviction will run consecutively to a 37-month term of imprisonment imposed by U.S. District Judge Patricia A. Seitz for the defendant’s violation of supervised release (Case No. 07-20338-CR).
The evidence presented at trial showed that, on the morning of June 2, 2018, Russell travelled from Miami to Bahamian waters, just off the coast of Bimini. There he met up with another boat for refueling. When he left the area, the defendant had a cooler in the back of the boat. Inside the cooler, there were a load of fish, some bottled water, and some Gatorade. There was one fishing pole on the boat, but it was unrigged and had no hook. All that was designed to cover up the 12 bricks of cocaine hidden in the walls of the cooler.
When Russell’s boat entered U.S. territorial waters, CBP attempted an interception. As the CBP marine boats approached, the defendant abruptly changed course and sped away. The CBP boats gave chase. They soon caught up with Russell and were able to stop his boat. Upon inspection of Russell’s boat, CBP agents discovered the concealed cocaine (with an approximate street value of over $300,000 U.S. dollars).
U.S. Attorney Fajardo Orshan commended the investigatory efforts of the ICE-HSI, CBP, USCG, and DEA in this matter. She thanked the Miami-Dade Police Department for their assistance. This case was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Arimentha Walkins and Brooke Watson.
Related court documents and information may be found on the website of the District Court for the Southern District of Florida at www.flsd.uscourts.gov or at http://pacer.flsd.uscourts.gov.
Merrillville Duo Convicted After A Four Day Jury TrialRead the Press Release
HAMMOND –James Caffey, age 28 and Tanisha Banks, age 38, of Merrillville, Indiana were both convicted on January 28, 2019 of conspiring to rob as well as aiding and abetting the robbery of United States Postal employees of mail and money that was in the custody and control of the U.S. Postal Service. Chief U.S. District Court Judge Theresa Springmann presided over the 4 day jury trial.
According to evidence presented at trial, Tanisha Banks and James Caffey, conspired with a third person, Leeroy Beck to rob the Tolleston Station Post Office in Gary, Indiana on August 3, 2017. Tanisha Banks, a Postal Service employee with experience working at the Tolleston Station, provided the logistics for the robbery while her boyfriend, James Caffey, handled transportation to and from the robbery. Together Banks and Caffey recruited the gunman, Leeroy Beck, who would actually carry out the robbery. At trial evidence was presented establishing that Caffey provided Beck with a handgun to use during the robbery. On August 3, 2017, after holding two employees at gun point, Leeroy Beck stole money and mail from the Postal Service. The cash was divided amongst the conspirators. Banks and Caffey used their share from the robbery to pay bills including a car note on the gray Dodge Charger James Caffey used to drive the gunman to and from the robbery.
The gunman, Leeroy Beck, entered into a guilty plea with the government prior to trial.
This case was investigated by the United States Postal Inspection Service with assistance from the Gary Police Department. The case was prosecuted by Northern District of Indiana Assistant United States Attorneys Diane Berkowitz and Thomas McGrath.
###
Melissa, Texas Woman Sentenced for Income Tax Fraud SchemeRead the Press Release
SHERMAN, Texas – A 39-year-old Melissa, Texas woman has been sentenced to federal prison for violations in the Eastern District of Texas, announced U.S. Attorney Joseph D. Brown today.
Demetrice Hodges pleaded guilty on May 10, 2018, to conspiracy to commit wire fraud, wire fraud, and aggravated identity theft charges related to an income tax fraud scheme. Hodges was sentenced to 65 months in federal prison by U.S. District Judge Amos Mazzant on Jan. 24, 2019. Hodges was also ordered to pay restitution in the amount of $343,824.59 to the Internal Revenue Service and ordered to forfeit $8,000 as proceeds of the wire fraud conviction.
According to information presented in court, in 2016, Hodges was involved in a scheme to defraud individuals by conspiring with others to obtain money and property by false pretenses. As part of the scheme, Hodges coordinated with another individual in purchasing personal identifying information ("PII") that was used to electronically file income tax returns using the stolen identifiers. Hodges was indicted by a federal grand jury on Sep. 13, 2017.
"Income tax fraud and identity theft cause great financial harm to the U.S. Treasury and significant personal harm to individuals and their financial and credit status," said U.S. Attorney Joseph D. Brown. "The U.S. Attorney's Office, the Department of Justice, and the Internal Revenue Service are dedicated to investigating and vigorously prosecuting cases in which individuals steal the identity of innocent victims, including the identities of both adults and children, and commit fraud against the Internal Revenue Service and the United States Treasury."
This case was investigated by the Internal Revenue Service-Criminal Investigation and prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Tom Gibson.
####
Massachusetts Man Pleads Guilty to Defrauding Connecticut Art DealerRead the Press Release
John H. Durham, United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut, and Brian C. Turner, Special Agent in Charge of the New Haven Division of the Federal Bureau of Investigation, announced that HAROLD GORDON, 69, of Templeton, Massachusetts, waived his right to be indicted and pleaded guilty today before U.S. District Judge Jeffrey A. Meyer in New Haven to one count of wire fraud.
According to court documents and statements made in court, in approximately October 2012, Gordon began communicating by phone and email with a respected art dealer and appraiser (the “victim”) in Connecticut, to induce the victim to purchase a tall antique desk, commonly known as a “secretary desk.” In these communications, Gordon falsely represented to the victim that the desk was decorated and dedicated as a Civil War memorial for a Connecticut soldier who died at the Battle of Antietam while fighting for the Union Army. These misrepresentations included Gordon’s claims that the surviving soldiers in the fallen soldier’s Connecticut regiment had crafted the desk to serve as a war memorial for the deceased soldier’s family; that other than cleaning the vintage clock, Gordon had done nothing else to refurbish or decorate the desk; and that Gordon had purchased the desk from a descendant of the deceased Connecticut soldier.
In early March 2014, the victim examined the secretary desk at Gordon’s Massachusetts residence, and then took subsequent steps to confirm the desk’s authenticity. The victim then purchased the desk from Gordon for $64,500. At Gordon’s request, the victim provided the payment in three separate checks.
In February 2015, the victim sold the desk to a museum and non-profit institution in Connecticut. After completing this transaction, the victim sent Gordon an additional payment of $25,000 because the victim had made a significant profit from the sale.
In February 2018, various third parties made inquiries to the victim about the authenticity of the secretary desk. The victim contacted Gordon, who admitted that he had refurbished and decorated the desk himself, created the false narrative about the desk’s history, and targeted the victim to purchase it due to the victim’s respected stature in the American folk art community. The victim then made full restitution to the institution that had purchased the desk from him.
Judge Meyer scheduled sentencing for April 23, 2019, at which time Gordon faces a maximum term of imprisonment of 20 years.
This matter has been investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation and is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Hal Chen.
Manchester Man Sentenced to Two Years in Prison for Oxycodone TraffickingRead the Press Release
CONCORD- United States Attorney Scott W. Murray announced that Christopher Chandonnais, 28, of Manchester, was sentenced to 24 months in prison for oxycodone trafficking.
According to court documents and statements made in court, on October 19, 2017, the Nashua Police Department conducted surveillance of the defendant making a drug sale to another drug distributor. They subsequently searched the defendant’s vehicle and recovered approximately ninety 30-mg oxycodone pills and over $11,000. The investigation confirmed that the defendant regularly sold oxycodone pills and made a profit of approximately $10 per pill sold. The $11,000 has been forfeited.
The defendant was sentenced to 24 months in prison followed by three years of supervised release.
“The abuse and illegal sale of oxycodone and other opioids presents an ongoing danger to the health and safety of our community,” said U.S. Attorney Murray. “To reduce this threat, we will aggressively investigate, arrest and prosecute those who trade in these deadly substances.”
This matter was investigated by the Nashua Police Department, with assistance from the Drug Enforcement Administration. The case was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Georgiana L. Konesky.
###
Man from Alexandria sentenced to a year in prison for stealing $8,600 from Dry Prong casinoRead the Press Release
ALEXANDRIA, La. – United States Attorney David C. Joseph announced that a man from Alexandria was sentenced on January 14, 2019 to 12 months in prison for stealing $8,600 from the Jena Choctaw Pines Casino.
Eddie Ray Washington, 36, of Alexandria, was sentenced by U.S. District Judge Dee D. Drell on one count of theft from an Indian tribal organization. He was also sentenced to two years of supervised release and was ordered to pay $8,600 restitution. According to the October 4, 2018 guilty plea, Washington entered the Jena Choctaw Pines Casino on September 18, 2018, approached an unoccupied teller station at the cash counter, leaned over the counter, removed $8,600 from a cash drawer and exited the casino. Casino security officers were able to identity Washington using video surveillance and he was later arrested.
Jurisdiction in Indian Country is based upon the unique sovereign relationship between the federal government and Indian tribes. Congress has criminalized certain acts that take place in Indian Country. The U.S. Attorney’s Office prosecutes all felony cases arising in Indian Country covered by federal criminal law.
The FBI conducted the investigation. Assistant U.S. Attorney Dominic Rossetti is prosecuting the case.
Man Sentenced to 17 Years in Prison for Drug TraffickingRead the Press Release
CONCORD - United States Attorney Scott W. Murray announced today that an individual who has used multiple names, including Juan Garcia, Alejandro Villar Dume, and Alberto German Gomez, was sentenced to serve 17 years in prison for participating in a drug trafficking conspiracy.
Court documents and statements made in court showed that the defendant participated in a conspiracy to sell fentanyl, heroin, and cocaine. After the FBI received information that the defendant was distributing drugs in Nashua and elsewhere, it began an investigation of the defendant’s activities. During the investigation, the defendant and his associates sold fentanyl in Lawrence, Massachusetts to individuals who were cooperating with law enforcement officers.
At a sentencing hearing on January 24, 2019, U.S. District Judge Paul Barbadoro sentenced the defendant, who had previously been convicted of several violent crimes, to serve 17 years in prison. The Judge also found that the defendant had obstructed justice by claiming that he was “Juan Garcia” from Puerto Rico. Information presented at the sentencing hearing suggested that the defendant actually was from the Dominican Republic.
The defendant, who previously resided in Roxbury, Massachusetts, pleaded guilty on June 28, 2018.
“Those who illegally trade in fentanyl and other dangerous drugs endanger our citizens and undermine the quality of life in our state,” said U.S. Attorney Murray. “When violent criminals are involved in drug trafficking, the risk to public safety is amplified. Violent criminals who sell drugs in New Hampshire should expect to be arrested, prosecuted and sentenced to long prison terms.”
“Mr. Garcia will now finally pay the price for peddling deadly drugs that can have unpredictable effects on unsuspecting users,” said Joseph R. Bonavolonta, Special Agent in Charge of the FBI Boston Division. “The FBI New Hampshire Safe Streets Gang Task Force will continue to work with our law enforcement partners to identify and disrupt violent criminals like Mr. Garcia who are engaged in drug trafficking activities that endanger the safety of the citizens in our state.”
This matter was investigated by the FBI New Hampshire Safe Streets Gang Task Force, which is comprised of the FBI, the New Hampshire State Police, New Hampshire Probation and Parole, and the Police Departments of Hudson, Manchester, and Nashua. Assistance was provided by the FBI North Shore Gang Task Force. The case was prosecuted by former Assistant U.S. Attorney Shane Kelbley and First Assistant U.S. Attorney John J. Farley.
###
Man Pleads Guilty to Aiding and Abetting Murder Resulting from Use of a Firearm During a Drug Trafficking CrimeRead the Press Release
HAMMOND- Jerome Sims, 54, of Crown Point, Indiana, pled guilty to aiding and abetting murder resulting from the use and carrying of a firearm during and in relation to a drug trafficking crime, announced U.S. Attorney Kirsch.
According to documents in the case, Jerome Sims and members of the Two Six gang were involved in a conspiracy to possess and distribute five kilograms or more of cocaine. Sims knew Julio Cartagena owed a drug debt to Jesus Fuentes, a Two Six gang member, and members of his drug trafficking enterprise. Sims agreed to help Fuentes and his associates kidnap Julio Cartagena, so Fuentes could recover his lost money and drugs. On May 16, 2003, Sims made plans with Cartagena to meet at a specified location, and Sims informed Fuentes and his associates of the time and place of the meeting. Fuentes’ associates, while armed with firearms, attempted to kidnap Cartagena, and ended up shooting and killing him.
This case was investigated by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives with the assistance of the East Chicago Police Department. This case was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney David J. Nozick and Caitlin M. Padula.
###
Lynnfield Woman Sentenced for Filing False Tax ReturnsRead the Press Release
BOSTON – A Lynnfield woman was sentenced today in federal court in Boston for filing false tax returns, on which she claimed, among other things, more than $370,000 in mortgage interest deductions, even though the loan was in default and the property had gone into foreclosure.
Karyn M. Ingram, 51, was sentenced by U.S. Senior District Court Judge Rya W. Zobel to three years of probation with the first six months be served in community confinement, and ordered to pay $177,852 in restitution. In August 2018, Ingram pleaded guilty to three counts of filing false tax returns for tax years 2011, 2012 and 2013.
Ingram filed tax returns in which she reported false and inflated Schedule A deductions and in one year, a Schedule C business loss, in order to reduce her overall tax liability. For example, for tax years 2010 and 2011, Ingram filed returns claiming mortgage interest deductions of $45,072 and $371,427, but she had not made any mortgage payments since 2008; in fact, the loan had defaulted, and the property had gone into foreclosure. She also claimed real estate tax deductions in those same tax years, when, in reality, the real estate taxes had been paid by the mortgage lender and not by Ingram. By falsifying the deductions and losses, Ingram fraudulently reduced her tax liability by more than $126,000.
United States Attorney Andrew E. Lelling and Kristina O’Connell, Special Agent in Charge of the Internal Revenue Service’s Criminal Investigation in Boston, made the announcement. Assistant U.S. Attorney Sandra S. Bower of Lelling’s Criminal Division prosecuted the case.
Lowell Man Agrees to Plead Guilty to Fentanyl TraffickingRead the Press Release
BOSTON – A Lowell man agreed to plead guilty yesterday in federal court in Boston to distributing fentanyl.
Edilberto Calle-Alvarez, 24, pleaded guilty to conspiracy to distribute and possess with intent to distribute fentanyl and distribution and possession with intent to distribute fentanyl. U.S. District Court Judge Leo T. Sorokin deferred acceptance of the plea until sentencing, which is scheduled for April 22, 2019.
Calle-Alvarez was arrested on Oct. 4, 2018, along with dozens of others as part of a federal drug, firearms, and immigration sweep in and around the City of Lawrence. On Aug. 2, 2018, Calle-Alvarez sold approximately 20 grams of fentanyl to an undercover police officer as part of the investigation. The arrests were part of the Department of Justice’s Project Safe Neighborhood Initiative (PSN), which aims to bring together all levels of law enforcement to reduce violent crime.
The charges of conspiracy to distribute and possess with intent to distribute fentanyl and distribution and possession with intent to distribute fentanyl each carry a sentence of no greater than 20 years in prison, a minimum of three years and up to a lifetime of supervised release, and a fine of up to $1 million. Sentences are imposed by a federal district court judge based upon the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors.
United States Attorney Andrew E. Lelling; Brian D. Boyle, Special Agent in Charge of the Drug Enforcement Administration, New England Division; and Lowell Police Superintendent Raymond Kelly Richardson made the announcement today. Assistant U.S. Attorney Philip Cheng of Lelling’s Criminal Division is prosecuting the case.
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.
Longville woman pleads guilty to stealing more than $265,000 from employer and lying about it on tax returnsRead the Press Release
LAFAYETTE, La. – United States Attorney David C. Joseph announced that a Longville woman pleaded guilty on January 24, 2019 to stealing more than $265,000 from her employer and failing to report the income on her tax returns.
Ashleigh Matte, 37, of Longville, Louisiana, pleaded guilty before U.S. District Judge Robert R. Summerhays to two counts of filing false tax returns. According to the guilty plea, Matte was the officer manager for Gene Kile, Inc. (“GKI”), in Westlake, Louisiana. From 2014 to 2016, she stole money from GKI by writing checks to herself using company checks and depositing them into various accounts owned by her. Over the three-year period, Matte stole $265,418.72, and hid the theft by making false accounting entries in GKI’s records. On Matte’s 2015 and 2016 tax filing documents, she failed to report this income, which caused a loss to the U.S. Treasury of $56,500.38.
Matte faces up to six years in prison, one year of supervised release, a $200,000 fine and restitution to GKI and the IRS. The court set sentencing for May 24, 2019.
The IRS investigated the case. United States Attorney David C. Joseph is prosecuting the case.
Lisbon man indicted for child pornography crimesRead the Press Release
A Lisbon man was indicted for child pornography crimes.
David Grunden, 34, of Lisbon, was indicted on one count each of receipt of child pornography, possession of child pornography and advertising child pornography.
Grunden, between 2014 and 2017, received numerous images of minors engaged in sexually explicit conduct, and possessed a computer with child pornography on October 30, 2018, according to the indictment.
From January 11 through June 3, 2018, Grunden solicited adults to be recorded having sex with children, according to court documents.
This case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Brian Deckert following an investigation by the FBI, the Mahoning Valley Violent Crimes Task Force and the Ohio Bureau of Criminal Identification and Investigation.
An indictment is only a charge and is not evidence of guilt. The defendant is entitled to a fair trial in which it will be the government’s burden to prove guilt beyond a reasonable doubt.
Lincoln Man Sentenced for Conspiracy to Distribute MethamphetamineRead the Press Release
United States Attorney Joe Kelly announced that Claude Charles Iron Thunder, 42, of Lincoln, was sentenced today to seven years (84 months) in federal prison for conspiracy to distribute and possess with intent to distribute 50 grams or more of a mixture or substance containing methamphetamine between June of 2014 and March of 2018. Following his prison term, Iron Thunder will serve four years on supervised release.
Information provided to law enforcement indicated that Iron Thunder was responsible for the distribution of at least 200 grams (approximately seven ounces) of methamphetamine mixture in the Lincoln area. In March of 2018, an undercover officer purchased a small amount of methamphetamine from another individual in Iron Thunder’s apartment. Iron Thunder was asleep in the apartment at the time. The seller told the officer that the seller and Iron Thunder were working together to sell methamphetamine.
This case was investigated by the Lincoln/Lancaster County Drug Task Force.
Jury convicts Cleveland man on all 14 counts related to using a firearm to deal fentanyl, heroin and other drugsRead the Press Release
A jury convicted a Cleveland man on all 14 counts related to using a firearm to deal fentanyl, heroin and other drugs.
Tyler Hall, 28, is scheduled to be sentenced May 17th. He was convicted of possessing a firearm in furtherance of drug trafficking, being a felon in possession of a firearm and multiple counts of distribution of fentanyl, heroin, cocaine, crack cocaine marijuana.
Hall had 1.46 grams of fentanyl, 22 grams of crack cocaine and a Walther 9 mm semiautomatic pistol during a search of his home and business on the west side of Cleveland last year, according to court documents.
Hall was a person of interest in relation to three non-fatal opioid overdoses. Two of the victims had information that their supplier’s name was Tyler and that he worked, resided and sold drugs in the area of West 104th Street and Lorain Avenue, according to court documents.
Law enforcement on July 3 searched Hall’s residence at 10400 Lorain Ave. and business, at auto body shop at 3179 West 104th Street. Hall was detained and found to be carrying two cellular phones, $1,152 in cash and a set of keys to both his residence and business, according to court documents.
Inside his residence was a desk where it appeared drugs were prepared and packaged for sale. Also nearby were 1.46 grams of fentanyl, 22 grams of crack cocaine, a Walther 9 mm semiautomatic pistol and approximately $6,000 in cash, according to court documents.
Hall was prohibited from having a firearm because of previous felony convictions, including for aggravated robbery, robbery, intimidation of a crime victim or witness and multiple drug trafficking and possession convictions, according to court documents.
This case was investigated by the Cleveland Division of Police, Drug Enforcement Administration and Ohio High Intensity Drug Trafficking Area (HIDTA). It is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Elliot Morrison.
Jury Finds Local Plaintiff’s Attorney Guilty of Corruptly Obstructing an IRS AuditRead the Press Release
SACRAMENTO, Calif. — On Monday, a federal jury found Stephen J. Dougan, 59, formerly of Granite Bay, guilty of one count of corruptly endeavoring to impede the due administration of the Internal Revenue Laws, U.S. Attorney McGregor W. Scott announced.
According to evidence admitted at trial, during an Internal Revenue Service audit of his 2006 and 2007 tax returns, Dougan made false statements and provided false and misleading documents to the IRS that substantially underrepresented his income in 2006 and 2007. He also made false statements and provided false and misleading documents to the IRS in order to substantiate various business expenses he claimed on Schedule C of his 2006 tax return.
This case is the product of an investigation by IRS Criminal Investigation. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Michael M. Beckwith, Chi Soo Kim, Matthew M. Yelovich and Amy Schuller Hitchcock are prosecuting the case.
Dougan is scheduled for sentencing on April 22, 2019. He faces a maximum statutory penalty of three years in prison and a $5,000 fine or a fine of twice the value of the gross gain or loss from the tax violation, which, in this case, exceeded $320,000.
Jury Finds Iowa Man Guilty of Two Counts of Murder-for-HireRead the Press Release
A man who was serving a fifteen year federal prison sentence when he tried to hire a “hitman” to murder two people in Northeast Iowa was convicted by a jury today after a six-day trial in federal court in Cedar Rapids.
Jason Harriman, age 44, formerly of Traer and Independence, Iowa, was convicted of two counts of murder-for-hire. The verdict was returned this afternoon following about four hours of jury deliberations.
The evidence at trial showed that in 2011, Harriman was sentenced to serve fifteen years in federal prison for unlawfully possessing a gun and ammunition. While in federal prison in Arkansas, Harriman made multiple phone calls and sent multiple emails to an individual he thought was a hired killer, but was actually an undercover agent from the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives. After meeting with the “hitman” in person in the prison, Harriman signed a contract calling for the murders of two people who were living in Northeast Iowa. Harriman agreed to pay the “hitman” $21,000 and had already given the “hitman” a 1969 Dodge Charger as a down payment.
Sentencing before United States District Court Judge C.J. Williams will be set after a presentence report is prepared. Harriman remains in custody of the United States Marshal pending sentencing. Harriman faces a possible maximum sentence of twenty years’ imprisonment, a $500,000 fine, and six years of supervised release following any imprisonment.
The case is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorneys Anthony Morfitt and Kyndra Lundquist and was investigated by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives and the Bureau of Prisons Special Investigative Service.
Court file information at https://ecf.iand.uscourts.gov/cgi-bin/login.pl.
The case file number is 18-CR-2033-LRR.
Follow us on Twitter @USAO_NDIA.
Jury Convicts Tulsa Man of Shooting a Police OfficerRead the Press Release
Following a two day trial, a federal jury returned a verdict of guilty on Tuesday in the prosecution of a 35-year-old Tulsa man for shooting and wounding a Tulsa police officer at a local Quik Trip on July 3, 2018, announced U.S. Attorney Trent Shores.
The jury deliberated two hours before finding John Terry Chatman, Jr., guilty of three federal counts, which included being a felon in possession of a firearm and ammunition, obstruction of justice by attempting to kill a witness, and carrying, using, and discharging a firearm during and in relation to a crime of violence.
“Our case was strong, and our cause was just. Guilty on all counts was the right result. I am thankful to the jury for their service,” said U.S. Attorney Trent Shores. “John Chatman won’t be shooting anymore police officers. We will seek the maximum sentence allowed under law.”
On July 3, 2018, Tulsa police officers discovered Chatman driving a mini-van with a license plate that was registered to a different vehicle. Officers explained the traffic violation and asked for identification. Chatman repeatedly refused to identify himself and questioned the officers’ jurisdiction. Chatman escalated the situation by refusing to exit the vehicle and demanding to speak to a supervisor.
The United States presented evidence from police body cameras showing officers directing Chatman to exit the vehicle and repeatedly explaining the traffic and obstruction violations to him. Eventually, Tulsa Police Sergeant Mike Parsons arrived on scene and explained to Chatman that he was obstructing an investigation.
The video further showed that Sgt. Parsons again ordered the man to leave the vehicle, explaining to Chatman he would use PepperBalls to make him exit the vehicle. As the sergeant deployed his PepperBall gun into the vehicle, Chatman shot him with a handgun from within the mini-van, striking Sgt. Parsons. An officer returned fire, and Chatman was eventually arrested. The prosecution showed that the sergeant’s injuries could have been far more severe, potentially shattering his femur or hitting an artery, if a challenge coin in his pocket had not deflected the bullet.
A .32 caliber revolver was recovered from the scene with four spent cartridge casings in the firearm, and two live rounds. As a felon, Chatman was not allowed to possess firearms under federal law.
U.S. District Judge Claire V. Eagan presided over the trial and will sentence Chatman on April 30, 2019. Chatman potentially faces a maximum penalty of 10 years up to life imprisonment and a $250,000 fine for the felon in possession of a firearm and ammunition charge; a maximum penalty of 30 years imprisonment and a $250,000 fine for the obstruction of justice by attempting to kill a witness charge; and a mandatory minimum penalty of 10 years imprisonment, consecutive to any other term of imprisonment, and a $250,000 fine for the carrying, using, and discharging a firearm during and in relation to a crime of violence charge.
The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives and the Tulsa Police Department investigated the case. U.S. Attorney Trent Shores and Assistant U.S. Attorneys Allen Litchfield and Mark Morgan prosecuted the case.
Jasper County Woman Sentenced for Production of Child PornographyRead the Press Release
BEAUMONT, Texas — A 33-year-old Jasper, Texas woman has been sentenced to 320 months in federal prison for child exploitation violations in the Eastern District of Texas, announced U.S. Attorney Joseph D. Brown today.
Janel Saphire Trahan pleaded guilty on Sep. 13, 2018 to production of child pornography and was sentenced to 320 months in federal prison by U.S. District Judge Thad Heartfield on Jan. 23, 2019.
According to information presented in court, on Jan. 13, 2018, Trahan took a photograph of herself performing oral sex on a 2-year-old female and sent it to her husband. On Jan. 14, 2018, she sent the photograph in a private group chat using a mobile instant messaging application. Trahan was indicted by a federal grand jury on Feb. 7, 2018.
This case was prosecuted 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 Attorneys’ Offices and the Criminal Division's Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section (CEOS), Project Safe Childhood marshals federal, state and local resources to better locate, apprehend and prosecute individuals who exploit children via the Internet, as well as to identify and rescue victims. For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit www.projectsafechildhood.gov.
This case was investigated by HSI-ICE, the Beaumont Police Department and the Orange County Sheriff’s Office and prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Christopher T. Tortorice.
Jackson Men Sentenced to Federal Prison under Project EJECT for Illegally Possessing FirearmsRead the Press Release
Jackson, Miss. – Cleveland Ellis, 30, and Joshua Hamilton, 29, both of Jackson, were sentenced yesterday by Chief United States District Judge Daniel P. Jordan III for illegally possessing firearms as felons, announced U.S. Attorney Mike Hurst and Special Agent in Charge Dana Nichols with the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives (“ATF”).
Ellis was sentenced to 21 months in federal prison, while Hamilton received a 64 month prison sentence. Each must pay a $1,500 fine and serve three years of supervised release after his release from prison.
In November 2017, Ellis and Hamilton were sitting in a parked car after midnight in a dark alley of an apartment complex in Jackson. The men were smoking marijuana, drinking, and waiting for an unnamed “friend” to come home. When an officer asked if they needed assistance, she learned that Ellis had a 9mm semi-automatic pistol under his seat and Hamilton was sitting on a .40 caliber semi-automatic pistol, which was stolen. Both men were convicted felons. Ellis has a prior conviction for manslaughter, and Hamilton has a prior conviction for aggravated assault.
This case is part of Project EJECT, an initiative by the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of Mississippi under the U.S. Department of Justice’s Project Safe Neighborhoods (“PSN”). EJECT is a holistic, multi-disciplinary approach to fighting and reducing violent crime in Jackson through prosecution, prevention, re-entry and awareness. EJECT stands for “Empower Jackson Expel Crime Together.” PSN is a program bringing together all levels of law enforcement and the communities they serve to reduce violent crime and make our neighborhoods safer for everyone. Former Attorney General Jeff Sessions reinvigorated PSN in 2017 as part of the Department’s renewed focus on targeting violent criminals, directing all U.S. Attorney’s Offices to work in partnership with federal, state, local, and tribal law enforcement and the local community to develop effective, locally-based strategies to reduce violent crime.
U.S. Attorney Hurst commended the work of the Jackson Police Department and their cooperation with ATF agents and Project EJECT task force members in the investigation of this case.
Iowa Man Sentenced for Interference with Commerce by Threats and ViolenceRead the Press Release
United States Attorney Ron Parsons announced that a Sioux City, Iowa, man convicted of Interference with Commerce by Threats and Violence was sentenced on December 20, 2018, by U.S. District Judge Karen E. Schreier.
Caleb Robert Babb, age 35, was sentenced to 44 months in federal prison, followed by 3 years of supervised release, restitution in the total amount of $3.950.28, and a special assessment to the Federal Crime Victims Fund in the amount of $100.
Babb was indicted by a federal grand jury on February 6, 2018. He pled guilty on September 24, 2018.
The conviction stemmed from an incident on November 29, 2016, when Babb robbed the Glass Palace, located in North Sioux City, South Dakota. At that time, the Glass Palace was a restaurant and casino. Babb entered the Glass Palace wearing a black ski mask, dark sunglasses, black gloves, and armed with a BB gun that looked like a real handgun. He displayed the firearm to a Glass Palace employee and ordered her to take money from the cash register and place it into a bag. Babb then took the bag with money from the register and left the premises. As part of his sentence, Babb was ordered to pay restitution for money he stole from three other businesses in South Dakota.
This case was investigated by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Explosives, and Firearms. Assistant U.S. Attorney Jeffrey C. Clapper prosecuted the case.
Babb was immediately turned over to the custody of the U.S. Marshals Service.
ICE most wanted illegal alien pleads guilty to illegally re-entering United StatesRead the Press Release
LAFAYETTE, La. – United States Attorney David C. Joseph announced that an illegal alien from Mexico arrested in Acadia Parish pleaded guilty today to illegally re-entering the country.
Jose Melchor-Martinez, 49, of Mexico, pleaded guilty before U.S. Magistrate Judge Carol B. Whitehurst to one count of illegal re-entry of a removed alien. The plea will become final when accepted by U.S. District Judge S. Maurice Hicks Jr. According to the guilty plea, U.S. Immigrations and Customs Enforcement agents arrested Melchor-Martinez near Church Point, Louisiana, on October 12, 2018 on a criminal complaint. He had been previously removed from the United States on September 6, 2003 after a serving time for a conviction in Mecklenburg, North Carolina, for a charge of indecent liberties with a child. At the time of his arrest in October, U.S. Immigrations and Customs Enforcement considered Melchor-Martinez one of its most wanted fugitives. For more information, see www.ice.gov/most-wanted/martinez-jose-melchor.
Melchor-Martinez faces up to 20 years in prison, three years of supervised release, a $250,000 fine, and possible deportation. The court set sentencing for June 6, 2019.
U.S. Immigrations and Customs Enforcement Removal, Office of Enforcement and Removal Operations investigated the case. Assistant U.S. Attorney David J. Ayo is prosecuting the case.
Huntington Man Pleads Guilty to Federal Drug ChargeRead the Press Release
HUNTINGTON, W.Va. – A Huntington man pled guilty today to a federal drug charge, announced United States Attorney Mike Stuart. Ralph Wray, 36, entered a guilty plea to an indictment charging him with possession with the intent to distribute methamphetamine.
Wray admitted that on July 23, 2018, he purchased methamphetamine at a home on Oakland Avenue in Huntington. He left the home and an officer with Huntington Police Department saw what appeared to be baggies of methamphetamine hanging from his belt. The officer approached Wray and Wray admitted the baggies contained methamphetamine. The baggies contained approximately 33 grams of methamphetamine.
Wray faces up to twenty years in federal prison when he is sentenced on May 20, 2019.
The Huntington Police Department conducted the investigation. The plea hearing was held before United States District Judge Robert C. Chambers. Assistant United States Attorney Stephanie S. Taylor handled the prosecution.
Follow us on Twitter: SDWVNews
###
Henderson Man Sentenced for Receipt of a Firearm While Under IndictmentRead the Press Release
RALEIGH – United States Attorney Robert J. Higdon, Jr. announced that today in federal court, United States District Judge James C. Dever, III sentenced TYQUEL ALSTON, 19, of Henderson, North Carolina to 54 months imprisonment, followed by 3 years of supervised release.
ALSTON was named in an Indictment filed on May 16, 2018 charging him with receipt of a firearm while under indictment. On August 7, 2018, ALSTON pled guilty to that charge.
On May 9, 2018 ALSTON was pulled over leaving a known drug area by law enforcement officers with the Henderson Police Department. ALSTON was driving erratically and at a high rate of speed when law enforcement initiated the traffic stop. Officers could smell marijuana in his car and subsequently searched the car. Under the passenger seat officers found a Leinad Inc., Model M-11, 9mm pistol with an extended magazine. The magazine was loaded with 16 rounds. ALSTON is a prohibited possessor of firearms because he was under Indictment for Trafficking in Heroin, Larceny of a Motor Vehicle, Possession of a Stolen Vehicle and Possession of a Handgun by a Minor. Those charges were then pending in the Vance County Superior Court.
The Court granted the Government’s request for an upward departure in the defendant’s sentence because ALSTON was likewise under indictment for his participation in a drive by shooting that occurred on May 25, 2017. During that shooting an unintended victim, a pregnant 17 year old female, was shot in the leg when one of the bullets went into her home that was located across the street from the shooting location. ALSTON previously threatened his girlfriend with firearms in March and May 2018. On both occasions his girlfriend reported to police that ALSTON pointed a firearm at her and threatened to kill her during a domestic dispute. The indictment related to this shooting was pending in Vance County Superior Court at the time he possessed the weapon that was the subject of the federal charges.
This case is part of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), a program bringing together all levels of law enforcement and the communities they serve to reduce violent crime and make our neighborhoods safer for everyone. Since 2017 the United States Department of Justice has reinvigorated the PSN program and has targeted violent criminals, directing all U.S. Attorney’s Offices to work in partnership with federal, state, local, and tribal law enforcement and the local community to develop effective, locally-based strategies to reduce violent crime.
That effort has been implemented through the Take Back North Carolina Initiative of The United States Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of North Carolina. This initiative emphasizes the regional assignment of federal prosecutors to work with law enforcement and District Attorney’s Offices on a sustained basis in those communities to reduce the violent crime rate, drug trafficking, and crimes against law enforcement.
The investigation of this case was conducted by the Henderson Police Department as well as the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF). The case was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Charity Wilson.
Hemet Man Sentenced to Five Years in Prison for Identity Theft Scheme that Claimed More than $800,000 in False Tax RefundsRead the Press Release
RIVERSIDE, California – An Inland Empire man has been sentenced to 60 months in federal prison for his role in scheme that stole victims’ identities and used them to claim more than $800,000 in fraudulent tax refunds.
Raymond Salazar, 55, of Hemet, was sentenced Monday by United States District Judge Jesus G. Bernal. Salazar was further ordered to pay restitution of $298,693. Salazar pleaded guilty in August 2018 to one count of wire fraud and one count of aggravated identity theft.
Three other defendants involved in the scheme have pleaded guilty to federal criminal charges and are awaiting sentencing in March. They are:
-
Charlene Castrejon, 60, of Hemet;
-
Rebecca Mona Sandoval, 35 of San Jacinto; and;
-
Robert Manuel Gamboa, Jr., known as Paul Timothy Garcia, 31, of Highland.
As part of their scheme, which continued through April 2015, Salazar and his co-conspirators obtained the names, Social Security numbers and dates of birth of individuals without their knowledge or consent, according to Salazar’s plea agreement.
The conspirators then used their victims’ identities to prepare and file false and fraudulent federal income tax returns that contained false income, dependent, earned income credit, education credit and child tax credit information, court documents state.
For example, in January 2013, Salazar and his co-defendants used one victim’s identity to knowingly file a false income tax return for 2012 that falsely stated the victim’s income and that the victim had a dependent who purportedly was the victim’s disabled nephew, court papers state. The return falsely stated that the identity theft victim was entitled to an earned income tax credit and refund of $3,169, according to Salazar’s plea agreement.
The refund payments were mailed to addresses or deposited directly into taxpayer debit card accounts that Salazar and his co-defendants controlled. In total, Salazar and his co-conspirators succeeded in obtaining approximately $569,334.26 in federal tax refunds from the Internal Revenue Service, Salazar’s plea agreement states.
In addition, in May 2013 Salazar and his co-defendants knowingly possessed at his Hemet residence at least 15 credit and debit cards and Social Security numbers belonging to their victims and which were intended to be used to file false federal income tax returns, according to court documents.
This case was part of an ongoing investigation conducted by IRS Criminal Investigation and U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s Homeland Security Investigations. They received substantial assistance from the FBI Safe Streets San Bernardino Gang Impact Team.
The case was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Joseph B. Widman, chief of the Riverside Branch Office.
-
Haughton man pleads guilty to enticing a minor to travel to Louisiana for illegal sex actsRead the Press Release
SHREVEPORT, La. – United States Attorney David C. Joseph announced that a Haughton man pleaded guilty on January 16, 2019 for convincing a minor to travel with him from West Virginia to Louisiana in order to engage in illegal sex acts.
Blake Lee Bissell, 27, of Haughton, Louisiana, pleaded guilty before U.S. District Judge Elizabeth E. Foote to one count of coercion and enticement to travel to engage in criminal sexual activity. According to the guilty plea, Bissell began an online relationship with a 14-year-old in early 2018. Shortly thereafter, Bissell traveled to West Virginia on June 30, 2018, picked up the minor and transported the minor back to Louisiana where they engaged in illegal sexual activity.
Bissell faces up to 20 years in prison, three years of supervised release and a $250,000 fine. The court set the sentencing date for May 2, 2019.
The FBI and the Wheeling Police Department of West Virginia conducted the investigation. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Brian C. Flanagan and Earl M. Campbell are prosecuting the case.
Hartford Man Sentenced to 3 Years in Federal Prison for Firearm and Drug OffensesRead the Press Release
John H. Durham, United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut, today announced that MIGUEL MARTINEZ, also known as “Nitro,” 34, of Hartford, was sentenced yesterday by U.S. District Judge Jeffrey A. Meyer in New Haven to 36 months of imprisonment, followed by four years of supervised release, for firearm and drug offenses.
According to court documents and statements made in court, this matter stems from a law enforcement investigation headed by the FBI’s Northern Connecticut Violent Crimes Task Force and the Hartford Police Department’s Vice and Narcotics Division targeting gang violence and narcotics trafficking in Hartford. In May 2018, Martinez and nine other alleged members and associates of the Almighty Latin Kings Nation were charged with offenses related to the distribution of heroin, fentanyl and crack cocaine in Hartford. Four of the defendants, including Martinez, were charged with firearm offenses.
On June 8, 2017, Martinez sold a Taurus 9mm pistol, loaded with 10 rounds of ammunition, to an individual working with law enforcement. At the time of the sale, Martinez was a convicted felon and stated that the gun had been used to pistol whip someone and that it may still have blood on it. On June 23, 2017, Martinez sold heroin and fentanyl to the same individual.
Martinez was arrested on May 10, 2018. On August 9, 2018, while he was released on bond and wearing an electronic monitoring device, Martinez sold crack cocaine to an undercover police officer. His bond was revoked on August 22, 2018. On October 16, 2018, he pleaded guilty to one count of possession of a firearm by a convicted felon, and one count of possession with intent to distribute, and distribution of, heroin and fentanyl.
The FBI’s Northern Connecticut Violent Crimes Task Force includes members of the Hartford Police Department, East Hartford Police Department, Connecticut State Police and Connecticut Department of Correction.
This case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Brian P. Leaming.
Hartford Man Admits to Sex Trafficking of Two MinorsRead the Press Release
John H. Durham, United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut, announced that HIRAN SANCHEZ, also known as “Ivan” and “Pablo,” 21, of Hartford, pleaded guilty today in Hartford federal court to one count of sex trafficking of a minor.
According to court documents and statements made in court, Sanchez recruited two minor victims to engage in commercial sex acts. Sanchez trafficked the first victim, who was 15 at the time, in the summer of 2016, and the second victim, who was 16, in April and May 2017. After Sanchez advertised the victims’ prostitution services on Backpage.com, he transported the victims to Hartford-area hotels to meet with clients who paid them for sex. The victims provided all of the money they earned to Sanchez.
Sanchez has been detained since his arrest on January 22, 2018.
The charge of sex trafficking of a minor carries a mandatory minimum term of imprisonment of 10 years and a maximum term of imprisonment of life. Sanchez is scheduled to be sentenced by U.S. District Judge Alvin W. Thompson on May 8, 2019.
This matter has been investigated by the Connecticut State Police and Hartford Police Department, through the Connecticut Human Trafficking Task Force, and with the assistance of Homeland Security Investigations. The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Sarala V. Nagala and Nancy V. Gifford.
January 2019 is National Slavery and Human Trafficking Prevention Month.
Harrison County man admits to his role in methamphetamine distribution operations in Harrison, Marion, and Monongalia CountiesRead the Press Release
CLARKSBURG, WEST VIRGINIA – Christopher Conley, of Clarksburg, West Virginia, has admitted to his role in a methamphetamine distribution operation, United States Attorney Bill Powell announced.
Conley, age 35, pled guilty to one count of “Unlawful Possession of a Firearm.” Conley, being a person prohibited from having a firearm, admitted to having a 9mm pistol in April 2018 in Harrison County.Conley faces up to 10 years incarceration and a fine of up to $250,000. Under the Federal Sentencing Guidelines, the actual sentence imposed will be based upon the seriousness of the offenses and the prior criminal history, if any, of the defendant.
This case was brought as part of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN). Project Safe Neighborhoods is the centerpiece of the Department of Justice’s violent crime reduction efforts. PSN is an evidence-based program proven to be effective at reducing violent crime. Through PSN, a broad spectrum of stakeholders work together to identify the most pressing violent crime problems in the community and develop comprehensive solutions to address them. As part of this strategy, PSN focuses enforcement efforts on the most violent offenders and partners with locally based prevention and reentry programs for lasting reductions in crime.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Zelda E. Wesley is prosecuting the case on behalf of the government. The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives and the Greater Harrison Drug & Violent Crimes Task Force, a HIDTA-funded initiative, investigated. The United States Marshal Service assisted in the arrests.
The investigation was funded in part by the federal Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Force Program (OCDETF). The OCDETF program supplies critical federal funding and coordination that allows federal and state agencies to work together to successfully identify, investigate, and prosecute major interstate and international drug trafficking organizations and other criminal enterprises.
U.S. Magistrate Judge Michael John Aloi presided.
Greece Man Pleads Guilty to Being A Felon in PossessionRead the Press Release
CONTACT: Barbara Burns
PHONE: (716) 843-5817
FAX #: (716) 551-3051ROCHESTER, N.Y. - U.S. Attorney James P. Kennedy, Jr. announced today that Nicholas Coia, 31, of Greece, NY, pleaded guilty before U.S. District Judge Charles J. Siragusa to being felon in possession of a firearm. The charge carries a maximum penalty of 10 years in prison, and a $250,000 fine.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Cassie Kocher, who is handling the case, stated that the defendant admitted to possessing a shotgun and ammunition on March 28, 2018, in the area of 11 St. Pierre Drive in the Town of Greece. Coia was prohibited from legally possessing the shotgun and ammunition because of a prior felony conviction for Driving While Intoxicated.
The plea is the result of an investigation by the Greece Police Department, under the direction of Chief Patrick D. Phelan, and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, under the direction of Special Agent-in-Charge John B. Devito, New York Field Division.
The case was brought by the U.S. Attorney’s Office as part of its Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN) initiative. 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.
Sentencing is scheduled for May 2, 2019, at 9:15 a.m. before Judge Siragusa.
# # # #
Gangster Disciples Member Sentenced to 30Years in Prison in Connection with Rival Gang Member's Murder in ClarksvilleRead the Press Release
NASHVILLE, Tenn., - January 29, 2019 - Rex Andrew Whitlock, aka Stackhouse, 33, of Clarksville, Tennessee and a member of the Gangster Disciples, was sentenced yesterday to 30 years in prison by Chief U.S. District Judge Waverly Crenshaw, Jr., announced U.S. Attorney Don Cochran for the Middle District of Tennessee and Assistant Attorney General Brian A. Benczkowski of the Justice Department’s Criminal Division.
Whitlock was indicted in June 2017 on federal drug conspiracy charges and subsequently indicted on federal racketeering charges, murder in aid of racketeering and use of a firearm resulting in death. He pleaded guilty earlier this month to the RICO conspiracy, drug conspiracy and causing death through the use of a firearm.
According to the court records, Whitlock and other members of the Gangster Disciples waited outside Dodge’s Chicken, a gas station in Clarksville, Tennessee, in the early morning hours of September 1, 2007. Whitlock and other Gangster Disciples then followed a member of the rival Bloods gang as he left Dodge’s Chicken and drove down Tobacco Road in Clarksville, at which time Whitlock shot and killed him.
This extensive investigation was conducted by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives; the Tennessee Bureau of Investigation; the Montgomery County Sheriff’s Office; the Clarksville Police Department; the Rutherford County Sheriff’s Office; the Murfreesboro Police Department; the Gallatin Police Department; the Kentucky State Police; and the 19th Judicial District Drug Task Force. Assistant United States Attorney Ben Schrader and U.S. Department of Justice Trial Attorneys Ivana Nizich and Shauna Hale of the Criminal Division’s Organized Crime and Gang Section (OCGS) prosecuted the case.